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I’ve learned courage has no limits. It may be perceived as unreasonable, and often, it requires us to do what’s right versus what’s expedient, even if it means we should stand alone on our principles. Because courage has an obligation to pave new roads, especially for the generations coming behind us – so that when we are gone, they can say: “They were ahead of their time.”
I’ve learned courage has no limits. It may be perceived as unreasonable, and often, it requires us to do what’s right versus what’s expedient, even if it means we should stand alone on our principles. Because courage has an obligation to pave new roads, especially for the generations coming behind us – so that when we are gone, they can say: “They were ahead of their time.”
If your presence doesn’t add value, your absence surely wont make make a difference. Let’s all level up our productivity, excuses are outdated.”
If your presence doesn’t add value, your absence surely wont make make a difference. Let’s all level up our productivity, excuses are outdated.”
I’ve learned courage has no limits. It may be perceived as unreasonable, and often, it requires us to do what’s right versus what’s expedient, even if it means we should stand alone on our principles. Because courage has an obligation to pave new roads, especially for the generations coming behind us – so that when we are gone, they can say: “They were ahead of their time.”
If your presence doesn’t add value, your absence surely wont make make a difference. Let’s all level up our productivity, excuses are outdated.”

ABOUT Lisa Hanna

Lisa Hanna is a respected, courageous Politico in CARICOM, a former Cabinet Minister of Youth and Culture, a Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the 4 term elected member of parliament for the rural constituency of South East St. Ann, but that is not how her story began. A humanitarian, thought-leader and strong Jamaican woman, Lisa grew from humble beginnings in Jamaica and holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Communications from the University of the West Indies (UWI).

During her lifetime she was appointed United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador (September 1993), reigned as Miss World 1993, and serves as Director of Lydford Logistics, Jamaica’s premier value-added agriculture and food processing facility, but she’s best known as a passionate activist, helping marginalized people, women, and at-risk youth–a message she’s championed since she was a teen. Lisa is also a loud advocate for maximizing the export of value-added goods and services into the global economy with the aim of reducing income inequality in Jamaica.

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Time to Reexamine Our Policies for Jamaicans to afford a balanced diet

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TIMELINE OF ACHIEVEMENTS

  1. 1993
  2. Nov 1993
  3. 2007
  4. 2008
  5. 2009
  6. 2013
  7. Jun 18
  8. Jun 20
  9. 2014
  10. Jan
  11. Feb
  12. May
  13. 2015
  14. Mar
  15. Apr
  16. May
  17. Nov
  18. 2016
  19. Jun
  20. 2021

  1. United Nations (UNDP) Goodwill Ambassador

    Sept 1993

    “She was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) while a student at The Queen’s School, one of the youngest ever appointed.”

    Watch Video

  2. Miss World

    November 27, 1993

    18-year-old Lisa Hanna, seen here expressing herself with poise and eloquence, takes the crown and becomes Jamaica’s 3rd Miss World.

  3. Member of Parliament, South East St Ann

    September 3, 2007

    “One of Jamaica’s most recognisable political figures, Lisa Hanna was a childhood TV star who was crowned Miss World 1993. Lisa Hanna became Jamaica’s youngest female Member of Parliament when she was elected in 2007 to represent South-East St. Ann.”

  4. Youth Information Centres

    June 2008

    Lisa calls on the private sector for help building more youth information centres, so at-risk youth can have a safe place to access educational information, counselling and the internet. ”

    Learn More

  5. Joint Select Committee - Abortion Legislation Public Accounts Committee Public Accounts and Appropriations Committee

    2009

    “Report of the Joint Selection Committee Appointed to Complete the Review of the Sexual Offences Act along with the Offenses Against the Person Act, The Domestic Violence Act, and the Child Care and Protection Act”

    Learn More

  6. Ananda Alert System

    2013

    Lisa tasks the Office of the Children’s Registry to develop a reliable system so the public can be informed when a missing child is found.

