Dear Editor,
If I had an opportunity to write a letter to the new President of Guyana, I would say the following. First I would offer hearty congratulations on his victory, and tell him it was now time to get to work for Guyana. He would have a unique opportunity to be Guyana’s greatest president ever and, if I were in his shoes, here is what I would do:
– First and foremost, I would have zero tolerance for corruption.
– I would have zero tolerance for any domestic abuse among my leadership team (yes, including myself) and work for gender equity.
– I would be willing to be open and transparent.
– I would not cuss-out the media, close down TV stations, or sue newspapers and columnists. Instead I would allow the media to be the watchdogs of society by privatizing government-run media and allowing additional radio stations.
– I would put forward my best efforts to be a strong, secure leader and accept the advice (including dissent) of my leadership team.
– I would make all Guyanese proud of my professionalism on the international stage (and any other stage).
– I would not allow favours and contracts to party loyalists and friends.
– I would not commit taxpayer dollars to casinos, hotels, etc, when there are more pressing needs in education and security, for example.
– I would work to change the constitution to protect the nation from authoritarian executive leadership.
– I would not tolerate violence against citizens by my aides, staffers, or any person in government (this should be cause for immediate termination).
– And above all, I would work for racial equity and to unite all Guyanese so that no demographic has any reason whatsoever to feel marginalized.
Hopefully he will feel the same way. If so, I am excited about what the next five years will be under his leadership. Guyana needs a strong leader to move us forward.
Yours faithfully,
Paul A Ramsaroop
p.s. Oh and by the way, at the end of my term, I would NOT build a mansion and would definitely NOT accept an insane pension package
