Kingston, 14 October 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has welcomed to Jamaica the President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia, His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie.

Prince Ermias, the grandson of the Emperor Haile Selassie, arrived in Jamaica on Thursday night (last night) and was met at Norman Manley International Airport by a welcoming party led by Minister Grange.

Minister Grange told him that the nation was looking forward to his visit as the country continues the Jamaica 60 celebrations.

The Prince is the nation’s special guest for Heritage Week.

He is accompanied on his trip to Jamaica by his wife, Princess Saba Kebede, as well as members and advisors of the Ethiopian Crown Council.

Prince Ermias will be engaged in a number of official activities over the next week including meetings with members of the Rastafarian community.

Today, he’s scheduled to make courtesy calls on the Governor-General, Sir Patrick Allen; the Deputy Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr Horace Chang; the President of the Senate, Senator the Honourable Thomas Tavares-Finson; and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Honourable Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert.

Prince Ermias will also pay a visit to Liberty Hall, The Legacy of Marcus Garvey, at King Street this afternoon. He will tour the facility and view artefacts on the life and work of the National Hero. There will also be displays by the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank.

Minister Grange said it is “significant and momentous that Prince Ermias should visit the headquarters of Marcus Garvey, who dedicated his life to promoting pride in our African ancestry.”

The Minister said the Prince’s visit is a “stark reminder that our ancestors were kings and queens in Africa prior to enslavement and that this royal ancestry continues to this day.”

The Immaculate Conception High School Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Steven Woodham, will provide music for the Prince’s visit to Liberty Hall.

The Symphony Orchestra is currently in rehearsal for a concert on November 6, 2022 at Jamaica College Auditorium.

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