Diaspora Times October Final for Circulation

Diaspora Times International E-Magazine

Oct. 232015Vol 1Issue 11


FROM THE EDITOR’S DESKTOP

There is much happening in Guyana these days. There is Venezuela.There is the increase in ministerial salaries. There are whispers aboutpossible criminal charges against PPP big wigs. Yet, for more reasons

than one, this seems a good time to reflect on the half-year or so of the exis-tence of Diaspora Times. This existence mirrors much of the story of theAPNU+AFC coalition. So we can get a glance at the lives of the two entitiesby reviewing the topics in “From the Editor’s Desktop.”

In the first editorial, I wondered whether the birth of APNU+AFC could rep-resent a return to 1953, the days of the united People’s Progressive Party. Alater editorial, entitled “Imagine a Country,” asked readers to foresee a pros-perous and united Guyana, and to vote, or encourage their loves ones backhome to vote, to translate that imagined country into the Guyanese reality ofthe future. The next issue reported on how Guyanese, from the teenager tothe centenarian, voted “like a boss.” I entitled the accompanying editorial,“Today belongs to the people.”

Another editorial applauded President Granger’s refusal to adopt a racist,divisive or triumphalist response to his coalition’s victory. Then cameVenezuela’s illegal decree and its generally aggressive stance againstGuyana. Our editorial, focused on the appropriate lament and potential roleof the Diaspora, was captioned, “What you assume to be your country.” Theninth editorial discussed how promises of press freedom and universalaccess to state media are “easy to make, difficult to fulfill, but politicallyrewarding if faithfully followed.” It also gave notice that Diaspora Times,which started out providing electoral support to the APNU+AFC Coalitionagainst the PPP, must now transition to a stance of critical support. Thepublication must now hold the government to account for its electionpromises. In that context, the issue you are now reading praises the presi-dent’s adept handling of the Venezuela crisis and is balanced regarding itsless than stellar treatment of the salary issue.

So, now, here we are. This is our 11th editorial. Because one of the 11 was aguest editorial, this is my 10th. It is also my last. A few weeks ago, I notifiedmy colleagues on the editorial board that the time had come for me to trans-fer the pleasure of editing this publication to some worthy successor. Iremain available to share with the Times what little writing talent resides inmy heart and hands.

I thank our readers for the continued generous evaluation of our work. Iexpress my appreciation to members of the editorial team for the honor ofbeing called their colleague and their friend. And I say special thanks to ourdesktop publisher Claire Ann Goring, who, together with her artistic partnerAshton Franklin, is also leaving. Thanks, Claire, for using your artistic imag-ination to make an artistically challenged editor look good.

We are going. But Diaspora Times is not. Long live Diaspora Times!

ContentPAGE 3: Not a blade o’ grassPAGE 4-5: Extracts from PresidentGranger’s address to the UNPAGE 6-8: Venezuela FilePAGE 9: Chronicle calls out PPP-PAGE 10-11: Amerindians owned itPAGE 12: Development & the DiasporaPAGE 13: The President, PrimeMinister, Vice Presidents & MinistersPAGE 14: How much money does apolitician need?PAGE 15: Government’s turn totrust the people.PAGE 16-17: Do we know whereour children are?PAGE 18-19: How Diasporaimproves children’s education.PAGE 20: If it was wrong then, it iswrong now.PAGE 21-22: New hope for unity ...PAGE 23: A goobie is not a calabashPAGE 24-25: RemittancesPAGE 26: Guyana’s transformation-al leadershipPAGE 27: What our readers write.PAGE 28: Guyana news summary

Editorial BoardChairman Desmond RobertsEditor Frank A. Campbell

Freddie Shivdat, Dr. Lear Matthews, Halim Majeed Lurlene Nestor.

Ave Brewster-HaynesHugh Hamilton Dr. Rohan Somar

ContributorsFrank A. Campbell Lincoln LewisNeil O. Wray T. Eric Matthews

Lear Matthews Desmond Roberts Joshua Chowritmootoo

Sharma Solomon David Hinds

Photographswww.chaacreek.comOffice of the Presidency

United Nations Graphic Design & Layout

Claire Ann Goring Ashton Franklin

LETTERS TO THE EDITORSend your letters to the editor [email protected]

Long live the Times!By Frank A. Campbell

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NOT A BLADE O’ GRASSDave Martins & The Tradewinds

We are a peaceful peopleStruggling we struggleAnd we don’t ask for troubleJust ask around.But when outside faces,From foreign placesTalk about taking over,We ain’t backing down.

No, we ain’t giving up no mountain,And we ain’t giving up no treeWe ain’t giving up no river,That belong to we.Not one Blue-Saki,Not one rice grain,Not one Curass,Not a blade o’ grass!

This land is our land now,We gonna make it somehowWe will bend like a bow,But never break.

Our fathers came hereAnd they lived and died here,And we ain’t moving from hereMake no mistake

We love the open countryof the Rupununi,And the Essequibo, daytime or night

They criticize it,This is our home, we love it,And we mean to keep it,We have that right!

GUYANA STRONG 3

The corrected version of the song.

GUYANA, WITH FORCESONE-FORTHIETHTHE SIZE, RESISTS VENEZUELAN AGGRESSION


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By David Arthur Granger(Extracts from PresidentGranger’s first address to UnitedNations General Assembly)

Guyana is a small state. Guyana is a new state – a product of thepost-World War II promise of peace. Guyana is a child of theUnited Nations. Guyana will, eight months from now, on May 26,

2016, mark the 50th anniversary of its independence. For 50 years, oursmall country has been prevented from fully exploiting our rich naturalresources. Venezuela has threatened and deterred investors and frustratedour economic development.For 50 years, our territorial integrity has been violated by Venezuela,which has occupied a part of our territory, the most recent incident beingon the 10th October, 2013, when it sent a naval corvette into our maritimezone and expelled a peaceful, petroleum exploration vessel that was con-ducting seismic surveys.For 50 years, Venezuela has promulgated spurious decrees claiming our territo-ry, the most recent being on May 26th, 2015, our independence anniversary,when it issued Decree No. 1.787 with specified coordinates purporting to annexalmost our entire maritime zone. That decree constituted a reassertion of itsclaim to five of Guyana’s ten regions.

GUYANA STRONG


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Border settled 116 years agoGuyana rejects the threats and claims by Venezuela,which are in defiance of international law. Guyanaresists Venezuela’s acts of aggression in defiance of theCharter of the United Nations, which prescribes thepeaceful settlement of disputes and proscribes the useof armed force.Guyana’s border with Venezuela was settled 116 yearsago. The whole world, except the Bolivarian Republic ofVenezuela, accepts our borders.Guyana, at the 23rd Session of this Assembly in 1968,explained to the world how, in 1897, a Treaty ofArbitration was signed between the United Kingdomand Venezuela. That treaty provided for the establish-ment of an arbitral tribunal “to determine the bound-ary-line between the Colony of British Guiana” andVenezuela. That treaty committed the parties “to con-sider the result of the proceeds of the Tribunal ofArbitration as a full, perfect, and final settlement of allthe questions referred to the Arbitrators.”The tribunal issued its award on the 3rd of October,1899, giving Venezuela 13,000 square kilometers of ourterritory, an area bigger than Jamaica or Lebanon.Venezuela was bound under international law to respectthat award, which it did for the subsequent six decades.Strategies to deprive Guyana Venezuela, however, at the onset of Guyana’s indepen-dence resorted to various stratagems to deprive Guyanaof its territory. There has been a series of acts of aggres-sion by presidents of Venezuela against my country –from the time of President Raúl Leoni Otero’s DecreeNo. 1.152 of 15th June, 1968, to the time of PresidentNicolás Maduro Moro’s decree of May 26th, 2015.Venezuela — more than four times the size of Guyanawith armed forces that are more than 40 times the sizeof Guyana’s armed forces — mindful of its superiorwealth and military strength, and unmindful of itsobligation as a member state of the United Nations, ofthe Union of South American Nations, and of theOrganization of American States, has pursued a path ofintimidation and aggression. Venezuela is unsettling asettled border. It is destabilizing a stable region of theglobe by the use of armed force against a peaceful, smallstate.

