RESTORING SOCIETY’S LOST TRADITIONAL VALUES

Jul 07, 2018 Editorial

There is a serious call for the authorities to tackle the crucial issues that have dogged the country for decades. In order to achieve real progress amidst the many problems, there are some vital issues that, if addressed, could significantly improve the national welfare, and if not, they could severely derail our best efforts to develop the country.
The events of the last few months have served as an illustration of this fact that we have a long way to go.
First came the closure of the three sugar estates and the retrenchment of some 6,000 workers from GuySuCo with no clear plan for their immediate future or employment prospects. This was followed by the government’s acceptance of a meagre US$18 million signing bonus from ExxonMobil, for the horrible oil contract it signed with the oil giant, and then its (government’s) hiding it from the public for more than a year. And there was also the reappearing of the controversial drug bond scandal. This was not expected from an administration which built its image on integrity, honesty, transparency and accountability.

In the last three years, the country has been relatively stable, but there seems to be a lack of economic growth, development and diversification of the economy, negligible production, a reduction of imports and increase in exports as well as few incentives for small businesses to grow. Small and micro-businesses have been the backbone of the economy. They have provided jobs and boosted income throughout the country. Big businesses also provide jobs and are a large part of the tax revenue, but they tend to monopolize the economic landscape in the country and stifle the growth of small businesses.

For years, bureaucracy has been a hindrance to investment and the success of businesses in the country. The general lacklustre and supercilious approach has made it difficult to attract foreign investment needed to boost the economy and utilize the largely untapped talents of the citizens, both at home and abroad. Also, recently, there has been a serious breakdown of societal values due to a lack of respect and weak, political and partisan leadership.
Poor societal morals have conquered the belief systems of our youth. The nation has cast aside the traditional values that have made our society prosperous and safe. The result is the inevitable dropouts due to deviancy in school and daily doses of crime such as murder, rape, armed robbery and domestic violence.

We will repeat ad nauseam that the country needs bold, decisive and transformative leaders to return society to the foundation upon which it was built by our foreparents. It needs leaders with integrity and honesty, who are committed to fairness, equal justice, and will put the country first. We need a society in which principle trumps politics; people over power; humbleness instead of arrogance and national interest over party interest.
The excitement and expectations that came with the election of a new government have been overshadowed by scandals, the perception of corruption and crime, which according to the U.S. State Department, is at a critical level.

Public safety and security, peace of mind of the citizens and the welfare of the nation depend on overcoming crime. However, the police cannot fight crime alone. It needs adequate manpower and resources, and the support of the entire law-abiding population to help rid this scourge from society. Even though the crime rate has been lowered compared to last year, it cannot effectively be solved without addressing the underpinning issues that create the foundation for it to flourish. Society should provide some hope to our youths by educating them in order to help change their values and attitudes, improve their well-being and encourage them to become lawful and productive citizens.

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