Kingston, 29 January 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that the public will be able to participate in the farewell to the late Reggae musician and record producer, Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie fame.

Minister Grange, who is handling the arrangements in collaboration with the Shakespeare family, said the public will be able to view the body of the late bassist on Sunday, February 6, 2022 at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The body will be available for viewing from midday to 3pm.

Condolence books will also be opened at the Centre.

“We know that members of the public have been waiting for a chance to say goodbye to Robbie, who — along with Sly — has contributed so much to our music. As we are still operating under covid conditions, we cannot host a big event. But we think this an appropriate way to allow our people to express their appreciation for this talented musician while observing the necessary health and safety protocols,” said Minister Grange.

The funeral service and interment will be attended by close family and friends and will not be open to the general public. However, arrangements will be made for live streaming of the service on Monday, February 7, 2022 on social media and PBCJ.

END

Kingston, 27 January 2022 – Reggae Month, now in its 15th year, will launch with a Church Service on Sunday, January 30, 2022 beginning at 10am.

In keeping with the current rules for religious gathering, mainly key Government Officials and Reggae Industry Stakeholders will be in attendance. The Chief congregants will include the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, and the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Edmund Bartlett.

The service will be broadcast and streamed live on various platforms. It will feature performances by Alicia Taylor, John Mark Wiggon, and the Go for God Music Ministry.

Reggae Month 2022, which will be an official Jamaica 60 activity, will include a range of events in Jamaica and its Diaspora.

END

Kingston, 29 August 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has confirmed the passing of the Reggae pioneer, record producer and singer Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry.

Minister Statement

“I have spoken with his son and other members of the family, and I can confirm the sad news that Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry passed away at the Noel Holmes Hospital in Hanover.

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry was a giant of Jamaican music. His contribution to developing and propelling Ska, Rocksteady and Reggae has been mammoth.

He started as an apprentice to the legendary ‘Sir Coxone’ at Studio 1 in the 1950’s and spent the rest of his life helping to develop Jamaican music.

‘Scratch’ was an outstanding producer and singer, but he was also an inspirational figure who helped young singers and musicians to develop their craft.

I recall his work with Bob Marley. It is said that ‘Scratch’ helped with formulating Marley’s unique sound. The story is told that ‘Scratch’ gave his ‘Upsetter’ band to Marley and that band later became known as ‘The Wailers’.

Some of Lee Perry’s great works with The Wailers have included ‘Duppy Conqueror’, ‘Small Axe’, ‘Rastaman Live Up', and ‘Jah Live’.

Lee Perry has produced an impressive body of work that charts the evolution of Jamaican music — with more than 1,000 songs over 60 years. His latest release

in 2019 was a 12-track album, ‘Heavy Rain’ that topped the Billboard Reggae Album Charts.

What a man, what a music, what a life, what a genius!

I am incredibly saddened by his passing, but I will continue to celebrate his genius and the body of work he’s given us.

I express sincere condolences to his widow, Mireille, his children, his entire family, friends, colleagues and fans across the world who all mourn today.”

END

Kingston, 3 August 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has welcomed the decision of the Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson, to order an investigation into claims that the police in Clarendon forcibly trimmed the locks of a young Rastafarian woman of the Nyabinghi Order.

Minister Grange:
“If the allegation is true, it would be a gross violation of the young woman’s human rights and a very serious disrespect to her sacred religious practice.

It is wrong for any person to forcibly cut the hair of another person, or discriminate or deny services because of how a person wears his/her hair.

I await the Commissioner’s investigation and the actions that will follow. The investigation must be quick and transparent; and if the allegations are proven, there must be sanctions against those responsible.

I agree with General Anderson’s statement that ‘any police officer who in 2021 would violate any person’s rights in this way would not be suitable to continue as a policeman/woman.’”

END

Kingston, 28 June 2021 – Due to the forecast of thunderstorms, the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has cancelled the outdoor concert which was scheduled for International Reggae Day on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at Port Royal.

Instead, the Ministry will host the world premiere of the docufilm ‘Dennis Emmanuel Brown: The Crown Prince of Reggae; the Man and the Music’ indoors at the Little Theatre.

The docufilm was commissioned by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and produced by Judith Bodley.

The event will be staged in keeping with the requirements of the Disaster Risk Management Act which prescribes a capacity limit for indoor venues, including theatres.

The programme will also feature Richie Stephens, who will perform a medley of Dennis Brown songs; as well as L’Acadco performing a piece specially choreographed by Dr L’Antoinette Stines to Dennis Brown’s ‘Revolution’.

END

Kingston, 9 June 2021 (JIS) - The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission is now fully compliant with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

“What this means is that Jamaica’s credibility can no longer be questioned when it comes to doping in sports,” said Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange.

She was making her contribution to the 2021/22 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on June 8.

She also informed that the JADCO 2021 rules have been prepared, sent for gazetting and will soon come into effect.

“I urge athletes and their coaches to get familiar with the new rules, as they most certainly will get familiar with JADCO’s new mobile unit, which is one of only two mobile anti-doping testing facilities in the world. The unit has been put to use at athletics meets taking place at the National Stadium,” Minster Grange said.

Meanwhile, the Minister informed that the Institute of Sports (INSPORTS), has prepared Annual Reports covering the periods 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20.

“Pending an audit, I expect to table the reports in the House once approved by Cabinet,” Minister Grange said.

In addition, despite the pandemic, INSPORTS is still fulfilling its mandate of developing sports at the grassroots.

The Minister said that last year, the entity staged its popular summer sports programme in small groups across the island featuring netball, football, cricket, tennis, golf, surfing and other disciplines and will do so again this year.

“INSPORTS is also developing a virtual Physical Education Programme to be broadcast on air and online,” Ms. Grange told the House.

END

Kingston, 24 March 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has released the following statement at the passing of racehorse trainer, Wayne DaCosta.

Minister’s Statement

"I join with the family, the racehorse industry, and wider national sports family in mourning the passing of trainer, Wayne DaCosta.

We had been praying for his full recovery and I had heard through his son, Jason, that Wayne was regaining his strength; so I was shocked to receive this very sad news today.

Wayne DaCosta served horseracing with distinction. His contribution has been mammoth and his impact will continue to be felt for a long time. Wayne DaCosta is simply one of the greatest trainers that Jamaica has produced and he quite rightly won the trainers’ title a record 18 times.

If horseracing is indeed the sport of kings, then Wayne wore his crown with distinction.

I offer deepest condolences to his widow, his children, and other members of the family. I ask that we keep them in our prayers at this time.”

END

Kingston, 21 March 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has issued the following statement at the passing of Peter Moodie.

Minister’s Statement

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of former race car champion driver and mechanic, Peter Moodie, Snr.

Peter in no uncertain way, has earned himself a place in the top drawer of motor sports in Jamaica.

His superb skills as a race car driver were matched only by his phenomenal knowledge of the workings of motor vehicles. In fact, he was one of the pioneers and for the last four decades, the leading figure in circuit and go-cart racing.

In addition, Peter was a top notch instructor, ensuring that the knowledge was passed on to the succeeding drivers in the sport.

With the passing of Peter Moodie, Snr, Jamaica has lost one who was totally dedicated to the development of his sport and his country.

My heart goes out to his family, his friends, and all those involved in motor sports in general.

May his soul rest in peace.”

END

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.

END

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