    Learn More

  7. The Courage to Do Things Differently

    June 18, 2013

    Lisa Hanna addressed the House of Representatives petitioning for a change in abortion legislation to allow women without private doctors access abortion services; raised concerns about children being housed with adults in correctional facilities across Jamaica; and illuminated areas of the Child Development Agency that needed augmentation, in hopes of better serving the most vulnerable in society: our at-risk youth.

    Learn More

  8. National Museum of the Jamaican People

    June 20, 2013

    “It will be a space where our children will be able to learn the glorious history of this nation and register pride in our achievement and so develop new confidence and self-worth,” she stated.

    Ms Hanna informed that it will contain, among other exhibits, the artifacts from “our African Heritage now being stored in the IOJ, hidden from the eyes of the Jamaican people”.

    Learn More

  9. Juvenile Rehabilitation

    2014

    “The Ministry of Youth and Culture removed more than 165 children deemed in need of care and protection from police lockups in 2013. Portfolio Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna said this was among several significant strides made by the Government over the past year as it regards the care of Jamaica’s children.”

    Learn More

  10. Arts Education at the South Camp Correctional Facility

    January 16, 2014

    “Prior to a trip Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna made to Fort Augusta and Horizon Remand centres just over a year ago, girls who were in conflict with the law and in State custody were housed at different locations. During the minister's visit at one of the institutions, the singing of two girls became the catalyst for the Art for Life programme.”

    Learn More

  11. National Foster Care Programme

    February 2014

    “Minister of Youth and Culture the Hon. Lisa Hanna, in her message for the week, recognised the incredible contribution that foster parents make to the country by opening their homes and welcoming children in the care system to be part of their families.”

    Learn More

  12. #notleavingittochance

    May 20, 2014

    Lisa Hanna addressed the House of Representatives, recounting the many victories she claimed for Jamaica’s at-risk youth over the past year, including locating and returning 1,723 of 2,205 children who were reported missing, implementing a mobile mental health service for SESA to service wards of the state in critical need of therapeutic interventions, training 9,000 youth for job placement and another 5,000 in personal and career development islandwide, to name a few. Lisa encourages taking action for our children today that will build Jamaica tomorrow.

    Learn More

  13. UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee

    2015

    “In 2015, Jamaica's Blue and the John Crow Mountains became the country's first UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also the Caribbean's first World Heritage Mixed Site for both natural and cultural riches.”

    Learn More

  14. JCDC 2015 Visual Arts Competition

    March 16, 2015

    “Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) launched the 2015 Jamaica Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition at the Jamaica Conference Centre on Sunday.”

    Learn More

  15. National Youth Policy 2015–2030

    April 9, 2015

    “The intention of this Green Paper is to present for discussion, what has emerged from a wide range of youth, technical, policy level consultations and review of pertinent studies as to the key issues relating to youth. In particular, the situation of youth as related by the youth themselves has sparked the development of the Vision, Goals and Strategies that are presented in the document. The strategic framework proposed, is intended to facilitate the collaboration necessary to advance the changes needed in the youth development sector.”

    Learn More

  16. #connected

    May 6, 2015

    In Lisa Hanna’s passionate address to parliament, she re-asserts her belief that it takes a village to raise a child, empowering parents, extended family and members of the community to take an interest in the children around them to build a safer, better Jamaica. Lisa also shares the strides she’s made towards improving the lives of at-risk youth: increased the number of child investigators and cleared a backlog of 4,000 reports of child abuse; increased the number of foster families so that 855 children in need could be placed in safe homes; reduced the number of missing children by 10%; implemented new technology to share information between the Child Development Agency and the Office of the Children’s Registry.

    Learn More

  17. Tertiary Education for At-Risk Youth

    November 2015

    “Youth and Culture Minister, Hon. Lisa Hanna, says that more children in State care are matriculating into tertiary level education. The number has increased significantly from two in 2012, to 48 in 2013/14.”

