Letter of the Day | Encourage good governance
Published:Tuesday | September 3, 2024 | 12:06 AM
THE EDITOR, Madam:
I would like to acknowledge and fully support the recent position of the Jamaica Council of Churches (JCC) which called for “Good governance: in pursuit of justice and truth.”
The statement referred to a presentation of the five good governance principles of participation, accountability, transparency, rule of law, and equity by Prof Trevor Munroe.
The Advocates Network, National Integrity Action, Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal, Jamaicans for Justice, Stand up for Jamaica, Jamaica Environment Trust, Eighteen Degrees North and Wake up Jamaica, among other civil society groups, have stood stoutly and spoken consistently and unequivocally in support of these good governance principles.
As indicated by the JCC, I wish to reiterate that good governance can:
1. Increase our understanding and improve the quality of our lives; and
2. Expand broad-based and deep-rooted “public education and citizen participation in our communities, educational institutions, civil society bodies, associations and the church”.
Our national anthem (which is a prayer), penned by the stalwart Methodist minister Rev Dr Hugh Sherlock, in one stroke affirms to us and appeals to God that “Justice, truth be ours forever.”
There is no doubt that our common love for Jamaica is shared by leaders and people of all political allegiances and religious persuasions.
Therefore, we must be both reasonable and responsible and unite around these goals, working together without malice and “true respect for all”, to build the nation we wish to create and give to our children.
We wish to encourage wide discussions on how we can participate in good governance, hold our elected leaders accountable, respect the rule of law, and create a society of transparency and equity. All in the interest of Jamaica – land we love.
ROBERT STEPHENS