FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES NEEDED

Mar 27, 2018 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Change is one of the things that we all experience at some time or the other in our lives. Sometimes it directly correlates to our happiness and well-being, and other times we are left at a loss, wondering where it all went wrong.
Real and meaningful change for a country means challenging the system, structures and the status quo. Some of our leaders may have been sincere, but that alone is not enough, for it is possible to be sincere and be wrong. Most of the solutions they have employed over the years have not brought change and delivered a new Guyana promised.
We need to deal with fundamental issues that have dogged the nation for decades. We cannot afford, and must never support, untruths, distortions and corrupt and immoral behaviour by those chosen to lead us.
We must do things differently, because what our politicians have done for the past 50 years has not brought about real change. We must re-think some of the things we have taken for granted or accepted as norms and even who we elect as our representatives.
The unconscionable oil contract signed between the government and ExxonMobil which will invariably lead to the plundering of our oil and gas resources could place the country at a crossroads. It is sad and unfortunate that everyone in the government believes that the entire public, including many experts and prominent persons are wrong, and only they are right. Such belief have placed them in a fool’s paradise and is proof that they are out of touch with reality. They have become the doubting Thomases of the modern era.
With the election of the coalition government after 23 years in opposition, many were convinced that there would have been major changes. But after almost three years in office, most of their promises remain unfulfilled. However, the failure to keep promises is not new, so the government is not unique and is not likely to suffer much damage as a result.
Many people believe that if changes are not made now, it will be decades before any will be made, which means that we will be leaving our problems for the next few generations to solve.
Over the years, we have not been able to solve our problems from the root, maybe because of ignorance, a lack of courage or political will to do so. Our leaders must be mature and break free from political posturing and partisanship if we are to make any progress in solving our problems. It is time for our leaders to stop being partisan and work with all groups, regardless of political stripes or ethnicity. They must be truthful and give credit and support to opposing parties and viewpoints where due. In other words, they must put the country first.
At all times, the discourse should be about issues, policies, leadership or evidence of successes or failures and not personal attacks. We need mature and visionary political leaders with integrity and with the ability to inspire, influence and change lives and communities. Such an approach would bring hope, prosperity and development to the country and the people. We must make the necessary changes and transition to a new political culture in order for the country to develop and prosper.
Changes must be made to improve health care, reform the educational system, accelerate justice reform and reduce poverty, hopelessness, corruption and surges in crime, especially armed robbery.
It is unfortunate that the strategies and plans used by governments past and present have not succeeded in the development of the country and improved the lives of its people. There must be fundamental changes to the present structure and systems of governance for this to happen.

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