Is ‘Road to Republic’ advertisement misleading?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I have been listening to a public service advertisement on the radio about the road to becoming a republic, sponsored by the Ministry of Legal and Constitutional Affairs. I find this advertisement to be quite misleading, as it seems to be proposing that becoming a republic will do the following:

1. Make Jamaica fully independent;

2. End dependence;

3. Bring prosperity.

On independence, as I understand it, Jamaica became an independent and sovereign state on August 6, 1962 and has been functioning as such since then. Has the country achieved economic independence? That’s an issue.

On dependence, Jamaica certainly has some level of dependence in its relationship with other countries, especially the donors and lenders, and with international financial institutions. I doubt this would end in the short to medium term as a republic.

Prosperity is certainly not linked to a republic status. Many of the world’s poorest countries are republics. Achieving prosperity depends, among other things, on policies implemented, investments made, and the international economic environment.

The ministry may wish to review the content of this advertisement.

CONCERNED CITIZEN