Athaliah Reynolds, Staff Reporter

Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports. - file

AS THE new Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, Olivia Grange is expected to have her hands full for the next five years.

Speaking with The Gleaner just moments after she was sworn-in as part of the new Cabinet last Friday, Ms. Grange said she was pleased with her portfolio assignments as they were areas in which she has a great deal of interest.

"They are areas in which I have worked and so I am very familiar with the issues," she said. "I have some new ideas I hope to be taking to the fore and there are some old ideas that will be reintroduced which I think will enhance the existing programmes."

As part of her responsibilities, Ms. Grange is expected to work with the executive members of the Jamaica Amateur Athletics Association (JAAA) on plans for the 2008 Olympic Games to be held in Beijing, China.

She is also expected to work on plans for the upcoming Heritage celebrations for Heroe's weekend in October.

Ms. Grange, however, said she could not disclose too much information as she had to await policy directives from the Cabinet.

As a child growing up in West Kingston, Ms. Grange said she was never interested in representational politics.

"At one stage of my life I decided I did not want to get involved in representational politics because I found it divisive," she said. "However, after working very hard within several communities, I felt that in order to influence decisions maybe it would help if I entered politics and so I did."

In 1983, Ms. Grange was appointed senator and parliamentary secretary under an Edward Seaga-led government. She decided to face the electorate for the first time in the 1989 General Election but did not win a seat. However, in 1997, when she represented Central St. Catherine, she won against former party member and now Prime Minister Bruce Golding - who had then left the JLP.

Ms. Grange said, in some respects, representational politics has proven quite challenging, but that overall she has found it a fulfilling career.

Painted with broad brush

"It has been a challenge, because once you become a politician, you are painted with a broad brush, and most politicians are seen in a negative light," she told The Gleaner. "And so many persons who are genuine and sincere about serving, at times will become frustrated or disappointed, or in fact, the society tends to treat them with disregard or disrespect."

She added: "However, there are some good moments when you are able to make a difference in people's lives. That's what carries me and that is what inspires me."

athaliah.reynolds@gleanerjm.com

Achievements

Head Girl - Gainstead High School

Ryerson University in Canada

Director of the Edward Seaga Research Institute

Director of the Jamaica Association of Composers, Artistes and Producers

Former Minister of State responsible for Information and Culture

Former Deputy General Secretary

Former chairman of Public Relations for JLP

Former Senator and former Deputy Leader

Member of Parliament for St. Catherine Central