Dear Editor,
Let us be frank and admit that in reality, for over sixty years we have been living in a fractured, divided, wounded and bleeding country related to the politics of race and ethnicity in the contest for political power and dominance by the PPP and PNC. How long must this nation wait for the political conflicts and contests between these two dominant political forces come to an end for the national good? Do we need a Truth and Reconcialation Commission (like South Africa) to bring healing to this nation? Do we need the Secretary General of the United Nations to provide a facilitator to stimulate the dialogue process and mediate differences as may be necessary?
Political dialogue between the leaders of the PPP and the PNC on governance and on social and economic matters should be promoted and adopted as a matter of high priority for the national good. The objective is to foster confidence, high trust, mutual understanding, cordial and civil communication and good relations at the national level. The objective is also to find agreed solutions to political governance and socio-economic problems and issues, and to forge national consensus for political governance and national development. The promotion of political and social justice in Guyana could be achieved if the PPP and the PNC are involved in the search for appropriate solutions through genuine dialogue. They have the major responsibility in the success of the dialogue process.
Genuine political dialogue between the PPP and the PNC offers potential opportunities from which all can gain. The parties are challenged to commit themselves to engage in determined dialogue, based on the principles of mutual trust and good faith. Success in the mutual outcome of political dialogue also requires national commitment and national political will. The building of confidence and trust, their maintenance and sustainability require a high degree of commitment and national leadership.
In Guyana the real challenge is to develop national consensus in the form of national accord on political governance and an agreed programme for social, economic, and human development in the interest of the national communities. National consensus agreements provide the framework for strategies to achieve good political governance, international competitiveness, higher standards of living, improved social protection, a stable currency, investment-friendly policies and a more development-conducive political and social climate in environments which uphold and respect fundamental rights and freedoms at all levels in the national community.
The outcome of political dialogue can promote effective management of the economy in a climate of good political governance with the participation of civil society. It is crucial for agreeing on measures for balanced economic, social and political developments. The governing authority of the National Assembly and the government bear a heavy responsibility for ensuring that good governance, “The manner in which power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development” reflects the degree of fairness and effective political, economic and social justice. A country that is committed to such good political governance will ensure that there is genuine participation by the political and social partners who must demonstrate credibility, transparency, and accountability in the administration and management of national affairs.
The challenges in terms of national strategies to promote a mature political culture, economic growth, social, political, and human development, call for actions at the national level. It is for the government, the political parties, private sector, the labour movement and civil society in Guyana –
(a) to respect, promote and realize in good faith the fundamental principles of human rights enshrined in our national Constitution and laws, UN conventions, and regional and other international treaty obligations; and
(b) to adopt through genuine and sustained political dialogue, changes in political governance and the management of national socio-economic and political affairs. These must be promoted in a paradigm shift ‒ from a prolonged confrontational and divisive posture to one which cultivates consensus and cooperation in the national interest.
Let genuine dialogue between the PNC and the PPP begin afresh without delay to achieve national consensus to move this country forward as a united nation. My list for genuine dialogue includes building confidence and high trust, agreeing on a shared vision for Guyana, constitutional reform aimed at creating a broad-based, inclusive government which can elect the president by a two-thirds vote of the National Assembly and which caters for one Vice President; allocation constitutionally of ministerial portfolios based on the proportional strengths of the parties forming the government; electoral reforms; a fixed election day; and an agreed programme for political, social, economic and human development for the national good for all citizens.
Yours faithfully,
Samuel J Goolsarran
