Dear Editor,
The rumour mill in Guyana is reputedly the most efficient and well-calibrated tool of destruction ever created by the malicious, the uneducated and the vindictive. It was well-lubricated over the last two weeks.
Consequently, businesses planned for interruptions, schools for intrusions into their curriculum, families became tense and the speeches of the politicians became increasingly vitriolic. On the day of elections and the day of the declaration of elections, the streets were essentially abandoned. The media, indifferent to making positive contributions to the image of Guyana latched onto the trivial and the mundane. The professionalism of the media is still a sore point of concern. NCN did not change this image when in a display which was as uninspiring as watching paint dry, it televised the results of the General Elections continuously without even an analysis of the results at hand. Visibly missing was the conversion of the incoming raw data to meaningful and thought-provoking and insightful information that would have quelled the fears and misinformation that travelled at Facebook and Twitter speeds.
As we congratulate the current President, we ought to consider preparing for the next 5 years starting today. Firstly, there should be evidence that the political leaders have regular discussions with each other, even socially as we see in Barbados and other well-administered countries where collaboration effectively leads to cohesion, politically and socially.
Secondly, based on the funds allocated to the election campaign, similar amounts, if allocated to educating the public on matters of mutual interest and the promotion of the manifestos, could help the electorate to make informed choices. The Private Sector Commission, the Chambers of Commerce, GECOM and the EAB could contribute in a meaningful way to quelling the fears and reducing the gross ignorance of the voters. Furthermore, the religious community has a major role to play in maintaining some modicum of peace throughout the year and more specifically, during the election year.
Thirdly, the media need to be more responsible, fair and impartial.
Having the Commonwealth, OAS, Caricom and other Observer groups was quite an accomplishment and must continue to be an integral part of Guyana’s elections. Their presence led to a high level of support and confidence in the election process.
The behaviour of our political leaders and citizens is being monitored daily. Decisions relative to international investments in Guyana and the provision of educational and other services as pointed out by President Jagdeo at the Feminition Conference will be affected adversely if we are not more prudent. For the good of our citizens and more specifically, our youth, let us move forward positively and wisely.
Ralph Emerson put it best when he wrote that, “to laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends… to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is the meaning of success.”
Yours faithfully,
Wayne W Barrow
