Minister Hanna opts out of Attending Miss World 2015

Friday, December 11, 2015 – Minister of Youth and Culture, the Honourable Lisa Hanna, has indicated that she will not be participating in the 2015 Miss World competition, where she was scheduled to be a judge on Saturday, December 19, 2015.

According to Hanna, the most recent incident involving the Child Development Agency’s removal of 34 wards of the state from the Sunshine Child Care Facility in a manner that breached the rights of the children, needs her attention and as such she will not be leaving the island at this time.

“I would not feel comfortable leaving at this time knowing that the actions of a few within my primary agency responsible for child care and protection acted in such a manner. Subsequently, there are certain actions that I have taken and others that I am taking to remedy the situation which needs my oversight on the issue concerning the nation’s children,” Hanna said.

Hanna who has remained close to the Miss World Organization and Julia Morley over the past 22 years spoke with Julia Morley to convey the information yesterday.

Hanna said Miss Morley was disappointed but understood her stance and encouraged her.

She expressed that she would miss catching up with everyone and promised Morley to participate at another time.

“I will be eternally grateful for the opportunity that I had of being Miss World to represent Jamaica and the world in 1993.  I send my best wishes to the reigning Miss Jamaica World 2015 Dr. Sanneta Myrie and all the contestants at the pageant.”

Lisa Hanna, 40, won the Miss World pageant in 1993. She is currently a two term Member of Parliament.