Moontown

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (BGIS) — Health leaders across the CARICOM region have been urged to take proactive and innovative steps towards achieving developmental goals, amid challenging economic times.

Caribbean Programme Coordinator with the PAHO-CPC office, Bernadette Theodore-Gandi; Principal Adviser on Health Inequalities for the Department of Health for England, Maggie Davies and Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, at the meeting on “Building Health Leadership for the CARICOM Region” (BGIS photo)

This plea came Friday from Barbados’ Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, as he addressed regional delegates meeting here on “Building Health Leadership for the CARICOM Region”, at the headquarters of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO).

Inniss said: “Our dynamic world scene demands that we are always equipped with the tools to accomplish our goals, despite our situations. The health system of the 21st century is confronting new challenges to achieve national and international health goals in an increasingly global marketplace.

“An increase in our disease burden and limited resources in a challenging economy, call for health leaders to take proactive and innovative initiatives to achieve our developmental goals.”

The Minister listed some of the demands on the health system and the economy as including “the right to healthcare, the introduction of new technologies, the opening of our borders to trade, the growing migration of populations and the expansion of regional and sub-regional integration processes.”

He stressed: “This calls for us as health leaders to act across sectors to formulate and implement actions to achieve balance between economic growth and social development. Consideration must also be given to our bilateral, sub-regional, regional and global treaties and agreements.”

Referring to our local situation, Mr. Inniss told delegates that Barbados was confronted by challenges that required strong public health leadership, including the rise in the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital between member countries.

And, he declared: “The dynamics of this phenomenon give rise to the need to ensure equity in access and quality of services, the greatest value for our health dollar, the development of coordinated social financing mechanisms and the need to secure competitive human capital.”

It was also pointed out that Barbados was addressing these issues through partnerships with the PAHO, the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Caribbean Health Leadership Institute and Alumni Network to develop its leadership capacity.

Inniss explained: “The Diploma and Masters in Health Services Management, Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Public Health at the UWI, Leadership for change for Nurses, and Leaders in International Health Programme offered through PAHO, all set the foundation for Barbados to develop a strong cadre of professionals to lead our health sector. This will not be an overnight or short term process but can be achievable through forums such as this.”

The two-day workshop will see delegates sharing information and experiences on ongoing work in health leadership development and presenting findings from the assessment of such leadership.

Edwin Carrington, CARICOM Secretary General

The Secretariat reviewed its accomplishments for the year with the regional media on Thursday morning (December 10), through a video conferencing session at the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Carrington said that these developments in Jamaica, together with similar positive energies and indications from another three member states, were clear indicators of the integrity and strength of the regional integration process. He says this augurs well for the future of CARICOM.

Carrington also pointed to progress in other areas including: simplification of the CSME (CARICOM Single Market and Economy) certification process; finalisation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union and development of mechanisms for implementation; engagement of over 7,000 youths towards finalisation of the Commission on Youth Development; and resounding commitments toward climate change mitigation.

The Secretary-General pointed to the fact that several member states abandoned the Privy Council decades ago, with sound jurisprudential success to show for the decision.

He reiterated the Secretariat’s unequivocal confidence in the qualification and integrity of the judicial bench of the CCJ, as well as the existing mechanisms that guarantee the financial sustainability of the Court and its insulation from political and other interferences.

In October, Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, met with members of a bipartisan parliamentary committee to discuss re-examining the country’s position on the CCJ as a final appellate court.

Golding told the House of Representatives on October 13, that when the issue of the CCJ was first raised in Jamaica, there were significant weaknesses in the appointment of the judges, as well as in its financing.

He admitted that those issues have since been addressed with the appointment of a regional judicial services commission to appoint the judges, and the establishment of a trust fund to finance the court. But, Golding added, there were other issues that his Administration needed to examine prior to making a final decision.

However, he noted that while the British Government has, in the past, said that the Privy Council is available to Jamaica as long as it is needed, it should not be presumed that it will be permanently available.

