AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL POLITICAL PARTIES IN GUYANA

Nov 01, 2012 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) calls on all Political Parties to breathe ‘the spirit of life and hope” into the daily lives of all Guyanese.
Prior to the last elections,Guyana, a land of tremendous wealth and promise, was at a crossroads. Our fledgling Democracy was very fragile. Our People were suffering in many ways. Some in silence.Some without voice.Joblessness was on the rise with UG and High School graduates seeking opportunities without success.
Organized crime in both the Private sector (drugs) and Government (corruption) was on the rise. Poverty was being hidden by over US$400 million of annual remittances. Huge building that made no economic sense in a small market as Guyana, were being built without caution. Moral values were at an all-time low and this manifested itself during the elections campaign. The racial divide was being further stimulated as an election strategy for victory. The rule of Law was being ignored.
The results of the last elections brought the prospect of better governance with a balance of power between the Executive and Parliament. This was seen as the beginning of good and inclusive governance leading to a peaceful and more vibrant Guyana. It was hoped by many, that as Guyana approached its 50th anniversary of Independence in 2016, politicians would seek to work together tomeet Guyana’s many global and domestic challenges through a common nation building vision, shared values, shared goals, and partnerships nurtured by visionary servant leadership.
Elections held the hope of change: of justice, progress and peace.
Today, Guyana is worse off. Our People feel uncertain about the future. Our Politics have become zero sum game at its worst. The political gimmicks on TV, in Parliament and in general have turned most Guyanese off. Most young people are just waiting for the next chance to say NO to this ‘politics of fear and division”. They realize political power is about economic power for the few, regardless of Party. This is the view now commonly expressed.
The unwarranted extrajudicial killings at Linden were an eye-opener especially given the advanced notice of the protest and the fact that commonsense clearly suggested the best action was to wait it out.
The again unwarranted extrajudicial murders at Agricola further showed the daily degradation of the Rule of Law. The assassination of Ricardo Rodrigues in broad daylight within an 800-yard radius of nine schools half-an-hour before these schools would have been let out, clearly reminded all parents and law abiding citizens that Guyana is a very dangerous place for our children and ourselves.
The last nine months since elections has gestated an ugly unstable politically destructive , racially divisive Guyana in which any incident can lead us down the slippery slope of serious violence in which an uneducated, untrained, often times psychologically deficient Police Force has orders to kill without reason.
Throughout this time, ACDA has been providing economic assistance to those who have asked and have kept relatively silent on political issues.
ACDA believes Guyana will only become worse as there is no sight of political compromise, Parliamentary goodwill or concern for the public good.
Justice is the key to peace. Linden and Agricola cry out for justice. Racial entrepreneurs within the political parties will lead to racial violence and a more dangerous society. All will suffer and those politicians, who believe that they cannot be harmed, are living in the past. When people take up cutlasses against guns, then fear has been transformed into an unpredictable and unreasonable climate reminiscent of Martin Carter’s poem “This is the dark time, my love”.
Today in Guyana many sacred pledges are being broken. The police have broken their pledge to ‘serve and protect”.
Our politicians have broken their constitutional pledge to “serve the People of Guyana”.
Guyana desperately needs political stability and economic growth. Without these two basic elements, Guyana will not have the best opportunity for racial harmony, nation building (health, education, housing, social cohesion, gender equality) or of having the best strategic international relationships so necessary for Guyana’s optimum integration into the global economy.
A Government’s highest responsibility is the physical, economic, psychological, security and spiritual well-being of its citizens and this is enshrined and guaranteed in its Constitution.
As we reflect over the past 50 years, it is clear the Westminster system of governance has failed us. The main enemies of such initiative are the cult of personality, misguided loyalty to party “high command”, sycophancy which abounds in the capital.
The country needs Rebirth and Renewal.The Westminster model has helped to divide Guyana along racial and economic lines. As a multi-racial, multi-religious country, social harmony must be a principle that governs our religious teachings.
Much of the political zero sum game has been the relentless effort to show shared governance does not work.
This is the ulterior motive behind all the political machinations. Yet, the last 47 years have conclusively proved the current system does not work.
It is time for Executive leadership to halt this political masquerade. Shared governance will allow all Guyanese to live far better lives, with better jobs, better education, a better GWI a better GPL , with far less poverty and with much more hope.
ACDA calls on all politicians to remember that Democracy is about “the People” and not about them.
We are not interested in the 28 years of the PNC or the 20 years of the PPP. Those who want to live in the past cannot lead us into the future.
It is time to end racism. It is time to end extrajudicial murders. It is time to find effective solutions against poverty. It is time to end our indifference to Amerindians, Youth and the helpless.
Guyana needs a new vision based on servant leadership, economic vibrancy and the primacy of human rights. Guyana needs visionary experienced leadership that can forge a “we are one” conversation about our mutual development and national unity.
ACDA

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