Dear Editor, Help and Shelter extends congratulations to President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and the APNU-AFC coalition government on their elections success. As Guyana prepares for a new government, we at Help and Shelter remain steadfast in our mission to contribute to bringing about a society where attitudes to the use of violence and practices of violence have been transformed. We continue to believe that the culture of tolerance of violence can be changed through education; that everyone is a unique and valuable person; in the equal rights…
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The newly-elected administration will need to deliver results
Dear Editor, Congratulations to the newly-elected officials of Guyana. You truly deserve to celebrate your accomplishment. We all sing “Dear land of Guyana” and I truly believe that no matter how far away you roam, creek water and labba will draw you back to “O beautiful Guyana”, so I celebrate with you! The people have spoken, though by a small margin, but they have spoken for a change. This change is not only for a new administration. It is for a new culture within the administration. The people need to…
Read MoreSeveral questions which GECOM must answer
Dear Editor, Growing up, it was almost impossible to escape the blathering noises about the ‘rigged elections’ in the 1980s and before. Many times, conveniently, those seemingly redundant avowals began to sink in as pure hogwash. The reason was simple. I did not exist in that epoch, why be bothered by such confabulations. However, things took a melancholic turn. History repeated itself. The famous Karl Marx warnings came alive: “History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.” Never in my wildest imagination had I envisioned that the generation of…
Read MoreThe Guyana Constitution should be replaced
Dear Editor, Chief Justice Ian Chang is expected to rule on the challenge (filed by a few voters) of the Presidential Term Limit Bill. I will be most surprised if he rules that the bill is “constitutional”. And whichever way he rules, rest assured that there will be a challenge. Voters were never consulted by the constitution and never gave their assent to it. For me, and indeed a majority of people I spoke with since 1978, the Burnham constitution is unconstitutional. It should have been dumped twenty two years…
Read MoreUS Embassy congratulates Guyanese for poll conduct
Dear Editor, The US Embassy congratulates the Guyanese people on the democratic process that was observed in last Monday’s elections. It was heartening to witness the enthusiasm with which Guyanese voters participated in the electoral process which will ultimately choose their next government. The Guyana Elections Commission has once again done a credible job in ensuring that this critical election day phase of the process was free and fair. It dealt effectively with the challenges posed by high voter turnout and community exuberance in a manner that has ensured the…
Read MoreImage GECOM projected not reassuring for the nation
Dear Editor, The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) is appalled at the attitude projected by GECOM with respect to the counting of votes. While the electorate accepts transparency and accuracy are unquestionably necessary, people begin to lose patience when the precautions appear to be excessive. This is particularly the case for a generation raised on cell-phones and the internet. Moreover, both major parties are being forced to take risks to placate their supporters by what comes across as self-absorbed posturing by GECOM. The image of GECOM projected at press conferences…
Read MoreLet us look to the future, work together in peace
Dear Editor, The Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) wishes to offer our congratulations to the Guyanese people for the peaceful and orderly way in which they exercised their franchise on Election Day. We further offer our thanks to all those who worked in the various departments, polling stations and in our security forces to ensure the orderly and soothe process that were achieved. CIOG however appeals to all leaders of the Political parties to communicate the message of peace and calm to their supporters, constituents and in general to…
Read MoreNY cultural promoter hailed for his contribution to the Diaspora
Dear Editor, Former New York-based businessman and cultural promoter Mohan Jaikaran has passed away in Trinidad. Mohan, as we called him, pioneered cultural programs in NY for the benefit of the Caribbean diaspora including Guyanese of both major races. He was a community builder and a promoter of local talent (NY and Caribbean) and culture. He also organized entertainment in Guyana during the 1990s and his TV station in Trinidad hosted Guyanese entertainers and politicians. His untimely passing is a significant loss to the media fraternity and entertainment in Trinidad…
Read MoreAPNU must expect its own record to be examined
Dear Editor, It is very difficult to take Mr Jerome Khan seriously since he reads plain English like this and sees in it a tantrum, a fit, and a deepening vortex that swallows. I hope everyone is amused as I am by his rather wonderful purple prose. Humour at this time is most refreshing. It really does not matter that he still fails to grasp the contents of my original letter since the important issue is that our young voters, who are no doubt bright and capable, must be aware…
Read MoreAPNU/AFC coalition leading a campaign of disrespect
Dear Editor, The PPP/C has a proud and accomplished record in Government since it heralded the return of our beloved country to globally acceptable democratic norms in 1992. In this regard, we have graciously accepted the invitation for a public Presidential debate from the Private Sector Commission. Our Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar is ready and rearing to lay the progressive agenda bare before the Guyanese people and secure their confidence and mandate for yet another term of governance under the PPP/C. We are however dismayed at the extant development with…
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