Dear Editor,
While the new government must be commended for inspiring hope and optimism among the Guyanese population it needs to focus on the issues in its manifesto and not get sidetracked with ones that are controversial. To its credit I must say that I have neither witnessed such an outpouring of goodwill nor such a renaissance of patriotism and national pride for over five decades.
One gets the sense of a nation on the move when one listens to the President, Prime Minister and ministers articulate a vision of development and progress that accords easily with national aspirations. Indeed, if seventy per cent of the objectives of the one hundred day plan could be achieved in that timeframe I do not think anyone would be unhappy.
I, however, had cause for raised eyebrows when I heard the Minister of Health indicate early in his tenure that he would like to make abortions available in public health institutions.
My eyebrows were also raised when the President expressed the view of according rights to the LGBT community and mentioned in that context the need for Guyana to emulate the international community.
The government must remember that there were strong protests and the picketing of parliament by the evangelical community as well other stakeholders when these issues were being debated in the nineties and in 2000.
What is also of concern is that these issues were not listed in the coalition’s manifesto nor were they raised during the campaign. I caution that we should not cherry pick behaviours from the international community that suit us. In that context I could make reference to Jamaica which has affirmed that it would not change its buggery laws.
As one who voted for change, my prayers, expectations and energies are focused on those issues admirably set out in the coalition’s manifesto.
Yours faithfully,
L Persaud
