West Indies Cricket Fans Forum
AFC unfit to lead
THE GAWU saw a Capitol News report in which AFC leader Mr Khemraj Ramjattan described the support by the Government of Guyana to GuySuCo as “…pouring good money in a wholly unprofitable project…”.
Mr Ramjattan specifically spoke to the plans to reopen three of the four estates that were closed when the AFC leader occupied a senior post in the then government. We found the statement hardly surprising and reaffirms the anti-people tendencies that were exhibited when Mr Ramjattan sat in government. From all appearances, it seems to us that the ethos has continued to exert a strong stranglehold, regardless of the disastrous consequences spawned from such decision-making.
The GAWU recollects that Mr Ramjattan was one of the most ardent supporters of estate closure. It was a major about turn for him. We recollect too that at the Coalition’s Whim Rally in March 2015, he had assured his audience, certainly which comprised sugar workers, that the APNU+AFC would not in anyway close the sugar industry. Of course, less than a year later, then Vice-President Ramjattan was betraying that very commitment as he led the government’s delegation to engage the then opposition and trade unions in the sugar industry regarding the closure of Skeldon, Rose Hall and East Demerara Estates.
During the so-called consultations, an exercise we deemed a sham, Mr Ramjattan was unmoved, notwithstanding several credible suggestions offered. He refused bluntly even the consideration of a socio-economic study. He told the unions and the opposition that if they desired such a study, they should do it themselves as his government, from all impressions, had no intention of conducting such an exercise. So, it is against that background that we were hardly surprised by his recent utterances.
But delving deeper, it seems to us that the AFC is advocating a situation where thousands of Guyanese will remain pauperised. Certainly, that appeared to be the plan of the AFC while in office and it seems it intends to continue such advocacy, having been ejected from the seat of power.
For us, to openly advocate for people’s lives to regress, rather than progress, makes Mr Ramjattan and his party unfit and improper as national leaders. Clearly, it seems to us that the AFC has no compassion for ordinary Guyanese as the party remains ensconced in its ivory tower. We contend that no leader worth his/her salt would advocate such policies, given the obvious economic hardships and social disruption.
Today for the thousands in the sugar belt whose lives were deeply affected by the decisions of Mr Ramjattan and others of his ilk, the dark clouds are slowly dissipating. They look forward anxiously as they see their lives slowly coming back to what is once was, though we must lament for some it cannot return to what existed before. What it demonstrates is the contrast between real, genuine leadership and the ‘blow-blow’ leadership the Coalition sought to pass off. For the GAWU, we remain unhesitant in our support for the revitalisation of the sugar industry. We believe there are many opportunities that offer good and sustainable potential and should be grasped.
Yours faithfully,
Seepaul Narine
General-Secretary, GAWU
About the author
Guyana Diaspora Forum
We have a large database of Guyanese worldwide. Most of our readers are in the USA, Canada, and the UK. Our Blog and Newsletter would not only carry articles and videos on Guyana, but also other articles on a wide range of subjects that may be of interest to our readers in over 200 countries, many of them non-Guyanese We hope that you like our selections.
It is estimated that over one million Guyanese, when counting their dependents, live outside of Guyana. This exceeds the population of Guyana, which is now about 750,000. Many left early in the 50’s and 60’s while others went with the next wave in the 70’s and 80’s. The latest wave left over the last 20 years. This outflow of Guyanese, therefore, covers some three generations. This outflow still continues today, where over 80 % of U.G. graduates now leave after graduating. We hope this changes, and soon.
Guyanese, like most others, try to keep their culture and pass it on to their children and grandchildren. The problem has been that many Guyanese have not looked back, or if they did it was only fleetingly. This means that the younger generations and those who left at an early age know very little about Guyana since many have not visited the country. Also, if they do get information about Guyana, it is usually negative and thus the cycle of non-interest is cultivated.
This Guyana Diaspora Online Forum , along with its monthly newsletter, aims at bringing Guyanese together to support positive news, increase travel and tourism in Guyana and, in general, foster the birth of a new Guyana, which has already begun notwithstanding the negative news that grabs the headlines. As the editor and manager of the publication, I am committed to delivering Blog entries and Newsletters that are politically balanced, and focused on the positive ideas we wish to share and foster among Guyanese.
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