High Commission Hosts First Citizenship Ceremony in London

The High Commission in London, on December 13, hosted its first ceremony to recognise United Kingdom (UK)-born persons of Jamaican heritage, who took up Jamaican citizenship.

High Commissioner to the UK, Her Excellency Aloun N’dombet-Assamba, who congratulated the new citizens, said the decision to host the special ceremony was to celebrate the fact that they had chosen to confirm their Jamaican citizenship.

“We thought that it would be nice to have a simple ceremony to show what it means now that you have chosen to confirm your Jamaican citizenship,” the High Commissioner said.

She noted that they had made a good decision in choosing to be certified as Jamaican citizens.

“It is an honour. Jamaica is a country that has a good reputation internationally, that is larger than its size and also larger than that of many countries which are bigger and richer than Jamaica,” she added

The High Commissioner had announced plans for the citizenship ceremonies earlier this year, while speaking at a meeting of Jamaican community leaders in February.

She told the meeting then that the proposed ceremonies would be a special recognition for those who go through the process.

A growing number of persons of Jamaican heritage are applying for Certification as Jamaican Citizens.

In 2011, some 117 Citizenship applications were made ; in 2012 , another 442  applications were submitted to the Jamaican High Commission and up to October this year more than 352 Citizenship  applications  had been made.

The High Commission is encouraging all persons who are entitled, to apply for Jamaican citizenship as both Jamaica and the UK allow for dual nationality.