The question is what have we achieved the past 50 years?

May 17, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,

Next week Thursday May 26, Guyana will celebrate its 50th – golden anniversary of our independence and lavish activities are planned in Georgetown, all the other cities and towns of the country as well as in New York, London, Ottawa, California and several other parts of the world where large number of Guyanese live. Most of us are happy that we have cut the apron string of colonialism. But the big question is what the country has achieved since independence. Some will say a lot and others will respond that things would have been better under the British.
I will attempt to highlight some in this short piece. We have seen the passing of four Presidents, Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddi Jagan and Janet Jagan. Samuel Hinds stepped in briefly and paved the way for Mrs. Jagan, who placed Bharrat Jagdeo in the top position in preference to more senior and experienced supporters. He did a good job at first in resolving the enormous debts the country incurred, but shortly after there was a free for all. Corruption was the order of the day. His successor Donald Ramotar was unable to resolve the huge and mounting problems and there were massive campaign by Guyanese both at home and abroad for a change.
The then small opposition party, AFC which included former PPP strongmen, Moses Nagamootoo, and Khemraj Ramjattan, and PNC Nigel Hughes and Raphael Trotman, joined forces with APNU (PNCR and WPA) and the coalition edged out the corrupt PPPC out of office. Guyanese were rejoicing that the new administration under the leadership of Brigadier David Granger would clean up the mess and move towards rapid development. Unfortunately the joy was soon curtailed because there are no signs of significant changes. The new administration continues the racial trend of the past two administrations.
There are far too many achievements and criticisms which can be leveled against, the PNC, PPP and now the APNU/AFC coalition administrations but space does not permit me to do so. What I can say is that the country of my birth has been transformed to a completely different state than it was before independence. The young people have different ideas and values and party politics supersede Lodges and Organizations and to certain extent “who you know and who know you prevails”
The drug trade, corruption, robberies, murders and other crimes are hindering Guyana’s progress and image. If the country is to grow in terms of development and become a force to be reckoned with, Guyanese have to overcome party politics, especially the racial conflict. Every Guyanese should be involved in the revolution as we move into our 51st year – the government, opposition, church groups, trade unions, service clubs, and all groups and individuals both at home and abroad should put their shoulders to be wheel and work assiduously to rebuild our beloved country.
Oscar Ramjeet

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