Dear Editor,
I read a recent article by Samuel Goolsarran in Stabroek News titled ‘The social partnership option for national development-Guyana’. Mr Goolsarran’s article is very pertinent and proposes an objective perspective on a matter of national concern, ie, social cohesion.
Unfortunately, the more we talk of social cohesion, the less is really done about it. And the level at which social cohesion is pitched is not responsive because the very basis of this enigma has been shifty and without definition. It is useless to keep drumming the mantra of social cohesion when the preachers themselves are at serious odds ‒ in policy and in conduct.
It is no secret that this nation is polarised and with every passing election it becomes more so. If our political leaders cannot set the example, what is the value of that leadership?
I had represented since Desmond Hoyte became President that he approach Cheddi Jagan and together they walk the length and breadth of this country and pull the people into one Guyana. I repeated that call when Bharrat Jagdeo became President, again when Donald Ramotar became President and recently when David Granger became President. Why? Because while the electorate marked their Xs for their respective parties, the sum total of the votes was for Guyana, and an obligation was placed on our two leaders to respect the wishes of our people as a collective. But I suppose that unless one is a political or financial heavyweight or a rabble-rouser of some repute, presidents tend to be dismissive of the opinions of minions like myself. We mark our Xs and we give politicians dominion over our lives thereafter.
Every race, every religion, every profession, has a role to play in the development of this country. How we pull these resources together depends on how much political and racial baggage our leaders are prepared to ditch. We would be ostriches if we refused to acknowledge that reality. The current economic laceration in Guyana will soon become poisonous.
When the economy is sick all other national ailments come to the surface. So, notwithstanding the proclivity to paint a rosy picture with the use of statistics, the economic sore is festering. Continuing along the same path will only lead to the inevitable.
The time for social cohesion is now. Let our political leaders, by example, show us how.
Yours faithfully,
Taajnauth Jadunauth