By Sashana Small

Copyright jamaica-gleaner

As Dr Andrew Holness is sworn in today for a third consecutive term as prime minister of Jamaica, he is expected to use his inaugural address to recommit to integrity and transparency in his Government and to outline “tangible” ways Jamaicans will benefit from the country’s macroeconomic stability under his new administration.

Development economist Dr Nelson Christian Stokes, speaking with The Gleaner yesterday, said he also believes Holness should adapt a tone of humility in his address, “in recognition that the election was closer than the last time, that there’s a certain amount of disaffection in the populace”.

The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), which Holness heads, was given the mandate by Jamaicans on September 3 to continue with the stewardship of the country’s affairs after it won the general election with a seven-seat majority.

In the 2020 general election, the JLP won by a much larger margin , securing 49 seats compared to the People’s National Party’s 14.

“I do expect him to have a sense of destiny and commitment to finishing the work and delivering the final chapter in his Government’s quest to move from deepening stability to ‘prosperity’, growth and material improvements in the lives of Jamaicans generally,” Stokes continued.

He pointed to the macroeconomic stability achieved under the previous Holness-led administration, citing improvements in the debt-to-GDP ratio, stronger net international reserves, and contained inflation. While stressing the need to preserve these gains, he urged that greater focus should also be placed on translating stability into more tangible improvements in the lives of Jamaicans.

Stokes said he was also expecting Holness to confirm and address tangentially the integrity issues that “he and many in his party face”, in his speech.

“[He could address those issues] by simply saying in that forum that there is a commitment to transparency and integrity, and that they’ll continue to work on that to strengthen the structures and the declarations and those things that support integrity in governance,” he said.

And declaring that Holness’s legacy will not be measured by just proclamation, but by his actions, Danielle Archer, principal director of National Integrity Action, said she expects that Holness will be bold in his third term, not just in words, but in legislative action.

“We need a comprehensive anti-bribery framework that tackles conflict of interest, nepotism, and cronyism head-on. One that has consequences which act as a deterrent and is enforced during his term. This is a moment to redefine legacy, not just by winning elections, but by restoring public trust in political leadership,” she told The Gleaner.

Holness should use his address to speak to all Jamaicans, not just the people who voted for him, she stated. In doing so, Archer said he must demonstrate in deeds that the team he leads has chosen Jamaica by promoting improved governance that is built on accountability and integrity.

“A new page must be turned, with higher standards and measurable timelines for every promise made. Jamaicans deserve more than pronouncements, we deserve a participatory process and a public education campaign that brings civics to every citizen,” she said.

Dr Damian Graham, programme director and lecturer in the Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Technology, and head of its Digital Transformation Unit, said Jamaica is well positioned to transform its human capital. However, he noted gaps in students’ digital literacy that must be addressed.

He told The Gleaner that Holness should outline how the education system will be aligned to close these gaps, and how the Government will further support digital literacy and artificial intelligence programmes in the country’s institutions.

Holness, who hails from Ensom City in St Catherine, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1997. He was appointed education minister in September 2007.

He served as opposition spokesman on land and development from 1999 to 2002, and housing from 2002 to 2005.

This will be Holness’s fourth inauguration as head of government. His first stint lasted for a little more than two months, spanning October 23, 2011 to December 2011.

He holds a master’s degree in development studies, a bachelor’s degree in management studies from The University of the West Indies, and a Doctor of Law and Policy degree from Northeastern University in Boston.

He is expected to identify his Cabinet some time today before the swearing-in of its members, scheduled for Wednesday.

Holness is married to Juliet, incumbent member of parliament for St Andrew East Rural, and the couple has two sons.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com