Once again, we pause to pay homage to our mother of Jamaican culture, the late Honourable Louise Bennett-Coverly O.M., cultural icon par excellence. Miss Lou, as we fondly call her, is one of those Jamaicans whose life’s work and worth have caused us to understand who and what we are and led us to ultimately believe in ourselves.  Her long...

Today, we celebrate the 49th anniversary of our independence. Next year, God's willing, we will celebrate our golden jubilee – 50 years as an independent nation. We have already started planning the series of events to commemorate that significant milestone. We hope to make it a grand homecoming for thousands of Jamaicans who live overseas but for whom Jamaica will...

One of our most precious assets as a people is our heritage - the experiences, traditions and culture that have moulded us over the years into who we are and what we are. It includes the struggles that we endured, the triumphs won and the wisdom we gained to confront the challenges of tomorrow. This past week was observed as...

Today we are proud to celebrate Miss Lou Day in appreciation of the work of the Honourable Louise Simone Bennett Coverley, Miss Lou, folklorist, poet, actress, author, songwriter, singer, comedienne, activist, Jamaican cultural icon. Her name is synonymous with the coming of age of Jamaican culture. Say Miss Lou and thousands all over the world will know that you are...

We celebrate, once again, our emancipation from slavery 176 years ago. We glory in that achievement as the greatest victory that mankind has ever won because slavery is the worst form of oppression that man can impose on his fellowman. We celebrate the heroes of that victory, especially those who risked their lives and gave their lives in the struggle...

Salutations: Colleague Minister of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, the Honourable Lulama Xingwana, Members of the media, Ladies and Gentlemen Good afternoon. Welcome to this media briefing where Minister Xingwana and I will, with your help, update the peoples of Jamaica and South Africa on the agreements we have made to co-operate in the area of...

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...

My fellow Jamaicans... Today, we honour the heroes of our land. We celebrate, in particular, the lives and accomplishments of the six men and one woman we have declared as our National Heroes. Theirs was a vision that saw in us and for us, what we may not have been able to see ourselves. Theirs was the courage that challenged...

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...

MR SPEAKER, I JOIN THE NATION IN MOURNING THE PASSING OF A PATRIOT THE MOST HONOURABLE LADY GLADYS BUSTAMANTE, A MEMBER OF THE ORDER OF JAMAICA. I FIND IT HARD TO REFER TO THE LADY IN THE PAST TENSE, BUT THE FINE LADY WAS: A PIONEER; A VISIONARY; A TIRELESS CRUSADER FOR A BETTER JAMAICA; MOTHER TO ALL; FRIEND TO...