Dear Editor,
I am not a member of any political party in Guyana. Despite my dual citizenship I have an unswerving commitment to the development of Guyana and countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) which I have, demonstrated and continue to tangibly demonstrate in my work and other activities. I have no say in whom any political party should choose as its presidential candidate but my loyalty to Guyana renders me ineluctably constrained to publicly express my hope and to favour candidates that, in my view, would serve Guyana’s best interests particularly at this juncture in the nation’s history.
I had publicly expressed my preference for Dr. Vindhya Persaud for the candidacy of the PPP. My next choice would have been Dr Frank Anthony but that was not to be. These two would have in my view offered Guyana the best hope, whether in Opposition or in Government, for constructive engagement with APNU for the development of, and a secure future for Guyana.
On APNU’s side, particularly having seen some public pronouncements that suggest that supposedly key elements of the Coalition are unclear as to whether President Granger should be the Coalition’s candidate, I think it would be foolhardy of the Coalition not to return Granger as its candidate provided he indicates that he is up to the task. Many feel that with his current illness he is in the “departure lounge”. It can be argued that we are all in the “departure lounge” since once one is alive, death is a certainty.
Granger’s leadership of government since taking office has been anything but strong and decisive. His approach seems to have been one that gives “space” to his ministers and senior government functionaries to act responsibly and to make decisions in the best interest of the country. To this end, many have failed him. But he remains the Coalition’s best hope, notwithstanding its mistakes and its lack of consistent and sustained engagement with the population.
His prime ministerial “running mate” has to be someone with the temperament, experience, international exposure and maturity to succeed him and to manage the affairs of the State with dignity, integrity, professionalism and loyalty to Guyana. Carl Greenidge is the best bet in my view, dual citizenship or no dual citizenship.
Leading a Coalition is like pushing a wheelbarrow from the front. It can’t be easy. Yet the Coalition has been able to chalk up some meaningful achievements in its three years, overshadowed by its mistakes which seem to stem from the lack of proper communication, coordination and control.
The Coalition needs to have designed immediately an economic development plan which can draw from previously published documents such as the national development strategy etc. In this connection I am recommending that President Granger immediately puts in place a Council of Economic Advisers drawn from various sectors including labour, the private sector, the youth movement, the education sector etc. Members of this Council should be handpicked and not necessarily be representatives of any organization or movement.
The likes of Dr. Persaud and Shyam Nokta should be part of this Council in their individual capacities and not as representatives of the PPP. Other names that come to mind are Clifford Reis, Komal Samaroo , Raj Nanpersaud, Dr. Vincent Adams and “Shorty” Cummings. These are people I know personally. But I am sure that there are countless others that can make up a 25-member Council that should have monthly meetings with the President alone and with Cabinet members when the President so feels it is necessary to include one or more of its members. Job creation especially for our young people, strategies for the alleviation of poverty to include provision for every Guyanese to have a decent place of abode and an education system geared to provide the requisite skills for our future development should be the short to medium term focus of such a Council.
Yours faithfully,
Wesley Kirton
