Despite indications from the finance ministry, that the process of having certain people‘s image on a bank note is difficult, the call for new bank notes to bear Jamaica’s cultural icons, grows louder.

On Tuesday, political analyst Kevin Obrien Chang, launched a petition on the Office of the Prime Minister‘s website, supporting the call for the images of Bob Marley and Louise Bennett Coverley “Miss Lou“, to be put on the bank notes.

Shortly before 7 am on Wednesday the petition has amassed some 11 signatures.

The Bank of Jamaica regulations indicate that the front of each note should bear the portrait of either a Jamaican national hero, or a former prime minister.

Following Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke‘s announcement of plans to introduce a new $2,000 dollar bank note, featuring the images of former prime ministers Edward Seaga and Michael Manley, many Jamaicans have suggested that instead of more politicians, the note bears the images of Robert Nesta Marley and Louise Bennett Coverley.

The petition launched on Tuesday argued that Jamaica’s greatest achievement since independence in 1962 has been creating a globally famous culture, forged by icons who took a bold step, by giving credence to this vibrant culture in their own careers, both locally and internationally.

It said these icons have enabled Jamaica to become the world’s youngest, smallest and most indomitable world cultural super–power.

Ms Lou, the queen of Jamaican dialect, liberated and gave validity to the language, while Bob Marleys music cut across ethnicities, religion, status quo, and politics, especially with the song of the millennium, ‘one love’, which ignited and unified the world.

The petition further argued that both Miss Lou and Bob, challenged boundaries and prejudices and positioned Jamaica as worthy of international relevance, acceptance and acclaim.

It said they are fully deserving of being made national heroes and placed on Jamaica’s bank notes, so that their story and history will never be lost.

Meantime, another petition, also launched on the OPM website on Tuesday, called for the image of Mary Seacole, to be on a bank note.

It argued that Seacole was a great pioneer, entrepreneur and humanitarian.