Jamaica Observer: Former PM Patterson Celebrates Legacy of Political Stalwart Wills O. Isaacs
Kingston, Jamaica — At a recent gathering at the University of the West Indies, former Prime Minister PJ Patterson paid homage to the late Wills O. Isaacs, a pivotal figure in Jamaican politics who has been posthumously honored through a new biography penned by Professor Dianne Austin-Broos. The biography, titled "Politics in an Island State: Wills O. Isaacs Jamaica’s Struggle for Development," highlights Isaacs’ crucial role in the nation’s path to sovereignty and economic progress.
Patterson lauded Isaacs as a “titan of Jamaican politics” during his speech at the book launch, reflecting on the formative contributions Isaacs made to the country. With a specific nod to their shared roots in Hanover, Patterson recognized Isaacs’ pivotal initiatives in the sectors of trade and tourism, referring to him as “the ministerial grandfather of Jamaica’s tourism industry.”
This moniker is grounded not in sentimentality but in a strategic vision that Isaacs possessed. Patterson described Isaacs’ foresight in promoting Jamaica’s natural beauty as a catalyst for economic growth—a visionary drive that also expanded domestic markets and initiated efforts towards building a robust manufacturing base aimed at export.
The former prime minister depicted Isaacs as not only a visionary but also a man deeply connected to the ordinary Jamaican. Endowed with what Patterson termed the “gift of gab for the common folk,” Isaacs emerged during post-colonial times as a champion for self-governance and social justice.
Patterson also commended Professor Austin-Broos for her exemplary work on the biography. He heralded it as a worthy addition to the chronicles of Jamaica’s revered statesmen such as Norman Washington Manley and Sir Alexander Bustamante, acknowledging her for encapsulating Isaacs’ indelible legacy in a manner befitting his contributions to Jamaica’s political landscape.
In reflecting on Isaacs’ legacy, the biography serves as a timely reminder of the pivotal roles individuals have played in shaping Jamaica’s story—individuals whose foresight and dedication paved the way for the nation’s continued development.
