CCRP founder and Executive Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin (second left) applauds after a symbolic cake-cutting, supported by cheers from distinguished guest Lady Rheima Hall (second right) and board directors Vilma McDonald (left) and Patricia Reid-Waugh.
The Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) continued its year-long celebration for 15 years of dedicated service to Jamaica’s senior community with a vibrant Springtime Social and commemorative cake-cutting ceremony on May 22 at The Stella Maris Church Hall in Kingston. The milestone celebration, sponsored by Morgan White International insurance group, drew 75 members and distinguished guests including former Governor General Professor Kenneth Hall and Lady Rheima Hall, former Miss Jamaica World Joan McDonald, and board directors Patricia Reid-Waugh and Vilma McDonald. CCRP founder and Executive Chair Jean Lowrie-Chin, alongside newly appointed General Manager Angela Patterson, led the festivities while highlighting the organisation’s remarkable growth and impact. “CCRP focuses on the empowerment and upliftment of Jamaica’s seniors. We now have over 12,000 members and we are grateful for our scores of discount partners and health insurance benefits underwritten by Sagicor and Morgan White,” said Lowrie-Chin during her welcome. She also expressed gratitude to the special select committee of the Senate for the opportunity to present recommendations for elderly care and protection legislation, noting that “this will safeguard every elder, both present and future.” The event featured a colourful hat parade, uplifting music, and delicious fare, creating an atmosphere of joy and community among attendees. All hat wearers received prizes. The audience rocked to selections from DJ Hubie Chin and applauded beautiful songs by Eberle Dawes and Sandra Crawford and poetry from Jennifer Williams. CCRP will continue marking this significant milestone throughout 2025 with additional events and initiatives that honour the organisation’s journey of advocacy, community building, and empowerment for Jamaica’s elderly population. The organisation’s 15-year legacy demonstrates its commitment to ensuring seniors live with dignity, access essential services through extensive discount partnerships, and benefit from comprehensive health insurance coverage. The CCRP is Jamaica’s leading advocacy organisation for seniors, founded in 2010 by Lowrie-Chin. With over 12,000 members served through chapters in central, north-east, western, and south-east Jamaica, CCRP provides health insurance benefits, access to more than 100 discount partners, and actively advocates for legislative protections for Jamaica’s elderly population. The organisation continues to champion the empowerment and upliftment of seniors across the island.
On Sunday, 20th April the seniors advocacy organization CCRP (Caribbean Community of Retired Persons) will celebrate our 15th Anniversary. After the 30th Anniversary of our company, PROComm in 2009, I considered who had helped me along my journey and realized they were seniors including my Mother Maisie Lowrie who was our first investor and supported us throughout the years. In gratitude, I decided that I would start an organization to advocate for our underserved seniors.
Our initial collaborators were my husband Hubie Chin, Ambassador Aloun Assamba who donated all the legal work, registering the organization and preparing our Articles of Incorporation; J. Lester Spaulding, late Chair of the RJR Gleaner Group who set up our accounting system, Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, our Honorary Director and Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, our Honorary Chair. We thank our Patron Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen for hosting our first media event at which the late Hon Oliver Clarke registered to be our first member – now we are over 12,000 members strong.
We are blessed with excellent Board Directors: Vilma McDonald, Director Emerita Ambassador Aloun Assamba, Patricia Reid-Waugh, Marlene Street Forrest, Dr Owen James, Dennis Jones, Sethuraman Kumaraswamy, Warren McDonald, Peter Mais and Donovan Wignal. We recently appointed Angela Patterson as our General Manager, supported by the PROComm Team.
CCRP’s voluntary regional convenors are Patricia Blackwood – Central Jamaica; Dr Norma Taylor – Western Jamaica; and Pixley Irons, Northeast Jamaica. Our Caring Committee Chair is Moveta Munroe; former chairs are Irene Walter and Verla Seymour. The Committee comprises our parish representatives, who assist in our outreach to the needy elderly. Our excursions planned by Charmaine Harrison are hugely popular – they help our members in the words of our motto to live ‘Life to the Fullest’.
We thank our over 100 discount partners and top sponsors JNGI, National Baking, BPM Financial, Juici Jamaica, Supreme Ventures, Cari-Med Group, Sandals Group, Sterling Asset Management, WIHCON, Sagicor, Gallagher Insurance Brokers, managers of CCRP health plans and Morgan White Insurance.
We congratulate Senator Floyd Morris and Senator Sherene Golding-Campbell for taking the Motion for Legislation for the Care and Protection of the Elderly to an active Special Select Committee of Parliament which has been holding hearings on the matter. CCRP has made a comprehensive submission to the Committee, and we are optimistic that this Legislation will soon become a reality.
