KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, has announced that recording artiste Etana is the first female recipient of financial support through the ministry’s Artiste Ambassador and Tour Support Programme.

The ministry has given Etana a grant of US$5,000 to support her 32-city tour of the United States.

Grange made a symbolic cheque presentation to Etana yesterday, the ministry reported in a release.

“Etana being the first female is most deserving of the support. We (the ministry) know it’s not an easy task for an artiste to tour for any length of time and cover expenses. Touring is more in keeping with promoting your work and not necessarily making money. It is about the development of your career and the exposure of your product,” Grange said.

Grange said the Artiste Ambassador and Tour Support programme aim is to strengthen Brand Jamaica through media, marketing and partnership.

“We believe that the Artiste Ambassador and Tour Support Programme is important to provide support to those artistes who are good ambassadors, who represent Jamaica well and whose music reflects the message of Reggae and that of Jamaica.”

Etana said she was grateful for the support and will continue to promote Jamaica as she tours. She also thanked Grange for her continuous support of Reggae music.

The tour, ‘Love over Everything’ is scheduled to take place from February 9 to March 31.