“I am not unmindful that we must have a final court that is secure, that we know will be available to us next week and next year and ten years time,” the Prime Minister advised Parliament.

“Indeed, the Privy Council has indicated to us that, in dealing with applications from Jamaica, they would like to come to Jamaica and have those sittings here. But, we must not presume that this is a facility that will be available forever, because Governments change and Governments may even change positions that they have taken and, therefore, it is something that we are prepared to review,” he explained.

The Jamaican Government and Opposition have agreed to support a constitutional change to circumvent the five-year stricture on hanging convicts, imposed by the Privy Council in its 1993 ruling in the Pratt and Morgan case. This will predictably lead to Jamaica severing ties with the Privy Council in England possibly in 2010.

The CCJ was created in 2005 as the supreme judicial organ in the Caribbean Community. In its original jurisdiction it ensures uniform interpretation and application of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, thereby underpinning and advancing the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

As the final court of appeal for member states of the Caribbean Community it fosters the development of an indigenous Caribbean jurisprudence but, although all 15 Member States of the Community have accepted the court in its original jurisdiction, only Barbados and Guyana have adopted it as their final court of appeal.

According to a statement from Government House “a large pyroclastic flow at 06:40 am on the morning of the 10th December went beyond the trigger point at Lees yard and reached the west end of Lees Village, leading towards the top of Belham Valley.

Soufriere Hills Volcano

“The Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) is no longer in a position to give residents of ZONE B sufficient warning of activity during hours of darkness,” states the release.

Zone B covers Iles Bay, Belham, Waterworks, parts of Old Towne, and lower part of Happy Hill.

“Residents in Zone B will therefore, be restricted to daytime access only from Thursday 10 December. Zone B will be open from 06:30 to 17:30 daily. The Disaster Management Co-ordination Agency (DMCA) have opened shelters in Pasture Piece for those persons requiring overnight accommodation.

“Persons who are uncertain of whether or not they reside in Zone B should contact the DMCA at telephone 491-7166 for clarification/confirmation. Large scale maps delineating the zones are displayed at the Salem Police Station, Wilsons Bar in Salem, Rams Emdee Supermarket, Government Headquarters adjacent to the free internet kiosk, in the entrance foyer of the Governor’s Office and as the Seaport and John A. Osborne Airport.

“The MVO will continue to review levels of volcanic activity on a regular basis. Everyone is urged to tune into Radio Montserrat (ZJB) on 88.3 or 95.5 FM for further updates or they can visit the MVO website at www.mvo.ms,” says the statement. (Caribnet)

Minister with responsibility for Information, Daryl Vaz. JIS Photo

Vaz was responding to a report that claimed that the government might be moving to establish a licensing regime for journalists. Both the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) and the Media Association Jamaica (MAJ) have expressed their strong opposition to such a move.

Vaz noted that the government through the Broadcasting Commission has always had the responsibility for regulating the electronic media. However, this has traditionally been undertaken in an atmosphere of mutual understanding with both parties meeting to establish a framework for operations, Vaz emphasised.

Beyond this form of regulation, the minister reiterated that there is no plan or intention on the part of the government to licence journalists. (Caribnet)

Despite repeated assertions that he respects the independence of the judiciary and the media, and that he has no dictatorial or even presidential or monarchical ambitions, Prime Minister Patrick Manning is now widely perceived as hubristic and driven by egomanic ambition to be a statesman of international significance. When asked whether Mr Manning secretly desires to control the media, 59 per cent said yes, while 24 per cent said no. Seventeen per cent were unable to say.

When asked whether he was seeking to control the judiciary, 60 per cent said yes, 22 per cent said no, and 16 per cent could not say. As to whether he had dictatorial ambitions, 62 per cent said yes, 23 per cent said no, and 11 per cent were unable to say.

Mr Manning may have calculated that hosting two national summits would have burnished his national image and his international reputation.

It would seem that it has had a reverse impact. Fifty per cent considered the two summits to be a waste of time and money. Only 12 per cent believe that the exercises would benefit Trinidad and Tobago significantly. Thirty-two per cent believed there would be some benefit, but not a great deal.

