Dear Editor,

As Guyanese engage in the usual old year stocktaking, reflection will also invariably focus on what lies ahead. And somewhere within the cauldron of musings must be the recognition that enough is enough!

A quarter century of PNC rule that debilitated a nation once termed the breadbasket of the Caribbean, within which was encased the region’s Garden City, was followed by the euphoria of a new dawn in 1992. Sadly, after sixteen years, the dawn is yet to usher in the longed for new day. And so, it is time for Guyanese to set for themselves, a goal of a new political culture − one that has been hovering on the horizon for some years now.

This new political culture must find its springboard on the reality that it is time to eschew politics that appeal to ethnic interest. Out of this recognition must step forth a set of leaders who can rise above ethnic appeal and harness the national consciousness. And, contrary to the skepticism of some, these leaders are within our midst − persons such as Vincent Alexander, James McAllister, Ravi Dev, Eric Phillips, Peter Ramsaroop, Paul Hardy, Deborah Backer, Andaiye, Moses Nagamootoo, Yesu Persaud, Joe Singh, Stanley Ming and hopefully, Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman.

Their experiences over the last five years should, by now, have brought Ramjattan and Trotman to the realization that while the AFC is a necessary instrument for a changed political culture, it is not a sufficient force. So a desire to captain the ship of change must give way to a need for collective leadership that would be a sufficient force to catalyze that change. And while some, like Yesu Persaud and Joe Singh must recognize that given their standing it behoves them to help spearhead the movement for change, others like Ravi Dev and Eric Phillips must know that their work for and on behalf of sections of the population must go hand in hand with the larger calling to simultaneously work on behalf of the national interest. Yet others who are still associated with one or another political movement must step beyond those movements and stand up on the larger national stage.

The task of this group would be immense. The major thrust would be two fold − persuading traditional supporters of the PPP and the PNC that Guyana can only move forward if voting based on ethnic loyalty gives way to voting for the national interest, while simultaneously fortifying those voters to be able to stand up to threats, intimidation, fear and hysteria − the traditional tools used by both the PPP and the PNC to keep their supporters in line.

But the task of assuring the electorate that change would come must also include the presentation of principles, programmes and policies that would signal that change. Examples of these would include the government getting out of the media business, providing more licences for radio broadcasting and legislating a Freedom of Information Act; job, appointments and contracts based on merit, track record and cost effectiveness; strict accountability at all levels of the public sector with appropriate consequences for those who fall short; the setting up of a one-stop shop and appropriate infrastructure to foster investment and economic development; investment in education and health care so that both services are within the reach of every member of society; legislation and mechanisms to ensure that the existing culture of endemic bribery, corruption and squandermania are systematically tackled and eliminated;  coherent and consistent harnessing of the skills and resources of the diaspora for national development and systematic upgrading and maintenance of the nation’s physical infrastructure. Of course there must also be guarantees of legislation to reduce the power of the president, to ensure that no member of the cabinet is placed beyond the purview of the law, to institute a governance of consultation whenever and wherever necessary and to provide redress to the citizenry for excesses and abuse by the rich, the powerful and the politically connected.

National elections are constitutionally due in less than three years. Given the challenge that lies ahead, those who have demonstrated that they can embrace ethnic pride while eschewing ethnic reaction, must now step forward and indicate that they are also capable of putting national interest ahead of self interest and perceptions of infallibility.

And they must pool ideas, resources and commitment to aim for change come 2011 − sooner rather than later if they are to succeed in winning the battle for the minds of the electorate and to convince the skeptical, the jaded and the ethnic loyalists that they can prevail over both the PPP and the PNC.

So my wish for the new year is for the start of a movement that can usher in change come 2011.

Yours faithfully,
Annan Boodram