Dear Editor,
Allow me to wish you, dear editor and staff, a rewarding, productive and pleasurable 2014, and may your efforts contribute to the upliftment of our people.
Many of us took seriously statements made by our heads of state, going back from our colonial days to Independence; their words were meaningful. I recall Governor Denham Savage, Governor General Sir Richard Luyt, Sir David Rose, Sir Edward Luckhoo, Forbes Burnham, Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan. We have somehow now reached a stage where statements by their successors need to be taken cum grano salis ‒ with a grain of salt.
Note that President Ramotar’s New Year message to the nation urged that we “work together in the interest of our people… let us be aware that life is short. Let us not waste time on pettiness but focus our energy towards the betterment of our people.” The old people had a saying “Wa mout na load,” meaning, it is not what you say but what you do. A further wisdom from our ancestors is “hand wash hand mek hand come clean,” meaning of course, that both sides need to cooperate for success.
The President could not be serious when he issued those fine-sounding words; he must know how much the gap between the rich and the poor is widening, that allows Guyana to be relegated just above Haiti on poverty and quality of life. While those high massive buildings dot the horizon along our coast and elsewhere and the nouveau riche drive around in their fancy cars, people cannot afford proper health care.
Our hospitals don’t have a full supply of drugs, yet the New GPC makes millions supplying drugs to our state medical institution. Millions are consumed in questionable arrangements with NICIL, being the jockey in our race of greed, while areas and communities not supportive of the government are being stultified in education. The majority cannot afford to send their children to the best universities in Europe and North America as some in high places can with ease. The majority of our children must attend schools with a shortage of teachers and equipment. The capital, compliments of the government, is now referred to as the ‘Garbage City.’
Mr Ramotar could not be serious. I have verbally and in writing appealed to President Ramotar to allow the duly democratically elected Mayor and Councillors to manage the city and to mobilize resources to improve our capital.
When this government refuses a democracy project by the US Government to help educate citizens as to the potential and role the young people in particular can and ought to play in their respective communities, where is this cooperation? What therefore is the President talking about?
Georgetown is a classic example of the government’s dislike for cooperation, when they not only ignore the municipality and groups that they perceive to be non-supporters of the PPP. Mr Ramotar says, he will continue to encourage dialogue, debates and consultations with all stakeholders, including the people in the communities. How is this cooperation to be achieved when he refuses to discuss matters with duly elected officials?
What cooperation can we have in 2014 when the government continues to appoint persons to high office not based on competence, qualifications or experience, but on their allegiance to the minority PPP?
In an early letter, I pointed out the need for change. If President Ramotar wants to find an honourable place in history, he must take himself out of this messy mire Guyana has been experiencing for the last generation. He must by deeds not words show the people of this country that he would lead an administration which has jettisoned the present philosophical underpinnings of the PPP, namely whether they are right or wrong, they are always correct.
For the New Year, we all can be reminded that ‘hope springs eternal in the human breast.’
I end this letter on that note of optimism that our President will lead a renaissance in Guyana. Can he do it? In 2014 we will wait and see.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green, JP
