JAMAICA Observer online readers are overwhelmingly in agreement with remarks by managing director of the Wisynco Group, William Mahfood, that Jamaica needs more business-minded political leaders. Mahfood made the remarks while addressing editors and reporters at the weekly Observer Monday Exchange. He said leadership, at all levels of society, is to be blamed for the country’s current situation. Here are some edited comments:

BETTERHASCOME

Too many clueless, non-productive, paper-pushing lawyers in the house. These emotional people have no idea how businesses operate and cannot make practical decisions. Eloquent speeches do influence the impressionable.

jayjayja

Mr Mahfood, you would be right if Jamaicans were truly interested in growth and development. Many Jamaicans (far too many) are happy with the way things are and let me explain. The wealthy are just fine because they can exploit the weakness in the leadership and management of the country to create even more wealth.

The poor party loyalist are happy because their party will take care of them, providing them with free house, free light, free water and food fe eat, in exchange for unwavering support at the polls.

Those caught in the middle are the ones having the problem and there is not enough of us to make the impact necessary to force change.

The result is the status quo remains the same.

Do you really believe that after 50yrs Jamaicans want leaders who are business minded, I don’t think so.

Gee Scott

Absolutely, Mr Mahfood. Many Jamaicans overseas do have desires to come back home to seriously contribute to the development of the country. However, the infrastructure leaves much to be desired; the political issues are much to contend with… we genuinely want the best for our Island. After obtaining my MBA in England, I reached out to offer my serivces in Jamaica and the best feedback was, are you [affiliated with my political party]? How do we then attract the talents, when everything is politically aligned?

TIME OUT

@jayjayja: And in the broader picture we are making ourselves irrelevant on the world stage. If we have nothing to contribute to the advancement of humanity what is our relevance if not to be parasitic?

stress999

I have always questioned the credentials of some of our elected officials. Even the average eye, at a glance, can easily detect their inept abilities.

Antonio Christie

Imagine if President Obama of the USA had made Bob Gates the Treasury Secretary and Timothy Geithner the Secretary of Defense in the height of the financial meltdown! We need qualified people in these roles to improve the country’s position.

These positions [finance miniter] should be appointed NOT elected. Their qualifications must be vetted to ensure they can handle the responsibilities at hand. This can also save money by not paying additional consultants to consult for these elected members but rather appoint these qualified and experienced consultants like Andrew Mahfood [as] finance minister. Same can be said about many other roles that are elected.

southy Antonio Christie

Peter Phillips was at other times also minister of transportation and minister of health… that is what you call “Jack of all trades, master of none”.

LG

Can someone please indicate the qualifications for becoming a politician, and even being appointed responsibility for running a ministry?