October 18, 2016

The return of dark days

History has shown time and time again that some politicians have a way of living in their own realities. Some even create their own beliefs and perceptions about the feelings, emotions and experiences of ordinary people who each day work assiduously to create a better standard of living for their families, regardless of the government of the day.
It is also true that some politicians whether deliberately or not master the skill and art of manufacturing lies, half-truths and concocted tales about the legacies of their adversaries in order to improve their own image and public standing at particular points in time.
Others pursue this route to conceal their shortcomings, misdeeds and inability to manage the State Bureaucracy and its resources which they would have inherited from their predecessors in Government.
In short, if one wants to understand the quality, integrity and ethical standing of a politician one must listen to them share their perspective on a country’s socioeconomic and political history. It is that simple! There is really no other way to understand the style, outlook and vision of modern day politicians.
President David Granger, therefore, provided thousands of Guyanese with the opportunity to access his standing, vision and political make-up when he delivered his recent post-recess address to a half-filled National Assembly this past week.
He did not fail to paint a doomsday picture of the country under the rulership of the Opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). Also a large portion of his address pointed to the excesses of consecutive post-1992 PPP Government with heavy emphasis on ministerial scandals, the crime wave, environmental mismanagement and a lack of good governance.
The President then smartly pointed to a myriad of so-called accomplishments that his A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government managed to provide during its 19-month tenure so far. He boasted about the commencement of a process to deliver “a good life” to Guyanese by not only correcting the excesses of the past Government but pursuing a more stable course that he believes can “make Guyana great again”. He said that the problems Guyanese were facing at the moment were “temporary” and would soon be addressed as he continued to praise his Government for what he was convinced was a good job so far.
After viewing the President’s speech, I was dismayed and disappointed. I had hoped to hear the President address the growing discontent of many Guyanese with the way his Government was handling the affairs of the country with focus on ending the apparent wave of what appears to be a growing trend of systemic racism and discrimination in almost every area of public service and public life.
It was my expectation that President Granger would have used the opportunity to reign his ministers in and to publicly express displeasure with the new wave of ministerial scandals and political infighting within the coalition for power, coupled with the poor performance of the economy thus far.
The truth is, the masses are not wealthier or better off under this Government when compared with the PPP/C. It would have been good for the President to say how many more jobs were created since he took office and how many more domestic and foreign investments were attracted that could boost the public’s confidence in the new Jordan-Sharma brand of economics that are being employed.
The President should have apologised for the continued hike in crime and criminality which is taking place under a highly-militarised Government. I wanted to hear the kind of Guyana that the President was intent on creating for the younger generations and an address to the Parliament that was not saddled with paradoxical statements, political correct rhetoric and unconvincing arguments about how bad the PPP/C was.
Like so many young Guyanese, I wanted the President to set out a clear mechanism for engaging the opposition in the decision-making apparatus of the State. Maybe, he should have made some more concessions available for the PPP to get onboard and work with the Government in core areas. But instead, the President chose a different route.
I disagree with much of the arguments made by political commentators such as David Hinds and Freddie Kissoon. They do not understand the yearning of our young people nor the type of change that we want in order to redefine the future of the country, to remove the ethnic as well as political barriers that stand in our way.
And now sadly, I disagree with the historical positions the President took on the legacy of the PPP and how he plans to achieve a good life for the people of this country. A good life can only be created through real mechanisms to achieve social cohesion and unity, ethnic equality and racial harmony, good governance and even shared governance between both the winners and losers of General Elections.
The dark days are returning but taking on a different form because our current leaders continue to live in their own realities.

