February 1763: The human spirit
Allegations. Accusations. Facts. Propaganda. Valid? Verifiable? The foregoing six words presented themselves to me as I pondered the desirable role of a well-structured, constitutional/political opposition, as well as the realities that constitute our current PNC opposition.
The potential functioning of a civil society phalanx given to increased professional non-partisan scrutiny of today’s national governance also occupied my attention as I note (d) the barrage of criticism aimed at the government’s programmes, policies and alleged corruption and discriminatory mischief.
Yes it is almost a national consensus that our democratic society needs and deserves robust consistent scrutineers, led by the political parties that failed to become the government. But the problem and challenge facing Guyana’s political opposition over decades seem to reside in an inability to submerge the raw “politics” of ambitious power-grabbing to concentrate, rather, on the more “professional” tasks of representing the real concerns and interests of their constituencies; offering practical effective alternatives and opportunities, using grass-root techniques, sited sometimes within communities. Even as they expose the government’s alleged or real discrimination, incompetencies and corruption.
It is against those recent and current considerations that I try to identify what I personally consider to be a few of the more valid criticism and exposures by a rarely-responsible PNC opposition.
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“Bad-mouthing”, scandal – and real wrongs
Still to contextualise I remark firstly on the alleged “exposures” relevant to Vice President Jagdeo, to declare that I won’t go where others gladly go. (Frankly Speak-ing, I can conjure up various earlier practices Mr Jagdeo could be accused of during previous incarnations.)
Secondly for the purposes of now, I won’t include all the speculations related to all the possible ministerial/PPP mischief from the Oil-and-Gas sector numerous critics tend to heap on the administration’s reps. What a field day for the opposition warriors! Instead I present the following claims.
● The PNC’s Dr Cummings has alleged that the Health Ministry/Georgetown Hospital discriminates against Afro-Guyanese candidates eligible for selection to the postgraduate surgical training programme available at the hospital’s institute. The hospital’s Ms Providence swiftly offered a spirited, believable response.
● I am persuaded by the hospital’s defence. However I would love the PNC to present its evidence regarding the allegation. Present a few “victims” by names and status. Could there be some little justification?
● The opposition seems “entitled” to bad mouth and scandalise certain government
policies and personalities. It’s a Guyanese cultural/ political thing.
● But in the case of Mr Dharamlall in Parliament, Civil Society has joined political parties in their valid repudiation. The party ANUG has even lent some levity, labeling Dharamlall as the “Dildo Minister”. How things can backfire!
● I see opposition and civil society’s robust criticism against the government and its environment agency with regard to newer oil exploration and lack of appropriate safety-nets as quite valid. Shame on them.
● And the replacing of Jadoopat with Misir is blatantly replete with political partisan
bullyism. Was there no other more appropriate appointee?
● Concluding for now, won’t Dr Ashni respond to specific criticisms regarding debt financing using the brand-new oil revenues?
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Is (continuing) wealth never too much?
I might really be out of my depth here. But even as a very young teacher (18 to 25 years old) I grappled with a question: why do rich comfortable folks never stop accumulating (various types of) wealth?
Over the decades, elders have explained to me that when certain types become rich -owning millions in cash, assets, savings, various resources – getting even more becomes like a job, an objective, an addiction. Most times, of course, that can be justifiable. The rich need to expand, to invest for the sake of others. Then there is a fear of losing too much and becoming poor! I see…
All the above was triggered by the dramatic allegations, recently, against our honourable Vice-President. Now, tell me: does the VP actually need more wealth? I don’t think he’s broke!
Ho-ho-ho!
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February, 259 years ago here
Does this generation of Guyanese appreciate the glory of the month of February for us? In terms of what the human spirit dictated 259 years ago? I doubt that.
Next Friday I’ll share, in my style and manner, some basic and some little-known facts with regard to the Berbice Slave Rebellion of 1763 – a most significant revolt by the enslaved Africans who knew only Dutch brutality. The 1763 Rebellion preceded most of the revolts in this part of the world then.
As I’ve done since Teachers Training (1964) I invite students and teachers to read writers and historians like P.H. Daly, Vere T. Daly, A.R.F Webber, Alvin Thompson and A.J.McR Cameron. The latter is comprehensive and precedes another relevant offering by a European female now making the rounds.
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So, should I ponder?
● 1) Should I be an old optimist and believe that President Irfaan is capable of inspiring construction of his proposed brand-new Soesdyke-Timehri Silica City? A modern smart town? How longer should I live?
● 2) Do you read – or care about human suffering right now in Congo, Sudan, Somalia, Kenya, Syria, Bangladesh? I feel pain watching starving refugee children…
● 3) All Guyanese over-70: do you know the tragedy and trauma Guyanese under-40 would experience these days without access to Facebook?
Til next week!
(allanafenty@yahoo.com)
