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.

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Kingston, 15 December 2021 – “I’m so happy we have a second shelter that is ready” said the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, as she opened the second government-run shelter for victims of domestic abuse.

The Minister cut the ribbon, symbolising the opening of the facility, in the presence of the High Commissioner of Canada, as well as representatives of the European Union Delegation to Jamaica, the UNFPA and UN Women who have been assisting the Ministry to establish safe spaces for women.

Minister Grange said this latest shelter — the second of three being established by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport — “is ready to accept women and their children who have had abusive situations and need to move from that kind of situation into a shelter where they get protection.”

The Minister said this second shelter was in a remote location and would focus on housing “very high risk victims”. However any woman who needs the shelter should call the National Helpline on 876-553-0372.

The opening and tour of the new facility took place on Human Rights Day — at the end of the 16 Days of Activism towards eliminating violence against women.

“We are celebrating 16 Days of Activism against violence against women and I scheduled this tour so that I could demonstrate that we are doing something about protecting our women and that we have facilities that are ready to be occupied. So here we have additional facilities. This facility can house approximately 13 persons. It’s a comfortable facility… What we have been able to do is to say to the public that we are ensuring that our women are protected — that we create safe spaces for them,” said Minister Grange.

Women who go to government shelters will receive counselling in an environment free from violence or judgment.

“The environment is quite therapeutic; it is evident that this is a place to heal,” said the Programme Manager for the European Union Delegation to Jamaica, Vanna Lawrence.

The European Union has provided €8M, under the Spotlight Initiative, “to support Jamaica in its fight against violence against women and the EU is very pleased to be associated with this second shelter because it does carry forward the EU’s passion for supporting women and girls in their fight against violence,” said Ms Lawrence.

The Spotlight Initiative is a partnership between the European Union and the United Nations. The Director for the United Nations Population Fund Caribbean Office, Alyson Drayton, said her organisation had been assisting the Ministry to produce a manual of special operating procedures for the shelters, providing equipment as well as training counsellors and hiring of staff who will work with women who come to the shelters.

Mrs Drayton explains that the shelters will provide a lifeline for some women. “Many women experience violence in the course of their relationship and, unfortunately for many of them, they remain in the relationship because they see no options, nowhere to go…The shelters are important in terms of providing an option that someone can go, they can be safe, and they can start to put their lives back together.”

Aside from counselling, women who attend the government shelters will also receive training to increase their economic options. One of the new training programmes, which will begin in the new year, will be sponsored by the High Commission of Canada.

“So we have something called the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives,” said the High Commissioner of Canada, Her Excellency Emina Tudakovic. “There’ll be a project starting probably January that will do income generation or stuff to keep the women and their families busy including hydroponics… We’re looking at about 15 beneficiaries and it’ll be a small scale project but it’ll be enough to hopefully get people back on their feet.”

The establishment of the government-run shelters for women who need to leave violent relationships has been one of the priority programmes of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. Since 2018, the Ministry has been acquiring properties and transforming them into facilities to house women who are victims of gender-based violence and their children. This new shelter is the second of three that have been promised by Minister Grange.

The work to transform the third property into a shelter continues.
All the partners in the establishment of the government-run shelters have expressed satisfaction with what has been achieved so far.

High Commissioner Tudavic said “I want to commend the Ministry on the work they’ve done. This is largely funded by the Government of Jamaica themselves so really great work. It’s time to do this and I’m really glad that they’re in a position to do this and I wish them all the very best of luck.”

The Principal Director in the Bureau of Gender Affairs, Sharon Coburn-Robinson said “we’re extremely happy about this because for so many years persons have wanted to have this safe space.”

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Kingston, 8 December 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced, with great sadness, the passing of Jamaican Reggae musician and record producer, Robbie Shakespeare of Sly and Robbie fame.

Minister’s Statement

“I am in shock and sorrow after just receiving the news that my friend and brother, the legendary bassist Robbie Shakespeare has died.

