Who should take up the mantle of leadership?

Jan 08, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
A recent media report on the impending general elections quoted the Chairman of the Election Commission, Dr. Steve Surujbally on the state of readiness of GECOM for the polls.
The Commissioner said that the Election Commission was ready to conduct the elections in 2011.
This is good because I do not believe that Guyanese can take another year of this incompetent government, whose reputation is causing all Guyanese great embarrassment. Quite frankly, it is time for the PPP/C to be thrown out of office. This is the only way Guyana can experience real development and progress. But who should take up the mantle of leadership of this dear land of ours?
There are many interesting presidential hopefuls. Had it not been for the seriousness of these elections, I would have been amused by the antics of quite a few of these aspiring presidents, some of whom spent most of their lives outside of Guyana in the employ of organisations and agencies that paid them well. It is not that they do not have the right to desire to be president of Guyana, but how will they connect with the masses, who continue to struggle under the burden of an uncaring government. They sat on their lofty porches, in foreign lands, while Guyanese fight to seek out a living.
However, there is one man who stands out from them all – Brigadier David Granger and I am particularly happy that he has indicated his willingness to serve in that capacity. It seems natural that he would want to step forward to change not only the negative image we have gained internationally, thanks to the government, whose ministers rail at representatives of international organisations and agencies and demonstrate their lack of knowledge of the operations of international organisations, but also make a real difference in the lives of all Guyanese.
I believe that there are two compelling reasons why the PNCR should endorse Mr. Granger as its presidential candidate.
First, He has a good track record of service to this nation. It is common knowledge that Mr. Granger served Guyana with great distinction in several capacities. He has already made a very significant contribution to national defence and public security of this country.
In addition, he served as a member of a number of defence and security agencies. Also, he was chairman of the Central Intelligence Committee, Co- chair of Border of National Security Committee and member of the Guyana Defence Board, National Drug Law Enforcement Committee and the Disciplined Forces Commission.
The commitment shown by this citizen is not only remarkable but exactly what Guyana needs at this point in time to make its citizens safe and prosperous.
It cannot be denied that with the high incidents of very serious crimes, Guyana needs a man with the experience and will to bring the situation under control. In Guyana, security is a troubling issue, which must be urgently addressed.
It would be interesting to know how many of the aspiring presidents of Guyana have served in a similar way. Right enough, they will argue that they bring other experiences and skills to the office of President, but in the absence of security, the state becomes vulnerable to crime and their attendant evils. This in turn affects national stability, which is vital to peace and development of our society. The situation would be chaotic. It would be difficult to deploy those other skills in such a situation.
Second, Mr. Granger has the right message to advance the interests of all Guyanese. Encrusted in this message is a six- point plan. All of the points are important to Guyana.
However, two of those points are necessary to revitalize our economy. They are education and employment.
On the question of education, we still do have many of our citizens who are illiterate. Some citizens find it difficult to take the opportunity to get an education even when it is made available to them at zero cost because they lack the physical and material support. It is a fact that many people are finding it a challenge to register to vote because they cannot read and write.
This is a serious issue because it excludes such persons from participating in the democratic process and the development of the country.
Again, his point on employment is crucial to individual and personal development of citizens, as well as national development.
Many of our young people – university graduates and others with technical knowledge, training and skills – are leaving the shores of Guyana every day because they cannot find jobs. The brain drain is killing our economy.
Further, no other presidential hopeful has even mentioned this problem of unemployment in Guyana.
I believe that these two reasons put Mr. David Granger way ahead of the rest, in the run up to secure the presidential candidacy. His distinguished service to Guyana gives us a clear indication of what he is capable and willing to do to effect change in Guyana for all Guyanese.
Guyana is in a sorry state. Now is not the time to experiment and take chances with people, who are willing but have neither the stature nor the integrity to take the reins of leadership of Guyana. Mr. Granger has the stature and integrity among other important qualities to govern Guyana.
Therefore, let us send Mr. David Granger to the office of the President to secure our interest and the general development of our country.
Adam Mitchell

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