Leslie’s Guyana

Sep 19, 2008 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

I read a long letter by Dr. Leslie Ramsammy in this newspaper (Sept. 15) on what he termed his “beloved Guyana.” The problem with Guyana is that it becomes your “beloved Guyana” or “your Guyana that you want to run away from” depending on who you are, what you earn and what you do.
I think it is important that when ruling politicians claim that Guyana is their beloved land and great things are happening here, that commentators must seek to give the other side. The other side seems more factual. This is not to deny that Leslie’s beloved country hasn’t got good things going for it
The Minister’s long letter was nice and pleasant about the positive things he sees in Guyana even though he wasn’t showing us the other side. Then, he aroused our suspicion.
About three-quarters of the way into his correspondence, the Minister turned in the direction of panegyric that was overflowing and bordered on sycophancy. The Minister gave us a treat about the phenomenal qualities of Bharrat Jagdeo.
During a discussion with a group of media colleagues on the letter, one of them suggested that Minister Ramsammy is a smart man in that he knows that with the removal of Housing Minister Nawbatt, there may be a reshuffle.
Obviously, why should the Minister not stake his claim for retention?
Let us examine Leslie’s Guyana as outlined in his letter. We are told that we should be proud of Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Who will argue against that? What the Minister didn’t tell us is that the great cricketer had made another country his home and has set up a retail business in another Caribbean territory. I leave it either to the Minister or President Jagdeo to tell us why “Tiger” did that.
We need to know also the thinking behind the decision of Sir Shridath Ramphal to retire last year and settle in Barbados. What is wrong with Guyana? It is sunny, large, thriving, has the most open economy in CARICOM according to President Jagdeo, and of course, Hogg Island in the Essequibo is bigger than Barbados. Is Guyana, Mr. Ramphal’s “beloved country?”
Funny, as he went on in his letter, the Minister mentioned Chanderpaul and three other sports personalities but chose to leave out a fine mind like Rupert Roopnarine who lives in Guyana; Clive Thomas, one of the Caribbean’s best economists who chose Guyana as his home forty years ago; and Yesu Persaud, another Caribbean giant who lives in Dr. Ramsammy’s “beloved Guyana.”.
I could go on with a long list. I wonder if the Minister is betting safely by naming sports people. After all, it was Rickey Singh, not this commentator, who accused President Jagdeo of a style of power that is based on the maximum leader syndrome.
It would take volumes to describe the other side of Leslie’s Guyana. For example, Leslie’s beloved country only has one radio station (with three channels), something unheard of in the world even in Greenland, Iceland and San Marino.
Somehow, according to the World Bank, Guyanese with university degrees do not stay in Leslie’s beloved Guyana – 80 per cent of them have migrated causing the then UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to mention Guyana during his address on the brain drain affecting developing countries.
When the letter-writer came to President Jagdeo, it was a mountainous eulogy. But I would have to say that though I will defend the Minister’s right to accept the Guyanese leader as his beloved President, from where I stand, I do not see that perception in a substantial percentage of Guyanese.
Let us quote from the Minister’s missive; “I was filled with pride to see our President being the Guyanese leader, a leader for all our people.”
Sorry, Leslie! The PNC boycotted Carifesta because it listed as one of its reasons, a country that is bitterly divided with people being discriminated against. It doesn’t seem that the PNC would say that Mr. Jagdeo is the leader of a united Guyana.
Let us quote the Minister again; “I am intelligent enough to see wrong things and I am committed to wanting to change these wrong things.” Now, that is a powerful statement, Dr. Ramsammy. I welcome it. I am overjoyed that you have made that statement. You should be respected by all Guyanese for being so bold.
Now, please do not go on a reticence regime after the publication of your letter. I promise you, I will use my pen on this page and in the letter section of the two independent dailies (KN and SN not the Guyana Times) to preach to the world of our beloved Guyana if you would join me in trying to change these wrong things.
Can we start with what Mr. Rickey Singh says is President Jagdeo’s maximum leadership style?

Latest News

Leslie’s Guyana

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Slingerz FC hunt second win tonight

More sponsors on board ahead of Second Annual...

LGC to host STP Investments Inc. Golf Tourney...

𝐓𝐒𝐔, Region 2 book semi-final spots as...

World Athletics recognize AAG Elections

Ramdehol named Berbice skipper ahead of GCB U17...

Features/Columnists

Guyana and US sign pact to strengthen cooperation, address regional challenges

The Caribbean: Destined to Grin and Bear the Consequences of Its Self-Created Vulnerabilities?

Elections: role of the polls

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

Leslie’s Guyana

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| March, 17th, 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 […]