For many Jamaicans, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a bad word. Most of us believe that that the IMF, coupled with terrible management by respective governments, are responsible for the state Jamaica is in.

The devaluation of the Jamaican dollar and the poor state of the economy were said to have been orchestrated by the IMF. There is still a dark cloud of ignorance surrounding the IMF. Back in the 1970s then Prime Minister Michael Manley sought to explain the Jamaican situation with the analogy of 'the farmer and the means of purchasing saltfish'. Many were still left in the dark.

Today, I believe there should have been public forums informing the nation about our options, or lack thereof, and why it became necessary to resume a relationship with the IMF. Public education is very important. The Jamaican people should be made to feel a part of the whole process.

I am, etc.,

NEBERT PRYCE

nebertpryce@yahoo.com