Diaspora backs AFC to move Guyana in the right direction

Mar 06, 2011 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

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While other political parties are still stuck on first base and find it difficult to move from there, the AFC has already moved ahead with its mandate and message to change Guyana. On January 29 the AFC kicked off its campaign for the 2011 Elections in Georgetown, and then went on a rigorous regional launch, including the University of Guyana. The local launches were well received and attended with much excitement and expectation.
With its Presidential and Prime Ministerial Candidates, its Action Plan, its new Campaign Headquarters and staff; activists and members, the AFC took the message of change to the Guyanese Diaspora on a two-week journey that proved to be both reassuring and promising.
The overseas launches led by Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan, Party Leader Raphael Trotman and Campaign Director Salaudeen Nausrudeen began in New York City, where more than 400,000 Guyanese call home. In Richmond Hill, NY, in mid-February, Guyanese of all backgrounds gave the AFC a resounding welcome to call for change back home.
In the packed banquet hall, Trotman stated that he will hold his Presidential Candidate responsible for the devolution of the powers of the President of Guyana within the first year of the new AFC Government.
Expanding on his theme, he emphasized that “it is the AFC’s plan to see a President who will be the custodian of the Constitution and the vehicle for the preservation of the independence and power of the National Institutions, while the Prime Minister will become the Head of the Government accountable to the people’s representatives in the National Assembly.”
Trotman also outlined two other pledges he will personally take responsibility for as the Leader of the Alliance For Change:
1. Arrest the crime wave in Guyana through a comprehensive strategy which includes inviting the counsel and input of the DEA and Scotland Yard. The objective being to stamp out organized crime here.
2. Mobilize the Diaspora, since the AFC cannot develop Guyana alone. He outlined the fact that Guyana needs the talent and financial resources of the Diaspora to truly develop, and stated that the AFC will establish a National Diaspora Policy which will facilitate the utilization of the resources of the Diaspora in a meaningful manner for the good of the Guyanese State while exploring Parliamentary representation and voting.
Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan in his feature address spoke on the urgent need for racial unity among all Guyanese both at home and in the Diaspora. He was emphatic that under the PNC/PPP Governments, all they did was give lip service in this regard.
He stated that under his Presidency, an investor, public servant or ordinary Guyanese will not benefit from Government’s resources because of the texture of hair, but because of the merit of case, as he is on the road to encourage Guyanese of all races not to fear one another but to do what it takes to mould our nation into a more harmonious and progressive one.
Ramjattan stated he is committed to solving crime and creating jobs when he becomes President. He spoke of the AFC’s policy to educate Guyanese and to make UG an accredited research institute to find solutions to our developmental challenges intelligently. He made note of how important the Diaspora is to the process of evolving our knowledge needs by their investments in education.
Ramjattan stressed that we cannot continue losing the majority of our best minds to the developed world. He encouraged the Diaspora members to read the AFC Action Plan and help the party build a new Guyana under an AFC Government.
He pledged that his Presidency will be guided by their philosophy of liberal democracy which will preserve the independence of national institutions, keep in check the lobbying power of vested interest and preserve the civil and human rights of the people.
“No more will an investor have to be the business buddy of the President to invest in Guyana; the entire process will be professionalized under an AFC Government. No longer will illegal investments be made in Guyana and then the Government after the fact, change the law to regularize these illegal acts. No longer will millions of dollars be awarded to so-called contractors for a road when that contractor has no skill, talent or resource to build that road as in the case of the Amaila Falls Road.”
The AFC’s team next held exclusive talks with officials from the Department of State at the United Nations, who were impressed with the quality and thoroughness of the presentations, which were extracts from the Action Plan. The AFC team also met the current Auditor General of the UN and former Guyana Auditor General, Anand Goolsarran, who pledged his support and willingness to participate in any capacity under the AFC Government.
It was then on to the Sunshine State of Florida, where many Guyanese from the Central Florida area gathered at the Timehri Restaurant and Lounge to listen to the AFC’s call for a change in Guyana. Speakers included renowned economist Dr. Tarron Khemraj, NY/NJ AFC Chairman Dr. Rohan Somar and Presidential Candidate Khemraj Ramjattan.
Dr. Khemraj went into much detail to explain why good policy is the key to economic success. He used the example of Barbados, with such meagre natural resources and land mass, becoming the Singapore of the Caribbean, while Guyana with an abundance of natural and other resources is grossly underdeveloped, impoverished and backward.
Ramjattan continued the discussion with details on what AFC will do to reduce crime, make the private sector the engine of growth, return jobs, ethnic harmony and the major role that the Diaspora will be playing under the AFC Government. The audience was pleased to hear the AFC’s acceptance of the DEA and Scotland Yard’s assistance in fighting crime in Guyana as well as the introduction of Diaspora representation in the Guyana Parliament.
On Saturday February 19, the AFC team was invited by the Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida (GACACF) to their 41st Republic Day Awards and Ball. In his address to the more than 400 very successful Guyanese professionals and academics, Mr. Ramjattan shared the sorrowful truth of the exodus of the best of Guyanese and stressed the importance of the Diaspora towards the development of Guyana.
“Guyana cannot and will not move forward without your participation.”
At the GACACF Awards and Ball, the keynote speaker was Dr. Vincent Adams, a senior executive with the US Department of Energy. His entire speech focused on the critical elements the next government of Guyana needs to embrace to make the country prosperous – ethnic harmony, job creation, investments, honesty of leaders and education.
The following day the AFC’s team left the warmth of Florida and landed in freezing weather to take the message of change to its members and supporters in Toronto, Canada. There again Mr. Ramjattan inspired a packed Twilight Restaurant with his message of fighting crime, Diaspora representation, creating the right investment climate, ethnic harmony and reduction of the presidential powers.

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