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PM Andrew Holness visits the Maroons in St Elizabeth — a moment of solidarity and a promise of rebuilding
In the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Melissa — which struck Jamaica in late October 2025 — Prime Minister Andrew Holness made a significant visit to the Maroon community in Accompong, St Elizabeth. The tour, undertaken on behalf of the government, underscored a pledge: no community, regardless of its heritage or location, will be left behind in the national recovery effort.
A community deeply impacted
Accompong is home to hundreds of Maroons — descendants of Jamaica’s historical Maroon communities, known for preserving their ancestral heritage and culture.  According to the Prime Minister’s team, around 80 % of homes in Accompong sustained damage during Hurricane Melissa.  The parish capital, Black River, was described as “ground zero” by Holness, with estimates that 80–90 % of roofs were destroyed and a large number of buildings — including hospitals, historic buildings, churches, and heritage sites — damaged or destroyed.
Government commitment: relief and rebuilding
During his visit, Holness pledged active government support for the Maroon community. He announced that members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) will be assigned to assist with home repairs in Accompong ahead of the community’s annual Maroon festival on January 6, 2026.
More broadly, the government — under Holness — is rolling out a multi-phase recovery plan for all parishes affected by the hurricane, including St Elizabeth. This plan includes immediate relief, emergency support, stabilization, and long-term reconstruction.
Financially, relief efforts are being backed by international support: the government has welcomed new aid packages from foreign partners, including additional humanitarian assistance from the United States, and engaged with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to provide technical support and coordinate reconstruction.
Context: history, tension — and a potential turning point
The relationship between Holness’s government and the Maroon communities — especially those in Accompong — has not always been smooth. In previous years, there has been disagreement over issues of sovereignty, land ownership, and consultation, particularly in relation to development plans in areas like the Cockpit Country.
Yet, the recent visit — prompted by a natural disaster rather than political grandstanding — may represent a turning moment. Holness has emphasized that the government sees the Maroon communities as integral to Jamaica’s future development. During earlier engagements, he said the government had “a strategy… to work with you in building up your community so that you can take advantage of the heritage assets that you have and build your local economy.”
What this means — and why it matters
• Solidarity and inclusion: The visit signals that even historically marginalized or semi-autonomous communities — like the Maroons — are being explicitly included in national recovery efforts.
• Preservation of heritage under reconstruction: Given the heavy damage to historic buildings and heritage sites in St Elizabeth (especially Black River), government commitment may help protect cultural landmarks for future generations.
• Potential for renewed government–community relations: The tangible assistance offered could rebuild trust between the Maroons and central government, especially if follow-through is consistent and inclusive.
• A test of resilience and justice: How effectively the rebuilding and reparations work — not only in Accompong but across St Elizabeth — will be closely watched, especially by communities with distinct cultural identities and histories.
If you like, I can draft a full-length op-ed article (circa 800–1000 words) on this topic: reflecting on the significance of the visit, balancing history and politics, and considering what it means for Jamaica’s future as a multi-ethnic nation.
Attached is a news article regarding Jamaica PM visits the maroons in st Elizabeth
Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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