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Jeanette Calder, Executive Director at Jamaica Accountability Meter Portal (JAMP), has taken issue with the qualifications and experience outlined in the job descriptions for Cabinet ministers and Members of Parliament.
She believes the minimum qualification is too basic for the important roles and responsibilities accorded to MPs and ministers.
Ms. Calder, who was a guest Thursday on the Morning Agenda on Power 106 FM, said it is unfair that there are more stringent requirements for people to serve as heads of agencies but those to whom they report are not obligated to have the same level of competencies.
She called for continuous training to develop the capacity of MPs and ministers.
"There's no dentist, no doctor, no teacher, no businessman who can succeed if they don't do well and if they're not making the right decisions. And so it's surprising to me that this is the only job in Jamaica now where there's a JD [job description] that doesn't even address what are the basic things you have to come with in terms of qualifications, which matter, I think, for ministers for sure, and at least training on some capacities as it relates to parliamentarians," she asserted.
Ms. Calder argued that with parliamentarians having such important roles including oversight for more than 100 public bodies as well as making policies, a certain level of qualification and training is required.
According to the job description for MPs, they must understand government, the laws of Jamaica, engage in critical thinking, and have the ability to mediate disputes. They should also have a strong conviction of the principles of good governance.
The job description for Cabinet ministers outlines that they must have a period of progressive experience gained through advocacy, political or professional affiliation, community involvement, voluntary sector or business experience.
Professor Rosalea Hamilton, Co-chair of Advocates Network, suggested that it is the job of the electorate to select qualified and experienced people as Members of Parliament to represent them.
"We don't get good governance and we don't create a democracy by simply sitting back and waiting for our Members of Parliament or ministers to do all the work. We have roles and responsibilities, and if we are taking this ownership of Jamaica seriously, if we're taking the idea that we are hiring with our tax dollars the MPs and ministers to do their work, then we have a responsibility to monitor, to ensure that we scrutinise their qualifications before we elect them," she said.
Professor Hamilton was also a guest on the Morning Agenda.
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