Saturday, July 24, 2021

PNP’s turn to ‘Light a candle, sing a Sankey’

 Jamaica Observer column published MON 19 July 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

It was ironical that just a few days after a relative abroad shared an inspiring YouTube video on National Hero and founder of the PNP Norman Washington Manley, news came that the Chairman and Vice Presidents of the Party, and President of the PNPYO had resigned from their positions. The video, produced by YeKengalé, and featuring interviews with PNP elders P.J. Patterson, Burchell Whiteman and Arnold Bertram, spoke of the perseverance and integrity of N.W Manley. They described his collegiality with JLP leader Sir Alexander Bustamante whom he supported even after Manley’s defeat in the 1962 General Elections. Significantly, former JLP leader Bruce Golding also spoke of NW’s dedication to the development of our Constitution.

So here we have a political party founded by this shining Jamaican, now foundering as positions become hardened. In Saturday’s front page Observer lead by Arthur Hall, he noted, “Last month, the party went public with news of its unity push with the person given the job to lead the charge, former General Secretary Maxine Henry-Wilson, warning the Comrades that without unity the PNP would be in serious trouble.

 “‘The public can't believe that you have the capacity to lead if internally you can't even talk to each other properly. So, the work that the party has to do, and is doing, has to be brought to the fore, and the disunity has to take a back seat...It is not going to disappear, but we all need to have a larger purpose around which we are revolving,’ Henry-Wilson told the Jamaica Observer”. 

Our shop was blessed to serve the then Electoral Advisory Committee led by William Chin See with membership including Mrs Henry-Wilson of the PNP and Ryan Peralto of the JLP. I recall the strong arguments as they discussed revisions to the Representation of the People Act, but the respect and humour of mature deliberations.

Despite Mrs Henry-Wilson’s wise counsel, it seems that the damage has gone too deep to resolve internal differences. Arthur Hall quotes from Krystal Tomlinson’s resignation letter: “I will not continue to serve where there is a wavering commitment to integrity; where parish and region chairmen engineer and facilitate fraudulent behaviour and have the audacity to parade themselves as 'untouchables' because of their proximity to the leadership of the party.”

It is a crying shame that such accusations are being levelled at the leaders of the Party that Norman Manley built. May they find a way to heal – in the words of the late Edward Seaga when he dealt with a rift in his Party, “Light a candle, sing a Sankey and find your way back home”.

PM Holness on New York TV

Meanwhile Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the youngest Jamaican elected to that Office, had an excellent interview with New York Fox 5 host Rosanna Scotto last week, organised by Jamaica Consul General Alsion Wilson. We are grateful to Scotto for her kind words on Jamaica: “I can't wait to come back and visit – the entertainment, the people, the food, the water, the weather – everything is just about perfect there.” She noted about PM Holness, “through compassionate dialogue and inclusiveness, he is ushering in a new generation of transformative development and leadership.”

In response to her question on our state of affairs, he noted, “I'm very proud of the fact that Jamaica has resolved its management of its economic affairs and I believe we are on a very good course having gone through several IMF programmes to entrench this kind of fiscal stability and fiscal prudence... We are now on a trajectory for growth… We are creating the environment regulatory and otherwise …  we are also tackling other institutional and development issues such as strengthening our bureaucracy to deal with things such as corruption, but at the same time to become more efficient.”

 He noted the Administration’s heavy investment in national security, “long term investments which will have signal effects on the transformation of our country”. He disclosed that his Government “in a few months … will roll out some transformative policies for the education sector.”

The PM referred to the Government’s work towards containment of Covid, explaining our protocols for testing and quarantine, and our ‘resilient corridor’ for visitors. “We expect that in August we should have a sufficient supply of vaccines to start widespread and mass vaccinations,” he said.

In response to his thoughts on the situation in Haiti, he remarked, “It saddens me. I knew President Moïse personally … my heart goes out to his wife. I hope she is recovering speedily … We want to see stability and peace for the people of Haiti.”   