Venezuela has retarded Guyana’s development bythreats that are intended to force a small state to yieldits birthright. Venezuela’s expansionist ambitions can-not be allowed to unsettle the principle of inviolabilityof borders, undermine the tenets of international lawand unravel borders that have been undisturbed fordecades.• Guyana recommits to preserving the Caribbean as azone of peace.• Guyana renews its pledge before this august GeneralAssembly that it will pursue the path of peace for all time.• Guyana reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful set-tlement of international disputes.• Guyana reposes total confidence in international law.• Guyana seeks a resolution of this controversy that isconsistent with the Charter of the United Nations.The Geneva Agreement of 1966 signed between the gov-ernments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain andNorthern Ireland, Venezuela and British Guiana onFebruary 17, 1966 provides for the Secretary General totake action to bring a resolution to the contention occa-sioned by the claim made by the Bolivarian Republic ofVenezuela that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is null and void.Obnoxious claimGuyana has the fullest confidence in the judgment andcapacity of the United Nations, through the Office of theSecretary General, to identify solutions that will vali-date the ‘just, perfect and final’ nature of the award. Wethank the United Nations and the Secretary General forappointing various Good Officers to help to resolve thiscontroversy over the past 25 years. We feel that thisprocess has now been exhausted.Guyana does not wish that this obnoxious territorialclaim should obscure the prospects of peace andobstruct the possibility of growth for the next 50 years.We need a permanent solution in order to avoid the fateof perpetual peril and penury. Guyana seeks a juridicalsettlement to this controversy…The United Nations remains our best hope. The UnitedNations is our best prospect of peace. The UnitedNations is our best assurance of security for a smallstate. The United Nations is our strength, support andsuccour in our time of danger. We pledge Guyana’sadherence to the Charter of the United Nations.Guyanaseeks nothing more than the solidarity of this interna-tional community, the assurance of the Charter and thesafety of international law.

Guyana, with forces one-fortieth the size, resistsVenezuelan aggression

GUYANA STRONG

Diaspora Times E-Magazine

GUYANA AT THE UNITED NATIONS

VENEZUELA FILE: How did the president do?

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GUYANA AT THE UNITED NATIONS 7

Ahead of state or government will perhapsnever face a greater challenge than thepotential loss of most of the nation’s land-

mass and virtually all of its maritime resources.Imagine being faced with such a threat mere weeksafter becoming president, indeed weeks after yourfirst ever experience of leadership in the civilianbranch of government.That was the fate confronting His Excellency DavidGranger on May 26th, 2015, Guyana’s 49th inde-pendence anniversary, when he had barely beensworn in as president. On that date, as Guyaneseabsorbed the joyous news of the discovery of oil intheir territorial waters, Venezuela’s president,Nicolás Maduro, issued a decree assertingVenezuelan sovereignty over Guyana’s territorialwaters. If allowed to stand, that decree would, ineffect, reduce Guyana to the perilous status of a land-locked country.This was followed by the recall of the Venezuelanambassador to Guyan for “consultations,” therefusal of the agrément required to facilitate theaccreditation of the new Guyanese ambassador toVenezuela, the amassing of troops plus gunboatsand missiles on the border, and the actual entry oftroops into the waters of the Cuyuni.Thus embarked President Granger upon his firstmajor, and to date his biggest, challenge as head ofstate and government. How did he do? I believethat he exceeded the expectations of many and jus-tified the confidence reposed in him by theGuyanese electorate. Why do I think so? Here aremy seven reasons why:• He was clear about the national interests, and thepriorities, that must dictate his actions. He recognizedthat his task was nothing less than securing thenational territory of the Guyanese people for gen-erations to come. The PPP accused him of losingthe Venezuela rice market by failing to play nice

with Maduro.Maybe they’reright. Maybe if hehad been a little

less candid in his statements we might haveobtained oil and sold rice for a year or even twoyears. But territorial sovereignty is not a two-yeardeal; it is about the national birthright for hun-dreds, even thousands, of years, into the future. Itwas not a birthright that the president was ready toexchange for a mess of potage or 30 pieces of silver.• He was clear about his facts. President Granger isnot only a historian and a soldier; he is also a studentof international relations, which includes interna-tional law. Plus he obviously carefully studied hisbrief. So he could proceed with intellectual clarityand the confidence that, in its claim to Guyaneseterritory, Venezuela never had a leg to stand on.• He was tireless in the pursuit of the nationalinterest. He went everywhere and availed himselfof every possible platform. His first CARICOMsummit, a special summit of MERCOSUR (literallyCommon Market of the South), the ThirdInternational Conference on Financing forDevelopment in Ethiopia, the William J. PerryCenter for Hemispheric Defense Studies (where hehad been a student and an adjunct faculty memberand where he was guest speaker at a recent gradu-ation ceremony), meetings with the GuyaneseDiaspora in Barbados and Canada, and, of course,the United Nations General Assembly, all providedopportunities to represent Guyana’s cause againstVenezuelan aggression.• He was as serious and fearless as he was clear andcandid. If you don’t believe me, ask PresidentMaduro. The Venezuelan leader described hisSunday evening meeting with President Grangerand Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon as “complex,tense and difficult.” Perhaps you might wish to seeyour president smile more often and more broadly,but at that meeting, the Secretary-General had totake steps to get the two presidents to join hands ina gesture of diplomatic camaraderie. Even then,only the secretary-general and the Venezuelanpresident happened to break a smile. In his contri-bution to the general debate of the GeneralAssembly, the Guyanese president did not mincehis words in dismissing Venezuela’s “spuriousdecrees” and its “obnoxious territorial claim.”

How did thepresident do?By Frank A. Campbell

VENEZUELA FILE:


And while not reckless by any means, he neverallowed the disparity in military strength to leavethe Venezuelan leadership with the impression thatGuyana was available to be bullied.

• He was clear not only about the overall mission,but also about the specific objectives. Guyana havinginvested more confidence—one might say wastedmore time—than it could afford on the GoodOfficer and related approaches, the Grangeradministration was emphatic that the time hadcome to pursue a juridical path to a definitive reso-lution of the territorial issue. The Venezuelanreluctance to walk that path, as well as its decisionto walk back from its most recent aggressive pos-tures, provides a clear admission that that countryhas no claim to Guyana’s land or maritime spacethat can withstand the test of internationaljurisprudence.

