Disquiet over Diaspora Council – Hanna

Growing disquiet among Jamaican expatriates in relation to the newly established Diaspora Council must be addressed immediately, Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Lisa Hanna has urged.

Hanna said that members of the diaspora have raised concerns that there was no broad consultation before the new body was created and lamented that the limited scope of the discussions failed to incorporate all the interests of Jamaicans living overseas.

The opposition spokesperson recommended that the framework of the new expat group be reviewed to ensure that Jamaicans are not left out, irrespective of where they reside.

Hanna said this review must capture the scope of consultation, the methodology in developing the new policy framework and structure of the council, and the basis for the selection of the council’s chairperson and members.

“This could become a problem if members of the diaspora who are unhappy with the process remain outside of the process. Then they will not have a seat at the table, and their views will not be heard,” Hanna said.