KINGSTON, Jamaica — Social media personality Reuben Hussey, better known as Ganja Clauze or 1Clauze, has reignited debate about Jamaica’s constitutional future after using the country’s 64th Independence Day celebrations to argue that Jamaica cannot truly be considered independent while retaining ties to the British monarchy.
In a video that quickly spread across social media, Hussey declared:
“I don’t recognize Jamaican independence and neither should you. How can we consider ourselves independent when the British monarch is still our head of state and the British Privy Council is still our final court of appeal and the Governor General who represents the King signs our laws into power.”
Although supporters viewed his comments as a call for constitutional reform and republicanism, critics questioned whether the influencer adequately acknowledged the role that race, class and privilege play in shaping his perspective.
One social media account, Sound Chat Radio, argued that Hussey was “blind to the optics of his race and socio-economic privileges.” Rather than directly addressing the criticism surrounding his background, Hussey responded
“Why should I let my race and background define me?”
Hussey comes from one of Jamaica’s most affluent and influential families. The Hussey family has long been associated with business, hospitality, horse racing and agriculture, building a commercial empire that stretches back decades.
The family’s holdings include interests in luxury hospitality, spirits production, gaming and horse racing. Among their best-known assets are the Terra Nova hotel in Kingston and Hampden Estate, the internationally recognized rum producer in Trelawny.
His grandfather, Lawrence Hussey, was widely respected as a businessman and horse racing figure, while his father, Percy Hussey, remains a prominent personality in Jamaica’s racing industry.
The Case for a Jamaican Republic
Young Hussey’s criticism however, centers on Jamaica’s continued constitutional ties to Britain. Although Jamaica gained independence in 1962, King Charles III remains the country’s head of state, represented locally by the governor-general. The Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London also remains Jamaica’s highest appellate court.
For Hussey, these institutions symbolize unfinished decolonization.
“I don’t care if it’s ceremonial. I don’t care if their power is only symbolic,” he said. “Symbols have meaning. And it’s demeaning and disrespectful to the Jamaican people.”
He went further, arguing that Jamaica’s national heroes fought for a nation fully independent from colonial structures.
“Let’s honor their memory. Let’s move past the monarchy. Let’s finally make Jamaica a republic.”
He also issued a direct challenge to political leaders:
“Any decision maker that would seek to delay the process, we need to get them out. And get them out now.”
