The Agricultural Conundrum
Domestic agricultural production is the keystone of our country’s future. There, I have just written some of the most heretical words that you will ever read in contemporary Jamaica. As important …
Oh, just because they can! – The idea of “Might is Right”
There was a time when corporal punishment was part and parcel of our Jamaican school system. It was, perhaps, a holdover from the old British colonial era. It was often abused …
Data As A Public Good
COVID-19 and its devastating effect on the education industry, more than anything else, has revealed the scandalous system of education apartheid that exists in our country. The quite proper closure of …
Social Harmony
There are huge differences in wealth in Jamaica. We range from native born Jamaicans who are United States dollar billionaires and millionaires to the dirt poor, particularly the rural dirt poor …
Legislative Slothfulness
The Laird Just about six or so weeks ago there was an item of news that set me off on a prolonged path of musing. There was the now usual brouhaha …
Political Responsibility vs Public Service Accountability
Elected Politicians, are men and women who go to the citizenry in general elections seeking firstly, nomination, and then secondly, election as Members of Parliament. We love them and we hate …
South – South endeavours
At the risk of engaging in juvenile simplicity, it is clear to me that if we, collectively, can get more Jamaican companies, whether large, medium or small, to become …
FORWARD TO THE PAST
In the Gleaner of Friday 17 August 2018, the following was reported on a speech given by the Minister of Education Senator The Hon. Ruel Reid; Education Minister Ruel Reid has …
Wheatley lessons
The saga involving the recently resigned Minister of Science Technology and Energy Dr. The Hon. Andrew Wheatley ought not merely to be used as the fodder for veranda gossip. There are …
Holiday or holy day double standard
The Holidays (Public General) Act was promulgated on 27 April, 1895. Jamaica was still then cuddled firmly in the bosom of the British Empire and was the subject of Crown Colony …
Entertainment tourism – Let’s pick some cherries!
The Annual Tourism Arrivals statistics for Jamaica for 2017 have a metric on which we have not had any public commentary and reveal a set of possibilities for the country. In …