Dear Editor,
I would like to thank one of our elders, Sir Shridath Ramphal for reminding us of the values and principles upon which this nation was built; for God knows that we have strayed, at times, we have even lost our way. I sincerely trust that these values and principles upon which Guyana was built and are expressed in the preamble of our Constitution, will serve as our lighthouse and compass, to bring us back on course.
I would like to remind our leaders and citizens of yet another value; that we perhaps, do not say often enough anymore, the National Pledge. ‘I pledge myself to honour always, the flag of Guyana and to be loyal to my country, to be obedient to the Laws of Guyana, to Love my fellow citizens and to dedicate my energies towards the happiness and prosperity of Guyana’. We have become, for the most part, like wandering souls.
One young person asked me, ‘what are we fighting for, is it the elections and a winner to be declared?’ The question caused me to do some deep reflection. Our young people want answers and to understand their role in the current and future Guyana.
My response to the question, what are we fighting for? We are fighting for a deepening, broadening, widening, strengthening or our democracy and leadership. We are fighting to uphold the rule of law, as a principle upon which the nation is built. We are fighting for better quality leadership. We are fighting for better quality citizenry. We are fighting for change for the better. We are fighting for more unity and inclusion.
I sincerely believe that Guyana can be a strong leader in the region and internationally; but a word of advice from Sun Tzu, in his book ‘The Art of War’; the strength of the weak against the strong, is his integrity. Finally, we are fighting for a nation that has integrity!
I end with the question from one of our young citizens, ‘what are we fighting for?’.
Yours faithfully,
Audreyanna Thomas
