Dear Editor,
The APNU+AFC’s campaign theme ‘It is time’ is appropriate at this juncture of the nation’s development for all Guyanese to take note and say it is time for change. The GTUC embraces ‘It is time’ not only in relation to the concept of opposition sloganeering and PPP counter-sloganeering, but as a rallying call for the people of Guyana to recognise that it is time for each and every person to become involved in helping to chart the course and direction of this country. It is time to stop the lies and propaganda that keep our people divided. It is time to save Guyana.
It is time we the people of Guyana tell the government and opposition politicians what we need for Guyana’s development. It is time that we the people held all political leaders accountable for good governance. Our political leaders must be held responsible for the promises they make as well as their public pronouncements on issues that affect Guyanese. It is time to do more than pay lip service to statements that there will be respect for citizens and organisations’ rights, and the nation’s principal political objective of inclusionary democracy.
Starting in 2015 in this election period it is time the public pronouncements made by political leaders that they are prepared to respect the rights of every citizen and empower the community to elect their leaders be practised. It is time politicians operating from central offices respect the knowledge, opinion and advice of regional and local politicians and the people, in order to give true meaning to representative leadership and community decision-making.
It is time that we the people bring change that would recognise more political representation in our gender and youth demographics. In excess of 60 per cent of the population is under the age of 40 years and more than half of the population are women and these demographics should play a greater role in shaping the nation’s destiny.
It is time we join hands as one people to stop corruption, nepotism, cronyism, violations of human rights and laws and the raping of government coffers. It is time that we stop compromising workers’ rights and environmental safeguards to appease questionable foreign investors. It is time we the people recognise that politicians are not given power through our vote to preside over us as masters, but to serve we the people. It is time Guyana stop being a haven for narco-trafficking and crime.
It is time we the people be prepared on May 12 to hold all leaders accountable. Let us hold the new government and opposition accountable for good stewardship of our invested political capital. It is time that we restore dignity to the Office of the President and the National Assembly. It is time for Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis
General Secretary
