[ By J. K. Roberts (Sound Public Policies Advocate); Circulated on Thursday, 29 April 2021 ]

What would appear to be ‘factual, noble and honourable’ pronouncements by the scholarly and professional communities, including eminent regional institutions, must be conceptualized for genuine intent or the strategic agenda and for original initiative or the historic reference. Public fora, lectures and papers can also be for colleagues’ recreation and acclamation, as well as for target audiences including special interest groups and unsuspecting ambitious young people. Generally when there is some sort of challenging or extraordinary phenomenon, or that there is the observance or milestone phase of a phenomenon, persons use their positions and knowledge to postulate on many national issues of developmental thrust.  Unfortunately; most problems and projections are identified and the symptoms are addressed, but without getting to the root of the matter for reasonable solutions and advancements and for taking to task the perpetrators of the sordid conditions.  

It should be rather astounding and disquieting that Grenadian, Dr. Wendy C. Grenade, Senior Lecturer in Political Science at the University of the West indies, Cave Hill Campus, has not explicitly or not even alluded to the issue of ‘corruption, credibility and confidence’ as the major contributing factor in the governance of Grenada, in her article, Towards a Politics for Sustainability, appearing in the online Grenadian Voice newspaper of Friday, 23 April 2012.  Instead of forcefully advocating for integrity in public administration, Grenade chooses to direct her championing efforts on COVID-19 vaccination and even then, without she reiterating the international warnings that the new-normal and the “attendant economic challenges” which this epidemic brings, also provide new avenues for and forms of corruption.  According to the United Nations’ Secretary-General, “…. corruption in the time of COVID-19 has the potential to seriously undermine good governance …. to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals”; https://www.unodc.org/documents/Advocacy-Section/covid-19_corruption_EN.pdf).  

Has there been any call for the “Re-activation of the Grenada Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, where women from across party lines can discuss” and can caused to inspire and support the pertinent voices in the society “to find workable solutions” on the epidemic sexually-abused children, disadvantaged and vulnerable women, vulgarity and immorality regarding the feminine gender, and intimidation and victimization of female public officers (and their families and dependents) such as Mrs. Gemma Bain-Thomas who since around 2014 has been deprived socio-economic justice and sustainability for a decent standard of livelihood; in the same extent and emphasis as the proposed approach for the “the gender implications of COVID-19 and the economy”?  Whilst there would be debates on the constitutional rights of citizens versus the constitutional role of the Government; who has being proving to be ‘in full enjoyment’ from the economy?  Should there be enthusiasm and anxiety to ensure vaccinated workers are programmed for hospitality smiles (mainly young women) to clients and tourists on behalf of foreign-owned businesses; as seemingly  applauded by the powers-that-be for privatization of the Maurice Bishop International Airport”,  https://www.facebook.com/GBNTVGRENADA/posts/241356564399966?

Wasn’t the “well-designed and executed stakeholder engagement framework”, as described in a report by the Ministry of Finance and Energy, which “examines Grenada’s experience with its (‘International Monetary Fund’) IMF-supported Home-Grown Structural Adjustment Program (HGSAP) over the period 2014-2016”, (https://cert-net.com/files/publications/conference/2017/ZannaBarnardGrenada_s_Home Grown_Programme_2014-2016.pdf), a good demonstration of “… a solutions-based approach to political life that requires collective efforts by the whole of society .… transcends narrow partisan interests”? This framework featured and facilitated the signing of a Social Compact in January 2015 by the Government of Grenada with civil society representatives, in the form of a Committee of Social Partners been instituted in March 2013, to signify a “partnership for the sustainable development of the country for the benefit of all citizens …. to ensure a more inclusive approach to governance” (https://www.nowgrenada.com/2015/01/social-compact-signed/). Who or what is responsible that to-date, the people cannot speak of benefit and relief, in return for the genuine sacrifices and austere sufferings with the HGSAP; but have being experiencing tomfoolery, deceit, humiliation and oppression by the authorities?

By contending that “the seriousness of the times calls for new thinking about politics and bold action to engineer change”, is Dr. Grenade also querying the authenticity of, or condemning the process for, Grenada’s National Sustainable Development Plan (NSDP); or does she see that the Plan needs to be adjusted to meet the “myriad challenges .… to navigate the rough waves of the twenty-first century”?  On the other hand; is Grenade sanctioning and thus wooing the diverse demography and sectors in the nation, especially the opposing political forces and the social partners, to buy the ‘Chinese-product Project Grenada’ National Sustainable Development Plan? Is the NSDP really out-of-sync with the attitude of this “politics for sustainability”, when the official working document states that as “the anchor for Grenada’s development agenda and priorities over the period 2020-2035, the Plan provides strategic direction to steer the Tri-island State toward achieving Vision 2035: Grenada, a resilient and prosperous nation, with a conscious and caring citizenry, promoting human dignity, and realizing its full potential through sustainable economic, social, and environmental progress for all …. a Plan for Grenadians by Grenadians”; https://gov.gd/sites/default/files/docs/Documents/others/nsdp-2020-2035.pdf?

