Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, is appealing for Jamaicans to use the Emancipation period to acknowledge the immense sacrifice and contribution of the African ancestors. “Here we are celebrating a culture that is distinctly ours, Jamaican, (but) was influenced largely by what is distinctly African and that survived the years of enslavement. “Our ancestors, in...

Jamaicans in the United States of America (USA) will be able to watch television features on the ‘Jamaica 55’ Diaspora Conference, which is slated for July 23 to 26 at the Jamaica Conference Centre, downtown, Kingston. The features will be aired on the ‘Jamaica Diaspora Show’ which will air weekly programmes on Channel 5 of the Hartford Public Access Television...

Youth in vulnerable communities in the Corporate Area are to benefit from an animation course being spearheaded by the Institute of Jamaica (IOJ) through its Junior Centre programme. The training, which will take place at the IOJ’s East Street headquarters downtown Kingston, is geared towards youth aged eight to 18. It will equip them with basic animation skills, enabling them...

Private investment totalling more than $9 billion has been pumped into the agricultural sector, says Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda. In addition to that sum, the Minister notes that the Government, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is spending $320 million to build several agro-processing facilities across the island through the Jamaica Social...

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says Jamaica must “vigorously pursue” the development of its own organic agriculture sector. He said the demand for organic produce continues to grow, with the global market estimated to value US$80 billion in 2015. “There are several proven benefits of organic farming, not least of...

Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government is committed to the maintenance of law and order, public safety and security for the citizens of the country. Speaking at the official opening of the Denham Town Restorative Justice Centre in West Kingston on July 13, the Prime Minister emphasised that restorative justice supports the thrust by the Government...

A transition plan for the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP) is being developed, as the programme will culminate its third and final phase in 2019. Communication/Social Marketing Coordinator at CSJP, Patrice Nephew, told JIS News that while the programme will end, beneficiaries will still be able to access the services it provided through the relevant ministries, departments and agencies...

Consumers; pre-packers and resellers of sugar are reminded that the new guidelines for the packaging of sugar, which became effective July 1, state that the sugar should be packaged, sealed and labelled. Pre-packers must also be registered with the National Compliance and Regulatory Authority (NCRA). The revised mandatory standards require the inclusion of more detailed labelling, such as product name...

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is expressing confidence that when implemented, the Law Reform (Zone of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act will lead to a reduction in crime. Speaking yesterday (July 13) at the opening ceremonies of the Denham Town and Tivoli Restorative Justice Centres, the prime minister said the country does not need dons or criminals...