Dear Editor,
Permit me firstly, to congratulate President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and the APNU+AFC team on their attainment of victory at the May 11 general elections. Like many Guyanese people, I celebrate our onward march to national unity, reconciliation, peace and prosperity.
I recall that in April 2007, a period during which the PNCR was experiencing some challenges in its internal organization, I was interviewed by one of the journalists of the Evening News and I opined that Messrs David Granger, Carl Greenidge, Winston Murray (now deceased) and Vincent Alexander were among an astute battery of individuals who were capable of arresting the apathy and disorganization which was confronting the PNCR at that time, and returning that party to the reins of strength and national government. Unfortunately, that argument was rejected by many who were in the leadership at that time, as well as other party faithful. In hindsight, many of my critics did come around to supporting the election and subsequent re-election of David Granger as the Leader of the PNCR. Today, I feel vindicated by the proven capacity and capability of President Granger; not only by his ability to rebrand the coalition politics of the PNCR and attain political victory, but more, by his fervent commitment to move Guyana forward as a united and progressive epicentre within the Latin American and Caribbean hemisphere. For me, the rest is now history.
It is clear that President Granger’s vision for Guyana is not illusory. His quest for inclusivity, transparency and accountability forms the bedrock of good governance, a system of government that is driven by the ethos of democracy which translates into government for the people and by the people.
As I followed his presidential campaign and now his blueprint for Guyana’s development, I am constantly reminded of the writings of the 14th century Arab theorist, ibn Khaldun who wrote on many subjects, including the rise and fall of nations in his Al-Muqaddimah. His writings on economics, sociology and public policy are very relevant in today’s world. In my judgement there is a clear nexus between President Granger vision for Guyana and ibn Khaldun’s prescription for the progress of nations.
Ibn Khaldun’s policy prescriptions emphasized the need to reduce bureaucracy, improve public security and shifting resources to education and human development as the transformatory mechanisms for attaining national prosperity. He opposed taxation and tariffs which discouraged production and trade. Thus, we can see a strong link between these principles and the APNU+AFC decision to reduce the number of government ministries. Through ministerial realignment, we should be able to experience improved intra and inter-sectoral coordination, the removal of bureaucratic inertia within our public service establishment, improved decision-making and efficient resource mobilization and utilization. Similarly, their commitment to revise the national tax policy, inclusive of their 100 days commitment to reducing VAT should engender a higher level of compliance while simultaneously expanding the tax base. The avoidance of over-taxation is a necessity, if we are to rekindle the entrepreneurial spirit of the Guyanese people, and revitalize our local cottage industries. “People, who collect unjustified taxes, commit an injustice… Injustice ruins civilization.” For ibn Khaldun, the state has to take the responsibility for changing the expectations of entrepreneurs by implementing public works to generate employment and confidence. As part of its stabilization policy, the state should build roads, trade centres and other activities that encourage production and trade.
Again I note the programmic and philosophical linkage. The Granger-led administration has committed to establishing newer road and bridge networks, providing improved access roads to farming communities, the re-establishment of regional marketing centres, the establishment of technical institutes across the regions of Guyana, and the improvement of several hinterland airstrips, among several other infrastructural initiatives. Greater production and maximum efficiency can be attained through skills production, trade and specialization. By seeking to create large cadres of profit-seeking entrepreneurs who bear the consequences of their action in terms of gains and losses, he is streamlining business and industry. By emphasizing the integration of our young people in business though his proposed youth business fund, President Granger is signalling to this group of citizens, the necessity for them to assume responsibility through skills acquisition and specialization. Thus, he sees our entrepreneurs (large, medium and small) as the ones who should have an inherent drive and incentive for efficiency and specialization as long as they perceive profits and espouse social responsibility.
For ibn Khaldun, when there is an environment conducive to specialization, the entrepreneur is encouraged to commit to further trade and production. Specialization therefore occurs in a place in which a person is able reap the rewards of his/her effort. With the rule of law as its prerequisite, specialization is a function of population, trade, production, education, minimum taxation and political stability. The need for law and order has not escaped President Granger’s vision.
In ibn Khaldun’s prescription for political stability and the rise of nations , the following public policy conventions are listed essential: a firm regime of private property rights and freedom of enterprises; the rule of law and a reliable judicial system for the establishment of justice; the security of peace; low taxation to increase employment, production, and revenues; less bureaucracy; no price fixing by government; no monopoly power being given to any one individual or entity in the market place; a stable monetary policy and an independent monetary authority that does not play with the value of money; a healthy population and a larger market for greater specialization; a creative education system for independent thinking and behaviour; a culture of collective responsibility and an internal desire to establish a just system to encourage good deeds and prevent vice.
It is clear that these are among the important tenets of the David Granger-led administration. I am therefore happy to repose my confidence in the APNU+AFC administration. I foresee that the realization of the APNU+AFC policy agenda and concomitant programmes and projects will undoubtedly propel the coalition to a second term in government with an even greater majority. I am looking forward to the revolutionizing of Guyana’s economy and the development of its people. I embrace the social contract. In particular, I await the strategic development of our national university and enjoin the call for the University of Guyana to the treated as a respected stakeholder in Guyana’s advancement. In closing, I offer my sincerest congratulations to all those who have been appointed to the new Cabinet of Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Andrew Hicks
