Dear Editor,
Friday, November 23, 2007 I attended the conference hosted by the Ministry of Human Services. The Honourable Minister Priya Manickchand revealed some shocking revelations when speaking of abuse, rape and violent death of child victims added to the behaviour of some adults towards others that results in shame, disgrace and in some cases death.
I do not wish to repeat what was covered in that conference as it is now public knowledge, all level headed Guyanese of moral standing should now be resolved to strongly stand side by side with the Honourable Minister to stamp it out. At this conference as in other conferences, consultation was in progress and recommendations were forwarded for the legal setting to be in place to help realize the minister’s goal and mission to stamp it out. I pray the minister’s message and mission will yield results.
I believe that the minister’s conscience on the issue of abuse and rape is at the helm of her efforts to do something positive before it’s too late. But while all of that was happening a more serious development was taking shape in the nation (I say more serious, because of the nature of the event and what consequences could follow). Another government minister was in another conference with, I suppose, men of his own persuasions and of similar character, caught up in a rum shop brawl that resulted in him behaving badly, to put it mildly.
This government minister and former adviser to the President, His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo is reported to have been involved in an activity that has thrown away his integrity.
What kind of culture is creeping up upon us? Are we accepting a sub-culture that promotes such vile and unacceptable conduct? Are we as a nation setting a good example for our young people to follow?
What lesson could be learnt from such actions? I bring myself as an example as a minister of the Gospel, there is a certain conduct that is alien to this profession and if I am found guilty of one of these it is a bad example. Do not for one moment think that ministers of the Gospel aren’t tempted to blow their top or hang around bars or carry on illicit cultural affairs. Sometimes we are more pressured in setting standards for your young people to emulate.
I ask myself the question, why couldn’t someone in his company try to prevent him from the impending dangers and what was to follow. Does he not have a single friend who was thoughtful enough to caution him concerning his behaviour or is it that the conduct of the minister was acceptable in the eyes of his other colleagues who were present. And even now while he is contemplating his next move isn’t there a single wise man in government that can tell him that drunkenness will lead to debauchery, lawlessness will lead to disgrace, and bullying will not work in this society and firing of shots in the air will lead to murder.
Like our other Minister Priya Manickchand, tell me who is going to stand up in government and strongly advocate ‘Stamp it Out’ from our nation’s leaders except their consciences dictate otherwise. It seems we have a more serious problem than accidents on the road, crime, rape murder, and even global warming.
When the conscience of a nation cannot speak out against evil associations and wicked practices and do something about it, we are in a serious state.
My conscience tells me Minister Priya Manickchand is doing an excellent job and that is why I presented her with a copy of my book The Lame Take The Prey but for our other minister I say to him ‘Consider your ways’.
Yours faithfully,
Apostle Vanrick
Beresford
