Welcome to Impacting Jamaica
SHARING THE LOVE: Great Shape Inc
Five-minute feature on acts of kindness by local or overseas based non-government individuals and organisations that have benefitted Jamaicans.
Written and produced by the Radio Department of the Jamaica Information Service
News for Week of December 4, 2022
We are here to inspire, motivate and uplift.
Jamaica is growing agriculture, says the minister
The agriculture sector is on target to meet or surpass last year’s historic high domestic crop production figures.
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Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr. noted that domestic crop output was recorded at 770,456 tonnes in 2021, representing a 10.4 per cent growth over the 697,679 tonnes produced in 2020. Domestic production was 689,080 tonnes in 2019.
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“So, it means that we are doing some things right and we’re moving in the right direction,” said the Minister.
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“Jamaica has established that we are growing agriculture and… we are moving into 2023 to grow even further,” he declared.
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He said that now is a good time to invest in the country’s agriculture sector and is urging members of the Jamaican diaspora who have land in the country to put them into production.
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Small business policy to embrace disabled community
The Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise entrepreneurship policy, which is up for review in 2023, will provide an opportunity for improvements to ensure greater financial inclusion, particularly for persons with disabilities.
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The policy, prepared by the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, was last updated in 2018. It creates a framework that offers coordinated, coherent and targeted support to the small business sector in an effort to expand its contribution.
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Among its goals are to create an enabling business environment that results in growing levels of formality in the economy; encourage a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation that promotes creativity, research, and development in business operations and throughout the education system; and provide for seamless integration of cross-cutting issues into major programmes to ensure inclusive growth.
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Minister of State in the Ministry Dr. Norman Dunn said that work continues with partners and stakeholders, including the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), to create greater access for more members of the disabled community.
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December 26 to be celebrated as Christmas Day
Christmas Day will be celebrated on Monday, December 26 this year. The Ministry of Labour and Social Security advises that the Holiday (Public General) Act, provides that whenever Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, then the Monday (December 26) and the Tuesday (December 27) are to be observed as Public General Holidays.
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Consequently, as Christmas Day falls on a Sunday this year, Monday, December 26, 2022, and Tuesday, December 27, 2022, will be observed as Public General Holidays.
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Similarly, as New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday, Monday, January 2, 2023, will be observed as a Public General Holiday.
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New cops told: Remain true to mission to serve
A total of 323 new constables will be deployed shortly to strengthen the operations of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). The new constables, representing Batches 139, 141 and 142, graduated during a ceremony held at the National Police College of Jamaica (NPCJ) in Twickenham Park, St. Catherine, on Wednesday, November 30.
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Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang urged the newly minted policemen and women to remain true to the mission of serving the citizens of Jamaica.
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“Oftentimes you don’t get the kind of moral support you require from some of your community members, but [this is] a job that has to be done. It’s a job that is critical to the country’s development,” he pointed out.
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Dr. Chang told the new constables that they are joining the JCF at a time when the Force is going through its greatest transformation. He said that Government is focused on the development of the Force and enabling members to “demonstrate their professionalism, skills, commitment and sharp intelligence”.
Healthcare workers, stakeholders get honour
Several healthcare workers and stakeholders have been recognized by the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) for sterling performance during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The awardees, who represent various areas of the health sector, were presented with plaques and citations during a ceremony at the AC Marriot Hotel in Kingston.
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Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Wellness Mrs. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn said the last two years were arguably among the most “worrying times” in public health nationally and globally, consequent on the pandemic.
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“As health teams faced varying threats, all to protect the lives of their people, it is a period of history that we won’t dare forget and one for which ‘thank you’ can never be too much,” she said.
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Noting that in Jamaica, staff across the regional health authorities have “braved the frontlines to serve”, Cuthbert-Flynn said they preserved and prioritized the lives of Jamaicans.
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She pointed out that the Ministry, in response, paid tribute to them during July, which was nationally recognized as Healthcare Worker Appreciation Month, for being “firm in their commitment to safeguard the nation.”
The World Cup Syndrome
By Raj Persaud
LONDON – As the world’s most popular sport, football (“soccer” to Americans) is often a pillar of national identity and a source of collective pride.
That is why the FIFA World Cup can trigger intense emotions in a way that no other sporting mega-event can. This year’s tournament in Qatar is no different.