    Learn More

  18. United Nations Children’s Fund

    2016

    “Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna last week travelled to New York where she updated officials of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on the initiatives being undertaken by the Government to ensure the well-being of children in Jamaica.”

    Learn More

  19. #possibility

    June 28, 2016

    In Lisa Hanna’s presentation to parliament, she describes the commercial opportunities in today’s global marketplace and asserts that Jamaicans need to be given the tools to access knowledge and technology in order to participate in a meaningful way. In this address, Lisa paints her vision for Jamaica using well-researched stats, percentages and analytical business studies to prove that opportunities exist to bring wealth to Jamaicans in Jamaica right now.

  20. Juvenile Detention

    February 25, 2021

    “Our children are still being held with adults in some instances, which is in contravention with our own laws and UN (United Nations) conventions. I’m urging the GOJ to speed (up) the opening and use of this facility,” Hanna said in a social media post.”

    Learn More
COMMUNITY
The Jamaican people are by nature, fiercely individualistic, and nothing is wrong with that. This is what sets us apart on the world’s stage and allows our culture to shine so brightly in the areas of music, art, food and sports...
READ MORE
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Opportunity is the answer to so many problems in Jamaica, yet in 2022, it is still scarce. I am passionate about creating more opportunities for Jamaican youth from all walks of life, including our young people with disabilities...
READ MORE
ELEVATE GLOBALY
Today's world is rooted in technology. Its the economic axis has shifted, East and is driven by the millennials — that is individuals between the age of 16 and 36, accounting for some 1.8 billion worldwide...
READ MORE
TRADE DEVELOPMENT
In Jamaica, we dump more than 30% of our small farmer’s production due to a mismatch between demand and supply. We pay among the highest prices for food in the world...
READ MORE
PURPOSE
Did you know the formula for the Cadbury brand of chocolates — the world's second-largest confectionery company — had its original roots in Jamaica? In 1687 Sir Hans Sloane came to Jamaica and, while...
READ MORE
COMMUNITY
The Jamaican people are by nature, fiercely individualistic, and nothing is wrong with that. This is what sets us apart on the world’s stage and allows our culture to shine so brightly in the areas of music, art, food and sports...
READ MORE
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY
Opportunity is the answer to so many problems in Jamaica, yet in 2022, it is still scarce. I am passionate about creating more opportunities for Jamaican youth from all walks of life, including our young people with disabilities...
READ MORE
ELEVATE GLOBALY
Today's world is rooted in technology. Its the economic axis has shifted, East and is driven by the millennials — that is individuals between the age of 16 and 36, accounting for some 1.8 billion worldwide...
READ MORE
TRADE DEVELOPMENT
In Jamaica, we dump more than 30% of our small farmer’s production due to a mismatch between demand and supply. We pay among the highest prices for food in the world...
READ MORE
PURPOSE
Did you know the formula for the Cadbury brand of chocolates — the world's second-largest confectionery company — had its original roots in Jamaica? In 1687 Sir Hans Sloane came to Jamaica and, while...
READ MORE

WEEKLY ARTICLES

The billion-dollar gold mine we’re ignoring

Jamaica is a global cultural powerhouse. Our music, film, and arts have shaped industries worldwide; from reggae’s deep influence on hip hop to our storytelling tradition’s impact on cinema.

Lights, camera, stagnation?

Jamaica is a treasure trove of cultural richness, bursting with creativity and artistic flair. Our music, tales, and visual artistry have captivated audiences worldwide, showcasing the immense influence of our small island on global culture.

Get Up, Stand Up!

Music has long been a powerful catalyst for change, shaping identities, inspiring movements, and amplifying the voices of those often silenced. Protest songs have historically fuelled resistance, providing strength to those who refuse to accept injustice.

The death of political incrementalism

For years I have been stating that Jamaica stands out as one of the slowest-growing economies in the Latin America and Caribbean region, grappling with stubbornly low productivity growth.