Robbie and Sly Dunbar (the drummer) as Sly and Robbie, have been among Jamaica's greatest musicians.

This fantastic team took bass playing and drumming to the highest level as they made music for themselves as a group, and for many other artistes locally and internationally.

Robbie's loss will be felt by the industry at home and abroad. He will be sorely missed.

I offer my deepest condolences to those he leaves behind.

Love you, Robbie.

Rest in peace.”

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Kingston, 10 November 2021 - The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, says she is “in full support of Jamaica hosting the 2022 Carifta Games as a part of the country’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations.”

The Games would take place at the National Stadium between April 16 and 18, 2022.

Minister Grange’s Statement

“When news came that the selected host for 2022 - Guyana, was unable to fulfill the obligation, it was felt that the only country which could step up to the plate at such short notice would be Jamaica. Not just because of the ongoing dominance of our athletes, but because of our experience in staging similar events in spite of the covid-19 pandemic. We are very proud of the successful staging of the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships earlier this year. We have no doubt that we are equal to the task of staging the Carifta Games next year.

I have indicated to the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association and the North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association that I would do my best to assist in making it possible. Carifta is the premier event for junior athletes across the Caricom region with athletes competing in two age-categories: under-17 and under-20.

I must say, however, that although Jamaica is interested in hosting the event, it is subject to several approvals and sign offs as well as the requisite funding.

The Ministry is therefore working very closely with the JAAA and NACAC to satisfy all the requirements in order for me to make an official announcement.

It is in our best interest to do everything to have the Games held here. Among all the other good reasons, our tourism — hotels in Kingston in particular, will definitely benefit.”

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Kingston, 1 November 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said today that the Government is now in a position to re-admit spectators — albeit in a limited way — beginning with the World Cup Qualifier between Jamaica and the United States at the National Stadium on November 16.

Five thousand vaccinated spectators will be allowed to watch the game inside the National Stadium but will have to buy their tickets online. This they can do from Wednesday, November 3, 2021, via an Events Authorisation System app which is being introduced to facilitate the online purchase of tickets.

People wishing to purchase tickets will have to produce their vaccination cards and valid means of identification.

Minister Grange’s comments came at a news conference involving the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the Honourable Desmond McKenzie; and the Minister of Health and Wellness, the Honourable Dr Christopher Tufton, to announce plans for the World Cup Qualifier.

She said: “We are using this event to signal a significant change in how we will manage sporting events going forward.

“Last year June, we developed a road map, outlining the requirements and the process for resuming training and competition. Using that roadmap, we were able to safely host ISSA Boys and Girls Championships; development track and field meets; the National Senior and Junior Trials; the National Premier League; as well as the National Championships for table tennis, golf, tennis, chess, equestrian, squash, triathlon; swim meets at the National Aquatic Centre; the West Indies versus Pakistan cricket series; the Sunshine Netball Series; and two FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

“This required a whole of government approach, working with our various sport stakeholders.

“Working together, we have been able to host many sporting activities safely — without putting our athletes, our communities or our country at risk. I am proud that we are now in a position to take the next steps in our management of sports events during this era of covid 19.

“It will not only be a test for the Reggae Boyz, but for the entire nation as we move into the next phase in the management of covid 19.

“We want to ensure that all our sportspeople can return to competition; and we also want to ensure the fans can return to the match venues. But fans cannot return until we achieve a high level of vaccination across the country. Therefore, I use this opportunity to appeal to everyone — who has not yet done so — to get vaccinated.”

Minister McKenzie said all necessary measures will be in place at the National Stadium in accordance with the covid-19 protocols.

For his part, Health and Wellness Minister Tufton said, “we must show our appreciation to those who have got themselves vaccinated and let it be shown that those who are not vaccinated are at a disadvantage.”

He said: “The move to allow spectators into the National Stadium represents a giant step forward in normalising operations whilst covid-19 is still with us.”

