Great opportunity missed
published: Tuesday | December 13, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2005 was a wonderful day for scores of young Jamaicans, their parents, friends and well-wishers who gathered at Emancipation Park in New Kingston for the Prime Minister's annual National Youth Awards for Excellence.

It was a well-attended, well-organised event at which scores of Jamaican youngsters also performed in a fitting concert in tribute to the awardees. Unfortunately, the Prime Minister did not attend the function, missing what would have been a great opportunity to honour those young persons for their accomplishments. Bearing in mind this would have been his last such function as Prime Minister, it would have been even more significant. Dr. the Hon. Donald Rhodd, Minister of State, however did a good job as substitute.

Another disturbing aspect was the non-coverage of the event by the television stations. What a golden opportunity it was to have showcased live to the country, not only the announcement of the award winners, but also the great performances by young singers, actors and poets who showed off their talents. Youngsters, all below the age of 24, achieving so much, would have made all Jamaicans proud. It seems to me that this would have been a good opportunity for these outstanding young people to influence their peers, rather than allowing 'dons', 'area leaders', and assorted criminals to do so - in many cases with the assistance of mainly the electronic media which highlight the performances of the criminals, almost nightly on the television newscasts. It seems to me like a great opportunity was missed.

I am etc.,

E.L.L.

Spanish Town