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‘Amazing Dads’ documentary miniseries launched in Jamaica

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#Jamaica, October 23, 2017 – Kingston – The Bureau of Gender Affairs in partnership with Men of God Against Violence and Abuse (MoGAVA), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and the Management Institute for National Development (MIND), have launched a new miniseries titled ‘Amazing Dads’ which aims to promote positive stories about fathers in Jamaica and mobilise men to be productive members of society.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Hon. Olivia Grange, who has portfolio responsibility for the Bureau, attended the launch, which was held at MIND on Old Hope Road in St. Andrew on Friday, October 20, during which she recommitted to supporting the initiative.

The concept of Amazing Dads was developed by members of MoGAVA, which is a faith-based organisation that primarily seeks to empower men to become productive citizens.

According to Ms. Grange, when the concept of the miniseries was introduced to her by MoGAVA earlier this year, she readily endorsed its development and implementation.

“The Amazing Dads miniseries is a well-needed platform to highlight the positive roles of men, notably, our Jamaican fathers.   There are many amazing stories of fathers who have gone above the call of duty for their children and their family’s well-being, despite challenging circumstances,” she added.

The Minister said she is hopeful that positive messages about Jamaican fathers will be broadcast, so that other persons who need motivation to become positive male role models will be inspired.

“These stories are not always highlighted to remind us of how important fathers are, and that good fathers do exist. For this, I commend Reverend Jayson Downer and his creative team for conceptualising the idea of Amazing Dads. I wish to commend the Bureau and their continued support and partnership with men groups such as MoGAVA. I also wish to highlight the partnership of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which is providing developmental support to this initiative,” she said.

Ms. Grange noted that some of the goals of Amazing Dads are consistent with those of the special service desk for men that was established in the Bureau of Gender Affairs in April 2016.  This followed Cabinet’s approval for the name of the Bureau of Women’s Affairs to be changed to the Bureau of Gender Affairs.

“It (the desk) serves as a central point to provide sensitisation and awareness on a range of issues affecting men and boys.   These include parenting, health, education, the role of men in the elimination of violence against women, among others.   It also focuses on policy, research, gender-sensitive training to develop leadership and promote responsible male behaviour and attitudes”.

The desk also serves to forge partnerships with men’s groups and other key stakeholders to heighten awareness on specific issues faced by men and boys.

In the background information on Amazing Dads, which President and Founder, MoGAVA, Reverend Jayson Downer, shared with those present, it stated, “Amazing Dads is a public education programme that seeks to highlight men and their positive role as parents in the Jamaican society.   The programme will be in the form of a televised miniseries, which aims to document the importance of fathering, dispel the cultural myth that fathers are ‘wutliss’ and, perhaps, most importantly, demonstrate how Jamaican fathers can be actively involved in the growth and development of their child/children amidst challenges”.

It further stated, “Amazing Dads also aims to reiterate the positive roles that men play in society, being mentors and guiding both younger males and other fathers.   Fathers of exemplary character will be interviewed to share their role played in their child/children’s lives and the influence it has on their child/children’s behaviour.   The interviewer will take a journey in the lives of these fathers, interviewing other family members, friends, members of the community and, in some cases, their child/children, in an effort to get a wholesome view of fathering”.

MoGAVA has implemented several initiatives with men and boys throughout Jamaica, with one of the programmes being ‘Fathering Behind Bars’.

Fathering Behind Bars aims to assist men who have been incarcerated, through sensitisation sessions, empowerment and capacity building, to develop as better men, despite previous mistakes.    Additionally, it is intended to motivate fathers behind bars to continue playing an active role in the lives of their child/children, and help to restore hope.

Release: JIS

 

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Liberty Caribbean Supports Regional Forum on AI, Cyber Resilience and Digital Inclusion  

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Port of Spain, TRINIDAD & TOBAGO (February 24, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow, Liberty Business and BTC, recently served as Gold-Level Partner of the two-day Trinidad and Tobago Internet Governance Forum (TTIGF), themed “The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience”.

The Digital Divide is of particular interest to Liberty Caribbean and is being addressed through its Charitable Foundation across the region. Low broadband penetration in the Caribbean contributes to diminished opportunities for individuals, communities, and local economies, but with the support of funding partners, this gap can be addressed through a comprehensive programme – JUMP – that focuses on providing access, devices, and digital skills.

“Liberty Caribbean was proud to serve as Gold-Level Partner of the TTIGF because the conversations taking place here shape key digital policies for multiple stakeholders,” said Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad.

“As technology accelerates at an unprecedented pace, we must ensure that innovation strengthens our societies rather than fragments them. The theme, ‘The Innovation Paradox – Balancing Progress with Responsibility and Resilience,’ speaks directly to the work we do every day: building networks that are not only fast and reliable, but secure, inclusive and future-ready.”

Across the Caribbean, the digital divide remains one of the most pressing barriers to equitable growth. Low broadband penetration limits access to education, entrepreneurship and essential services, and that is why we are deeply committed to closing this gap.

Through the Liberty Caribbean Charitable Foundation and initiatives like the JUMP Programme, the company is expanding access to technology, affordable connectivity and digital skills training so that individuals and communities are empowered to participate fully in the digital economy.

Martin-Sulgan further stated “at Liberty Caribbean, we believe progress and responsibility must move in lock step. By investing in resilient networks, inclusive programmes and trusted partnerships, we are helping to build a Caribbean that is innovative, secure and prepared for the opportunities ahead.”