Fundamentally; politics should feature the prioritization of sound policies for the prosperity of the people, based on prudent fiscal management and risk analysis of projects, considering unforeseen circumstances including natural disasters and international upheavals and pressures, by the powers-that-be with integrity which cannot be legislated nor be disguised.  Isn’t Grenada’s 1974 Independence Constitution establish the framework and parameters, as well as the spirit and substance for “politics for sustainability”?  “Despite swirling allegations of corruption on him”; who is the testimony and is responsible for the “politics of survivability” in Grenada during the greater part since Independence, to the extent to have “received international recognition as Finance Minister of the Year (‘2017/2018’) for the Caribbean” (https://gov.gd/opm/prime-minister-mitchell-receives-major-award)? In elaborating “for a shift from the politics of survivability to the politics for sustainability”; is Dr. Grenade also confirming that the issue of corruption is of no consequence in “finding common ground to build consensus around large issues of national importance”, especially with the boasted claim that “Grenada has reached a level of economic success that is now the envy of a lot of countries, regionally and internationally.”?

Should Grenada strive “towards a politics for sustainability, (‘as’) a necessary imperative”; but with no concern and regard for integrity in public life, for good governance principles, for value-for-money undertakings, for constitutional provisions and for established institutions and customs?   Would this aspiration rescue Grenada’s democratic sovereignty; resolve its public debts; restore its national assets; reconcile gruesome abuses; reveal parliamentary bills enacted, especially transactional types such as on the Citizenship By Investment programme, as well as diplomatic agreements signed; and return or result in prosperity for its masses? Should there really be compromises for mediocrity, substandard requirements and expediency in the interest of the privileged few; but creating illusions and recurring predicaments for the majority of the people, with unending cost on the nation?

In a comparable vein about Grenada approaching fifty years as an independent state, political analyst, Mr. William Joseph seems to present a more pragmatic and plausible perspective.  Via his “The Patriotic Vine” writings, Joseph signals for “a change of model (thinking, attitudes, priorities, beliefs, relationships)” based on a “‘New Age Politics’ for building ‘The New Future’ for the Grenadian people”.  He tries to relate the glaring shortcomings, follies, nepotism and malfeasance of the government, looking into the “rear-view mirror”, and then rightly recommending (or rather reminding of, re-directing to, or re-focusing on) the Bible, the National Anthem and the Constitution as the main sources for shaping and giving substance to this philosophy; https://www.thenewtodaygrenada.com/commentary/the-patriotic-vinesecond-letter-to-the-ndc-hierarchy/#.

If it is not pompousness and wickedness, then it may be because of shortsightedness and recklessness that the leaders of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within the Caribbean Community (Caricom) are ‘hypocritically oblivious’ of the natural “constancy of uncertainty, and the persistence and intensity of risks and threats”, when at the same time they draw tremendous money for development resilience thrust such as on Climate Change.  The emotional expressions by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, in grapping-with the 2021 La Soufriére volcanic eruptions, should be instructive beyond his reason, “ …. I regret — well not sorry. I regret that I well up in tears when I think of the goodness of the heart of our people and the heart of our Caribbean brothers and sisters,”; https://www.loopnewscaribbean.com/content/gonsalves-wept-st-vincent-pm-overwhelmed-support-volcano-erupts.   Does it have to take a catastrophe or a pending catastrophe (social, economic, political, military, or any other) for politicians to resort to, or to realize, the “good Samaritan” nature of the people and their religious faith?   ‘Spiritual introspection and serious reflection’ is critical to realize also, that it is this humane solidarity nature which is being always corrupted and contaminated for hatred, strife and division, by the politicians with much pleasure and merriment.   This ‘incomprehensible and indescribable and unconscionable’ practice is the case, even on the basis of an individual’s struggle to survive and to sustain his / her wellbeing; as Jamaican and international Reggae Star, Mr. Bob Marley, puts it, “…. Through political strategy …. They keep us hungry .… And when you gonna get some food …. Your brother got to be your enemy …. “ (Ambush In The Night Lyrics).

Only the truth and openness, by the Grace of God Almighty, can set us free, Towards a Politics for Sustainability.