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Institutions matter not the individual leader

Feb 28, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I have noticed that my good friend Malcolm Harripaul has fallen for the old personality cult that has contributed to the destruction of Guyana. Malcolm is not alone in falling for this trap of sentimentalism.
Guyanese of old have also fallen for Cheddi Jagan and Forbes Burnham in the same manner. These two individuals have set the stage for the destruction and perpetuation of underdevelopment we see today. Malcolm and others await the next great leader to transform and save Guyana. This leader, they say, is former Brigadier David Granger.
This is a seriously mistaken perspective. It is actually dangerous. No individual can transform Guyana. The transformation will require building institutions and transforming the production structure. A country is only as rich as what it produces. And the richness from production can only be shared among the masses when there are upright laws and systems. The institutions to which I allude involve laws protecting private properties, jettisoning the harmful Burnham Constitution, and promoting the development of an efficient and meritocratic public service.
It does not matter how personable the individual leader might be. I have no reason to doubt Malcolm’s perspective with respect to the personal integrity of Brigadier Granger. However, the individual leader is conditioned by the institutional and legal structures of the country. I would be wary of even a Prophet from God ruling under the present Constitution. Fortunately for Guyana, Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, Mrs. Sheila Holder and Mr. Raphael Trotman understand the distinction between institutions and individuals.
Mr. Ramjattan, our presidential candidate, was adamant that the AFC adopts the liberal democratic principle. Mr. Ramjattan is a true believer in democratic ideals. Mr. Trotman, our party leader, has already passed the order that he wants a reorganised Action Plan with some additional policies we did not include because of space concerns. The point is these leaders are serious about institution building. They are serious about acting on what they believe.
These beliefs are enshrined in the AFC’s Action Plan – the party’s contract with the Guyanese public. Some proposals include constitutional and legal reforms, electoral reform, public service reform and systems intended to create a private sector-led economy. The AFC commits to media freedom (including private radio stations within the first year in office) and instituting the Freedom of Information Act (again within the first year). I must emphasise that these are just a few of the proposals in the Action Plan.
I urge Guyanese to read the AFC’s Action Plan and to vote with honesty. Do not fall for the trap of the personality. Only by building up proper institutions will there be progress. The individual leader cannot offer good paying jobs to the masses. Only a robust economy can.
The individual leader, armed with bad systems and laws, will only be able to deliver progress for a chosen set of friends and families. Do you want this to continue?
Dr. Tarron Khemraj

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