Jamaica 62 years later – Jamaica Observer

AS preparations for Jamaica’s 62nd anniversary of independence are in full swing, young people from all walks of life are sharing their hopes and dreams about what they would like to see in 62 years’ time when Jamaica becomes a place to live, work, raise families and do business.

The process of transforming Jamaica into a republic is underway, with the Senate recently approving a bill to amend Section 61 of the Jamaican Constitution and eliminate references to the United Kingdom monarchy during the legislative process. However, the process is far from complete, with debates on the way forward often blocking the transition.

Highlighting the fact that previous government officials have repeatedly started and stopped the process, Junior Representative on the Constitutional Reform Commission (CRC) Sujae Boswell calls on both the government and the opposition to show the political will and commitment to see the process through as she hopes to see Jamaica become a republic.

“We’ve been on this path since the 1970s. In the 1990s, a commission was set up; they did a report, we come back in 2024 and that commission also did a report, so we can’t just keep talking about change, we have to influence change and create change,” Boswell said. Jamaica Observer.

“It will be difficult to rekindle people’s imagination if we start this process now and block it, so we need to act very carefully, we need to show the will and commitment to continue the reform process,” he stressed.

Reflecting on 62 years of independence, he said it was the perfect time to take action to create a constitution for Jamaica.

“This is truly the most important law in the country and we have an opportunity to address many of the governance challenges and also create a living document that reflects Jamaica’s cultural heritage as well as our development aspirations. I think now is a very opportune time to take those steps,” he said.

Sticking with the theme of legal developments, advocate Iqbal Cheverria said Jamaica has come a long way in revolutionizing the way fundamental rights are respected. He also praised efforts under the Disabilities Act to provide special care to those who need it, but noted that much is needed to build Brand Jamaica.

“I think we are a country that has so much raw talent, and not just raw talent, but resources in terms of the environment and the Jamaica brand. I really feel that if we have regulations that govern how we as a people build the Jamaica brand, we can definitely build Jamaica and benefit from the strength of the country that we are,” Cheverria said.

“One thing I would like to see taken more seriously is Jamaica’s intellectual property rights as a brand country and for people to pay to use our sound, our music and all of that. I don’t think we give enough weight to that and other forms of intellectual property when it comes to our media and our music from all of our different artists and our slang,” he said
Sunday Observer.

He added that he would like to see more regulations introduced to promote environmental sustainability and require residential developers to comply with environmental standards.

KaDon Music Enterprise CEO and violinist Kamoy Gordon shares similar views on Jamaica’s rich musical heritage, saying he doesn’t think enough is being done to support the growth and development of the music industry.

Gordon said it was a shame that music education continued to be underfunded and called for greater investment in private and public organisations working in the sector.

“Music education is still undercapitalized, especially considering the value it adds to Jamaica. We need to see investment in music from the grassroots to the tertiary level. This sector also needs reform, and that can only be driven by policy,” he said.

“To support the music and entertainment industry, the government can waive duties and fees on instruments and equipment purchased for personal use. That will help a lot,” Gordon said.

He added that he would like to see a Jamaica where organisations such as the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association and the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and Affiliated Unions are present in all discussions about the development of the music industry.

For 23-year-old marine biologist and project and administration coordinator at Sustainable Ocean Alliance Caribbean, Robyn Young, taking action against deep-sea mining, or the extraction of minerals from the seabed, has to be a priority.

Amid ongoing debates over whether and how to allow deep sea mining in Jamaica, Young is calling on the government to “reconsider and ultimately reject the deep sea mining proposal.”

“This practice poses a serious threat to our marine ecosystems, which are already under enormous pressure from climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss,” she said.
Observer.

“The deep ocean is home to unique species and habitats that are still largely unexplored and poorly understood. We are so dependent on the blue economy here in Jamaica, giving the green light to this industry could have a huge impact on our livelihoods. Mining activities can lead to irreversible damage, disrupting these delicate environments and changing the way the oceans regulate our climate. Sustainable alternatives must be a priority to protect our oceans for future generations,” she said.

Romain Kenton, a young teacher deeply committed to Jamaica’s future and recipient of the Governor General’s Achievement Award, said he was concerned about the continuing problems in the education sector, such as teacher migration, inadequate support for teachers and overcrowded classrooms.

“These obstacles not only impact our children’s academic performance, but also their overall development and future prospects,” Kenton said.

“I urge the government to go back to the drawing board and see how we can improve the quality of life for teachers, not just by increasing our salaries, but by introducing benefits that teachers will appreciate,” he said, citing examples of benefits such as scholarships for teachers’ children to attend schools, discounts at grocery stores, increased housing availability and discounts on car loans.

“I aspire to see a nation where every child has access to a world-class education, where our schools are equipped with modern resources, and where teachers are empowered and respected, and these are not just words, but actions that back them up. By addressing these critical issues today, we can build a stronger, more educated Jamaica that thrives on the global stage,” he said.