Dear Editor,
When given the mandate to govern it should be a matter of great pride to lead for the opportunity to serve selflessly and not for a display of pomp and greed. Governance is the opportunity to shape policies, develop services, social programmes, international relations for the further progress of Guyana and the people who put their faith in the governing party at the ballot box.
I believe that Guyanese are tolerant to the VIP status afforded to Ministers of Government and know that good salaries and good health care are important benefits of the position of leadership. However good salaries, political influence and perks of the job are not what governing is about. There must be fairness and justice for all Guyanese. The electorate should not be subject to frustration, for having placed trust in a party to help alleviate suffering, suffering continues while those in Government live the “Royal life”.
The abuse of this important position, given to a political party by the people, is done because of the support of the security system which has the job to see that the Government is afforded its due respect for exercising its democratic function. The problem is that this support system is unable to exercise independent authority to stop an abusive government. This is done by parliamentary process and by the Department of Justice. The concern is about how can Government be regulated?
While it is good that a system exists for voting out a bad government, often a new party comes in to repeat the behaviours of the very persons they royally criticized. The statement of a political party which promises accountability holds out hope for a future of more governance and less high living. This promise should be followed by the party providing measurable objectives for achieving goals in all sectors. For example a promise for changing archaic laws and penalties should provide recommended changes and a time line for achieving the objective. An initial review could be done by year two of governance by an oversight committee. A senate as exists in the Jamaican bicameral system of Governance could be this body. The office of the Ombudsman another. I believe that the opportunity is now, in this period of transition for new elections, for developing more safeguards, for Guyana in developing a political system of accountability, that will make every Guyanese live the good life.
Yours faithfully,
Dr. Davendra Sharma
