We should aim for transformational citizenry before we call for transformational leadership

Apr 13, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – For the longest while we have been calling for transformational leaders. Though there are no arguments here, I think the emphasis is misplaced, with the cart before the horse. Rather, the shoe should be on the foot of a transformational citizenry, which demands and drives transformational leadership.

Leaders and political groups run riot, because they are given free rein by their own to do as they please, to govern without disapproval and abandonment hanging over their heads. Observe and review the history and ongoing reality of our divided population, and matters distill to this rancid plateau: deh use tuh do wuss. Given such an immovable mindset by both sides, leadership arrogance, weaknesses, and failures flourish. There is no accountability, because a crass and empty-headed voting population that should transform itself and demand the same of its leaders absolutely refuses to do so. In fact, it is well pleased with how it is, and leaders are cunning enough to capitalise on those passions and prejudices by continuing unchecked along their self-enriching paths.

When there is such a mindless mob consisting as captive constituents, no leader would spare a moment over such an abstraction as transformational change. I wouldn’t. There is neither pressure nor reason nor incentive to change one damn thing about what is delivered, and the way things are done. Since the social terrain is so accommodating and the going is so smooth, then all that is left for leaders to do is to maximise the opportunities to mislead and maximise personal returns. They don’t have to listen to such nuisances as matters about the national interest, the people’s good, and that quaint anachronism patriotism. Their blind, deaf, and dumb supporters see to that by drowning out any interfering competing noises (in this context, dumb should not be equated with speechlessness, but utter daftness). This so-called local democracy does not allow for differences or dissent. If I am a leader in such a position, then all I have to do is to sit back and enjoy the show; let the boys and girls carry on, while there is figuring out how to throw a bone or two their way to compensate for their vigilance and loyalty.

I assert that when citizens lack the zest to assess their environment and the bigger, longer term picture, and are merely consumed with clashing and condemning political opponents, then leaders stay untransformed. And when citizens comport themselves in this unthinking manner, then there should see themselves as similar to those 80 million and more Americans, who have now condemned themselves to be perpetual victims. It does not matter which side of the political equation one belongs to in Guyana that is where the citizenry is today, with no moving. There is no laying out of minimum standards for leaders to transform themselves in the measurable. The result is the likes of the leaders that we have at the top, in parliament, and at lower summits.

Yours truly,
GHK Lall

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