Former Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Information Service, Enthrose Campbell, at a recent farewell ceremony held at the agency’s head offices in Kingston.
The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) family bade farewell to former Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Enthrose Campbell, who retired on December 31, 2024.
Team members gathered at the agency’s head office on Half-Way Tree Road in Kingston recently, to celebrate the respected journalist and dedicated civil servant, who spent almost 30 years at the Government’s news agency, serving as CEO for the last two years.
Campbell’s illustrious career stands as a testament to dedicated public service and transformative leadership in government communication.
“It was a really good 29 years,” she said, reflecting on her time at the agency.
“It was good for me because I moved from radio to TV to production to deputy CEO and then to CEO. It was a good experience.
“I am really delighted to have worked with all of you. It has been a journey and I am grateful and thankful. Thank you for your support, you made my work so easy… because you all did so well,” she added.
Campbell commenced her tenure at the JIS as a temporary editor in 1995, rising through the ranks and making impactful contributions before being ultimately appointed to head the agency in October 2023.
Among her notable appointments was as senior editor and radio manager, where she played a pivotal role in modernising broadcast operations, and as director of electronic productions, where she oversaw the agency’s multimedia content strategy. As deputy CEO, she was instrumental in driving the agency’s digital transformation.
Campbell’s exceptional leadership was exemplified by herskilful media management of critical national events, including State visits and disaster-response efforts.
Another of Campbell’s key achievements was transforming the agency’s ‘Get the Facts’ television programme into Jamaica’s premier platform for articulating Government policies and programmes, which, at its peak, directly reached more than 300,000 weekly viewers.
Notably, she spearheaded the establishment of the JIS Morant Bay Regional Office in St Thomas in 2023 to enhance community outreach.
Beyond her roles at the JIS, Campbell made significant contributions to public service, particularly through diplomatic translation.Leveraging her master’s degree in Spanish translation, she provided critical interpretation services for numerous international summits, State visits and CARICOM delegations at United Nations assemblies.
Throughout her illustrious career, Campbell pursued specialised training across five continents, honing her skills in media management, disaster communications and digital journalism.
Her impact and excellence were widely recognised through myriad accolades and awards. These include the prestigious 2019 Press Association of Jamaica Veterans Award, the 2013 Civil Servant of the Year Award, and annual commendations for crisis communications leadership from successive Cabinet Secretaries between 2005 and 2016.
Aside from her professional achievements, Campbell dedicated 25 years to volunteering as a Sunday school teacher, positively impacting more than 1,500 children through youth programmes.
Acting Chief Executive Officer of the JIS, Celia Lindsay, commended Campbell for her impactful leadership.
“[You] never faltered in providing strong and visionary leadership through the celebrations as well as the challenges, ensuring that optimum levels of performance would have been maintained,” she shared.
“Ms Campbell, your leadership of the Jamaica InformationService and your many years of dedicated contribution have been sterling and a source of inspiration to many of us. Thank you for being a remarkable leader; your legacy will continue to motivate us.”
Manager for the JIS Radio Department, Vaughn Davis, noted that Campbell was an instrumental part of his entry into radio production.
Davis joined the JIS as a research officer in the Research and Publications Department in 2009 and made the switch to radio three years later.
Despite having no prior experience in radio production, Davis seized the opportunity and, 15 years later, credits Campbell for her unwavering support in shaping his success.
“Throughout my time in Radio, Ms Campbell had always been very supportive and had words of encouragement and advice to help me grow and develop,” he said.
He noted that “she has always been a source of good professional and personal advice, and her cheerful and pleasant disposition has also been much appreciated. I wish her well in her retirement and hope she finds happiness and fulfilment in her second act.”
Managing Editor of the Editorial and Photography Department, Tracey Chin Loy, described Campbell as “both a mentor and a friend”. “I will always treasure our one-on-one sessions. Her support and guidance have made me a stronger and more confident leader,” she shared.
Chin Loy noted that the former CEO’s ability to inspire team collaboration, combined with the positive energy she brought to the workplace, “will be missed”.
“She can feel confident that she has left a legacy of outstanding achievement that will inspire everyone she worked with,” the managing editor added.
Senior audiovisual librarian, Simone Burnside, noted that “Ms Campbell has an impeccable sense of style that is commendable”.
Her legacy lives on through the JIS’s expanded regional presence and the new generation of media professionals shementored, she said.
Campbell’s unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership and profound impact on Jamaica’s communication landscape have left an indelible mark on the nation, its people and the field of public service.
First, let me reflect on last Friday’s swearing in of Audrey Marks as a Government senator at Gordon House. Our friend for decades has just ended her tour of duty — nine brilliant years — as Jamaica’s first woman ambassador to the US.