• He knows how to make common cause. AtCaribbean and Latin American forums and even inconversations with Brazil and Cuba, PresidentGranger emphasized the threat posed byVenezuela’s actions to regional security and the

need for a renewed commitment to a zone of peacein the region. At CARICOM and at the UnitedNations, he emphasized the threat by countriessuch as Venezuela to the territorial integrity ofsmall states such as Guyana and the other English-speaking Caribbean countries.

• It’s all about results. The victory for PresidentGranger has been political and diplomatic, and ispotentially legal and juridical as well. The victory ispolitical in that Guyanese seem generally pleasedwith the president’s performance during his firstbig diplomatic outing. Not only that. The PPP,which had been vociferous on every topic, evenwhen their previous actions dictated that theyshould be embarrassed into silence, finally wentquiet on the Venezuela issue following the excellentjob done by President Granger at the U.N.Secondly, it was a diplomatic victory in that theU.N. secretary general and senior U.N. officialsbecame actively seized of the matter. AndVenezuela, without abandoning its propagandatechniques, has acceded to every Guyanesedemand, just short of abandoning its illegitimateclaim.

So, yes, we can be pleased with President Granger’sinitial march along the highway to statesmanship.And with each footstep, he leaves the impressionthat he has just begun.

Venezuela:How did the president do?

8


The opposition PPP has predictably sought to makemuch of the government’s decision to raise minis-ters’ salaries by 50 percent. It has, thankfully,

been overshadowed by the criticisms that have emanat-ed from government supporters and independent voices.Many have pointed out that the PPP has little credibilityon these matters.

It is no secret that the former ruling party has earneditself the negative image of an overly corrupt governingparty. The list of indiscretions committed by that partywhile in office is getting longer by the day. For this weekalone, the media have reported at least three instances ofgovernment overreach by the former government: theNCN-TVG scandal; the farming out of lands to friends atMahaica-Mahaicony-Abary; and, lately, the Pradovilleaffair.

We also reported that, even as the PPP is seeking to con-demn the government for the recent salary increases, itsthree ex-Presidents — Messrs Jagdeo, Ramotar andSamuel Hinds -– are collectively pocketing a whoppingsum of $6.3 million in pensions monthly. This is a heftysum, which, as we reported, could pay the salaries of tensenior ministers or 13 junior ministers.

Here is a case of former government functionaries beingpaid more than sitting cabinet members. In fact, MrJagdeo has chosen to take this hefty pension instead ofthe lesser amount allocated for the opposition leader.

There is no doubt that the PPP is practicing the worstdouble standards, and in the process trying to misleadits supporters and the rest of the country. If one is mak-ing a case against high salaries for ministers, one has themoral duty to reveal one’s own culpability in this regard.The PPP has to be called out on this matter. It cannothide behind the indignation of government supporters,whose case flows from a moral place.

What does the opposition party have to say about therevelations by the State Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) inrelation to Pradoville? If the SARU report is correct,then the transfer of government lands to ministers at

rates much lower than the market value is not a matterof political miscalculation; it is a clear case of appropriationof government resources for personal use.

The country should be up in arms against this kind ofbehavior. How can people entrusted with overseeingpublic resources be so barefaced?

What does the PPP have to say about purchasing equip-ment for NCN but refusing to install same while payinglarge sums to their friends for performing the very functionsan equipped NCN could have done? If the report is true,then we are in the face of yet another instance of nakedcorruption. This is not a matter of an isolated govern-ment error; a clear pattern is established.

Freedom of speech is guaranteed even for the disgraced.So the PPP, even as it stands accused, has a right to criti-cize the government. But to do so with the full knowledgethat its track record while in government leaves a lot tobe desired is an extreme case of political hypocrisy. Wecall on Guyanese to not spare the PPP the critical gaze.The law must take its course where necessary, but thejury of the people’s condemnation must also come intoplay. It is the only way to ensure justice; but, more critically,it is the only way to put a halt to the disease of officialcorruption.

CHRONICLECALLS OUT PPP’SHYPROCRISY(This Chronicle editorial, published on October 16,2015, appears here with permission and withminor editing)

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10

READYTODEFEND

GUYANA STRONG


Guyanese, more particularly our Amerindianbrothers and sisters, mark September as“Amerindian Heritage Month.” This year’s

theme, “Preserving our customs and traditions,” couldnot be more apt, given the history of our First Peoples.Going against the grain of what we have been taught, weknow that Christopher Columbus could not have discoveredlands already occupied. That pride of place belongs toour Amerindian family, who, centuries beforeColumbus, made their way to these shores.In the settlement of the Americas, the various tribesbrought their customs and traditions. These are cus-toms and traditions, which, in some cases, have helpedshape the Guyanese nation. They are customs and tradi-tions with which we all identify, and from which we allbenefit. The names, places, foods, architectures, buildingmaterials etc., of our First Peoples have been seamlesslywoven into the nation’s fabric, and have helped developour aspiration as One People, One Nation, One Destiny.The word Guyana (“land of many waters”) is ofAmerindian origin. So, too, is the cacique crown, whichgraces our coat-of-arms and is highlighted on one of ournational honours. Pepper pot, cassava bread and cassa-reep, to name a few, are among the delicacies, customsand traditions taken for granted today. What stands outimportantly about our Amerindian brothers and sistersis their unwavering belief in the right to self-determine. This conviction led to valiant struggles to protect theinnate desire to shape the mores of the Amerindian peo-ple and for them to live lives consistent with their ideals.That the Government of Guyana respected this convic-tion, and protected it in the constitution, indicates thatour Amerindian brothers and sisters were on the righttrack since centuries ago.They have fought against the odds, and are alive todayto tell the stories of struggles and successes. Such a her-itage is worthy of celebration.

Sharma Solomon is a former chairman of Region 10, and hasvoluntarily contributed articles on various topics to DiasporaTimes. This article, which first appeared on Facebook, is pub-lished here with the writer’s approval.

AMERINDIANS OWNED ITColumbus couldn’t discover itBy Sharma Solomon

GUYANA STRONG 11

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GUYANA’S DEVELOPMENT

Different ideas coalesce intriguingly into docu-ments that incorporate solutions to the mostintractable problems facing us. A national bud-

get is one such document, representing all aspects of acountry’s life while reflecting the core values and priori-ties of the party or parties in government.In 1986 I was impressed with Errol Barrow’s response,in his final stint as Prime Minister of Barbados, to areporter’s query on his plans for the Barbados DefenceForce. He said that the question was premature sincehis decision would be a function of budgeting. Indeed,the tension in financial planning is always betweenlabor and capital. To paraphrase our pithy former primeminister, Dr. Ptolemy Reid, it is a question of “Whobenefits most?” Achieving balance is not easy. There isthe eternal governance question: To whom should thespoils of expenditures and investment be directed? It issometimes said that a society is judged by how well ittakes care of its elderly, its youth and its sick. The uni-versal ongoing debates on taxes, debt, fees, salaries andsocial benefits are prime examples. Stephen Hawkins and other scientists have expressedconcern over the increased use and rapid developmentof robots and intelligent machines, replacing humans injobs and in general functions. This is the classic endgame of the struggle for human dignity and survival in amarket economy, or a gift to profits and an “ends justi-fying means” strategy. A few Sundays ago, CNN’sFareed Zakaria had a not too satisfying discussion onthe issue: it was forecast that we are likely to have a 15-hour work week by the second half of this century.Millions of jobs in factories, as taxi drivers and in retailoutlets, might be lost forever.A disappearing middle class?I attended a fascinating marketing lecture in college 25years ago, on the looming polarization of the U.S. econ-omy, with the projected disappearance of a traditionalmiddle class through job displacement and the sharpdecrease in “middle products”: You would either buycheap or expensive, no real “in between.” Growing glob-al income inequality and irresponsible investment,which produced the pandemic financial crisis in 2007,Occupy Wall Street (with its many “franchises”) and theseveral “Greek economies,” have heightened this phe-nomenon on a macro level.In Guyana, the coalition government’s plan for part of2015 was an example of a people’s budget. Under the

