Dear Editor,
Since Obama’s accession to the American presidency, comparisons are made with his politics and style of leadership on the one hand, and what prevails in various parts of the world on the other. With respect to Guyana, letter writers and commentators have been talking about a need for change and the presence of change stimulants, given the current idea and leadership bankruptcy and the dismal track record of both the PPP and the PNC. In a letter in early January I alluded to these realities, but also pointed out that Guyana does not lack requisite leadership potential. With less than three years remaining for the next constitutionally due elections I do sincerely believe that the urgency of ‘now’ must register in the consciousness of these leaders and they must begin to dialogue with each other and find common ground to set into motion a change ripple that can become an Obama-like wave, potent enough to engulf the monster of ethnic politics and deposit a new political culture premised on nationalism, essential democratic values and integrity.
I would like to again emphasize the urgency of now, and to appeal to those who have already displayed a sense of wanting to move beyond ethnic politics and an ossified political culture that puts self and party above nation. Can these individuals please begin to move past the occasional rhetorical outpouring and send a message to the embattled Guyanese nation that they are prepared to take advantage of the current conducive climate to take back Guyana from the political dinosaurs that straddle the land?
To whom do I refer? Again the names were mentioned in my letter of early January: Eric Phillips, Stanley Ming, Jerome Khan, Peter Ramsaroop, Paul Hardy, Ravi Dev, Andaiye, Karen DeSouza, Christopher Ram, Yesu Persaud, retired army commander Joe Singh, perhaps even Vincent Alexander, James McAllister, Moses Nagamootoo, Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman. This list is far from being exhaustive and I’m almost certain that once enough of these individuals get together and begin to set things in motion, others can be persuaded to come aboard and create a snowball effect. The AFC had a unique opportunity to become a major player at the 2006 elections but could not capitalize on the momentous goodwill it generated. That opportunity has forever been lost to Ramjattan, Trotman and company, and now they would most certainly need to put personal ambitions on the backburner and become a part of a wider circle of leaders. Others like Eric Phillips, Ravi Dev and Paul Hardy must see their roles as champions of their own constituents as being located within the context of roles as nationalistic leaders. Yet others like Christopher, Ram, Yesu Persaud and Joe Singh must recognize that their status makes it imperative for them to lend their names and efforts to bring about change. And finally those like Nagamootoo, Alexander, McAllister, Andaiye and Karen DeSouza must see their failed efforts at effecting change within the PNC and PPP respectively or via the WPA as a prelude to become actual change agents on a national scale. Ladies and gentlemen the time is opportune, the challenge beckons… will you stand up and lead the Guyanese nation out of its forty plus years of servitude to the PNC and the PPP?
Yours faithfully,
Annan Boodram
