Kingston, 5 January 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that with the passing of Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart, Jamaica and the Caribbean have not only lost an entrepreneur extraordinaire but a man who demonstrated deep care for his country.

“He was an unblemished patriot with a great passion for doing something extraordinary for Jamaica and there was no political divide in his embrace of his country. He had a genuine love of the Jamaican people and so he called everyone ‘sweetheart’ which also underlined the great sense of humor for which he was known.

Mr Stewart died last night in the United States at the age of 79.

Minister Grange said that as Mr Stewart built an empire he also found the time and provided material resources to assist Jamaica in ways that perhaps no other Jamaican can match.

“His contribution to the development of our tourism is legendary but along with it has been the treatment of those who were his employees in the Sandals Group; employees at every level of the organisation enjoyed the same kind of treatment.

“And no one could reasonably accuse the Sandals Group of gender bias as men and women were equally employed in all positions throughout his companies.”

Minister Grange said also that Mr Stewart had insisted that local cultural musical groups should perform at the Sandals properties regularly and craft vendors invited to ply their trade on the beaches of the hotels.

“Butch was caring and appreciated Jamaican talent and craft which he showcased as one of the pioneers in the hotel industry.

“He never forgot his humble beginnings and those who were there with him. That is why I truly appreciated and respected him. He had a heart of gold.
Personally, he always had a word of encouragement for me which inspired me and made me feel appreciated.

“At the end of the day, he always wanted to be remembered as someone who had tried his best. He epitomized the true Jamaican sprit.

“We say goodbye to Butch Stewart with hearts laden with sadness. We will for a very long time mourn his passing but so too will we never forget his accomplishments on our shores and beyond. We give thanks for and celebrate his life.

“I offer most sincere condolences to his family, friends and associates.

“Rest in peace great son of Jamaica; Gordon Arthur Cyril ‘Butch’ Stewart.”

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Kingston, 5 January 2021 – The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has gifted a bus to the Accompong Maroons to assist with transport challenges being faced by members of the historic community.

The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, handed over the vehicle to the Colonel of the Accompong Town Maroons, Ferron Williams on Monday.

“This handing over of the bus is a symbol of the Government’s appreciation, and the Government’s recognition and respect of the Accompong community and all the maroon communities in Jamaica,” said Minister Grange.

The bus will be used to transport members of the Accompong community in St Elizabeth including performers and members of the leadership who have to attend important maroon events across the island.

Colonel Williams said the bus will help Accompong to significantly cut costs.

“When we should leave from Accompong to Portland (to Moore Town and Charles Town) and Scott's Hall (in St Mary) we usually have to pay roughly $95,000 to $100,000 per trip which we will have to cover three or four times per year. [This bus] will help us tremendously in cutting costs,” said Colonel Williams.

He praised the Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, and Minister Grange for the donation on behalf of the Government of Jamaica to the Accompong Maroons.

Colonel Williams said Minister Grange had been a great supporter of Accompong. He described Minister Grange as the “Mother of Accompong — we don’t have Nanny in Accompong (Nanny was with the Windward Maroons in Portland) but soon and very soon we might just have to adopt [Minister Grange] as a Nanny.”

Minister Grange said the bus would also transport visitors on tours of the heritage-rich Accompong Town and help to boost the economy of the community, particularly during special commemorations.

The largest and most important commemorative event of the Accompong Town Maroons takes place on January 6 each year when they memorialise both the signing of the Peace Treaty with the British which happened 283 years ago; and celebrate the birthday of one of their most famous leaders, *Kojo.

Minister Grange said it’s important for all of Jamaica to recognise and pay tribute to “Captain Kojo who was the brother of National Hero, Nanny; as they both were part of a small band of black people who fought the British and beat them at their own game.”

Colonel Williams recalled with pride that the Accompong Maroons were “the first people to defeat a powerhouse in fighting as the British at the time were the mightiest of all. We had to use strategies. When I say we I’m talking about my fore-parents because I want to identify with them.”

The proud January 6 commemorations will go ahead with the usual support of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, but without the usual large crowd due to the necessary restrictions to prevent the spread of covid-19.

“You see, it’s a closely knit community and if one should catch the covid-19, it will be a disaster,” said Colonel Williams who added “I’ve been encouraging persons to stay at their homes. In fact, I’ve gone to the outlying district asking that they stay home… So this year we will have it via zoom [and other online platforms]. So persons will enjoy it from the comfort of their homes.”

The online celebration of the 6th of January Accompong Maroon celebrations will be streamed live on the social media pages of PBCJamaica and the Jamaica Information Service, among others, beginning at 10:00 AM.

The theme of this year’s event is ‘Celebrating the Power of Our Heritage’.

Minister Grange has urged Jamaicans to join the celebrations online as we must continue to show respect to the memory of Captain Kojo as one of those who paved the way for us to be free people today. We have to pay tribute to them and ensure their legacy lives on.”

