Jamaicapage.com » Featured Posts

5 Jamaicans Honoured by Canadians

Kelroy Brown — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:23:40 +0000

Five outstanding Jamaicans were recognised for their contribution to social programmes undertaken throughout the island, at today’s (July 19) inaugural ‘Making a Difference Award’ ceremony, held at the official residence of the Canadian High Commissioner, in Kingston.

The recipients are: Superintendent/Director of the Jamaica Christian Boys’ Home, Francis Knight; Founder and Executive/Artistic Director of the Area Youth Foundation, Sheila Graham; Democracy and Governance Fund Manager/Canadian Fund for Local Initiative (CLFI) Co-ordinator, High Commission of Canada,

Dr. Deborah Duperly-Pinks; Mr. Fabian Brown of the St. Patrick’s Foundation and Citizens for Free and Fair Elections (CAFFE); and Moira Morgan of Hush the Guns /Griffin Trust, a charity organisation in the United Kingdom (UK), with a Jamaican chapter.

An initiative of the Canadian High Commission, the ‘Making a Difference Award’ was created to formally recognise Jamaicans who have contributed to the fostering of positive relations between Jamaica and Canada.

The award will be given annually to individuals or organisations that make a significant contribution to the delivery of any programme of the High Commission, particularly which impacts Jamaica’s well-being and development; provide outstanding service to Jamaicans (with some connection to High Commission of Canada programmes or activities); and foster relations between Canada and Jamaica.

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, who presented the recipients with their awards, praised them for the contribution they have made to social programmes in Jamaica, noting that they have given their time and talent to foster character building and development in young people.

Source – JIS

CARIFTA Games 2010 Results

Kelroy Brown — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 02:06:05 +0000

The 39th staging of the CARIFTA Games was a successful one. The annual CARIFTA Games which acts as a regional showpiece of young and upcoming athletes from the Caribbean region took place at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands from April 3-5 2010.

Participating Countries

25 countries from the region including Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Bahamas, Guyana, Grenada, Haiti, Suriname, St Lucia, Bermuda, Dominica, Aruba and many others participated.

Dominant Jamaica

Jamaica topped the table with 72 medals which included 37 gold medals, 22 silver medals and 13 bronze medals. Record performances by Chad Wright in the male under 20 discuss, doubles by Odane Skeen in the under 17 100 and 200 meters and jaw dropping performances by Natoya Goule and Kemoy Campbell in the under 20 male and female middle distance races accentuated a good dominant performance from Jamaica.

Live Stream and Full Results

The event was broadcast live across the region and to the world via the internet through a partnership between the Caribbean Media Corporation, and the Games’ main sponsor, LIME. For the full medal table and results from each event please visit the official CARIFTA Games 2010 website at Carifta2010.ky.

Oil Exploration Licences on Offer

Kelroy Brown — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 21:56:45 +0000

Jamaican officials are confident that with new seismic data showing very positive prospects, the country could, in the long term, become one of the region’s top oil producers. Jamaica formally offered nineteen offshore and four onshore blocks for licensing for oil and gas exploration, at the launch of the Second Round bid, on March 1st 2010, in London.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Energy and Mining, Hon. Laurence Broderick, who spoke at the launch, held at the Geological Society, emphasized that low energy cost is key to the country’s industrial development, so the programme to develop and expand renewable energy sources would continue at full speed.

The State Minister also participated in a seminar, under the theme: ‘New Prospects and New Opportunities’, which was put on by the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica and Jamaica Trade and Invest.

The seminar was held to support the island’s second formal licensing round for oil and gas exploration.

Consultant to the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ), Dr. Raymond Wright, said while the data for oil and gas exploration in Jamaica was positive, any benefits would come in the long term.

“We are talking about anything that could happen in 2015 and beyond. It’s not next year, so we are really planning for the long term future,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Broderick said that while renewable energy supplies would not account for more than 20 per cent of the country’s overall energy needs, there is an on-going programme to develop them.

“We have a couple of wind farms and we are seeking to establish more. With solar, we have not moved as fast because of the cost, but there are a number of companies that have expressed an interest and the pilot projects in hospitals are going well,” he pointed out.

Via – JIS

China and Jamaica Bolstering Ties

Kelroy Brown — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 16:27:36 +0000

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged Wednesday to continue China’s support to Jamaica’s economic development, saying the two sides should expand cooperation in infrastructure construction, mining and tourism. Wen made the remarks when meeting with his Jamaican counterpart Bruce Golding.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

“As the international financial crisis has posed severe impact on China and the Caribbean states, we should help each other, enhance cooperation, and jointly cope with challenges so as to consistently boost our friendly ties,” Wen said.

China’s trade with Jamaica slipped by some 30 percent to 219 million U.S. dollars last year. However, China’s imports from Jamaica nearly tripled year on year, according to Chinese custom figures.

Golding hailed Jamaica-China exchanges and cooperation in politics, economy and humanitarian fields. He pledged to stick to the one-China policy and voiced hope to expand trade and economic ties, as well as consultation on international affairs, with China.

Golding appreciated China’s responsible attitude in tackling climate change and pledged to further cooperation with China. Golding arrived in Beijing Monday. During his five-day trip, Golding is also expected to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Vice President Xi Jinping.

