I salute the President on constitutional appointments

Nov 03, 2021 Letters

. Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – “I am fully committed to abiding by every aspect of the constitution. There is no precondition to fulfilling my mandate in accordance with the constitution” (“Ali walks back on preconditions for meeting Harmon -says Judicial Service Commission appointments to be addressed soon” SN October 31). I must be the biggest fool in the world, but I hail the president for his words that ring with me. I do so, despite President Ali’s gift for glibness on matters of substance.
What I have said before, I repeat today: the president is Guyana’s leader. I recognise that, notwithstanding the atrocities that have been proliferated under his watch, the long slippery slopes of his truths, and the objections of the opposition that dishonours itself with distinguishing ineffectiveness. It is why I disagree with SN’s choice of verb (“walks back”) in its caption for the article. Instead, I laud as what presidents do, must embody; and how national heads rise above partisanship and brinksmanship to deliver statesmanship.
Again, I don’t ask why, but I accept the president’s words at face value. I give the president opportunity and latitude to make good on his ringing position, which should be unalterable in so many things, and not just as he and his similarly wily people narrowly interprets, but in what is significant for Guyanese welfare. It is of removing this albatross, this leprosy, this unspeakable gracelessness that has visited the judicial realm. It is more than about Commissioner of Police, and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. Rather, it is of all those grand things that His Excellency, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, promised during his inauguration, but regarding which, he has failed to honour almost always. He has called down upon himself the disrespectable and disreputable in the process of his unpresidential craftiness, his lack of excellence, in not rising above partisan politics and really beginning to govern.
Editor, I overlook those perversities today, with appreciation for the president’s words, which every time he takes a stand for the constitution is the equivalent of an unbreakable oath. This is how sacred it should be to him, which then sets an example for all. I don’t care about the identity of the parties that influenced or orchestrated this presidential change of heart, be they American or regional. I simply tender that it would be a vote of confidence in the judiciary, which would trickle down to the rest of us.
As an aside, I noted another call from outsiders for inclusion in governance. It is a start, but not enough. The same energies and spirits that were present during elections season must be brought to bear for inclusive governance. ABC&E did not pay lip service then; all plunged headlong and deeply into Guyana’s domestics. They must do the same now, or risk being damned (by me) for the hypocrites and exploiters that they are. Last, to the president: the right words were said. Now, please, do the right thing, sir.

Sincerely,
GHK Lall

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