Dear Editor,

As the dust settles after the loss of an enduring and prominent person, who made Guyana not only her home but her life − Mrs Janet Jagan OE − it is useful to recall the stirring plea made by her son Joey, that is, a hope that her passing will allow the party leaders she worked with for three generations, to ponder and to effectuate meaningful change.

The watchword, the clarion call is for change, change for the sake of the children of Guyana. This has to be a monumental effort not only within the ranks of the ruling elite, but also among and within the opposition, our religious community and civil society.

At the risk of being idealistic, I need to mention this. A few years ago, I attended the World Summit on Leadership and Governance, titled ‘Good Governance for a world in Crisis.’ In the keynote address, the Chairman of the IFWP and IIPC Rev Dr Chung Hwan Kwak, quoted from an earlier statement by Dr Moon before 1,500 international delegates from over 160 nations.

Those words are so significant, profound and relevant for Guyana, that I pray that all the media use them:

“When we love our enemies and make oneness with them, the boundaries between us will collapse. That is why God’s strategy and tactic has always been ‘love your enemy.’ There can be no greater strategy for peace than this. Throughout history this incredible fact has escaped humanity’s understanding, and it has yet to be grasped even in modern times. Today, I tell you clearly that God’s strategy and tactic for human salvation is to love your enemy. You and the members of the Unification Church who have followed me until now are the representatives of history as well as of the current world who now know Heaven’s incredible secret. Our responsibility now is to inherit this principle, put it into practice, and become a true human being. If you accomplish these things, you are sure to become a key player in bringing about a world of peace.”

Maybe our leaders may not climb over that mountain top just yet, but if they all make an honest start by removing elements of corruption, injustice and arrogance then our nation would be on that right royal road to bequeath to our children a country of peace and love. By this we vindicate the life, work and vision of our fallen heroes and heroines: Accara, Burnham, Critchlow, Cuffy, Damon, Edun, the Enmore Martyrs, the Jagans, Latchmansingh, Pollydore, Quamina, Rodney, Son Chapman Martyrs, among others.

Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP