JAMAICA – CHRISTOPHER Zacca took his appeal for greater citizenship involvement in the country’s development to University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) graduands, urging the class of 2024 on Saturday to remain here and help build the island’s human capital. Zacca, the Sagicor Group Jamaica president and CEO, made the appeal in his acceptance address after being conferred with an honorary degree by the university during its graduation at UTech’s main campus in Papine, St Andrew.

“As I have said, Jamaica needs a whole-of-society partnership. To move forward we need your energy, your ideas, and your commitment… you hold the power to shape our nation’s future. Whether you pursue a career in science, engineering, entrepreneurship, or the arts, I urge you to build Jamaica’s human capital. Stay and invest in this country,” Zacca told the graduands. He maintained his message of the need for a growth strategy, which he delivered to the country’s business leaders last month when he was inducted into the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) Hall of Fame.

In that address on October 30 Zacca had said that Jamaica needs to pivot to a deliberate, two-pronged national strategy focused on maintaining fiscal discipline and critical institutions — such as an independent central bank — while driving robust and sustainable economic growth. He urged the PSOJ to form a coalition of civil society to work with the Government and Opposition, recommending that the coalition “must have a respected and influential voice at the decision-making table, ensuring that the hard choices we need to make are implemented for the benefit of all Jamaicans”.

On Saturday at UTech he said, “Strong, sustainable, and equitable economic growth remains an elusive target, and Jamaica needs a whole-of-society partnership to agree on and deliver on a new growth plan.” He said that throughout his career, he has seen the power of partnerships bridging divides between the public and private sectors to create jobs, build infrastructure, and fuel economic growth. (Jamaicaobserver)

Photo: University of Technology, Jamaica Chancellor Lloyd Carney (left) confers Sagicor Group Jamaica President and CEO Christopher Zacca with an honorary doctorate on Saturday during the university’s graduation ceremony at its main campus in Papine, St Andrew. (Photo: Karl Mclarty)