Will God smile on Jamaica for the next 50 years?

Jimmy Lamont, Contributor

IN MY opinion, God basically does two things to man: smile or frown. In celebrating 50 years of Independence, I knew God's smile brought blessings. The economy was good. The Jamaica Industrial Development Corporation, where I was staff photographer, promoted industries islandwide offering industrial incentives provided by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Industrial zones were established - the larger one in Kingston.

I was covering an industrial tour with Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew in the 1960s when, on seeing the industries bubbling, he told Robert Lightbourne, the then minister of trade and industry, that this is what his country needed

In later years, good things came on stream. The National Housing Trust, the HEART Trust/NTA, Highway 2000, to name a few. Much more could have been done. We need to pay more attention to evaluation and constant monitoring. We have acres of idle lands and thousands of idle hands and can't feed ourselves. Jamaica is the land of wood and water, yet we still suffer from annual drought. Regularly injustice comes to the fore. Alleged corruption is rampant. Do you think God is still smiling with Jamaica?

Evaluation strategy

The evaluation of the first 50 years was between the Jamaica Labour Party and the People's National Party where the mindset was 'me, the party, the people'. I am recommending a comprehensive evaluation strategy for the beginning of the next 50 years. Put the system under the microscope even when it is working good. The re-evaluation might very well show areas for improvement. For optimum results, this evaluation team would consist of all stakeholders who would brainstorm in the sole interest of Jamaica.

The reverend Al Miller had a repeated broadcast on TVJ naming appropriate decrees that I have never ever heard coming out of the mouth of any politician. I hope they heard it, and move accordingly, humbly remembering that they are not 'MP', meaning Masters of the People, but rather 'SP' — Servants of the People.

Jamaicans not only talk with their mouths, but with their pens too. Look/listen to the words of our national anthem, the national pledge, the theme song for the justice programming on Power 106, compared to what is happening. God must be frowning. For the God of love to smile some more again on Jamaica, we need to walk the talk, the lyrics of those songs.

As drastic as it may be, we have to stop or reduce the import of rice. Create incentives for the farmers to produce more. There are two sets of unemployed —the one with freedom and one without. Tap into that. The ones with freedom could take up the farming incentive. The incarcerated one, depending on the nature of his crime and ability, could probably work at half the wages when one is on leave.

Free the weed

According to Drs Henry Lowe and Manley West, et al, there are medicinal values in ganja and many other plants in Jamaica, as well as mineral baths that can contribute to health and economy. This is another area that needs comprehensive evaluation. The good God allows ganja to grow here that can take us out of our International Monetary Fund enslavement, yet the authorities choose to burn it and send people to prison for using it while the country chokes with debts.

Even if the national prayer breakfast date has to be changed, I would welcome symbolic commitment from all our politicians. Just as how the sheriff throws down his gun, symbolising peace, I would like to see the orange and green that has divided Jamaica going up in smoke and a new dawn for Jamaica's second 50 years of Independence, putting country first, restoring hope - no matter what.

In evaluating Jamaica's progress for 50 years of Independence, the stop-and-start syndrome has been evident. Shift the loyalty from the party to the country. Follow the politician only when he/she is right, not until you die. The leaders for 2013 onward must focus on Jamaica's spiritual, educational, social and economical development. That will strengthen as the years roll by.

Jimmy Lamont is a retired photo/film journalist. Email comments to columns@gleanerjm.com.