According to my best friend, who is an ardent People’s National Party (PNP) supporter, “…seems like Macaroni find the formula to growth” — in reference to the recent moves in the Cabinet made by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The prime minister’s latest moves send several messages to the general public, most notably, that gone are the days when, based on your seniority in the party, you are handed a ministry.

Secondly, it is very clear that Holness is changing the face of the usual Government of Jamaica. We are now seeing a Government that is more strategic in focus and a lot brighter when it comes to intellect. The recent Cabinet reshuffle is welcome as many of us were growing impatient with Holness as we remember his election promises of job descriptions for ministers and, of course, the accountability framework.

In general terms, the Government is performing well; however, there were some ministries that were underperforming, most notably, to me, was the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, which is a super ministry. To me, this ministry ought to be the real producer of growth in a country. The minister in charge of this portfolio should be one who has the ability to, among other things, attract great confidence in the country’s growth outlook in order to generate meaningful investments. The weight on this minister’s shoulder is so great because his ministry, if it underperforms, has the ability to completely cripple any growth objective of Jamaica. I think Holness’s move to put Audley Shaw is this ministry is a masterful one that will create great returns for Jamaica and further solidify Holness’s position as a prime minister who is not afraid to make unpopular decisions that pay great returns.

Many may view the moves as being somewhat politically motivated; however, I refuse to think Holness is willing to squander his tremendous political popularity on internal, old-style party squabbles. It is pellucid that Holness is the right leader for the JLP. He has become a standout, and there is no disputing that. His legitimacy as the leader is no longer in question, I think the party and its members have long moved on from this.

Dr Nigel Clarke’s ‘parachuting’ into the Ministry of Finance is seen, by me, as a matching of minds, as we cannot underestimate the shadow minister in the Opposition benches, Mark Golding’s great intellect and his excellent financial expertise. Dr Clarke has been handed a well-performing ministry that he simply needs to further ensure performs well. His penchant for numbers places him in a very advantageous position, as he will be a minister who can challenge any technocrat right off the bat as they won’t be speaking over his head. Jamaica will only benefit. My only concern is Clarke’s ‘black or white’ personality. Jamaica’s public sector has become used to ministers who aren’t afraid to crack a laugh now and then. He must work on the soft skills in order to not rub people the wrong way. My comment, though, is from someone who doesn’t know Dr Clarke, so I am just going off what I see on the surface.

Dr Chang to the national security portfolio is a watch and see game. I would encourage us to not think Dr Chang is a walkover because he seldom raises his voice. I think his voice is much louder in the prime minister’s ears than we imagine. I suspect many moves as it relates to security in the western part of the country has been supported or touted by Dr Chang. So this portfolio may well allow us to see a different side of him.

The two gentlemen who have been assigned to the prime minister’s ministry — Karl Samuda and Mike Henry — have done Jamaica proud. I am not one who believes in discarding the old for the new, as many of these new politicians have shown that even though they are young, and supposedly bright, they cannot engage their brains and their mouths — or should I say fingers — at the same time. Therefore, these two gentlemen, I think, are placed in the right place where they can offer more oversight and advice, as opposed to being independent ministers with very busy travel schedules and appearances. I think our older politicians should transition to such positions that allow them to offer guidance and perspectives.

If Andrew Holness continues down the road he is trodding — keeping his party and his ministers in check — he will, without a doubt, turn Jamaica into a real success story. We will all be singing, “Look at me now!” As indicated by my friend, “Seems like Macaroni find the formula.” Indeed!

Javid Brown hails from Westmoreland. Send comments to the Observer or javidbrown@gmail.com.