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Golding: Tireless defender of the national interest
BY ALLAN BROOKS
Friday, October 21, 2011
SINCE his recent decision to step down as prime minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), one common sentiment has been expressed by persons in the media at home and abroad, and by foes and friends alike -- "Prime Minister Bruce Golding has been a tireless defender of the national interest".
The Economist Magazine in an October 1 article described him as perhaps, "Jamaica's most successful leader in decades".
GOLDING… to resign as prime minister on Sunday
1/5
Speaking with JIS News, former head of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Christopher Zacca, described Golding as a "decent human being and the consummate professional".
On his surprising and sudden announcement of his desire to give up the reins of political power and national leadership, Zacca said that the outgoing prime minister has done "a tremendous job for Jamaica and he should be extremely proud".
Zacca, who currently serves as a senior advisor to Golding, reflected on one of the memorable occasions working alongside the prime minister, when the Government was working on the Jamaica Debt Exchange. "Finance Minister Audley Shaw did great with that but I don't think it is well known that Prime Minister Golding played a very important role in leading the nation through that change," he said.
The former PSOJ boss recalled his lobbying efforts some five years ago with the then Government and the Opposition, at the time headed by Golding, citing his remarkable negotiating skills, "which became evident in the process leading to the successful and historic debt swap".
"In dealing with the multilaterals, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the bankers, senior business people as well as government officials, he commanded a level of credibility and trust, which I think was very important to lead us through that very difficult manoeuvre, which is now world renowned as one of the most successful debt exchanges in history," Zacca told JIS News.
Zacca also reflected on Golding's "concern for people" as well as his keen attention to detail. "Two of the things that struck me were his concern for people all the time and secondly how prepared he always was," he noted.
"I have dealt with chief executives of major companies throughout my career, but as the chief executive (which he really is of the government), he really amazed me how prepared he was on a range of subjects every single day that I interacted with him," he added.
Meanwhile, former chairman of the National Housing Trust (NHT), lawyer and long-time friend and associate of Golding, Howard Mitchell, while concurring with the widely held view that the outgoing prime minister has done his country proud in many respects, told JIS News that "when you are judging Bruce Golding, look at the historical picture and context of his commitment to Jamaica".
Mitchell maintained that given Golding's intellect, experience and drive, he still has much to contribute to national and regional development.
For his part, veteran political commentator, Troy Caine, pointed to Golding's achievements during his relatively brief tenure as prime minister, which included the Jamaica Debt Exchange (JDX), the achievement of economic stability and the lowering of interest rates, the divestment of loss-making state enterprises and the provision of free health care and free education.
In addition, Caine highlighted the outgoing prime minister's ability to communicate effectively. "In spite of whatever shortcomings there might have been in his administration, the fact is that Mr Golding established himself as one of the most articulate leaders that we have ever had," he said.
He refused to accept that Golding's departure from the leadership of party and government means it is 'curtains' for the 64-year-old politician.
Referencing the post leadership career of Jamaican politicians in the recent past, Caine pointed to the continued sterling contribution of former prime minister and Golding's predecessor as JLP leader, Edward Seaga, who is currently a distinguished fellow at the University of the West Indies and chancellor of the University of Technology.
"I don't know yet if it is curtains for Bruce Golding...it might be curtains politically, but certainly not in other areas of public life. We have a lot of our older politicians over the years who have left politics and have contributed tremendously in other areas. Some of our governors general come to mind... Clifford Campbell, Florizel Glasspole and Howard Cooke... and of course Edward Seaga, who left the political trail after 42 years, and has now become an icon in academia," he said.
So, what of a Governor General Bruce Golding or President Bruce Golding?
"Possibly President Bruce Golding. I don't think we will see a Governor-General Bruce Golding...but you can never tell. Some people are hoping against hope that Golding will remain in the political system and perhaps become minister of finance," Caine surmised.
And, did the veteran watcher of people and events in the life of the country's politics, detect relief or remorse in Golding's demeanor after his decision to go?
"He is very calm...he is very cool actually. You would never believe that here is a man who has admitted that this has gotten to him in four years and so he is demitting office. His demeanor doesn't betray anything at all that is going on in his brain. That is the way to go. That is the sign of a great leader," he said.
