The Methodist Church, Guyana, guided by its theme and mission “Growing up in Christ, Reaching out and Transforming the Nation”, hosted a public forum aimed at setting a new political culture at which the recent 8% pay hike for public servants took centre stage.
The forum provided the opportunity for representatives from the three main political parties to share with the church and the wider public: the vision the party has for Guyana and how it hopes to realize this vision and the party’s view of the role and function of the church in nation-building.
The gathering attracted persons from various sectors of society as well as members and pastors of a number of churches. The audience heard 20-minute presentations from PPP/C prime ministerial candidate and Prime Minister Samuel A Hinds, prime ministerial candidate of AFC Raphael Trotman and Lance Carberry APNU executive.
Hinds presented his party’s 19-year “ track record” and told the gathering amidst occasional murmurs that both statistically and visibly the party has made significant strides in the development of the nation.
Trotman outlined the context of the emergence of the AFC and highlighted its fundamental raison d’être as creating a new political culture with an end to race politics. This he noted was set against a backdrop of the fighting of their ‘fathers’ and the drawn battle line for decades that has not advanced a nation with such tremendous potential.
Carberry was careful to note that his understanding of the opportunity presented was more fundamental than politicking and sought to clarify the philosophical framework that governed APNU, reiterating the failure of the current system of governance where a losing party can gain (illustratively speaking) 49 % of the votes and have no legitimate and substantial “say” in the governance of that nation.
These presentations were followed with the Accapella group Circle of Love singing two patriotic songs, My Native Land and O Beautiful Guyana, which were very well received by the gathering.
Those gathered were then given the opportunity to ask questions of the panel. Questions included duty-free concessions for churches, government’s attitude to missionaries, raising the profile of the University of Guyana, distribution of land and job opportunities among others.
In response to a question as to what cause he had championed that can serve as a fillip in convincing persons that he is worthy of their vote, Hinds meandered through a response which spoke about the party’s policies and pursuits.
With there being continued emphasis on the increase in salaries the Prime Minister provoked not only the murmuring of the gathering but provided a high point of the meeting.
Carberry commented that the issue was not increased wages but whether or not people are receiving a livable pay. This response was met with a rousing applause by the gathering. The Prime Minister responding noted that his party can only divide up what is received and this paved the way for Trotman’s hammering interjection which challenged the response of the prime minister in the light of the “three million dollar” pension plan for the president.
The Prime Minister denied that it is in fact three million dollars but stated that all presidents would be given the same amount.
Each panelist was then given two minutes for closing remarks where Trotman and Carberry spoke of their regard for working together and the legitimate role all the parties can play in building the nation. Hinds said that if people came together with no common ideology then you would have a government that would be stuck at a stalemate this in turn would do no good.
The event was well received by those gathered and was deemed a tremendous success by the organizers.
Speaking with Stabroek News, organiser of the event Pastor Adolf Davis said he felt the town hall style meeting was necessary and more helpful than a public debate. He said his perception was so since it provided an opportunity for the nation to hear from its leaders as well as provide an opportunity to share concerns and hold them accountable in a manner that allows each person to leave the event with their dignity. Equally commendable was the cordial approach and respect each presenter had for the other.
