Dear Editor,
As we enter the month of February, the citizens of Guyana are naturally expected to be harbouring expectations about the fun and frolic associated with the annual celebration of the nation’s status as a republic ‒ Mashramani.
Editor, I have no objections to street parades and other types of recreational activity that highlight this annual observance, but I believe that there are so many social and economic ailments affecting this society, that I want to appeal to community leaders to summon caucuses in order to meditate on finding a salve for those ailments, especially as they pertain to the poorer and more marginalized inhabitants.
Among the topics that we should be deliberating on are arresting serious crime, such as murder, violent robbery, domestic violence, money-laundering and drug dealing; stabilizing the Guyana dollar; improving our educational facilities and teaching methodologies; creating increased employment opportunities, better wages and improved working conditions; freedom of the press; investigating corruption in the public sector; racial unity; drainage and irrigation and environmental cleanliness; and achieving milestones in keeping with the nation’s republican status.
This list could never be exhaustive, and institutional and community leaders and members will better know where their shoes are pinching.
Yours faithfully,
Morris Wilson