‘Clarence Ellis doing disservice to Africans’

Apr 09, 2009 Letters

Dear Editor,
I refer to Mr. Clarence Ellis’ letter in Kaieteur News on April 6, 2009, with the title “Mc Dougall Report is an exceptionally good analysis of the social situation in Guyana.”
The Mc Dougall report is not only criticised by the Government, but also by people outside of Government. The Mc Dougall report attracts criticisms because it is methodologically flawed, and she only spoke to a handful of people from the opposition forces. Are we not supposed to strike an objective balance, especially when presenting a report from the United Nations?

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) submitted to Mc Dougall (11) reports, among which were five studies conducted by independent consultants in the areas of employment practices, land distribution, tendering and procurement, economic opportunities and academic scholarships. In addition, Ms. Mc Dougall’s Special Assistant met with the Commission for a meeting, which lasted approximately 40 minutes. None of these ERC reports was utilized or alluded to in the Mc Dougall report.
I would assume that any United Nations report should attempt to strike some sense of balance. Ms. Mc Dougall also used convenient sampling, which is fine; however, we need to have some sense of some of the criteria she used to make the selection.

It is a slap in the face to present Amerindians as an appendix in the report, that is, to treat them separately. The Amerindians are growing in considerable numbers in this country and demand equal space and place in any report, especially any United Nations report. As an Amerindian, I take great offence to this report that treats me as fourth class citizen in my country. Who does Mr. Ellis thinks he is to treat Amerindians in the way he does?
Mr. Clarence Ellis’ endorsement of Mc Dougall’s statement clearly shows his lack of understanding of Guyana’s race relation issues. Ellis’ false pontification and pronouncement on Guyana clearly show the man has outlived.

I think it appears from what I read in the press, that the Government is keen to see African self-determination and a resurrection of African culture in Guyana. I would like to invite Mr. Ellis to read the Public Sector 2009 Estimates and read the budgetary allocations to African communities.
Mr. Clarence Ellis should stop peddling falsehood because his letter shivers or trembles with untruths and is doing a great disservice to his own race.
Gregory De Freitas

Latest News

‘Clarence Ellis doing disservice to Africans’

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Region Six Education Department Renews Golf...

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional...

Spectators experience and playing standards high...

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open...

Body of Chinese national who fell from new...

Features/Columnists

Social media reporting is a double-edged sword

Clarifying misconceptions about the Panama Canal

A trillion-dollar business run by men with $10 heads

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

‘Clarence Ellis doing disservice to Africans’

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 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 […]