The annual tribute for Jamaica’s first national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey is underway in the IRIE FM Courtyard in Ocho Rios, St. Ann. 

The celebration got underway at 6 this morning, with a special extended version of the Africa Forum, hosted by Ka’Bu Ma’at Kheru alongside co-hosts Mutabaruka, Dwight Frazer and Nicholas Evans.

Scores of people have converged in the IRIE FM Courtyard with a major turn out from vendors and patrons.

The theme for this year’s event is “Social Justice and Civil Rights: We have a voice, include us in the decision-making process”

The guest speakers will include: Pan African Attorney at Law Bert Samuels, Youth Representative on the National Reform Committee Sujae Boswell, Chief of the Accompong Town Maroons Richard Currie, Chair of the UNIA Kingston Division Steven Golding and Mayor of St. Ann’s Bay Michel Belnavis. 

A live stage show is to take place featuring a host of entertainers to include Yaksta, Anthony Cruz and  Teflon. 

August 17 marked the 137th anniversary of the birth of Garvey.