Dear Editor,
Now that the elections are over, it is fitting to extend congratulations to our next President-elect, Donald Ramotar. The campaign has been hard and tensions flared in many directions. Most unfortunate, however, were the attacks on many competent individuals within the AFC, by President Jagdeo. The unfounded comments he made, not only made him look foolish but also brought down the Office of the President. I was really shocked by his rantings against some of Guyana’s best sons.
Now President-elect Ramotar will have to remove that damper and bring some goodwill to the Office of the President. I am reminded of a scripture that tells us of the stone that the builders rejected, becoming the chief cornerstone. President Jagdeo called most of the top leaders of the AFC “rejects,” now President-elect Ramotar will have to work with them to run a smooth government.
Whichever party members the next president chooses in the formation of his government, the country will begin a new chapter in its political life. I wish President-elect Ramotar and his government a very successful term of office.
As we begin this new chapter, I have seen some YouTube comments where some Guyanese of African descent are blaming the Indo-Guyanese for voting for their own ethnic group. The attempt by some of our brothers to accuse the other side of racial voting and then failing to look at oneself reminds me of another scripture which says that we need to take the beam out of our eyes, and when we begin to see better, we can then take the mote out of our brother‘s eye. We have come a long way, and our past is nothing to be proud of. However, if we continue to cast blame on each other, our country will not only remain racially divided, but the dream of a progressive country will continue to elude us. I am asking all of us to refrain from making foolish comments that will lead to further division. I am confident that Mr Granger, Mr Ramjattan and their respective parties will work with President-elect Ramotar to help build a brighter future for all Guyanese.
At the same time, I am asking President-elect Ramotar to govern in the best interest of all Guyanese and not to allow the feelings of marginalisation to continue.
Yours faithfully,
Charles Sugrim