Dear Editor,
Please publish this letter as an appeal to His Excellency, President David Granger, to review the performance and conduct of some ministers of Government, and take appropriate actions to engender national confidence in the economy and security of the people and nation. The buck stops with you, Mr President, as the Executive Leader of Guyana.
Citizens are aware of the widespread perception and belief that the situation in Guyana is deteriorating. This is causing much anguish for the people, who look for redress through active and timely interventions. There is also the widespread perception and belief that the performance of some ministers is at best third rate and mediocre. This must be a source of grave embarrassment to you, as President.
The conduct, behaviour, and performance of some ministers leave much to be desired.
One can point to several recent examples in words and actions of some ministers, including the following: attacks and intimidation of the Judiciary, and direct attacks on judges; financial management of the economy relating to actions by the Ministry of Finance; rising crime rates, which are engendering fear and anxiety for the security of citizens and the business community, relating to actions/inactions by the Ministry of Public Security; the unsatisfactory and wasteful expenditure in the health sector under the Ministry of Public Health; and the unsatisfactory situation in the agriculture sector under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Some ministers appear not to understand their constitutional functions, and they micro-manage and get involved in management/administration of operational matters, instead of concentrating on their policy direction role. Article 115 of the Constitution of Guyana defines the responsibilities and functions of ministers and permanent secretaries, the accounting heads of ministries.
The view is widespread that there should be radical changes in the Cabinet – a cabinet reshuffle, dropping some ministers and bringing in some high-level technocratic skills into the Cabinet and Government.
Yours faithfully,
Joshua Singh
