3 Derrick Scott/Contributor WASHINGTON DC : JAMAICA’S PRIME Minister Dr Andrew Holness led a distinguished delegation of government officials and diplomats in paying final respects to the late Alsion Marie Wilson, CD, Consul General of Jamaica at New York, during a threehour celebration-of-life service held at the Community Baptist Church of Englewood in New Jersey. The at-capacity congregation gathered to honour the legacy of the diplomat who served Jamaica with distinction from July 2019 until her passing on November 8, 2025, after a four-year battle with breast cancer. Wilson, who was 64 years old, died at her home in New York. In a poignant moment during the service, Prime Minister Holness presented the Order of Distinction (Commander Class) insignia to Wilson’s husband, Omar, marking her final salute from the Government of Jamaica. The late consul general was conferred with this national honour earlier this year, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to Jamaica’s national development in education, technology, and healthcare capacity-building. “Alsion can only be described as a good steward, a dependable servant of the people. She excelled in moments of crisis, when leadership matters most,” Prime Minister Holness told mourners, describing her as a pillar of reliability and dedication. “She was not content merely to occupy the office of consul general but sought to transform it and re-imagine the role. She became a beloved figure in the diaspora.” Accompanying the prime minister was Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, who delivered a heartfelt tribute outlining the transformative nature of Wilson’s tenure. “To say that her tenure was revolutionary is an understatement. CG Wilson has redefined the role. Alsion was always in pursuit of excellence,” Minister Johnson Smith stated. NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS Born in St Catherine, Jamaica, on February 21, 1963, Roach Wilson migrated to the United States where she built a distinguished career in finance before entering diplomatic service. She held senior positions at leading firms, including as vice-president and associate director at Bear Stearns, director of finance at Greylock Capital Management. She founded both The Alsion Roach Group, LLC and Cyberlock Solutions, a cybersecurity firm. ‘A pillar of reliability, dedication’ A section of the crowd at the celebration-of-life service for Alsion Roach Wilson, Jamaica’s late consul general for New York, held at the Community Baptist Church of Englewood, New Jersey in the United States. CONTRIBUTED REMEMBERING AN OUTSTANDING CONSUL GENERAL – Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness (left); Senator Kamina Johnson Smith (second left), minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade; Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Retired Major General Antony Anderson (centre); and Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Delano Seiveright, join the congregation in a song of praise at the celebration-of-life service for the late Consul -General Alsion Marie Roach Wilson at the Community Baptist Church of Englewood, in New Jersey, on Friday, December 5. PHOTOS BY DERRICK A. SCOTT Omar Wilson (right), husband of the late Alsion Marie Roach Wilson, along with son Brian, leads the pallbearers ahead of other family members. Grammy award winner Gramps Morgan delivers a moving musical tribute ‘People Like You’ during the celebration-of-life service for the late Alsion Marie Roach Wilson, consul general of Jamaica at New York. Hundreds pay final tribute to Consul General Alsion Roach Wilson PLEASE SEE TRIBUTE, P4 both the diaspora and Jamaica. “She facilitated and rallied medical support for so many individuals at home and abroad. She was instrumental in securing medication for many Jamaicans who found themselves stranded in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic and had run out of medication,” he recalled. Clarke said her passion for Jamaica was second to none. Educator Lawman Lynch described her as a true patriot whose leadership transformed the Jamaican diaspora. “As consul general, she brought energy, unity and purpose to our communities, inspiring many at home and abroad,” he said. Lynch said the late consul general worked tirelessly for Brand Jamaica and served with exceptional dedication. editorial@gleanerjm.com THE MONTHLY GLEANER | NOVEMBER 13 - DECEMBER 13, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 3 Lester Hinds/Gleaner Writer THE JAMAICAN diaspora has reacted with shock and disbelief at news that Jamaica’s Consul General to New York Alsion Roach-Wilson has died following her battle with breast cancer. ROACH-WILSON DIED at home in New Jersey in the early hours of Saturday morning, November 8. Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, under whose portfolio RoachWilson served, announced her death in a Facebook post. In her post, the minister said she was saddened to announce the passing of the consul general. “Consul General Wilson served Jamaica at the highest level of excellence during her tenure from July 2019 to present. Her accomplishments defy the time during which she served with deep commitment to country, the Foreign Service and, indeed, to Jamaicans at home and abroad. Everyone who has worked with her or simply met her also knew unequivocally that she was also a warm and generous human being who exemplified professionalism, loyalty to country and friendship to the world,” said Johnson Smith. Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness said he was profoundly saddened by Roach Wilson’s passing. “Alsion was a devoted Jamaican whose love for her country was as deep as it was enduring. She dedicated her heart and soul to service to others, to strengthen the bonds between Jamaica and its diaspora and to ensuring that our nation’s voice was heard with pride and purpose on the world stage,” he said. The prime minister said Roach Wilson was a bridge between Jamaica and the United States (US), using her warmth, grace and influence to advance Jamaica’s interests with quiet power and steadfast commitment. “Beyond her official duties, Alsion was generous of spirit, supporting numerous charitable causes and giving selflessly to those in need,” the prime minister said. A WOMAN OF STRENGTH Jamaica’s ambassador to the United States, Major General (Ret’d) Antony Anderson, said he wished to express profound sorrow at the passing of the consul general. He said she was a woman of remarkable vision and strength. “She led with compassion, intellect and an unshakeable belief in Jamaica. I had the honour of working with her on matters of critical areas of national interest and she was a true patriot and a unifying force in the diaspora,” she said. Jamaica’s honorary consul in Philadelphia, Christopher Chaplin, expressed sadness and grief at her passing. “We were appointed in the same year – 2019, and we formed a deep respect for each other and a strong friendship over the years. She was a consummate professional. Her focus on relationships became clearly evident during the pandemic when she delivered laptops, tablets and many more resources to our country. She provided strong leadership and sage advice to us, and I always looked forward to our interaction,” he said. Michelle Tulloch-Neil, the Global Jamaica Diaspora council member for the US Northeast, said she was saddened by the passing of Roach Wilson. “Her leadership, compassion and unwavering dedication to the entire community will never be forgotten,” she said. Tulloch-Neil said Roach Wilson’s influence will continue to inspire “us all”. Former Jamaica Diaspora Board member Akeila Lawrence termed her death sad news and a major loss to the community. “I am deeply saddened by her passing. Consul General Wilson served Jamaica at the highest level of excellence,” she said. DEEPEST CONDOLENCES Dr Karren Dunkley, who served as the Global Jamaican Diaspora council member for the Northeast United States, said it was with a heavy heart that she extended her deepest condolences on the passing of Roach-Wilson. “Her departure is a profound loss to Jamaica and to those of us in the diaspora. During our working together, I witnessed firsthand her steadfast courage, deep empathy, and unwavering commitment to the Jamaican people. She stood firm, mobilising aid, advocating for Jamaicans abroad, and deepening the bridge between Jamaica and the diaspora,” said Dunkley. She said Roach Wilson believed in the power of service, the dignity of connection and the truth that Jamaica’s diaspora was not peripheral but absolutely central to the island’s development and global identity. Dr Robert Clarke, head of Help Jamaica Medical Mission and who served as her unofficial medical adviser, said Wilson was instrumental in organising countless medical missions to underserved areas of Jamaica. Clarke said Roach Wilson garnered medical support that was needed in ‘A profound loss’ Consul General Alsion Wilson with NYC Mayor Eric Adams at a flag raising ceremony to mark Jamaica’s 62nd anniversary of Independence. CONTRIBUTED Jamaican diaspora mourns Alsion Roach-Wilson, consul general to New York moya.thomas@gleanerjm.com Moya Thomas anthony.smith@gleanerjm.com Anthony Smith - Chief Executive Officer 2 Dave Rodney/Gleaner Writer NEW YORKERS woke last Monday morning to an alluring invitation from the Jamaica Tourist Board, urging tri-state residents to book now to travel to Jamaica Carnival in April 2026. The sizzling television segment that was broadcast on the New York Living morning show on PIX 11 was hosted by popular television personality Marysol. The segment was loaded with vibrant and exciting images of the sexy side of carnival in Jamaica, as well as iconic images of resort areas and breathtaking attractions across the island. The interviewee and spokesperson for Jamaica was Victoria Harper, district sales manager for the Jamaica Tourist Board (Northeastern USA) who did an excellent job in selling the multi-layered magnets that pull visitors to Jamaica year after year. “Jamaica Carnival is an explosion of colour, music and culture,” Harper, a former Miss Jamaica USA and Miss Jamaica World runner-up told New Yorkers. “It’s our biggest street party featuring soca music, reggae, elaborate costumes and the authentic Jamaica energy. What sets it apart is the combination of the now decades-old carnival tradition alongside Jamaica’s unique vibe, from our music to our food to our warm hospitality,” the JTB manager added. Since the event is still several months away, Marysol asked why it is necessary to book so early. “The early bird catches the worm,” Harper replied. “Booking now means significant savings with early-bird packages offering significant savings on event tickets, costumes, air and accommodations.” Those visiting for Jamaica Carnival are also urged to combine Kingston with other resort areas like Montego Bay, Ocho Rios and Port Antonio for a full-bodied extended stay so as to maximise the range of experiences that Jamaica has to offer. “The vibe is electric, the energy contagious, and the memories are everlasting,” Harper implored, with seductive flashes of cool, cascading waterfalls dancing across the television screen. Jamaica Carnival has rapidly evolved into one of the most dynamic cultural tourism events