‘One Guyana’ Policy: “I have to be a Just Leader!”
A very passionate Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali stated categorically: “I have to be a just leader,” during a discussion on a social media platform organized by the Guyana Diaspora Coordinating Council (GDCC) that was launched on Thursday evening May 5th in New York. It was an historic occasion as it was on this day that the first batch of East Indian indentured laborers landed in Guyana to work on sugar plantations. The President acknowledged the significant contributions of East Indians to the development of Guyana.
The program on the new platform was debut with chief guest being His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. The program began at 7:00 PM and concluded at 8:00 PM. It was an interactive show that was broadcast on social media platforms, Facebook and You Tube. The host of the program was Shameeza Ally. The moderator was former UG senior lecturer Dr. Tara Singh. Also appearing was prominent businessman Dave Narine of Dave West Indian Products. Dave Narine supports the program which seeks to inform Guyanese at home and in the diaspora, as well as non-Guyanese, on developments in Guyana. The program is being broadcast weekly on Thursdays from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The GDCC (comprising representatives from the UK, Canada. USA, Caribbean, and Guyana) is an independently owned and operated outfit.
This new program was launched to discuss the country’s developmental thrust and related issues facing Guyana as well as address (correct any) misinformation/distortion/falsehoods being pedaled in the public domain, in addition to promote investment and tourism. As far as practicable, programs would be grounded in facts and credible evidence. We feel that it is important that Guyanese at home and in the diaspora promote development in their country of origin. The platform aims to engage top public officials, scholars, community leaders and other guests in interviews relating to the country’s development thrust (including setbacks). The public will not want to miss these informative and fact-based programs.
The President expressed his excitement about the program thanking the organizers for giving him an opportunity to address issues raised by members of the diaspora as well as Guyanese at home. The President spent considerable amount of time discussing the concept of ‘One Guyana’. It’s a work in progress, an evolutionary process. The President was very emotional as he talked about the blatant attempt to destroy democracy and to rig the 2020 elections as well as discrimination faced by Guyanese during the preceding regime (2015-2020). Based on feedback, viewers lauded the refreshing views of the President on the “One Guyana” concept which he brilliantly articulated and citing specific examples.
The President expressed his disappointment in calls for greater inclusivity when this already is provided for in the existing constitutional arrangements. He mentioned, for example, the several Rights Commission and the Parliamentary Sectoral Committees. The major challenge is for politicians to comply with existing constitutional requirements and the rule of law. It is not necessarily a case of changing the legal system but to reform people’s attitudes.
What is important also is that the President promised to answer questions based on feedback and send these to the platform for publicity. When asked about a Commission of Inquiry into the 2020 elections saga, he said that a decision has not yet been made but he did not rule this out. Dr Tara Singh mentioned about the need to restore the National Honors, while Dave Narine spoke of sports as a major unifying force and as being consistent with the One Guyana concept. Dave also suggested greater funding to sports to which the President concurred.
Former Chair of Economics and Business Department, Lincoln University, Pennsylvania. Dr Ganga Ramdas notes: “Congratulations to Dr Tara and others for a great inaugural session. The President answers were excellent. He spoke with passion and conviction.” Professor Emeritus (University of Arizona-Civil Engineering), Dr Muniram Budhu echoes similar sentiments: “The President provided excellent answers. He spoke with passion and conviction. Guyanese should be proud that their President is articulate and is leading the charge to make a better Guyana.”
GDCC’s next program is on Thursday’s (May 12th) and it would feature Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo.
Read More Articles From Dr. Vishnu Bisram
Please send your letters, articles, photos and short videos to this free online Indo-Caribbean paper: media@indo-caribbean.com
Discussion about this post