Mahogany CoConut Blog

One Caribbean Nation. Teacher gets 18 months for assaulting pupil National Flag of Barbados Parents put their trust in teachers and expect them to protect and look after their children while at school, a High Court judge said yesterday. So the actions of teacher/teacher’s aide Rico Renaldo Edwards, who pushed his hand down the pants of a then 11-year-old boy and squeezed his testicles, was a serious breach of that trust and was deserving of jail, declared Justice Pamela Beckles. As a result, she sentenced him to 18 months in prison for indecent assault. Edwards, 25, of Sargeant Park, Foul Bay, St Philip, was back in the No. 5 Supreme Court for sentencing after he was found guilty, at an earlier Session of the Continuous Sittings, of indecently assaulting the boy on January 7, 2016. Matter worrisome The matter was prosecuted by Principal Crown Counsel Krystal Delaney, while Edwards was represented by attorney Martie Garnes. Justice Beckles said the matter was especially worrisome beca...

One Caribbean Nation. Kamala Harris (in front) in childhood photo with cousins in St. Anns , Jamaica Vice President Kamala Harris Cousin: Not so about VP Harris KINGSTON – Disturbed by reports that United States vice-president-elect Kamala Harris has been snubbing her Jamaican roots, her cousin Patrick Harris has strongly come out in her defence. “Kamala loves Jamaica dearly, and even though the media here is harping on her South Asian heritage, we know she has Jamaica on her mind,” Patrick Harris shared with The Sunday Gleaner. Kamala Harris was born to Indian mother Shyamal Gopalan Harris and Jamaican father Donald Harris. Her rise to vice-president-elect of the super power has been a source of pride for nationals of both countries, but some Jamaicans have expressed disappointment and even anger over what they perceive to be a deliberate slight of her Jamaican roots whenever Harris makes public speeches. “We are very proud of her but we are straining our ears to hear her acknowledg...

One Caribbean Nation. National Flag of Antigua and Barbuda                              ST JOHN’S – Antigua and Barbuda will enter into a project with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Development (DFATD) under the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) project to improve street vending operations. The project is a key recommendation made by the Subcommittee for job creation and economic diversification. It includes creating new enterprises, new markets, and accelerating e-commerce to enhance street vending operations and increase innovative productization. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda observed that since COVID-19 there has been a proliferation of street vending with many persons selling fruits and vegetables, and other commodities. The practice has become a double edge sword, on one hand, the increase in vendors contributes to food security by ensuring adequate provision of fresh produce with hi...

One Caribbean Nation. PM bans holiday parties Trinidad Prime Minister Keith Rowley SCARBOROUGH – The Trinidad and Tobago government has announced a total ban on Christmas parties within the public sector, while urging the private sector to do the same. It has also announcing a TT$30 million (BDS$10 million) initiative aimed at assisting people who have lost their jobs, or have fallen on hard times as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19)   pandemic.   Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and Health Minister Terrence Deyalsingh told a news conference on Saturday that instructions will be given to the appropriate public sector officials so as to ensure that government funding for   Christmas   parties over the coming weeks will not be entertained. “There is to be no state-sponsored or   Christmas   party in the public sector,” Rowley said, acknowledging that the new order would have an effect on the economies of   “those who supply the   Christmas ...

One Caribbean Nation. Caribbean News Brief Hunt for escapees GEORGETOWN – Guyana police are on the hunt for three prisoners who escaped from the Lusignan prison holding bay using a rope made from bed sheets. The escapees have been identified as murder accused, 48-year-old Phillip Jhogroo, 18-year-old Mark Emanuel, who was charged with robbery, and Donald Baird, 40, who was imprisoned for murder. (Guyana   Chronicle) KINGSTON – The Government is reviewing the strategic implementation of the country’s long-term National Development Plan – Vision 2030 Jamaica. According to the director general of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Dr Wayne Henry, the review is consequent on the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the country.   (CMC) NASSAU – The Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) captured top honours at the 9th annual Global Sustainability Film Awards (GSFA), held recently in the United Kingdom. The GSFA recognises outstanding films from the busine...

