Dear Editor,
The recent furor over the past (almost 40 years ago) as regards Mr Granger, the presidential candidate for the PNCR, is exactly as it is, a storm in a teapot. We, the Guyanese citizens are really not interested in the past, especially when collective nightmares are at stake. We are interested in the positive past not the negative past. Some of us might condemn Mr Granger for the 1973 incidents when the general elections were blatantly rigged, but what about his professionalism and leadership in our army or his business and managerial skills in private life? Some of us might condemn him for being a PNC member for 40 years, as if the PNC is an illegal party, but what about his church, family and associates of which he has been a ‘member’ for more than 40 years, not to mention his inclinations for social and community work? Some of us might condemn him as too advanced in age, saying that we need a younger President, but many good leaders like President Cheddi made a difference to their country’s development – President Cheddi became president when he was 74 years old and served this country honourably.
Editor, must we always rake up the negatives of the past when we have to eventually come together for the good of this country? I want to make it clear that this letter in no way endorses Mr Granger’s political fortunes; it merely is trying to send a simple message: let us all uphold political righteousness in the upcoming elections.
Editor, let us advance to this next election dealing with the merits and demerits of important issues facing this nation from the ‘pin’ to the ‘post,’ because for some, the post is all important while for others like me, the pins are where development should be placed first and that is not happening – why is it always about the post and the big things while the little things which the regular citizens care about the most about are forgotten and left aside? We, the citizens, want to hear about the past only if it can inspire us to be more unified and wealthy and cause us to look back in pride. We definitely do not want to look back to incite rancour and division in our fragile society, and that is why all of us should sit back, evaluate and assess Mr Granger based on the quality of leadership he would provide, his history of service in the political sphere, the sense of direction this country will take under his leadership and lastly, the level of professionalism he would set in attaining a real meritocracy, a most important criterion for administrating our dear country.
Editor, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr Granger on his election to represent his party and to assure him that the citizens of Guyana are not stupid and ignorant, and that we will reject all attempts to lure us into the traps of the past. We want a better future and that is the bottom line; the assembly line for our freedom as a nation was born in 1950 when the unity of the Guyanese people was evident and led to the great victory in 1953. Those important dates of unity and positive change should inspire all our political agendas as we advance to a better future. The lessons from the glorious days of 1953 of unity and strength are the inspiration for a new Guyana, involving all patriotic Guyanese. All Guyanese who are eligible, especially our youth, should register to vote as soon as possible.
Yours faithfully,
Cheddi (Joey) Jagan (Jr)
