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Over a century since the Obeah Act of 1898 criminalized the practice, Obeah remains one of Jamaica’s most contentious cultural issues. Recently, Christian groups have vehemently opposed its legalization, warning that it would unleash ‘demonic forces’ across the nation. However, this fervent opposition raises a critical question: Why is there not a similar level of unity and outrage when addressing pressing societal issues such as child abuse, teenage pregnancy, juvenile delinquency, or the rampant violent crime plaguing communities? The selective indignation is striking. For instance, Indian astrologers freely advertise their services in newspapers and on television without sparking protests, yet Obeah is singled out. This disparity reveals a deeper issue: practices tied to African heritage are still viewed with suspicion and prejudice. The root of the problem lies in a Eurocentric mindset that has conditioned society to perceive African traditions as inherently evil while uncritically embracing other cultural practices. Some even falsely attribute Haiti’s struggles to its recognition of Vodou, a claim that is not only baseless but also dismissive of historical complexity. Obeah is an integral part of Jamaica’s history, once serving as a tool of resistance against colonial oppression. To erase it is to deny a legacy of survival and defiance. While there are deviant practices within Obeah, Christianity, with its over 40,000 denominations, is not without its own controversies. True emancipation requires dismantling the stigma surrounding Afrocentric religions and confronting the colonial prejudices that continue to shape perceptions. Obeah must be discussed honestly, free from fear or bias, as it is not merely a religious issue but a matter of identity, history, and the freedom to embrace one’s heritage without distortion.

In a significant development in Jamaica’s fight against praedial larceny, Agriculture Minister Floyd Green has announced that the newly established Agricultural Protection Branch (APB) has more than doubled arrests related to farm theft in 2025. Launched on June 13, 2025, at the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Tactical Training Academy in Kingston, the APB focuses on surveillance, investigation, and stakeholder engagement to protect agricultural assets and support farmers.

Minister Green highlighted the substantial progress, noting that arrests for praedial larceny surged from 63 in January to September 2024 to 190 during the same period in 2025. Additionally, court cases increased from 137 to 263, and convictions rose dramatically from just two in 2024 to 32 in 2025. These figures underscore the effectiveness of the APB’s enhanced case preparation and operational strategies.

The APB has also made strides in recovering stolen farm goods, with recoveries doubling from $2 million in the first half of 2025 to $5 million after the branch became fully operational. Inspector Orville Bushay, head of the APB for Area One, emphasized that praedial larceny costs the country an estimated $14 billion annually, impacting food security, agricultural investment, and rural poverty.

Minister Green acknowledged that while progress has been made, the fight against praedial larceny remains a work in progress. He commended JCF Commissioner Dr. Kevin Blake and Assistant Commissioner Oral Pascoe for their leadership and reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers. Plans are underway to train and deploy agricultural wardens and utilize drone units for surveillance in vulnerable farming areas.

The JCF described the APB as a strategic imperative, emphasizing its role in developing specialized expertise in agricultural crime investigation and implementing proactive strategies such as increased patrols, community engagement, and collaboration with stakeholders to prevent losses before they occur.

As Jamaica grapples with a renewed debate over school dress codes, Calabar High School Principal Sian Mahay Wilson has staunchly defended the policy, emphasizing its role in fostering psychological well-being, equity, and institutional identity. Speaking during the commissioning of an $8-million infrastructure project funded by Carib Cement Company, Mahay Wilson argued that dress codes standardize students’ appearance and mindset, creating a sense of unity regardless of their backgrounds. She highlighted the policy’s contribution to students’ self-esteem, confidence, and character development, asserting that it prepares them for life beyond school.

In a momentous ceremony at the Cathedral of St Jago de la Vega in Spanish Town, St Catherine, the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands welcomed its 15th Lord Bishop, Right Reverend Leon Paul Golding, on Sunday. The liturgy of induction, investiture, and enthronement began with three symbolic knocks on the cathedral door by Golding, a former suffragan bishop of Montego Bay. Upon entering, he was greeted by a congregation of clergy and laypeople who had elected him during a special synod in March 2025. Adorned in a golden cape and mitre bearing the diocesan emblem, Golding sought permission to enter the church, a tradition followed by his predecessors. The ceremony included prayers for the church, the nation, and Christian causes, culminating in his installation as the spiritual leader of the diocese. Chancellor Zaila McCalla and Registrar Rev Peter DePass officiated the reading of letters conferring episcopal rights and duties. Outgoing Lord Bishop Howard Gregory passed the pastoral staff, a symbol of Christian leadership, to Golding. The service featured hymns such as Noel Dexter’s Psalm 23 and Te Deum Laudamus, accompanied by a fanfare of drums and applause. In his inaugural sermon, Golding emphasized unity within the diverse Christian denominations, quoting 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 and the hymn Summoned by the God who made us. He urged church workers to collaborate with governmental and non-governmental organizations in serving communities. The service included scripture readings by Golding’s daughter LeeAnne and Vincent Lawrence, with Deacon Anna-Lise Wisdom proclaiming the gospel. Representatives from the Roman Catholic and Methodist churches, including Archbishop Kenneth Richards and Rev Wayneford McFarlane, also participated. Music was led by the Diocesan Festival Choir, St Hilda’s Diocesan High School Choir, St Jago High School Choir, and Philippians Steel Band, showcasing Jamaican composers and traditional hymns. Golding, ordained a deacon in 1984 and a priest in 1985, has served in various churches across Kingston, St Andrew, and St James. He was consecrated as a suffragan bishop in 2012 and assumed the role of canonical administrator on January 1, 2025, following Gregory’s retirement. Married to Lauren, Golding has three children actively involved in the church. The diocese will convene an elective assembly in November to determine his successor as bishop of Montego Bay.