rubric of A Good Life for All, an attempt was made toreduce the burden on the middle class with the clearobjective of rebuilding that vital group of spenders,supervisors and stabilizers. The economy had been dis-torted by years of what can be called “camouflage pro-jects”. These were undertaken to appear to have some-thing to do with the people and development, but withthe outcome of benefitting only a few. Not even localprivate capital was being favored since most of the ven-tures were undertaken by foreigners without due dili-gence or serious consultation. The result: white ele-phants, unsuitable purchases, and low-quality deliveryof services, creating a repayment burden without muchvalue to citizens and very little transfer of knowledge ortechnology.While we await the full Independence Budget in 2016,the APNU+AFC Coalition government has telegraphedits focus on youth, reward for labor, energy, the hinter-land, streamlining processes for efficiency, grassrootsdemocracy, and rebuilding our international stature. Their loss, our gainMy prediction after the marketing class 25 years agowas that the U.S., having dispensed with its blue-collarand white-collar middle class, would, in 20 years, beexporting workers with “ancient” skills to emergingeconomies. I have read articles showing the start of a“reverse migration” trend, but mainly from Europe toits former colonies, where language produces somecommonalities. Guyanese in the Diaspora should be mobilized to returnhome with useful skills and/or investable financialresources. There should be no judgment on the previousabsence of such Guyanese, only on getting all hands onboard to invest in the creation of a vibrant economy.Even non-Guyanese, with needed skills and experience,should be welcomed as small business owners andskilled technical operators to add to our GDP. Thedeveloped countries’ loss can be our gain.It is hoped that the Diaspora will be allowed andencouraged to invest more than just its remittances. Thevoid created by the reduction of funds from the under-ground economy can be filled by “shovel ready” projectsin agriculture, tourism and, in particular, green cheapenergy. The latter is the foundation of all development.This infusion of capital can weed out weak projectswhile speedily facilitating investment in our countryand the employment of our youth and our universitygraduates. With some economic, physical and social-absorption planning, this can clearly be a win-win situa-tion. It can bring together Guyana North and GuyanaSouth (President Granger’s favorite Diaspora phraseduring the last election campaign) to produce A GoodLife for All.

Musings ondevelopment and the DiasporaBy Desmond Roberts


His ExcellencyPresidentBrdg. David A. Grnger

GUYANA’S DEVELOPMENT 13


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Of all the endorsements in favor of theAPNU+AFC Coalition during Guyana’s May2015 General and Regional Elections, one of the

most significant, in my opinion, was the one issued byex-Foreign Minister Rashleigh Jackson. MinisterJackson’s endorsement was—as those who knew himwould expect—lucid, pointed, and heartfelt.

Now, some five months later, his statement about theCoalition is once again among the most powerful andmost important. The only difference is that, instead ofbeing an endorsement of APNU+AFC, this one is adenunciation of the recent increases in the emolumentsof members of the Guyanese cabinet.

Many have questioned the size of the increases. Othersobject to the manner of its implementation andannouncement. Many can find no mitigation either inthe amount or the modality.

Some accuse the beneficiaries of what amounts to a levelof greed reminiscent of the philosophy behind LeoTolstoy’s riveting short story, “How Much Land Does aMan Need?” Others assess the situation not necessarilyin terms of greed or selfishness but, to quote MinisterJackson, as “a big mistake.”

Perhaps the most interesting element of this story is notwhat critics are saying about the increase, but who thecritics are. The objections from people like RashleighJackson, who wish only the best for the government, areso loud that the complaints from those who long to seeBharrat Jagdeo and his ilk back in power are feeble—and the sounds of those who support the increases closeto non-existent—by comparison.

For days, my Facebook page seemed to have been over-taken by APNU+AFC supporters hinting or threateningthat they would have to decide “wisely”, as one new-found APNU+AFC critic put it, how to cast their voteswhen next they have the opportunity to do so. “If therewas any doubt about it before, the honeymoon for theAPNU+AFC Government is surely now over,” according

to former Speaker Ralph Ramkarran, who hasbeen content to sit on the fence or even give thegovernment the benefit of the doubt.

The government’s major contribution to theearly end of its honeymoon may have slightlyless to do with dollars and cents and slightlymore with the communications strategy usedto prepare, placate and persuade the votingand tax-paying public. From “trust us” to “noapologies,” the government was as poorlyserved by its messages as by its messengers, byits media as by its methods.

In the end, APNU+AFC may have Bharrat Jagdeo andthe PPP to thank for sparing it from the worst possibleoutcome. Just when the sounds about rethinking thewisdom of any future vote in favor of APNU+AFC weretransitioning from a whisper to a crescendo, Facebookfriends started reminding one another what was thealternative.

Former PPP/C Minister Priya Manickchand describedas “a world record” the brief time taken for the govern-ment’s action to generate “this national resentment.”This, by the way is the same Ms Manickchand, then actingforeign minister, whose insult of the American ambassadorwhile a guest in his official residence on the occasion ofhis country’s national day, constitutes a world record inthe history of diplomatic infamy that would not be soonsuperseded.

Mr. Navin Persaud, replying to Ms. Manickchand’s mostrecent attempt at an insult, said that although he mightnot agree with certain recent decisions by theAPNU+AFC administration, “that does not mean thatwe give up completely on them and forget all the evildeeds that the PPP administration has done to our peopleand country, so Priya sit … down.”

Yes, Attorney Ramkarran may be right. The APNU+AFChoneymoon may be over. But I believe the marriage canstill survive. However, the president and his cabinetwould be well advised to be very, very careful, especiallyduring conversations concerning the question: Howmuch pay does a politician need? And how early - andby what means - does he or she need to have it?

Frank A. Campbell is a former chairman and editor-in-chief of the Guyana National Newspapers Ltd(Chronicle), a former Guyanese ambassador to Cuba,and a former minister of information.

GUYANA’S DEVELOPMENT

How much moneydoes a politicianneed?

