Commentary
Nothing symbolises the state of Jamaica’s roads – and the urgency of doing something about them – better than the case in October of Venroy ‘Bigga’ Blackwood. Mr Blackwood, 58, lived in Ridge Pen, St Elizabeth, in southwestern Jamaica. On a dark...
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The election of a new secretary general of the Organization of American States (OAS), scheduled for March 10, 2025, represents a pivotal moment not only for the organisation but also for the countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). For the...
Over the years, the term ‘head’ has moved beyond the indispensable appendage containing the brain to its contents and even to its disposition. At the same time, Hydra-like, other applications of the word have popped up organically, transplanted so...
It is late in the day. But the Government’s intention to open a “cross-aisle conversation” with the political opposition aimed at jump-starting the stalled effort to transition Jamaica to a republic is a welcomed development. The obvious question,...
Every week at the bottom of this column I associate myself with the tradition guiding my thoughts. Most often I identify as “a sociologist and development scientist” because of my recent studies, although I am trained in other disciplines. But...
Some parents are still having heart palpitations from hearing that the Senate recently approved an amendment to Jamaica’s Maintenance Act to allow for a maintenance order to be made in relation to a child after they have turned 18. Although...
A decade ago there was a buzz in Jamaica around nutraceuticals. The Portia Simpson Miller administration even declared the launch of a nutraceutical industry. During that period, personal use of ganja was decriminalised and there was talk of...
On December 6, Canada will commemorate the 34th anniversary of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. A day honouring 14 women murdered at Montreal’s École Polytechnique – a stark reminder that gender-based violence...
MONDAY’S TRAGIC accident along the Bustamante Highway has left us grappling with profound questions about not only the safety of our rural transportation system, but also how we, as a society, respond in moments of crisis. As a parent, I was...
With Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ announcement of his government’s planned “pivot” from stability to a search for robust and sustainable growth, it may be a good time to be talking about agriculture. Put another way, agriculture and agribusiness...
THE PRIME Minister of India, Narendra Modi, paid an official visit to Guyana from November 19-21. It was the second time an Indian prime minister had visited that country since Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visited in October 1968. Besides his...
HURRICANE BERYL highlighted some of the shortfalls in delivery of electricity to the public, especially after the impact of adverse weather systems. In July when Beryl struck there were numerous problems with the timely restoration of power and as...
The Gleaner supports Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ recent warning to schools not to exclude students whose parents cannot pay so-called auxiliary fees. But the prime minister’s admonition of principals raises two significant issues, which he...
Nuclear technology offers much more than reactors, especially for small island developing states (SIDS). Notably, Jamaica has started tapping into a wide range of nuclear applications that are improving sectors like healthcare, climate monitoring,...
Issues such as principles of privacy and the first standard of data protection, which is the need to process data fairly and lawfully, have been discussed before. Let us look into the need for transparency. This principle runs through data...
Even if the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) could mount the most credible defence of the deal – controversial non-disclosure clause notwithstanding – to end its prosecution of the Trade Winds juice company, the agency’s chairman,...
