The system vs the people

By Leslie McLean, Freelance Writer

CLAREMONT:

PRESIDENT OF the Jamaica Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Anthony Chang is of the view that young people don't trust the system, including the Chamber of Commerce, political directorate, public and private sector and there was a high degree of cynicism in the country.

Mr. Chang was the guest speaker at the annual general meeting of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce at Almond Tree Restaurant on Thursday.

Looking at the events in Western Kingston "the last couple of weeks, he regarded it as difficult for Jamaica and added "I can't understand why we have a country like ours, we shoot ourselves in the foot and possible the head. We are citizens and people whether we are PNP or JLP".

The Chamber president noted that when he heard on Saturday July 7 what was happening he was in tears and wondered if "the country we love, this was the society we wanted, hence the need to think hard".

He pointed out that his colleagues in the private sector were working hard in difficult times but opportunity would be deprived out of crisis if there was real national vision.

Asking the question, Where will your children be 20 years from now, he implore his audience to get involved in real national issues to move things forward.

He said "it is time we start look at how the system work and look at solutions". He suggested things like term limit to build trust and confidence in institutions.

Credibility

Declaring that it was all about credibility, Mr. Chang said "I am not perfect, we need to be open and honest, it is time we demand credibility, accountability, honesty and openness from our leaders and in so doing transfer love into credibility." Your vibrant Chamber can help to move the country forward.

Noting that there were some positives in terms of signs of economic development, inflation rate being down, improved foreign exchange earnings, money supply under control, improved net international reserve and interest rate threading down, Mr. Chang noted that the basic unit of any country and society needed to be developed i.e. people and individual.

Mr. Andrew Grant was elected president of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce for the 2001/02 year with Mrs. Claire Williamson first vice president, Mrs. Pauline Haughton second vice president, Dr. John McDowell company secretary and Mrs. Eva Myers and Joe Issa honorary directors.

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