Asks Frank A. Campbell


15GUYANA’S DEVELOPMENT

The fallout from the salary increases for governmentministers is instructive. The arguments and counter-arguments have been ventilated. The Minister of

Governance asked the people to trust the government.The President finally weighed in and not unexpectedlysought to justify the hike. He, of course, did so in a lessstrident manner than some of his juniors. He tried to soft-en the blow; after all the bulk of the resistance came fromhis own supporters. That is the aspect of this matter that intrigues me themost. How can a leadership and a followership thatseemed so in sync five months ago have such divergentviews on a matter in such a short period of time? Worse,why is it that both sides so badly misread each other?The answer, of course lies in the very nature of our politicsand society. Ours is a post-plantation society in which thegoverned and the governors and potential governors havefound common ground against things but never forthings… Our history is full of that phenomenon. Theworking classes developed an alliance with the emergingprivileged classes to fight against and defeat colonial rule.But as soon as independence was achieved, the privilegedclasses, which marched with the workers against colonialism,began beating and jailing these very workers in the nameof national security and law and order…Next year we willreflect on, and some may celebrate, 50 years of that inde-pendence.The working classes then found new allies among a newerradical revolutionary leadership, which presented itself asan alternative pole to the independence leadership… Herein Guyana, Walter Rodney and his WPA revolutionariessummoned the country to an unprecedented multi-ethnicmass revolution against the excesses of the independencegovernment of the day. The causalities were many and theprice was high; we still confront the ghosts of that period.But in the end, the post-dictatorship government eclipsedthe dictatorship it replaced—by miles. Worse, the IndianGuyanese brethren who had joined their AfricanGuyanese sisteren to fight the African Guyanese Goliathnow stood mostly on the sidelines as the Indian GuyaneseGoliath raped and pillaged like the old pirates that BobMarley reminded us of. The more we change andrearrange, the more everything stays the same, says the

kaisonian-poet, David Rudder.Enter this new government—a coalition government. Bornin the bowels of mass frustration and a determination toyet again overcome, this coalition is a unique historicalformation. Its rise is both a rebuke of all that preceded itand a stamp of hope that we can be the noble civilizationthat has been denied us. Something stirred in this societystarting at the 2011 polls that eventually burst open onMay 11. Again, it was the working people, who CliveThomas calls the “poor and the powerless” and theRastafarians describe as the “sufferers” linking theirhands with the privileged to lift Guyana to safer ground.I know many of this privileged class who now sit in power.I have convinced myself that they would not turn the gunsof the state on the people. I know David Granger betterthan I know any of our past maximum leaders and I thinkhe possesses an understanding of our history that wouldpreclude him from repeating the sacrilege of our pastleaders. For, it is in our history that the key to a higherpolitics lies. A couple of my close comrades of fourdecades share that seat of power; I have faith in theircommitment to the creation of a dignified politics.But I would be lying to readers and to myself, if I did notsay that I worry. For all the breath of fresh air it hasbrought to the country, the government has stumbledwhen it comes to feeling the heartbeat of the least in ourmidst. It is not enough to give workers a salary raise andto fix their roads and afford them water and electricity—that is what any and all governments are supposed to do.That this government does it better than the one beforeshould be commended. But it has to do more than thatbecause more is expected of it. This government is expectedto lift the political culture, to be qualitatively better thanthose before.Our government has to understand its specialness and theresponsibility that comes with that specialness. Wronglyor rightly, they are the Joshuas of our time; they simplycan’t be like the others. Our people have been betrayedtoo many times; they are “sick and tired of being sick andtired.” Joe Harmon, one of the political finds of our day,correctly told the discredited PPP that he has no apologiesfor the 50% raise. But Joe has to understand that the matterof government compensation is bigger than the PPP; it isat the heart of his constituency’s rage. So when he speakson such a matter, he must know he is speaking to his sup-porters too or at least they hear him speaking to them too.Minister Raphael Trotman’s plea for more trust is notwhat the doctor orders. The bank account of trust is over-drawn. It is the government’s turn to trust the people.

This material is reproduced, with the author’s permission,from a longer article. More of Dr. Hinds' writings and com-mentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight:Dr. David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his web-site www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments [email protected]

Government’sturn to trustthe people

By David Hinds

16


GUYANA’S YOUTH

Do we know where our children are?

It's almost 2016. Do we know where our children are?For children and adults alike, the year 2016 representsa significant one in Guyana’s history—the country’s50th independence anniversary. Our British rulershanded over to the new nation the children born on orbefore May 26, 1966. Those kids are now 50 years old,more or less. Many have migrated to foreign lands.Some have passed on, while some continue to live andtoil in the motherland.Of course, the new nation of Guyana became responsi-ble for all children born after independence. Some ofthose children grew up to follow in the footsteps oftheir parents. Others blazed their own paths, and someprobably got lost between a good life and oblivion. Wecan debate the issue from now till the cows come homeand never find the correct answer.

My motivation for penning this piece is driven by thehorrific image of a three-year-old child whose bodywashed up on a Turkish beach after the boat in whichhe and his family were fleeing Syria capsized. His five-year-old brother and mother also perished in the disaster.This story, together with his picture, made headlinesthroughout the world and is questioning the conscienceof the leaders of many powerful countries.The picture of three-year-old Aylan Kurdi has hit anerve in many of us with a conscience or as somewould say, a bleeding heart. There will be attention tohis plight, as was the case with the plight of MalalaYousafzai, whose own tragedy is well documented andpublicized. My conscience draws me back to my owncountry of Guyana and the plight of our children today.

Asks Freddie D. Shivdat


GUYANA’S YOUTH

Do we know where our children are?For convenience, I will ask about the children born since 2000, the turn of the mil-lennium. Can we give an account for those children? Can we say which ones migratedwith their parents or by themselves, which ones are still toiling in Guyana, whichones have succeeded in pursuing education and maybe, higher education and then,which ones have left us too soon?May the higher powers continue to look over those who are fortunate to be with ustoday either in Guyana or in foreign lands, and may those toiling in futility backhome make it to the next level of humanity so that they can transition into confidentand successful adults and parents.For the ones no longer with us, can we document when they left, how they left, whythey left and somehow get an understanding of how we are failing our own childrenwhile we read and watch aghast at the images of children suffering and dying all overthe world?I would like to challenge those in power and those with the means to join me in thisproject—let's call it Guyana's Children 2016—to launch this project at the same timethat we commemorate our 50th Independence anniversary. Can we spread outregion-by-region and house-by-house and seek the information to compile this docu-ment and show the world that we know where our children are in 2016.

Freddie D. Shivdat, an experienced engineer and president of the

New-Jersey-based Analytical Quality and Monitoring Service,

is also co-founder of the Lusignan Good Hope Learning Centre..

17


THE DIASPORA AND EDUCATION IN GUYANA 18HOW DIASPORAIMPROVESCHILDREN’SEDUCATION

Since the inauguration of the new govern-ment of Guyana, conversations about theanticipated role of the Diaspora in the

development process have abounded. Over theyears, a number of hometown associations,including alumni chapters, have provided mate-rial and academic support, for example in theform of computers, laboratory equipment, schol-arships, training, and other resources forschools. There have been reports of overseas-

based Guyanese on sabbatical or through otherperiodical arrangements, doing teaching stintsat the University of Guyana. Retirees—fromtradesmen, technicians and laborers to artists,and other professionals—have expressed adesire to return home or to contribute from adistance. In commemorating Education Month,this article focuses on the role of the Diaspora as amajor partner in an important dimension ofdevelopment in Guyana – formal education.

