Dear Editor,
The ongoing furor over the constitutional right of overseas Guyanese to vote seems to have clouded everyone’s minds to the bigger and most important question: what can Guyana do to attract, engage and assimilate the superior skills, expertise and financial resources of the Guyanese diaspora in order to help accelerate the development of the economy, improve the well-being of the people and restore that lost pride of being citizens of a great nation.

So far, most have been obsessed with beating up on our overseas based brothers, sisters and even their families. The name-calling ranges from deserters, to non-taxpayers, job robbers and absentee controllers of the government.  Given this scenario, why would the Guyanese diaspora want to help, much less vote?

Tragically, while we are in denial about appreciating the real value of our diaspora, other developing nations of the world have recognized the tremendous potential of theirs and are already benefiting from it. Research has shown that over recent years, Africa’s growth and development has been bolstered by the African diaspora, not only by way of remittances, but  through transnational networks, whereby social, economic and political bridges have been built up, channelling a wealth of information, innovative ideas, intellectual capacities, world  skills, superior expertise and creative business practices largely from America, Europe and Asia.

Such contributions from the diaspora to the homeland are not unique to the African experience. I respectfully invite Guyana’s politi-cians, intellectuals and those who would be president to  analyse countries like China, Japan, Italy, Australia, the Philippines, Bangladesh and more recently India, with an open mind, and learn from the positive attitude and appreciative treatment of their overseas-based citizenry in trying to harness their unlimited potential and resources.

There is no question that Guyana is in a dire situation. It is my belief that our diaspora is Guyana’s last best hope for change and a new direction. Voting? Maybe not. The people and the leadership have shown that they are not mature enough for it at this time. But make no mistake, embracing, engaging and harnessing the resources of the diaspora will define Guyana as a nation committed to the best interest of the people.

It is time to stop lamenting about the brain drain, and denigrating those who have left the country for whatever reason.

Instead, let us consolidate our collective energies into figuring out how best to tap into this great new national asset, ie, the diaspora, or if you will, overseas-based Guyanese.

Yours faithfully,
Shawn Mangru