Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has sharply criticized Opposition Leader Mark Golding for what she describes as an inappropriate attempt to politicize the recent decision to honour dancehall icons Bounty Killer and Beenie Man with national awards. The controversy arose after Golding publicly claimed credit for nominating the artists for the Order of Distinction in the Rank of Officer, an accolade announced as part of Jamaica’s 62nd Independence celebrations.
Responding to the news of the awards, Golding commented on Bounty Killer’s Instagram post, saying, “Respect Rodney ✊🏾 Well deserved. Glad I could help to make this happen—it was long overdue!” On Beenie Man’s post, he similarly remarked, “My pleasure Moses! This was long overdue and more than well deserved. You have taken our music across the globe with an energy and joy that embodies the Jamaican spirit! 🇯🇲 Nuff respect ✊🏾.” Grange perceived these comments as an attempt to take undue credit for the decision, which she insists was made by the government through a formal process.
In a statement, Grange accused Golding of misleading the public and improperly inserting himself into a process that she asserts was already in motion long before his intervention. “The Government of Jamaica had nominated the artistes long before Golding sought to exploit the process,” Grange stated, adding that the awards were based on recommendations from a sub-committee appointed by the prime minister. She emphasized that the decision was a collective one, reflecting the government’s ongoing commitment to recognizing the contributions of the creative industry.
Grange further criticized Golding for what she termed a “vulgar attempt” to drag the awardees into the political arena, warning that it undermines the integrity of the National Honours and Awards. She reiterated that such decisions are made by the Government of Jamaica as a collective, with no single person being given personal credit. By publicly claiming a role in the awards, Grange suggested, Golding broke protocol and risked politicizing a moment meant to celebrate the achievements of the artists and their impact on Jamaican culture. This incident highlights the ongoing tensions between the government and the opposition, even in matters of cultural recognition.
