By Horace Palacio: For nearly a decade, Belize has proudly pointed to its membership in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, better known as UNCAC. Politicians reference it. International organizations reference it. Governance experts reference it. Yet after all these years, many Belizeans are still asking a simple question.
What exactly has changed?
Belize signed UNCAC in 2016. The country underwent its official review process in 2020. Recommendations were made on whistleblower protections, asset declarations, procurement transparency, beneficial ownership disclosure, and anti-corruption reforms. Yet many of those recommendations remain stuck somewhere between consultation, discussion, and political hesitation.
That is a problem.
But it is also important to recognize another uncomfortable truth. UNCAC is important, but it is not the panacea for Belize’s problems. Even if Belize implemented every recommendation tomorrow, the country would still face major challenges involving economic growth, government efficiency, education, crime, productivity, and institutional capacity.
Corruption matters.
But corruption is not the only thing holding Belize back.
Some people speak about UNCAC as though it is a magic wand. Pass a few laws, establish a few committees, and suddenly Belize becomes Singapore. That is not how economic development works. Transparency is important, but transparency alone does not create prosperity.
Countries become successful through execution.
Take Singapore as an example. Singapore has some of the strongest anti-corruption systems in the world. But Singapore’s success did not come solely from anti-corruption laws. It came from world-class education, efficient government, economic freedom, strategic planning, infrastructure investment, and a culture of performance.
Belize cannot simply copy one piece of that formula.
Consider another example.
Guyana is currently experiencing one of the fastest-growing economies in the world due to oil production. While governance reforms remain important there, economic growth has been driven primarily by investment, productivity, energy development, and strategic economic planning. Anti-corruption measures help, but they are not the entire story.
The same applies to Belize.
The reality is that Belize’s challenges are much broader than UNCAC compliance. Our customs system remains inefficient. Business registration can be slow. Public procurement lacks sufficient transparency. Productivity remains low in many sectors. Economic growth is heavily dependent on tourism and agriculture.
These are structural issues.
No anti-corruption treaty can solve them on its own.
That said, Belize absolutely needs stronger accountability. Citizens deserve to know how public funds are spent. Taxpayers deserve transparency in procurement. Public officials should disclose assets and potential conflicts of interest.
Those are reasonable expectations.
But accountability without economic growth creates frustration. Economic growth without accountability creates corruption. Belize needs both. Focusing exclusively on one while ignoring the other is a mistake.
This is where both the UDP and PUP deserve criticism.
For years, successive governments have spoken about transparency and good governance. Yet major reforms often move at a glacial pace. Every administration seems to discover new reasons why implementation must wait.
Belizeans have heard enough promises.
What they want now is action.
So what should Belize do right away?
First, establish a truly independent Integrity Commission with real investigative powers. Not a commission that exists on paper. Not a commission that can be ignored. A commission with resources, authority, and independence.
Second, require public online disclosure of all major government contracts above a certain threshold. Every Belizean should be able to see who received contracts, how much was paid, and what work was performed. Sunshine remains one of the best disinfectants.
Third, modernize procurement systems completely. Digital bidding systems reduce opportunities for favoritism and backroom deals. Countries such as Estonia have used digital government systems to dramatically improve transparency and efficiency.
Fourth, implement mandatory asset declarations for senior public officials. Citizens should know whether elected officials and senior public servants are accumulating unexplained wealth. Trust requires transparency.
Fifth, strengthen whistleblower protections. People who expose wrongdoing should not fear retaliation. If citizens are afraid to come forward, corruption thrives in darkness.
Sixth, digitize government services aggressively. Every form that can be submitted online should be submitted online. Every permit that can be tracked digitally should be tracked digitally. Technology reduces opportunities for unnecessary interference and increases accountability.
Seventh, establish performance metrics for ministries. Belize measures very little and therefore improves very little. Ministries should publish measurable targets and annual results so citizens can evaluate performance objectively.
Eighth, reform customs. Ask almost any business owner in Belize about customs delays and you will hear frustration. Delays increase costs, reduce competitiveness, and create opportunities for inefficiency. A modern economy cannot function with outdated systems.
Ninth, simplify business regulations. Every unnecessary permit, delay, or approval creates opportunities for frustration and inefficiency. Belize should aim to become one of the easiest places in the region to start and operate a business.
Tenth, focus on economic growth with the same intensity devoted to governance reform. A country cannot audit its way into prosperity. Belize needs more entrepreneurs, more exports, more technology companies, more manufacturing, and more investment.
The biggest danger facing Belize is believing that one reform will solve everything.
It will not.
UNCAC is important. Transparency is important. Accountability is important. But none of these things alone will transform Belize.
Belize needs a broader national strategy.
We need stronger institutions. We need faster government. We need better education. We need more investment. We need higher productivity. We need a culture that rewards performance rather than excuses.
The fight against corruption is necessary.
But it is only one chapter of a much larger story.
The real goal is not simply cleaner government.
The real goal is a richer, stronger, more prosperous Belize.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author, Horace Palacio, and do not necessarily reflect the views or editorial stance of Breaking Belize News.
The post The uncomfortable truth: UNCAC is not the solution to all of Belize’s problems appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Horace Palacio: For nearly a decade, Belize has proudly pointed to its membership in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, better known as UNCAC. Politicians reference it. International organizations reference it. Governance experts reference it. Yet after all these years, many Belizeans are still asking a simple question. What exactly has changed? Belize signed
The post The uncomfortable truth: UNCAC is not the solution to all of Belize’s problems appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