Views were more positive about the National Academy for the Performing Arts which Mr Manning described as a ’masterpiece’ and a world class facility of which he was extremely proud. Fifty-five per cent of those interviewed shared his views about the NAPA. Twenty-eight per cent declared themselves ’very favourable’ to the structure, while 39 per cent held ’favourable’ views about it. Five per cent were decidedly apoplectic, while another 13 per cent were not at all in favour of it. They regard the Academy as an exotic plant that was not ’rooted in their Caribbean bellies;’ some found it too dominant and out of place in the Savannah landscape.

Given all the negative assessments, it came as no surprise that an overwhelming majority of citizens have come to the conclusion that Mr Manning has lost the mandate of heaven and that he should leave the political stage when his current term of office expires.

When asked whether he should, 42 per cent felt ’strongly’ that he should do so, while another 31 felt it was in fact time to go, an astonishing aggregate of 73 per cent.

Thirteen per cent disagreed, and six per cent did so strongly, an aggregate of 19 per cent. Six per cent had no opinion on the matter and two per cent refused to say. Mr Manning should factor such declared opinions in the calculations he is currently making as to whether he should call a snap election. The Greek drama is meandering to its ordained conclusion. Nemesis is catching up with Hubris. (Trinidad Express)

Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are not at all satisfied with the manner in which their country is being run by the Manning administration.

The level of public approval is shockingly low, notwithstanding the fact that fieldwork for the survey was conducted during the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) when activities were undertaken which should have boosted the image of the Prime Minister and his regime.

Eighty per cent of the sample said they were dissatisfied with the manner in which the country was being managed.

Thirty-five per cent were ’very dissatisfied’ while 45 per cent were ’dissatisfied.’ Only four per cent were ’very satisfied’ and 12 per cent were ’satisfied,’ an aggregate of 16 per cent. This figure was seven points lower than what was recorded in our November 2008 Survey when 23 per cent of the sample said they were satisfied.

Four per cent could not make up their minds as to whether they were satisfied or dissatisfied. Surveys conducted by other agencies show similar evidence of disenchantment.

Not surprisingly, more Indo-Trinidadians reported that they were dissatisfied with Manning’s performance than Afro-Trinidadians.

Eighty-seven per cent of them were disenchanted compared to 76 per cent of the latter. Unhappiness is ubiquitous and felt across the board.

Citizens were also of the view that the Government was squandering public money. As many as 76 per cent averred that government was frittering away tax payers money which could be more productively used. Eighteen per cent ’disagreed’ and five per cent could not say for sure.

More Indo-Trinidadians (85 per cent) complained about waste than did Afro-Trinidadians (69 per cent).

Notwithstanding all the social support programmes and policies that have been put in place as part of Government’s 20-20 vision, many Trinidadians say they are worse off today than they were in October 2007 when the government was returned to power. Forty-four per cent report that they are ’worse off’ or ’much worse off;’ 39 per cent however say that their circumstances are the ’same.’ Only 17 per cent said they were ’better off’ or ’much better off.’ Twice as many Indo-Trinidadians (62 per cent) perceived themselves as being worse off than did Afro-Trinidadians (31 per cent). (Trinidad Express)

by Anna Ramdass aramdass@trinidadexpress.com

Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday said yesterday history is in the making as the United National Congress’ internal elections nears.

Panday, in a telephone interview, was commenting on the decision by Siparia MP Kamla Persad-Bissessar to challenge him for the party’s leadership on January 24.

’First of all, I want to say that when we introduced a constitution in this party, we wanted this party to be the most democratic party in the Western hemisphere’ said Panday.

’And in the constitution, it says that any person who is in good standing in the party is entitled to contest any post in the party; we have achieved our goal, that’s what’s happening, that’s all,’ he said.

’I feel very proud to know that I introduced a constitution which allows people, any person in good standing to go up for elections. I am supremely proud of that achievement,’ he said.

