Malahoo-Forte dismissed claims of political interference in selection of Diaspora Advisory Board

KINGSTON — Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Hon. Marlene Malahoo Forte, has dismissed claims of political interference in the appointment of the Diaspora Advisory Board.

Speaking in the Senate on May 13, she stated that the proposal for the Minister to play a role in the constitution of the board, was based on the principle that “ministerial advisers should be selected by and not imposed upon the Minister."

“It is really unfortunate that the proposal to give the Minister a say has caused some to conclude that this is an attempt to politicise the process,” she said.

The State Minister, who has responsibility for Diaspora Affairs, said the proposal came against the backdrop of numerous complaints from the Diaspora community.

She said that a large part of the problem relates to the fact that no meeting has been held with the existing board since January last year. She told the Upper House that she intends to raise the matter with the Diaspora “in a constructive way in hope that we will be better enable to work toward building a better Jamaica."

In addition, plans are being made to convene a meeting as soon as possible with the Prime Minister, the Hon. Bruce Golding and the advisory board. A new board should have been put in place in June 2010, but that was not done because the conference, scheduled for Ocho Rios, was cancelled.

“The new board will be put in place through a democratic process without anyone having to worry about the process,” Senator Malahoo Forte said. 

In the meantime, the State Minister informed that the agenda for the 2011 Diaspora Conference remains a work in progress, in consultation with the Diaspora.

“We have had feedback from them and they have been incorporated. We continue to refine the agenda even as we continue to the planning process,” she said.  

The 2011 Diaspora Conference is scheduled for June 16 to 17 (with pre conference activities on the 15th), at the Jamaica Grande, Ocho Rios, St. Ann.

By LATONYA LINTON, JIS Reporter