Latest update January 25th, 2025 3:32 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

The PPP/C Government should apologise for the wrongs it’s doing to Guyanese

Sep 06, 2023 Letters

Dear Editor,

Prime Minister (PM) Mark Phillips’ vicious and puzzling attack against Senior Counsel and Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde in the press has left me appalled and ashamed. Feelings that I am sure, other Guyanese certainly share. After all, anyone in any part of the world can read what the PM wrote in his letter captioned, “Roysdale Ford attempts to trivialise slavery must be condemned.”

In his misdirected missive, the PM’s main intent appeared to be the defence of his boss, President Dr. Irfaan Ali. The PM took issue with SC Forde’s contention that President Ali’s attitude towards African Guyanese is comparable to that of European slave owners. The PM wrote:  “Ford expressed that “sadly in 21st century independent Guyana, the Ali government, in many ways, is not different from the colonial masters and enslavers.” (Village Voice, 8/28/2023).

“He then called on the President to do the unthinkable and offer an apology. Comparing the freedoms that were fought for and enjoyed today should never be equated to the regime of slavery that existed hundreds of years ago. “His comments serve to trivialise the impact of slavery, disregarding the experiences of countless individuals who endured unimaginable hardships, and also undermines our ability to learn from the mistakes of the past.” For this, he should be condemned.”

First, I note that the PM is an educationally accomplished man with two academic degrees, several diplomas, and numerous military decorations. As such, he could not have misunderstood what SC Forde said. I ask, too, why does the PM think that an apology from his boss, President Ali, is “unthinkable.”” Is Irfaan Ali above offering apologies to anybody?

Second, I note that as an African Guyanese who acts as window dressing in a regime that practices institutional racism, PM Phillips has to sing for his supper. Therefore, his pronouncements may not be so puzzling after all. Third, I emphasise that no objective fact stated by MP Forde is open to question or dispute. It is true that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime has brutalised, terrorised, and traumatised Afro-Guyanese individuals and communities since taking office in August 2020. And never mind the PPP’s talk about equality and unity – talk is cheap – it is only actions that matter. The actions of the PPP regime reveal that – yes indeed – the mindset of President Ali and his officials are no different from the colonial slave masters.

Forde said that [President Ali] must demonstrate [his claimed concern] by treating Guyanese better, paying real wages to the workers of Guyana, adequately compensate Guyanese whose homes were uprooted and destroyed [by the PPP], and correct the several acts of economic, political and social injustices that have come to characterise the regime.” That opinion is certainly shared by the victims of the ruthless PPP regime.

I hasten to note that SC Forde never said that President Ali and his cronies are keeping slaves; his references were all about the mindset of the PPP cabal.  Finally, it is my view that SC Forde was quite correct in pointing out that the regime of Irfaan Ali thinks in a manner that is no different from pre-independence colonisers, and the PPP’s actions reveal that mindset of dominance, racial superiority, and social injustice. And, yes, the regime owes an apology and reparations to Guyanese, whom it has wronged. It is a notable fact that the PPP regime of Irfaan Ali is even worse than the colonisers, because, now, while the Europeans/British are admitting their wrongs and opening discussions about reparations, the PPP regime of Irfaan Ali refuses to even acknowledge its blatant racism.

Regards,

Pt. Ubraj Narine, JP, COA

Former Mayor

City of Georgetown

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 20th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

West Indies U19 Women secure first win, advance to Super Six with victory over Malaysia

West Indies U19 Women secure first win, advance to Super Six with...

Jan 24, 2025

SportsMax – The West Indies U19 Women’s team clinched their first win of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, defeating hosts Malaysia by 53 runs to advance to the Super Six round. After a...
Read More
“We will have a similar approach”

“We will have a similar approach”

Jan 24, 2025

Sam, Fernandes outshine competition at GCF/Moo Milk National U12 chess tourney

Sam, Fernandes outshine competition at GCF/Moo...

Jan 24, 2025

Ramzan, Fraser pilot Demerara U15 to strong win over East Coast U17

Ramzan, Fraser pilot Demerara U15 to strong win...

Jan 24, 2025

Dave West Indian Imports gets Everest Cricket Club’s renovations off the mark

Dave West Indian Imports gets Everest Cricket...

Jan 24, 2025

Interim leadership agreed to dissolve GCF executive issues

Interim leadership agreed to dissolve GCF...

Jan 24, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]