Democracy and Decentralised Government — Flags and Emblems

Sep 06, 2015 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

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Article 9 of the Constitution states, “Sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it through their representatives and democratic organs established by or under this Constitution.” Further, Article 74 (1) states that, “It shall be the primary duty of Local Democratic Organs to ensure in accordance with law the efficient management and development of their areas and to provide leadership by example.”

The coalition is committed to democratic governance and the rule of law. In accordance with this philosophy, your new government remains committed to placing decision-making power into the hands of the people, where it rightfully belongs. Decentralised political power is the cornerstone of self-determination by the people; the hallmark of a true democracy. Building a true democracy is the strategic vision of the administration.

Decentralised government is the opposite of dictatorship. Decentralisation of power, allows the people to play meaningful roles in shaping their future. Decentralisation of power involves devolution, deconcentration and deregulation.

Devolution and deconcentration is the transfer of administrative and decision-making processes to sub-national levels of government, such as our Local Democratic Organs (LDOs). This transfer of roles, responsibilities and functions will be accompanied by the requisite authority and autonomy, to empower LDOs such as Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) to leverage their diverse natural and human assets to benefit residents of each region. RDCs will now be empowered and expected to raise their own revenues, work directly to attract business investors and thereby, create jobs and opportunities for their respective residents. Regions will not only be administrative subdivisions of the country, but they will be productive and self-sufficient. Citizens can therefore have more opportunities and wider prospects to build better lives regardless of where they live.

Deregulation includes the divestment of state-controlled assets to the private sector, as well as delegation of responsibilities to non-centrally controlled statutory bodies. Decentralisation therefore, will result in central government working hand in hand with Local Democratic Organs, Non-Governmental Organisations, and the private sector, to raise the standard of living of all Guyanese, instead of dictating to citizens from offices in Georgetown.

In line with the administration’s strategic vision, His Excellency President Granger had called on each Regional Democratic Council to craft a Plan of Action for Regional Development (PARD). President Granger has articulated a vision of each region being proud of its own identity and unique beauty. Stronger regions will result in a stronger Guyana, said His Excellency. With this in mind, the administration has unveiled 10 Flags and Emblems which embody the unique resources, economic activities and sources of pride, of each Region.

Is being proud of our Regional Emblem not an act of patriotism, just as we are proud of our National Flag, The Golden Arrowhead? The two go hand in hand. How can we claim to be proud Guyanese if we are not equally happy to belong to our own Region; our own neighbourhood; our own home? Taking pride in coming from a particular Region, in no way makes us less Guyanese. And embracing our Regional Flag in no way detracts from our love of The Golden Arrowhead. Taking ownership of our future begins with taking responsibility for our neighbourhoods and ends with taking pride in our rich and diverse country.

Having Regional Emblems is long overdue; real democracies already have such symbols of ownership and pride. Each state in the US has a flag. In fact, individual counties and towns, within many states, also have flags. Does this mean that Americans do not adore the stars and stripes? Of course not. Guyanese are well aware that Americans love their flag and they are often moved to tears when their Star Spangled Banner is hoisted. Each Province in Canada has a flag. Are Canadians less proud of their National Flag, The Maple Leaf?

Closer to home, many cities and even towns in Caribbean territories such as Trinidad and Tobago proudly display their own flags. It is time for Guyana to become truly democratic; to be sincerely proud of each part of our beautiful land. Unfortunately, the PPP is stuck in its communist and backward past. The PPP wants to keep Guyanese in the stranglehold of dictatorship. The PPP knows that North Korea has no regional flags and China has actually banned such flags and emblems. Guyanese are aware that neither China nor North Korea is a multi-party democracy.

Your new servant-leaders will chart a different course. Your government recognises that there is strength in diversity. Being proud of our unique strengths, and making creative use of our own regional resources, will allow us to take greater ownership of our own future. Let us work towards a prosperous future, proud of our diverse and varied country, heads held high as we acknowledge our unique talents. Let us be true, patriotic Guyanese, proud of our different strengths, and with a single bright and glorious destiny.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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