Dennis Minott | Cool little Greenlanders punish big hot Anancy ‘billioneers’

Jamaica, wi facing a serious situation. Look pon how di “cool little Greenlanders” a move to punish di “big hot Anancy ‘billioneers’.” A time now fi wi tek a page outta dem book.

Greenland, a sparsly populated big island way up north, with only ‘bout 57,000 people – barely a drop inna di bucket compared to Jamaica – just pass a law banning foreign and anonymous financial contributions to politics. Think ‘bout dat. Likkle but tallawah, dem serious ‘bout keeping dem democracy clean.

But look pon Jamaica. Weh wi deh? Weh wi a do? Corruption a nyam we out like chi-chi inna dry wood. As Professor Trevor Munroe seh, corruption “has infected public contracting in Jamaica”, so decisions a get made based on financial support for political parties instead of merit. Partisan favours a mash up di sale of public assets and public- sector employment. Is a disgrace!

An is not just di likkle corruption we haffi worry ‘bout. We haffi face up to di “billioneering” COVID – di way ultra-wealthy people and big corporations twist democracy fi suit demself. Dem treat di Government like so-so business transaction, using dem money fi control politics and set up policies dat benefit dem an dem bandulu bredren.

Wi cyan mek no “wannabe Elon Musks” come mash up Jamaica. Wi haffi protect wi democracy from dis creeping economic and political state capture – dis dangerous Brer Anancy “billioneering”.

Transparency in political financing is not no fancy reform business. It is a crucial defence against dese forces of wide-smiling ‘dark’ hombres drinkin expensive French name- brand bottled water. Transparency International seh it help prevent conflicts of interest, state capture, and corruption in public office. Dem recommend digital reporting and disclosure systems, improved oversight, and stronger international cooperation.

EVEN MORE REASON

If likkle Greenlanders can put laws in place to curb political donations and foreign influence, den Jamaica have even more reason to act swiftly. Wi have a bigger electorate, more money passing hands, and a longer history of shady deals under di table. Wi haffi ensure openness and accountability.

Some might seh, “Ah, but Jamaica different. Wi have a vibrant media and civil society.” True, wi have strong voices. But Transparency International warn seh di “ineffectualness of checks and balances on the overwhelming dominance of executive-prime ministerial power” a undermine everything. Di prime minister have too much power, and di whole system weak because of it.

Wi need fi strengthen di institutions dat suppose to fight corruption – di Integrity Commission for the prevention of corruption, di Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, di courts, an di Anti-Narcotics Unit. Dem need independence an resources.

Di media need strengthening, too. Wi haffi repeal di Official Secrets Act an fix di libel laws. Investigative journalism need space to dig deep an expose di corruption so di “billioneers” cyan hide dem dirt.

But dis cyan just be ‘bout laws an institutions. It haffi be ‘bout a change in culture. Wi haffi reject di cynicism, cruelty, an apathy dat corruption breed. Wi haffi demand better from wi leaders and from wiself.

Jamaica is not fi sale. Wi democracy is not a business transaction. Wi haffi stand up against di “big hot Anancy ‘billioneers’” an defend di future fi wi children.

So mi people, mek wi tek inspiration from di “cool little Greenlanders”. Mek wi demand transparency an accountability in political financing. Mek wi punish di “billioneers” who feel seh dem can run tings. Mek wi build a Jamaica where justice an fairness reign supreme – which-so-evah P is in Power or in Shower in di big house!

Dennis Minott, PhD, is the CEO of A-QuEST-FAIR. He is a multilingual green resources specialist, a research physicist, and a modest mathematician who worked in the oil and energy sector. Send feedback to a_quest57@yahoo.com or columns@gleanerjm.com.