Reality check: A youth perspective

The Education Ministry announced months ago that it has completed a modern National Youth Policy which aims to address several burning issues affecting Guyana’s youth population.
The policy, from all indications, sets out a bold and realistic framework for the advancement of the social, economic, cultural and academic upliftment of youths in all 10 administrative regions, with a heavy focus on those residing in the rural and hinterland areas.
As expected, the Government wasted no time in promoting the newly completed policy which it promised would be tabled in the National Assembly, made public and then implemented immediately so that youths who were the ultimate beneficiaries could begin to see results.
After all, it was always the intention of the new A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change coalition once it became Government (according to its 2011/15 manifesto) to reduce youth unemployment and haplessness; reduce youth crime and criminality; reduce the rates of suicide and teenage pregnancy; advance the socio-economic interests of youths by providing equitable access to opportunities and scholarships; cause the reformation of the public education sector through the establishment of more schools, higher standards, and the upgrade of quality education provided via tertiary intuitions and more specifically the University of Guyana.
There can be no doubt that over the past year and a half, senior politicians in the coalition have recommitted themselves to pursuing the ideals outlined in both the youth policy and there manifestos. They continue to make reference to the issues affecting youths at various forums with the aim of highlighting what should be done and what needs to be done.
Whenever they do this, especially in the presence of youths, they score political points and gain ground because their cunning linguistics and paradoxical oratory skills appear most pleasing, promising, honest and genuine to the gullible, the desperate and those youths who lack both the intellectual capacity/aptitude to think independently and the skill of common sense analysis.
But those who make it their duty to keep themselves informed and abreast with current affairs as well as knowledgeable of the policies and reforms being pursued by David Granger’s Government cannot be hoodwinked, fooled or silenced.
In fact, they are perturbed, concerned and frustrated by the lack of progress made in the full implementation of National Youth Policy, and the snail’s pace at which the other Government controlled agencies are addressing youth concerns.
Like me, they believe that the senior politicians are failing them daily when one looks at the ancient, piecemeal and most times ethnically discriminatory actions being taken by the Government under the guise of commencing the process of providing a “good life” for youths.
Over the last year and a half, statistics provided by the Social Protection Ministry and its Labour Department show that unemployment and joblessness have increased by at least six per cent. The suicide rate has doubled, with youths in rural communities being the largest category of victims. Youth crime has also increased which has resulted in the increase of persons on remand who are mostly between the ages of 17 and 35.
There is no realistic cultural programme being pursued to get young people involved in the development of the cultural arts or in the creation of newer forms of sub-cultures that could redefine Guyana’s image in this respect within the region and the competitive international arena.
Regrettably, youths are feeling isolated, deprived and put upon by adults especially politicians who they trusted because of their failure to deliver on the menu of initiatives that were promised at elections time. Now feeling used and betrayed, many young people are opting to migrate to other countries such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, US and Canada where the pastures appear more greener, promising and pro-youth.
The truth is, all Guyanese youth aspire to achieve is the ownership of their own homes at affordable prices; an education on which they could secure opportunities to various career paths in order for them to make their mark and change the world in which they reside; a family that could thrive and lead a good life without fear of being discriminated on the basis of their skin colours, religion or social standing; and Government that respects the will of the electorate and that understands the importance of inclusionary democracy.
It’s just a year and a half into the tenure of the new Government and youths are already realising that the “more things change, the more they remain the same”. The Government cannot continue to live in its own bubble and neglect youths. It must act or history will not be kind to it because future generations will not lead “good lives” if the next Government come 2020 is still trying to play catch-up with the rest of the world.
Better must come!

