Dear Editor,
I have previously written about the numerous and varied allegations about public sector corruption in Guyana, but I am forced to return to the topic, because of a recent report that has been issued by Transparency International, and this month’s observance of International Anti-Corruption Day (which the government, reportedly, did not take part in).
What bothers me is the stubbornness of the present administration in Guyana about addressing the contents of the Transparency International report; the allegations being advanced by interest groups in Guyana, and the filling oversight commissions with recommended personnel.
Instead of addressing the contents of the Transparency International report, Dr Luncheon, for example, seems to prefer to blame “the wicked Guyanese media” for influencing those contents, while the President, Mr Ramotar, prefers to blame questionable research methods and methodologies for the Transparency International findings.
Within the global village where Guyana and other countries now find themselves located, the regime is obligated to respond to Transparency International’s rating and prescriptions for improvement. As a reminder, Guyana has been ranked by the 2013 Corruption Index of Transparency International as136 out of 177 countries; in terms of the Americas, Guyana has been ranked 28 out of 32; while for the Caribbean, only Haiti scored lower than Guyana.
I urge the PPP/C regime to give urgent attention to allegations of public sector corruption in Guyana, because such corruption is unethical and immoral; it fosters greed; it robs the marginalized masses of scarce financial resources; it undermines investor confidence; and it causes qualified and qualitative personnel to exit the country.
Yours faithfully,
Morris Wilson