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Kingston, 21 October 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has said an assessment meeting held today as Jamaica continues its pursuit of World Heritage inscription for the Sunken City of Port Royal was of immense cultural importance.

Minister Grange said: “The sunken city of Port Royal is one of only three such sites in the world.” [The other two sites are located in Alexandria, Greece and in Bahia, Italy.]

“This is a big deal! It will have a tremendous impact on our heritage tourism product for destination Jamaica as we prepare our nomination for UNESCO designation of ‘the Sunken City of Port Royal’ as a World Heritage Site”, she said of the project which is a historic collaboration between Jamaica, Mexico and Japan.

Minister Grange highlighted that it was, “a game changing meeting with underwater experts, Dr. Roberto Junco from Mexico and Professor Kotaro Yamafune, from Japan who led the team in the introduction of Photogrammetry photography of the Sunken City of Port Royal which has never been done before. This new technology will have far reaching implications for our cultural heritage and for Port Royal itself.”

The Heritage Impact Assessment will take place in three phases. The first phase includes the photogrammetry, which is the taking of detailed photographs of the underwater city.

This new technology will be used for monitoring of the site, developing 3-D models and for data analysis which can be used for research and tourism activities, among other things.

Phase two will involve a larger team of underwater archeologists from Japan, Canada, Mexico and the Netherlands. They will elaborate on the analysis provided by the photogrammetry and also carry out further training of the JNHT team.

Phase three will see the preparation of the final report, expected to be presented in April 2022.

Present at today’s meeting were Ambassador of Mexico, Juan José González Mijares; the Ambassador of Japan, Masaya Fujiwara; as well as officers of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust.

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Kingston, 1 November 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has been nominated as a Vice President for the UNESCO General Conference scheduled to begin on November 9, 2021 in Paris, France.

Minister Grange’s nomination will be ratified at the beginning of the General Conference.

This important General Conference will, among other things, elect the Director General of UNESCO for the 2021-25 period as well as approve the organisation’s Programme and Budget for the next five years.

Minister Grange previously served as a Vice President at the UNESCO General Conference in 2019. 

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Kingston, 13 October 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has expressed both relief and gratitude after the House of Representatives gave its final approval to the Sexual Harassment legislation at its sitting on Tuesday (yesterday).

“I just want to commend everyone on both sides of the House and those in Civil Society for us being able to say we now have a Bill,” said Minister Grange.

The House had previously approved the Bill in July, sending it to the Senate for review. Following debate in the Senate on October 1, the Bill was sent back to the House of Representatives with 23 amendments.

Minister Grange asked the House of Representatives to accept all 23 amendments, saying that they had “strengthened the Bill”.

Among the amendments are changes to clause 4 which imposes a duty on every employer and head of institution to issue a policy statement detailing the protection of workers and students from sexual harassment.

Minister Grange explained that “there was concern with this requirement being complied with by micro employers and those individuals engaged in work in domestic spaces. To cure the concern, it was agreed that the clause be amended by giving the Minister power to acknowledge those employment circumstances where use of the policy framework document would not be appropriate.”

Clauses 5 and 6 were amended to allow for the giving of notice ‘whether by electronic means or otherwise’.

Clause 8 was amended to allow for the findings of a sexual harassment claim, including cases of exoneration, to be included in the confidential register that must be maintained at places of employment and institutions.

Another substantial amendment had to do with the role of Authorised Officers.

Minister Grange said:
“The previous Bill vested the investigative and adjudicating functions in the Tribunal. The amendment was to cure the mischief of the Tribunal being judge in its own cause. Thus, clause 12 was re-formulated by vesting the powers of investigation in the Authorised Officers who will be the field officers appointed to the Bureau of Gender Affairs. These officers will be specially trained to carry out their investigative duty under the Act.”

Other amendments dealt with the power of the Tribunal to be created under the legislation.