He added: ’What I feel proud of is that in the UNC, as opposed to the COP or the PNM, anybody can contest any post they wish. Have you ever seen internal election in a political party attract so much attention as ours?

’Do you remember how Mr Dookeran was elected? Do you remember how Manning was elected? We have created history by instituting a new political system, that’s what we’re doing’.

Panday will be spending Christmas with his family in London, England. He says, however, when he returns, he will be campaigning aggressively.

’I must go to the person, that’s my duty that’s what the whole process of democracy is all about,’ he said. (Trinidad Express)

Several major findings emerge from this annual survey of public opinion as it relates to governance. Perhaps the most significant, though perhaps not the most surprising finding, was that both the People’s National Movement and the United National Congress are imploding, if we measure that development by the public standing of their political leaders.

Both Mr Manning and Mr Panday seem locked in a ’race to the bottom’. Mr Manning’s performance as Prime Minister is given a positive rating by a mere 16 per cent of the adult population. Eighty per cent turned their thumbs down, and seem minded to consign him to Paradise Cemetery in San Fernando. Seventy-two per cent believe that he should leave the political stage when his term of office comes to an end in 2012.

Mr Panday has also achieved ’lame duck’ status and will lose the intra party election if the elections are fairly conducted. Mr Panday is also running behind Mr Rowley, Mr Dookeran, Mr Manning and Mrs Bissessar in the Prime Ministerial Stakes, if victory was decided on the basis of leadership popularity. The support given to the four were Rowley, 20 per cent, Dookeran, 17 per cent, Bissessar, 13 per cent, Manning 14 per cent.

If we look at preference for parties as opposed to leaders, the PNM is ahead with 23 per cent, a coalition of opposition sources with Panday included in it, 11 per cent, a coalition of opposition parties with Panday excluded from it, 29 per cent. If the opposition parties are disaggregated, the UNC has the support of six per cent of the population, and the COP 14 per cent. As many as 27 per cent however say that they would not vote, while ten per cent refuse to say what they would do. The situation is very fluid and the electorate is confused.

Another clear finding of the survey is the extent to which Mr Rowley has surpassed Mr Manning as the most widely supported Afro-Trinidadian political figure.

When placed in a ’one-on-one battle’ with Mr Manning, the latter is trumped 41-17 per cent. When all potential candidates are all put within the starting gates, Mr Rowley leads the pack with 20 per cent, with Mr Manning far behind, with 14 per cent.

Even when the results are looked at through ethnic lenses, Mr Rowley trumps Mr Manning. Mr Manning has an Afro-Indo 22-6 split while Mr Rowley has an Afro-Indo 33 to six split. No wonder Mr Manning is trying to find ways to politically disable Mr Rowley.

Other findings are that an overwhelming majority believe that the Government is a spendthrift; few expect any significant benefits to accrue from the hosting of the two summits (12 per cent); a majority believe that the government is intent on controlling the media (59 per cent), the judiciary (60 per cent), and that the Prime Minister has ambitions to create a presidential monarchy (63 per cent).

There is also overwhelming opposition to the rapid rail project (70 per cent) and the aluminium smelter (66 per cent). A majority however report a favourable attitude to the National Centre for the Performing Arts (67 per cent).

Turning to the Uff Commission and UDeCoTT, the principal finding is that Mr Manning’s image has been badly tarnished.

Forty-four per cent said that their view of him had changed for the worse as a result of how he handled the fall out from the Enquiry.

There is also widespread belief that there was rampant and widespread corruption in the award of contracts for the construction of various mega projects, and that key bureaucrats and political figures appear to have been compromised, wittingly or unwittingly.

Given these perceptions, it is not surprising that a majority of citizens either do not expect the report to be made public, or if it is, it would only be after it has been sanitised and redacted.

In the final analysis, what he have here is a regime which is neither respected nor trusted by many.

There is a legitimacy deficit which will affect it whether it cynically fast forwards the next elections, or whether it limps on for the next few years. Nemisis might indeed be overtaking Hubris as was previously foretold. (Trinidad Express)