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*Kojo is the preferred spelling of the Accompong Maroons.

Kingston, 24 December 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has welcomed the proclamation of December 27 as Sam Sharpe Day by the Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen.

Sir Patrick made the proclamation on Tuesday.

The first annual Sam Sharpe Day — in memory and celebration of the National Hero, the Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe who led the war for Emancipation — will be observed on Sunday.

Minister Grange said the proclamation was made at the request of the Cabinet and is in keeping with the policy of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport “to promote the knowledge and memory of those who have contributed to the development of Jamaica [and] the Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe stands tall among such men.”

The date, December 27, is significant. It was on December 27, 1831 that the Emancipation War of 1831-1832 began under Sam Sharpe’s leadership. The plan called for enslaved people to refuse to work after the Christmas break, unless they were being paid; they were also told to prepare to fight in the event plantation owners tried to force them to continue working as slaves.

Sam Sharpe led the largest and most successful of the fights to end slavery, as his war was a major catalyst for the abolition of slavery in the British Empire.

Minister Grange said Sam Sharpe Day, each year, will be an occasion to “reflect on and celebrate the unflinching courage and bold resolve of these our ancestors, led by Sam Sharpe, who gave their lives for our freedom.”

The Minister expressed the hope that Sam Sharpe’s “life, commitment and ultimate sacrifice” would inspire Jamaicans to “commit to nation building, to see ourselves as our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper, and to promote the wellbeing and welfare of all Jamaicans.”

The text of the Proclamation follows:

WHEREAS it is the desire of the People of Jamaica that the contribution of persons to the development of the country be demonstrably recognised and celebrated; particularly in circumstances in which their commitment to this cause has culminated in death or impairment;

AND WHEREAS it is of great social, cultural and political value that the heroic acts of such persons be positioned for sustained memory;

AND WHEREAS the Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe, National Hero, hereinafter referred to as the Right Excellent Sam Sharpe, displayed remarkable acumen, character, leadership and courage in the face of insurmountable odds, without fear of what he would face from an entrenched, dehumanising and oppressive system;

AND WHEREAS the Right Excellent Sam Sharpe possessed great elocution and wit, exuded a warm personality, stance and bearing that elicited confidence in his followers, was engaging and engaged within the parameters of civil disobedience, displayed tenacity and meticulousness in planning, and was tireless and resilient in his numerous nightly escapades born out of the yearning for freedom;

AND WHEREAS the Right Excellent Sam Sharpe led the enslaved in Jamaica in the first ever recorded strike, opting ultimately for outright war in response to the intransigence of the ruling planter class, through skirmishes and incursions, that culminated in freedom for all oppressed and enslaved Africans across the British Empire;

AND WHEREAS it is deemed fitting that in lieu of his date of birth, the most appropriate day on which to celebrate his achievements and solidify his memory in the minds of every Jamaican, is the date on which his glorious war for the freedom of his people began, being the Twenty-seventh day of December in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty-one;

AND WHEREAS the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport gave notice of the intention of the Government of Jamaica to recognise the 27th day of December, being the anniversary of the start of the "Sam Sharpe War", as appropriate for such a purpose, though not being declared a Public Holiday.

NOW THEREFORE, I, PATRICK LINTON ALLEN, Member of the Order of the Nation, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Commander of the Order of Distinction, Knight of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, Governor-General of Jamaica, DO HEREBY PROCLAIM and make known that the 27th day of December shall be designated as Sam Sharpe Day annually and so observed.

Given under my hand at King's House this 22nd day of December in the year of Our Lord Two Thousand and Twenty.

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Kingston, 21 December 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, will be joined by Member of Parliament and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Honourable Floyd Green, to pay floral tribute at the Zong Monument in Black River, St Elizabeth, on Tuesday, December 22, to commemorate the Zong Massacre which took place in 1781.

The Floral Tribute Ceremony starts at 9:00 a.m.

Later between 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., the Ministry along with the National Council on Reparation (NCR) will facilitate a webinar on The Zong Massacre entitled, Lessons in Racial Discrimination: The Journey Continues.

In asserting the significance of the webinar, Minister Grange declared it as a moment for us as a nation to “pause once more to reflect on the Zong Massacre of 22 December 1781…one of most horrific incidents suffered by our African ancestors at the hands of white mercenaries and oppressors as part of the Trans-Atlantic Trade in Africans.”

She will be the main speaker at the webinar which will also be addressed by Minister Green.

The chairman of the NCR, Mrs Laleta Davis-Mattis, along with Council members, Professor Verene Shepherd and Steven Golding will make presentations, as will two specially invited guests from overseas, Ms Ife Thompson, Barrister, United Nations Fellow and community activist and Ms Marissa Jackson Sow, Attorney, United Nations Fellow, artist, human rights expert and author.