Topics covered during the Forum, with over 140 participants, included “Securing Critical Infrastructure”, Integrating AI into Digital Transformation”, “The Digital Divide”, The Human Cost of Innovation – Mental Health and Well-being in the Digital Age’, and AI, Cyber Resilience and Regional Innovation”.

Focused on the underlying mandate of the Conference theme thought leaders, innovators, policymakers, technologists, researchers, and community stakeholders were invited to explore how countries can evolve boldly without compromising values or long-term stability.

Photo Caption: 

TTIGF – l-r Darren Campo, Regulatory & Compliance Officer; Yolande Agard-Simmons, Senior Manager Communications; and Kevon Swift, Senior Manager Government and Regulatory Affairs of Flow Trinidad in attendance at the Post Event Mixer at Caribbean Telecommunications Union’s Head Office in St Clair, Port of Spain

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Mottley Sworn in After Historic Clean Sweep in Barbados Election

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Barbados, February 12, 2026 – Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley was this afternoon officially sworn in for a third consecutive term, hours after delivering one of the most emphatic election victories in Caribbean political history — another complete capture of all 30 seats in Barbados’ House of Assembly.

The ceremony, conducted by President His Excellency Lt. Col. The Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic, marked the formal start of a new administration following the February 11, 2026 general election, which returned the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) to power with a renewed and overwhelming mandate.

In a statement after taking the oath, Mottley said she accepted the responsibility “with humility and resolve,” thanking the people of Barbados for placing their trust in her leadership once again and urging national unity as her government begins its new term. Attorney Wilfred Abrahams was also sworn in as Attorney General.

The result is historic not only for its scale but for its consistency. This is the third straight general election in which the BLP has won every constituency, reinforcing Mottley’s dominance in national politics and extending an unmatched era of one-party control in the modern democratic period.

Voting day unfolded under the watch of a CARICOM Election Observation Mission, led by Antigua and Barbuda’s Supervisor of Elections Ian Hughes and supported by senior electoral officials from Belize and Jamaica. The team engaged key institutions ahead of the poll and monitored the process across the island.

Regional leaders were swift in their congratulations.

Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali described the outcome as “emphatic and historic,” saying the clean sweep reflected how deeply Mottley’s leadership has connected with Barbadians and expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two countries.

Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness also hailed the victory, noting that her re-election provides an opportunity to deepen cooperation within CARICOM and advance shared regional priorities.

The scale of the win again leaves Barbados without a parliamentary opposition, a reality that has become a defining feature of the political landscape since 2018. Supporters argue the repeated mandate reflects public confidence in Mottley’s stewardship of economic reform, climate diplomacy, the transition to a republic, and Barbados’ expanding global influence.

Now, newly sworn in and backed by another unanimous parliamentary majority, Mottley begins a third term with both extraordinary political capital and equally high expectations at home and across the region.

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Liberty Caribbean Committed to ‘Elevating Region’ at CANTO  

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Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago

Liberty Caribbean is Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and 42nd AGM

 

Port of Spain, TRININDAD & TOBAGO (February 1, 2026) — Liberty Caribbean, the operators of Flow. Liberty Business and BTC, has reaffirmed its commitment to turning regional connectivity into measurable economic and social outcomes as Diamond Sponsor of CANTO Connect 2026 and its 42nd Annual General Meeting.

CANTO is the leading regional body that brings together telecommunications operators, ICT providers, regulators, governments, and industry partners to support the development of the Caribbean’s digital and communications landscape.

Simone Martin-Sulgan, Vice President and General Manager, Flow Trinidad & Tobago delivered the sponsor’s address on behalf of Liberty Caribbean.

“The work of laying fibre and lighting towers is done; connectivity is now our foundation,” she said.

“The real task before us is to translate that foundation into innovation, productivity and prosperity for our people. Intelligent connectivity, such as networks designed for 5G, AI and IoT, will be the platform for smarter public services, more resilient systems and scaled opportunities for Caribbean entrepreneurs.”

Martin-Sulgan emphasised that infrastructure alone will not deliver sustainable progress.

“Digital progress must become digital prosperity. That means creating career pathways for young people, helping local businesses scale and ensuring citizens across our communities can fully participate in the digital economy. A connected Caribbean should also be a confident, creative and globally competitive Caribbean,” she said.

Liberty Caribbean is represented by a senior delegation at CANTO Connect to support the conference objectives of aligning policy, investment and execution across the region under this year’s theme ‘Elevate the Caribbean – From Connectivity to Global Competitiveness’.

Liberty Caribbean’s delegation includes Inge Smidts, Chief Executive Officer; Desron Bynoe, VP and General Manager, Flow Barbados; Susanna O’Sullivan, VP and General Manager, North Caribbean; Marilyn Sealy, Senior Director, Head of Communications; Dominic Boon, VP, People; Daniel Neiva, Chief Commercial Officer, B2B; Bradley Ramcharan, Director, B2B, Trinidad & Tobago; Yolande Headley, Country Manager, Dutch East Caribbean; and Jade Reymond, Country Manager, Flow Anguilla.

Martin-Sulgan thanked CANTO’s local secretariat for convening the forum and urged delegates to convert conversation into action.

“If we align policy, capital and capability, the Caribbean can move from connectivity to competitiveness. Liberty Caribbean will continue to invest in resilient networks, nurture homegrown talent and partner to deliver measurable social and economic value across our markets,” she said.

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