Tag: Prime minister

Environment and climate change in Jamaica: Some outstanding matters

May 1, 2024

Some thoughts have been floating around in my mind on a number of developments in Jamaica. So I decided to collect them all in one place. I was just reminded of the George Orwell concept of “Doublethink” from 1984. “Cognitive dissonance” is an internal struggle not quite governed by Orwell’s dystopian stringency – but we … More Environment and climate change in Jamaica: Some outstanding matters

The vexed issue of Jamaicans and their beaches

April 1, 2024

Some beaches in Jamaica are off limits to its citizens. Correction: many beaches. This is a fact. The issue of beach access remains a sore point for many Jamaicans; I have a feeling it will never be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction, because so many beaches are actually reserved for tourists – and for Jamaicans who … More The vexed issue of Jamaicans and their beaches

Advocates Network wants more citizen action in the wake of Local Government Elections

March 9, 2024

I rarely comment on the meandering mire* that is Jamaican partisan politics (especially elections), but the Advocates Network put out a release, in the wake of the February 26 Local Government Elections, that makes sense to me. After an almost unprecedented social media assault by the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (who did seem to regard … More Advocates Network wants more citizen action in the wake of Local Government Elections

Jamaican Government is assessing proposals for the future use of the dilapidated Vale Royal

March 2, 2024

Here’s an update from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), which is responsible for the upkeep of the historic Vale Royal property – the building and its substantial grounds. I am hoping that some plans and proposals may finally be seriously considered. Puzzlingly (to me) the OPM states that the property was considered to … More Jamaican Government is assessing proposals for the future use of the dilapidated Vale Royal

Jamaica’s battle with plastic: we can’t give up

February 21, 2024

It’s everywhere. It’s insidious. Whether it’s on a beautiful trail in the Blue Mountains, on a riverbank, on a beach, or in a noxious gully in any urban centre in Jamaica… Plastic is there. I shudder to think what overseas visitors notice when they step outside the environs of their all-inclusive hotels. And believe me … More Jamaica’s battle with plastic: we can’t give up

Grenada at a crossroads: a blog post by Wayne Campbell

February 6, 2024

I am sharing my friend and fellow blogger Wayne Campbell’s recent post on the state of affairs in our Caribbean neighbours to the south-east of us – the small, beautiful island of Grenada, with a special focus on press freedom and democracy. Grenada may be small, but its 20th-century history has had moments of high … More Grenada at a crossroads: a blog post by Wayne Campbell

China’s Foreign Minister warmly welcomed to Jamaica

January 23, 2024

Over the weekend, China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, visited Jamaica and was welcomed effusively by our Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith. Our government officials all looked thrilled to bits at his visit; Mr. Wang, however, barely broke a smile in most of the photos I have seen. I am … More China’s Foreign Minister warmly welcomed to Jamaica

Rockfort Mineral Bath still closed, but officials are laid back about preserving our cultural heritage

January 12, 2024

I am sharing Professor Carolyn Cooper’s newspaper column this week, which is posted on her blog. She has been following this issue diligently, besides others related to development, cultural heritage and other topics. She gave the “Powers That Be” (PTBs) a nudge over the Christmas holidays regarding the status of the Rockfort Mineral Bath, which … More Rockfort Mineral Bath still closed, but officials are laid back about preserving our cultural heritage