Dear Editor,

The current work of the Ministry of Finance, with tangible support from the Portia Simpson Miller-led Cabinet, has probably gone largely unnoticed and unappreciated by ordinary Jamaicans as a result of them not fully understanding the Herculean task being undertaken.

Even with the overwhelming international acclaim that the Government has received, a major difficulty that is currently hindering the deserving approbation of the Government is that the gospel of the excellent work they are doing is being lost in the complexity of financial jargon and the derivative benefits.

The average Jamaican may not understand the statements ‘lowest inflation in almost 50 years’ or that the ‘Net International Reserves exceed US$2.4 billion’, or that our ‘debt-to-GDP ratio stands at approximately 125 per cent and is expected to be around 120 per cent by the end of 2015/2016’, but they are remarkable achievements.

Most cannot translate these lofty gains into the understanding of their everyday lives, and so the real appreciation is largely lost on them or has not been acknowledged.

However, like many great things done by our Jamaicans in the past, these achievements will typically not be recognised until years after the doers have left us, similar to Bob Marley and Michael Manley in their days.

Unfortunately, in today’s selfish world, all the average Jamaican wants to know is what personal benefit will be derived by them from all these achievements, and not necessarily how the country as a whole benefits.

While the opposing political expression of the day is that passing the International Monetary Fund tests is not important, because they cannot feel its benefits in their pockets, this understandably is coming from a biased and shallow viewpoint.

So, the man in the street wants to know what a 40-year low in inflation rate means and the Government and the media have to break it down and explain to them that: Low inflation simply means that prices for goods and services will not increase, or not increase at a high rate. So, a pound of flour will likely remain at $50/lb as long as inflation remains low.

To those who, for known and unknown reasons, have sought to be deceitful in telling the masses the real story, I say shame on you, and may you never find favour in our people’s hearts if you all continue to lie and mislead them.

I, too, am but a humble man and not a finance person. But I have sought guidance from those who are, and so my wish is to share what I have learnt by spelling it out for the ‘average Joe’ to realise that it is as simple as ABC:

(A) Agreement to sensible policies with monetary agencies allows Government to implements measures that encourage growth in our country.

(B) Both local and international businesses then become encouraged to invest in the country, create additional jobs and increase foreign exchange inflows.

(C) Creation of jobs and increased money in circulation will then see the average Joe starting to enjoy an improved way of life; meaning extra cash in his pocket.

This is simplistic and would not have captured all there is to explain to our people, but it is a start.

Jamaica is on a good track, we all should get on board and keep the momentum going and never look back.

Garth Crawford

garth_crawford@ymail.com