All races need to feel secure and only a Govt. of National Unity can ensure this

Feb 03, 2015 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,
Guyana needs a Government of National Unity if we are to become a Modern Society based on Rule of Law, good governance and social inclusion as opposed to social cohesion.
The country is at a crossroads and there has been much political talk about what each of the three Parties will do if they were to win. There seems to be no coherent proposal from Civil Society about what are their expectations beyond May 11. Perhaps I can offer some comments.
If it is generally accepted that 49 years of Westminster winner-take-all rule has left us in a diminished and deferred state of development, then there is need for change.
The PPP has openly stated it is fine with winner-take-all politics, as it fully expects to win a majority or a plurality. In essence, the PPP has said “no” to a Government of National Unity. This is unfortunate, because the current state of political morass will only accelerate and the country will become more unstable.
APNU has called for a Government of National Unity that will include all political parties and civil society. In essence, APNU has said yes to a Government of National Unity but the details need to be shared beyond broad philosophy. The AFC has said it prefers a Pro-Democracy Coalition. This in essence says “no” to a Government of National Unity and the threats of imprisonment seem to dictate there can be no PPP involvement in the approach.
Political parties, unlike businesses, seem to have a different paradigm for negotiating coalitions. And given the importance of a Government of National Unity, let me offer an approach to negotiating a viable Coalition that is in Guyana’s national interest.
First, David Granger should fire his negotiating Team and so should the AFC. Having 7 individuals negotiate a few principles will result, as it seems, in “me-ness” and self-importance trumping the will of the People.
Second, David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo (if he is the AFC’s Presidential candidate by decree) should meet for a few hours to have a “servant leadership “discussion about Guyana and its future.
Third, these two “statesmen” should invite Ralph Ramkarran (Former PPP Executive Member), Rupert Roopnaraine (WPA), Mark Benschop (Independent Party), Stanley Ming (Reform) and a few prominent businessmen and civil society leaders …..to craft a Government of National Unity framework with Public consultation.
This framework should have 3 critical elements.
First, an agreement that within a year, there will be a final draft of a constitution which embodies constitutional democracy in which constituents can be recalled by those who elected them.
Second, an agreement on an economic philosophy that is built around growth, inclusiveness and CSME/Latin American integration so that BRICS funding and youth job creation can be accomplished while making Guyana the Singapore of the West, given its geopolitical location.
Third, the implementation of practices that will result in social cohesion, instead of the failed process of social cohesion without social inclusion.
Leadership is critical at this juncture of Guyana’s evolvement into a more democratic and fair society. Servant Leadership, moreso.
If the nation is to be truly freed of the economic, social and cultural malignancies so visible in our society, then Granger and Nagamootoo need to stand tall and above the “village/racial” politics currently evident.
It would seem strange to me that the Kissoon view that “Indians will not vote for an African President” would have currency if the “coalition” , beyond Nagamootoo, has other faces such as Ralph Ramkarran, Stanley Ming, Tarron Singh, Mark Benschop and others.
Guyana needs to breathe. Open your mouths David and Moses. Help us all breathe. Go slay your Goliaths (racism) and put those who want disunity or want to deny a Government of National Unity…….on the Ark whose destination is Isolation.
All races need to feel secure and this is only possible in a Government of National Unity.
Eric Phillips

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