Guyana needs a new breed of leaders

Jul 29, 2014 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,
In Guyana, we can so easily get carried away in our quest to identify the brightest prospects for future leaders — the movers and shakers within the political and economic systems and our communities. And, while it is our earnest desire to see the expansion of this pool of outstanding young men and women, we humbly ask: What are the indicators by which we determine prospective leaders within our society? What systems do we have in place to nurture a culture of excellence in leadership?
In Guyana, times have changed drastically from the 1960s and the 1970s, but still both the top brass leaders of the PPP and the PNC are from those eras. Not only have they not been able to move Guyana forward in the 21st century but they have also not been able to meet the needs of the 65 percent of the youths who are between 17 and 35 years. This crop of old leaders should move aside and make way for the youths to take the reins of power.
Guyana has not developed and prospered and will never be under such hoary leaders whose goal is to measure success based on 1960s standards. These leaders are primitive in their thinking and are out of touch with today’s youth lifestyle. Most, if not all, do not even understand today’s technology and cannot even use computers.
A close examination of the government would tell a very sad tale—one of dishonesty, self-conceitedness, pettiness, vindictiveness and gross incompetence. A close examination of the private sector would tell an equally dreadful tale—one of greed, corporate social irresponsibility, and acute insensitivity to the needs and circumstances of those whom they serve, especially the youths. The opposition possesses some of the same traits found in both the government and the private sector. Very sad!
The economic, social, and political leaders within our society today are evidence of a disparity between the rich and the powerful and the poor and the powerless. The failure by our leaders to objectively examine where we have fallen short has thrown the economy and the political and social systems into tailspins of historic proportions—a clear indictment on the state of leadership across the country, but more so in the ruling cabal, whose primary goal is to sue the state resources for personal financial benefits.
The present crop of such old leadership has undoubtedly failed the people and the country to the extent that there is corruption everywhere in the government; nepotism and cronyism are rampant and the marginalization of a certain ethnic group has reached new heights. So, in identifying the next generation of leaders in Guyana, we should start by looking in the right places and for the right people. We need more and better options not only for competition’s sake, but also for the cause of political and economic excellence. Mind you, such excellence is by no means reserved for some exclusive minority. It should be a mere reward for hard work, discipline, passion, and goodwill. The time is now for the old guard of leaders in the PPP and the PNC to relinquish power and leadership to the youths. It will be better for the country.
Whether someone is a youth on the block, in the ghetto, in a slum, an accomplished academic, or an active member of an organization, this message is just for them. They should make it their personal challenge to position themselves to be true prototypes for excellence in the public and private spheres of the community today. We believe that the youths have the insight, foresight, discipline and grit needed not only to effect change in Guyana, but also to move the country in the 21st century.
It is our hope that the high unemployment among the youths and the pressing issues that they face daily all across the country—from Lethem in Essequibo to Orealla on the Corentyne River —would act as the spark that ignites the flames for new and youthful leadership in Guyana.
These old timers who have been in power for more than 50 years have nothing much to show in terms of economic advancement. As a matter of fact, Guyanese are much poorer today; unemployment among the youth is much higher today. There are more homeless persons in the streets today. There are more murders and armed robberies today and most of all, corruption and stealing from the treasury by senior government officials is much higher today. Not to mention cost of living, the cost of electricity, gasoline and transportation, and the fact that wages and salaries have fallen behind the cost of living expenses.
Guyana and its people should no longer tolerate immoral and corrupt leaders. Guyana is in need of a new breed of honest, decent, moral and uncorrupt leaders; ‘prototype leaders’ in government, the opposition, the private sector, and civil society, and once their hearts are in the right place, everything else will fall in line.
Asha Balbachan,
Derrick Arjune,
Chandra Deollal,
Rohit Misir,
Dr. Reginald Watkins,
Donna Mathoo,
Noel Moses,
Vicki Rampersaud,
Guilianna Jacobs,
Dr. Devita Khan,
Asquith Rose,
Ramesh Sookram,
Debbie Lashley,
Harish Singh,
Dr. Vincent Nauth.

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