The David Granger Government

The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government is demonstrating each day that it does not have the experience, intelligence, stamina, credentials and integrity to govern this country.
The coalition which was understandably full of pride, joy, patriotism and promises after finally winning the 2015 elections is continuing to fail in its mandate to reform the economy, push domestic growth and development while reducing crime and criminality in order to fully restore law and order.
The David Granger Government has also failed to end systemic corruption as well as graft and is largely seen by the populace as condoning wrong doings, Executive criminality, rape of the public treasury for aggrandisement and enrichment of its elections financiers, and the abuse of the judiciary in order to achieve its own political outcomes.
His Government which was expected to be very different from the opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which held power over the past 23 years, appears to be removed from reality and the criticisms being hurled left, right and centre from its own supporters about the way it is managing the economy, handling state affairs, and the posture as well as public utterances of some of its leading members of government.
Instead of reshuffling his cabinet and responding swiftly to public outrage on many issues, Granger is busy enjoying the prestigious trips abroad and personal privileges which come with the Presidency.
He appears more interested in leaving a Nancy Drew legacy behind which is defined by Commissions of Inquiries, an obsession with renaming every national institution and piloting the rebirth of an already dead People’s National Congress in order to make it more appealing to future generations should his coalition be defeated in the upcoming 2020 elections.
President Granger, who still personally enjoys the public confidence of a large portion of the Guyanese populace and behaves in a statesmanlike manner when compared to some in the coalition, is surrounded by a plethora of bad advisors and racists supremacists in the AFC and APNU/PNC cabal.
His presidency is bound to be a disaster if he cannot take decisive actions against those ministers who appear to be in a public pageant to promote themselves and self-interests by using the press and official state functions to make the most outrageous, nonfactual, politically insensitive and discriminatory utterances.
Granger must do more to create jobs in the economy as youths are suffering and the level of unemployment and underemployment are reaching record levels when compared to 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2015 put altogether.
He must pay more than lip service to the concept of pursuing the diversification of the economy by rolling out policies that seek to bolster newer forms of technologies that could lead to the establishment of newer industries and businesses.
Instead Granger’s Government is no doubt pursuing radical, out-dated and ineffective reforms in the business sector that if continued will see a contraction of the productive and traditional sectors.
Also, his Government’s tender and procurement policies will lead to the decimation of Guyanese-owned businesses and the collapse of its manufacturing industry because of the rising instances of prejudice, bias, favouritism, unfair competition and the unnecessary outsourcing of goods and services to other companies in the region in order to secure kickbacks and goodwill endorsements.
Granger’s Government has not understood the importance of prudent economic and fiscal management of the country’s financial sector. This is clear when one takes a closer look at the drastic shift in the philosophy of the Bank of Guyana, the manner in which the Finance Ministry is being managed and the Executive’s failure to boost public spending and inspire local private sector confidence and growth.
Under his watch, crime and criminality has increased double-fold regardless of the manipulated statistics being released by the now politicised Guyana Police Force.
Despite the establishment of the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU), the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), the SWAT unit and the restaffing of the Ministry of the Presidency with security experts as well as former high-level army and police officers, no end is in sight to the wave of criminality taking place in communities around the length and breadth of Guyana.
He must also take blame for the failure of his Government to secure judicial victories in a series of cases brought by the state against companies and individuals who cheated the system and breached contracts.
That aside, the Social Protection Ministry, which was once seen as a shining light, is lagging behind and its Minister appears too consumed with party politics than responding to the need for social sector reforms, better welfare service and public assistance schemes for the poor and vulnerable.
Granger must decide whether he is a party man that is loyal only to the politics and ideology of founding leader Forbes Burnham or a modern-day President whose main interest is the welfare of his people. If he is the latter then he needs to demonstrate this by ending his government’s unresponsiveness, pride and haughtiness by pursuing policies that make him one of the best Presidents to deliver the people out of socioeconomic and race bondage.
On the other hand, history and time will deal with Moses in failing to lead the people into greener pastures and the promised land.

PPP’s yearend Congress

Guyanese will witness a December to remember this year when the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) hosts its first congress in opposition after 23 years of wielding Executive authority and power in Guyana.
For the most part, the Congress will take place as expected with hundreds if not thousands of party supporters, members and well-wishers converging in the Cinderella County to assess the progress made by the party on a series of reforms that were proposed at the party’s last Congress held after it won the 2011 elections but lost parliamentary control.
It is also expected that those who left the party to seek refuge in the then ‘promising’ Alliance for Change would return home after being betrayed by the likes of Khemraj Ramjattan, Moses Nagamootoo, Raphael Trotman and Cathy Hughes, among others.
The Congress therefore will serve as a platform for party members to take the leaders to task for their alleged mismanagement of certain parts of the economy and their shortcomings while in office which eventually forced it into Opposition.
That aside, there will also be an opportunity for members to criticise the stewardship of the current party General Secretary Clement Rohee whose style is still largely unpopular and sometimes objectionable, especially among youths in the party and the new movement demanding sweeping changes as well as the modernisation of the party’s approach to politics.
Rohee no doubt will face an uphill challenge when the Congress commences as far as defending his record is concerned as there are many who still feel that he did not do enough to secure resounding victories at the 2011 and 2015 General and Regional Elections.
Many are also still very aggrieved that over the past six years a lot was not done by the party to punish those who were in Government and were allegedly involved in racketeering, corruption scandals and unethical practices that led to the party loosing favour in the eyes of the electorate.
While many will jump to defend the party’s hierarchy by pointing out that it was the Heads of State and Government who ought to have done more to address the aforementioned issues, it can also be argued that it was the General Secretary and party’s general responsibility to place pressure on its own Government to be mindful of the impact of its non-action or actions on the party’s declining bill of health and appeal as in the future it could suffer massive electoral defeats.
It was the party’s responsibility to ensure that its own government adhered to the time honoured ideology and philosophical principles upon which it was founded by Cheddi Jagan and his comrades.
Sweeping changes are therefore unavoidable if not inescapable when the party’s executives meet the membership and grassroots support base as many remain unhappy with the party’s administrative and structural functionality.
The most important aspects of the Congress therefore will be the elections of office bearers who will wield authority in the PPP until it is successful at wining future elections. These persons may be the young and ambitious within the PPP. They might not reach the class requirements and may not even have served in government or the party’s hierarchy before their election to party posts.
What is certain though, is that Bharrat Jagdeo is seen as the only person within the PPP who can lead it to success at any future elections (for the time being). He is also believed to be the person whom the masses in and outside the PPP find agreeable because he is still youthful, witty, statesman-like and competent.
In fact, years of misinformation, scandal and sensationalistic media reports have not diminished his standing in the eyes of the people who still prefer him over many of his equals in the PPP and over at Congress Place.
Also, the new Government’s failure to bring any serious charge related to corruption or mismanagement against Jagdeo has also exposed the lies being peddled by the media specialists within the coalition while it was in opposition.
Other personalities like Irfaan Ali, Priya Manickchand, Anil Nandlall, Yvonne Pearson, Charles Ramson, Jr, Gillian Burton, Dr Roger Luncheon and Gail Teixeira will be highly favoured among those thirsty for change and others who will preach conservatism in the party’s approach going forward.

