A NEW HEADQUARTERS COMMISSIONED

Jan 31, 2016 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

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–    Leaders recommit to Foundations for Development
A spanking new building, resplendent in the now familiar AFC signature colours of green and yellow was commissioned yesterday in the presence of supporters who came from across Guyana and the diaspora.  There was much nostalgia that was instigated by memories of our late founding leader, Mrs. Sheila Holder, who left us due to a lingering ailment just before the 2011 General Elections.  She had been chosen to be our Prime Ministerial candidate for those elections, but the Almighty had better plans for her.
Sheila was a warrior for human rights, for consumer rights, and a strong advocate for raising the standard of living for the poor and down-trodden in this land of ours.  Party Leader, Raphael Trotman four years ago said it succinctly: “It is with deep sadness that the Alliance For Change announces the passing of (one of our) founder leaders.  Sheila Holder was a patriot who embodied the attributes of grace and service. She was a fierce fighter for a better and unified Guyana, and she worked tirelessly to promote change, real change in her dear Guyana.  Sheila was the embodiment of dignity, fairness and equality. She was an upstanding citizen and an uncompromised politician”.  There were not enough words to express the depth of sadness at her passing, and how much she is still missed.
The AFC Leadership took the opportunity to reaffirm the commitments we have been giving to the Guyanese electorate in our ten years of existence.  This party was born as a Movement out of the recognition that the Guyanese people were tired of the ‘old politics’ where the political landscape had been dominated by two political parties since Guyana attained Independence in 1966 – the PPP and the PNC.  The electorate demanded a third option.
They made this clear just nine months after our official entry into Guyanese politics.  At the 2006 National and General Elections the electorate gave us five (5) seats in Guyana’s Ninth Parliament.  Five years later, in November 2011, with severely limited resources and a stronger-than-ever commitment to defy the odds which rarely see ‘third parties’ in Westminster-type democracies survive, the Alliance For Change secured two additional parliamentary seats, increasing the scope of its representation in the Tenth Parliament.
By this time Guyana’s political landscape had changed somewhat with the opposition People’s National Congress coalescing with several political groups to form A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
Then came 2015 and the fulfillment of the political direction demanded by our bases, i.e. a coalition with our parliamentary colleagues on the Opposition benches.
The rest is our current reality.  This multi-ethnic party remains committed to the brand of politics that puts ‘people interest’ first.  Party paramountcy has no place in our structure.  What has always taken centre stage is the practice of good governance, transparency and accountability.
Our approach to governing and unifying this multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, diverse population will remain based on satisfying the needs of our electorate wherever they live inside these 83,000 square miles.  We remain committed to providing a safe and secure nation, and a environment conducive to developing micro-, small- and medium-scale businesses, and support their need to better their economic standing.
We take this opportunity to recommit to our core principle which states that the development of a just society is founded on the supremacy of the rule of law and the belief that all persons are equal. This principle remains the foundation of our approach to governance and to transforming Guyana and its economy.
Before 2011 we had developed five pillars for the development of this nation.  These remain:
1. Fostering a Private Sector-driven Economy through Industrialisation.  This translates into job creation and higher remuneration through private sector-led industrial development.  The AFC will see that Guyana achieves rapid economic growth via our detailed programme aimed at transforming the productive and emerging sectors by providing the wherewithal for developing skills for the productive sectors, enhancing industrial growth and value added services.  The vision is to produce world-class products that can be traded in the international market alongside exports from other developing countries.
2. Stamping out crime and providing personal security.  The current increase in violent crime is the main deterrent for new investment in Guyana and a direct stimulant for migration of our best talents.  Prior to May 2015, not a single major drug dealer was convicted in Guyana, for instance.  Our innovative strategies are geared towards enhancing and supporting the efforts of the Police and military forces with critical support from friendly foreign agencies like the FBI, Scotland Yard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.  Crime must be brought to a halt in this vulnerable nation.
3. Promoting Equal opportunity in one nation.  The AFC recognizes that each citizen, no matter his or her race, creed, colour or gender has the right to access opportunities and contribute to nation-building. Failure to ensure ethnic balance in political, economic and social opportunities is counter-productive and a waste of our rich talents. Everyone will be made better off, given our bountiful natural resources.
4. Political Reforms – One destiny.  The politically backward Constitution that this country was saddled with for decades does not serve the best interest of the country.  In the first six months of the coalition’s administration, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo received the interim report from the Convenor of the Steering Committee on Constitutional Reform (SCCR), Attorney-at-law and party Chairman, Nigel Hughes.  The Committee comprised Professor Harold Lutchman, Mr. Haslyn Parris, Mrs. Geeta Chandan-Edmond and Mr. Gino Persaud.
Their task was mainly to define the scope of the actual reform process and establish the terms of reference and mechanisms for consultation to establish a Constitution Reform Commission.  The new constitution when it is written will put the necessary checks and balances in place to consolidate our ethos of liberal democracy – freedom of speech, devolution of power and the Bill of Rights of our citizens.   The document will provide processes to expose and penalize abuse of power and corrupt activities.
5. Our Youth, our Future: The AFC recognises that in keeping our commitment to break with the past and govern in the best interest of Guyana, we are compelled to acknowledge the valuable resources that reside in our young people.  Our economic and social evolution pivots on this significant proportion of our demography.  It focuses on character-building, high moral values and self-esteem, and employability while reducing risk factors such as crime, drug abuse, alcoholism, teen pregnancy, suicide and illiteracy.   The programme also espouses the value of recreation, the arts and sports to the restoration of that crucial bond between youths and their communities.

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