Dear Editor,
As Guyanese, we should be proud of the rapid development that is taking place in the country under the leadership of President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, and the cabinet. According to President Ali, no one, regardless of their race ethnicity or party affiliation will be left out, everyone will be included. And Prime Minister Brigadier Phillips has made it clear that he will not tolerate discrimination or unfair treatment against anyone. The former chief of staff is of the firm belief that President Ali’s government is doing everything within its power to treat everyone fairly in society. Both President Dr. Ali and Prime Minister Phillips have reiterated their commitment to good governance, improve the lives of the people and make Guyana a prosperous country.
So why would anyone attempt to disrupt the progress that the country has made so far. It is in this vein that everyone in society must condemn the call for violence against the government by a political activist and senior member of the opposition Working People’s Alliance (WPA). All Guyanese should be deeply disturbed and horrified by such awful and despicable comments which is nothing short of instigating or promoting political violence. It is true that Guyana has had a long history of political violence, racial division and discrimination that dates back the 1960s and beyond, but today Guyana has emerged as a peace-loving nation so why would anyone try to incite violence and racial hatred at a time when the country is on pace to move from its underdeveloped status to become a developing or developed nation. While Guyana is awash with oil and the economy is booming, we cannot afford to forget or attempt to bury the race issue under the carpet or ignore it hoping that it will disappear.
The toxic statement issued by the WPA political activist who had fought viciously to combat political victimization and injustice against the members of the WPA in an earlier period, is unwarranted and uncalled for. And, quite rightly, the vitriol attracted a national outcry and a maelstrom of condemnation from all and sundry. However, the lingering question remains as to why the WPA political activist would advocate an armed uprising against the government that was duly elected by the people? Why would he issue such reckless and dangerous remarks? Is he trying to incite violence in the country, or is he seeking to remain relevant in society? Or is he insinuating that there is a dark and devious side in Guyana that most are not aware of? Whatever is his reason, it is our civic responsibility not to ignore him or exclude or ostracize him from discourse but to engage him and others in a dialogue.
Further, to ignore him would leave us in a worse place which could deepen the racial divide and lead us to the inevitable. Truth be told, it will do us no good to hype what was said but to have a thorough investigation to determine if there are festering problems that are affecting some in society. While we believe that there are no winners in this epic, we are hoping that the vision of “One Guyana” will be the focus for discourse on this and other throbbing issues in society. That said, credit must be bestowed on the President and Prime Minister Brigadier for their condemnation of such an appalling and outrageous statement by Mr. Tacuma Ogunseye and to reiterate their commitment to good governance, which is a key pillar of democracy, unite the races, enhance the development of the country and make Guyana a worthy country to live and raise a family. May God bless our beloved and beautiful Guyana.
Sincerely,
Dr. Asquith Rose