Why are the same people on all state boards?

Dear Editor,

Something is clearly wrong in any society in which that government limits its citizens by the continued use of a select number of people to serve on state boards.

It bears thought that one cannot give of oneself totally if that individual is serving on multiple state boards in addition to having his/her full-time paid job, as is the situation in present-day Jamaica.

As a result of this backward and corrupt practice, we have seen in the past where many citizens handpicked to serve on state boards, or even to head such entities, have done poorly due to the fact that they do not possess the requisite expertise, competence or educational background to undertake such a job. In many circumstances, the country continues to pay dearly for its mismanagement of state resources.

We have not learnt from past mistakes and experiences and, therefore, instead of trying a more inclusive approach to governance and transparency, we continue along the same path.

Are we to believe that the human capital in Jamaica is so narrow that successive governments cannot look outside their political minority to find suitable and willing Jamaicans ready to serve their country?

I shudder to think that, as a society, this is the model we are going to continue with indefinitely as we move towards Vision 2030, which states that Jamaica wants to become the place of choice to live, work, raise families, and do business. I pray that God gives us vision, lest we perish.

Wayne Campbell

waykam@yahoo.com@WayneCamo

Why are the same people on all state boards?

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