Dear Editor, After Guyana’s 50-plus year history, the politics of the nation has an opportunity to move from politics based on race to politics focused on economic development. There are a number of reasons why the state of the economy and economic development will be more of a prominent feature as we continue to develop as a nation. The principal one is the nation’s opportunity to experience an accelerated increase in growth in coming decades, if properly handled. Hence it now becomes more important to go beyond who benefits economically…
Read MoreCategory: Letters
Decision was made to protect US businesses
Dear Editor, Minister of Natural Resources, Raphael Trotman, is reported by sections of the media on April 26, 2018 to have told the workers of Rusal: “The good news, however, is that the US reduced the sanction on RUSAL after realising that it will also affect thousands of workers, such as the 500 working in Region 10”. It seems that Minister Trotman is seeking to outshine his colleague, Minister Ramjattan, who is known to regularly put his foot in his mouth. To say that the US Government was not aware…
Read MoreConsequences of underdevelopment of a nation
Dear Editor, A number of emerging countries’ economies have experienced a massive boom in wealth and investment over the past two decades. Yet, most ordinary people in those societies live in dire poverty, with stagnant life expectancy and high unemployment, and in societies with low levels of manufacturing and heavy industry. One only has to reflect on Guyana and one can observe that the GDP per capita expanded by almost 400% in the last two decades; yet, today, four out of every 10 Guyanese have serious challenges eating two proper…
Read MoreAnother case of witch-hunting
Dear Editor, I will wholly agree with the Leader of the Opposition’s response to the unjustified charges of misconduct in public office. There is no basis for such a charge, since Dr Ashni Singh was carrying out the mandate of Cabinet. According to reports, the three plots of land were sold for $31.9 million, $18.5 million and $5.8 million per acre. This is not a case where the buyers colluded with the minister or the Government to commit a fraud. There is no evidence to suggest that. Chapter 73:05 Financial…
Read MoreAmerican Airlines entry into Guyana a smart move
Dear Editor, It is good that American Airlines (AA) will operate in Guyana from December, and break the stranglehold Caribbean Airways (CAL) has on our necks. American Airlines’ flights will be a tremendous boost for local businesses. More competition among airlines means we will get better service for our hard-earned dollars. For example, Caribbean Airlines allows passengers only one free suitcase of 50 lbs, and bills them US$30 for every additional suitcase. But AA’s baggage allowance will be two free pieces of checked luggage of 50 lbs each. AA will…
Read More‘Boyish’ wrangling over sugar industry should stop
Dear Editor, Reports in the media (7/4/18) about FITUG and GTUC wrangling over which minister (Agriculture or Finance) should have oversight responsibility for Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo), Guyana’s number one industry, is indeed a sad reflection of a major flaw in which this premier industry has been floundering for far too long. There is no doubt that the sugar industry has had too long a spell of depressing performance, about which there has been a number of diagnoses and remedies proposed by numerous ‘politicians’, ‘pundits’, ‘professionals’ and ‘pragmatists’ among us.…
Read MoreMental health issues should be taken seriously before further damage
Dear Editor, The Caribbean Voice (TCV) has been in the forefront of calling for mental health training for all Police Officers which would not only make them better prepared to handle cases involving mental health issues such as child abuse, domestic violence and suicide, but will also make them more aware of mental health issues affecting their colleagues. This issue was also raised in a recent meeting with the personal assistant to Public Security Minister Khemraj Ramjattan. Also, TCV recalls being contacted by the GDF, a few years ago, to…
Read MoreOur political system is aligned along racial lines
Dear Editor, We have made a fateful and depressive decision to align our political system along racial lines, and we have seen its destruction unravel us like a tsunami from the beginning to now. I have always wondered why we must be in a situation like this and why is it we cannot separate politics and the development of Guyana from who we are as different races. After learning more about our beloved brother Walter Rodney, I understood that race and politics have always been a tool of manipulation to…
Read MoreAPNU/AFC corruption chants have suddenly died
Dear Editor, Our Constitution makes it unambiguously clear that supreme power, or sovereignty, or authority to make decisions which affect their lives, belongs to the people, and the elected representatives exist to give effect to the will of the people. As an RDC councillor, when I took the oath, I swore to discharge my duties without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. I intended to do just that. In addition, at every RDC meeting, the prayer is read by the Clerk of Council, who exhorts everyone to invoke ‘divine guidance’…
Read MoreAll parties should state unequivocally their position on parking meters in Georgetown
Dear Editor, There is no dispute – the Parking Meter Contract is opposed by a vast majority of the citizens of Georgetown and of Guyana as a whole. The A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) is responsible for this fiasco. While it is City Hall in Georgetown which is implementing this horrendous contract, APNU/AFC is making it possible. I suspect Guyanese citizens will come out in force to protest and reject the parking meters. It is an obligation of the political parties and their leaders to state unequivocally…
Read More