Investing in a major cultural shift is crucial to tackle issues like plummeting morale, unproductiveness, and rising crime. Inefficient public service not only undermines productivity but also affects how we deal with crime. Long bureaucratic procedures waste time, demoralize the public, and produce no results. Two recent stories offer hope for a shift in government thinking towards creating the needed cultural changes.
The Ministry of Public Administration is collaborating with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Advisory Services Ltd to develop a remote-work policy for civil servants. This initiative goes beyond modernization, as it aims to boost morale and productivity among public servants. Remote work opportunities can reduce commuting time, increase worker motivation, and lead to happier, more efficient employees. The expected completion of this policy by December 2024 is a positive step in the right direction.
Another positive development is the government’s Call to Order project, inspired by a local reggae song. This collaborative effort encourages young people to create videos singing lyrics they have written to the instrumental version of the song. This initiative aims to address gang violence by promoting a cultural shift away from confrontation.
Despite criticism that projects like these are too soft on crime, they offer viable alternatives by encouraging education, hard work, and cultural participation. Ziggy Rankin, one of the artists involved in The Call project, emphasizes the power of music in influencing behavior and creating positive change.
We must resist the urge to criticize and instead support innovative approaches to societal issues. As Ziggy Rankin aptly put it, “It’s about action over words. There is nothing to lose by trying.” Taking chances on initiatives like remote work policies and anti-crime music projects can have significant payoffs in reshaping our society for the better.
