A former United States Ambassador to Jamaica Gary Cooper, who had a way of shooting from the hip and telling it like it is, made the observation that in this country we tended to focus more on announcements rather than getting the job done and ultimately spotlighting outcomes, which, in the final analysis, would ensure accountability. Unfortunately, notwithstanding this bold pronouncement, Jamaica has continued to be taken up with announcements and pronouncements.

Incidentally, many citizens, including some of our politicians, whose corns he might have stepped on, dismissed his observation, even suggesting that he was interfering in local issues which are not part of his ambassadorial duties. However, as my dear departed mother would have said, “True word, Mr Ambassador!”

Let’s face it, talk is cheap, and given the high level of Anancyism in this country, where many of our political representatives and leaders have always sought to “sweet mouth” the electorate, Jamaica has been paying a heavy price for this sleight-of-hand approach to governance. And it is not only our parliamentarians and local government representatives who have been found guilty of this despicable form of sophistry. Many public servants are also victims of shooting themselves in the foot as well as setting up themselves for ridicule and contempt because they have “run up their mouths”.

In this vein, as well intentioned as he is, Police Commissioner Major General Antony Anderson must be careful he does not end up being a victim of the “cock mouth kill cock” syndrome. Recently, in an address to his colleagues, he was quoted as saying he and his teams were anticipating “fantastic results” for 2023. On the lawn of the Office of the Commissioner of Police he declared that “it is going to be a good year” for policing in Jamaica.

While we commend him for his optimistic approach, which is more than needed against the backdrop of hundreds of Jamaicans being murdered under his watch, he must be reminded, as my grandmother would say, “Mouth mek fi say anything.”

Of course, the goodly top cop must also bear in mind that, in the public’s eyes, he has not been doing a good job. Public opinion polls have repeatedly revealed that a large percentage of Jamaicans have rated his tenure as an abject failure. In this vein, his latest “lick and promise” pronouncement will be taken with a grain of salt.

Against this backdrop, it is this writer’s hope that his words will come to pass by year end. If not, he should walk, so he had better walk the talk. Every concerned and well-thinking Jamaican wishes the police commissioner well and is hoping and praying that he and his team will help take Jamaica out of the morass of crime in which it has found itself. Needless to say, he needs all hands on deck, including the general citizenry who must see themselves as a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.

In the meantime, Prime Minister Andrew Holness should also seek to be more economical in his utterances. Indeed, there are those who believe that he talks too much at times, saying things that perhaps ought not to be said.

One of the worrying trends that continue to plague officialdom with respect to crime fighting is the perception that too much of the Government’s plans, policies, and strategies as well as those of the police high command are being revealed, which may well enable the criminals to be more proactive rather than reactive.

It has been said that to be forewarned is to be forearmed. These innumerable press conferences need to be revisited as, quite frankly, Mr Prime Minister, they are overkill, which means that after a while many citizens tune out rather tune in. Reminds one of those motorists who flash their lights at incoming vehicles to alert speeding drivers of a police speed trap ahead.

When all is said and done, 2023 must be a year of action. In this context the highly anticipated Vale Royal Talks should not just be another photo opportunity and grand public relations. This is a golden chance for both Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding to bury the proverbial hatchet and emerge from that summit with a national consensus rather than a press release replete with announcements/pronouncements, which, in the final analysis, signify nothing.

That great coming together should also be used to visit the pressing issue of constitutional reform, inclusive of the nation moving full speed ahead to becoming a democratic republic. By the way, isn’t it time we get rid of that somewhat archaic moniker “Opposition leader” and replace it with “minority leader”? This would help lessen the perennial tendency of the party not in power to always oppose, oppose, oppose.

Unfortunately, Jamaica, in true African tradition, tends to be an oral society, so we love to do a great deal of talking and we love when our leaders “talk sweet”, even if “dem a fool wi up”. Then there are the numerous talk shows, talk shops, bar talk, verandah talk, and we could go on. Very few of us read enough or listen, preferring to be talking heads. As a result, hearsay and “suss” are the order of the day, helping to create a society which is akin to the Tower of Babel, made even worse by social media platforms.

It is time to hold our leaders’ feet to the fire. And the advent of 2023 is an opportune time to take the bull by the horns. Action, not a bag o’ mouth!

FAREWELL, AMBASSADOR BERNAL

The late Ambassador Dr Richard L Bernal, at the time of his untimely death, was professor of practice at Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, The University of the West Indies; senior associate, Americas Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies; member, Leaders Council, United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network; and principal research fellow, P J Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy. These are but few of the many outstanding roles he played in Jamaica’s and the wider Caribbean’s development. What a man!

We last communicated in October of last year as he wanted me to use my column to highlight a particular issue dear to his heart. To his credit, he was highly respected and sought after by both PNP and JLP administrations because he was never a political animal. He will be greatly missed and I use this medium to extend sincere condolence to his wife, family, and colleagues. May his soul find everlasting peace.

Lloyd B Smith has been involved full-time in Jamaican media for the past 46 years. He has also served as a Member of Parliament and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. He hails from western Jamaica where he is popularly known as the Governor. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or lbsmith4@gmail.com.