As we enter the festive season, and just a few weeks away to the new year, it is a definitive moment for us to take stock, audit and review the year 2009 before embarking on fresh resolutions for 2010.

This is the time to ask ourselves, why certain targets were not realised in 2009 and what we might have to do in 2010 to have more realistic and achievable resolutions.

Making resolutions has less to do with predicting events and outcomes. It has more to do with identifying future targets, so that one plans for better years ahead.

Essentially we should use this time to ask the more predictable question: What should we do to make 2010 work better for us?

Setting targets is a concern for everyone--individuals and institutions.

Some of the government’s 2010 targets include increasing access to electricity and having access to safe clean water. Government has also made ambitious targets in the sectors of education, health, environment and real GDP growth.

At a more broad level, we might be compelled to ask ourselves: What if global warming gets worse and further depresses food production? What if development partners fail to deliver resources that we planned to boost the areas of health and education?

What if we suffer another global financial crisis and investors export their capital through transfer pricing schemes other than direct productive, job-creating investments?

This should be the best time to make an honest re-evaluation of the progress so far in 2009 and map out a forthright plan on the expected 2010, while we also lay cushion for any shocks.

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