THE NATION’S WELL-BEING

Oct 26, 2017 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Successive governments, including the present administration, have not been able to connect with the day-to-day activities of the average person in the country. It is either a case of neglect or being insensitive to the plight of the ordinary man in the street.
Most governments have always strived to achieve the best for their people, but in the case of this government, the reality does not bear out this fact. Many have complained that since taking office, several members of the cabinet are aloof, arrogant and seem not to care about the well-being of the masses. Others believe that the government’s focus on the economy is the reason that it has missed that very important indicator of growth.
The well-being of people is perhaps the most important aspect of any type of growth in the country. It goes beyond the traditional indicator of gross domestic product (GDP) which focuses only on the economic rate of the country.
Measuring the GDP of a country is done through the usual economic indicators that tell us whether the economy is growing or not. However, while there is a measurement for the economy, unfortunately, there is none to measure the welfare of the people. GDP was not designed to be an overall measure of the well-being of people, so it is inadequate in that respect. However, there is a Human Development Index (HDI) that measures things such as life expectancy, education and standard of living, but is very seldom used in developing countries.
Here in Guyana, many are prosperous and have lavish lifestyles. Studies have shown that the well-being of people is based on an assessment of the quality of life and not mere financial wealth or income. For example, a poor person who is without resources but is healthy may have an enhanced quality of life.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the well-being of people is constantly developing. It is based on an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and their goals, expectations and concerns. It can be affected by the person’s physical health, psychological state, personal beliefs, social relationships and his/her affiliations to their environment.
That said, the well-being of the people is critical to the growth and development of Guyana, and promoting it should be one of the government’s main priorities. In essence, it should be pursued as a national goal. The well-being of the people coincides with their true happiness.
While happiness often refers to how people are feeling from moment to moment, it does not always reveal the truth about how they evaluate their lives, or about how they function in society. Well-being is a much broader concept that includes not only the happiness of the people, but also other things, such as how satisfied they are with their lives; having a sense of control over their lives, and having a sense of purpose to live and contribute to society in whatever way they can.
It comprises objective descriptions and subjective evaluations of physical, material, social, and emotional well-being, as well as the extent of personal development and purposeful activity.
It is true that the well-being of people increases production, promotes goodwill in society and contributes to several important factors, such as peace, civility and respect for the rule of law.
It is also true that a happy, satisfied and engaged people are more sociable, active, altruistic, generous, tolerant, productive, creative, healthy, and often live longer.
A national policy should be established to help improve the well-being of every citizen, especially the poor in the country by promoting a better life for all, and shaping a flourishing society where all citizens are respected.

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