End the ethno insecurities

Aug 11, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

The new Government is in place. The promise was made to give urgency to Constitutional reform. The citizens are eager for a more inclusive and representative Government. Whenever the project gets off the ground, the Preamble and sections 9 and 13 of the Constitution should feature prominently in the minds of all who will be invited to make proposals.
Also, the changing ethno makeup of Guyana, (Indo 40%, Afro 30%, Mixed 20%, Amerindian 10%) presents the opportunity to ensure that greater numbers of the population feel they will have meaningful representation by parties which reflect all Guyana’s peoples.
What if, as with the quota of women in Parliament, it is mandated for all political parties to have no more than, (for example) , 30 percent of Indos and Afros; and no less than 20 percent of Mixed, 10 percent of Amerindian and 10 percent of non-politicians? Women and youth quotas should also be included.
It will then become difficult, or even pointless, for parties to use the race card to get support. They will instead be forced to compete for votes by convincing the people that they are to be trusted to develop Guyana into the type of country stipulated in the Constitution.
The goal must be a shared Guyanese identity. The ethno insecurities which seem to prevail and haunt the nation must be brought to an end.
The formula should also be used to determine the make-up of Cabinet and all other institutions.
Something else to ponder, is why Guyana needs a President and a Prime Minister?

With respect,
Faiyaz Alli

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