THERE IS STILL HOPE

Jul 24, 2008 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the

whole world, and lose his own soul? – Mark 8:36

At this time, I need to invoke the above biblical intonation, warning against gaining the whole world but losing one’s soul.

I believe that this caution is especially applicable in these times when allegations and perceptions of a creeping kleptocracy and cronyism are very pronounced.

I believe that there are good persons within the government who can obviate these perceptions. It however requires some of them to banish their egos and to adopt positions based on good governance and obedience to the rule of law.

It requires a high standard of professionalism and a stronger commitment to accountability and transparency.

Only if these standards are upheld can we be sure that the negative perceptions which are increasing every day will disappear. Only through concerted action can there be a return to the moral high ground.

Stridently staking to the moral high ground will help to make things much better in Guyana. I am appalled at some of the stories that are being pedaled in Guyana. I am appalled at some of the things that have happened since the 2006 elections.

Those elections promised so much. Guyana should have built upon the peace and calm that resulted from those elections. Instead, this term of the PPP government seems better forgotten than remembered.

However, even if we struggle to remember what have been the achievements of the first year and a half of this present term, we will never as long as we live forget the first six months of this year. It is not a pleasant memory.

Guyana can find its way back from the abyss. Of this I am convinced. But it requires more than just leadership.

Even the best of leadership can be undermined by the actions of a few underlings who spread discord and disfavour. I have seen it all before.

I saw how the Burnham regime fell apart because Burnham was reluctant to take the sort of action that was necessary to stem the decay that had stepped in.

For too long he chose to ignore certain things and allowed certain persons to do as they pleased.

In the end he could not, even if he wanted to, stem the decline. The present government in Guyana should not commit the same errors.

They should impound the sacred cows within their midst who are giving the government a bad name. The government does not need loyalists; they need more persons of integrity, character and backbone within the administration.

More importantly, they need persons who are servants of the people rather than those who are trying to become masters.

There are great many ambitious persons within the PPP and within the government. They are not willing to pay their dues and earn their rewards.

Many are willing to use the power and influence that comes with association with the ruling elite to feather their own nests. Some of them are infatuated with power.

Some of them are only interested in gaining positions of prestige so that they can raid the coffers that may be exposed to them. For some power is everything. They want to gain the whole world.

They forget the lessons of history. One of these lessons is that eventually your past catches up with you. We are seeing that right now in terms of the indictments against persons who have committed crimes against humanity.

No amount of wealth that anyone achieves lasts forever. And no amount of wealth can buy a good name.
And in the end what is left of us is not the riches that we posses but the good name that we carry.

I believe that there are good individuals within the government. I believe there are men and women committed to serving Guyana honestly.

I believe there are persons who are willing to serve not for the benefits that flow from their office, not for the deals they can make for themselves and their friends, but to ensure that Guyana is a better place.

Those are the sort of persons who must now stand up and be counted. They must be prepared to come forward and expose all the wrongs that are happening in Guyana.

I am so pleased to have noted that certain agreements which were hitherto unknown are now being made public.

I have seen some of this material which I am confident this newspaper will make public in due course and from what I have seen I am greatly disturbed.

However, behind every dark cloud there is a silver lining. I still have hope because I know that there are men and women out there who care enough about Guyana, who are willing to give up all the wealth in the world so that Guyana will not lose its soul.

Latest News

THERE IS STILL HOPE

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the

whole world, and lose his own soul? – Mark 8:36

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Annandale Girl’s, Covent Garden Boy’s crowned Region 4 Windball...

ICC World Test Championship Final 2025 – AUS v...

Springer’s ‘three-peat’ Gold highlights...

One Guyana PM dominoes tourney set for May 4 in...

Port Mourant Turf Club Easter horserace meet...

Shattas and Capital FC battle for $700,000 in...

Features/Columnists

A disunited front in the face of Empire

A Chance to steer U.S.–Caribbean Relations through Trade Winds and other Passing Storms

War by another name

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

THERE IS STILL HOPE

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the

whole world, and lose his own soul? – Mark 8:36

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]