What I want in a LEADER
Published:Wednesday | October 5, 2011 | 12:00 AM
The decision of Prime Minister Bruce Golding to call it quits has sparked intense discussions as to his successor. Should it be someone young (as the general populace seems to be advocating) or should it be someone with experience?
I have been deeply thinking about these issues. Jamaica is in a serious state. A little more than 49 years after Independence and we are among the most indebted countries in the world. Unemployment is high, especially among the youth; the crime rate remains high, though murders have declined; and corruption is rife. Many of the current leaders have been around for several years.
Here are some qualities I hope our next prime minister will have.
The call is out for a new, bold, decisive and selfless leader. Who will come forward? Let us hear from them.
Dr Wendel Abel is a consultant psychiatrist and head, Section of Psychiatry, Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, University of the West Indies; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
There are many problems that must be tackled urgently such as squatting, unmanaged vending, reckless driving, smoking of ganja in public and noise disturbances. The old leadership allowed these things to get out of control because they were not prepared to take unpopular decisions that were good for the long-term interest of this country. We need leadership that is prepared to tackle these problems.
1. Vision. We need a leader who has vision to take us out of this
economic state. Unfortunately, the current leaders have failed to create
a vision of a new Jamaica.
2. Ability to inspire. Many of us are hopeless about our lives
and future. We need a leader who can inspire hope. The type of leader
who can encourage the generation of new ideas and inspire our people to
unlock their creative forces.
3. Proven track record. This must be a leader who has shown the
capacity to bring about change at the local level and this should be
obviously based on the programmes he or she has implemented within his
or her constituency. It must also be a leader who has demonstrated that
ability in his or her personal life. Indeed, you cannot lead a people
beyond what you are.
4. Bold. The
garrisons, guns and dons have brought this country to its knees. Far too
many of our politicians had refused to take a stand against the
garrisons. In fact, many of our leaders facilitated the garrison
politics in order to build their political base. The new Jamaica
requires a leader who has rejected the garrison politics, the gunmen and
the gangs.
5. Willing to tackle problems head-on. The country remains in a
state of disorder as the social infrastructure decays and law and order
are challenged each day. I am convinced that we are where we are today
because we are a lawless and unregulated society.
6. Selfless.
We need a selfless leader. The old leadership has been very
self-serving. For too long our political leaders have put party and self
above the country's interest. We need a leader who is prepared to
listen to the voices of our people and be prepared to take hard
decisions and put country above self and party.