Olivia Grange, minister of culture, gender, entertainment and sport, has been invested as a Dame Grand Cross of the Imperial Order of the Star of Honour of Ethiopia, for the work she has done to improve the Jamaica-Ethiopia ties.

A Dame Grand Cross is one of the country’s highest honours often awarded to foreign diplomats.

Grange was formally invested by The Prince Ermias on Saturday (March 4) in Washington DC at the annual Victory of Adwa Commemorative Dinner which also commemorates the Victory of Gondar.

The Victory of Adwa and the Victory of Gondar are two great military victories of Ethiopia that mark turning points for Ethiopia, Africa and the world.

The Crown Council said Grange was being honoured “because of the kindness and diligence with which she enabled the recent formal visit to Jamaica of…Prince Ermias and Princess Desta Saba, and for her great friendship with the Crown of Ethiopia that have contributed materially to the improvement of Jamaica-Ethipoia ties”.

According to South Florida Caribbean News, Grange fought back tears as she accepted the award on behalf of the Rastafari movement in Jamaica.

“Today is a very special day for me. I have always dreamt of the day when I’ll feel a part of the continent of Africa in addition to recognizing that my ancestors were predominantly African. The fact that I have been recognized by a nation in Africa, and particularly The Crown Council of Ethiopia, is something that has made me so overjoyed and overwhelmed, that I am pent up with emotion,” said Grange.

The minister added that she was overwhelmed, honoured and humbled to receive the award.