Governor General Sir Kenneth Hall said much would be expected in 2009 as the past year was filled with challenges and Jamaicans must resolve to strengthen indigenous institutions in the face of globalisation.

Hall, in a New Year's message to the nation, charged Jamaicans to be creative and express the morals of life, such as punctuality, self-discipline, caring and sharing, in building a foundation of national good.

"This approach requires a form of social transformation, if we are to promote a change in the attitudes of our people from a culture of giving prominence to external influences, to the realisation that our indigenous resources and institutions should be preserved for the benefit of our Jamaican people," said the governor general.

Addressing crime and violence, Sir Kenneth said many families had paid high social and economic costs.

He said the challenges of joblessness and financial uncertainty which crippled many last year, highlighted the need for wide-scale transformation in every stratum of society.

"In this new year, let us resolve to pay greater attention to fundamental values, traditions and customs which have been the mainstay of our Jamaican society," he said.

While the new year presents new problems, Sir Kenneth said it also offered Jamaicans opportunities for further growth and development.