Dear Editor,

I don’t think anyone was shocked by the figures released by the Government for Minister Kamina Johnson Smith’s failed bid for the secretary general post in the Commonwealth of Nations.

As someone commented online, “Disturbing but not surprising”.

It has been reported that $18 million was spent on the campaign and $25 million spent on travel expenses to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda in June. Another $15 million (approximately) came from undisclosed funders (supposedly in Jamaica), which went to Finn Partners, a public relations firm in the USA, which is said to be also used by the Tourist Board to promote Jamaica.

Did they expect tourism revenues to flow from Johnson Smith’s bid? It is said that $US99,000 was paid to the firm, which raises questions. Why wasn’t a local firm used since this was primarily about engaging the 54 Commonwealth members voting at the meeting? We expect Government to support its candidate, but to what extent, particularly for a job which seems to mainly benefit the individual? There would’ve been no kickbacks.

The late bid was also controversial considering a Caribbean national, endorsed by Caricom, had been serving, with two years left to complete the cycle of appointment.

We don’t know how much the incumbent Baroness Patricia Scotland spent campaigning. My understanding is that Scotland funded her own expenses based on a low-key, low-cost campaign, which relied primarily on personal connections to lobby support. There was one reported trip to the Caribbean in her capacity as secretary general, where she held a series of bilateral meetings. I am sure Scotland used the opportunity to lobby support, although Caricom, as a group, had already endorsed her to continue as the candidate from the Caribbean. Jamaica chose to break away from Caricom’s position on the matter, although we supported the endorsement previously.

The other question relates to the large delegation from Jamaica that travelled to Rwanda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where the critical vote was held. Johnson Smith was expected to win and a large delegation was on hand to celebrate.

Jamaica’s Ambassador to the USA Audrey Marks was present, I am not sure what value Marks added. Marks, it is said, was tipped to replace Johnson Smith as minister; therefore, her presence must’ve been symbolic. The prime minister’s wife, Member of Parliament for St Andrew East Rural Juliet Holness, and others were also part of the delegation. I am sure most would not have been there if Johnson Smith’s name was not on the ballot.

Additionally, we cannot ignore the cost to host two influential Commonwealth leaders, the then President of India Ram Nath Kovind and President of Rwanda Paul Kagame. The close timing of these visits to Johnson Smith’s announcement of her candidacy seemed to be connected.

The auditor general might have reasons to probe the campaign expenses, including the payment to the foreign public relations firm. The campaign was triggered by an overzealous team, driven by egos and foreign influences who were convinced that Johnson Smith had this in the bag.

We are not a wealthy country, we must question priorities and be mindful of tactics used to justify unreasonable expenses.

P Chin

chin_p@yahoo.com