The Trump rapture

In his first week in office, US President Donald Trump proved to be a man of his word. He continues to implement several of the promises he made on his campaign trail.

Who benefits from our tourism dollars?

The roots of Jamaica’s tourism industry trace back to 1943 when Abe Issa motivated his family to purchase the Myrtle Bank Hotel in downtown Kingston. His efforts are credited with catalysing the early development of local tourism.

Pay attention to the comments, not the polls

One of my favourite paintings at home portrays a majestic rural rope bridge, inviting exploration towards a destination unknown. This image sparks a range of emotions in friends and visitors who pause to reflect on its beauty.

If your presence doesn’t add value, your absence won’t matter

Imagine the exhilarating possibility of multiplying your wealth by 217 per cent in just four years, consistently averaging 50 per cent growth each year. What might that vision of growth inspire within you? Guyana embodies this remarkable promise.

Navigating TikTok ban, tariffs, and a new leadership era

As we step into 2025, the digital landscape is transforming in remarkable ways, especially with the looming possibility of a TikTok ban.

Revenge porn, rape and orgies among Jamaican youth

Last week, a video surfaced of six young schoolboys and one schoolgirl in her uniform in a bedroom. Some of the boys were in their khaki uniforms. From the video clips I watched, two boys were unabashedly filming the scenes. One of the boys was on top of the girl as he looked into the camera..

Why can’t I qualify for a mortgage?

“If I can afford to pay my rent on time for years then why can’t I qualify for a home loan?” This is a question I get asked daily in Jamaica by varying demographics. The simple answer: Because you don’t check the bank’s boxes for mortgage qualification. Every day I meet people who ask for my help navigating their financial struggles as they hustle to make ends meet.

Tribal nepotism!

Imagine landing a coveted job with one of the most prestigious companies in your country without having to do a job interview or public screening process. One of the main qualifying criterion is consistent and active loyalty to the brand or the significance of your ...

The traffic a mad mi!

"You can’t drop him off before 7:00 am; after 7:45 am he will be marked late.” This is the window when most children have to get to school in Jamaica from pre-K through high school. That’s unless your child is on a public shift system or goes to a private school...

Pay attention to the comments, not the polls

Ten years ago, the then Minister of Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Robert “Bobby” Pickersgill led a watershed moment (pun intended) in Jamaican politics, which at the time I didn’t think he intended. I sat in Cabinet with him and, rest assured..

Is the system broken?

Once, when I was interviewed about why I chose to be a politician, I said: “Remember, politics is not made for the weak nor faint-hearted; neither is it perfect, but it works, and is far better than the indignation of resignation to do nothing.” I also said: “Like anything else, people should plan their entrance and exit to the political arena.”

Jamaica has always stood on the right side of history

I grew up during a time when some countries persecuted the freedom of their people with fascist and authoritarian governments. Young people today are increasingly aware that racism still exists and may have felt its impact in various ways. However, for those born...

Thinking outside the box on youth homeownership

In June 28, 2016 I rose in Parliament and said this: “We must retain our skilled youth in Jamaica. We are losing too many of our best and brightest to overseas opportunities. We have to come up with incentives to keep them focused on building Jamaica

Embracing neurodivergence

Should you hire someone with neurodivergence? What about being in a relationship with someone if you discovered they had a neurodivergent brain? Your go-to answer was probably “No,” right? Or, to give you the benefit of the doubt, let me say you asked, “What is neurodivergence?” The term neurodivergent emerged in the 1990s...

The ‘shy shy, rat bat, muckings’ contemplation

Recently the concept of being mindful was thrust into the viral spotlight by TikTok transgender Latina influencer Jools Lebron, who showed her viewers conservative face make-up for work, coining the phrase “very mindful, very demure”.

