By Racquel Porter
The process to reform Jamaica's Constitution has started with the launch of the Constitutional Reform Committee.
The Committee members were announced Wednesday afternoon during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister.
Committee chairperson Marlene Malahoo Forte, while noting that the panel will meet formally next week Wednesday, said the work has started in earnest with the settling of the terms of reference.
"I commit to keeping the nation abreast not only through media engagement, but also with statements in the Parliament. So do stay tuned, but not for a moment should you underestimate what we are announcing today. After some delay, we're finally here, and the work has commenced formally," she declared.
Co-chair of the committee Ambassador Rocky Meade reiterated that there is no timeline for Jamaica to become a republic.
"Remember, the Prime Minister also indicated that when we take the matter to a referendum, we can't predict the outcome. So, we are setting an ambitious timeline for the work that will get us to the point of putting the matter to the people. And then when the people decide, we’ll know exactly what the actual timeline for transition is," he reasoned.
The 15-member committee includes Senators Tom Tavares-Finson, Ransford Braham, Donna Scott Mottley, attorneys Dr. Lloyd Barnett and Hugh Small, Professor Richard Albert and youth advisor Sujae Boswell.
