Kingston, 14 June 2023 (JIS) — The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, is reporting that submissions for the redevelopment of the Independence Park Complex have found favour with the Public Investment Management Committee.

She said the Ministry has been directed to proceed to develop detailed designs for the proposed works.

“We have also been directed to coordinate the planning of the National Stadium development with the activities of the National Water Commission and the National Works Agency, among other requirements,” Minister Grange said.

She was speaking during her contribution to the 2023/24 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (June 13).

In addition to upgraded stands, seating, lighting and other renovations, the National Stadium’s redevelopment will include a new Velodrome (outside the main facility) and the National Sports Museum.

“We have set a timeline of 12 months to report back to the Public Investment Management Committee with all that is required to take the project to the next stage of the approval process,” Minister Grange indicated.

“I'm heartened by the support of my colleague, the Minister of Finance and the Public Service, who has undertaken to provide the resources to assist us to prepare the necessary drawings and plans to move the National Stadium development forward,” she added.

Minister Grange also reiterated that much preparatory work still needs to be done, while advising that there is an estimated 36-month timeline to complete the construction.

“We have come a far way, but there’s further to go. We will realise our ambition of a modern, state-of-the-art National Stadium and Sports Museum, monuments to our greatness as we set things right,” the Minister said.

Minister Grange indicated that the redevelopment of the Independence Park Complex, which houses the National Stadium, has been a strategic focus for her.

She noted that it requires a lot of work, but “we have been working diligently to transform it and make it representative of the home of the best sportsmen and sportswomen in the world”.

“During the last few years, we have resurfaced the running tracks in the complex, upgraded the aquatic centre, [and] upgraded the basketball and Leila Robinson Netball courts, among other improvements, including the repurposing of the car park as an entertainment venue,” Minister Grange said.

END

Kingston, 6 December 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, opened a debate in the House of Representatives on Monday (today) on a motion for the amendment of the Standing Orders to establish the Bicameral Caucus of Women Parliamentarians.

Minister Grange said the Caucus would “provide a collaborative space for all women parliamentarians, regardless of party affiliation... facilitate dialogue on issues of women’s rights and gender equality and undertake actions to positively impact the inclusiveness of the legislature, legislative process and our country as a whole.”

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Most Honourable Juliet Holness, and the Opposition MP, Dr Angela Brown Burke, spoke in favour of the establishment of the caucus of women parliamentarians at the opening of the debate on the motion.

This follows a weekend training retreat of women Members of Parliament and Senators that discussed several issues including the setting up of the caucus.

The retreat also focused on promoting women's political participation, gender equality concepts in relation to legislative work, ongoing gender equality initiatives in Jamaica as well as opportunities for collaboration among women parliamentarians on priority issues that transcend politics such as gender-based violence, and capacity building on applying a gender perspective in legislative work.

The training retreat on Saturday and Sunday (December 3 and December 4) in Ocho Rios, St Ann was attended by several women MPs and Senators as well as Councillors from both sides of the political divide.

This activity was made possible with the support of the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative and the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada. It was organised
by the Bureau of Gender Affairs in the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport with the support of ParlAmericas, the UN Women Multi-Country Office for the Caribbean and the Jamaica Houses of Parliament.

The retreat was a response to the request for training by women parliamentarians towards achieving inclusive and effective outcomes for their constituents and the continued implementation of the National Policy for Gender Equality (2011).

The decision-makers in attendance committed to working together to promote gender equality in legislative work. They also reached consensus on the importance of trust and a commitment to honest communication and collaborative advocacy on issues specific to women and children in the legislative process; learning more about and prioritising people-centred approaches in legislative work; and to holding a follow-up meeting by March 2023.

END

Kingston, 25 November 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said that there is no tension between the Government and the Rastafari or Maroon communities in Jamaica.

Minister Grange made the statement as she appeared before the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

The Minister’s appearance before the Committee via video link over the last two days (Thursday and Friday) is part of the regular reporting mechanism on the measures implemented by Jamaica in keeping with the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Responding to questions regarding the Government’s relationship with Rastafari and the Maroon communities in light of reports of the cutting of the hair of a Rastafari elder at a hospital, as well as reports of tensions in the Accompong Town community, Minister Grange said that “while there may be individual issues, we continue to enjoy excellent relations with these groups. Certainly as the Minister of Culture responsible for those groups, we engage constantly and have had wonderful outcomes. And we recognise their indigenous culture and we recognise them as Jamaicans.”

