POWER GRABBING BY SOME
It is refreshing to see that many Guyanese, especially the youths, are becoming more dissatisfied with the new administration and are speaking about the ills in the society and its effects on them. But no one seems to be listening as those in authority continue to conduct the affairs of the nation in a sloppy and retrogressive manner.
The political arrangements that have governed the country since Independence are archaic and need a complete overhaul because they have been successful only in dividing the races; they have not developed the economy or reduced poverty.
Today, the youths are saying what their parents and older relatives have been saying for years, that the political system has failed to develop the country and that it is organized to give power to the few at the expense of the many, especially those who are closely connected to the hierarchy of the party or parties in power.
Many have claimed that in terms of governance, there is no fundamental difference between the new government and the previous administration.
Almost everything this government has done seems to be done in secrecy; even the appointments of over 30 party members in the diaspora to the position of Ministerial Advisors. Not only was the public not made aware of these appointments but senior members of the government were not informed either.
Many are critical of the appointments and have stated that some in the government are usurping more power than what was given to them, which is called power grabbing. They say gone are the days when Ministers of the government are of equal status. The former government was allegedly accused of financial corruption, but some in the authority are corrupt with power.
Corruption of any type is devastating for a small country like Guyana with a negative GDP growth rate. Corruption has affected democracy, good governance and every sector in the country and the people are suffering terribly from it.
As Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary General said: “Corruption is worse than prostitution; prostitution may affect the morals of an individual, but corruption undermines democracy, peace and security.” Because of corruption, our roads are not the way they should be, our education sector is the way it is, and the agriculture and the health sectors seem to be in disarray.
There is evidence to suggest that several Ministries are beset by the addiction of political power, lack of transparency and accountability. And the few who dare to speak out against their obsession with power are intimidated and are denied jobs or contracts. Favoritism is shown to party hacks, relatives and friends.
This was the same accusation the government made when it was in opposition.The truth is this type of favoritism is endemic in Guyana’s political system. Instead of continuing such nasty political practices, the new government should rise above the petty politics of the past, and govern in the interest of all and not only for its supporters, friends and the privileged.
The youths are very disappointed and will no longer allow those in authority to behave in a way that suggests that they alone have the answers to all of the country’s problems. No longer will they sit on the fence and allow them to grab power for themselves and ignore everyone else.
They are demanding accountability, transparency and an end to the political rhetoric that adds nothing to improve the economy or better their lives. More importantly, they want everyone and not just the government to determine the future direction of the country. And the government would be well advised to listen to the youths who are 65 percent of the population and have the power to un-elect those whom they have elected.
However, some in the government believe that they are doing a better job at improving the economy than the previous government, and this may very well be so, but they need to come up with a set of credible economic policies to convince the nation that they can grow the economy and create a better life for all as they have promised in their manifesto.