On December 22 in 1781, the slave ship Zong docked in the Black River with half the 440 Africans it had taken from Ghana for slavery as the other Africans were thrown overboard by the ship’s captain.

The Africans who had perished did so from deliberate drowning, diseases and malnutrition.

Water shortage, illness and death on the ship along with poor navigational decisions resulted in confusion. With the captain and crew arguing that water and rations would not last for everyone before arrival in Jamaica, the decision was taken to throw some Africans overboard in order to avoid more deaths which would threaten the profitability of the journey.

Between 29 November 1781 and when the ship arrived in Jamaica, 122 African men, women and children had been drowned by the crew.

The commemoration of the Zong Massacre is within the context of Jamaica observing the United Nations declared International Decade for the People of African Descent.

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(Link: Zoom Meeting ID: 934 3261 4127; Passcode: 804597)

Kingston, 18 December 2020 – Declaring that the meeting had “done what no other session of the Intergovernmental Committee has accomplished before,” the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, brought an end to the deliberations of the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee.

Minister Grange had the responsibility of chairing the week-long meeting, which is held annually.

For the first time, the meeting was held completely online due to the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

Minister Grange said it was a highly productive meeting which met all its targets and ended with one day to spare.

Addressing the closing session, Minister Grange said:
“You have managed to debate and decide on all of the items in our agenda in a fully online modality — with only half of our normal daily working hours.

Thanks to your enthusiasm, cooperation and your willingness to work together in the spirit of consensus, we have accomplished a tremendous number of tasks. Your flexibility to work in a new way and your commitment to make this a successful session despite many challenges have made my work as Chairperson thoroughly rewarding”

More than 830 delegates from 141 countries registered to participate in the meeting. Minister Grange told the global press conference that “at moments more than 1,100 people were simultaneously connected [online] to follow our debates.”

Minister Grange said the meeting “accomplished a great deal.”
Minister Grange said:

“We examined 44 files: 3 elements were added to the Urgent Safeguarding List; 29 were added to the Representative List; and 3 programmes to the Register of Good Safeguarding Practices.

For the first time, Finland, Malta, Paraguay and Singapore had inscriptions on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists, which now feature elements from a total of 131 States.

This year also saw the highest number of multi-country nominations, with 14 inscriptions testifying to the ability of intangible cultural heritage to bring people together and promote international cooperation.

These are great achievements for all of humanity."

Minister Grange said she was disappointed that the delegates could not come to Kingston as planned, but expressed sincere gratitude to the reaction of the meeting towards the special effort to include elements of Jamaica’s culture, particularly Reggae Music, into the sessions.

The opening session on Monday featured ‘Reggae Greetings from Jamaica’ - a special performance by Jamaican music stars including Peetah Morgan of Morgan Heritage, Marcia Griffiths, and Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru, appearing alongside the Inner Circle Band.

Today’s closing session featured Julian Marley.

Throughout the week, there were Reggae Chill Moments featuring Reggae performances from artistes across the globe who are part of the Playing For Change Movement.

The Culture Minister said she continues to be in awe at the global appreciation of Jamaica’s music.

“As I chaired this meeting, I could not help but reflect on my own pride, the pride of my country, and the pride of the people of the world when Reggae Music was added in 2018 to the Representative List.

I still remember the personal testimonies from delegates from across the world, about what Reggae music means to them and how it acts as the healing balm or an elixir at times of trouble and distress.”

Minister Grange said she continues to be witness to the power of culture and heritage in building solid bridges between the peoples of the world, “especially at this time when all of us face a great and common challenge, I reflect on the words of the Jamaica National Pledge, which calls us to do our part towards advancing the welfare of the whole human race. I believe that the work of UNESCO truly epitomises that ideal.”

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Kingston, 14 December 2020 – More than 700 participants from 130 countries are registered to participate in the meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage being chaired by the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange.

The meeting which will run from today (Monday, December 14) to Saturday, December 19 is being held online because of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

Minister Grange said:
“We had hoped to be welcoming you all to Jamaica for the Committee [but] this has not been possible due to the pandemic. However, as your Chairperson, I will do my best to convey to you the Jamaican warmth and hospitality so that you can all feel like you are with us here in Kingston. In short, let’s get together and feel alright."

The Committee will consider 40 requests for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Committee members will also have to decide on four nominations for inscription on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding; four projects being proposed for inclusion in the Register of Good Practices for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage; and examine two requests for international assistance submitted by Malawi and the Central African Republic. 

The opening session featured ‘Reggae Greetings from Jamaica’ - a special performance by Jamaican music stars including Peetah Morgan of Morgan Heritage, Marcia Griffiths, and Mykal Rose of Black Uhuru, appearing alongside the Inner Circle Band.

