Dear Editor,
Sometimes, in days gone by, in this the season of goodwill, the mood would be joyous and thoughts inspired by the prospects of camaraderie, good cheer and the spirits of Christmas. Today however it seems that a virus is abroad infecting the society’s body politic with grim forebodings. My own mood is tinged with sadness occasioned by the news, according to media reports that (a) our government has a gross loss of confidence in the ability of Carl Greenidge to represent the interests of Guyana and the government at the Community (Caricom) and bilateral levels, a position which it has formally communicated to the institution where Mr Greenidge is employed; and (b) the announcement immediately thereafter by the Secretary General of Caricom that resources for the retention of Mr Greenidge’s services from the first day of the new year may not be available.
With respect to the latter issue, having regard to the proclivity of the Caricom Secretariat for forward planning, it undoubtedly would have taken steps some time ago to attract funding for next year for Mr Greenidge’s post and any others facing a similar fate. I hope that the Secretariat’s efforts are successful. Whether so or not, I am confident that whatever endeavours Carl Greenidge, my trusted friend and a worthy countryman, undertakes in the future he would, as in the past, assign the highest priority to the interests of the people of Guyana and those of the other member states of the Caribbean Community.
Carl’s accomplishments are quite impressive and his abilities widely respected. That notwithstanding I wish he would complete the research which he suspended in order to be of service to the people of his country and the wider Caricom region and thus earn his PhD.
Yours faithfully,
Rashleigh E Jackson
