Dear Editor,
December is upon us and even though at the time of writing this letter the results of the general elections are not yet declared, some Guyanese have already started preparing for the upcoming festive season hoping that it will not be ruined.
The Christmas season starts with carols hitting the airwaves in November, but instead we had the jingles of the parties contesting the elections. Store owners usually start enticing us early to shop and spend our money, but they are on hold and Regent Street has been quiet as a mouse. The atmosphere in the city is tense and work has been disrupted with some employers sending their employees home early as rumours abound about imminent troubles in Georgetown. Good sense seems to be prevailing and the politicians and civil society have been calling on the nation to be calm.
Nearly every election since 1992 has been marred with violence and disturbances, the worst being those of 1997 and 2001. The 2006 elections were peaceful, but as a nation we are wary of the elections season, and 2011 seems no different. Unlike St Lucia which held its general elections on Monday and a winner has been declared in Dr Kenny Anthony, Guyana is still sitting on tenterhooks waiting for our president to be declared and for the nation to move from elections mode into the festive season.
Whether we like a candidate or not and therefore voted for someone else, democracy means the person who garners the highest number of the votes cast is the nation’s president. The will of the people is reflected in the votes they cast. Donald Ramotar, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) presidential candidate, campaigned on the strength of the government’s record in office for the past nineteen years. The opposition parties made accusations of corruption but what they could not deny as it was staring them in the face is the distinct transformation of this nation into one of dynamism under all PPP/C administrations. One would be stifling one’s conscience not to acknowledge the progress Guyana has achieved to date.
The opposition portrayed Mr Ramotar as never having served in a cabinet post since 1992 and therefore being unfit to be the PPP/C’s presidential candidate. However, they deliberately overlooked his contributions at the party level as though the position of General Secretary (GS) is a trivial one. Without a doubt, Donald Ramotar was a fit candidate and will make a fine president. His style of governing is one of inclusivity and consensus. I’ve known Comrade Donald (as he is popularly known) for a long time having worked with him at Freedom House before he became GS. After he was nominated GS, I became his personal assistant and it was one of the most notable jobs I ever had.
Donald Ramotar is a man who imbues democratic practices. It is evident in his work ethic. Every Monday, there was an editorial meeting which reviewed the materials carried by the Mirror newspaper and other periodic publications. Sometimes members of the committee would become overly critical of some of the writers or materials published but Donald would deflect any unwarranted criticisms and set a moderate tone so that any writers present would not suffer undue embarrassment. His dealings with party members are respectful even when dealing with tedious matters. He does not show favouritism as to one’s ranking in the party hierarchy and he can be blunt and forceful when necessary.
I remember going on a trip to Babu John in Berbice to commemorate the death anniversary of the late President Cheddi Jagan; Donald got a last minute telephone call from someone who wanted to go but had no transportation. He made a detour which added an additional half hour to the trip then squeezed the extra passenger into his car much to my chagrin. This is exactly what Dr Jagan would have done. Such compassion does not come overnight but is an ingrained part of one’s personality. He is also known not to micro-manage other persons’ work. I used to sometimes get irate and complain about someone not doing his or her job and for Donald to intervene but he invariably gave the person leeway to get the job done.
Donald Ramotar’s exceptional style is evident in his simplicity and respect for others and this he passed on to his family. I recall his wife waiting patiently downstairs at Freedom House for a ride home after she finished work and not making a fuss. His dealings with women are sterling. Once on International Women’s Day, he bought lunch for the entire female staff and gave us time off to attend an event to celebrate the day. He does not trivialize women’s issues and has high regard for women in general. Even though I no longer work at Freedom House, I know Donald to be the same person, a man of integrity, always with a smile or kind word for all.
Donald Ramotar has been a worthwhile presidential candidate and would be a president who upholds the democratic gains made since 1992. He is prepared and able to take Guyana and all Guyanese onto the road of future success under a continuing PPP/C administration.
Yours faithfully,
Sadie Amin