Minister Grange made a distinction between ‘indigenous culture’ and ‘indigenous people’.

The Minister also referenced financial and other support given by the Government to Maroon communities including Moore Town, Charles Town, Scott’s Hall and Accompong Town to assist with their festivals and development initiatives.

She also spoke of reparations to members of the Rastafari community who were victims of the Coral Gardens Incident of 1963.

Minister Grange said:

“Jamaica, despite its size and limited resources, has made significant strides in implementing the Convention and in rooting out any hint of racial discrimination within the society. We have sought to address past wrongs and to strengthen our legal and institutional frameworks. We will continue to bolster existing mechanisms for the protection and advancement of the rights of every citizen, at all levels of the Jamaican society, no matter race, colour, creed or class.”

The Minister said Jamaica would continue to monitor the human rights situation in the country and make adjustments where necessary.

“We acknowledge that there is room for improvement, and we are resolved to engage and ensure the full respect of the rights of all Jamaicans. Our beloved Jamaica will remain welcoming to all peoples regardless of skin colour. We strive to foster unity. Out of Many One People is who we are and will continue to be.”

Jamaica’s delegation to the Geneva-based meeting of the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination faced broad questions touching on the protection of human rights in a range of areas. The meeting reviewed the multi sectoral 2019 Country Report submitted by the Government of Jamaica.

The delegation included Her Excellency Ambassador Cheryl Spencer, the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations and her team; Miss Sherise Gayle, Senior Assistant Attorney General; Captain Natalie James, Human Rights Specialist in the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs; and
Mrs Laleta Davis Mattis, Chair of the National Council on Reparation.

They were supported via video link by several government Ministries, Departments and Agencies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

END

Kingston, 30 March 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced a public viewing of the remains of the late Reggae artiste Denroy Morgan on Friday, April 8, 2022 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the National Indoor Sports Centre.

The Minister said members of the public attending the Centre to pay their respects to this “pioneer of Reggae music” would be required to wear masks, sanitise and observe physical distancing.

Minister Grange said the public viewing will be followed by “a series of tribute performances by members of the Entertainment fraternity.”

Minister Grange said:
“Though Denroy Morgan was a devout Rastafarian, he always advocated for unity between the lion and the lamb, with the lion representing the Rastafarian faith and the lamb representing the Christian faith. He had many Christians in his family and he was always respectful to them and their beliefs. As such the gathering at the National Indoor Sports Centre will be in keeping with his firm belief in peace and unity”.

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, family, friends and well-wishers will travel in a convoy from Perry’s Funeral Home in Spanish Town, St Catherine to Heritage Estate in St Thomas, for the interment.

The farewell activities in Jamaica follow a private Service of Thanksgiving in Atlanta, USA earlier this month.

Denroy Morgan had a successful solo career and commercial success in the 1980’s with the hit single ‘I’ll Do Anything for You’, which peaked at number nine on the American Soul Chart and led to him becoming the first Jamaican act to be signed by a major record label.

Morgan was also the father of Peter "Peetah" Morgan, Una Morgan, Roy "Gramps" Morgan, Nakhamyah "Lukes" Morgan and Memmalatel "Mr. Mojo" Morgan, members of the Grammy Award winning Reggae group Morgan Heritage. The musical trio of Noshayah Morgan, Otiyah "Laza" Morgan and Miriam Morgan are also members of L.M.S., a dancehall/hip-hop band.

“I wish to again, express my sincere condolences to Denroy’s family, friends and the entire entertainment fraternity for this tremendous loss,” Minister Grange said.

END

Kingston, 30 March 2022 - The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has condemned the killing of Donald ‘Tabby’ Shaw of the Mighty Diamonds who was gunned down in McKinley Crescent in the Waterhouse area of St. Andrew last night, March 29.

Minister Grange said:

“The news about Tabby’s death has left me in shock. I have had a special and close relationship with the Mighty Diamonds over the years. I feel the pain of the other two Diamonds, ‘Bunny’ and ‘Judge’, who I know will never get over the loss of Tabby. I pray for strength for them always.

“I recall when Tabby poured his soul into the Mighty Diamonds’ performance at Reggae Sunsplash in 1982. That live recording was actually made into an album. It was then you could tell that Tabby Shaw was a master vocalist.”

The group was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1983.

Donald Shaw, otherwise called Tabby, was lead vocalist for the Mighty Diamonds, a group which he formed in 1969 along with Fitzroy ‘Bunny’ Simpson and Lloyd ‘Judge’ Ferguson. All three were schoolmates who had previously named their group The Limelights.

