Dear Editor,
I would like to pay compliments to those responsible for the good that they do in our society and for going beyond the call of duty. We all know about the bad and horrible things that occur for they are highlighted in the media, and lest you may think otherwise, I am not advocating that they should be swept under the carpet. However, there are many more good things and people around than the opposite and we should whenever possible say thanks. I am sure that it will be appreciated and maybe serve as a further incentive to those persons who benefit from our encomiums.
Space will not permit me to mention all who come to mind so I will only deal with a small number whom I consider deserving. I know that some may feel that others are more worthy and they may be right, so my apologies are offered in advance.
My first bouquet goes to Minister of Health Dr Ramsammy. He is a man who has steered the health sector to a position where in about five years Guyana will have the best health system. He does not mince his words and pushes his projects. We were and are still grateful for his leadership during the great flood and his ministry was responsible for minimizing the scare we had. Last week we saw the opening of the National Public Health Institute where, among other things, we now can carry out the required tests for suspected hazardous substance and or infectious disease outbreaks. He was able to persuade the Cabinet that this project was a good one and then get the funding mainly from the Unites States government. The major problem he has, is to ensure that all the facilities are maintained with qualified and committed personnel.
Mr Minister, you have my support that there should be no smoking in public places. Keep on the good work.
Next on my list is Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand. She made an impact as soon as she was appointed and went about streamlining the distribution of the old-age pensions which had been causing problems from time to time. She went to areas where other politicians feared and has set up two legal aid clinics in Essequibo and West Coast Berbice. I am sure that as time goes by, that the legal aid clinics will ensure that the rights of poor people are not trampled on. She has just put in place regulations for children’s homes (orphanages) and appointed a Visiting Committee to monitor them. She is putting in place a Domestic Violence National Policy, is making proposals to fight the sexual abuse of young girls and women, is trying to keep the homeless off the street and many other worthy matters. Bouquets for you Minister Priya!
I have also been impressed with Minister Dr Frank Anthony from the time he took office. He has endeared himself to the sporting fraternity and we feel that he means well and is fighting to ensure that sport is recognized as being an important component in our society. He has lobbied for the Guyana Olympic Association and by next year Guyana will have an Olympic swimming pool. He oversaw the World Cup Cricket Preparation for Guyana and seems to have the proper organization to make Carifesta a success.
Bouquets for you also Minister Anthony.
Last week Chancellor Carl Singh (ag) at the sitting at the Court of Appeal in memory of the late President Arthur Chung made a very important statement that the judiciary is indeed independent and that the criticism of Chief Justice Ian Chang (ag) in granting bail to an accused person, who had been languishing in the system for eight years, was unwarranted. The executive has to acknowledge to itself that they are not always right and are not the repository of all wisdom. The recent ruling by the Court of Appeal that the decision of Mr Justice Jainarine Singh in upholding that all the opposition parties were entitled to share in the funds for scrutineers bears well for the independence of the judiciary, but the decision may have no practical effect. Bouquets to you Mr Chancellor for reminding the executive that there is a dividing line.
I want to also send this special bouquet to Prime Minister Sam Hinds. He has despite the situation always managed to maintain his dignity and a smile. I recall at the last May Day celebrations, even after he was ridiculed and insulted by persons there he had the good manners to shake the hand of Mr Corbin in saying goodbye. I do not recall Prime Minister Hinds ever insulting anyone publicly, even though he was not in agreement with them. Something for us all to copy.
President Jagdeo is also the receipent of a bouquet for the speech he gave to the Caricom Heads of Government meeting in Antigua last week. It was strong. He disagreed with the decision in relation to the European Union as regards the sugar quota but said that he was also to take blame as he was part of the decision. I gather from the reports emanating from this conference that President Jagdeo was lauded for his contribution as leading Caricom in the regional agricultural development. One could have seen that he was a very important component in the deliberations and was respected.
My last bouquet goes to the Trustees of the Theatre Guild for the wonderful work that they did in the renovation of the Theatre Guild. I attended last Friday the performance of Dave Martins and others. It was a good show and I was able to recall very fond memories in attending the Theatre Guild many years ago. This treasure has been restored through the hard work of individuals coming together for the singular purpose of restoring what was once a treasured place. Feeling proud about the new Theatre Guild may be a gross under-statement and all those persons and entities who were involved are deserving of bouquets.
Yours faithfully,
K A Juman-Yassin
