Last week, I had the opportunity to listen to some of the presentations made during the Government’s review of its Medium Term Economic Strategy. It was a very useful exercise which gave the general public a better understanding of the challenges ahead. Based on the presentations made, the prospects for Anguilla’s economic recovery in the short to medium term seem bleak while the needs for social and physical infrastructure continue to grow. This is a dichotomy that we have to address even in these trying times so that the situation is not worsened. I believe that the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility, which is still under negotiation between the British Government and our Government, will establish the parameters within which we can address some of our needs. I trust that there can be some agreement on the Framework in the very near future so that meaningful progress can be made.
While our Government struggles to revitalize a failing economy in the midst of a global recession, our people cry out for relief from taxation, rising food prices, unemployment and deteriorating living standards. There is a hardly a person you meet who doesn’t have the same cry – “things rough”. It is easy nowadays to find something to complain about, but I encourage all of us to recognise that, in the midst of our trials, there is still much that we ought to be grateful for.
The Anguilla we live in today is still one of the best places in the world in which to live, thanks to our ancestors. Yes, there are some among us who are unable to feed themselves and their families, but no one is dying from starvation. Our ancestors endured prolonged drought and famine, however we do not have those challenges today. And there may not be the same jollification, as in days gone by, but at least the spirit of caring for each other is still alive. Several organisations are working in our communities to ensure that families do not go hungry. Even with our limited resources, surely we can overcome our present hurdles which can in no way compare with what our ancestors would have gone through.
Our standard of living is much higher than that which prevailed several decades ago. This is not by chance, but the result of the resilience of our forefathers who refused to be uprooted and relocated to other countries –and who instead toiled on this dusty, barren landscape to ensure their survival. It is the result of the determination of those who showed the world that we counted, that we had a voice and upset the status quo to demand better for Anguilla. Though, developmentally, we may not be where we ought to be, we must admit that we have come a long way.
In spite of resource limitations, primary and secondary education is free and accessible to all in Anguilla. This was a privilege many Anguillians of old could only dream of, and in fact several countries are still struggling with ensuring that primary education is accessible to all their citizens. We have even gone a step further with the establishment of the Anguilla Community College which ensures that our people are able to take advantage of tertiary education opportunities.
Many have criticized our health care system. We ought to recall though that it was not too long ago that the closest many persons came to accessing health care was through the services offered by older persons in the village – the “village doctors”. There is now a well-established system of primary health care that ensures that our children are properly screened and vaccinated. Infant mortality is at an all-time low and many of the diseases that would have been fatal for children have been virtually eliminated. The services offered by well qualified nurses and doctors, at our clinics and hospital, are heavily subsidized by Government to ensure their affordability for the general population.
We are dismayed with the upsurge in criminal activity in Anguilla, but despite this Anguilla remains one of the safest places in the world. It can be made even safer if we, the public, give our police force the support that they need. After all, we are the ones they are seeking to protect. Then, though not perfect, our justice system is such that the rule of law is upheld. There are many countries around the world where the principles of natural justice and due process are fallacies.
Anguilla is a democracy. Enshrined in our Constitution are the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals in Anguilla. Our past leaders and legal luminaries were instrumental in ensuring that our Constitution guaranteed those rights and freedoms. Unlike other countries where persons are persecuted physically and otherwise for engaging in certain activities such as seeking to vote, speaking out against injustice, practicing particular religions etc, in Anguilla we can exercise our rights without fear of such persecution.
As much as we criticize our Government, both past and present, we must acknowledge that, though improvement is needed, there is a level of transparency in the operations of Government. Our country is not governed under a shroud of secrecy. There is consultation with the public on issues of national significance – and information is shared with the public on decisions made by Government. This is a practice which ought to be commended and encouraged.
There are many other aspects of life in Anguilla for which we must be thankful. Right now our future may look grim, but we must count our blessings, be grateful for the strides we have made to date and demonstrate the resilience for which we have become renowned. This is no time for us to wave our white flags in surrender but, like our ancestors, buckle down to do the hard work required for us to survive on this rock.
