- FileWhen thousands of Jamaicans celebrated Independence in 1962 in downtown Kingston they had high hopes and expectations for the country's future.
Webster Edwards, Contributor
WE HAVE muffed a golden opportunity of making a success of our Independence thus demonstrating to the world that as a people we have come of age.
There can be no doubt that our politicians, from whom so much was expected, have failed miserably and have instead taken us on an odyssey from prosperity to near adversity.
Over the past 38 years Jamaicans have experienced a drastic reduction in the quality of life and have plummeted from a high point, where we instinctively felt that we could literally move the world, to one where we are now literally grappling in the dark. For make no mistake, we have been so battered by the miscalculations of succeeding Govern-ments that the current mood is one of pessimism as it is becoming extremely difficult to keep hope alive.
One must, however, be fair and admit that there have been the high moments, few though they were, when we have stood tall dominating the world like a colossus in statesmanship, the arts, culture and sports; times when we have given the world, if but a fleeting glance of a hidden potential, just waiting to be creatively realised.
Jamaica ranked first
Thirty years ago, Jamaica ranked first among all developing countries using developmental indicators initiated by the United Nations Development Programme. This index examined life expectancy, per capita income, educational attainment etc. We were then way ahead of countries like Singapore, Costa Rica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago. Singapore now considered as an economic marvel of successful development, then looked upon Jamaica as a model to be emulated, and many were the pilgrimages made here to observe what was then considered to be a modern miracle at work.
But this ranking has reversed dramatically over the years as Singapore now has a per capita income of over US$20,000 per year, Barbados US$7,000 with Jamaica trailing even the smaller countries of the Caribbean with a per capita income of only US$1,500. At current projection, it is going to take us at least another five years, that is, with some luck in getting our economy back on track, to reach the standard of living presently enjoyed by the people of Barbados.
Barbados has successfully produced a labour force that is skilled, well-educated and motivated. According to a recent United Nations Development Index, Barbados has a very high ranking in terms of quality of life among 160 developing countries, way ahead of such countries as Spain, Italy and Ireland.
The Cayman Islands, once a dependency of Jamaica, now have a per capita income of US$28,000 per year surpassing that of the United States of America. They now employ workers from Europe as employees in their upscale hotels. There was a time when the Cayman Islands were dependent on Jamaica for almost everything, when their aspirations for advancement were uniquely Jamaican. Many of their students came here for secondary education, and very little economic activity apart from fishing occurred in that country.
Today the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction, as we are now knocking at their doors, seeking opportunities to serve as servants at their tables. And they are making no pretense at demonstrating, that in many instances, Jamaicans have become an unbearable nuisance to the well-being and safety of their country.
Dramatic regression
Among the countries of the Caribbean with the exception of Haiti and the Dominican Republic we are now at the bottom of the table. It cannot be doubted that Jamaica is one of only a few countries of the world, blessed with an abundance of natural resources, not at war, nor experiencing any continuing major catastrophe which has regressed so dramatically over such a relatively short period of time.
Our currency, once 90 cents to the United States dollar, has reversed in value now requiring some J$42.00 to purchase one U.S. dollar.
We have also plummeted in the mire of crime and violence, becoming in the process one of the most violent countries in this part of the world. In 1962 the year of our independence, we had only 63 murders. In 1999 we had a total of 832 and judging from the present trend we will not be far from that figure at the end of the present year.
Any objective assessment of the economy will reveal great cause for alarm despite some positives, and the optimism repeatedly articulated by Finance Minister Dr. Omar Davies. The fiscal deficit on this year's budget is as frightening as it is scandalous. Bringing the accounts back into balance is as prudent as it is urgent.
The economy, crime, transport, despite significant improvements by Minister Dr. Peter Phillips, all key indicators continue to be in disarray. Our entrepreneurs who have always been regarded as the driving force behind the country's productivity are moribund in the current economic climate.
Our young people having fulfilled the desired educational requirements are finding it almost impossible to obtain employment. Our inner city can be likened to a time bomb just waiting for the slightest opportunity to erupt into turmoil.
All is not lost
As we celebrate the 38th anniversary of the granting of Independence, it is a time not just simply for festivity but also for retrospection, time to honestly ask ourselves whether we have been good stewards of the confidence which a once proud and expectant people had reposed in this nation.
There can be no doubt that we have squandered a golden opportunity, but all is not lost. We can in the words of that well known song "pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and start all over again". One thing is certain, it is not going to be easy, for in the interim, the world has changed dramatically and there are fewer opportunities for success.
We can nevertheless begin by establishing visions which are purposeful, laying a foundation which is solid and in the process institute priorities which are prudent.
Webster Edwards is the executive director of Operation Friendship.