By Lear MatthewsPhoto compliments of Omships International

19


THE DIASPORA AND EDUCATION IN GUYANA

A clarion callThe Ministry of Education recently announced a coun-trywide audit and a commission of inquiry into educationin Guyana. In this regard, it was affirmed that Ministerof Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine seeks “to solicitthe involvement of all Guyanese at home and abroad inthe reformation of the education system as he believesthat through partnerships the solid educational founda-tion that is needed for the development of this countrycan be realized” (Press Release, Ministry of Education,June 30, 2015; p. 1).Meeting with members of at least one alumni associa-tion (that of St. Roses High School), the minister high-lighted “plans critical to ascertaining evidence neededto inform policies.” He encouraged association membersto explore ways in which the Diaspora can complementefforts by the Ministry and the Guyana Teachers Union.Perhaps registries of interested organizations and indi-viduals should be established to facilitate this cooperation.The respective Guyanese consulates, consulates-generalor embassies could help to monitor such registries.A well-calibrated partnership approach is recommend-ed. Through these collective contributions and initia-tives, structural and curriculum standards can be fullyimpacted. Such transnational support should beextended and institutionalized. There are various areasand opportunities for assistance. For example, prima-ry- and secondary-school students whose families can-not afford extra lessons should be supported. Fundingstudent breakfast programs or “adopting” a student or aclass would be helpful. This must continue in a waythat does not absolve government of its developmentresponsibilities nor embarrass recipient families. Inaddition, it will be essential for the government toensure the total eradication of ethnic and regional dis-parity in educational access and achievement. Plans should include incentives to attract and retainqualified teachers. Such incentives may include govern-ment scholarships and negotiable, and mutually beneficialcontractual agreements including provisions for a living-wage pay scale for teachers. A comprehensive approach,which is essential, takes the following into account: • The characteristics of the local culture and the role ofcommunity-based organizations• Structural barriers and challenges in the larger socialenvironment within which the formal educational systemfunctions • The provision of support services for teachers andother school personnel• Increased use of online educational resources forhometown and Diaspora engagement (Cambridge,September 1, 2015)• Understanding and addressing teachers’ extracurricularneeds

• Counseling centers for students • Extending the retirement age for head teachers allow-ing for continuity and for the completion of establishedgoals • Encouragement of the formation and active involve-ment of parent-teacher associations• Understanding of the link between poverty and education• Early childhood intervention Sectoral collaboration between public and private enti-ties and among government ministries is essential. Theestablishment of the Universal Early ChildhoodEducation and Care (ECEC) Program, announced byMinister of Social Protection Hon. Volda Lawrence, is agood example. This program would complement thework of the Ministry of Education by providing a vitalintersection of education and health.A well-rounded educationThe minister of education has expressed his desire tosee the education system produce more “rounded stu-dents.” These are students who are academicallyinclined, but who also have been exposed to sports, thearts and other co-curricular activities. Several veteranand contemporary artists and musicians in theDiaspora, as well as former athletes, have expressed aninterest in helping to establish programs and trainingfacilities for the youth. To this end, the education min-ister’s recent promise in Parliament to rehabilitatesports facilities across the nation is critical. With input from overseas organizations, continuouscollaboration between the Ministry of Education(responsible for Culture, Youth and Sport) and theGuyana Cultural Association and Amateur AthleticAssociation respectively, this can become a reality, inrecognition of the significant relationship betweenintellectual and physical development. The 50thIndependence Anniversary Celebration in 2016 offersan opportunity to launch feasible educational/culturalprojects involving the Diaspora, such as one organizedby the Guyana Cultural Association.According the Dr. Roopnaraine, “we need a systemwhere children will want to be in school and whereteachers will want to be in the classroom.” TheDiaspora can help to make this a reality. Are we up tothe task?

Dr. Lear Matthews is professor, Department of Communityand Human Services, State University of New York, and aformer lecturer at the University of Guyana. He is also amember of the Editorial Board of the Caribbean Journal ofSocial Work

How Diaspora improveschildrens’ education


COMMENTARY20

As some continue to pursue the issue ofbringing the opposition into the cabinet,one cannot lose sight of what happens day-

to-day in governance. An opposition has its role,and it is expected that it will discharge its responsi-bilities, guided by laws and time-honored princi-ples. This role includes opposing, supporting andproposing where necessary, and a responsibleopposition will do so sensibly. Among the roles ofthe cabinet is to ensure good day-to-day steward-ship of the nation’s affairs through policies andactions guided by time-honored principles andlaws.

There is a missive by former Minister of LocalGovernment Norman Whittaker accusing the govern-ment of appointing political operatives as regionalexecutive officers (REOs), without informing thepublic that REOs are not appointed by the PublicService Commission. The REO, while in service tothe public, is not a Public Service Commissionemployee. This notwithstanding, it does not meanif government is serious about elevating the deliveryof public service that it should not seek to appointpersons of technical competence and take the nec-essary steps that would see this job being one of acareer public servant.

Mr Whittaker has drawn to the public’s attentionthe number of regions won by the PPP/C, and isimplying that his party will not be deterred frommanaging the regions. In principle he has a point,given that the constitution has enshrined the rightto self-determination (devolution of power) to thepeople through the local democratic organs, underwhich regional and local governments fall.Yet, it was under the leadership of this man as

local government minister that he moved intoevery area where the PPP did not have the majority,dismantled neighbourhood democratic councils(NDCs) and replaced them with PPP members andsupporters. In the regional democratic councils(RDCs) won by the APNU and AFC, all the REOsthat were appointed were either members or sup-porters of the PPP.

The condemnation by Mr Whittaker is indicativethat the PPP understands the spirit and intent ofthe constitution and time-honoured principles, butrefused to embrace the same during his party’sstewardship.

The PPP having done the same thing that they aretoday condemning, this nation ought to pay atten-tion to the consequences of having both the PPPand APNU+AFC sitting in the cabinet and makingdecisions which will impact on the day-to-day livesof the people. The possibility of persons collabo-rating in their own interest and not in the people’sinterest is real, and poses potential danger to thepeople’s welfare and to good governance.

The current government needs to apply a principlewhen making decisions by asking itself “Did wecondemn while we were in opposition the decisionwe are about to make?” For if it was wrong underthe PPP it cannot be right now.

This ought to be a litmus test for any governmentrespecting the will of the people and demonstratingto the people that their desire for change, notexchange, has been heard loud and clear, and willbe respected. On 11th May the people spoke andthere must be growth in our political discourse,government’s actions, respect for laws, and the citi-zens’ fundamental rights and freedoms. The peopledeserve no less and must demand no less.

This article first appeared in the Stabroek News as aletter to the editor. It reflects the views of the writer,and is published here without editing

IF IT WASWRONGTHEN, IT’SWRONG NOWBy Lincoln Lewis


COMMENTARY 21

The political situation in Guyana today presents themost congenial environment for development insix decades. A nation’s holistic development must

be grounded in the government‘s total, unreserved, andresolute pursuit of equity. Such equity is achieved whenthe most qualified are placed in positions of leadership,regardless of political affinity. This is a tall order in the present political climate ofGuyana. Guyana is a meritocracy, and the present gov-ernment holds out the promise of change for the better.The syndrome of PNC/PPP dominance is in abeyance,and could be laid to rest forever as the present unitygovernment exercises the will to win the confidence ofmost of the people of Guyana. The government has theingredients required to transform the existing politicalculture that has afflicted Guyana for decades.The correct political will is CARE:

Confluence of all interest groups in a pragmatic honestApproach that is realistic, Responding always to Equity in resource distribution.

We cannot afford to repeat history.In the early 1950s a united common political front con-fronted the British colonial power, and exacted fromGreat Britain political terms that provided a pathway topolitical independence and national self-reliance. Alas!The leaders threw away the opportunity and allowedtheir political immaturity and ideological dogmatism togive victory to a colonial conspiracy.

