Dear Editor,

I am sure that many deserving Jamaicans were recognised Monday morning with national honours, and they are certainly to be congratulated for their contributions to nation-building.

The fact that I found no compulsion to watch the ceremony is really a testimony to the apathy and concern many Jamaicans harbour: The national awards process is tainted by political influence and some recipients are not deserving.

While the system is designed to recognise merit, several instances have prompted public calls for reform to ensure the integrity of the honours. The awards, although open to the public, are dominated by public servants and politicians, and there is speculation that they are used as a reward for political allegiance rather than being based on merit.

Public pressure does influence the award on occasion, as we recall Pastor Merrick “Al” Miller whose award was withdrawn by the Government following public pressure over his criminal convictions and the blunder that brought the prestigious awards process into disrepute.

To maintain public confidence former Governor General Kenneth Hall insisted that a more structured system with clear criteria be adopted and the awards weren’t given solely at the discretion of those making recommendations but rather based on set standards.

Political interference cheapens these awards as they are neither transparent and certainly not totally merit-based. We must find an equitable basis on which to recognise deserving citizens while protecting the prestige of these awards

The inclusion of individuals with tainted records or those facing unresolved questions can undermine the credibility of the awards system, and against this backdrop of unresolved integrity questions and persistent allegations of corruption there is a public sense of unease regarding who is deemed worthy of a national honour. And in its present state it certainly does a disservice to those who are deserving.

Ralston Nunes

ralstonnunes@gmail.com