Dear Editor,
I congratulate President Ali on a job well done with Richard Madeley, the British television presenter who was not qualified (in my opinion) to do that interview and should not have been allowed to. His disrespect was available for the world to see and made it evident that some people still have no remorse about slaves having been brutalized for their benefit. As the President said, slavery was a crime against humanity and therefore the perpetrators (countries) should receive severe penalties. The President’s composure during the interview was commendable and repartees excellent. He acted with grace and poise. This is even more necessary as we have become a member of the United Nations Security Council. He has made me proud and maybe all Guyanese share my sentiment in this regard.
The President can help us to attain a leadership role if he can combat the issues hampering our process of democratization. The following should be integrated into this process: Citizens’ participation; Accountability and Transparency – this would mean avoiding secrecy in any financial transactions. Public Procurement and the awarding of contracts should be transparent and an independent and trustworthy Bid Process Committee established. Crime prevention and reduction – our high crime rate is a deterrent for people who would return to Guyana. Homicides is the leading form of crime here, originating in gangs, domestic relationships, robberies and theft, which occur mainly in Georgetown. Drug trafficking has remained a critical issue for decades.
Equality for all; Protection of Human Rights and the Right to Life; Deterrents to extra- Judicial killings; Judicial Reform. This would require the clearing up of backlogs, inefficiencies, bribery and corruption in the Courts; Police Reform – increasing wages exponentially would recruit immigrants and increase numbers; Racism – the realization of the President’s pledge of “One Guyana“ is in his hands. The votes at the next General Election will not be along racial lines but on whether Guyanese are now given the lives they have longed for over the past six decades of hardship. Some ethnic groups are concentrated in certain impoverished locations and these areas should be allotted substantial funding and improvements.
Constitutional Reform especially to remove the President’s immunity from prosecution. I know that it is impossible to remain in power forever so we will not want one president to destroy our hard work by obtaining too much power. President Ali can display to the world our fervour for the upliftment of our fellow Guyanese and this could only be done through his fulfillment of the above issues. He was elected by the Guyanese people and he alone has the power to manifest societal change.
Expenditure on infrastructure in terms of roads and buildings should not be the primary focus while Georgetown and its environs remain filthy, producing an impending epidemic and the drains and parapets are clogged with litter, resulting in flooding. This administration could provide oversight of the Mayor and City Council so that they will assume their responsibility in this regard. Also, homelessness is evident.
Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley and President Zelensky have made their mark on the world’s stage through their patriotism and statesmanship and they will be recorded in the annals of history. Similarly, as Head of State, our President has the opportunity to leave an unblemished and magnificent legacy based on Guyana’s blessings of rich natural resources, including the fourth largest oil reserves in the world. Being aware of the possibility of improving every citizen’s life, with the revenues from oil being used to increase wages and pensions commensurate with the highest annual growth rate in the world, we can certainly succeed.
Sincerely,
Conrad Barrow