The Mighty Diamonds were regarded for their smooth harmonies and known for their stage choreography. Their breakout hit was ‘Right Time’ in 1973. Other hits included ‘Girl You Are Too Young’, ‘Oh No Baby’ ‘Mash Up’, ‘Jah Bless the Dreadlocks’ and ‘Carefree Girl’.

The group also enjoyed great international success collaborating with famed producer, Gussie Clarke, on the hit, ‘Pass de Kutchie’. The song was later covered by the group Musical Youth in the United Kingdom under the name ‘Pass the Dutchie’.

Minister Grange said:
“Tabby’s killing is as senseless as it is tragic and leaves an awful void in the Jamaican music landscape.

I express my sincerest condolences to Tabby’s family members, relatives, friends and associates and to the entire entertainment fraternity.

May his soul rest in peace and Eternal Light shine upon him.”

END

Kingston, 11 March 2022 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced a covid-19 relief programme for registered small companies and umbrella organisations within the Entertainment, Culture and Creative Industries.

The Ministry will be offering grants to entities affected by covid-19.

“The grants will range from a million Jamaican dollars to 400-thousand Jamaican dollars,” said the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange as she announced the opening of the applications portal on the Ministry’s website here.

Minister Grange said the size of grants to companies and organisations would depend on the entity and the size of the sector they serve.

“Within the sector you have large organisations such as JaRIA, JAVAA, and the Jamaica Federation of Musicians; and you have small business entities say in theatre, in dance, in film that will also be considered for grants.”

To be eligible for grants, companies and organisations must have been in operation prior to the covid-19 pandemic and be able to prove it using company registration documents, tax compliance certificate and event flyer.

The entities must also be signed up to the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport's e-Registry; and must have an account (with any local bank) in Jamaican currency.

The deadline for application is Wednesday, March 17 at midnight.

Minister Grange said:
“It’s a small window… [and] I want to encourage those entities to apply now. We want to provide these funds to you for capacity building, capacity strengthening, and also to provide these small registered entities with funds to restart after the covid devastation…before the end of the financial year.”

END

Kingston, 8 February 2022 – Reggae Month Echoes of Sound System clash blasts off with a not-to-be-missed Preliminary Round from Wednesday, February 9 to Saturday, February 12. 

The action starts at 9:00pm each evening on Reggae Month TV which is streamed on various online platforms, including the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission's YouTube and Facebook pages and the Facebook pages of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport and Minister Olivia Grange. The Series will also air on PBCJ each night at the same time.

Eight Sound Systems square off
Eight sound systems, including Ghetto Star, JamRock, Kush Int’l, King Rhino, Ruff Cutt, Nexxt Level, Yumi Hi-Power and Twin Star eagerly responded to social media and direct call-for-entries to battle for the coveted title of Reggae Month 2022 Champion Sound. The organisers then drew lots to determine the four clashes in the Preliminary Round.

They are as follows:
Nexxt Level vs Yumi Hi-Power
King Rhino vs Ruff Cutt; 
Ghetto Star vs JamRock 
Twin Star vs Kush Int’l

All the selectors are pumped up, super charged and ready to rumble, but at the end of the Preliminary Round, the number will be cut in half and only four sounds will be left standing. These four winning sounds will then move on to the Semi Final round and then the top two sounds will square off for bragging rights, the Reggae Month 2022 Champion Sound title, and prizes.

The winning sound will receive J$200,000; second prize J$100,000 and third prize J$50,000.

The official judging panel comprises Admiral Bailey, Skatta Burrell, Jack Scorpio and Rory (from Stone Love).

Reggae Month activities will engage audiences in the virtual space, with the month-long celebration being held under the theme ‘Come Ketch de Riddim’. Like last year’s celebration, it is expected to draw thousands of patrons to Jamaica from locations as far as Europe and Asia.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said that the virtual celebration will enable people to “get together and feel alright, even from a distance”, as Jamaica “builds back stronger to a brighter and dynamic future”.

Reggae Month is staged by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in collaboration with production partners the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), the Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates (JAVAA) and funding partners including the CHASE Fund, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, the Jamaica Tourist Board and J Wray & Nephew.

Download the Reggae Jamaica Mobile App, free of charge from the Google or Apple Store, and get real time information on Reggae Month activities including the links to Reggae Month TV broadcasts.

Wake the town and tell the people… it’s Reggae Month 2022. Come ketch de riddim!

END

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