News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has directed all government Ministries, Departments and Agencies that violence should not be used as a means of control over citizens. Speaking at the launch of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children campaign at the Office of the Prime Minister today (November 24), Prime Minister Holness said the move is part of a strategic and comprehensive programme to address violence in Jamaica. “Government has to start with the institutions over which it has leverage and control. Government should not endorse or use violence as a normalised tool of control over its citizens. This is a policy direction that I have given. Our police force must never be seen as a purveyor of violence against its citizens,” said the Prime Minister. In the meantime, the government of Jamaica signalled its intention to keep national and international commitments to protect children. Prime Minister Holness said the Government is committed to promoting and protecting the rights of children and is in full support of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Children Initiative. The Partnership brings together governments, foundations, the UN, civil society, academia, the private sector and young people in driving action toward achieving the new…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring human rights of all Jamaicans are protected, preserved and maintained.  This assurance was made during a meeting with members of the human rights group Amnesty International at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday (Tuesday, November 22). The Amnesty International delegation met with the Prime Minister and presented its report titled “Waiting in Vain” an examination of challenges facing the Jamaica Constabulary Force. Prime Minister Holness said even though the police force has the authority to use force in specified circumstances, it must do so sparingly. He made it clear that persons who are empowered to uphold the law must preserve the law and further added that the government will continue to maintain the Independent Commission of Investigations, INDECOM, as a critical partner in ensuring probity, transparency and integrity in Jamaica’s security operations. “We reject violence. The government is of the view that the state should set the example and not use violence as a means of conflict resolution. We want a far more peaceful and loving society,” he asserted. Prime Minister Holness revealed that some of the recommendations made in the report such as improving legislation and the justice system…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the tourism sector is extremely critical in securing sustainable growth and job creation. “Tourism is one of the largest foreign exchange earners and employers. Tourism is also one of the few industries where the region has both a global comparative and competitive advantage,” he declared.     Speaking at the reopening of the Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort & Offshore Island, in Nassau, Bahamas, at the weekend Prime Minister Holness noted that tourism greatly impacts many sectors including entertainment, transportation, financial services, agriculture and manufacturing. He said it is paramount that synergies and opportunities are created to increase competitiveness.   Mr Holness stated that in order to be effective and efficient, Governments must remain committed to being catalysts to private sector success. According to him, this is important to ensure an economy moves forward.   In lauding Sandals and their success, Prime Minister Holness said the Sandals brand epitomizes that success can be obtained through hard work, determination, taking calculated risks and constant innovation, “Sandals has shown the power of building a Caribbean brand and a Caribbean offering to the world which redounds to the benefit of our Caribbean people.”   The grand reopening of…

The Government today (November 22) launched the country’s first ever Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica. The Council comprises 16 youth who will serve for the 2016-2018 period.   Speaking at the launch at Jamaica House, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the new group embodies the government’s commitment to treat youth as full and equal partners in the decision making process.   The Prime Minister said the government wholeheartedly supports the development of the country’s youth and will place it as a key component in the national development strategy. “It is not just about talking; it is about actual results and having organizations such as the national youth advisory council,” he emphasized.   According to Mr. Holness, young people represent a significant segment of the population, who will play a major role in Jamaica as it adapts to many of the challenges such as climate change and natural disasters.   He further added, “We value the positive contributions of our youth. They are the change agents and need to play a direct role in shaping and influencing programmes and policies that will affect them. It is important that they are engaged and their voices are heard.”   Prime Minister Holness revealed…

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) has instituted a new monitoring framework for the Precautionary Stand-By agreement approved by the board of the International Monetary Fund, IMF on November 11, 2016.   Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (November 21) announced that a tri partite monitoring mechanism will oversee the agreement.   During a press briefing at Jamaica House Mr. Holness said the new monitoring framework will be more balanced in assessing not only the fiscal and monetary indicators but also social and public sector issues as well as growth.   “In addition to reporting on progress with the fiscal, the new mechanism will also report to the public on the progress in achieving the economic growth, public sector transformation and social protection objectives in the IMF agreement. This is essential as real economic growth improves people’s lives. So while we focus on getting the macro numbers right, we must ensure that the growth is felt at the micro level,” said the Prime Minister.   The government has therefore broadened and deepened the monitoring of the new IMF Agreement to include, along with the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (“EPOC”), the Public Sector Transformation Oversight Committee (“P-STOC”) and the Economic Growth Council, (“EGC”):…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has affirmed the country’s commitment to halt, and even reverse the adverse effects on climate change.   Jamaica’s firm position comes as the country supports the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.   Speaking at the 22nd Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, underway in Marrakech, Morroco Prime Minister Holness said the entry into force of the Paris Agreement on November 4, 2016 and COP 22 are major milestones to developing a low carbon, climate resilient world.   “Jamaica is proud of the leadership role it has played to get us this far,” said the Prime Minister, adding: “I wish to assure this august body that Jamaica remains fully committed to ratification of the Paris Agreement. To this end, we are working assiduously on the requisite domestic procedures.”   According to Prime Minister Holness climate change is a developmental issue of global proportion that, in many cases, requires solutions which are beyond the efforts of many developing countries.  He said small developing states are challenged, including those which are classified as Highly Indebted Middle Income countries, hence urgent action, increased support and creative…

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT This is to inform that the Civil Service Long Service Award Ceremony which was scheduled to take place on the 16th November, 2016 at King’s House is now rescheduled for the 30th November, 2016 at 1:00pm at King’s House.   The rehearsal has also been rescheduled to the 28th November, 2016 at 1:00p.m.   Any inconvenience that this change may cause is sincerely regretted.       --30--     Contact:    Communications Unit-OPM Tel:   926-0244, 927-4101        Email:  [email protected]/[email protected] Website:      www.opm.gov.jm  Facebook:  www.facebook.com/jamaicahouse  Twitter:  www.twitter.com/opmjamaica  

Prime Minister Andrew Holness will participate in the 22nd Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 22) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change currently underway in Marrakech, Morocco from November 7-18. The Prime Minister and his delegation departed the island this afternoon Sunday, November 13 and will return on Saturday, November 19. The conference will bring together nations across the world to continue their work on strengthening the global response to the threat of climate change, with the central focus placed on enhancing ambition, promoting implementation, and providing support. They will also carry out work to operationalize the Paris Climate Change Agreement adopted last year, of which Jamaica is a signatory. The government of Jamaica is moving to enhance its policies to ensure the country can reap the rewards of implementing climate adaptation measures as Jamaica stands to benefit from enhancing its international and national framework agreements. Accompanying the Prime Minister are Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith and representatives from the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation. Honourable Dr. Horace Chang, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister will be in charge of the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness announces the creation of the office of National Security Advisor, and the appointment of Major General Antony Anderson to the post. Consistent with international best practices in other jurisdictions such as UK, Canada, USA, India, Australia, and in the pursuance of strategic national security management, the National Security Advisor is the principal technical advisor to the government. The creation of the office of the NSA is a critical move in supporting and coordinating Jamaica’s national security superstructure. General Anderson will advise the Prime Minister and the Minister of National Security through the National Security Council (NSC) on matters of internal and external security affairs which broadly include defence, crime and security and public safety related policy and strategy, Inter-agency cooperation, partner nation engagement and regional and international security. He brings to the post the knowledge, expertise, qualification and critical strategic management skills needed to enhance Jamaica’s security framework. General Anderson who has served as Chief of Defence Staff for 6 of his 32 years in the Jamaica Defence Force will be succeeded as CDS by Brigadier Rocky Meade. Brigadier Meade has been Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for five years and has served the JDF for…