Dear Editor,
Open letter to the Prime Minister:
Cabinet reshuffles have the potential to create the impression of a new start; but if meaningful change is not forthcoming, sooner rather than later the image begins to be tarnished instead of being burnished.
A reshuffle, if it is indeed being considered by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, can transform the Government and its operations and so make a qualitative difference to the lives of the citizens.
I would urge the prime minister to appoint a smaller Cabinet, in keeping with the recommendations of the Public Sector Transformation Unit; one which strikes the right balance between experience, expertise and youthfulness.
I make the following recommendations to Mrs Simpson Miller.
* The Office of the Prime Minister should retain portfolio responsibility for development, sports, and information. Lisa Hanna's expertise should be utilised as minister of information.
* Ministry of Tourism and Culture: Tourists come to Jamaica not only for our white sandy beaches and laid-back lifestyle, but to take in our diverse and colourful culture. This ministry has the potential to transform all aspects of our diversity and fully incorporate minority groups into brand Jamaica, attracting tourists from non-traditional markets such as Israel, India, Africa, and the Middle East. Dr Wykeham McNeill should remain as minister.
* Ministry of Transport, Housing and Sustainable Development: This super ministry would focus on the consolidation of all infrastructure functions. Sustainable development would include portfolio responsibility for land, water and climate change This ministry would also focus on affordable housing solutions for lower and middle-income earners. Dr Omar Davis will retain this portfolio with Raymond Pryce as his new junior minister.
* Ministry of National Security: I recommend that the prime minister should appoint, through the Senate, a national security expert, with particular expertise in intelligence, surveillance and crime prevention, to serve as her new security minister.
* Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade: Anthony Hylton should be reassigned to this ministry with Senator Sandrea Falconer as state minister.
* Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Marine Life is self-explanatory. The young and articulate Julian Robinson should head this new super ministry with Ian Hayles as state minister.
* Ministry of Finance and Planning: Dr Peter Phillips and Horace Dalley will retain their respective portfolio responsibilities.
* Ministry of Education and Youth: Rev Ronald Thwaites will remain as minister, while the young Mikael Phillips should be the new junior minister.
* Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce: Peter Bunting, being a successful businessman, should be reassigned to this ministry.
* Ministry of Labour and Social Security: Dr Morais Guy should be reassigned to this ministry.
* Ministry of Health and Environment: Dr Fenton Ferguson should remain as minister.
* Ministry of Energy, Telecommunication and Mining: Phillip Paulwell will retain this portfolio with Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams as his new state minister.
* Ministry of Justice: Senator Mark Golding will remain as minister.
Andrew King
Kingston
abking020@gmail.com
Shuffle the Cabinet, PM
-->
Open letter to the Prime Minister:
Cabinet reshuffles have the potential to create the impression of a new start; but if meaningful change is not forthcoming, sooner rather than later the image begins to be tarnished instead of being burnished.
A reshuffle, if it is indeed being considered by Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, can transform the Government and its operations and so make a qualitative difference to the lives of the citizens.
I would urge the prime minister to appoint a smaller Cabinet, in keeping with the recommendations of the Public Sector Transformation Unit; one which strikes the right balance between experience, expertise and youthfulness.
I make the following recommendations to Mrs Simpson Miller.
* The Office of the Prime Minister should retain portfolio responsibility for development, sports, and information. Lisa Hanna's expertise should be utilised as minister of information.
* Ministry of Tourism and Culture: Tourists come to Jamaica not only for our white sandy beaches and laid-back lifestyle, but to take in our diverse and colourful culture. This ministry has the potential to transform all aspects of our diversity and fully incorporate minority groups into brand Jamaica, attracting tourists from non-traditional markets such as Israel, India, Africa, and the Middle East. Dr Wykeham McNeill should remain as minister.
* Ministry of Transport, Housing and Sustainable Development: This super ministry would focus on the consolidation of all infrastructure functions. Sustainable development would include portfolio responsibility for land, water and climate change This ministry would also focus on affordable housing solutions for lower and middle-income earners. Dr Omar Davis will retain this portfolio with Raymond Pryce as his new junior minister.
* Ministry of National Security: I recommend that the prime minister should appoint, through the Senate, a national security expert, with particular expertise in intelligence, surveillance and crime prevention, to serve as her new security minister.
* Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade: Anthony Hylton should be reassigned to this ministry with Senator Sandrea Falconer as state minister.
* Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Marine Life is self-explanatory. The young and articulate Julian Robinson should head this new super ministry with Ian Hayles as state minister.
* Ministry of Finance and Planning: Dr Peter Phillips and Horace Dalley will retain their respective portfolio responsibilities.
* Ministry of Education and Youth: Rev Ronald Thwaites will remain as minister, while the young Mikael Phillips should be the new junior minister.
* Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce: Peter Bunting, being a successful businessman, should be reassigned to this ministry.
* Ministry of Labour and Social Security: Dr Morais Guy should be reassigned to this ministry.
* Ministry of Health and Environment: Dr Fenton Ferguson should remain as minister.
* Ministry of Energy, Telecommunication and Mining: Phillip Paulwell will retain this portfolio with Sharon Ffolkes-Abrahams as his new state minister.
* Ministry of Justice: Senator Mark Golding will remain as minister.
Andrew King
Kingston
abking020@gmail.com
Shuffle the Cabinet, PM
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