APNU+AFC and the PPP need to develop more sustainable leadership behaviour for the ‘New’ Guyana

Jul 04, 2019 Letters

---

DEAR EDITOR,

I believe that the Leader of the Opposition’s land-grabbing claims have opened up a door for frank and honest discussions on inclusivity and equitable distribution of the country’s resources to all of its peoples.
I think that many of the responses to the Opposition Leader’s claims have been emotional which I can understand, however, now that the discussion is in the public domain, let’s have the conversation so that the ‘New’ Guyana – the Oil and Gas Guyana, will see more equitable and inclusive management and distribution of the nation’s wealth and resources.
Editor, I will step out on water like ‘Peter’ here, but I believe in speaking the truth and the truth shall set you free. When the PPP administration was in office, it was felt by a large section of our society that they created economic opportunities for their support-base, most of whom are Indo-Guyanese. During this period, many black people felt marginalized and disenfranchised. I believe that an honest assessment of the business, economic and financial landscape of the country during the PPP administration, would give validity to this view, to some extent.
After 23 years, two generations of the PPP administration, this approach to governance had to some extent become institutionalized; which was one of the reasons why there was a sense of “liberation” in May 2015, when the APNU+AFC Government came into office.
The challenge with the APNU+AFC Government was to find a way to bring more balance in the business, economic and financial landscape of the country without the Indo-Guyanese feeling that it was a pro-black government. Now this was and still is a challenge, how to allocate resources, create opportunities, employment and otherwise for black people who make up their main support-base, without being seen as practicing racial preferences. So I understand the dilemma.
Now some persons would say that I should go back to the PNC’s 28 years and perhaps Indo-Guyanese were also disenfranchised and marginalized and when the PPP came into office in 1992; and they had to find a way to bring more balance in the business, economic and financial landscape for their main constituency.
However, I did not examine this aspect, since this is not an academic paper, but rather an effort to stimulate honest discussion, debate and commitment to a change in our approach to governance and leadership. It is time for us to become more creative and innovative in finding solutions.
My disappointment, however, is that a more acceptable and sustainable approach by the APNU+AFC Government to ensure more equity and inclusivity for its constituency, would have been to make some structural, systemic and institutional changes.
For example, to establish a financial organization (bank) for its constituency to have greater access to finances and business opportunities; establish more training institutions, such as the Guyana Industrial Training Centre (GTI) and training institutions for services, such as the Carnegie School of Home Economics; as well as develop a policy for all young citizens when they complete secondary and high schools – if they do not proceed to university, they must enroll in these institutions and learn at least one trade. However, what I see a lot of, is an attempt at equitable distribution of resources among the government and its close supporters and friends and families, I daresay that this is not sustainable leadership behaviour, particularly in a multi-ethnic society.
The PPP having not been in office for 28 years, experimented with a number of approaches, some benefitted the country and others hurt the country and its people. The APNU+AFC coalition – and I would even single out the PNC for this purpose, after being in Opposition for 23 years, experimented with a number of approaches, some benefitted the country and others hurt the country and its people.
When one examines the governance approaches used by both the PPP and the APNU+AFC governments, there are many similarities and they both hurt the country and people in much the same ways; for example, corruption had and has overtaken both administrations, and they both became reckless leaders.
One of my letters was published in the Stabroek News and Kaieteur News on 26 June, and in that letter I asked a question, ‘what will the APNU+AFC and PPP do differently if elected again? That question was loaded.
Over the years through my writing, I have developed what I call an ‘Ad hoc Caucus of Professionals’. These are professionals from all fields; judiciary, politics, government, Opposition, public, private and civil society sectors, international community, local community and religious leadership and numerous others, who would share information with me – and this happens in the streets, the banks, shopping places, practically anywhere. They would say can you write about this or that, so I have sort of become the voice for professionals.
There is a real fear among black people that if the PPP should return to office, they will be marginalized and discriminated against, again. Judging from the results of the Local Government Elections, there is a real likelihood that the PPP could return to office. My question again to the PPP is: what will you do differently to ensure that the wealth and resources of the country are distributed more equitably among Indo, Afro and all Guyanese? Specifically, what will a PPP government do to create opportunities, employment and otherwise for black people, because this is a real concern.
On the other hand, many Indo-Guyanese are of the view that the APNU+AFC government is pro-black and have a real fear that the callousness, pompousness and arrogance of many of the persons appointed by this government, and the way they treat with resources and administer their duties, will continue.
I think that many officials in this government did an injustice to the government with their less than acceptable behaviour. My question to the APNU+AFC government is: now that the honeymoon (this was an extended honeymoon) is over, when will we get down to the business of managing the country? What will you do differently to create a more inclusive and equitable society? One Indo-Guyanese said to me ‘Audreyanna, I can’t help thinking how my vote is working against me and to abuse me’.
Finally, I would be disappointed if APNU+AFC and the PPP should attempt to defend their behaviour as described in this letter, rather, what would be appreciated is if they would outline how they will develop more sustainable behaviour in governing and leading the country, particularly to ensure that all citizens have an equal chance to have economic and financial stability.
Yours Faithfully,
Citizen Audreyanna Thomas

---

---