Jamaica Information Service (JIS) to web-cast swearing-in of Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister

KINGSTON – Jamaican nationals, the Jamaican overseas community and friends of Jamaica will witness the inauguration of Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister, the Most Honorable Portia Simpson-Miller on Thursday, March 30, 2006, on the grounds of King’s House at 5 p.m.

This historic evening will conclude with the Inauguration Ball at the Grand Ballroom of the Pegasus Hotel at 9:30 pm.

Jamaicans all over the world can bear witness to their country’s historic moment by viewing the ceremony online at www.jis.gov.jm. The Jamaica Information Service will carry the proceedings of the ceremony live.

Prime Minister-designate Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller

March 30th is particularly significant in Jamaica’s political history as it will be precisely fourteen years to the date when current Primer Minister, The Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, ON, PC, QC, MP, replaced then ailing Prime
Minister, The Most Hon. Michael Manley. This ceremonial handing over of the country’s leadership is poignant due to the current political climate in Jamaica which is ripe for a change in vision and direction.

In February, Cabinet Minister of Local Government, Community Development & Sports, Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller was chosen by the People’s National Party (PNP) delegates to lead the ruling PNP—invariably steering Jamaica on the path of steady, consistent and qualitative development.

“It is important that the Diaspora line up behind Mrs. Portia Simpson-Miller,” noted Dr. Harold Mignott, North Eastern United States Representative for the Jamaican Diaspora Foundation Advisory Board, “…the Diaspora should continue to seek and create opportunities to promote Jamaica and business in Jamaica, while involving Jamaican nationals as well as the government.”