Dear Editor,
The Ministry of Labour in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO) recently sponsored “A Technical Workshop on the Role of Co-operatives in Nation Building and the Development of SME’s in Guyana”. The venue for the opening ceremony was the boardroom of GAWU (Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union) Labour College. Above the head table and in full view of the participants was a portrait of our President, a normal feature in boardrooms of public domain.
It was indeed refreshing to hear one speaker, a Caricom national and ILO consultant Mr. Kelvin Sergeant, speak endearingly about Guyana’s commitment to the Co-operative sector as borne out by the name of our country, “The Co-operative Republic of Guyana”. This certainly was a proud moment for the co-operators in Guyana.
Another speaker at this event, Mr. Norris Witter an eminent and knowledgeable Trade Unionist reminded the gathering that the Guyana Constitution provided for a tri-sectoral approach to economic development, via the Public Sector, Private Enterprise and Co-operatives. In addition, Minister Gopaul stressed his seriousness about reviving the Co-operative movement and informed of the government commitment to strengthen and expand the Co-operative Sector inclusive of an increased number of Co-ops Officers throughout the Regions.
This was certainly encouraging news, a time to give kudos to those who were promoting the cause of the Co-operative Sector. It seemed fitting that all of this should culminate in the singing of the Co-operative song, “Let us Co-operate for Guyana”. As a boon, two former stalwarts of the Co-operative movement Ms. Eileen Rowe and Mr. Charles Conway volunteered to lead in the singing of the song.
As the gathering rose to sing this song, my eyes went back to the President’s portrait and to my utter dismay the caption below the portrait read “President of the Republic of Guyana” and not “President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana”. Fortunately, Mr. Sergeant could not see the portrait since he was seated at the head table. The word co-operative was evidently missing and it seemed more by design rather than by accident. Here in the GAWU boardroom there were unwittingly two messages about the Co-operative movement in Guyana (one from the President’s portrait and one from Minister Gopaul) and they certainly did not complement each other.
Yours faithfully,
Alfred Julien