Freak offs: The Jamaican reality of sexual aggression, power, and control

It was hard to miss the deluge of global headlines referring to the indictment and arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York City this week. He was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

Jamaica’s best natural export

I wouldn’t say I like American football, but my son and my husband do. Frankly, whenever they try to explain it, I zone out. When the National Football League (NFL) season begins, they get engrossed in their teams to the Super Bowl. Before you zone out, let me say from the onset that this is not about the game of American football.

A Jamaican woman’s monthly tax

More than two billion women globally menstruate every month. The average woman has her period every month for five days and uses four pads daily. She will menstruate for approximately 3,500 days or approximately 10 years over the course of her lifetime;

Taxed and tired?

In my article last week I pointed out that purchasing sanitary pads for a minimum wage-earning woman in Jamaica represents six per cent of her monthly salary. Those figures truly got under my skin, so I decided to dig deeper.

What do milk and sugar all have in common?

I want Jamaica not only to survive with anemic economic growth but also to prevail as a global titan competing with the best economies on the world stage, despite our small size and population.

Let’s reduce food prices

Food in Jamaica is expensive. No one can deny that. Jamaicans pay some of the highest food prices in the world, and it doesn’t matter where you shop, what time of day, or what time of year. The mistake we often make is that our lifestyles operate similarly.

Running on ‘E’

I am not going to give an analysis of our Olympic performances because I am not qualified to do so. Like most Jamaicans, yes, I am disappointed not to see us “beating dem bad”. But human beings are not mechanical robots that we plug in with the expectation of endless high performance.

Is this fair? JA banks buy US$ low and sell high

I do most of my banking online now and via my mobile apps. However, I had some banking transactions this week that required me to visit my bank physically. I made sure that as the doors opened, I was inside.

Dying to be white

One of my favourite pastimes was to visit the National Library of Jamaica and research their early 20th century newspaper archives. It was like being transported to another world. It was gratifying and salacious to read what made the news back then.

Pull up yuh pants, young man!

Jamaicans we love to say, “Style a style and style cyaan spoil,” as a global declaration to our unique ability to always take centre stage and stand out in a crowd with our fashion sense.

When a low voter turnout equals a landslide victory

Although I am not a “Tory”, I quite liked the former UK Prime Minister Rushi Sunak. He is young, intelligent, and has a swag that reminded me a little of Tony Blair back in the day.

Mandatory crop insurance?

One of the most comedic moments in Parliament was when our affable Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke declared in one of his presentations, “When di banana tree dem down a St Mary hear seh storm a come, dem just go lay down even before it reaches.”

The doctrine of doing nothing prevails

You cannot ask or depend on the majority to take a side that often benefits what is considered a minority. This stance has been the innately selfish mindset of many who have not taken the time to understand “what is being discussed” for many years.

Elections are about the future

Last week one of my close friends asked me if I would watch the political debate between US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on CNN. I told them, “No.”

Law: A male can’t be raped

Should rape be confined to the forcible penetration of a penis to the vagina only? In other jurisdictions, it is not. However, in Jamaica, it is.

Let’s stand on the right side of history

In England, when King Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church, much of the former ecclesiastic law tried in the ecclesiastical courts had to be revised and incorporated into secular law to be tried by the State.

Tie your tubes?

As a female Member of Parliament, I think women feel more comfortable talking to me about some of their most private experiences. Perhaps because they think I can relate. Often, they are right.

Rape as a marital right?

I grew up on a farm in Retreat, St Mary. My father reared pigs and chickens and grew coconuts. My mother operated a hairdressing salon in St Ann’s Bay.

Defining beauty beyond the filter

Sometimes when I attend public events young women will ask to take a photograph with me. I oblige most times. The scenarios are always the same. First, they open their phones, then select an app with a filter they like.

The $21-billion question

or nearly 20y years I have learned the ins and outs of the construction business, not through my constituency representation, but through having a ‘roommate’ who is a contractor and developer.

Trying to save in a merciless economy

When I was growing up, my parents were particular about what I ought to spend my money on. I will never forget when my father gave me some money once on vacation, and I went to the store and bought..

