Dear Editor,
I read with much interest a letter by Eric Phillips, executive member of ACDA on Laurence Clairmonte Clarke, who was a loyal life member of ACDA. At one time the pores on my skin stood up; the accolades and his athletics and academic achievements are stunning: As Mr Phillips informed us: “His legacy at Queen’s College was carved into the school’s history during Queen’s College golden age of sports.” He will go down as one of the architects of excellence in both academic and extra curricula activities at QC.
Here’s a life lived filled with luminous academic performances: As scholar extraordinaire he was fluent in three languages: English, French, and Portuguese. He possessed a PhD in Monetary Economics from UWI; a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Windsor in Canada; a BSc in Economics from the University of Guyana and a Bachelor in Commerce from the University of Windsor (special honours). These followed his eight ‘O’ level and three ‘A’ level passes at QC. He served for many years at the World Bank where he was an acclaimed economist, chartered international banker and director; he was one time Resident Representative and Country Manager for Zambia, Angola, Ethiopia and Sudan and Director of the World Bank in Mozambique.
At QC he was head prefect; table tennis captain, member of the cricket team, editor of the QC newspaper and magazine, a sergeant in the school’s cadet corps; president of YSM in Plaisance/Sparendaam; and headed a five-man delegation to the World Assembly of Youth at the United Nations in 1970. Indeed, he was one of Guyana’s brightest minds – what more can one expect. This for me is enough for one to stake his/her candidacy for presidency. For far less than what he has achieved you find individuals who are very stuffy, aloof, arrogant and boastful.
And Mr Phillips further enlightened us that along with other sharp minds – Dr Kenneth King and Clarence Ellis – Laurence Clarke played an important role in ACDA’s evolution and was one of ACDA’s heroes and role models for kids at the school.
Editor, I’m always enthralled when reading about people of such remarkable cerebral brilliance. One never just glosses over gifted and distinguished personalities without pausing for a moment to ponder on the creation of such a profound spirit, soul – whatever. And the heights, achievements of these personalities are deserving of being spread, not only to students at ACDA but beyond – why not?
It is the very first time I’m hearing about Mr Laurence Clarke anyway.
I often wondered how we can make such an illustrious academic career impact on our youngsters so they are real role models. It’s amazing the number of high profile Guyanese like him who are scattered across the globe serving and working assiduously in senior capacities in various disciplines, but for whatever reason we have lost their talent to other peoples of the world – our loss, their gain – no sweat, but still they should be made known and as we say in street talk, “big up” before they are removed from the planet, since no one knows the hour, the time of departure. They are the people who we should not, not know.
The tribute by Mr Phillips was very informative and I was touched by it, especially when he posited that Clarke’s greatness went beyond his academic and athletic achievements, but lay in his humility and the deep loyal friendship he created and sustained. A leader, athlete, developmental expert, friend of Africa and son of Guyana – Guyana has indeed lost a gem.
Now after penning all of the above I came across another letter: ‘Why did Laurence Clarke suddenly end his political aspirations?” by F Skinner (SN, Feb 21), and was taken in by his observations as they were some of the very thoughts that occupied my mind as I was reading Mr Phillips’s tribute. Judging from Mr Skinner’s take, one is likely to feel that there is much more in the bag; he added more to the stature of the man: That he was considered one of the most if not the most vibrant member of the YSM, that he was the youngest Deputy General Manager of GNCB; that other than his academic prowess he possessed the physical features, charisma and oratorical skills of a Forbes Burnham, and out of many creditable aspirants he was selected to head the World Youth Conference. Now I did wonder aloud like Mr Skinner why such a person’s scholarship was never used to advance Guyana – “His exit and seeming non-association in Guyana’s politics is significant… His association with Guyana seemed to have been limited to vacation involving friends and family.” Good question: “What did he see or realise which caused him to make an about turn?” What is it about Guyana that causes its most brilliant and brightest to prefer to serve elsewhere? As I have said above these are all valid questions. I for one would like to know what ghost – if there was one – that frightened him, I’m sure that there is someone around who can say.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
