Dear Editor,
Newly appointed GECOM Commissioner Mr. Clement Rohee’s hasty response to my letter published in both the Stabroek New and Kaieteur News editions under the captions: “Rohee’s message is crystal clear” and “Rohee the New GECOM Commissioner” respectively is an excellent example of stating much but not addressing the contention of my letter. Mr. Rohee is essentially playing word “games” in his response. This is not new.
Mr. Rohee and his party (the PPP) has had a long history of transmitting “coded” and subliminal messages when it comes to race and race relations in Guyana. Mr. Rohee is within his right to resort to diversionary tactics in his response to me but it does very little in refuting my contention and interpretation of his statement that the GECOM staff needs to reflect what Guyana looks like. The issue here is a simple one. Either I interpreted his statement correctly or I did not. He wrote in one section of his response, “As far as I am aware, the PPP has never said what Ogunseye claims nor did I in my remarks.” Putting aside for the moment the accuracy of my statement that the PPP wants the composition of GECOM staff to change, and bearing in mind that Rohee has insulated himself somewhat by saying, “As far as I am aware”. I will narrow down the controversy and request of Rohee an unambiguous answer to the following questions: (1) Explain what you meant by “GECOM needs staff that reflects what Guyana looks like” (2) Does the PPP accept the present racial composition of GECOM’s secretariat? Rohee’s answer to these questions will settle this polemic forthwith.
Sincerely,
Tacuma Ogunseye
