Minister Olivia Grange receives one of Ethiopia’s highest honors

Derrick Scott

WASHINGTON – Jamaican Minister of Culture, Sports and Gender Equality Olivia “Babsy” Grange was awarded one of Ethiopia’s highest awards: Dame Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Star of Honor of Ethiopia-GCSE.

The Grand Cross is the highest of the five classes of the Order of the Solomon Prizes of Ethiopia.

Order of the Star of Honor of Ethiopia

Order of the Star of Honor of Ethiopia was founded by Emperor Menelik II in 1884-1885 as Negus Shoa1 and before he became Emperor of Ethiopia (in 1889). This is one of the oldest awards of the Imperial Pantheon. It is currently awarded as a household order by the Royal Council of Ethiopia.

The order was established in honor of foreign and domestic civil and military officials and individuals for service to the country and is considered the fifth order of the Ethiopian Empire along with the Order of Menelik II.

The Grange Investiture was made by the Royal Council of Ethiopia by order of His Imperial Highness Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie, grandson of Haile Selassie, on Saturday at the Army Navy Club Hotel in Washington, DC.

Adwa’s Victory Celebration

The reason for the investment was the annual celebration of Adwa’s Victory, which is celebrated this weekend in Washington, DC. The victory at Adwa and the victory at Gondar are two great Ethiopian military victories under the emperors Menilek II and Haile Selassie I respectively, which were turning points for Ethiopia, Africa and the whole world.

Presenting the award, Prince Ermias said that Minister Grange was given the award in recognition of the outstanding work she has done in Jamaica in strengthening relations between Ethiopia and Jamaica.

He said that Minister Grange is now entitled to be called Her Excellency Olivia Grange with postal personal letters of the Ethiopian Star of Honor – GCSE award.

She has also been recognized for being instrumental in bringing Prince Ermias to Jamaica and for her efforts in building cultural and diplomatic bridges between Jamaica and the Ethiopian people.

Accepting the award, Minister Grange said: “Today is a special day for me. I have always dreamed of the day when I feel like I am part of the African continent and also acknowledge that my ancestors were predominantly African. The fact that I was recognized by a nation in Africa, and in particular by the Royal Council of Ethiopia, made me so happy and stunned that I held back my emotions.”

Accepting an award

Trying to hold back his tears, Minister Grunge said that I had grown up hearing rumors about Ethiopia because of the Rastafarian movement in Jamaica because Haile Selassie was the symbol of that movement and it was for me today to be recognized by the Royal Council and be awarded the title of Dame Grand Cross by the grandson of His Imperial Majesty, Prince Ermias, this is something I never dreamed of. But it is already a reality today. And so I’m humiliated, I’m flattered, and I’m a little overwhelmed.

I accept this award on behalf of the Rastafarian movement in Jamaica. First of all, because it was they who constantly said that His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie is a symbol of the Black Royal Family. It is very important for me that I recognize this honor given to me today. This is what I have to ensure that I carry this message of One Love. Especially in light of the recognition that as a black race we are just as important as any other race. Plus, we have a great history.

Barbara Blake Hannah awarded

Writer, journalist and cultural historian Barbara Blake Hannah was also awarded. Hannah was honored to facilitate the recent official visit to Jamaica by Prince Hermias and Princess Desta Saba. In addition, the popularization of the culture and history of Ethiopia and Rastafari continued for her.

On Friday, Minister Grange paid a courtesy visit to the Jamaican Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Audrey Marks. The call was to the Jamaican embassy in Washington DC. That evening, Ambassador Marx hosted a dinner in honor of Prince Ermias and Minister Grange.