Columns

We must do more!

WE, the members of the Gender Advisory Committee (GAC) for the period January 2018 to January 2021, whose names appear below, are committed to doing more. We are deeply troubled about the implications of the alleged abusive behaviour of Member of Parliament George Wright. The first...

To seek and not to find

Despite all my experiences to the contrary, I retain optimism that things will go smoothly for me in Jamaica. It is because of this (unfounded) optimism that I am not one of the 100,000 plus residents who have been reported as being vaccinated.

There is no easy fix, but...

NEWS of a video allegedly showing a Member of Parliament (MP) in a physical altercation with a woman first came to my attention from a statement by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia “Babsy” Grange. When it made the rounds on social media I was...

Monarchies and our Jamaican connections

THE death of 99-year-old Prince Philip, the duke of Edinburgh, devoted husband of Jamaica's Queen Elizabeth II, will be remembered amongst his legacy for his Duke of Edinburgh's Awards Programme, which was launched in 1958 and became the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award in 1988,...

The minister gets his army

That some 84,000 plus people stood in line and waited to receive their vaccination during the blitz period April 11-14 is a heartening indication that the populace is coming out of its slumber and is ready to enlist in the action teams fighting down COVID-19. This column has long spoken...

Much is expected...

ALMOST a week has elapsed since allegations began swirling that the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) Member of Parliament for Westmoreland Central George Wright is the man who was seen violently assaulting a woman in a video which has been making the rounds on social media. Wright has yet to...

Let's incentivise Diaspora participation

Our Jamaican patriots on the global stage have made us proud as they engage in every facet of human development and continue to exemplify extraordinary achievements in their areas of operation. The conscious benevolence of members of our Jamaican Diaspora of nearly three million strong...

A dark cloud remains

The Motion for Suspension of Mr George Wright, MP, notice of which was given in the House of Representatives last Tuesday, was erroneously blocked by the Speaker, and as a result a dark cloud of suspicion remains today over the Parliament. The suspicion might arise, albeit hopefully...

The Commissioner's report

I like reports. It is the one area of my service in the police force that I have had no conflict with my superiors. Work unreported is work not done.

Do not alienate the Diaspora

The current kerfuffle involving the Diaspora surrounding remarks reportedly made by the Deputy Prime Minister Dr Horace Chang, who is also in charge of the national security portfolio, with respect to the country's crime-fighting strategy, has brought into sharp focus...

'Light It Up Red' for #WorldHemophiliaDay

Each year on April 17 the international community pauses to commemorate World Hemophilia Day. The theme this year is 'Adapting to change: Sustaining care in a new world'. The ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic has forced humanity to adjust to a new normal way of life as we navigate this...

Hilary Beckles: Service of people, completely and fully

Professor Sir Hilary Beckles is one of the most prominent exponents of social justice, equality and liberation of Caribbean people, and people of African descent in general. He considers himself very blessed with numerous gifts, including research, oratory, and writing, which he has...

Getting beyond mere outrage at the heinous abuse of our women and girls

The vicious killing of women and young girls in our society is once again gaining currency. We have reacted with the inevitable outrage, hand-wringing, and blame assignment in an effort to explain the barbaric nature of what we are experiencing.

Championing reform of the construction sector

Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke has announced as the “the largest sums to be spent in any one fiscal year on infrastructure projects” some $31.1 billion or 51.8 per cent of the SERVE Jamaica Programme. From his perspective “disciplined policy choices” and...

Stop mere talk on gender-based violence... ACT!

It was with shock, horror, a deep sense of sadness, and a mix of other emotions that I cannot even describe that I listened to the recording of a man threatening the woman who dared to leave him because she felt unsafe. If this is not gender-based violence, I don't know what is. So, to...