JAMAICA | The People’s National Party to Strengthen ties with island’s Maroon Community

KINGSTON, Jamaica. January 9, 2024: Newly  appointed Shadow Spokesperson on Culture and Creative Industries, Dr. Deborah Hickling Gordon, has committed to strengthen what she said was “the enduring historical bond between the Maroon People and the PNP.” 

The commitment came during a candid and spirited conversation with Chief Richard Currie of the Accompong Maroons, prompted by Chief Currie's expressions of frustration regarding various governance matters at the annual January 6 Accompong celebrations in St. Elizabeth last weekend.

Acknowledging the concerns raised by Chief Currie regarding institutional support from the current administration, Dr. Hickling Gordon expressed determination to delve deeper into the challenges affecting Accompong, other Maroon communities, and indigenous peoples at large. 

Chief Currie voiced his frustration with a range of issues primarily stemming from the lack of communication with the current government. 

“The PNP acknowledges the paramount importance of upholding these long-standing relationships. The complexities faced by indigenous communities, both locally and globally, are significant but certainly not insurmountable. As PNP President Mark Golding has personally pledged, I am dedicated to facilitating further engagement and dialogue, rooted in inclusivity and mutual respect, to address the constitutional, landholding, and status-related issues identified amidst the ongoing Constitutional changes," Dr. Hickling Gordon assured the Accompong Chief. 

Additionally, Dr. Hickling Gordon conveyed her intention to initiate communication with other Maroon leaders in positions of authority. 

Dr. Hickling Gordon said the PNP remains committed to nurturing cultural relations with all religious, social and cultural groupings in Jamaica.

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