Dear Editor,
In a recent interview, Opposi-tion Leader, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo said, “Sufficient attention is not being placed on the critical issues which will affect the wellbeing of the Guyanese people… They (the Granger administration) seem to be more focused on trips abroad.”
I certainly share this concern as I am once again, forced to expose the misdirected priorities of the Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence. In her message to the nation to mark Child Protection Week, ‘Fathers must be part of children’s upbringing – Social Protection Ministry’ (KN, September 26), Minister Lawrence was quoted as saying in part, “Every father must play his part in nurturing his children since his contribution is a vital aspect of their development… The family has the primary responsibility for the nurturing and protection of the child as well as ensuring permanency, safety and well-being… The current situation is unacceptable and Government is committed to creating a change by ensuring a conducive environment for children to enjoy familial life… The Ministry of Social Protection and its partners are committed to strengthening and supporting families. Let’s create windows of opportunity for our children and empower them. Let us focus our energies on strengthening the family unit. Stronger families mean a stronger Guyana.”
These are all powerful words coming from a Minister of Government who appears to care for the wellbeing of our children. But does she really practise what she preaches?
Six weeks ago, I wrote a letter in which I asserted that family unity takes a back seat to the Social Protection Minister’s busy travel schedule. And to date, she has done nothing to convince me otherwise.
Since November 13, 2014, one year ago, I filed an application with the Child Care and Protection Agency to legally adopt a 16-year-old child, who’s biological father had abandoned her since she was a 2-year-old baby.
Her mother and I are now married, and I wanted the child to feel the love and security of having a complete family. Our home was visited by a case worker, and all relevant documents submitted to qualify my suitability for the responsibility I was undertaking.
The First Order was granted by the Chief Justice on July 17, 2015 and a copy of same, together with a copy of the summons file, was served to the Adoption Board.
I was subsequently informed by the Childcare and Protection Agency that although my interview with the Adoption Board was scheduled for September 30, this may not occur as members of the Board were likely to be replaced.
Despite the assurance given to me by Minister Lawrence that she will instruct the old board to meet on September 30 as scheduled, this was not done. Then I was told that my interview with the Adoption Board will definitely be held on Wednesday, October 7, but this too was cancelled. I then called Minister Volda Lawrence’s office, and was told by her secretary that the Minister was out of the country. When pressed for an explanation, the secretary said, “Because of her busy travel schedule, there is no update as to when the board will be commissioned.”
Although the new board was approved by cabinet weeks ago, I was told the board cannot convene until the Minister gets the approval letter from the Cabinet Secretary and until she returns from her trip to Peru. Surely, Minister Lawrence should have ensured that this letter was expedited, paving the way for the Adoption Board to meet before she boarded the plane for Peru. But that was not her priority, “They seem to be more focused on trips abroad.”
How can the Ministry of Social Protection commit to “strengthening and supporting families,” and create windows of opportunity for our children by focusing the ministry’s energies on “strengthening the family unit” when the Minister is always out of the country and no one else seems to have the authority to get things done in her absence.
I’m trying to do the right thing here, but I’m getting very frustrated every time I see the sadness on the face of Maria as I explain another delay in the process that will have her waiting for something she has already waited for her entire life… a father!
Yours faithfully,
Harry Gill, MP
