Prime Minister Andrew Holness is now in his second term in office. This was how he viewed his role, as expressed on Thursday, March 3, 2016 during his Inauguration Speech :
I recognize that I stand here today only by the Grace of God. It has not been an easy journey to this podium, but earnest labour and fervent prayers conquer all. To God be the glory.
It is with a deep sense of gratitude, honour and humility that I took the Oath of Office moments ago, fully conscious of the magnitude of expectations and responsibility I have assumed, but equally energized and optimistic about a prosperous future for Jamaica. I pledge to serve the people of Jamaica faithfully, with all of my energies, all of my heart, mind and soul.
I stand here humbled by the awesome power of you, the people, and I commit to doing right by you. The people are sovereign and their views and votes must never be taken for granted.
The people of Jamaica did not vote in vain. They expect a government that works for them and by the same expectation, an Opposition that is constructive.
With this mandate:
• There is no majority for arrogance
• There is no space for selfishness
• There is no place for pettiness
• There is no room for complacency and
• There is no margin for error
I am under no illusion as to the meaning of this mandate. We have not won a prize. Instead, the people are giving us a test. There is no absolute agency of power. This means that the winner cannot take all, or believe we can do it alone.
HOLNESS ON CORRUPTION
Statement during 2011 inauguration
The struggles of the 1970s should have created a more equitable society. However, in those very struggles we lost the fundamental respect for law, order and public virtue, the basis on which more equitable societies are built. Without this healthy and universal respect for law, order and high public virtue, our institutions can be corrupted, and worse, corruption becomes acceptable.
Where there is corruption there is inefficiency, there is injustice, inequity and inequality. The struggles of the 1970s should have given more power and rights to the people, but power and rights cannot be divorced from responsibility. Rights alone do not define sovereignty. Sovereignty requires responsibility. Responsibility embraces truth. Unfortunately a kind of social, economic and political irresponsibility has followed us throughout the decades. From men not taking responsibility for their children, to communities not taking responsibility for public spaces, to a lack of accountability in government.
THE TAG OF ‘BROGAD’
The term ‘Brogad’ rose to prominence in the 2019 song ’Custom’ by dancehall artiste Daddy1. The deejay described himself as a ‘top choppa’, a term ascribed to criminals and gangsters engaged in lottery scamming. Its meaning later extended to include fraudsters operating within the financial sector.
That the nation’s prime minister took the name onto himself was troubling for well-thinking Jamaicans. There was serious concern that the name coined for criminals was being promoted by the head of government, especially amid worrying murder trends and lawlessness eroding the very fabric of the society.
Holness embraced the name, temporarily changing his Twitter handle to the ‘Most Hon. Brogad’.
Holness has been criticised for adopting the moniker. He has also been criticised for implementing several unGodly agendas. He has been accused by some in the church community of signing away the rights of Jamaican citizens to the EU under the Samoa agreement.