Dear Editor,
Politics like cricket is characterised by ‘glorious uncertainties’. One is never sure what will pop up on any given day. I believe that the recent controversy involving Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, Brian Tiwari and Baishanlin is evidence of the above saying. It is unfortunate that this latest in a series of controversies that have dominated the political spectrum in Guyana took place soon after the local government elections. Public attention, which should have been focused on the ‘how and why’ of the results of those elections and trying to understand the political implications of the vote, was instead, directed to the Harmon controversy. The question to be asked is this – Is the Harmon controversy incidental or is it being deliberately blown up out of proportion as part of a political conspiracy to destroy Harmon?
Reading the various positions taken by political analysts and letter writers on the issue in the public media, I must acknowledge that the outcry was damning. But were the expressions fair and justified? It was not surprising, given what the nation experienced during the PPP/C’s 23 years rule that there were several expressions of outrage. At the risk of condemnation in some circles, I wish to put on public record that I do not support the calls being made by some persons for President Granger to axe Minister Harmon because I am not convinced that his actions, both in relation to Tiwari’s appointment and the Baishanlin/customs matter had anything to do with personal corruption on his part. In my opinion it has more to do with Mr. Harmon’s zealous pursuit of government objectives. It is in this context that I believe it is politically unwise and unrealistic, to demand his axing. I wish to make it clear for the record that I have no problem with discussions on the Minister’s conduct, since he is a public official and whatever he does is subject to public examination – but there must be due process.
I have agonised over the indecent haste in which calls are being made for the minister to be removed from office, without first hearing his explanation. I am not sure whether the calls are indicative of political fatigue in sections of the population, or, are media manipulations by political detractors or, is evidence of growing simplicity in our politic thinking. Whatever the reason, the consequence seems to be scant concern for objectivity and balanced responses to issues. Political bashing is fast becoming the order of the day, almost a reflex action. While this type of public reaction helps the political agenda of some, it does no good for the development of the political consciousness of the broad masses of people. Political development of our people therefore makes it imperative for us to carefully examine issues in our attempts at understanding what may in effect be the hidden political agenda of some analysts.
In our struggle to make Guyana a better country we have to guard against unwittingly setting expectations too high that is not achievable in the short term. This in no way means that there should be a lowering of public vigilance on the way the country is being governed; we need a conscious and informed populace to defend and advance the political gains of May 15, 2015. But at the same time we have to aspire for a political culture that is mature and realistic. Public polemics will only help in this regard if it is balanced and driven in the main by a desire to seek the truth and educate the people, and not driven by the desire simply to score political points or take advantage of public sensitivity.
It is usually difficult in Guyanese politics when controversy is raging to call for principled political polemics, without running the risk of being deemed an apologist. The APNU+AFC government has not completed a full year in office, and by any standard this government is still young and in the early stages of its mandate. It is also clear that ministers and the cabinet have in some instances demonstrated deficiencies in the way they conduct public business. Some of these difficulties are due to the fact that those now in power were out of office and in the opposition for 23 years, and are still in the process of coming to grips with the challenges of governing a badly damaged country.
I am of the view that Minister Harmon is being put on the “sacrificial cross” and is being made the scapegoat for the deficiencies and the collective shortcomings of the new government. The present government finds itself in a political dilemma. It is being pressured by the masses to deliver on political, social and economic promises and by the political opposition and critics to address what is perceived as a slowdown in the economy. In trying to address this situation it is apparent that the government has chosen not to antagonize the economic players, even those with questionable pasts. What is compounding the regime’s difficulties given this approach is the acceptance of a stated government policy explaining to the nation why the regime has decided on the present approach. In the absence of such an explanation the public has no way of objectively judging whether a minister or government official is carrying out his/her functions in a legal framework or, is in fact in violation of government policy.
The population is left to form its own opinion without the necessary information, and worst, the public is left vulnerable, and becomes a victim to disinformation and propaganda by detractors of the regime. If the government’s priority is economic development and stability, and to achieve this objective it feels it needs to have good relations with the business sector across the board, in spite of the known infractions by some of these same persons: any minister can find himself/herself in the position of Minister Harmon in his/her attempts to realise government’s objectives. In a situation of insufficient policy guidance and public awareness ministers are left to founder in muddy political waters.
The government is also under pressure from its own supporters on the issue of PPP/C corruption, and making good its election promise to bring to justice wrongdoers of that regime. To date, in spite of numerous audits and compelling evidence the regime has demonstrated that it lacks the “political will” to actively prosecute wrongdoers. This failure is the collective failure of the cabinet and government and in a large way it has created doubts in the minds of APNU+AFC supporters to such an extent where many are saying that the reason for the government’s inaction is because there are elements within the government whose desire is to go the route charted by the worst elements of the PPP/C regime.
This kind of situation has provided the detractors of the government with fertile ground and they are taking advantage of the situation. This in part explains the ease in which many of our supporters are being led to believe that Minister Harmon is on the wrong path. The recent letter penned by Nigel Hinds in defence of Harmon and published in both SN and KN on Thursday, April 7, 2016 is a fitting response and has gone a long way in correcting this unfortunate situation.
Yours faithfully,
Tacuma Ogunseye
