CONGRATULATIONS, you exited 2014 well, but for CHIKV pains. Last year was bad for people but good for Jamaica Inc. All that hurts you is not bad for the nation, but what’s good for Jamaica is always good for you. We all fly when Jamaica flies, but while the engine, chassis, tyres are being fixed, it seems we are not progressing — not so!

We were deprived for decades, so we’re antsy and angry; can’t wait. We want what we never had now, right now! We are not speeding but we are making gains. While in hospital, in London, the first week in ICU I was dying — or so I believed. After I was stable, only in the last few weeks, was I growing well. But at every stage doctors were at work. This is just like our nation; sick for decades, a debt addict, consuming, near death. We are in economic ICU. Peter Philips, his team, experts need support for this four-year process. You can be political, Luddite, or give the procedure a chance to work as we go through 2015! You choose!

In 2015, some of us were wise virgins and some otherwise. The wise are in for the long haul; others quarrel, yet for 50 + 2 years they suck salt in silence. Did they make revolution while I slept? In 2012, Jamaica made a four-year pledge to International Monetary Fund (IMF) rehab, and in 2014 made giant steps. Foundations are not visible, but super structures need them. Peter is our hope to blast off for planet growth in this half of the 21st century. Yes, hardship is great, lifestyles at risk, power brokers undermine, and we all need signs to fuel faith. Our self-respect, and respect abroad, are also at risk. We were the ex-British West Indian colony most likely to succeed in 1962; admired, resourced, respected, but we can’t build a nation. We are the energy of Caricom, catalyst in the Commonwealth, conscience of the UN, but our economy is zip. Let’s zero-base, commit as individuals, give our frail leaders ideas, work and prosper our country in 2015.

For the first time in a generation our economic fundamentals are on track. Yet, as debt addicts — some in denial — opine: “We are doing well by the IMF. We can chillax and run wid it” — bad idea. In our debt junkie days, did we know Greece was a soul mate? They now have 25 per cent unemployment, a reduced civil service, riots, politics, yet stay the IMF/EU course. Populism is not growth. We get good marks from the IMF and on league tables, so “bitter medicine” is working. But what of the poor? We must stay the course and go for growth and jobs in niche areas and give businesses the climate to do the heavy lifting. How?

Business is its own master and the State can only enable. Red tape is killing investment. Ask me about titles and building permit grief next time. Personal empowerment and faith are critical as we can no longer ‘kick the can down the road’. Cabinet must stir mass desire to excel. We can’t pay a large debt yet expect big growth; but we can do more. Cabinet must mandate a high labour content for state contracts. Why make a few equipment contractors rich and export jobs to Caterpillar or Komatsu? Stop, go low-tech, and create local jobs. Make personal development a priority. Push your kids to excel. If you can’t get work with degrees, you aren’t market-ready. Get a skill used in any country; a plumber, mason, electrician, welder, carpenter, tailor — is never obsolete. Stop whingeing, do your job. No self-pity. If you have a skill, employ it; use family land, start with small chickens, rabbits, goats; do covered yard crops as 50 tomato, cucumber, pepper, lettuce plants — these can make thousands of dollars every few weeks.

Nationally, let’s do what is in our power and need no cash. Cabinet must incentivise self-development and discourage idleness — a JEEP job, benefits, farm work abroad for all aged 18-60; this must be tied to enrolment in JFLL’s High School Diploma Equivalent (HSDE) or HEART/NTA. Cabinet must promote private investment in rental housing to end squatting and make jobs. The National Housing Trust can’t help most poor families, young people starting life, visitors, the hesitant diaspora; some may not save a deposit in life yet need decent places to live. Do you know there is a burgeoning aged cohort that will sell their house, land as they need accessible complexes, clubhouse to serve meals, leisure space, a doctor, dentist, personal care team and services? They don’t want to own, just live in peace…until!

Farming needs to be a priority. The agriculture ministry needs a business model which twins urban equity with rural farmer skill and idle land. So incentivise “concrete farmers” — workers, professionals, small businesses who are bankable to get into Rural-Urban Joint Ventures (R-UJV). RADA, JAS, 4-H can identify the farmer/partner, the land, the crops; execute the business model for 25 projects per parish; print standard agreements, etc, and service these R-UJVs. CASE, Knockalva, Sydney Pagon, Aboukir, Ebony Park can be nodes of technical help. None of these ideas need new money, just to re-purpose existing resources — jobs for thousands!

Stop the politicking and negativity in 2015. Give the four-year IMF process a chance, as it’s working. Make 2015 a watershed in our march to prosperity!

James Bond

Should Idris Elba, star of The Wire and Luther, be the next Bond? He is an urbane, toned, handsome, black man and speaks beautiful English. As controversy about a black Bond sweeps the film world, Elba is gaining traction where it matters — the market. Tradition favours a white, “shaken not stirred” actor. Can Martin Luther King be played by a white man? I played white characters on OUDS UK stage to a full house, but King was a real man, while Bond is a film creation. Morgan Freeman played Red, who in the book Shawshank Redemption is a red-haired white man; he also played God (Is God white?) and Noah was okay. James Bond of Her Majesty’s Secret Service is not American- and British-born. Elba is fine; even “M” is now female. The Bond franchise is about cash, so the box office may have the final say.

Aislin cartoons in the Montreal Gazette

Terry is a colleague who creates as Aislin; decorated political cartoonist, Hall of Fame, Order of Canada, doctorate “Honoris Causa”, great man. I thank him for permission to use his graphic captioned “American ambassador will be sent to Cuba” to saffron my last article. Check his work online.

Charles, John, Henry Thesiger

Charlie passed a few days ago. He was a gentleman, consummate professional, mentor, friend, brother. May his family find solace for their grief and may his soul rest in peace. Amen.

Dr Franklin Johnston is a strategist, project manager and advises the minister of education. Comments: franklinjohnstontoo@gmail.com