When America feared communismThe United States and Britain were fearful that our lead-

ers were establishing a communistbeachhead in the Americas. Britainsuspended the new constitution andrelegated Guyana to its previousgovernance status. Unity was infil-trated, and undermined. Britainused its traditional ruse of divideand rule. It sowed the seeds of fearof ethnic dominance, today’s mar-ginalization. We suffered for sixdecades in disunity.

Let us take a little time to examine from whencewe came.Pre-independence belonged to the dominance of thePeople’s Progressive Party. It was an era of no politicalcompromise. The practicality of shared governance wasabsent from the vision of the PPP leadership. It was aperiod characterized by political and labour unrest, andby imperialist subterfuge. The economy was at a stand-still. Following the national elections of 1964, a coalitionof the People National Congress and the United Forceunseated the People’s Progressive party. Britain conferred independence on Guyana in 1966 inthe inevitable course of dismantling the British Empire.Independence, together with all its political trappings,gave us the opportunity to pursue economic self-reliance and the control of our natural and humanresources. The destiny was ours to mold. We saw eco-nomic self-reliance as the cornerstone and pillar fordomestic policy.

New hope for unity,development in Guyana

By Joshua P.Chowritmootoo


22

Guyana’s high-profile diplomacy

We chose the road of nonalignment in the configurationof our foreign policy. Guyana, with less than a millionpeople under the astute leadership of Forbes Burnham,assumed a leadership role in regional diplomacy andamong Third World/Nonaligned countries with theirbillions of people.

That diplomatic profile cast Guyana as a viable chesspiece in the world political game. We were caught in thevicious cold war between the then USSR and its depen-dent allies, on the one hand, and the Western world ledby the United States, on the other. Guyana was seen asan advocate of political and economic independence.Such a stance was hated by the United States, and infact was considered contrary to United States’ nationalsecurity interests.

Guyana was blacklisted, and was starved of financialresources from the Western financial institutions. Wewere economically stagnated. Moreover, tragedy struckGuyana and the Third World, as Forbes Burnham, thepresident of Guyana, died. In 1992, the PNC was votedout of office.

The PNC, under the leadership of Desmond Hoyte, lostto the PPP, under the leadership of Dr. Cheddi Jagan.Jagan rejected the opportunity for shared governance.Instead, the PPP ruled as a dictatorship of the majority,a majority based on ethnicity. Thus another opportunitywas lost. However, Dr. Jagan’s government ushered in anew era of Guyana’s development. Under Dr. Jagan’sleadership, the promise of honest government withequitable distribution of the nation’s resources was ful-filled. With his demise, however, transparency in gover-nance was severely compromised. Drug trafficking and

crime - including mass murders - escalated significantly..

The government refused to do anything to alleviate theabysmal poverty of the city of Georgetown south ofBroad Street, especially the Albouystown area. Not toacknowledge that there was a shortage of social andphysical infrastructure would be a mistake if we were tohonestly appraise the present level of development inGuyana. Nonetheless, the level of development may notcorrectly reflect the government’s expenditure.

The promise of unity returns

Today, six decades since the lost opportunities of the1950s, Guyana’s promise of unity of the masses is back.There is a surge of political optimism, especially amongthe young. The PPP/PNC syndrome of winner takes all,the spoils system of American politics, is changing.Political change has come. The status quo has been chal-lenged, and is no longer viable. The present dynamismhas assumed its own level of energy. Racial equity,transparent governance and honest leadership havepropelled this dynamism. It is left to the present govern-ment to maintain the dynamic energy or see it fizzle.

We cannot, we must not, lose this opportunity that des-tiny has thrust upon us. To realize and sustain thedynamic energy, we must ensure a national develop-ment policy based on a holistic CARE.

Joshua Peter Chowritmootoo has held a number of publicoffices in Guyana, including that of minister of environmentand water supply in the Ministry of Public Welfare. His pub-lished works include books of poetry, and articles onGuyanese and global affairs. He is a regular contributor toDiaspora Times.

New hope for unity,development inGuyana


23

Is not de calabash ah want, is de goobie!Yo’ don’t know de difference? Well I tell yo’!

You young people don’t know dese tings. Yo’ all outa touch!But we can’t afford to lose everything. We got to keep up de culture

an’ de tradition. After all, is we history.Leh me ask you – yo’ ever drink bushie, or piewari? Yo’ ever taste cassiri?

Yo’ ever sail up de Potaro, or de Cuyuni, or de Mazaruni?Yo’ ever see dem women fetching dey heavy warishi,

or squeezing out de cassava juicefrom de mattapee? We mus’ keep dese tings. Is we history.

Leh me ask yo’ dis—yo’ ever eat labba an’ drink creek water?When yo’ was a small boy, yo’ ever had nara, or latta?

Anybody ever call yo’ lamata?Yo’ ever knock down follow-me nest, an’ den had to run like hell?

Tek me advice – go an’ see de stone glyphs, de stone writing at Timehri, visit de ruins at Fort Kyk-over-al, go to Kaieteur Falls,

the highest single drop in de world, go to de Rupununi an’ tek in de beauty of de savannahs,

go to Tumatumari, to Kwakwani, to Issano, To Imbaimadai, to Aishalton. All is we own. Is we history!

Yo’ know how much people sacrifice an’ dead fo’ we?We caan look at dis ting cass cass! Is serious!

Leh me tell yo’ – when yo’ go waterside, yo’ might meet fairmaid;An’ when yo’ go up some ah dem rivers, yo’ might meet water mumma,

or massacuruman.Leh me ask you – plimpla ever jook yo’ finger? Or stick in yo’ foot?Yo ever had strimps wid carrila dove down in some coconut milk?

Listen – yo’ see dem gangasaka crawling up deh? Up in Canje we does call dem dondaweri.

same lizard, different name!Yo know we is de fus in South America to get a railroad?

No? Well yo’ know now!We mus’ pass it on, because is we culture, is we history!

Anyway, t’anks fo’ de goobie.Ley me tek a drink ah dis cool rainwater!

A goobie is not a calabashBy T. Eric Matthews

24


An integral part of the Diaspora experience isthe sending of cash and goods, and the trans-mission of services, from immigrants to their

countries of origin. Analysts of this phenomenonargue that remittances have become the most visibleevidence and measuring stick for the ties connectingan immigrant with his or her homeland. Accordingto the World Bank, remittance flows to developingcountries are estimated to have reached $372 billionin 2011. In 2014, money transfers to the Caribbeanand Africa exceeded all other forms of externalfinance. In particular, remittances account forapproximately 17% of Guyana’s GDP. Diasporassend both financial and social remittances.Reciprocal connectionsIt is customary to think of remittances as flowing inone direction that is, from developed country (forexample, U.S.A. or Canada) to developing country(for example, Guyana or Grenada). Recipients areassisted with an array of edible and non-edibleitems. Barrels, crates and boxes are shipped daily,and money is transferred, to relatives and friends forboth personal and commercial use. Remittances arealso utilized for investment purposes—in the