Is Jamaica giving us PTSD?

Every night this week I kept waking up out of my sleep, so I felt wiped out, uneasy, and miserable during the day, with a deep-seated unease as if I couldn’t breathe. The simple tasks became overwhelming.

SEE LISA'S VISION HERE

WEEKLY ARTICLES

The traffic a mad mi!

"You can’t drop him off before 7:00 am; after 7:45 am he will be marked late.” This is the window when most children have to get to school in Jamaica from pre-K through high school. That’s unless your child is on a public shift system or goes to a private school...

Tribal nepotism!

Imagine landing a coveted job with one of the most prestigious companies in your country without having to do a job interview or public screening process. One of the main qualifying criterion is consistent and active loyalty to the brand or the significance of your ...

Is the system broken?

Once, when I was interviewed about why I chose to be a politician, I said: “Remember, politics is not made for the weak nor faint-hearted; neither is it perfect, but it works, and is far better than the indignation of resignation to do nothing.” I also said: “Like anything else, people should plan.."

Pay attention to the comments, not the polls

Ten years ago, the then Minister of Water, Land, Environment, and Climate Change Robert “Bobby” Pickersgill led a watershed moment (pun intended) in Jamaican politics, which at the time I didn’t think he intended. I sat in Cabinet with him and, rest assured..

Thinking outside the box on youth homeownership

In June 28, 2016 I rose in Parliament and said this: “We must retain our skilled youth in Jamaica. We are losing too many of our best and brightest to overseas opportunities. We have to come up with incentives to keep them focused on building Jamaica...

Jamaica has always stood on the right side of history

I grew up during a time when some countries persecuted the freedom of their people with fascist and authoritarian governments. Young people today are increasingly aware that racism still exists and may have felt its..

The ‘shy shy, rat bat, muckings’ contemplation

Recently the concept of being mindful was thrust into the viral spotlight by TikTok transgender Latina influencer Jools Lebron, who showed her viewers conservative face make-up for work, coining the phrase “very mindful, very demure”.

Embracing neurodivergence

Should you hire someone with neurodivergence? What about being in a relationship with someone if you discovered they had a neurodivergent brain? Your go-to answer was probably “No,” right? Or, to give you the benefit of the doubt, let me say you asked, “What is neurodivergence?” The term neurodivergent emerged in the 1990s...

Freak offs: The Jamaican reality of sexual aggression, power, and control

It was hard to miss the deluge of global headlines referring to the indictment and arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York City this week. He was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, conspiracy...

Jamaica’s best natural export

I wouldn’t say I like American football, but my son and my husband do. Frankly, whenever they try to explain it, I zone out. When the National Football League (NFL) season begins, they get engrossed in their teams to the Super Bowl. Before you zone out, let me say from the onset that this is not about the game of American football.

A Jamaican woman’s monthly tax

More than two billion women globally menstruate every month. The average woman has her period every month for five days and uses four pads daily. She will menstruate for approximately 3,500..

Taxed and tired?

In my article last week I pointed out that purchasing sanitary pads for a minimum wage-earning woman in Jamaica represents six per cent of her monthly salary. Those figures truly got under my skin, so I decided to dig deeper.

What do milk and sugar all have in common?

I want Jamaica not only to survive with anemic economic growth but also to prevail as a global titan competing with the best economies on the world stage, despite our small size and population.

Let’s reduce food prices

Food in Jamaica is expensive. No one can deny that. Jamaicans pay some of the highest food prices in the world, and it doesn’t matter where you shop, what time of day, or what time of year. The mistake we often make is that our lifestyles operate similarly.

Running on ‘E’

I am not going to give an analysis of our Olympic performances because I am not qualified to do so. Like most Jamaicans, yes, I am disappointed not to see us “beating dem bad”. But human beings are not mechanical robots that we ...

Is this fair? JA banks buy US$ low and sell high

I do most of my banking online now and via my mobile apps. However, I had some banking transactions this week that required me to visit my bank physically.

