New York, USA — The breakaway Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) appears to be garnering important support in its growing opposition to the Jamaican Government over claims that the Administration is short on engagement with the Diaspora.

In the wake of what the Government has said was a wildly successful 10th biennial conference in Montego Bay, St James last month, the dissident group now names among its supporters, Patrick Beckford, the man who headed the Diaspora Advisory Board which preceded the GJDC, for the Northeast United States.

“The concept of how the rival group is handling the issue is how it should be done,” said Beckford, a respected voice in the Diaspora. “Control and administration of the Diaspora should be left to those in the countries where we have a Diaspora,” he declared

Patrick Beckford

Beckford suggested that it was important that a body such as the GJDC is registered, if it is going to operate independently and legally, and this is not something the Government can do under US laws.

The Global Jamaica Diaspora Council is the name by which the Government organises the two-yearly conference, but at the height of the dispute, the dissident group registered the domain name in Florida, with plans to have it further registered in other US cities with large Jamaican populations.

The group also staged a rival conference online, and claimed that it got over 100,000 participants. The Montego Bay conference pulled in an impressive 1,200 registrants, though it was not immediately clear if registrants translated to participants.

The group has been staging protest demonstrations in the US, after charging that the Government has refused to work with them to deal with concerning issues such as crime, corruption and the lack of quality health care in Jamaica.

Noting that the Government was responsible for the appointment of the majority of the current 28-member council, Beckford said that should not be so. It is understood, however, that the situation is due to the fact that there are not sufficient members of the Diaspora in countries such as the Middle East and Latin America to allow for an election.

In giving his support to the group, Beckford said that “the Government’s role should be that of an ex-officio member only. I believe the group has widespread support and can operate independently, as it should”.

Notwithstanding, Beckford advocated that both sides should meet to have “a serious conversation on the issues of concern and the way forward, as there is a lot to be done and a huge role that the council can play”.

Another high-profile member of the Diaspora, who requested anonymity to discuss the matter, said that there was nothing illegal or unethical about what the group has done and is doing. “The Government has put itself in the position it finds itself and it cannot now seek public sentiment and support,” he insisted, adding: “These people are as patriotic and passionate about Jamaica as all of us here are. I don’t get the impression that they are saying Jamaica is no good, but rather that it can be better.”

While not issuing a full throated support for the group, Sadie Campbell, who is president of the People’s National Party affiliate Jamaica Progressive League, said the Government should not be playing a hands-on role but instead allow the Diaspora, whether it be the current rival group or some other group, to operate independently as long as they do so legitimately.

The group has also won kudos from another key voice, Rick Nugent, who is president of the Jamaica Association of Maryland. Although making it clear that he is not associated with the breakaway group, Nugent believes that “they genuinely want to assist the people of Jamaica”.

Rick Nugent

Nugent, who is also executive vice-president of the National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO), said the group is garnering support and it would be “a mistake to ignore them”.

West Mid-West Diaspora representative Shauna Chin suggested that a huge misunderstanding on how the GJDC works is to be blamed for much of what is currently taking place.

She pointed out that she and her colleagues were not operating as an arm of the Government, but as an advisory body to help with how the Government can best engage with the Diaspora.

Peter Gracey

Describing the situation between the group and the Government “as sad”, Peter Gracey, who represents the GJDC for the southern US, said it is also “unfortunate that because we are so divided we are not able to use diplomacy and dialogue to resolve the issues of concern”.

Meanwhile, representatives of the GJDC which is recognised by the Government continue to operate in their respective capacities. Michelle Tulloch-Neil told the Jamaica Observer that she and her colleagues were aware of the situation, but are continuing with a number of projects.

Among the projects is that of sourcing critical supplies for hospitals islandwide, as well as a US$4 million computer drive to assist schools across the country. Some of the computers were delivered during the recently concluded conference in Montego Bay. Others are to be distributed during this month.