She is succeeded by another excellent Jamaican, former commissioner of police and former chief of staff of the Jamaica Defence Force Major General Antony Anderson, who has been appointed as Jamaica’s ambassador-designate to the US.
One thing is sure, whether she continues as a Government or Opposition senator, Senator Marks will make her mark. Those ubiquitous Paymaster outlets, now owned by Digicel, were the brainchild of Marks. She created Paymaster two years before Max Levchin, Peter Thiel, and Luke Nosek created PayPal, but as a then fledgling entrepreneur, she did not patent her technical breakthrough. So efficient was her system that in about two years billions of dollars were being processed by Paymaster for leading corporations.As US Ambassador, Senator Marks forged strong links with members of the Jamaican Diaspora and celebrated their achievements. Her ‘Jamaica Connect’ series featured celebrated Jamaican Americans who were giving back to their homeland. The embassy shared Jamaican cultural events and worthy fund-raisers, widening the Diaspora network.
She has been a passionate advocate for investment in Jamaica, hosting events where successful investors in Jamaica could share their experiences with prospective US corporations. One memorable occasion was her introduction of a senior executive of Marriott Corporation to then Digicel Chair Denis O’Brien. Within a few years, two Marriott hotels were built in Kingston, Jamaica, and one in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.Marks has served as president of the Jamaican American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) and continues to mentor young entrepreneurs. I remember her encouraging others to do likewise, saying, “Remember, a rising tide lifts all boats.” In acknowledgement of her invaluable support of her country, she was conferred with the Order of Jamaica last year.
Marks noted at her swearing-in ceremony that, like many of us, her heart leapt as her flight gave a view of our lush island, knowing that she would once more have her feet on Jamaican soil while working for the country’s advancement. She was warmly welcomed by all, including Senate Speaker Tom Tavares-Finson, senators Kamina Johnson Smith, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, Aubyn Hill, Kavan Gayle, and Opposition Senator Peter Bunting.
Keep rising Senator Marks, you will be an activist for your people because you have never stopped believing in our promise.
All well-thinking Jamaicans welcomed the creation of Independent Commission of Investigations (Indecom), which ensures that the security forces remain professional and ethical. In every organisation you will find the few who ‘let down the side’, and it is important that they be brought to justice.
I must, therefore, quote at length Police Commissioner Dr Kevin Blake’s response as shared by Jamaica Observer Editor-at-Large Arthur Hall in a report headlined ‘No Apology — Police commissioner slams JFJ; says criminals to be blamed for 50 fatal shootings in 50 days by security forces’.
Commissioner Blake is reported to have said that “….while he supports the view that the number of fatal shootings by the security forces is too high, the focus should be on the criminals who make the decision to challenge members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force [JCF], ‘which is a far more superior force’.”
Hall reported: “He charged that a call for the JCF to be held more accountable is a slap in the face of Indecom, which has a single most important mandate of investigating actions against civilians by members of the security forces.”
Here are excerpts from the commissioner’s response, as quoted by Hall:
“And so, let me encourage Jamaicans for Justice to be more responsible in their public pronouncements, especially when the nation is aware of its members’ proven ability to comprehend the most basic and fundamental principles of security.
“To suggest that fatal shootings numbers can be reduced by anything other than the unwillingness of persons being apprehended to engage in deadly confrontations with members of the security forces is irresponsible, or at best advocating for us to relent in our pursuit,” added Blake.
“He declared that criminals who are intent on killing and maiming will not be left free to hold communities at ransom and in constant fear,” wrote Hall.
That Savanna-la-Mar earthquake in the late 1950s was a frightening one for me as a small child. I was in the house behind the shop run by our widowed mother. As I felt the place shaking, I ran out into the dark street. A light flashed on red-seamed trousers. Because the police always cast a protective eye on our shop, I knew I would be safe if I grabbed on to that red-seamed trousers leg. The police officer picked me up, took a look, and recognised me as “Mrs Singh’s little girl”. He walked swiftly to the shop and handed me to my mother.
Many years later, on assignment at Caymanas Park in the 80s, I would have long conversations with officers Williams and Whitney. They would always arrive impeccably dressed and were thoroughly professional. Some mornings they would share that they had been in operations the night before, dodging bullets.
In the 90s I collaborated with Lasco to create the Police Officer of the Year Award and met some of the most inspiring officers. Some of the organisers were Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Neville Wheatle, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) LK Simpson, and a young constable who is now Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Natalie Palmer-Mair. Interestingly, the first Police Officer of the Year was retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Steve McGregor, who is now a politician.
