MIAMI – Jamaica’s newly appointed Consul General to the Southern United States, Mrs. Sandra Griffiths assumed her position on Tuesday (Sept. 2), at the Miami Consulate in downtown Miami. She will be responsible for consular affairs in the 13 Southern States.
Mrs. Grant-Griffiths succeeds Ricardo Allicock who returned to Jamaica to assume the position of Director of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
Mrs. Grant-Griffiths brings a wealth of knowledge to the overseas Mission having joined the Foreign Service since 1977. The Consul General has covered a wide spectrum in the government service working with the Jamaican Diaspora through her position as Director, Communication and Liaison of the Jamaica Overseas and Consular Affairs Department which also has responsibility for the Returning Residents Facilitation Unit. During this time, she was responsible for the coordination and implementation of policy for the establishment of the returning resident program and outreach strategies for the Jamaican diasporic communities, including the return of skilled Jamaican nationals under the International Organization for Migrations Return and Reintegration Projects.
Hon. Sandra Grant Griffiths
Prior to her new assignment, Mrs. Grant-Griffiths subsequently held the position of Chief of Protocol, where she embraced the provision of appropriate State protocol services and policy advice, as well as facilitating the operations and entitlements of accredited diplomatic foreign missions in keeping with the established Conventions.
While she was involved in the coordination of activities for engaging the Jamaican overseas communities, the Consul General was also instrumental in the planning the inaugural Jamaica Diaspora Symposium and bi-annual National Diaspora Conference in Kingston, in June 2004.
In an interview with JIS, Mrs. Grant-Griffiths said that she intends to continue working with the Diaspora engaging them in all areas relevant to Jamaica’s national development, and furthering the Government’s mandate in building partnerships for trade and investment, and economic development.
In welcoming the new Consul General, Jamaican Diaspora Board advisory representative to the Southern USA, Marlon Hill, spoke of his intent to collaborate efforts to further the development of the Diaspora for the benefit of both the local communities and in the interest of Jamaica.
With a personal interest in the arts, Mrs. Griffiths also plans to build areas of cultural exchange between both regions. Already, an alliance has been forged between the Consulate of Jamaica and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. This resulted in a range of successful performances recently including the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica, Dem Three Jamaican Tenors, the one-person production – Jamaica Farewell, and Reggae Symphony starring international reggae performers, John Holt and Freddie McGregor. The annual Reggae Soca Awards has also been staged at this venue, annually.
In an effort to readily and easily serve the community, the Consul General said that she would be collaborating with other agencies to develop outreach programs that would impact the lives of Jamaicans in the Diaspora.
In addition, the CG also indicated earnest in addressing concerns and issues regarding passports, immigration and consular matters, as the Consulate continued to serve the needs of the Jamaican community under her juridisction with the second largest population of Jamaicans in the United States.
Mrs. Griffiths holds a Bachelor of Science (B. Sc. Hons.) degree in Public Administration and International Relations from the University of the West Indies. She is married with one child.