— JIS
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz1bPDJ8WKT
BY ALLAN BROOKS
Friday, October 21, 2011
SINCE his recent decision to step down as prime minister and leader of the Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), one common sentiment has been expressed by persons in the media at home and abroad, and by foes and friends alike -- "Prime Minister Bruce Golding has been a tireless defender of the national interest".
The Economist Magazine in an October 1 article described him as perhaps, "Jamaica's most successful leader in decades".
GOLDING… to resign as prime minister on Sunday
1/5
Speaking with JIS News, former head of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ), Christopher Zacca, described Golding as a "decent human being and the consummate professional".
On his surprising and sudden announcement of his desire to give up the reins of political power and national leadership, Zacca said that the outgoing prime minister has done "a tremendous job for Jamaica and he should be extremely proud".
Zacca, who currently serves as a senior advisor to Golding, reflected on one of the memorable occasions working alongside the prime minister, when the Government was working on the Jamaica Debt Exchange. "Finance Minister Audley Shaw did great with that but I don't think it is well known that Prime Minister Golding played a very important role in leading the nation through that change," he said.
The former PSOJ boss recalled his lobbying efforts some five years ago with the then Government and the Opposition, at the time headed by Golding, citing his remarkable negotiating skills, "which became evident in the process leading to the successful and historic debt swap".
"In dealing with the multilaterals, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the bankers, senior business people as well as government officials, he commanded a level of credibility and trust, which I think was very important to lead us through that very difficult manoeuvre, which is now world renowned as one of the most successful debt exchanges in history," Zacca told JIS News.
Zacca also reflected on Golding's "concern for people" as well as his keen attention to detail. "Two of the things that struck me were his concern for people all the time and secondly how prepared he always was," he noted.
"I have dealt with chief executives of major companies throughout my career, but as the chief executive (which he really is of the government), he really amazed me how prepared he was on a range of subjects every single day that I interacted with him," he added.
Meanwhile, former chairman of the National Housing Trust (NHT), lawyer and long-time friend and associate of Golding, Howard Mitchell, while concurring with the widely held view that the outgoing prime minister has done his country proud in many respects, told JIS News that "when you are judging Bruce Golding, look at the historical picture and context of his commitment to Jamaica".
Mitchell maintained that given Golding's intellect, experience and drive, he still has much to contribute to national and regional development.
For his part, veteran political commentator, Troy Caine, pointed to Golding's achievements during his relatively brief tenure as prime minister, which included the Jamaica Debt Exchange (JDX), the achievement of economic stability and the lowering of interest rates, the divestment of loss-making state enterprises and the provision of free health care and free education.
In addition, Caine highlighted the outgoing prime minister's ability to communicate effectively. "In spite of whatever shortcomings there might have been in his administration, the fact is that Mr Golding established himself as one of the most articulate leaders that we have ever had," he said.
He refused to accept that Golding's departure from the leadership of party and government means it is 'curtains' for the 64-year-old politician.
Referencing the post leadership career of Jamaican politicians in the recent past, Caine pointed to the continued sterling contribution of former prime minister and Golding's predecessor as JLP leader, Edward Seaga, who is currently a distinguished fellow at the University of the West Indies and chancellor of the University of Technology.
"I don't know yet if it is curtains for Bruce Golding...it might be curtains politically, but certainly not in other areas of public life. We have a lot of our older politicians over the years who have left politics and have contributed tremendously in other areas. Some of our governors general come to mind... Clifford Campbell, Florizel Glasspole and Howard Cooke... and of course Edward Seaga, who left the political trail after 42 years, and has now become an icon in academia," he said.
So, what of a Governor General Bruce Golding or President Bruce Golding?
"Possibly President Bruce Golding. I don't think we will see a Governor-General Bruce Golding...but you can never tell. Some people are hoping against hope that Golding will remain in the political system and perhaps become minister of finance," Caine surmised.
And, did the veteran watcher of people and events in the life of the country's politics, detect relief or remorse in Golding's demeanor after his decision to go?
"He is very calm...he is very cool actually. You would never believe that here is a man who has admitted that this has gotten to him in four years and so he is demitting office. His demeanor doesn't betray anything at all that is going on in his brain. That is the way to go. That is the sign of a great leader," he said.
— JIS
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz1bPDJ8WKT
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