Speeches by the Prime Minister

Statement By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Press Conference With Emergency Agencies on Preparation for Hurricane Beryl On July 1, 2024 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------     Thank you, Minister. Colleagues, heads of entities that are here, Members of the press, Our Jamaican Diaspora overseas, And of course, the rest of the world who are looking on and wishing and hoping the best for us. And indeed, let me also express our solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Eastern Caribbean who are presently being affected. Now, I understand that it is a fast-moving system, and that Barbados has already issued an all clear that it has moved past them, but they are still in some harm’s way. The outer bands will still affect them, they will still get rain and when we are finished here, we will get the assessment of damage to those countries and whatever we can do even in our own preparations we will stand ready to assist. The system is an unusual one. I'm not going to pretend to be the weatherman today. Evan did such an excellent job in bringing the nation up to date, but it…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the St Andrew South District Consultative Committee Conference On June 29, 2024 _______________________________________ Before I get into my presentation,  I have a public service announcement to make,  and I want you to pay keen attention to it. Tropical Storm Beryl has formed in the Atlantic about 800 miles east of Barbados and it is heading west quite rapidly.  Barbados and other eastern Caribbean islands have already put out tropical storm warnings and it is expected that by Monday morning tropical storm Beryl will probably have strengthened and would be in the region of Barbados. Various models have projected that tropical storm Beryl will probably impact Jamaica. All the models have suggested that if it is not a direct impact, it will be in the vicinity of Jamaica. We expect that this will bring adverse weather conditions, and we expect that by Wednesday morning we will be experiencing such conditions. The relevant agencies will put out the necessary warnings as the system develops. I am merely giving you an advanced warning and this is for you to make some decisions about how you're going to…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Official Opening Ceremony New Brunswick Village June 19, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you. I did not grow up in a place called De La Vega.  In fact, I was born at the Spanish Town Hospital and then I spent my formative years growing up just down the road there on Cumberland Road and then my mother was lucky enough to get a NHT house and we moved to Ensom City. This is where I started life and I remember many, many, many, many, many days walking from in Ensom City to St Catherine High School, going to look for my great grandmother who was alive at the time. I was fortunate to have my great grandmother, my grandmother and my mother so I couldn't go wrong, and my family home is just up the road here on Brunswick Avenue in front of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, so I know this area very well. In fact, there was an old theatre here called the Astor. It's a church. Can you imagine the transformation? My heart is full to finally see this piece of land…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the STEM for Growth Symposium UTECH On April 24, 2024 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It's getting hotter this year. The truth is that we've always had these kinds of fluctuation in our weather, but we're seeing it now with greater intensity and greater frequency so it's not merely climate variation, it is really climate change. And I'm certain that Glen can attest to it but even My generation and Sydney's generation can say we have never felt it this hot before and it is something that we are reflecting on. So, yes, I start at that point to say that there are challenges that are emerging that our creativity and that creativity expressed through technology is going to be required for humankind to survive; that's kind of like the big picture that we have to consider when we think of STEM. Think of it this way, can technology and the human effort change the climate? And I believe the answer to that is yes. Technology and human effort have changed the climate for the worst. Can technology and human effort mitigate and adapt and who knows, possibly…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Handing Over Ceremony Friendship Oaks Phase 1, St Elizabeth On May 17, 2024 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   It is so good to be in my second parish of St Elizabeth. I have roots not too far from here and I spent many summers in this community so this is a place that's near and dear to me. Let me thank Pastor Kimoy Allen for the prayers.  And you know today is National Children's Day and so let me thank the students who performed from the Goshen Primary School Culture Club; thank you very much. And the teachers who are here, the proud teachers, I could see them beaming with pride as the children sang and I too. I recorded it because I may make a little message to say here is what the children are saying.  We must rely on the mercy and the goodness of God so thank you so much for that message. And I am a fan of mento music, and I must make a commendation for the NHT that whenever we put on these ceremonies to mark the handing over or…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Official Opening of Adam and Eve Spa On May 15, 2024 ________________________________________________________________ Thank you very much, Kamila, for your wonderful mastery of the ceremony so far. You've been very efficient, and I propose to continue in that vein with the delivery of my own comments. Let me acknowledge Dr Andre Haughton for his very efficient statements as well. And Julian, I think it's time that you go to the NHT. While you're at it, you should just say thank you. And of course, to our host Garth and Kimisha; thank you so much for the invitation. I have no apologies for the efforts that we made during COVID. We certainly believe it kept the nation safe, but I do however, understand that it did cause you some pain; but today you are stronger. My ministers, I've greeted Minister Grange and said, what are you doing here at a spa this hour of the day?  I know Minister Chuck has no reason to be here. And I know that a regular visit to the spa is our good friend Member of Parliament for the…

Keynote Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the 105th Jamaica Civil Service Association Annual General Meeting On May 30, 2024 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All dignitaries acknowledged, but you will understand the need for efficiency in the delivery of the presentation. My task is a difficult one coming after your very eloquent president. I did take a few notes, but I am not promising you that I will be able to respond to all the points you have raised. But before I do that, let me attempt to make some connections with this organization. First, by complimenting the executive for transforming this hall. The last time I was here it was quite different. In fact, when I came in, I had to say wait, is this the same place?  It's modernized and I think it is appropriately named after your past president. You will understand what I'm about to say and what I'm about to say is that I'm a civil service baby.  My mother spent over 33 years in the civil service, in fact, in the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and I spent a few summers working in that ministry and…

Labour day in Jamaica is recognized as a time to volunteer your labour for the upliftment of our communities. It is a time I personally look forward to because I love to lend a helping hand while interacting with community members. Today as we celebrate Labour Day 2024, under the theme "Ramp up di access…show you care”, our focus is on inclusion and support for our fellow Jamaicans with disabilities, the elderly, and the vulnerable. Our observance today is a call to action—a reminder of our collective responsibility to uplift every member of our community. I encourage every Jamaican to embrace the theme and participate in one of the many Labour Day projects taking place across the island. Volunteering on Labour Day and beyond is a tradition that reflects our shared values. Since 1938, Jamaican workers have left us a legacy of volunteerism and social activism. Your actions can make a difference in your community. For Labour Day this year, Municipal corporations across Jamaica were allocated a combined total of Fifty-Three Million Dollars ($53M) to support Labour Day projects. This investment underscores our commitment to making public spaces accessible to everyone, in line with the Disabilities Act, which came into…

Delaware State University Class of 2024 Commencement Speech Delivered by Most. Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, MP, PC Prime Minister of Jamaica May 10, 2024 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Back home in Jamaica when we greet friends, we say wha gwaan! So, wha gwaan Delaware State! Thank you so much for that kind introduction and welcome. I feel I am among friends. Allow me to salute Chairman Leroy Tice and other members of the Board of Trustees, the academic staff, and executive leadership of this great university and I thank you for this kind invitation and honor. Special thanks to your President, Dr. Tony Allen, a visionary, and inspirational leader. Dr. Allen has pursued cooperation with Jamaica and now hundreds of Jamaican students are accessing post graduate studies through Delaware State University. In fact, I understand 38 Jamaican students are in the 2024 graduating cohort. It is my great pleasure to have the opportunity to address this audience of: elected officials and other dignitaries on the platform, well wishers gathered, and of course, you, the DSU graduating class of 2024. We are all proud of your journey and achievement, and today we celebrate you! As a parent of college students myself, you will understand…