Trumping Donald Trump

November 8 will be a very important day in the history of not only modern American politics but the history of developing countries around the globe.
It will be remembered as the day when millions of Americans send a clear message to the world about the type of politics they endorse and the qualities that one must possess in order to lead one of the most polarised yet fluid democracies in the world.
The results of this election will no doubt set moral and ethical standards for the future generations of young people who aspire to create positive socioeconomic change, remove barriers and shatter prejudices and stereotypes related to race and sex, and create a space in the globe where equality and religious tolerance abound.
So important is this election that we could witness the emergence of a new world agenda and school of thought that either promotes hate or love; tyranny or democracy; racial equality or race inequity; higher levels of religious tolerance and respect amongst diverse peoples or higher levels of race scepticism and untrustworthiness; development fuelled by a homogeneous American populace or a multiethnic and multidiverse populace standing tall on the principles of adult suffrage, affection and warmth as well as human rights.
What is most remarkable is that the choice this time round for a person to replace Barack Obama in the Oval Office is simple. Or is it?
There are those who would like to make the masses in the American society and by extension the world believe that there are two persons that could be chosen to unite the country and deliver on campaign goals aimed at tightening immigration policies, dealing with veterans and the continued presence of US troops overseas, especially in parts of the Middle East, curbing unemployment and undereducation and reducing graft, among other things. That is not true.
There is only one choice and that individual is Hillary Clinton. Despite the continued hysteria, which I believe is misplaced by the way, over her handling of classified information via her private email address while serving as Secretary of State when compared to Republican candidate Donald Trump, she is an angel.
Trump over the past year even proved that he could not be trusted and is unfit to be the next president of such a powerful country in global affairs. Can you imagine what Trump’s legacy would have been like and what his impact on world affairs would feel like? Also think about the damage most of his policies related to immigration could have on small-state economies like ours in South America and other developing countries such as Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil in Latin America.
I have never seen a politician test the fate, patience and tolerance of a voting populace like Trump has over these past few months. It was controversy after controversy and drama after drama, yet his theatrical skills succeeded in blinding the populace into believing that a Trump presidency could actually deliver a better tomorrow.
What is far more dangerous is that sections of the American media are engaged in deceitful tactics aimed at normalising flamboyant rants and outbreaks as well as his racist chatter. Gatekeepers cannot allow this to happen as there must be no more politicians of his kind creeping up and seeking to rule on the basis of white supremacy, the colour of their hair, wealth, creed or religion.
The US needs a stronger sober-minded and lesser dramatic person to continue the work started by President Obama and I dare say Bill Clinton too. It needs a leader who is just and a poster boy/girl for ethnic and social justice, human rights, equality, ending racism in all forms and a lesser brutish yet reworked immigration policy.
America is great not because its people have a monopoly on wealth or technology when compared to other countries in the world. It is great because it provides people from any part of the globe with the opportunity to live a dream, the American dream.
This is a dream characterised and most times pursued by Third World immigrants, lower casts of people in various locales, vulnerable groups and those seeking to leave their mark on the world.
I cannot see how the same levels of respect and optimism for American culture, politics and ideals can continue to obtain under a Trump presidency given all the disrespectful, shady and morally wrong things he has said and done as well as continue to say and do during his elections campaign.
On November 8, Americans must unite to give him a taste of his own high-drama show “The Apprentice”. He must not be given a free pass or keys to the most powerful position in the world.
They must Trump Donald Trump and he must forever remember the words “you’re fired” from politics unless you reform, reorganise and rebuild your platform to reflect modern day norms, mores and paradigms.

