Caribbean governance requires courage to ensure accountability

Dr. Isaac Newton addresses the challenges of maintaining accountability within Caribbean governance, noting that individuals often remain silent regarding corruption or mismanagement due to fear of social and professional repercussions. In small island communities, the proximity of power and overlapping personal relationships can make challenging leaders particularly difficult.

Newton argues that while the cost of courage is high, the cost of silence is greater, as unaddressed issues eventually impact the entire community. He advocates for a disciplined approach to accountability, which includes verifying facts, identifying specific evidence, and clearly naming issues when decisions violate laws, policies, or fiduciary duties. He emphasizes that respect for an office should not require the surrender of one's conscience or cooperation with errors in the boardroom, religious institutions, or government.