Dear Editor,
I was moved to share these thoughts, in much summary, a few months ago when a former government minister declared to Dr Philip Mozart Thomas, in good natured banter: “Man Dr Thomas what you’re setting out to do is good and necessary, but Guyana’s civil society is a bunch of cowards”
Again, I meant to respond to Lennox Cornette when in early January, in your letter columns, he stated that he and “citizens have no faith in Guyana’s civil society” (SN, January 6). I was tardy but better late than never.
Firstly, let me reveal that I was among those who shared the concern, uncertainty and cynicism expressed in the utterances of the two gentlemen mentioned above. I reserve judgement, however, on whether all of our local civil society advocates and activists are actually “cowards.” I remember the first-mentioned gentleman as a leader of a political party once thoroughly opposed to both of the major ones – PPP and PNC. Before he joined the hallowed hall of the cabinet as a vocal minister, he was himself a vocal leader-representative of a more civil society association which championed the causes of drivers in the private transportation sector. Currently a government member of parliament seemingly out of touch with the small man’s cost- of-living realities, must indeed realize how compromised, co-opted and paralyzed through divided loyalties, many non-government civil society organisations in Guyana are. I, therefore, understand his good-natured outburst, but still hope that, unselfishly, he appreciates the need for a fearless, robust and effective civil society infrastructure. The Constitution of Guyana which now invites some radical reforms to itself, provides for a pivotal role for citizens in between the elections when, with some hope, they choose governmental and parliamentary representatives. I refer to the now famous Article 13, Articles 9, 14, 17, 146 and 147, among many other provisions.
Constitutions are meant to provide guarantees for people’s greater good, but in fact most of the provisions are simply aspirational ideals to be worked for; to be achieved, hopefully sooner rather than later. It is for a country’s citizens to organize, equip and empower themselves to be monitors of those elected to manage and govern and to represent themselves forcefully, sometimes utilizing the constitution and the courts of law. Empowerment should also attract continuous resources including funding. And just as governments thrive on overseas assistance Civil Society is free to invite international support. (Incidentally, if and when foreign assistance is required, the NGO/CSO must utilize same to transparently good effect; not merely for the production of a few television promos, studies, papers and reports, or lopsided ‘administrative’ costs.)
Mr Cornette’s lack of faith in CSOs is understandable, though I could not decipher his reference to the civil society “movement” of post July 2002. I also concede that there is no “mass support” for the Guyana National Council on Public Policy (GNCPP) led by Dr Thomas, but would bet that no other NGO/CSO has any either. “Mass support” is usually left for some political parties and a few trade unions.
I close by inviting Mr Corlette to join a civil society group of his choice. Besides appropriate or convenient religious affiliations, citizens can make a difference when they create organizations that “would be there in season and out of season,” like the Egyptian Pyramids Mr Corlette requires. As to whether the GNCPP will last for a significant period and not “rise like a balahoo on the ocean and then subside into obliteration,” only time – and our gradual, then sustainable consolidation – will tell.
For more on the GNCPP check the website or call 231-1544, 629-9899, 218-0452
Yours faithfully
Allan A Fenty
GNCPP