Chronic diseases claim about 3 million lives around the world each year and low and middle income countries like Jamaica are primarily affected. This is why I am pleased to take this opportunity to put diabetes in the spotlight as one of the Chronic Non-Communicable diseases that we need to take more seriously. We in the Caribbean, collectively and individually...

Regardless of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, parents the world over have the following traits in common: 1. They love their children2. They want the best for their children3. They learn how to parent from their own parents4. They can learn new ways of parenting. Research has shown us that nurturing parent-child relationships and parental participation in child related activities relate...

Let me use this opportunity to greet Jamaicans at home and in the Diaspora, as we celebrate National Heritage Week. This year we celebrate National Heritage Week at a time when Jamaicans and indeed the world face tremendous challenges. As we celebrate, let us draw strength and determination from our National Heroes who rose to the occasion of their time...

Today we salute the rural women of our country on World Rural Women's Day. I want us all to pay special attention to the very important roles that rural women play in our society; roles that we sometimes take for granted. The theme of this year's observance is Rural Women at the Heart of Innovation. The rural women I meet...

Greetings from Jamaica, the land of the fastest human alive on planet earth. Today we celebrate history. We have witnessed the election of our first female Director-General and for the first time the Caribbean presides at the General Conference. As a fellow Caribbean State, I congratulate my colleague from The Bahamas. I also congratulate the Director-General designate for having shattered...

Today, World Teacher's Day, the people of Jamaica reflect on the fundamental contribution that teachers make to nation-building. Today, as we salute teachers all over the world, we must commit, as a Nation, to giving our teachers the support, respect and recognition they deserve. We must show respect for a profession that is more than a job, it is a...

Each year, Jamaica joins other countries around the world in observing the first Monday in October as World Habitat Day. The theme for this year's observation, which highlights the state of towns and cities, is Planning our Urban Future. It highlights the need for decision makers and their partners to place more emphasis on urban planning in order to meet...

Mr. Speaker, on April 7, 2009 I tabled the Estimates of Expenditure for FY2009/10. Later that month, I addressed this Honourable House and spoke of the economic context existing at the time the Budget was presented. The global financial crisis was in high gear with full impact on the Jamaican economy. At that time, we had initial estimates of the...

PARENTS, STUDENTS, TEACHERS, JAMAICANS, GOOD EVENING. THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL PERIOD IS USUALLY A VERY EXCITING TIME FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, EDUCATORS, AND THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, BUT IT IS ALSO A VERY CHALLENGING TIME. I REMEMBER WELL, AS A STUDENT, THE SMELL OF NEWLY SHARPENED PENCILS, THE CRISP LEAVES OF NEW EXERCISE BOOKS, THE NICELY PRESSED UNIFORMS AND MY HEAVY KNAPSACK AS...

A private sector-led initiative aimed at relieving the Government's short term debt service costs was presented to the Government for its consideration. Discussions in the market about this initiative raised concerns about the Government's debt strategy. Cabinet, after careful consideration of the proposal and mindful of the uncertainty in the market has decided that the Government will not be pursuing...

"Surviving the current economic environment through sound strategic planning" is a profound statement of fact. It applies to the process and business of governance as much it applies to the conduct of private enterprise. For our part, with or without financial support from the International Monetary Fund and our multilateral partners, there are hard choices to be made. Choices that...