Trumping Donald Trump

 

November 8 will be a very important day in the history of not only modern American politics but the history of developing countries around the globe.

It will be remembered as the day when millions of Americans send a clear message to the world about the type of politics they endorse and the qualities that one must possess in order to lead one of the most polarised yet fluid democracies in the world.

The results of this election will no doubt set moral and ethical standards for the future generations of young people who aspire to create positive socioeconomic change, remove barriers and shatter prejudices and stereotypes related to race and sex, and create a space in the globe where equality and religious tolerance abound.

So important is this election that we could witness the emergence of a new world agenda and school of thought that either promotes hate or love; tyranny or democracy; racial equality or race inequity; higher levels of religious tolerance and respect amongst diverse peoples or higher levels of race scepticism and untrustworthiness; development fuelled by a homogeneous American populace or a multiethnic and multidiverse populace standing tall on the principles of adult suffrage, affection and warmth as well as human rights.

What is most remarkable is that the choice this time round for a person to replace Barack Obama in the Oval Office is simple. Or is it?

There are those who would like to make the masses in the American society and by extension the world believe that there are two persons that could be chosen to unite the country and deliver on campaign goals aimed at tightening immigration policies, dealing with veterans and the continued presence of US troops overseas, especially in parts of the Middle East, curbing unemployment and undereducation and reducing graft, among other things. That is not true.

There is only one choice and that individual is Hillary Clinton. Despite the continued hysteria, which I believe is misplaced by the way, over her handling of classified information via her private email address while serving as Secretary of State when compared to Republican candidate Donald Trump, she is an angel.

Trump over the past year even proved that he could not be trusted and is unfit to be the next president of such a powerful country in global affairs. Can you imagine what Trump’s legacy would have been like and what his impact on world affairs would feel like? Also think about the damage most of his policies related to immigration could have on small-state economies like ours in South America and other developing countries such as Mexico, Venezuela and Brazil in Latin America.

I have never seen a politician test the fate, patience and tolerance of a voting populace like Trump has over these past few months. It was controversy after controversy and drama after drama, yet his theatrical skills succeeded in blinding the populace into believing that a Trump presidency could actually deliver a better tomorrow.

What is far more dangerous is that sections of the American media are engaged in deceitful tactics aimed at normalising flamboyant rants and outbreaks as well as his racist chatter. Gatekeepers cannot allow this to happen as there must be no more politicians of his kind creeping up and seeking to rule on the basis of white supremacy, the colour of their hair, wealth, creed or religion.

The US needs a stronger sober-minded and lesser dramatic person to continue the work started by President Obama and I dare say Bill Clinton too. It needs a leader who is just and a poster boy/girl for ethnic and social justice, human rights, equality, ending racism in all forms and a lesser brutish yet reworked immigration policy.

America is great not because its people have a monopoly on wealth or technology when compared to other countries in the world. It is great because it provides people from any part of the globe with the opportunity to live a dream, the American dream.

This is a dream characterised and most times pursued by Third World immigrants, lower casts of people in various locales, vulnerable groups and those seeking to leave their mark on the world.

I cannot see how the same levels of respect and optimism for American culture, politics and ideals can continue to obtain under a Trump presidency given all the disrespectful, shady and morally wrong things he has said and done as well as continue to say and do during his elections campaign.

On November 8, Americans must unite to give him a taste of his own high-drama show “The Apprentice”. He must not be given a free pass or keys to the most powerful position in the world.

They must Trump Donald Trump and he must forever remember the words “you’re fired” from politics unless you reform, reorganise and rebuild your platform to reflect modern day norms, mores and paradigms.

 

Police professionalism, trust

 

Rrecent survey by the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) revealed that the Guyana Police Force (GPF) is the least trusted law enforcement body in this country.

