President Jagdeo visited Jamaica for a five-day working visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Bruce Golden. During his visit, the Head of State toured the JB Ethanol Plant at Port Esquivel, St. Catherine.

According to the Jamaican Information Service (JIS), the Jubilee, organised by the Jamaican National Heritage Trust (JNHT), sought to bring greater awareness and acceptance, both locally and globally, of the historical struggles of Jamaicans.

Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding, in his remarks, urged Jamaicans not to carry their past like a log on their shoulders which burdens them, but to stand up as proud people, facing the future and all the challenges that it offers, the JIS news said.

“We gather in a spirit of renewal, because slaves we were, but free men we are today. It is a time like now that we must recall the strength, the courage and the fortitude that our forefathers demonstrated to withstand those many years of bondage and oppression, and we must call on that strength, because we need that strength to take us through the challenges that we will have to overcome,” the Jamaican Prime Minister said.

Meanwhile, Jamaican Minister of Youth, Sport and Culture, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange expressed pleasure to be associated with the event.

The Minister urged Jamaicans to celebrate the event as they continue to recognise the struggles of their ancestors and forge together forward as an emancipated independent Jamaica.

President Jagdeo was yesterday expected to address the Jamaican Dembee Show, one of the largest agricultural shows in the Region.

He is also likely to proceed to the Dominican Republic to discuss several issues among which will be the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the country’s move to become a member of CARICOM.

President Jagdeo will then head to Ecuador where he will attend the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) meeting. (GINA)