Is our Prime Minister upholding the Ministerial Ethical Standards? Professor Dr. Trevor Munroe, C.D. (29 September 2024) –– A little over four years before the September 17th, 2024 publication of the Integrity Commission’s Investigation Report relating to “concerns that he [PM Holness] owns assets disproportionate to his lawful earnings;” our Prime Minister told us: “As Head of the Government of Jamaica, I am committed to ensuring the highest standards of accountability...
Washington-based Caribbean PAC Condemns Attacks Against Haitian Immigrants The Caribbean-American Political Action Committee (C-PAC) issued a Press Release condemning the Republican Party’s presidential and vice presidential candidates, former president Donald Trump and his running mate Sen. J. D. Vance for their pernicious lies levelled against Haitian immigrants in the United States. C-PAC called on the Republican Party, all Members of Congress (Senators and Representatives of...
Expectations and Reality, Mark Golding’s biggest test Ambassadors Curtis A. Ward One of the most difficult speeches for a Jamaican politician is the speech of the political parties’ leaders at their respective annual conferences. This year’s conferences, perhaps the last for either party leader before the next general election is called, is more of a challenge to the Leader of Opposition and PNP president than it is to the prime minister and JLP president. The opposition leader was...
Integrity Commission Report Questions Jamaican Prime Minister’s Financial Transactions A long-awaited Integrity Commission (IC) report on Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ lack of annual financial report certification was recently tabled in the Jamaican Parliament and made public. It raised a plethora of questions in the public about Prime Minister Holness’ lack of disclosure to, and cooperation with the Integrity Commission. The IC report which was unable, among other things, to...
Manipulating the Democratic Process is Morally Corrupt Ambassador Curtis A. Ward The fact that the law is deficient should not give rise to manipulation of the democratic process. It is neither “gamesmanship” or “strategic” as some commentators seem to believe that it is. The truth is political manipulation is anathema to the democratic process. It is morally wrong. And it is corrupt. It should not be dismissed as partisan politics or merely taking advantage of the political system. The...
Autocracy in practice, Jamaica beware Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (01 September 2024) — It is creeping autocracy which often goes unnoticed. This writer has been raising awareness of the inherent dangers of creeping autocracy in Jamaica and the rest of the Caribbean. The warning is repeated here. Young Floyd Green is likable and considered to be among an emerging new generation of leadership in Jamaican politics. But he keeps making mistakes which raise questions about the maturity of his...
Licensed to Kill Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (25 August 2024) — There are two contending forces in the context of crime and security in Jamaica, though not unique to any country. On one side, there are purveyors of violent crimes who prey on society to enrich themselves, violently engage in revenge against opponents, and terrorize to control segments of the population. On the other is the state and the agents of the state whose responsibilities are to protect and guarantee society’s...
Jamaica, a country without borders is a fiction Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (21 July 2024) — The idea that Jamaica is a country without borders while resonating with Jamaicans abroad (the diaspora) is not only a fiction but fast becoming a lie. It makes us feel good about Jamaica’s reach and possible influence, but I might even be kind and say it is now ‘a fantasy’. Several Jamaicans at home are backsliding on this grand idea. At the same time, many Jamaicans in the diaspora...
UK elections and opportunities for CARICOM engagement Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (15 July 2024) — Congratulations are in order to UK’s new prime minister the Hon. Keir Starmer on his Labour Party’s resounding victory and to the Hon. David Lammy on his appointment as UK’s foreign secretary. With the perception of a Labour Party-led UK government being more likely to be respective of the Commonwealth Caribbean concerns than was the previous Conservative Party government, it wouldn’t...
Dual Citizenship and the Opposition Leader’s decision Ambassador Curtis A. Ward (15 July 2024) – The question of dual citizenship has evolved into a vexing issue for Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora, perhaps for different reasons. Some really don’t care. I have heard some voice disgust that their loyalty to Jamaica, the land of their birth, is even being put into question, adding that many who now want to make a distinction have not demonstrated the loyalty they expect of others...
