Consistent with the centuries-old
debate that good means more than just kindness, philanthropist and Eucharistic
Minister Joe Issa wants more goodies for Jamaica in the coming year, citing what
he calls the elusive trio – peace, love and prosperity.
“Despite the good
we experience especially at this time of year, I think the country needs more than
that…Jamaica has gone through trials and tribulations for far too long. We need
to reverse that trend and bring back the peace, love and prosperity which have
eluded the nation for decades,” says Issa who, in just 21 years has grown his
Cool brand from one to over 50 companies.
Stating that it’s not
enough to be kind just during the festive season, Issa argues that it must be
sustained throughout the year, saying in addition, that they must be exercised
with compassion, while extolling the Godly rewards.
“Goodness
cannot be exercised at our convenience, when we are hyped by occasions or when
we feel good, and when we do good, it must be done with compassion, as the good
book says ‘goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life,’”
says the devout Roman Catholic.
He adds: “We need to be
more sympathetic to the plight of people…more understanding of their feelings
and more receptive to their views. If we are more at peace with one another and
show more love all categories of crime will decline…What’s left is for the
country to become more prosperous.”
A
former President of the St. Ann Chamber of Commerce and therefore, not a stranger
to policy issues, Issa notes that some of his concerns are currently being
addressed and results already being seen.
With formal qualification
in dispute resolution and a frequent advocate of community solutions to national
problems, Issa praised the work of the ministries of national security and
justice in involving communities in the fight against crime and violence,
stating, “We must return to the peace and loving country Jamaica once was.”
As for prosperity, Issa referenced
recent policy measures undertaken by the government to improve the income of
workers directly, such as tax relief, a pension for tourism workers and an
improved national pension delivery structure.
He adds: “The prosperity
of workers will improve further as the economy grows from measures aimed at
improving Tourisms and ICT, as well as the institutions that have been established
to drive economic growth such as the Growth Council.”
