MLGCD PARTNERS WITH MNS&P TO BRING THE MESSAGE OF PEACE IN OUR MARKETS
An inter-ministry collaboration between the Ministry of Local Government and Community Development (MLGCD) and the Ministry of National Security and Peace (MNS&P) is the engine behind the LIV GUD Market Movement, an Anti-Violence Campaign conceptualised by the MNS&P and implemented in 13 Markets across the country.
The partnership which channelled through support from the Social Development Commission (SDC), the country’s largest community-based organisation, the respective Municipal Corporations, which are the local authorities with responsibility for the operation of markets, the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) began on July 17, 2026, and ended on August 22, 2026.
Principal Director of the Corporate Services in the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Elaine Oxamendi Vicet, while on a visit to the Savanna La Mar market explained that the partnership was meaningful, especially in assisting vendors who were adversely affected by Hurricane Melissa.
“As part of the Liv Gud initiative, as we partner with RADA, we partner with the Municipal Corporation, we partner with Local Government…we are also giving out seeds and seed trays so persons can help themselves in that build back…”
She further added that, the Campaign has resulted in the forging of other valuable relationships, one such being with the new Ambassadors of Peace identified in the market.
“Our partners now, who are the peacekeepers… part of the initiative for market movement, the Liv Gud Market movement, is that we are creating Liv Gud ambassadors so we want to make sure that when the Municipal Corporation point us in a direction, that this person is already doing the work that we give to them, we want you to do more,” she said.
The Liv Gud Ambassadors were selected by colleague vendors and the Parish Market Manager.
Meanwhile, SDC Community Liaison Officer, Andrew Mark Jones said that the SDC will propel the Liv Gud message further into the communities through the various community groups and sporting activities.
“We are basically the government agency that is mandated to carry out community development, so we normally work with community groups with initiatives or programmes that will be beneficial to everybody who is within a particular space… we know what sports does, so I guess that would be the role we play in ensuring comradery among different communities and that encourages everybody to live good as well,” he said.
Over the course of five weeks, the officers visited 13 markets and shared effective problem-solving techniques with vendors and patrons to help with building better relationships within the space