Dear Editor,
Thanks to Essequibo businessman Nateram Ramanan and his colleague who have tried to reverse a trend in alcohol consumption in Guyana especially at public events. (Guyana Chronicle October 2; Stabroek News October 4).
Their stance, apparently rejected in a democratic vote for the sake of ‘money’, must be commended as they have valid concerns about the objectives of the event.
The Government of Guyana, like the previous one, is probably conflicted ‒ on the one hand dealing with the problems of alcohol and nervously admitting them, while at the same time scared to make the decisions that public events, especially those which children will attend, could be alcohol free. The Government of Guyana needs to support the call of Mr Ramanan and his colleague, and to provide the policy environment so that Guyanese could realise that it is possible to entertain and educate without alcohol.
There are enough places for Guyanese to use alcohol, and the government should not be facilitating more.
Yours faithfully,
Vidyaratha Kissoon