The survey indicated that Guyanese also lack confidence in the Police and its ability to fight crime. But what is even more disturbing is the fact that the US Embassy-initiated survey also indicated that citizens do not believe that the Police Force here conducts itself professionally or appropriately.

The truth is, the findings of the survey are not remarkable or surprising in any way as it is a known fact that the level of confidence reposed by citizens in the law enforcement entities here is relatively low if not non-existent.

This is particularly true when one considers the level of crime and criminality prevailing in our society as each day citizens are murdered, victims of other heinous crimes, burglaries, rapes and domestic violence. The police’s response is most times slothful, uncaring, unprofessional and unhelpful.

Recently, patrons at an East Coast hangout spot witnessed gun toting ranks of the Police Force swoop down on the location. Persons were ordered out of the establishment as it was past the Two O’Clock curfew despite the fact that the doors to the business were closed and staff was in the process of cleaning up.

Patrons were shoved and one CID rank dressed in plainclothes who identified himself as “Saul” began harassing those in control of the business before pulling a chair from under someone who was still seated. The other ranks dressed in brown clothes continued to threaten those present as if they were demanding a bribe or some sort of inducement before departure.

When they left, emotions ran high as patrons voiced their concerns over the manner in which the Police executed their ‘duties’. Stories were spoken of how other ranks have collected bribes and other inducements at other places when dealing with issues linked to robberies, murders, traffic offences. In General, there was a general distaste for rouge, unprofessional and corrupt ranks.

It is simple incidents like these that impact public opinion and perception of the entire Police Force as they are not isolated or specific to one policing division.

It is therefore laudable that government through the Ministry of Public Security has exhibited no tolerance for ranks who are engaged in unprofessional conduct in any area of their work as they are responsible for the ‘bad name’ the other ranks receive because of their deeds. But the government has to do much more to create a paradigm shift and culture transformation within the force.

The Police Commissioner must ensure that his commanders are read the riot act and understand fully that it is their responsibility to ensure that these ranks are disciplined whenever there are reports of such unprofessionalism and thuggery. Surely, the ranks must understand too that they are not a law unto themselves and therefore whenever there are breaches of the law on their part that they will be offered no protection—not from their colleagues nor superiors.

While it can be argued that the ranks are within their right to enforce the curfew laws, it can also be argued that they could spend their time patrolling the streets in pursuit of criminal elements who are usually wreaking havoc on innocent citizens.

They could spend their time solving the many unsolved murders that are staining the pages of the press while at the same time working very hard to rebuild public trust and confidence.

It is necessary for the Force’s administration to conduct periodic sessions with junior and middle management ranks on professionalism, ethics, effective communication and integrity. This will go a far way in addressing the basic shortcomings that result in the force suffering immensely whenever an evaluation is done of its performance and the level of public trust.

In addition, urgent efforts at reforming the Force must be undertaken. Those proposals made by former Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee must be implemented immediately and should not be cast aside unless the new Government has new ones.

 

