Mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Danree Delancy addressing the regular monthly general meeting of the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation last Thursday. (Photo: Anthony Lewis)
SAVANNA-LA-MAR, Westmoreland — Local authorities in Hanover and Westmoreland are moving closer to a historic twinning agreement with Zanzibar, the “Spice Island” of East Africa. The partnership with the Hanover and Westmoreland municipal corporations aims to spark mutual benefits across tourism, culture, technology, and agriculture.
“We are looking at cultural exchanges — that’s one of the big ones. We are looking at tourism, we are looking at technological exchange, and we want to also add, if it can be of benefit, agricultural exchange,” mayor of Savanna-la-Mar Danree Delancy told the Jamaica Observer last Thursday.
“We want to get some of their best practices in terms of certain programmes that they run in their municipalities, and we’ll be sharing some of our best practices as well,” added Delancy who is also chairman of the corporation.
The proposed partnership bridges two globally recognised agriculture and tourism titans.
Zanzibar is a semi-autonomous archipelago off the coast of Tanzania in the Indian Ocean. Its cinnamon, cloves, and vanilla production have earned it the Spice island moniker. It is also known for the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Stone Town, alongside world-class coral reefs and white-sand beaches.
Split between the parishes of Hanover (home to larger and well known brand resorts) and Westmoreland (home to the town centre and boutique properties), Negril is a massive economic engine for Jamaica. It generates nearly US$1 billion annually, accounting for more than 20 per cent of the island’s international stopover visitors.
“We are seeking to be able to market Negril in that part of the world on a bigger and larger scale at this time. And I mentioned agriculture — farming. Negril is not known for farming,” argued Delancy.
The city is internationally famous for its beaches but he is hoping the twinning will open doors for its unique agricultural sector. Orange Hill, located just outside Negril’s town centre, is renowned for cultivating premium cannabis, commonly referred to in Jamaica as ganja.
According to the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), which regulates the legal sector, the island’s legal cannabis industry contributes significantly to the national economy, valued at an estimated US$63.5 million (more than $10 billion) in 2025, up nearly two-thirds higher year onyear.
“Whenever we have these types of twinnings — and there are benefits to be derived — we don’t look at it just for the town
per se, but also on a parish level,” stated Delancy
He spoke of the potential opportunities for Orange Hill, which he described as “one of our growing farming subsectors right now”.
“If there are benefits to be derived from this twinning, then they’ll see it. I’m not sure as yet if there are, but if there are, then they’ll see it,” assured the mayor.
For now, the legal and administrative paperwork for the agreement is being finalised. Even with the Westmoreland Municipal Corporation going on recess in August, the groundwork will not stop.
“We’ll be having a Zoom meeting with our friends in Zanzibar sometime next week as well. If all the legal stuff is sorted out, then we just might be able to have an announcement in September or shortly thereafter,” stated Delancy.
