My fellow Jamaicans, As we celebrate our 57th year of independence, we have much to be thankful for: ◙ The lowest unemployment rate in our history at 7.8% and youth unemployment fell by 6 percent. ◙ The annual inflation rate is low and stable at 4.2% and the consumer price index is trending downwards. ◙ Our credit ratings are positive,...

My fellow Jamaicans, As we celebrate the 57th anniversary of Jamaica’s Independence, we salute the patriots who built the national movement and laid the foundations of our nationhood. Independence time also provides us with an opportunity to celebrate our culture and the achievements of our country and our people. We should always treasure the fact that we have remained a...

Members of the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you for joining us this afternoon, I am delighted to welcome my brother and friend, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and his delegation on his historic State Visit to Jamaica. The President and Mrs. Kenyatta are our Special Guests for the celebration of the 57th Anniversary of...

We are able to celebrate our emancipation because our great forefathers struggled for justice and human rights.  In this period, we come to terms with our past and define our future unchained. We recall the boldness of Nanny of the Maroons; the defiance of Paul Bogle; the strength and moral fortitude of Sam Sharpe who chose the gallows over slavery....

My fellow Jamaicans, as we celebrate the 181st anniversary of the abolition of plantation slavery, I greet you in the spirit of the freedom which emancipation brought. Even today, that freedom remains the most important possession for each of us. Emancipation Day is always a timely reminder that the freedom we celebrate today was won by the selfless, courageous struggle...

I join in paying tribute to the late Ken Chaplin, who served as Press Secretary to the Prime Minister during my tenure in that office, having also had the distinction of serving before in that capacity to three other Prime Ministers. Ken Chaplin’s life embodied the very essence of service of the highest standards in one’s chosen profession, which, for...

Mr. Speaker, I wish to begin by thanking the people of Central St. Catherine. It has been my great pleasure to represent them in this House over the past twenty one years. We have come a far way together, and we will go farther still together — as a team involving some of the best Councillors in Jamaica. To my...

Introduction Let me start by observing the convention of thanking those who facilitate my continuing Parliamentary and political service.   My wife and family, my constituency team, my personal support team, and my Party and Parliamentary colleagues. I also want to acknowledge the progress we have made over the past seven years, across two administrations, in implementing fiscal and economic reforms...