Race relations

Guyana is a great country. It is blessed with people from all walks of life. It is a melting pot of different cultures, races and ethnicities. It is also a country which offers countless opportunities and chances for its citizens to develop and achieve their maximum potential in various regards.
The country is a place where people can enjoy varying degrees of tranquillity and peace depending on where they visit or reside. It is also important to note that Guyana is one of the few countries in this hemisphere that is characterised by high levels of religious and social tolerance despite the diversity of the ethnic enclaves occupying its land mass.
The country’s history as far as slavery and indentureship are concerned has shaped its socio-political as well as economic ideology and outlook. This history is responsible, in part, for the popular culture that results in the creation of new forms of subcultures and norms that challenge existing stereotypes about how free men and women must live, achieve wealth and status, and procreate.
Now more than ever, Guyana is on the verge of realising its true development potential after years of good and prudent economic as well as fiscal management and austerity when necessary under the tenure of the now opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic.
The PPP also somehow managed to unite Guyanese with competing and different interests in order to tap into their collective abilities while temporarily removing the deep-rooted and ingrained things that threaten to undermine progress, reconciliation and national unity.
One of those things is racism and racial disharmony. Since the early 1950s this phenomenon has threatened to destabilise the prevailing levels of cohesiveness and unity in our society. At times, it succeeded and citizens were forced as well as educated to believe that the colour of their skin was either a passport or a signal of their status or a deportation notice which confirmed that they were not wanted or legit in certain parts of the country.
Despite the rhetoric and semantics of former Prime Minister and President Forbes Burnham, under his watch the People’s National Congress perused an agenda of systemic racism and discrimination against those who opposed its policies and rule including middle class blacks and Guyanese of mixed heritage.
The party continued to pursue this agenda despite the protestations of the PPP and has offered no apologies for the mass killings, political disorder and continued racism which occurred under its watch. Instead all of its leaders have offered tales of deniability and rationalisation of particular events to justify both the mood and response of the PNC Government at various times in this country’s history.
It is also important to note that the PNC did nothing to widened its appeal to other groups until consecutive Population Censuses begun recording the decline and increase in its core support bases over a number of years.
The PPP also have done its share of wrongs as far as encouraging a phenomenon which nurtures as well as encourages racial divisiveness and marginalisation. Though not deliberately, the party erred by not doing much more to educate its support base and Guyanese in general about the need for racial harmony which is the only prerequisite for national unity.
By not making this feature more than a popular talking point and thematic expression, the PPP missed countless opportunities to achieve ethnic harmony and solidarity during its 23-year rule.
But the PPP is not as half as bad or arrogant as the PNC of the 1970s and 1980s.
In fact, it did way more to achieve a legislative and legal foundation that protects all Guyanese and promotes racial equality during its tenure even if some feel differently.
Unfortunately, Guyana is facing a new test that threatens to reintroduce and reopen its scars of race hate, race-oriented politics and racial animosity.
Since the elections of 2015, the levels of racial insecurity have risen and there is much ethnic discord at the community levels. The new government and its harsh, untempered and brutish rhetoric are partially responsible for that discord. Also its policies and politics have confirmed that there is a genuine disinterest in creating both a modern platform and environment for higher levels of respect, reforms and tolerance aimed at improving race relations.
It would appear that Guyanese of East Indian and Amerindian heritage have found themselves in a bind and at a larger disadvantage when pursuing opportunities, social justice and the protection of their private as well as human rights.
In order to change course, a properly functioning Ethnic Relations Commission must be made functional along with a parliamentary committee on improving race relations.
In addition, the government needs to disabuse its mind of the fallacy that it is achieving national unity and social cohesion. It is not! Any fool could attest to the fact that race relations are not improving and it’s because of a lack of vision and leadership on the part of those who wield political power.

Another apology

 

Behavioural Science Academic and best selling US Author, Steve Maraboli argues that apologies are not important if there is no strong indication that there is going to be a serious change in one’s approach or future actions.

In fact, he is quoted as saying that “Behaviour speaks… I need not listen to someone’s apology; I’ll watch for it. I’ve learned not to let someone’s words blind me from their behaviour.”

Another Indian Author, Amit Kalantri agrees with Maraboli but puts it a bit differently. He said: “If an apology is followed by an excuse or a reason, it means they are going to commit same mistake again they just apologised for.”

This line of thinking can apply to the political culture existing in Guyana where some politicians and high-ranking officials believe that it is okay to distort facts, tell blatant lies, mislead the public; and they offer a blanket apology after public outrage over an issue or they are caught in Charlotte’s web.

Recently, Public Health Minister Dr George Norton and by extension President David Granger’s Cabinet attempted to practise this sort of politics in a desperate bid to hoodwink citizens and hide what was obviously a case of massive corruption and the misuse of public funds so that ulterior business and political motives could be realised.

Dr Norton told the Committee of Supply of the National Assembly that he had to spend some $12.5 million for rental of storage space at a warehouse facility for pharmaceuticals as a result of an emergency while asking for approval for millions more up until December this year.

He also told the Assembly that this would save taxpayers millions of dollars monthly as the NEW GPC INC was charging over $19 million for storage space compared to the other company, Linden Holding Inc which is owned by Lawrence Singh and headquartered in a building owned by his colleague Minister Catherine Hughes.

Also, the Minister’s posture in the face of basic yet important questions posed by the parliamentary Opposition, People’s Progressive Party demonstrated arrogance and a deliberate attempt at providing half-baked responses.

Soon after media investigations, the public learnt that the Government had advanced a $25 million deposit to the company which had no experience in the storage of pharmaceuticals. In March this year, the warehouse was incomplete and there were no Government supplies stored there despite the emergency; there was no approval from certifying bodies locally, regionally or internationally; and there appeared to be a deliberate attempt to lock out competitors who could easily provide storage space, especially NEW GPC.

