Now is not the time for ‘baby’ politicians or egoistic persons to experiment with the leadership of this country

Jan 18, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I am following the public conversation on the presidential hopefuls for the general elections to be held some time in 2011.
The utterances of many aspirants and their backers are interesting. In fact, I believe that the elections will bring very serious changes to the political landscape of Guyana. It will be the end of politics the way we know it in this country of ours.
However, many are calling for more transparency in political parties. This is a good thing because it allows all Guyanese to see the conduct of those who are vying for national leadership. If politicians cannot be fair at the party level then they are not likely to be fair in the way they govern the country and manage its resources.
Then too, those who preach democracy have a moral obligation to practice it. Allowing party members to vote for the presidential candidate of their choice is part of the democratic process.
Political leaders should not attempt to manipulate party faithful to select a candidate who they like or can control. The process must be free and fair. Nothing else would do.
Given the history of the PPP, I can understand Mr. Ralph Ramkarran’s fears that the political philosophy, practice and mechanics of that party could exclude legitimate and well qualified candidates not the least Mr. Ramkarran himself, for the president’s job. He wants secret ballots rather than the traditional show of hands. His is a real fear that seems to be now plaguing the minds of others, who are putting themselves forward to be publicly judged by PPP supporters.
Read Clement Rohee’s “I’m just as good as the others” (whatever that means) comment in the Guyana Times of Saturday, January 15, 2011. It has never happened in the history of the PPP. Something is wrong or right about the inner workings of that party.
It would be interesting to see how all of this talk and public pandering by senior figures in the ruling party will end. Whatever the end, it is definitely changing the way the PPP have been conducting their political business in a country, whose citizens are demanding greater transparency, fairness and justice, at all levels.
However, judging from the President’s comments on the evils of selecting the party’s next presidential candidate by secret ballots as against a show of hands, in our dailies, recently, it appears as though for all of his full page advertisements, Mr. Ramkarran would not be anointed by the PPP highest leadership as its presidential candidate.
It appears as though Mr. Donald Ramotar has already received the political oil on his forehead and is waiting for his turn to ascend the throne.
I deliberately couched this in almost messianic language because the occupants of Freedom House on Robb Street have been operating like little gods, deciding who should get what and when. They behave as though the resources of this country are their personal fiefdom. They award contracts to their friends and fat cat jobs to those who are loyal to them, whether they are qualified or not. It is not that people are not aware of these things, but there is a general sense of hopelessness and fear.
Fundamentally, this is why the PNCR must put their best leader forward. Now is not the time for baby politicians or egoistic persons to experiment with the leadership of this country. The problems of Guyana are too serious and complicated to be playing musical chair at congress place.
The music has stopped a long time ago, but people are still beating their own drum and dancing to the sound of it in a reality that is hardly countenanced by the people who want a better life for their children. The present situation makes it very difficult for law- abiding citizens to provide adequately the daily needs of their children let alone a better life.
The glaring inequities in our society continue to widen the gap between the rich and the poor. This gap facilitates crime, corruption, domestic and other forms of violence, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, risky sexual behaviour which can lead to HIV/AIDS and other STIs, illiteracy, and a host of other social problems.
We are way behind many of our smaller Caribbean neighbours. In spite of the rosy pictures painted by the Government, through their propaganda machines, Guyana remains steep in poverty and corruption. In 2011, all Guyanese have a good chance to turn around the fortunes of this country.
Looking at the presidential candidates for the PNCR, I believe that the best one is Mr. David Granger. He is honest, brilliant, disciplined and has a clear vision for Guyana. His vision is necessarily transformative and can move us forward at a rapid pace. It is what all of us so desperately need for ourselves and country.
Also, he is a leader. It is said that leadership is the capacity and will to rally others to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence. David Granger has the capacity and will to rally the diverse citizens of this country to the common purpose of nation building. He has the character which inspires confidence. It is easy to see why. He has no political baggage; he has the freedom to reach out to others across the political spectrum with like vision and purpose to build and develop Guyana.
All Guyanese must know that leadership is the ability of a single individual through his or her actions to motivate others to higher levels of achievement. Unless we understand that, our country will be moving backwards in very long strides. Guyana has many problems and challenges which require very high-quality leadership to overcome. The mediocrity we have had under the PPP/C rule has made us the big laugh of the Caribbean and elsewhere. It is clear that, what we, in Guyana, need is strong leadership with a clear vision. It was Harry Truman, who once said that “Men make history, and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better”. Mr. Granger has seized the opportunity to bring about change to our nation that remains in the doldrums of backwardness and corruption after years of PPP/C rule. It is time to support him.
Emily Drakes

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