News February 14 2026 by Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer

Diaspora direction debate

Updated February 14 2026 3 min read

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  • Patrick Beckford Patrick Beckford
  • Alando Terrelonge, state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Alando Terrelonge, state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

The continuing oversight of the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council (GJDC) by the Government has sparked fierce pushback from some members of the Jamaican diaspora in the United States, with a former Diaspora Advisory Board member calling for change. At the same time, an outgoing GJDC council member for the Southern region is publicly questioning why the Government retains control over the body. Former Diaspora Advisory Board member Patrick Beckford is calling for the Jamaican Government to divest itself from serving as chair of the diaspora governance structure.

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