In comes President Granger in the midst of public outrage and orders not a CoI but a ministerial sub-committee probe even though common sense would expose the fact that this is a definite conflict of interest and a clear case of the Government probing the Government. Nonetheless, among the recommendations from the ‘probe’ were the need for Dr Norton to apologise and a review by another Minister of the contract blessed by the entire Cabinet and entered into by the Health Minister.

The truth is no apology from Dr Norton will suffice. An apology from the entire cabinet and the scrapping of the contract is a good start and demonstrative of good governance. There should be competitive bidding or an ad for expression of interest in providing the storage space.

Justice must prevail and sadly, Dr Norton should be hauled before the Privileges Committee so as to deter other government ministers from making a mockery of the parliamentary process and misleading the public. Integrity demands it and ethics yearns for it.

President Granger should also apply his Ministerial Code of Conduct to see if indeed there was a breach as some strongly feel that some Minister or official was going to get a drawback from this contract and it was not Dr Norton.

This incident is particularly embarrassing for the new government and its anti-corruption banter. President Granger cannot allow the ghost of corruption to run free, possessing senior members of his Cabinet. He cannot continue to cover for those who are short-sighted, greedy, bitter, and vengeful and who do not possess the requisite skills to manage public projects and monies.

Soon, I will reveal details about another corruption scandal within government circles involving one of Cabinet’s most controversial figures.

 

Youth energy

Recently, there has beenYouth an outcry by youthsacross the Caribbean for several newly elected governments to honour their elections promises and deliver on the creation of new jobs and the establishment of national youth funds aimed at tackling the many problems that affect youths. While some governments have already buckled under pressure and responded favourably, others continue to ignore the demands of youths. By their own admission and actions in part, they believe that regional resources ought to be directed at more pressing and fundamental areas that will see regionalism and democracy being advanced, economic and social progress fast-tracked, and poverty reduced, if not alleviated. They do not see the need to pay keen attention to the youth population through the advancement of cohesive, modern and sharp legislative and non-legislative policies and initiatives. In fact, it can also be argued that some of these governments would rather design and fashion reactive and piecemeal policies that address singular issues which they deem important to their re-election bids and their political constituents. This is done largely without meaningful consultation and at the exclusion of youth leaders. Unfortunately, the new A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government in Guyana appear to be one of those unresponsive Caribbean regimes that continue to ignore the thunderous cries of youths for jobs, meaningful reforms, and an end to racial divisions in the society. The new government is demonstrating through its recent actions and policy positions that it is more concerned about taking revenge against the opposition People’s Progressive Party, advancing its image abroad through the reorganization of the Foreign Service and the strengthening of its political machinery under the facade of pursuing social cohesion. Despite being in office for well over a year, the David Granger administration is not honouring its elections promises to young people. There still is no coherent job creation policy and no new outlook for youths. The recently completed National Youth Policy is weak, uninspiring and largely ideological. While it takes note of the social and economic parasites that’s eating away at the development of youths, it offers no realistic solutions, schemes or avenues for the advancement of young people. Also, youths continue to be locked out of key positions at every level of government as they are dismissed as being either too young or inexperienced at the moment to make meaningful contributions to the notion of nation building. Clearly, the new government believes in tokenism and from time to time engages in many window dressing exercises aimed at pulling more wool over the eyes of the populace. It must be noted too that core youth groups and opposition political pressure groups continue to remain silent despite governments clear assault on young people. There was talk of banning young people who owe money on student loans from travelling abroad unless they repay. There is still the implementation of a nonsensical 2am curfew. There is the strategic firing of young professionals and youths who are perceived to be supporters of the last government. Youths cannot continue to be silent and sheepish. They must demonstrate their impatience by lobbying the government to keep its campaign promises and to do exactly what it said it will do for young people when it was in opposition. Youths have to hold the government to account and demand the strategic quarterly update of the country’s youth policy. They must demand the creation of a modern job creation scheme while pressuring the government to involve it in the decision making processes of the state level. They must understand that silence and continued lambish behaviour are not options if they crave and desire political reform and respect. Youths must work together to re-energise themselves and inspire the changes they want in their societies. Each day history is made and tomorrow when youths recognise that their later years are still hard, they will have no one to blame but themselves.