Some things have gone right and some things have gone wrong under the stewardship of Bruce Golding as prime minister.

The economy stands out as one of the bad areas - beaten, battered and bruised by many factors, chief among them unfriendly global conditions.

Some analysts have suggested that Golding should take full control of the finance ministry from Audley Shaw. Will Golding do it? And will he call a general election?

She spent most of 2008 screaming atop her voice that 'the Driva' was going to crash the bus. Jamaica, she said, was going off course and there was an urgent need for someone with great driving skills at the wheels. Simpson Miller wants the job. She said she knew she would be back at Jamaica House as prime minister, and no doubt she will be watching the court for vindication of her "it's-not-over-yet" statement.

The minister without portfolio in the ministry of finance and the public service had committed just two years to the job in the nation's treasury house. Will he stay on after two years have passed and represent a seat like North West St Andrew.

With an unsavoury stench still emanating from the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), and its acting managing director accused of possible corruption and perjury, Sangster is on tenterhooks. His job at the JUTC might be no more secure than his liberty. It all depends on how the wind of evidence blows.

Rumours have been swirling around that Prime Minister Golding is in search of a national security minister with good public relations skills and that McKenzie, the mayor of Kingston, could land the job. Perhaps only Golding knows, but we could soon find out.

Redemption or rehabilitation? It depends on how the court sees it based on evidence presented. The former state minister in the last People's National Party administration is facing corruption, money laundering and fraud charges arising out of his supervision of the implementation of the Cuban light bulb project. Spencer and his attorneys remain confident the court will find him not guilty.

With the world's economic ship being battered by unfriendly tides, it will be interesting to see if Lee Chin's compulsive taste for acquisition of properties will be tempered in the new year.

The office of the contractor general might be swamped with additional work next year. With Christie being asked to ensure there is probity in the award of government contracts, there is a chance that several public officials might become uncomfortable when his probing spectacles are raised.

With the cries for justice getting louder every time the clock ticks, the director of public prosecutions will be hard pressed to ensure Jamaicans get the feeling that the guilty will not escape conviction and the innocent will walk free from the courthouse. Llewelyn has several high-profile cases before her, both in terms of ruling and trial. It means that her every step will be under the microscope in 2009.

The big 'Mac' is yet to prove himself in any major way since taking over the reins of minister of national security this year. Many analysts believe his ministerial clock may be ticking and his sojourn would soon be over, unless he begins to exude confidence and achieve significant success in the fight against crime.

Already beaten at the polls in the September 2007 general elections, one-time 'Labourite' Abe Dabdoub is fighting tooth and nails for West Portland, which Daryl Vaz wants to keep. Dabdoub seems to prefer a court battle and will be hoping that the Court of Appeal rule in his favour. Should this happen, he might not even sit in the House of Representatives as Prime Minister Bruce Golding has threatened a general election having said he would not allow anyone rejected by the people to represent them.

If Dabdoub loses the appeal to get the seat handed to him he could very well rush to the Privy Council.

Like Dabdoub, Daryl Vaz is fighting hard for West Portland. Having relinquished his American citizenship in order to remain in Parliament, one does not expect that he will just walk away should the Court of Appeal rule against him. And if he keeps his seat, how possible is it that Prime Minister Golding might just reward him with a senior position, especially with some ministers said to be heading to the laundromat?

All eyes will be on the Olympic double-sprint champion Usain Bolt to match his incredible performances at the Beijing Olympics in China this year. Already, fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell and American Tyson Gay are expected to mount major challenges in 2009. The speedster, who set world records to win gold in the 100m in 9.69 seconds and the 200m in 19.30 seconds at the Olympics has the World Championships this year in Berlin, Germany, a stage on which Gay clipped his wings two years ago.

Veronica Campbell, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart have together and individually beaten the best. How far will the fairy tale go? We will have to watch the medal bag and the host of other in-form athletes from the nation's shores to find out.

The commissioner of police has never been short of words; in some case serving up some quotable quotes for the press. But the former army man knows there are no holy cows in the fight against crime and Jamaicans will not hesitate to score his performance as they see it. A tough and lonely road awaits him in 2009. Let's see if the admiral will jump ship or drop anchor.

No need to watch

Who do you think are key people to watch in 2009 who were not included in this article? Send feedback to: editor@gleanerjm.com