Youth to Play Big Role in Emancipendence Celebrations

Minister of Youth and Culture, Hon. Lisa Hanna, says young people will play a “serious role” in Emancipation and Independence celebrations this year.

Minister Hanna, who was speaking at a JIS Think Tank on Friday (July 24), said youth from across the island will be involved in the planning and executing of activities from August 1 to 6.

She informed that National Youth Service (NYS) participants “will be engaged at the Grand Gala, at the Independence Village, throughout various places, and many of them will be given tickets to attend events.”

It was also announced that a special tribute will be made to the nation’s children at the Grand Gala on August 6.

“We really want to show our children that we care about them. There’s going to be a 200-voice children choir that is going to be performing at the Grand Gala,” said Executive Director of the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), Delroy Gordon.

He also informed that each grand gala ticket will bear the 1-888-PROTECT toll free number and steps to report acts of child abuse or a missing child.

Meanwhile, Minister Hanna explained that a number of the events planned this year will help the youth understand and appreciate the importance of celebrating the country’s Emancipation and Independence.

“Why we need to celebrate ourselves is so that we can continue to engender who we are as a people to harness that excellence, and for young people to understand really the history of where we’re coming from and the struggles,” she said.

“It’s important for people not only to celebrate that as a part of our post-Independence experience, but in celebrating it, understand that we don’t stop there. We have to get that drive and have that opportunity to continue to propel our people towards greatness,” she added.

Activities for Emancipation and Independence will be held islandwide.

“And it’s not only activities in Kingston and St. Andrew, but activities nationally. Activities that are embedded in rural areas, activities that have to do with intrinsic talent to those rural areas, celebrations, beautification,” Minister Hanna said.