Dying to be white

One of my favourite pastimes was to visit the National Library of Jamaica and research their early 20th century newspaper archives. It was like being transported...

Pull up yuh pants, young man!

Jamaicans we love to say, “Style a style and style cyaan spoil,” as a global declaration to our unique ability to always take centre stage and stand out in a crowd with our fashion sense.

When a low voter turnout equals a landslide victory

Although I am not a “Tory”, I quite liked the former UK Prime Minister Rushi Sunak. He is young, intelligent, and has a swag that reminded me a little of Tony Blair back in the day.

Mandatory crop insurance?

One of the most comedic moments in Parliament was when our affable Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke declared in one of his presentations, “When di banana tree dem down a St Mary hear seh storm a come, dem just go lay down even before it reaches.”

The doctrine of doing nothing prevails

You cannot ask or depend on the majority to take a side that often benefits what is considered a minority. This stance has been

Elections are about the future

Last week one of my close friends asked me if I would watch the political debate between US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump on CNN. I told them, “No.”

Law: A male can’t be raped

Should rape be confined to the forcible penetration of a penis to the vagina only? In other jurisdictions, it is not. However, in Jamaica, it is.

Let’s stand on the right side of history

In England, when King Henry VIII broke with the Catholic Church, much of the former ecclesiastic law tried in the ecclesiastical

Tie your tubes?

As a female Member of Parliament, I think women feel more comfortable talking to me about some of their most private experiences. Perhaps because they think I can relate. Often, they are right.

Rape as a marital right?

I grew up on a farm in Retreat, St Mary. My father reared pigs and chickens and grew coconuts. My mother operated a hairdressing salon in St Ann’s Bay.

Defining beauty beyond the filter

Sometimes when I attend public events young women will ask to take a photograph with me. I oblige most times. The scenarios are always the same.

The $21-billion question

or nearly 20y years I have learned the ins and outs of the construction business, not through my constituency representation, but through having a ‘roommate’ who is a contractor and developer.

Trying to save in a merciless economy

When I was growing up, my parents were particular about what I ought to spend my money on. I will never forget when my father gave me some money once on vacation, and I went to the store and bought..

Is Jamaica giving us PTSD?

Every night this week I kept waking up out of my sleep, so I felt wiped out, uneasy, and miserable during the day, with a deep-seated unease as if I couldn’t breathe. The simple tasks became overwhelming.

Up the down education escalator (Part 2)

In his recent report on the education sector in Jamaica, Professor Orlando Patterson stressed the urgency of transforming our education system to enable all Jamaican..

NHT building cash, not housing

National Housing Trust (NHT), established in 1976, was a brilliant policy implemented by Prime Minister Michael Manley to provide affordable housing to our populace.

Cow ticks and the pursuit of water

The effects of climate change have ravaged St Ann South Eastern (SESA). Driving across its hilly terrain, your eyes will see large wayside concrete tanks across many communities. Often designed with a large

The luxury handbag investment craze

If you haven’t noticed, sporting designer clothing and living a life of luxury, whether perceived or real, have become the ambitions of the ‘now generation. From outfits plastered with monograms of Gucci...

What’s next for an experienced Jamaican teacher?

As I sat in my office polishing off the last portions of cook-up salt fish and yellow yam with my staff, one of my dearest and ardent constituents walked in.

Wired differently: Embracing ADHD brilliance

What do Virgin Atlantic’s Sir Richard Branson, co-founder of Microsoft and one of the world’s most influential philanthropists ...

When you fall on your own sword

“Lydia why are you going independent?” “Because I was thrown out of the party. I don’t know why, but I have been here for 20 years, 15 of those years I have been on my own, and the party seems

Election yawn?

love going to the nail salon. Yes, getting a manicure and pedicure are relaxing, but I also learn so much from the discussions that occur when I am in there about what is happening on the ground that I look forward to my visits.

SEE LISA'S VISION HERE