What have we learnt over five decades of poor leadership?

Feb 26, 2012 Letters

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Dear Editor,
During the last election campaign, candidate Mr. D. Ramotar was advertized as a UG-trained economist.  We had previously seen no mention or evidence of a successful or leadership role of this candidate in any business or Govt. enterprise. Mr. Ramotar came into our consciousness after he was personally handpicked by Mr. Jagdeo as his successor, without a party vote.
This country has suffered enough and we have to work with Mr. Ramotar to ensure the people’s welfare is paramount again, despite the fact of his arbitrary constitutional appointment.
Any economist knows that the most valuable resource of a country is its people and that heavy investments in the education of its young people are a necessity for survival of this nation as a viable entity.
Every parent in Guyana is aware of this and makes great sacrifices so that her child gets the best education possible. This same concern and attitude has eluded our professional politicians and party officials.
The students at UG are mainly from the working classes which our major political parties claim to represent. Politicians, business people, professionals and those who could afford it send their children to overseas institutions for a first class education. If things were so good at UG why are children of the elite going elsewhere?
Mr. Kissoon over the years has consistently championed the cause of higher education particularly at UG. Instead of this citizen being complimented and honored for his persistence in advocating the national interests of the country and stopping the wastage of our human potential, he is unceremoniously dismissed from UG.
The messenger is killed for reporting the house is falling down and on fire! This act is executed by the President Ramotar controlled Governing Council of UG led by Dr. Prem Misir.
Dr. Prem Misir, the Pro-Chancellor of UG and from the Office of President (both Mr. Jagdeo’s and now Mr. Ramotar’s) has been a prolific writer in the local media about university education at UG.
This is the first Pro-Chancellor of UG not advocating on behalf of the University and doing his duties. Dr. Misir has stated that the University is too expensive to be afforded by this country! Where or in what areas is this University expensive or enjoying luxury?
The buildings are dilapidated, equipment is absent or obsolete, staff are under-qualified and underpaid, no finance is available to fund projects relevant to the country basic needs in e.g., science, engineering, technology, agriculture, forestry and fishery.
May we ask which University in Guyana is Dr. Misir talking about? It seems to many of us that Dr. Misir is not aware of the realities that exist at U.G.
Why would anyone want to be the Pro-Chancellor of UG which by any standards is a dump?  We have seen better cow-pens in Guyana. How can monies be short since Govt. connected business people and politicians enjoy generous financial packages and/or big houses?
Dr. Misir can best be described as the Contra-Chancellor (contra meaning against) instead of the Pro-Chancellor (pro meaning for) since his actions are against the interests of the University community.
Dr. Misir must realize that he is wearing two hats: one to advocate on behalf of UG and the other as Contra-Chancellor to destroy UG. Dr. Misir has shown his allegiance to the wishes of the OP, whoever is giving the orders.
It is striking that any formally educated person cannot see the destruction that he has done to this university and to this country. The best way to destroy a people is to destroy their culture which includes education.
It leads one to believe that this course of destruction is deliberate. It is as if one is paid to do this decimation, those with the money have hired those with the PhDs to do their biddings.
This is the same pattern that we have seen with others who should know better supporting the Mr. Jagdeo regime despite the ugly excesses and failures. We are surprised how many were or are either duped or bought. It seems every man has his price.
It is a national disgrace that Dr. Misir who has written so many hard to fathom and irrelevant letters in the local press is now in charge of the University!! Surely Mr. Ramotar and the PPP politicians must be embarrassed by such writings emanating from the Office of the President. It is shameful that so many local and overseas supporters have not spoken out.
I once thought that Dr. Misir was a respectable person; then, I thought he has lost it; and now, I think God please help us from this insanity.
To President D. Ramotar and the PPP, if you have any sense of decency or concern for the people of Guyana, please remove Dr. Misir from a leadership role at this University.
It must be obvious to all that Dr. Misir is continuing Mr. Jagdeo’s policies of annihilation of Guyana and her young people. By your failure to act, Mr. President and PPP, you are loudly telling us in no uncertain terms that you are both continuing Mr. Jagdeo’s policies. We hope that this President, Govt. and PPP have the political courage do the right thing and serve Guyana.
The PPP under the late Dr. Jagan set up this university on the right track with an independent Board of Governors consisting of some the best minds and caring people in the country. In addition, the university had a mission and goals and appropriately the best people were hired without political interference. The University thrived.
Have our people not suffered enough? Have we lost feeling the sufferings of our people? We know better and must do better.
Seelochan Beharry

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