In an effort to make the adoption process in Jamaica less tedious and more in line with international standards, the Adoption Board is conducting a review of the country’s Adoption Act. Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, said the review is being conducted with the help of consultants engaged by the Child Development Agency (CDA). Among the issues being...

The Ministry of Youth and Culture removed more than 165 children deemed in need of care and protection from police lockups in 2013. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, said this was among several significant strides made by the Government over the past year as it regards the care of Jamaica’s children. Speaking at a press briefing at her New Kingston...

The Child Development Agency (CDA) and the Adoption Board will be working overtime to clear the backlog of adoption applications this year. This was the commitment given by Chairman of the Adoption Board, Tricia Sutherland, at a press briefing held on Wednesday morning, January 15, at the Ministry of Youth and Culture in New Kingston. She informed that at present,...

The closing date for entries in the 2014 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Children’s Gospel and the Gospel Song Competitions is Friday, January 17, 2014. Entry forms, rules and other details of the competitions can be obtained from the JCDC’s website at: www.jcdc.gov.jm or at the agency’s parish offices. The Children’s Gospel Song Competition accepts both covers (previously recorded) and...

Salutations……. Today I am pleased to return to Accompong as once again the Ministry of Youth and Culture joins with the Maroon community in celebrating one of the most significant successes in the quest of the displaced African people to restore their original dignity and integrity and record to the world their determination never to give in to the forces...

Ministry of Youth and Culture has received a donation of $500,000 to provide assistance to children in the care of the Child Development Agency (CDA) from former West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara. The presentation was made to the Minister Hanna at the Ministry’s head office on December 30, 2013. A portion of the funds will also be used to...

The Minister of Youth and Culture, the Honourable Lisa Hanna, MP has congratulated Tessanne Chin on winning the American television entertainment competition ‘The Voice’. The Jamaican singer was announced as the winner of the competition on Tuesday, December 17, following weeks of performances and eliminations based on voting by audiences across the United States through email, text messaging, phone calls...

Christmas shoppers and lovers of authentic Jamaican products will be in for a treat at this year’s Kumba Mi Yabba Christmas Village, the Jamaican craft producers’ marketplace, set for the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre, on Sunday, December 22. The Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC) led event, provides a platform for local producers and manufacturers of innovative and indigenous products and...

The Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) has launched a ‘Mek It An’ Share It’ initiative, aimed at providing handmade gifts for children in state care, this Christmas. Director of Marketing at the JCDC, Stephen Davidson, told JIS News that the initiative invites the public to donate handmade gifts, such as toys, linens, clothing, greeting cards, among other items, to children...