After the 2002 General Election, which had been monitored by representatives of the Carter Centre, they reported that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), led by then Commissioner Francis Forbes, had been exemplary in its work, as were the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) personnel. They declared that there would be no reason for them to monitor any further elections in Jamaica.
In other projects, I have seen the courage of SSP Ionie Ramsey Nelson, the brilliance of retired DCP Novelette Grant, SSP Stephanie Lindsay, and the compassion of Sergeant Jerr Johnson-Heron who has assisted with distributing care packages for the elderly on behalf of our seniors advocacy organisation. Indeed, the police youth club is the largest youth club in Jamaica and the Law Enforcement Torch Run has earned millions of dollars over several decades for Jamaica’s Special Olympians.
It is, therefore, deeply concerning that our outstanding JCF appears to be under unrelenting attack by the organisation Jamaicans for Justice (JFJ). I am confounded that the current head of the JFJ seems to be unaware of the dangers our police face in their crime-fighting efforts.
Finance Minister Fayval Williams cuts the EPOC celebration cake with (from left) Donovan Wignal, MSME Alliance, Courtney Williams, Fiscal Commissioner, Terron Francis, Ministry of Finance and Keith Duncan, EPOC Chair.
Over its 11-year history there have been continuous laurels for the Economic Programme Oversight Committee (EPOC), born out of the need for close monitoring of our economy while benefitting from an IMF loan. The PSOJ’s crime monitoring committee, CMOC, has been modelled on it, and there have been calls for the Education Transformation Programme to have a similar oversight Committee.
At last Friday’s final quarterly EPOC press briefing, Chair Keith Duncan noted that Dr. Peter Phillips serving as Minister of Finance in 2013, ‘heeded the call of civil society and actively guided and supported the establishment of EPOC’ under the joint chairmanship of Bank of Jamaica Governor (BOJ) Richard Byles and former BOJ Governor Brian Wynter.”
Duncan succeeded Byles as co-chair with Wynter, and in 2019 continued as sole chair. Team members at our shop were inspired by Duncan’s passionate resolve that the people of Jamaica must understand our economic status. He kept reminding that EPOC was monitoring “not the IMF plan, but Jamaica’s plan.” He used every possible mode of communication: his team led by Althea Walters pulled on the skills of Adtelligent and PROComm and the media responded positively to his frank, down-to earth updates. Duncan embraced our suggestion to go ‘Pon di Corner’ to engage ordinary Jamaicans in the understanding of our economic progress. Sharing in refreshments, citizens of our inner-city communities listened and asked questions, taking with them simply worded flyers.
At the briefing Finance Minister Fayval Williams lauded the Committee: “The commitment to responsible fiscal policy and prudent fiscal management by successive administrations since 2013 has delivered a reduction in public debt to 68% of GDP – the lowest in almost 50 years and our debt trajectory is on track to meet the target of 60 per cent of GDP by Fiscal Year 2026/27. Macro-economic stability is now entrenched, and key economic indicators are aligned to create a positive outlook for growth and development.”
We owe a debt of gratitude to Duncan and members of EPOC: Richard Lumsden, David Noel, Septimus Blake, Donovan Wignal, Helene Davis-Whyte, Jason Morris, Lenworth Fulton, Ralston Hyman, members of the Finance Ministry team: Terron Francis and Trevor Anderson and members of the Bank of Jamaica team.
We need not be concerned at the closure of EPOC. Minister Willams announced that the Fiscal Commission as directed by the Independent Fiscal Commission Act passed in 2021, will come into effect on January 1, 2025, and will be led by Courtney Williams in his capacity as Fiscal Commissioner. Courtney Willams is a seasoned public servant who held a post at the IMF for three years. She noted: “The Independent Fiscal Commission is a permanent agency with a statutory mandate to assess publicly and independently from partisan influence, a government’s fiscal policies, plans, and performance against macroeconomic objectives related to the long-term sustainability of public finances and short to medium-term macroeconomic stability.”
As the saying goes, “the reward for good work is more work”, and so Minister Williams announced the Fiscal Advisory Committee (FAC), to be chaired by Keith Duncan. “As it was with EPOC,” she said, “the Fiscal Advisory Committee will have representation from a wide cross-section of society including the trade union movement, civil society, academia and the private sector. Along with Mr. Duncan, the Committee will be served by Helene Davis-Whyte, immediate past president of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions; Nancy Pinchas, Executive Director of the Council of Voluntary Social Services; Dr. Patrice Whitely, Head of the Department of Economics at the University of the West Indies, Mona and Kareem Tomlinson, Managing Director of GK Capital Management Limited.” Let us continue to follow the progress of the Commission; it should continue keeping stakeholders on their toes, as did EPOC.
Jamaica Highlights 