Some searching questions for the Presidential Candidates

Nov 15, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The Presidential Candidates’ debate at UG is a positive beginning towards exposing the public to the different viewpoints.
The devoted party faithfuls will back their own candidate no matter what is said or done.
However, those on the borderline or undecided, or those who are issue-oriented will look at the greater concerns of the Guyanese people and determine who and which party would best lead and represent this country here and in international forums.
This period is a chance to engage the youths of Guyana since the elections will also decide their personal, family, friends and fellow citizens’ future – education, employment, career, or where they will live.
In Guyana, it seemed to me that every top PPP official thinks he (or she) deserves to be and should be the President.
Many of these presidential aspirants have no clue or vision as to what they would bring to the Presidency. We have some general questions which should be asked of all candidates.
1. Why does the candidate want to be President? Tell us in your own words what you would bring to the Presidency.
2. In light of the recent public inappropriate actions of the President which have brought disrespect to the Presidency and his party, the PPP, what would the candidate do differently than what the incumbent President is doing with regards to public decorum and restoring respect to the Presidency?
3. We need public transparency so that citizens can have ready access to data on all deals and contracts made by the government (or its representatives) with local and foreign companies on our behalf. The public expenditures of ministers on government business should be accessible to the public. We would also like to see the files on the Rupununi Uprising, Jonestown and assassination of Dr. Walter Rodney. Would the candidate work towards a genuine “Freedom of Information Act” that has teeth on government-related public matters that could clarify some of the major incidents in our history and investigate violations of civil laws?
4. In a democracy, the independent media (newspapers, radio, TV and internet alias ‘Vultures and Carrion Crows’) are essential to a healthy environment. What would the candidate do to maintain and promote the independent media? Would he allow independent radios (e.g., UG, Linden) and granted licences for more TV channels?
5. Presently, we have an ‘Ethnic Relations Commission’. The name itself is divisive – since we have problems that span across the human scale – age, gender, sex, culture, professional etc. Would it not be preferable to have a ‘Human Rights Council’ so that anyone with a real or perceived problem can be heard? Should we not be seen as simply human beings or Guyanese?
5. Education is an absolute necessity to engage our youths in constructive activities. As the candidate knows, our major tertiary institution (UG) is in a run-down state. Its growth has been stymied. Some of our youths are being sent to Cuba. What would the candidate do to restore the autonomy, rapid growth and development of proper university education here?
What would the candidate do to promote trade, industrial and technical training and education?
6. Currently, there is no national plan for the development of science and technology and research and development. Would the candidate tell the public about some of the plans and or initiatives that he would take to make Industrial Research and Development a top priority and urgent tool to rebuild our current declining industries and prepare for future industries?
7. Currently only certain people, whose loyalty the ruling party is sure of, are involved in the national discussions and only these viewpoints are favored.
The mistrust between both the PNCR and PPP government officials over the years and their disregard for each other voices have affected scientists and technical people and many have consequently left the country.
The entire country has suffered and is suffering from a calamitous brain drain. Scarce and able technical people are forced to retire at 55. What would the candidate do to end these distasteful states of affairs?
7. The government preaches tolerance, but its pre-election actions aggravate divisiveness among our people. What would the candidate do to ensure such policies and actions end?
8. There is poverty in a land of plentiful resources. What are the candidate’s plans to end this state of affairs?
9. Over the centuries, our indigenous brothers and sisters have been treated with disrespect and condescension. The voices of their own leaders are silenced or ignored. What are the candidate’s plans to address the concerns of our indigenous population?
Young people should ask these questions in a respectful and civil manner.
Seelochan Beharry

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