Floods in Europe

The heaviest rainfall in a century broke the banks of rivers in Germany and Belgium and a dike in Holland, leaving over 120 persons dead and scores missing. It was heartbreaking to see the reports homes swept away and of small business owners who had just readied their shops for reopening after the Covid closure, only to see them destroyed by powerful currents. Leaders have ascribed this catastrophe to climate change. We send our sympathy to these members of the European Union, which has been incredibly supportive of Jamaica.

Best wishes Observer colleagues

Jamaica Observer welcomes back the steady, sharp Julian Richardson as their Online Content Manager. The experienced Dashan Hendricks has been appointed Business Editor while ace writer Andrew Laidley will be Senior Business Reporter.  Earlier this year, former Advertising Manager Natalie Chin, a veritable dynamo, was appointed Deputy Managing Director. It is great to see the focus of our media houses on the strengthening of their teams – no wonder Jamaica has been in the top ten countries for press freedom for many years.

Concacaf Gold Cup, Olympics

Last week we cheered our Reggae Boyz as they triumphed over Suriname and Guadeloupe, making their way into the quarter-finals for the Concacaf Gold Cup. They enjoy the keen guidance of coach Theodore “Tappa” Whitmore who sent us into a state of euphoria with his two goals in the 1998 World Cup. We wish them well in their continued quest this week.

Meanwhile, our athletes are making their way to Japan for the Olympics which will have its official opening this Thursday. We have high hopes for our stars and aspirants, as they compete in the guarded environment of Japan’s state of emergency. There will be no spectators in the stands but we ask them to imagine the loud cheers of their faithful Jamaican fans who will be with them every breathless step of the way.

Thursday, July 22, 2021

Get that precious Covid vaccine

 



Observer column published Mon 15 April 2021

by Jean Lowrie-Chin

The Ministry of Health’s Covid vaccine blitz continues islandwide this week. Meanwhile the anti-vaccine WhatsApp messages continue to make the rounds. Those of us who know of the agony of Covid sufferers should make a special effort to convince others to take it. Explain to them that they would be alone with no access to their family members as they would have to be isolated. Explain to them the ‘long Covid’ condition where symptoms can persist for months.

Last Wednesday and Thursday saw a total of 30 deaths from Covid. In a country of 3 million, this is an alarming number. It has got to the point where most of us know someone who has succumbed to the disease. The Ministry of Health and Wellness website, moh.gov.jm has an efficient registration system.

Younger folks have been helping seniors to register, and the age eligibility has been lowered to 60 years and over. Teachers, Immigration Officers and workers in the hospitality industry are eligible for the vaccine. I do hope my media colleagues will also be allowed to take the vaccine. Thank goodness Dashan Hendricks is fully recovered, Dionne Jackson-Miller is recovering while Dr Orville Taylor is struggling with this debilitating virus.

I keep hearing of the courtesy and kindness of our health workers at vaccination centres. A senior who was vaccinated at the Mona Ageing and Wellness Centre (MAWC) at UWI remarked on the keen attention paid to the seniors by Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer. I was not surprised as she has sought relentlessly to protect our elderly.

Please assist a senior in getting the vaccine, whether by registering them or by giving them a lift to the clinic.

Teachers in grief

Day after day, her fellow teachers joined with the Police in their search for Natalie Dawkins who had gone missing on March 30. Her car was located – one of the thugs trying to make a quick cheap sale was killed. The search ended in grief as Ms Dawkins’ remains were found in the Sandy Bay area in Clarendon last Thursday.

A video of her singing as she started a virtual class showed us a woman who had joy in teaching. She served at the Clarendon primary school for over 20 years and her passing has plunged the entire school into mourning.

As a result of keen Police action, four persons are now in custody. As we get news of so many persons going missing, we are on edge, concerned about the safety of our family members. Let us try to link with friends when going on the road. Make your own pepper spray if necessary – no one will charge you if you use it in self-defence.

