My fellow Jamaicans, The final moments of 2024 have come and gone, and today we begin a new chapter, the dawn of New Year brimming with promise and opportunity to chart a better course for ourselves, our families, and our beloved Jamaica. The dawn of a New Year is a call to embrace fresh beginnings, to reflect on the lessons...

Greetings, my fellow Jamaicans, As the cool breeze of the Christmas Season fills the air, there’s a special spirit of love that touches every corner of our island. From the bustling town centres and parks adorned with twinkling lights, to homes filled with the sweet aroma of sorrel, Christmas cake, and gungo rice and peas. This is a time when...

Theme: A Season of Gratitude and Reflection ‘We don’t have no snow we don’t have no sleigh, but fun we do have in Christmas JA’. This is a first line of a Christmas song by renowned broadcaster, Neville Willoughby, in 1972. Jamaicans have always added our own meaning and culture to the celebration of Christmas. Sorrel, Christmas Cake, Christmas Dinner,...

Brothers and Sisters, Today, as we commemorate another Heroes Day, we stand on the shoulders of giants—our national heroes—whose sacrifices have paved the way for the progress we now celebrate as a nation. We stand on their shoulders to see the vision for our country. And from the ruins of history we will build a successful and prosperous country in...

My fellow Jamaicans, On each National Heroes Day, we focus on and pay tribute to the courageous men and women who shaped our nation's destiny. The principles of unity, social justice and equality underpinned the struggles of our national heroes, and on National Heroes Day we reaffirm our commitment to those everlasting principles. The theme of this year’s celebration is...

My fellow Jamaicans, On August 6, 1962, Jamaica made a bold step. As the Union Jack was lowered and replaced by the Black, Green and Gold, we entered a new chapter in history with the dawn of a new nation. However, it did not start in 1962. The seeds of our independence were sewn much earlier in the 1900’s, when...

My Fellow Jamaicans at Home and in the Diaspora, Today, we stand united, not just here at home, but across the globe where our vibrant diaspora proudly gathers to celebrate our Independence. Sixty-two years ago, our forebears embarked on a journey of self-determination and hope, aspiring to create a resilient and strong Jamaica, capable of shaping its destiny with courage...

My fellow Jamaicans, Every year on August 1, we commemorate what many regard as the most significant milestone in our nation's history - Emancipation Day. This day holds profound meaning for us all, as we remember August 1, 1838 as the date which marked the end of a brutal and inhumane period in our history, after centuries of enslavement of...