Dear Editor
Corruption is probably the most debated topic in the world to date. It is for this reason that Mr Ralph Ramkarran’s ground-breaking article in the Sunday Mirror (June 17), ‘Corruption – Time for Action’ has evoked a vigorous response from the main daily, some political parties and commentators, as to why he said it, how he said it and when he said it.
What he said is not the main issue of concern and relevance, but the fact that Mr Ramkarran, among the longest serving and respected leaders in the PPP, was bold enough to place the issue of corruption on the front burner. This augurs well for a deeply divided society devoid of independent public opinion.
Corruption is the most cancerous epidemic that has infected this nation, especially in the last decade.
Hardly a day goes by without the revelation of a depressing story of possible corruption, be it an infrastructural project or the procurement of goods and services, etc.
These are all allegations that remain unresolved and clearly require answers. Transparency International rated Guyana as being among the most corrupt countries in the world to do business; is this not a matter of concern even if the finding is half wrong?
Mr Ramkarran would have been shocked to discover that some of the assets of the New Guyana Company Ltd, created by small donations and contributions from old supporters of his party were being used by a member of the diaspora who is now awaiting trial for mortgage fraud in the US as the site for a hardware business.
Notice will also be taken of Mr Ramkarran’s previous article on the police force, but it would be a welcome feature if he can produce something on the justice system in Guyana, that is broken at present.
In fact, this may be the only country in the world where a person can lose his or her transport, title and or property by corrupt practices. If the court that is expected to watch the powers-that-be cannot offer any justice to poor people, how can the nation expect any proper oversight from this most important institution that was supposed to deliver public justice.
Corruption can only be dealt with in total, and government, private sector and non-governmental organizations have to be scrutinized under a microscope. There can be no substitute for well-functioning institutions, be they the court, the Auditor Generals office, etc.
All need cleaning up from management to machinery in order to function efficiently, and this is most urgent. As the saying goes, one cannot rely on good persons, only good institutions to clean up corruption. Only public accountability can effectively deal with corruption.
Yours faithfully,
(Name and address provided)
