Diaspora award for Holness

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is to be presented with the Diaspora 2017 Award for Distinguished Leadership at a Jamaica 55 Grand Independence Gala this evening in New York.

Holness is also scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the function, a communiquÈ from the Office of the Prime Minister stated.

His mentor and former prime minister, Edward Seaga, will also be awarded for his service to nation building, and former NBA all-star centre Patrick Ewing will receive the 'Son of the Soil Legacy Award'.

Seaga lead the Jamaican Government from 1980 to 1989 and was leader of the Jamaica Labour Party from 1974 to 2005.

Holness left the island on Thursday night for the event. He is also scheduled to meet with members of the Jamaican diaspora while in New York.

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Dr Horace Chang will be in charge of the Government while the prime minister is away.