- RUDOLPH BROWN/CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Dr. Andre Gordon (right), president of the Jamaica Exporters' Association and vice president Winston Stona, address a press briefing at the Knutsford Court Hotel in New Kingston yesterday.
JAMAICA WILL never achieve sustainable prosperity as long as crime remains out of control and the justice system does not work.
So said Jamaica Exporters Association president Dr. Andre Gordon, who was speaking on Wednesday, March 16 at the launch of Churches Co-operative Credit Union's new tax-free long-term savings account - Prosperity Plus. The launch took place at Churches Credit Union's head offices at the corner of Ripon and Eureka roads.
According to Dr. Gordon, Jamaica is in crisis as far as the crime rate is concerned. He said crime in Jamaica is out of control and the piecemeal approaches being used to fight the scourge will continue to fail. "We need thoughtful, effective and comprehensive action and we need it now," he said.
The JEA president called on government, the opposition and other leadership groups in the country to urgently reassess the priorities and move quickly to deal with the basic issues of poverty and social injustices. Failure to do so, he said, will lead to total anarchy.
ADDRESS ROOT CAUSES
While calling for the police force to be given the tools to be able to do its job properly, he said this was not enough. According to him, Jamaica must seriously address the root causes of crime. "We must stop putting band-aid on the education system and stop the reversion to a system where you can only get a quality education and good health care if you are wealthy enough to afford it," Dr. Gordon said.
Additionally, the JEA president predicted that the creation of real prosperity will remain elusive if most people in the country do not see where they will benefit. And Dr. Gordon called for a national effort to address the problem of poverty and disfranchisement.
"Those of us who have the mantle of leadership in all spheres - such as the Church, private sector, education and politics - must stop the Jamaican habit of finding someone or something else to blame for what is wrong in our society or pass on the responsibility to others. We must step up to the plate and lead not in our interest, but in the national interest," he said.
The Prosperity Plus product is a tax-free, five-year savings plan, which marketing manager for Churches Credit Union, Yvette Nunes, described as "an ideal savings instrument for children's education or retirement." Interest is credited quarterly and the savings are insured.
