Newly installed Prime Minister, Portia Simpson Miller (right) holds her instrument of office, while greeting her predecessor P.J. Patterson at King's House, on March 30, 2006. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Year 2006 was a historic period for Jamaicans as our citizens blazed a trail on the international scene in politics, sports and entertainment. We also had cause to examine our collective souls as school children and women were among those senselessly slaughtered on our streets, homes and churches.

Portia Simpson Miller became Jamaica's first female Prime Minister when she was sworn in on March 30. Superman Asafa Powell ran away with a slew of awards, including the crown of Male Athlete of the Year, after equalling his 100 metres world record twice and registering more sub-10-second clockings in one season than any man on earth.

Grammy awards

Damian 'Jr. Gong' Marley copped two Grammy Awards this year and the wedding of the year was the all-white affair between Moses 'Beenie Man' Davis, and Michelle 'D'Angel' Downer, dancehall's Helen of Troy, at Creighton Estate on August 22.

Miss Jamaica World, Sara Lawrence, finished in the top six at last year's competition in Poland on September 30, and was crowned Miss Caribbean Queen of Beauty at the Miss World pageant.

Malaria outbreak

We also had to examine how we manage and develop our society. Children were victims of sexual abuse and murder. Multiple slayings became more common. A malaria outbreak took root in some sections of the Corporate Area in December that led to the infection of just under 200 persons.

Port Maria was flooded and covered with mud after heavy rains, which was exacerbated by inadequate drainage. Fears of mining in the famous karstic landscape of central Jamaica's Cockpit Country were quelled - if only temporarily - in December only after the Government withdrew licences to prospect from bauxite companies after environmentalists threatened radical protest.

Of the many stalwarts we said goodbye to, chief among them was comedienne and folklorist Louise Bennett-Coverley, 'Miss Lou', who placed Jamaica's dialect and poetry on the world map.

In 2006, Jamaica was in the international spotlight for many reasons. Let us do our utmost to ensure that in 2007 they are for reasons of which we can be proud.

- Robert Lalah