Dear Editor,
The Stabroek News article titled: ‘GPHC CEO removed over “lapses”’ (SN June 9) tells it all. But does it really? In fact, the abrupt removal of Mr Allan Johnson brought consternation and questioning. Looked at from several angles it fails to add up and makes no sense. But then again, it does when examined differently.
I have never met Mr Johnson, but know of him from trusted sources. From all accounts, he is an honourable man. In my little book, that earns the highest marks. In this country, honourable people are direly needed and worth far more than many other highly touted things put together. To discard summarily such a man and proven worker under the unattractive and non-compelling lipstick of ‘lapses’ raises a lots of questions and an empty feeling. In terms of the latter, do principles count for anything in this society?
With regard to his work history, Mr Johnson has served for decades in senior hospital administrator capacities, and at more than one local venue. Surely those decades speak favourably of his skills, competence and reliability, and all that accompanies such a package. He was viewed in such a positive light that he was moved from New Amsterdam to the larger, more complex, and more demanding GPHC environment in a time of change, controversy, and crisis. Surely, too, that stands as testimony that he could deliver; at least, that there was that belief. Now he is gone, and in troubling circumstances.
Some have linked his departure to the fumbling (and it was) before the Public Accounts Committee. In this country, men have piled up felonies (not mere ‘lapses’) higher than the Pakaraimas and they are still around celebrating their good fortune; decision-making where serial rogues have been involved has been pedestrian and noticeable by its timorousness. Sometimes those same bureaucratic delinquents and worse get promoted; sometimes they are the recipients of national awards. It is why this business of ‘lapses’ comes over as a very poor cover, which exposes a lot of nakedness. I fear that there is more to the involuntary, and what had become the need for the compulsory exit of the CEO. I see it as less conspiracy theory and more of contingency thesis.
There is the very recent arrival of a new Deputy CEO. He is a former senior military man; another one. It should be recalled that I had written a while back that military men represent a pool of talent that ought to be tapped, and which could be very meaningful for this land. In view of the ongoing positioning of former army stalwarts at multiple checkpoints (chokepoints, perhaps) low ringing bells are going off.
Many questions come on the echoes of the chimes: How many of such army officers platooned here and there in (state) company formation are too many? Where else and who else is already on the radar and targeted to make way for fellow officers and believed gentlemen? For what purpose and at what price is all of this? Is this a new kind of colonizing (spelt as colonelizing) and part of a more panoramic political worldview?
Whatever the answers, Mr Johnson’s sudden ouster could only have been seen as paving the way, red welcoming mat and all, for the ascension of the newest arrival in the senior management structure, and who has since been duly anointed to act. I saw him as the heir apparent all along. But the urgency to crown the military newcomer sprawls wide the floodgates of conjecture. It is not comforting. Lapses aside, there is the heavy scent of still heavier premeditation in the air. It is disturbing.
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