The Committee sessions will be broadcast online at https://ich.unesco.org/en/15com.

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Kingston, 13 December 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, will chair the meeting of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The meeting from tomorrow (Monday, December 14) to Saturday, December 19 is being held online because of the ongoing covid-19 pandemic.

Among other things, the Committee will consider 40 requests for inscription on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — a compendium of traditions, customs, carnivals and ceremonies from across the world, which includes the Reggae Music of Jamaica and the Maroon Heritage of Moore Town.

The opening session will be held in Kingston from 7:30 am on Monday and will include the participation of the Director General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, who will launch the innovative graphic tool “Dive into Intangible Cultural Heritage”, which highlights the contribution of living heritage to the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Also in attendance will be the Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Alando Terrelonge; the Minister of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr; and the recently appointed Director and Representative of the UNESCO Cluster Office for the Caribbean, Dr. Saadia Sanchez.

The opening session will also include a special performance of Reggae music by some of Jamaica’s most noted artistes.

More than 400 participants from 100 countries have registered to participate. The sessions will be broadcast online at https://ich.unesco.org/en/15com.

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Kingston, 2 December 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that Jamaica is supporting the call for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to be a “Global Priority” in the next Medium Term Strategy of UNESCO.

Minister Grange, as leader of Jamaica’s delegation, addressed the opening plenary at the 210th Session of the UNESCO Executive Board in a virtual presentation today (December 2).

The next medium term strategy of UNESCO is from 2022 to 2029 and Minister Grange said, “the prospect of crafting new guiding documents brings renewed hope and vision for the Organisation.”

She said the inclusion of SIDS as a Global Priority would realise long held aspirations for recognition of this Group of countries within UNESCO and would serve to enhance the relationship with the SIDS globally, including across other international organisations.

The Culture Minister also reiterated Jamaica’s support for maintaining Africa, Gender and Youth as global priorities; and called for sharp focus also on Education with attention to other vital areas such as Sports, Climate Change and Artificial Intelligence. “We recognise and value the efforts made in this regard in the recent Medium-Term Strategy.”

Minister Grange welcomed Dr. Saadia Sanchez, who replaces Katherine Grigsby as Director of the UNESCO Caribbean Cluster Office in Kingston. Other new assignees are Programme Specialists in Education, Social and Human Science and Natural Science.

“We offer them our usual Jamaican hospitality and cooperation,” the Minister concluded.

Jamaica is one of four Caribbean countries on the 58-member Executive Board of UNESCO.

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Kingston, 29 November 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has congratulated Mr Garth Gayle who was elected President of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association yesterday (November 28).

Mr Gayle, the former Honorary Secretary of the JAAA, succeeds Dr Warren Blake who did not seek re-election.

Minister Grange said: “As I offer congratulations to Garth and the others who were successful in the elections, I must make special mention of Marie Tavares who created history by becoming the first woman to be elected Honorary Secretary of the JAAA. Very well done, Marie.

“I say Jamaica is looking forward to the best performance from the new administration over the next four years, in the best interest of the country’s track and field athletes.

“There is a lot to be done to further develop the sport and as the Minister of Sport, I am right here in the middle to give my support to the new administration.

“I am also hoping that with the elections out of the way, all will come together to work together to build on Jamaica’s long, proud and wonderful record of performance in track and field,” Minister Grange concluded.

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Kingston, 26 November 2020 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced the naming of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation’s Annual Lecture in honour of Mrs. Pamela McNeil, the first Executive Director of the Women’s Centre.

The third staging of the Women’s Centre Annual Lecture on Adolescent Pregnancy is titled, “Adolescent Pregnancy: Reducing the Rate within the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic” and will be held on Friday, November 27, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.

Minister Grange said:
“For 20 years Mrs. McNeil served with a sense of passion and perseverance. She worked tirelessly to help young women to overcome the setbacks caused by teenage pregnancy. She was a visionary who saw it as her purpose to take an active part in assisting teenage mothers to carry on with their education and realise their dreams. The naming of the Annual Lecture will honour her memory and contribution.”

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Alando Terrelonge, will make an address while the lecture will be delivered by Dr. Denise Chevannes, HIV & AIDS Officer, United Nations Population Fund Sub-regional Office for the Caribbean.

The lecture invites discussion on the wide and varied issues surrounding adolescent pregnancy.

Other participants include the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the National Family Planning Board and the Bureau of Gender Affairs.

Through the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport administers the Programme for Adolescent Mothers which is delivered from ten main centres and seven outreach stations across the island. More than 49,000 adolescent mothers have benefitted from the programme which combines academic, counselling, and skill training.

The public is invited to join online via the Zoom platform, details follow:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87256102205?pwd=M0UxZXE0YlZQcHFqUmovV0s4c29KUT09

Meeting ID: 872 5610 2205
Passcode: 924569

END