Mr. Speaker, members of this Honourable House, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, visitors in the gallery - (and let me specially recognise students from my alma mater St. Catherine High School); my fellow Jamaicans listening and watching on TV, radio, and the internet, I must give thanks to God for sparing us as a nation and as a Parliament, that...

It’s the season to be jolly! I totally understand if we may not all feel this way. Against the backdrop of our difficult economic situation many Jamaicans are finding it hard to see the festivity in the season. It has been a rough year for all of us, but let this not blind you to the virtue and meaning of...

My Fellow Jamaicans:   Our annual commemoration of Heritage Week is an important point on the national calendar; culminating in the observance of Heroes’ Day and the conferment of national honours and awards on deserving Jamaicans. Heroes’ Day affords us the opportunity as a nation, to reflect on the lives of our forebears, celebrate their achievements, and recognize their sterling...

My fellow Jamaicans: Emancipation day, the 1st of August each year is a very important and momentous day in the archives of Jamaican history. It is the day when the system of chattel slavery ended by law in Jamaica and the process of building a society based on freedom, equals rights and justice began. Freedom was not free and neither did it...

Acknowledgements Mr. Speaker, on rising I must give thanks to God for sparing us as a nation, and as a Parliament, that we can all gather here once again to discuss the people’s business and recommit ourselves as instruments of His will. Mr. Speaker, you will understand if I thank the delegates, Parliamentary colleagues, Party members, workers, and well-wishers for...

Joint Statement Issued By The Governor-General, The Most Honourable Prime Minister And The Leader Of The Opposition Fellow Jamaicans,   Our homeland is passing through a moral crisis such as we have never seen before. Most of us are still reeling from the shock of the heinous crimes committed against our people, young and old alike, babies and young children,...

Fellow Jamaicans, I join you in welcoming the New Year 2014 with great expectations. As we herald in the New Year and pause to reflect on the year past, let us give God thanks. In the past year we have had proud moments in sports, entertainment and culture. We must continue to build on these areas of strength and capitalize...

A hero is “someone who acts selflessly, without thinking of rewards. Someone who is willing to put themselves at risk for the sake of someone else or a higher cause.” As Jamaicans face many challenges, National Heroes Day provide us with a chance to reflect on, and acknowledge the work and sacrifices of our pioneers, great leaders , Heroes and...