One way is to ensure that as of now, critical policies and programmes are enhanced by the genuine participation of those who will be impacted by them. Hence the views of those who will be impacted are taken into account and the process is enriched as those involved share in the ownership. It becomes theirs and so they protect it and ensure its sustainability.

But good governance demands much more than this. It demands for example, institutions that are effective and user-friendly. It demands a bureaucracy that is lean, mean and efficient, and that most of all, - recognises that it is being paid to service the women, men and children of this country. No country can have effective governance with an inefficient bureaucracy that is simply 'muddling through' rather than being proactive and committed to simply getting things done.

Effective governance is a critical part of the developmental process and has to begin with the motivation and inspiration of a people who no longer see themselves as change agents. Second, we have to be innovative in creating the kind of institutions that allow for accountability and transparency and the necessary sanctions. Thirdly, these institutions must be based on behavioural ethics and standards that demand the highest levels of integrity from our people. These ethical standards must imbue everything we say and do. When was the last time you checked out your ethical standards?

These are some of the elements that have to be taken into account when we talk about 'balancing macroeconomic stability with people's lives' - as Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller puts it.

Stop Abusing Public Funds

The recent report on the Sandals Whitehouse project by the Contractor General raises more questions than answers. Perhaps the forensic audit that is to come will have some of these answers. Mismanagement and cost overruns benefit only a few. The overall abuse of public funds must stop. We have to begin at the top and work our way down this vicious cycle of immorality and abuse wherever it exists. We have to stop the collusion. We have to stop treating taxpayers money with such scant regard. We have to dare to put sanctions in place and enforce the rules to ensure that waste does not occur.

We need to look at countries with good governance so we can see what they are doing and use them as role models. In the meantime, there are many attempts here in Jamaica to live from a position of integrity. Let us join those who are already engaged in this process and do whatever we can to clean up Jamaica.