SSP Diaries | Shaping the Future Government vs Integrity Commission and others

Our democracy has been tried and tested since we gained Independence in 1962. In recent times, the Government appears to be at war with an instrument of its own creation, namely the Integrity Commission, which is designed to ensure there is no room for corruption across its ministries, departments, and agencies, including all those holding public office. There is the case of our prime minister and his statutory returns, other ministers, and, more recently as reported in the press, the matter of the Integrity Commission (IC) seeking access to files in the Ministry of Health and Wellness to assist in its investigations.

One does not have to go into detail to impress upon the powers that be that, in a democratic country such as ours, these proverbial stand-offs do more harm than good to the nation’s reputation. If the law needs to be fixed, then fix it. If, by virtue of its current provisions, there are issues affecting individual rights, then let these be resolved with urgency and transparency through special or emergency sessions in our courts. The current situation is unhealthy and does not reflect good governance practices.

Post-Hurricane Melissa Clean-up

Many areas across western Jamaica continue to be an eyesore because of the lingering effects of post-Melissa debris. Roadways in St James that I have travelled on recently remain riddled with potholes, and wires of all descriptions still hang from electrical poles. Damaged and abandoned homes have become overgrown with bushes. While there have been significant improvements along major thoroughfares, other busy feeder roads leave much to be desired.

Special efforts are needed to address these issues and restore a sense of normality for a significant number of citizens. While western Jamaica has received attention, many other areas islandwide face similar challenges.

Regional and International Travel Caution

Global travel allows contagious health issues to spread rapidly across borders. In recent times, there have been reports of hantavirus discovered on a cruise ship in the Atlantic and outbreaks of the Ebola virus in Africa. COVID-19 taught us not to take things for granted, but instead to take the necessary precautions to protect our citizens ,based on available information and existing knowledge.

In this regard, I urge the Ministry of Health to implement all necessary measures to ensure proper screening of individuals entering our country through all ports of entry, whether by commercial or private means, to safeguard the population. It is also important for citizens to educate themselves about the symptoms of these diseases and remain vigilant, reporting suspected cases to the health authorities.

Human Capital Challenges and National Development

The question remains: how are we planning to survive in the future? Current data shows that the country continues to suffer from the migration of its educated workforce. Up to 80 per cent leave each year, including doctors, nurses, teachers, potential entrepreneurs, social scientists, and skilled artisans — people we urgently need but who are seeking better opportunities abroad.

There have been efforts by the Government to encourage professionals in the diaspora to return and contribute to national development, but these have not been particularly successful, and understandably so. Many diaspora Jamaicans benefit from stable social systems, including reliable healthcare, transportation, education, and retirement provisions. Salary scales are also significantly higher than what can be offered locally. Taken together, returning to Jamaica for work is not an attractive option for many.

Other critical concerns further discourage return migration, chief among them perceptions of crime and the treatment of the elderly. Whether young or old, Jamaica is not widely seen as a safe place to raise families or do business. Despite ongoing promotion and dialogue, we have not been able to convince a significant number of professionals to return home.

With a declining birth rate and an ageing population, the question of national survival becomes increasingly urgent. Governments do not appear to be giving this issue the attention it demands. It is not a problem that can be solved overnight; it requires careful, long-term planning and the implementation of policies that are acceptable to Jamaicans both at home and abroad.

Jamaica is not alone in facing this challenge. Countries such as China, Japan, and Germany also contend with population decline, but they are developed economies, which places them in a stronger position to manage the consequences.

To continue along the current path, without a national policy framework that is accepted across political divides, is not only unwise but risks resulting in weak leadership, inadequate management, and diminished mentoring capacity. This, in turn, could accelerate the decline of the nation’s reputation as a stable democracy. Arresting human capital migration and building a strong workforce — one capable of attracting and retaining our best talent — must be a national priority.