“The amendment was considered necessary to ensure that the Tribunal was not being given broad powers that originally belonged to the Court. As a result, clause 36 no longer allows the Tribunal to order reinstatement of a complaint as such an order would squarely fall within the labour remit of the IDT and not this Tribunal set up to hear sexual harassment matters. The Tribunal is not left at large to consider any other such awards as it so determines, and its compensation limit has now been capped at $900,000. The compensation of $900,000 can be recovered summarily in Court as a civil debt.”

There were also amendments for dealing with false complaints.

According the Minister Grange:
“Clause 41 seeks to regulate the filing of false complaints; however, this only speaks to false complaints being made before the Tribunal. There is no recognition in the clause of instances where false complaints are made in the institution or within an organisation. Clause 41(1) has been deleted and replaced with this formulation: ‘(1) A person who knowingly makes a false sexual harassment claim or a false complaint commits an offence.’
Both terms — complaint and sexual harassment claim — are defined and the amendment now makes it clear that a false complaint or false sexual harassment claim are both wrong and actionable in the Parish Court to a fine not exceeding $1,000,000.”

Arrangements will now be made for the implementation of the Sexual Harassment Act, including the establishment of the Tribunal to hear matters, the recruiting and training of Authorised Officers, as well as the intensification of a public education campaign.

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Kingston, 8 September 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, said she is grateful that the Costa Rican authorities have issued emergency visas for national senior football representatives Kemar Lawrence and Norman Campbell ahead of the today’s World Cup qualification match.

Lawrence and Campbell were denied entry into Costa Rica because they didn’t have the required documents and were not allowed to leave the airport with the rest of the team.

The matter was reported to Minister Grange who quickly made the necessary contact with the authorities who allowed the players to enter the country.

Minister Grange said:
“All’s well that ends well. I am just happy that I could have assisted and I’m very grateful to the Costa Rican authorities for facilitating our request.”

Jamaica will face Costa Rica this evening in the Final Round of Concacaf World Cup qualification for Qatar 2022.

Minister Grange said:
“I want to wish the Reggae Boyz the very best this evening. We didn’t get the results we wanted in our last two matches, but I believe in them and I know they will do their best. It is a very tough assignment but our boys are talented and they’re resilient. Let us give them our full support for this very important match.”

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Kingston, 8 September 2021 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced plans for a new monument in tribute to the cultural icon, the Honourable Louise Bennett Coverley.

The new monument will be part of a ‘Miss Lou Corner’ to be established at Emancipation Park in St Andrew.

Minister Grange said:
“Miss Lou Corner will feature a life size statue of our mother of culture, but it will be a statue with a difference. It will depict the love and care Miss Lou had for children. She will be in a sitting position with children having the opportunity to literally sit in her lap, while listening to her reciting poems and telling stories.”

‘Miss Lou Corner’, to be established by the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport in partnership with the National Housing Trust and Fontana Pharmacy, will be a Jamaica 60 Legacy Project.

Minister Grange made the announcement as she marked the 102nd anniversary of the birth of Miss Lou on Tuesday.

In her tribute, Minister Grange said that Miss Lou "really sensitised successive generations of Jamaicans to the beauty and richness of their mother tongue, music, dance, folklore and heritage; and helped to remove the stigma associated with celebrating Jamaican cultural forms.”

Minister Grange said the Government was working to “ensure that current and future generations are aware of and develop an appreciation for Miss Lou’s significant contribution to Jamaica and our culture.”

In keeping with that commitment, the Government in 2018 established Miss Lou Square in Gordon Town, St Andrew, featuring a life-sized bronze statue of the author, poet, playwright, comedienne, performer, folklorist, social commentator, and children’s champion. It also established the Miss Lou Archive at the National Library of Jamaica in 2019 with information on her life and work. And recently, a mural in her honour was completed at the Public Broadcasting Corporation of Jamaica complex in Half Way Tree, St Andrew where Miss Lou hosted her pioneering children’s television programme ‘Ring Ding’ between 1970 and 1982.

The mural is part of a series being done across Jamaica to mark the Diamond Jubilee.

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