Dear Editor,
Corruption is arguably the biggest threat to any country's long-term survival and development. The current scandal plaguing Petrobras, Brazil's State oil company should be a lesson for all of us.
Since the scandal broke, more than 100 politicians, business executives and public figures have been indicted in the o-going corruption case. The corruption took place in the guise of a kickback scheme involving Rolex watches, yachts, helicopters, prostitutes, and money. The State oil company was reportedly overcharged by corrupt officials under a fake competition plan. It is alleged that Brazil's ruling party pocketed over US$200 million, which was then used to finance political campaigns. The scandal has all but destabilised Brazil and has damaged the country's global image.
In Jamaica, we have become too complacent and comfortable with the principles, habits and practices of corruption. Corruption has become and is becoming more acceptable. The society is almost at a point where many of us are unable to differentiate between right from wrong. We need to re-double our efforts to create and nourish a culture of transparency and accountability. The time has come for us to develop a national schools initiative to teach ethics and anti-corruption principles in our schools. We must make every effort to target our young people before they are overtaken by this culture of corruption. Ethics should be introduced as a separate subject in the curriculum. This subject should be mandatory for all students at the secondary level of the education system.
We need to work effortlessly to reverse our culture of a get-rich-quick mentality to save Jamaica. Let us not wait until we have a Brazil's moment of shame and embarrassment before we put our house in order so as to protect Brand Jamaica. It takes a generation to build a country's reputation, but only a minute for it to crumble beyond repair.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
Let's not wait on our Brazil moment to fight corruption
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Corruption is arguably the biggest threat to any country's long-term survival and development. The current scandal plaguing Petrobras, Brazil's State oil company should be a lesson for all of us.
Since the scandal broke, more than 100 politicians, business executives and public figures have been indicted in the o-going corruption case. The corruption took place in the guise of a kickback scheme involving Rolex watches, yachts, helicopters, prostitutes, and money. The State oil company was reportedly overcharged by corrupt officials under a fake competition plan. It is alleged that Brazil's ruling party pocketed over US$200 million, which was then used to finance political campaigns. The scandal has all but destabilised Brazil and has damaged the country's global image.
In Jamaica, we have become too complacent and comfortable with the principles, habits and practices of corruption. Corruption has become and is becoming more acceptable. The society is almost at a point where many of us are unable to differentiate between right from wrong. We need to re-double our efforts to create and nourish a culture of transparency and accountability. The time has come for us to develop a national schools initiative to teach ethics and anti-corruption principles in our schools. We must make every effort to target our young people before they are overtaken by this culture of corruption. Ethics should be introduced as a separate subject in the curriculum. This subject should be mandatory for all students at the secondary level of the education system.
We need to work effortlessly to reverse our culture of a get-rich-quick mentality to save Jamaica. Let us not wait until we have a Brazil's moment of shame and embarrassment before we put our house in order so as to protect Brand Jamaica. It takes a generation to build a country's reputation, but only a minute for it to crumble beyond repair.
Wayne Campbell
waykam@yahoo.com
@WayneCamo
Let's not wait on our Brazil moment to fight corruption
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