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Bidding adieu to professionalism!

Reflections on BMA and other elections
IN this country, we have had a strong and proud tradition of professional bodies such as teachers, engineers, doctors, etc placing the fundamentals of their profession above everything else. This is as it should be. Our professional classes have steadily developed and gained expertise and experience in their respective fields, and their growing professionalism has played a crucial role in our development as a nation. When it domes to one's professional development, there is no space for politics or partisanship, and for many years this is how things were.
Unfortunately, the current trend, one that has been in place for some time now, is in the opposite direction. As the country has become more polarised and politicised, we have been treated to the sad spectacle of the ranks of the professions also becoming infected with factionalism.
Indeed, the worst possible example exists, we are sorry to have to concede, in our own profession of journalism. The professional body has been split into two rival factions on political grounds and the profession remains shockingly polarised along partisan lines. As a profession, we certainly need to introspect if we want to point fingers at others.
The latest example of the distressing polarisation among the ranks of the professionals is the recent BMA election, where die dictates of professionalism were totally subordinated to political factionalism.
The ruling party supported candidates dangled all kinds of carrots before the professionals such as preference for foreign trips, recruitment, promotion, and transfers as a part of electioneering. The implication was that the slate of candidates would be able to deliver favours if voted for. The leadership in the past had delivered, and promised to continue to do so, due to its proximity to the ruling party.
Thus, we see that professionalism in this country is waning as politicisation waxes. Most professional bodies' elections in the recent past have been examples of this disturbing trend.
Politicisation and partisanship is a sordid reality under any circumstances. But what makes things even worse is that these now threaten to assail the standards and fundamentals of the professions. Professionals cannot hope to continue to operate at the highest standard of their field if they place partisanship above their professionalism.
Reversal of this misarranging of priorities must come from within the professions themselves.
It is fine to hold strong political views. But professionalism is not a political issue. Our professionals should not barter away their credibility and objectivity — the hallmarks of their hard-won professional standing - on the altar of petty political considerations.