A change in political culture starts with small gestures of common courtesy

Jan 07, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

I am referring to the news from earlier this week that President Irfaan Ali bestowed Guyana’s second highest award, the Order of Roraima on Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. According to press release of the Department of Information (https://dpi.gov.gy/pm-gonsalves-conferred-with-order-of-roraima/), Vice President, Bharrat Jagdeo, former president Donald Ramotar, ministers Hugh Todd, Oneidge Walrond, Nigel Dharamlall, Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud and other officials were also in attendance at the ceremony.

This was also documented and the photographs accompanying the report. Interestingly, all living former presidents (Jagdeo, Ramotar) were present at the ceremony with the exception of President Granger, the only opposition politician who held that office in the last 30 years. Why he was not invited? Established in 1976, the Order of Roraima is awarded by the people of Guyana, represented here by the President of the Republic, to any citizen of Guyana who has given outstanding service to the nation. Citizens of foreign nations, who are deemed eligible may also be appointed as honorary members of the order. Fittingly, Dr. Gonsalves was honored in recognition of his dedicated and sustained leadership and commitment to regional development. Given the prestige and honour associated with this national award, wouldn’t it have been appropriate to invite also all leaders of the parties represented in the National Assembly to witness the ceremony? This would also have elevated the event from one merely being staged for the ruling party and its dignitaries to one of national unity in the spirit of President Ali’s “One Guyana” vision.

On January 1, 2023, I had called in letters to published by Stabroek News and Kaieteur News, respectively, for a new political culture of mutual respect and reconciliation in Guyana. Sadly, my message was not heard to date by the political leaders of the nation. Changes in political culture start with small gestures of courtesy. They demonstrate mutual respect and common decency, which should be the basis of the political discourse. They set the tone and demonstrated appreciation and inclusiveness may trigger a genuine reconciliation for the good of the nation. We are just a few days into the new year. Hence, I still have not given up my hope for meaningful and sustainable change in Guyana’s political culture.

Sincerely,

Andre Brandli, PhD

Professor, LMU Munich