One Caribbean Nation. The good news that  vaccines for the COVID -19 seem likely, has obviously brought hope to millions, including the Caribbean region. Some governments , within our region, have already revealed that they have set aside  the necesssary funds to purchase vaccines. However, we remind Caribbean citizens , not to expect any overnight arrival , when they become available. Their distribution is still several months away and its futile , to expect that they will reach us , in the very first batch. We are quite aware that those countries, with huge financial resources and larger populations, will be the very first , second and third in line ! We therefore must remain vigilant , and continue to follow the instructions from our hard working health professionals. Citizens must continue to wear masks, follow social distancing guidelines and avoid huge crowds. Our region, with very limited resources, has gallantly fought this unexpected enemy. We have seen our economies ...

One Caribbean Nation. Thursday Caribbean Sayings

One Caribbean Nation. Keep on Batting Floyd ! by Michael Headley Mr. Floyd Reifer It looks like Floyd Reifer's short innings at the wicket,  in St. George North, resulted in the hitting of a towering six over the boundary.  In a peculiar way he has shown leadership skills, by probably getting quick action, to critical issues that he had raised in the recent by-election contest.  He even caused a stir, on the eve of the by-election, that drew some heavy hitters to hastily come to the dump site to unload on him.  Some commentators weren't sure if it was a press conference or a paid political advertisement and one had to apologize for making the wrong call.    After the innings had finished the grounds staff  didn't even have time to cover the pitch because in a November 18th article, by Sandy Deane (Out of the pits)  Prime Minister Mia Mottley  is already hoping to eliminate pit toilets by 2027....

One Caribbean Nation.  ULP Wins 9 Seats In St Vincent 2020 Elections November 5, 2020 The Unity Labour Party (ULP) of Dr Ralph Gonsalves has been elected for an unpreceded fifth term, to govern St. Vincent and The Grenadines. The party won 9 of the 15 parliamentary seats, picking up the North Leeward constituency held by the NDP before elections. “Today, the people of St. Vincent & the Grenadines embraced the politics of “Lifting SVG Higher. They embraced our progressive agenda for the future by returning us to  government. “I am humbled and honoured that the people of St. Vincent & the Grenadines embraced our bold vision for the future and rejected the politics of hate, backwardsness and colonialism noted Ralph Gonsalves leader of the ULP. “We ask Vincentians to celebrate this victory in peace and maturity. Now is the time to come together as one nation to address our developmental challenges and move forward to uplift our nation and it’s people,” Gonsalves stated.

One Caribbean Nation. Students, Homework, Politicians, Teachers and Citizens Caribbean Flags by William Skinner Most teachers know that some students simply ignore homework. Others lose it; do it badly or get somebody else to complete it for them. Most students, are quite aware that the reprimand they receive, often falls very short of expulsion. Since the punishment is rather light, the failure to do the homework, is treated by students as just something they bluntly refuse to finish. This attitude is often present in some regional governments. Many observers will say most. They tend to ignore certain issues, fortified that such ambivalence, will not lead, to being removed from office. Since ignoring these issues seldom result in the ultimate punishment of stripping them of power, they treat the citizens, in the exact manner students treat homework. However, the student who fails to or refuses to do homework, pays an individual penalty. This usually results in poor grades, faili...

One Caribbean Nation.   Caribbean Sayings, Proverbs etc 1. "Pickney dem" Children/kids "Dem yah pickney dem a drive mi mad!" These children/kids are driving me crazy! 2. "Deh'ya" Here "Mi deh'ya a wait fi mi food done cook." I'm here waiting for my food to finish cooking. 3. "Lime" Party "Yes, man! We in di lime tonight." Yeah, dude. We're going to the party tonight. 4. "Pompasetting" Showing off "Look pon di gyal pompasetting." Look at that chick showing off.   5. "Puppa Jeezas/Gawd" Father Jesus/God or My God! "Puppa Jeezas/Gawd, mi nearly bun up di pot a rice." My God, I almost burned this pot of rice. 6. "Mi bumpsey" Oh shoot! "Mi bumpsey, I nearly forgot mi keys" Oh shoot! I almost forgot my keys. 7. "Wah mek?" Why? "Yuh neva nyam from mawning? Wah mek? Why didn't you eat t...