Earthquake Awareness Week

Kelroy Brown — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:57:15 +0000

Earthquake Awareness Week will be recognized during the week of January 9-15, 2010. The Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is planing various activities and workshops to mark the Week, which is aimed at increasing the general awareness of the Jamaican public to the importance of preparing for an earthquake. The them for this year is ”Learn, Plan, Prepare…the next big quake could be near!’

Overview of of some of the activities planed

National and regional church services to make the start of Earthquake Awareness Week
Earthquake Awareness supplements in Major local newspaper
Earthquake awareness days and schools and places of business
Tsunami Workshop for tourism sector

Jamaica’s location along the northern margin of the Caribbean Plate and the presence of very active faults on the island makes it very vulnerable to earthquakes. For more information visit the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management website at ODPEM.org.jm.

Bolt retains World Athlete Award

Kelroy Brown — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:39:44 +0000

Bolt retained his World Athlete of the Year award from 2008 winning the award again for the second successive year. His double record breaking performances in the 100m and 200m finals at the World Championships in Berlin, matching his 100-200 double from the 2008 Beijing Olympics was more than enough to land him the prestigious award.

Usain Bolt and Sanya Richards after receiving their awards

Jamaican born Sanya Richards of the United States was the winner of the female World Athlete of the Year award for 2009 for her continued domination of the 400m race to win at all six Golden League meetings in Europe to claim a share of the $1 million jackpot.

Difficult year for Bolt after Car crash

“It’s been an amazing year for me,” said Bolt, whose training was hampered after he injured his foot when he crashed his car in April. “I had to refocus my goals and put in a lot of hard work. I did extremely well and I’m proud of myself.”

Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show Pictures

Kelroy Brown — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:26:22 +0000

From the turn out it is safe to say that the 57th staging of the annual Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show was a success in 2009. Denbigh 2009 took place from July 31st to August 2rd at the Denbigh show ground in Clarendon under the same theme as last year “Grow What We Eat…Eat What We Grow”. Below are a selection of images taken at the show this year.

For more images visit the Denbigh Agri-Industrial Show 2009 section of the events category of the Jamaicapage.com gallery.

Denbigh 2009 official site

Peace Corps Happy to Serve Jamaica

Kelroy Brown — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 22:28:25 +0000

Since 1962 about 35000 America’s Peace Corps have volunteered their time to Jamaica and it’s people. At the 48th anniversary rally of the US Peace Corps, held at Freedom Plaza, in downtown Washington, D.C. their president Kevin Quigley hailed Jamaica as a very hospitable and welcoming country with friendly people. Mr. Quigley continues saying “We are proud of the work that our volunteers perform in Jamaica and around the world. We are also proud of the way they are accepted and treated by Jamaicans in Jamaica. As long as the Jamaican people want Peace Corps volunteers, we are ready to serve you. The Peace Corps programme is a partnership between the US Government and the Government of Jamaica, which we will continue and honour for years to come.”

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, Anthony Johnson responded by saying “The US Peace Corps has been a tremendous source of good throughout the world,” noting that Jamaica has benefited tremendously from the volunteers in a number of areas. Mr Johnson continued by lauding the founders of the National Peace Corps movement and highlighted former US President, John F Kennedy, who signed the executive order that got the movement started and made into law.

About the Peace Corps

The Peace Corps is a government organization based in the United States that sends American volunteers to various countries world on two year stints, to work with governments, schools, non-profit organizations, non-government organizations, and entrepreneurs in the areas of education, business, information technology, agriculture, and the environment.

Peace Corps Website

Usain Bolt is Laureus Sportsman of 2009

Kelroy Brown — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:29:42 +0000

Usain Bolt added another award to his collection earlier today when he was awarded the Laureus World Sportsman of the year award for his record setting performance at the Olympic Games in Beijing China last year.

Usain Bolt doing his signature pose with his Laureus World Sportsman of the year award

Usain Bolt became the first man to win the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay gold medals in world record time at the same Olympics. In acepting his award from for former 200m holder Micheal Johnson Usain stated “I am delighted to win this prestigious award and would like to thank everyone who voted for me.” The Jamaica Olympic Sprint Team who dominated the sprinting events in Beijing are nominated for the Laureus Team award.

About the Laureus World Sports Awards

The Laureus World Sports Awards was established over 10 years ago and is awarded annually to sportspeople who have been outstanding during the previous year. Previous awardees include Tiger Woods, Lance Armstrong and Serina Williams.

Laureus Official Website

Canadian Prime Minister’s Jamaica Visit

Kelroy Brown — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:50:03 +0000

Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, is expected to arrive in the island today direct from his visit to Trinidad and Tobago to attend the Summit of the Americas. He will arrive in Jamaica accompanied by Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Ken Baugh who were also in attendance at the Summit in Port of Spain.

Prime Minister of Canada – Stephen Harper

Mr Harper, Bruse Golding and the rest of the goverment of Jamaica is expected to descuss a wide variety of topics including trade agreements such as the free trade agreement with CARICOM, investments, technology sharing, justice reform programme and adress parliamentarians in a special sitting of parliament tomorrow.

He will also conduct a tour of the Jamaica Military Air School to which the Canadian government has provided valuable assistance, pay courtesy calls on the governor general, Dr Patrick Allen, and the Leader of the Opposition, Portia Simpson Miller and meet with Jamaican/Canadian business leaders.