The worst thing to do would be to exclude and ostracize Mr. Ogunseye

Mar 18, 2023 Letters

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Dear Editor,

As Guyanese, we should be proud of the rapid development that is taking place in the country under the leadership of President Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, and the cabinet. According to President Ali, no one, regardless of their race ethnicity or party affiliation will be left out, everyone will be included. And Prime Minister Brigadier Phillips has made it clear that he will not tolerate discrimination or unfair treatment against anyone. The former chief of staff is of the firm belief that President Ali’s government is doing everything within its power to treat everyone fairly in society. Both President Dr. Ali and Prime Minister Phillips have reiterated their commitment to good governance, improve the lives of the people and make Guyana a prosperous country.

Rich in natural resources, agriculture, and dairy products and with the highest Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the world, Guyana has been propelled onto the world stage as a country with a bright future because of its huge oil reserves and a stable and peace-loving nation. Guyanese from all walks of life both at home and in the Diaspora have always found great pride in celebrating their country’s achievements. Irrespective of their differences, they do not hesitate to boast to one another and to the people in the Caribbean and the world at large of their country’s progress. If all the predictions are correct, on a per capita basis, Guyana could become one the largest oil producing countries in the world. Which means that in a few years, Guyana could also become one of the richest countries in the world with modern infrastructures, ground-breaking and up-to-date technology, and having one of the best health care and education system. Most people are not aware that the United States is by far the world’s biggest producer of oil, having produced around 18.6 million barrels of oil on average per day in 2021. Saudi Arabia and Russia follow in second and third place, having produced around 11 and 10.9 million barrels of oil per day, respectively. Canada is the world’s fourth largest oil producer with 6 million barrels of oil per day.

Since becoming President in August 2020, His Excellency Dr. Ali has initiated several policies such as food security, fair trade, renewable energy, and climate change among others to boost Guyana’s image in the Caribbean and the world. Few can dispute the fact that President Dr. Ali has placed Guyana in a good place locally and internationally. So why would anyone attempt to disrupt the progress that the country has made so far. It is in this vein that everyone in society must condemn the call for violence against the government by a political activist and senior member of the opposition Working People’s Alliance (WPA). All Guyanese should be deeply disturbed and horrified by such awful and despicable comments which are nothing short of instigating or promoting political violence.

It is true that Guyana has had a long history of political violence, racial division and discrimination that dates back the 1960s and beyond, but today Guyana has emerged as a peace-loving nation so why would anyone try to incite violence and racial hatred at a time when the country is on pace to move from its underdeveloped status to become a developing or developed nation. While Guyana is awash with oil and the economy is booming, we cannot afford to forget or attempt to bury the race issue under the carpet or ignore it hoping that it will disappear.

The toxic statement issued by the WPA political activist who had fought viciously to combat political victimization and injustice against the members of the WPA in an earlier period, is unwarranted and uncalled for at a time when the country is progressing at a pace never experienced before. And, quite rightly, the vitriol has attracted a national outcry and a maelstrom of condemnation from all and sundry. However, the lingering question remains as to why someone of the ilk of the WPA political activist would advocate an armed uprising against the government that was duly elected by the people? Why would he issue such reckless and dangerous remarks? Is he trying to incite violence in the country, or is he seeking to remain relevant in society? Or is he insinuating that there is a dark and devious side in Guyana that most are not aware of? Whatever is his reason, it is our civic responsibility not to ignore him or exclude or ostracize him from discourse but to engage him and others in a dialogue.

Further, to ignore him would leave us in a worse place which could deepen the racial divide and lead us to the inevitable. Truth be told, it will do us no good to hype what was said but to have a thorough investigation to determine if there are festering problems that are affecting some in society. While we believe that there are no winners in this epic, we are hoping that President Dr. Ali’s vision of “One Guyana” will be the focus for discourse on this and other throbbing issues in society that some find uncomfortable to address. That said, credit and admiration must be bestowed on both President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips for their fervent and vigorous condemnation of such appalling and outrageous statement by Mr. Tacuma Ogunseye and to reiterate their commitment to good governance, which is a key pillar of democracy, unite the races, enhance the development of the country and make Guyana a worthy country to live and raise a family. May God bless our beloved and beautiful Guyana.

Sincerely,

Dr. Asquith Rose

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• Dr. Asquith Rose., Gross Domestic Product (GDP), President Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, Working People’s Alliance (WPA)

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