Subscribe Login
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
Jamaica Observer
ePaper
The Edge 105 FM Radio Fyah 105 FM
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
    • Home
    • News
      • Latest News
      • Cartoon
      • International News
      • Central
      • North & East
      • Western
      • Environment
      • Health
      • #
    • Business
      • Business Bites
      • Social Love
    • Sports
      • Football
      • Basketball
      • Cricket
      • Horse Racing
      • World Champs
      • Commonwealth Games
      • FIFA World Cup
      • Olympics
      • #
    • Videos
    • Entertainment
      • Music
      • Movies
      • Art & Culture
      • Bookends
      • #
    • Lifestyle
      • Page2
      • Food
      • Tuesday Style
      • Food Awards
      • JOL Takes Style Out
      • Design Week JA
      • Black Friday
      • #
    • All Woman
      • Home
      • Relationships
      • Features
      • Fashion
      • Fitness
      • Rights
      • Parenting
      • Advice
      • #
    • Obits
    • Classifieds
      • Employment
      • Property
      • Motor Vehicles
      • Place an Ad
      • Obituaries
    • More
      • Games
      • Elections
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Study Centre
      • Jnr Study Centre
      • Letters
      • Columns
      • Advertorial
      • Editorial
      • Supplements
      • Webinars
  • Home
  • News
    • International News
  • Latest
  • Business
    • Business Bites
  • Cartoon
  • Games
  • Food Awards
  • Health
  • Entertainment
    • Bookends
  • Regional
  • Sports
    • Sports
    • World Cup
    • World Champs
    • Olympics
  • Videos
  • Career & Education
  • Classifieds
  • All Woman
  • Environment
  • Webinars
  • More
    • Football
    • Elections
    • Letters
    • Advertorial
    • Columns
    • Editorial
    • Supplements
  • Epaper
  • Design Week
Reshuffle is not enough, Mr Prime Minister
Deputy Commissioner of INDECOM Mr Hamish Campbell
Letters
December 30, 2021

Reshuffle is not enough, Mr Prime Minister

Dear Editor,

The system of Government in Jamaica is rooted in a constitutional monarchy under which The Queen, represented by a governor general, is head of State.

However, the man who wields power in the political setup is the prime minister. He presides over the Cabinet and is vested with the power to hire, fire, or reshuffle ministers.

In a recent interview, Prime Minister Andrew Holness confirmed that he intends to reshuffle his Cabinet early in 2022.

He said, “I think it is expected, and I think it would not be unreasonable to see one done in the new year.”

Since then, speculation has been rife about which ministers will be reassigned or get the boot from their perch in the Government.

Now, no one can deny the prime minister the perks of reshuffling his Cabinet, but on what basis, public perception or performance appraisal?

As far as the electorate is aware, the Cabinet is without a job description, and any appraisal for promotion, demotion, transfer, or even separation from duties will be based on the whim and fancy of the prime minister, which aptly gives true meaning to the moniker, BroGad.

The fact of the matter is all Members of Parliament should have a constituency development plan ready for implementation once they take their seats in Parliament.

In a recent article in the Jamaica Observer titled ‘The Productivity Principle’ written by Lisa Hanna, the Member of Parliament and Opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs and foreign trade, she highlighted the low level of output of the Jamaican populace in terms of productivity.

She noted that “between 1993 and 2019 Jamaica’s labour productivity fell by 15 per cent, whereas the majority of our Caribbean competitors’ had improved. The Dominican Republic increased by 111 per cent and Trinidad 109 per cent.”

She said further, “Jamaica is the lowest among the top five Caribbean countries in 2019. Annual labour productivity in Jamaica was approximately US$13,000 less than St Lucia, US$20,000 less than Barbados, US$21,000 less than the Dominican Republic, and US$49,000 less than Trinidad and Tobago.”

The question is: Could this low level of productivity be attributed to the level or lack of leadership in the country?

Moreover, I wonder how the performance of Jamaica’s ministers would measure up against their counterparts in countries such as the Dominican Republic or Singapore.

The truth is, the Jamaican electorate wants ministers who are strategic thinkers and decision-makers whose approaches are to “put people first” and not their self-interest as demonstrated by the skullduggery and corruption that tend to plague Jamaican governments.

And to cite the Opposition spokeswoman, “It is important that we know our own gaps and address them, versus always waiting for someone else to fix them.”

xdeefix@aol.com

{"website":"website"}{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
img img
0 Comments · Make a comment

ALSO ON JAMAICA OBSERVER

Rescuers search for survivors as Indonesian quake death toll rises to 47
International News, Latest News
Rescuers search for survivors as Indonesian quake death toll rises to 47
August 15, 2026
MAUMERE, Indonesia (AFP)—Rescuers combed through debris for survivors on Saturday after a powerful earthquake struck off Indonesia's eastern Flores is...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
SLB approves $1.8 billion in loans in 2025
Latest News, News
SLB approves $1.8 billion in loans in 2025
August 15, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—A total of 9,557 students comprising 7,033 females, applied to the Students Loan Bureau (SLB) in 2025 to finance their tertiary educ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Professionals, security personnel among the newly-incarcerated in 2025
Latest News, News
Professionals, security personnel among the newly-incarcerated in 2025
August 15, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Twenty professionals and 11 people in security-related jobs were among the 575 newly-incarcerated adult inmates in Jamaica in 2025. ...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
More than 200 killed in road crashes this year, says ITA
Latest News, News
More than 200 killed in road crashes this year, says ITA
August 15, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica—Deaths resulting from motor vehicle crashes have now gone past the 200-mark, reaching 202 as of Thursday, August 14. This is accordi...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Teens among five charged with breaches of Firearms Act
Latest News, News
Teens among five charged with breaches of Firearms Act
August 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Five men including two 17 year olds have been charged with possession of a prohibited weapon and unauthorised possession of ammuni...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Gender Ministry inks deal with Amber for domestic violence app
Latest News, News
Gender Ministry inks deal with Amber for domestic violence app
August 14, 2026
KINGSTON, Jamaica  – The Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport on Friday signed a contract with the technology firm, Amber Innovations,...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Holness expresses concern for Cooper’s Pen families
Latest News, News
Holness expresses concern for Cooper’s Pen families
August 14, 2026
TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has expressed concern for families displaced in Coopers Pen, Trelawny, describing the images emer...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
Jamaica campaign paying off for Ras Zukes
Entertainment, Latest News
Jamaica campaign paying off for Ras Zukes
August 14, 2026
Reggae artiste Ras Zukes says his recent promotional push in Jamaica is paying dividends, with his debut album Mama Tell Me That and single Clarks & B...
{"jamaica-observer":"Jamaica Observer"}
❮ ❯

Polls

HOUSE RULES

  1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper; email addresses will not be published.
  2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
  3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
  4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
  5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
  6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
  7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Archives

Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
Tweets

Polls

Recent Posts

Archives

Logo Jamaica Observer
Breaking news from the premier Jamaican newspaper, the Jamaica Observer. Follow Jamaican news online for free and stay informed on what's happening in the Caribbean
Featured Tags
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Health
  • Auto
  • Business
  • Letters
  • Page2
  • Football
Categories
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Entertainment
  • Page2
Ads
img
Jamaica Observer, © All Rights Reserved
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • RSS Feeds
  • Feedback
  • Privacy Policy
  • Editorial Code of Conduct