Speeches by the Prime Minister

Jamaica! Today, as we have been doing for many decades, since 1969, we mark our National Heroes’ Day. It is a day wherein we celebrate the strength, service and sacrifice of our national heroes, and importantly a day that calls upon us to look within ourselves and put into action our own heroism in the service of our country and our fellow citizens. Jamaica needs heroes; our nation was built on the backs of our heroes, and if we are to continue our march towards, peace, progress and prosperity for our people, we must all answer the call to be heroes. We need our society to be a place of heroes who do the right things, say the right things and live in the right ways that promote harmony. As we acknowledge the need for more Jamaican heroes, we salute those who are already heroes among us- individuals and communities who rise above challenges, who lend a helping hand, who inspire hope, and who exemplify the true spirit of Jamaica. The many families who work together and raise their children with love, respect, and positive values. The many community members who look out for their neighbours and assist the senior…

When you are independent, you walk your own road to success, peace, and prosperity. Independence, therefore, begins with a road. Today I am standing on the May Pen to Williamsfield Highway, which is slated for completion at the end of August 2023. This infrastructure, like all the others currently under construction across the island, represents development and ease for Jamaicans. It represents progress, growth, transformation, and independence. Today I stand in acknowledgment and reflection on our attainment of 61 years of national independence and my thoughts, as always, are about my Jamaican people and what independence means for them. On August 6, 1962, when we raised our own flag, bearing the much loved and celebrated, black, green, and gold, we heralded in our political independence. Since that time, we have embarked on a journey to become economically independent, with one aim; to raise the standard of living of our people and to provide every Jamaican with the opportunity for an improved quality of life. To do this we would have had to achieve economic growth. Jamaica, except for the early post-Independence years, that is the period during the 1960s, and for short periods during the 1980s and early 1990s, has…

Happy Emancipation Day Jamaica! Each year on August 1, we are presented with the opportunity to reflect on the heroism of our ancestors whose physical bodies were in shackles but whose minds could not be conquered. I encourage you today to reflect on their bravery, courage, and indomitable spirit and the heritage of resilience they bestowed on us. Our ancestors struggled against their dehumanizing treatment and with determination, strength, and dignity, fought to regain the freedom that is their birthright. The freedom struggle gave rise to our heroes who we today acknowledge. Nanny who taught us determination, ingenuity and creativity; Sam Sharpe who taught us about leadership and harnessing the power of our minds; Paul Bogle who taught us to stand up against injustice irrespective of whether it impacts us directly; Marcus Garvey who taught us self-reliance and self-respect; George William Gordon, who taught us kindness and sacrifice; Norman Manley who taught us about advocacy and the virtues of democracy; and; Alexander Bustamante who taught us to believe in ourselves to become politically and economically independent. Let us be inspired by the lives of our forebears whose freedom was won in blood through battle so that today we can enjoy…

STATEMENT ON HAITI BY THE MOST HONOURABLE ANDREW HOLNESS, PRIME MINISTER ON THE OCCASION OF THE EU-CARIBBEAN LEADERS MEETING JULY 17, 2023 | BRUSSELS, BELGIUM ____________________________________________________   Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon. I am pleased to be part of this meeting, which allows us to exchange views, progress our collaboration on matters of mutual interest, discuss ways in which to address challenges and seize opportunities including on the Caribbean side, for the furthering of our development aspirations. Excellencies, My colleagues have asked me to address the situation in Haiti which deeply concerns us all. On his recent visit to Haiti, Secretary-General Guterres highlighted the depth of the crisis, recalling that a recent earthquake and flooding have only compounded the existing political and economic turmoil and widespread insecurity – especially for women and girls, as a result of gang violence.  Citizens fighting back with vigilante justice and the gang’s further efforts at repression mark a dangerous phase of deterioration which we cannot afford to ignore. The insecurity in Haiti is well-known and has impeded access to healthcare, education, and other basic goods and services. It is most certainly undermining efforts for a lasting solution, which the ordinary Haitian people…

Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the New Social Housing Programme Handing Over Ceremony Clarendon South Western, Kemps Hill, Race Course On July 12, 2023 ________________________________________   I have to thank our Mayor Maragh and our Councillor Pauline Reynolds for the very warm welcome as well. So on behalf of the Social Housing team that is here, we thank you for the welcome, and let me thank the people who are gathered of all stripes, colours, and social groupings and communities that are assembled. It is quite a diverse set of observers that we have here on the periphery of this function. Some are in very bright green and some are in orange colours, significant numbers are gathered and it is reminiscent of a period of time which comes about every five years or so, but that period of time is not near. I get that there is an attempt to kind of bring on that period of time before time, time doesn't come yet time. Well, there is still a lot of work to be done before that time, and as the person who has responsibility to do the work,…

Remarks by The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Reading of the Proclamation at King’s House on June 21, 2023 _________________________________________________________   Thank you, Dr McCarthy for your excellent mastery of the ceremony. You're quick on your feet. Your Excellencies, The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen Honourable Minister Senator Gabriela Morrison, representing the Leader of the Opposition Custodes Stakeholders Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.   My presence here at the podium was not planned. I imposed myself on the ceremony and His Excellency was very kind to accommodate me, but I thought it's important that the full force of the government be seen to be in support of this initiative. In Cabinet on Monday, we dedicated an extensive block of time discussing this issue and how, not just as politicians, but as leaders of the society, how we will mobilize the entire society to supporting this initiative so I'm very happy to see here a wide cross-section of civic leaders. I see the president of the JTA, good morning, how are you? And other influential leaders present. So, let me say officially that I endorse the proclamation of a National…

Opening Remarks By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Outsource to Latin America and the Caribbean 2023 Global Digital Summit O2LAC On June 14, 2023 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you, Master, of Ceremonies, Dr. Terri Karelle.   Now, like Tariq, I only speak two languages; so English welcome, how are you? And Jamaican, what a gwaan? I see the Jamaican languages catching on. Allow me to formally establish the protocols. Senator, the Honourable Aubyn Hill, our Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Senator, Dr the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, our newly minted Minister of Skills and Digital Transformation in the Office of the Prime Minister Our hardworking Director of the General Manager, Country Manager of the IDBB, Mr. Tariq Ali. Tariq obviously by accent, is from Trinidad, but he behaves like a Jamaican. Mrs. Shullette Cox, President of our promotion’s agency JAMPRO Mr. Yoni Epstein, Chief Executive Officer of ITELBPO Other specially invited partners and guests and stakeholders, all Representatives of the media Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, once again.   It is my pleasure to speak here this morning at the 9th staging of the Outsource to Latin America and the Caribbean 2023 Global…

Today, we gather to officially hand over The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) Therapeutic Centre, the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. The project was managed by The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and financed by the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) through its Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) grant funding valued at approximately Two Hundred Million Jamaican Dollars (JMD$200,000,000). Eighty-Five Point Eight Million Dollars ($85.8M)  was contributed by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), an Agency of the Ministry of Education and Youth. The Therapeutic Centre will facilitate medical treatment, social intervention guidance and psychological support for victims of child abuse.  The Centre will also provide programmes designed specifically to stop the cycle of abuse and violence against children across parishes as well as wholistic and comprehensive support packages for families. Overall, the project will benefit Four Thousand Four Hundred (4,400) children in state care who are in child protection placement (that is, children’s homes, places of safety and living in a family environment) as well as those in foster care and family reintegration and those in need of psychosocial or mental health intervention.   Additionally, the project will…

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE MOST HONOURABLE ANDREW HOLNESS, ON, PC, MP PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL “Saving Lives: Addressing the Urgent Food Security Needs of Haiti” 16 June 2023 _______________________________________________________________________   Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me first express sincere thanks to the President of the Economic and Social Council for convening this well-needed meeting to discuss the urgent food security crisis in Haiti. While I am unable to be with you in person, I was determined to add Jamaica’s voice and advocacy at this Special Meeting, bearing in mind the full commitment we have made to supporting our brothers and sisters in our neighbouring CARICOM state, Haiti. I also acknowledge the statement made by the Right Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who spoke on behalf of the CELAC group of countries.   Madam President, I am addressing you this morning on the heels of the Kingston Talks on Haiti, held earlier this week in Jamaica.  The Council’s meeting today could therefore not be more timely and provides evidence of and the need for a continuum of care in the international community’s…