Welcome to
Recommended New Constitution of Jamaica
This website seeks to give recommendations for a New Constitution of Jamaica that reflects the evolving needs and aspirations of the Jamaican people. Through careful analysis of historical context, contemporary challenges, and global best practices in governance, the proposed recommendations aim to establish a Constitution that upholds democratic principles, safeguards individual rights, and ensures the equitable distribution of resources and opportunities
Reasons for a New Jamaican Constitution:
A system of Government that ensures the optimal development of every Jamaican
Create the required institutions locally
Greater access to agencies of government
An independent financial authority for monetary policy
Embracing Political Accountability: Term Limits and Recall of Politicians in Jamaica
Strengthening Jamaica's National Security Architecture
Empowering the Diaspora: Strengthening Jamaica's Democracy
How does Recommended New Constitution of Jamaica...
– Remove administrative functions of Government from direct control of politicians by i) establishing an Administrative Branch of Government which will comprise: Constitutional Bodies, Ministries of Government, Statutory Bodies and the Local Administrative and Governance Authority. ii) removing politicians from the Executive except the President, Vice-President and Chairpersons plus one member of Parliamentary Oversight Committees.
– End politicians’ direct control of and access to Government financial resources by establishing a Financial Branch of Government with responsibility for the repository and disbursements of all finances authorized by the Parliament.
– Firmly anchor the Integrity Commission and Auditor General as Constitutional Bodies with authority over all the people of Jamaica.
– Establish constitutionally-mandated Parliamentary Oversight Committees for each cabinet post or ministry, Statutory Body, Local Government Authority and Financial Authority.
– Firmly anchor the Integrity Commission and Auditor General as Constitutional Bodies with authority over all the people of Jamaica including Government officials.
– Constitutionally-mandated establishment and operations of the required institutions within communities for the welfare and optimal development of the Jamaican person, with convenient access by all citizens by the Government of Jamaica
– Establish, in detail outline, a constitutionally-mandated system of local government which includes community-based organizations, community members and other stakeholders
– Constitutionally-mandated allocation of the majority of financial resources to the Administrative Branch, and to the Local Administrative and Governance Authority in particular.
– Parish Councils generate new spending bills, ratified by Parliament, and allocated by Financial Branch
– All government employees paid above the 75th percentile
– Formally establish and define communities or Villages.
– Citizens elect a Community Council Executive every 4 years, which, with 3 adjacent Community Councils, form an Area Council. Citizens of an Area Council elect a Councillor (Parish Councillor) every 4 years. Presidents of Area Councils and Parish Councillors of each parish form a Parish Council together with Area Council representatives of the Parish Administrative Authority.
– The ability to refresh and renew representation by limiting the number of terms of all politicians and appointees of government.
– The ability to recall elected officials
– The right to petition Parish Councils, Parliament or any Government official
– No longer selects and directs party functionaries as members of the Executive. Permanent Ministries are constitutionally established, and Transitional Ministries are authorized, and their Heads ratified by Parliament
– No longer has unilateral control of the country’s financial resources through his/her Minister of Finance
– Outline with specificity the roles and responsibilities of the President
– The establishment of constitutional oversight committees for designated long-term developmental policies
– Establishment of Local Government Authorities (LGA) consisting of constitutionally-mandated, structured communities with community-based organizations, community institutions, community members and other stakeholders forming Community Councils with an elected Executive, which together with other Community Executives form Area Councils that send representatives from Area Council Executive Bodies, as well as a directly elected representative of citizens within each Area Council, to Parish Councils, which make local laws ratified by the Parliament.
Recommended New Jamaican Constitution
Feedback
Please take this quick survey to share your views on the reform of the constitution of Jamaica.