Dear Editor,
It is time the people stop depending on President Ramotar and the PPP/C to sack Henry Greene, and do themselves justice by taking action in this matter, to help in protecting the morale of the Guyana Police Force (GPF). The most recent reaction of President Ramotar on the Greene ‘consensual sex’/ ‘rape allegation’ dilemma confirms that the President and the government have no intention of removing Henry Greene from office, even though Greene has openly admitted to engaging in activities which, undoubtedly, amount to gross professional misconduct.
I believe the fact that the government seems to view this matter in such dismissive and unimportant terms is indicative of the type of disrespectful, insensitive and arrogant leadership Guyanese have been exposed to for the past two decades. It is clear that no consideration is given to the moral damage this, particular case, would have not only on the police force but also on the nation. How do we define professionalism to young people when, right before their very eyes they are witnessing the worst kind of professional misconduct, committed by no less a person than the Commissioner of Police of the country? How do we justify to these young people that Henry Greene has a right to remain in office? Further, how do we say to our Caribbean counterparts and the rest of the world that we have a professional police force? Do we even care about the image of this most important institution in our country?
Do the PPP/C and the president truly believe that Guyanese do not care enough about this issue, to the extent that we are willing to have them and Henry Greene, just ride out this situation? If there was one time in these first few months of his presidency that Donald Ramotar had the unique opportunity to demonstrate that he is willing to break from the distasteful, and corrupt past of the Jagdeo administration, this (Henry Greene case) is that time. I believe that this is an issue that speaks to the core of our values and ethics as Guyanese. This issue goes beyond party lines and as such is important to the people regardless of which political party they support. I am quite sure that PPP/C supporters, like the rest of Guyana consider the Greene situation an embarrassing one which warrants the President’s intervention to ensure that Greene is dismissed. Yes, I am quite sure that there are sufficient people in the PPP/C who care about our moral standing as a nation; I therefore, call on all those people to join with the rest of Guyana as we demand Henry Greene’s total removal from office.
Ramotar has lost the opportunity to demonstrate leadership in an uncomplicated matter as the Henry Greene, sex saga. Can Guyanese expect any kind of solid leadership from him as more critical and ‘deep thinking’ national and international issues emerge during his presidency? I think not!
Yours faithfully,
Lurlene Nestor