in the Caribbean. Earlier this year, the 2025 edition attracted over 52,000 participants and generated an estimated US$35 million during the peak week alone. For 2026, the prelude activities start as early as April 8 and the magnificent road march will take place on Sunday, April 12. Jamaica Carnival 2026 out the gates early with NY tv promotion WHEN HE responded last week to the Independent Fiscal Commission’s (IFC) warning that the government’s ongoing inability to meet its capital spending targets could weaken Jamaica’s growth prospects, Prime Minister Andrew Holness focused primarily on contractors who fail to deliver projects on time. “There are many issues that would cause the underutilisation of the capital budget,” Dr Holness said, “But, the one that is of interest to us is how contractors execute projects and the speed in which they execute projects … If they don’t perform, the budget cannot be expended and the growth of the country is slow.” His Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (it was until recently growth and job creation) was addressing the problem by developing a programme to help domestic contractors build capacity, the prime minister said. Dr Holness is no doubt right about the shortcomings of contractors, and how their weaknesses contribute to the slow execution of projects. But, as he intimated, this isn’t the whole story. It is questionable that it is even the major one. There are great shortcomings, too, in the government’s procurement architecture. This is not only in oversight rigidities, against which public officials often complain, and some of which the government sought to remedy with recent amendments to the Public Procurement Act. But a larger, and more pressing issue, as this newspaper has raised before, is the numbers, and quality of the personnel, who are asked to annually manage and monitor scores of billions of dollars of procurement, utilising various bidding/sourcing regimes and contracting schemes. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE This requires – or ought to – the highest level professional competence, and sufficient staff, so that it is done with the highest level of professionalism, and in a timely manner, to protect taxpayers’ interest and deliver on national priorities. In other words, the expertise required by public servants to manage bids to spend huge amounts of money should be no less than would be expected in the private sector. The anecdotal evidence suggests that despite improvements in recent times, significant deficits remain. The IFC, which became operational in January, reviews, and reports on, the government’s fiscal operations, to determine whether it is on track to lower, and maintain, Jamaica’s debt to no more than 60 per cent GDP, as set out in law. That target is likely to be met by the end of the current fiscal year, two years ahead of schedule. In its review for the first quarter (April to June) of the 2025/2026 fiscal year, the commission repeated a concern it raised in January in its report for the third quarter of the 2024/25 fiscal year: of under-spending on capital projects and the potential consequences thereof. The IFC noted that in the 2024/25 fiscal year, self-financing public bodies (some of which oversee major public sector infrastructure/development projects, generated an overall surplus of $88.9 billion, or 2.5 per cent of GDP. This was 158.4 per cent ($34.4) billion above the original target. The much larger surplus was mainly the result of these bodies underspending on capital projects by $49.1 billion. SLOW EXECUTION The slow execution of capital projects continued in the new fiscal year, lagging across central government and public bodies between April and June by $20.4 billion, a shortfall of 50.37 per cent on the projected spend. Given this “underwhelming” pace of execution, and the evidence of previous years, it seems unlikely that the total capital budget of $163.8 billion will be spent by the end of next March. “The IFC notes that the underspending does not represent true savings, but rather a delay or slowness in the pace of execution of projects and programmes,” the agency said. “This is of considerable concern particularly with regard to capital projects amid the adverse implications for economic growth.” While contractor inefficiencies contribute to the failures, a significant constraint is the slow pace at which projects get off the ground, from conceptualisation to procurement. That, in part, is the outcome of layers of bureaucracy, which have grown to close loopholes which were exploited by corrupt officials. The Gleaner supports recent moves to rid the system of some of the in-built inertia – but not at the expense of accountability and protection of taxpayers’ resources. Among the answers to such legitimate concerns, as we suggested nearly a year and a half ago, is the development of a cadre of highly trained, certified, accredited and decently paid procurement professionals. In other words, the government should attract the best talent to what should be seen as a prized, specialist profession. Clear career paths should be developed in the public sector for this group. This means that the government must cooperate with universities and other institutions on specialised training, as well as continuing education programmes for procurement specialists. Need: procurement specialists THE WEEKLY GLEANER | OCTOBER 16 - NOVEMBER 13, 2025 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS EDITORIAL THE WEEKLY GLEANER | DECEMBER 11, 2025 - JANUARY 7, 2026 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS
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