St Vincent Volcano

We extend our sympathy to Caribbean neighbours in St. Vincent, where nearly 15 percent of their population – 16,000 persons - have been dislocated by the terrifying ‘La Soufrière’ volcano. Residents are dealing with heavy ashfall as well as small hail-like stones. The ash cloud has travelled as far as Barbados where the national airport had to be closed over the weekend due to poor visibility.

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves tearfully thanked neighbours in Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda for offering to take Vincentians into their homes. Our own Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been in talks with PM Gonsalves offering our assistance.

Food for the Poor has airlifted emergency supplies to St. Vincent for the evacuees and are liaising with partners in Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Lucia who are housing the Vincentians. Donations for this cause can be sent via www.foodforthepoor.org/vincent.

Happy 100th Lady Kay!

Kathleen ‘Kay’ Wilson, the driving force behind the establishment of the Jamaica Women’s Hockey Association celebrated her 100th Birthday last Monday, joined virtually by family members and friends worldwide. Her niece, Jamaican poet Christine Craig sent us notes on her amazing life. Mrs Wilson was herself a national hockey player from 1956-1966, playing in tournaments in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Jamaica. The national team travelled extensively and played in many regional and international tournaments. For her services to the development of sports, she was awarded the Order of Distinction in 1994.

Mrs Wilson was recently feted by the Hampton Old Girls Association, celebrated as their oldest living alumna. Happy Birthday to a spirited Centenarian!

Goodbye my friend

Jamaican master chef Colin Hylton passed away suddenly last week, leaving his friends in shock and grief. His enthusiasm for his art took us on journeys of wondrous flavour. His ‘Guilt Trip’ Restaurant was popular for his unending range of exquisite cakes.

We explored Norway with Colin and fellow master chef Anthony Miller on their prizewinning trip from the Norwegian Seafood Council. In the rough seas of Saltsraumen Colin and Anthony managed the boat on their own, caught the fish and prepared triumphant dishes outdoors in a snowfall.  

Colin’s culinary adventures were world class and his joie-de-vivre contagious. Heaven must be a delicious place now. We miss you Colin – rest in peace my friend.


Legendary Joe Mahfood

The Food for the Poor family is mourning the passing of one of the organization’s co-founders, Joseph Mitchell ‘Joe’ Mahfood. He was not only a remarkable philanthropist but also an industrial pioneer, building with his brother Sam the Wisynco Group of Companies.

William Mahfood, his son who is now Chairman of the Wisynco Group says he remembers his father’s research and the long hours he put in to grow the company. Despite his entrepreneurial successes, William said his father always regarded as his ‘crowning achievement’ the founding of Food for the Poor with his brothers Ferdinand, Sam and Robin in Jamaica in 1982. The organisation has grown into one of the USA’s biggest charities serving 17 countries in the Caribbean and Central America.

The staff of Food for the Poor Jamaica remember his compassion for his fellow Jamaicans and shared Joe Mahfood’s mantra: the most useful asset of a person is not a head full of knowledge but a heart full of love, with ears open to listen, and hands willing to help.” 

May his beautiful soul rest in peace.    

Prince Phillip dies at 99

As one would expect, there were all sorts on remarks on the messages of condolence sent to Queen Elizabeth by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Prime Minister Andrew Holness on the passing of her husband of 74 years. It was the right and proper thing to do, whether we believe that Jamaica should become a republic and have our own head of state.

In 1966 when the Prince attended the Commonwealth Games here, my sister Fran and I, mischievous teens, decided to call him. She dialed the number of his hotel and handed me the phone. I asked for the Prince and was shocked when he took the call. I abruptly said ‘Goodbye!’ but he asked me my name and thanked me for my stuttered welcome to Jamaica.

Rest in Peace, gentle Prince.

Photo captions

Hampton Old Girls celebrate the 100th Birthday of the school’s oldest Alumna, Mrs Kathleen Wilson.

Mr Joseph Mahfood, co-founder of Food for the Poor and Wisynco

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