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Cronyism is a deadly enemy

Jul 21, 2011 Features / Columnists, Freddie Kissoon

A recent editorial in this newspaper lamented the damage cronyism has done to development (“Cronies in control,” June 29, 11). Cronyism is the biggest disaster that continues to undermine progress in Guyana.
It is one of the major differences in the practice of politics by Presidents Burnham and Hoyte and the presidency of the Jagans and Mr. Jagdeo. Cronyism is built into electoral politics. Unfortunately in Guyana, it has a more deleterious effect.
When lesser known foot soldiers perambulate the entire territory doing laborious campaign tasks for a political party, after victory is achieved, it is expected that they will be given state jobs. This happens in every country without exception. But these people’s skills limitations must be recognized.
You cannot elevate them into the upper echelons of the public service if they are not experienced and qualified. Catastrophe awaits the new government if and when that happens.
The reason why Bill Clinton got into trouble with Monica Lewinsky was because he couldn’t arrange a high class job that she demanded.
Her choice was the United Nations. Clinton asked his friend, civil rights leader, Vernon Jordan, to arrange an opening in a cosmetic company in New York. Lewinsky rejected this. Her frustration grew and we all know what she did afterwards.
In advanced, industrial societies, the levels of skills are overwhelming, so campaign workers are given employment for which they are qualified
In a country like Guyana where the human resource base is almost non-existent, the ruling party simply does not have a wide range of talent available to it. But more importantly, the PPP differs fundamentally from the PNC under the presidency of Hoyte and Burnham in that the PPP does not really put strong weight on one’s educational achievements.
The African middle class evolved in Guyana inside the womb of education. It is the essential difference between the administration of past PNC Governments and the PPP under both Cheddi Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo
President Burnham was a profound admirer of intellectual acumen. Once you were intellectually endowed, Burnham would employ you. This was the nature of the man. Hoyte was no different. It would not be untrue to say that Burnham put a limit on the role of cronyism but Hoyte had no tolerance for it all.
When Mr. Hoyte appointed Dr. Tyrone Ferguson as Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Ferguson had no PNC relationships of substance. Hoyte wanted an intellectual even if he wasn’t a party man. There can be no big debate about it; Desmond Hoyte was the best leader this country produced.
Cheddi Jagan bequeathed cronyism to his party. Jagan was a shameless encourager of cronyism. Once his legacy is under discussion, two episodes of cronyism will come up for description. As Premier, he appointed his tailor as manager of the nationalized electricity company. As President he put his driver on the board of the Guyana National Cooperative Bank.
Is it simply amazing how any educated person, especially one over sixty years who has lived in Guyana, could see Jagan as a great leader. But I guess everyone is entitled to his/her opinion.
It would not be correct to say that Mr. Jagdeo is the chief perpetrator of cronyism today.
That title goes to the PPP itself. Every leader of the PPP, without exception, practises incestuous politics of the worst type, that Hoyte and Burnham never touched. Little boys and girls who can hardly pronounce the most basic words in the English language are elevated to the most prestigious positions in the public realm.
When you hear the words that come out of the mouths of these party supporters when they are on NCN television and radio, even a crapaud would be embarrassed to be a Guyanese.
The incident of cronyism that I find most hilarious was the case of an employee dismissed from UG for incompetence.
This guy was supposed to be an accountant, but primary school students knew more than him. He used his contact within the Muslim community and ended up in a medical institution in the public sector where he spent most of his time chasing skirts.
Of course you had the situation at my work place, UG, where the guy came in at 11:00 hours, left at 13:00 hours to drink his liquor, and never returned for the day. This was his routine.
They moved him after officials of the University of the West Indies requested it in exchange for their assistance to UG. He remains a favourite of the Leviathan.
Cronyism is to the PPP what grass is to a cow.

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