Civic Ceremony in Sam Sharpe Square Highlighted Independence Celebrations in St. James

Marching bands and uniformed groups from across the parish of St. James gave good displays yesterday (August 7), as they participated in the Independence Civic Ceremony held at Sam Sharpe Square in Montego Bay.
The ceremony, which marked the 44th anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence, was organised by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), in association with the St. James Parish Council, and was staged under the theme: ‘Together with dedication. we build our nation’.
Young dancers from the Montego Bay Infant School, and a cultural group from the Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College also entertained persons who attended the event.
Messages from Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall and Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller were read by Dorothy Hanson and Minister of Labour and Social Security, Derrick Kellier, respectively. Mrs. Hanson represented the Custos of St. James, Clarence Nelson.
In his address, Chairman of the function, Councillor Richard Solomon, called on all Jamaicans to continue nurturing and developing the precious gift of independence that the people of the country had tirelessly fought for at all levels of society.
“Our ancestors have paved the way and I think it’s our duty that we should all continue along that path. Let us today, after four decades of self- government, prove that we can effectively manage and protect the interest of our people and the future of our nation. Let us act responsibly as an independent nation and mirror the actions of those persons who had battled for change. We must continue the process of development and the process of national growth,” he emphasised.
President of the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pauline Reid, in her address, called on citizens to unite and work together with leaders of the country in an effort to create a better Jamaica.
“We are a resilient people, whose creativity and ingenuity, when channeled positively, can make the difference in creating the environment that so many desire; one that can offer a better standard of living for our people,” Miss Reid said.