sender’s country of origin—in small businesses suchas manufacturing and crafts companies, marketstalls and transport agencies. Monthly orders fromabroad have become the norm. The direction of remittance transmission is deter-mined by the difference in economic strengthbetween sending and receiving countries. Those inricher countries are more likely to send to friendsand family in poorer countries than the reverse.However, what is often overlooked is that membersof the Diaspora receive tons of items from the homecountry annually, brought primarily by emigratingrelatives and friends or by those coming on orreturning from vacation. Favorite indigenous foods brought from Guyanainclude cassava bread, plantain chips, fresh fish,fried banga mary and butter fish, mettai, “chickenfoot,” tea bush, fudge, curry powder, seasoning,sugar cake, guava cheese, pepper sauce, cassareep,black cake, tamarind balls, cheese, dried shrimps,rum, ornaments/artifacts, and much more. Somewould gloatingly insist that these items represent“de real t’ing from home.” Such “real” things help tosustain customary taste and character. This reciprocity of remittances between immigrantsand non-immigrants satisfies primarily the materialneeds of those still at home and the emotional/nos-talgic needs of those already abroad. They are bothpart of a unitary social field and informal globalmarket economy. Those in the Diaspora may feelobligated to send cash and a variety of goods to fam-ily, friends and institutions to which they were previ-ously attached. Others feel a sense of responsibility,commitment, or desire to “give back” to their com-munities of origin. The barrel is also a symbol of lovefor those engaged in transnational parenting.Receiving items from “home” is more than symbolic.It is central to immigrants’ sustained connection andcultural identity with their country of origin.

Remittances: cultural connectionsand Diaspora challengesBy Lear Matthews

25


Studies of the impact of remittances show that home-town associations (HTAs)—organizations formed byimmigrants from the same village, town, community, orinstitution—are engaged in a variety of developmentprojects. Through remittances, these organizations seekto support, and to maintain connections with, theirmembers’ places of origin. At the same time, membersretain a sense of community as they adjust to life intheir adopted homes. They sponsor socioculturalfundraising events to accumulate resources to “sendhome.”

Challenges

Remittances potentially contribute to development atboth the household and institutional levels. However,remittances have also been shown to have some negativeconsequences. These can include displacement of localjobs and incomes, increased consumption spending(primarily on imports), inflation of local prices, mini-mum immigrant investment, creation of socio-economicdisparity, envy between recipients and non-recipients ofremittances (fueling high levels of “conspicuous con-sumption”), and the creation of a culture of economicdependency.

In her study of migration and its impact on families inGuyana, Barbara Holder (2006) found that althoughremittances often helped provide economic mainte-nance to families, it sometimes created dependencywithout significantly improving the families’ circum-stances. Furthermore, sometimes the academic perfor-mance of children back home worsened, and they exhib-ited behavioral problems, particularly when their moth-ers emigrated. Holder also found that some communi-ties became "migrant dependent communities" and fam-ily problems increased. A "migrant dependent commu-nity" is one in which remittances contribute to a sub-stantive portion of its sustenance.

Despite such findings, many remittance recipients todaymay not fit such a characterization. Improvement infamilies’ economic wellbeing and in the sustainability ofcommunities as a result of various forms of remittanceshave been evident in many Caribbean countries.

Remittances to developing countries comprise a valuableand persistent source of material and financial aid.Transactions and incremental improvements are usuallyconsidered at the micro level. These involve helpingfamily, friends and social institutions; charity work; anddisaster mitigation. However, an alarm has been soundedabout the risk that remittance transactions might facili-tate money laundering and other illegal activities. Inresponse, a 2014 meeting of Commonwealth FinanceMinisters formed a Caribbean regional task force, whichfocused on “de-risking Diaspora remittances”. Anotherconcern, expressed by former Guyanese presidentDonald Ramotar in 2014, is that some hometown associ-ation members have used the duty-free concessions,which are granted to their organizations, to transportpersonal items into the country, in violation of customsregulations.

The way forward

Regardless of the concerns and challenges, amidst thegrowing stress placed on Caribbean economies, manyfamilies rely on the cash, food, goods and other forms ofsupport from abroad to maintain a reasonable standardof living. Infrastructural and community developmentprojects continue to benefit from remittances. In light ofthe new Guyanese government’s welcoming overturestoward the Diaspora, it would be interesting to see if thepatterns described above will continue.

Will the remittances phenomenon become more or lessorganized or institutionalized? How will the level ofenthusiasm and commitment to sustain and reciprocateconnections be affected? This writer is optimistic aboutthe intensity of the transnational relationship, and predictsthat segments of the Diaspora will continue to supporthomeland development. They will simultaneously con-tinue to crave indigenous items as they nostalgicallystrive to maintain critical cultural links and identify withthe lands of their birth.

Finally, Caribbean entrepreneurs must increase theirinvestment and ownership in the money transfer business.The market is vast, and the opportunities for theseentrepreneurs loom large. Taking advantage of this marketwould enhance financial benefits and the control of theremittance exchanges in the region and the Diaspora.

Remittances: cultural connections andDiaspora challenges


26 OPINION

The care that is required during political transfor-mational leadership can be challenging. That caretakes place at both the “elected level” and the

“non-elected official levels.” Six months after thenational elections in Guyana, the new coalition adminis-tration confronts a multitude of problems during thegradual metamorphosis of “an ugly caterpillar to abeautiful butterfly.”

At the non-elected official levels, instead of distractions,the challenges become one of “picking up” the brokenpieces and putting things back together again. At thislevel, it is not as complex as at the level of political lead-ership where public exposure to sometimes unnecessaryridicule becomes a regular feature.

It is not unusual to underestimate the extent to whichany transformation can become very challenging, espe-cially when the outgoing leaders did not perform asexpected. Past corruption, serious malfeasance, ongoingsocial crime, unravelling of political crimes, ungentle-manly conduct, lack of competent managerial expertise,societal impatience, and an economy that is sputteringalong, all of those ills and a few others, present a greatchallenge to smooth transformational leadership.

Efficient leadership

Ultimately, it becomes necessary to focus on doing whatis necessary to display efficient leadership, regardless ofthe various opinions that will be expressed by membersof the populace at all strata of national leadership.

Leadership has been the subject of numerous studies inthe latter half of the 20th century. However, there is stillno single clear and consistent definition of leadership orof its characteristics. There appear to be as many defini-tions of, as there are researchers on, the topic.

Therefore, it is expected that there will be various prog-nostications about the administration’s leadership styleand approach to handling matters of state. In the case ofGuyana at this point in history, it is well known thatpolitical leadership requires brand new approaches tothe management of the affairs of the nation. Newness byits very nature attracts curiosity, and some naysayers,some cynics, and other types of worriers.

Rome not built in a day

But for all the differences, adopted goals, new strate-gies, and unsolicited inputs from the Diaspora, thesewill ultimately assist the new administration in deliver-ing the results that the political rhetoric had promised.Everyone knows that Rome was not built in a day, andJerusalem continues to experience the wicked ways ofthe world.

However, Guyana, with all its diversity, will definitelysucceed in moving beyond the struggles of transforma-tional leadership, to a state of national pride that willsurpass the expectations of all the onlookers who havereservations concerning the “this and that” of what isgoing on in the dear land. Until that time, it is best to bepatient and provide positive support in the interest ofgrowth and national development.

Neil Wray is a former honorary trade representative ofGuyana in Atlanta,

Guyana’s transformationalleadershipBy Neil O. Wray

27OPINION

WHAT OUR READERSWRITE

Not a single errorEditor:In the lyrics of "Not A Blade O' Grass" printed in yourmagazine, two errors:"... and they lived and died here", not "they lived theirtime here""...the Essequibo, day time or night," not "late time anight"

Please take the time to reproduce the lyrics as written.

RegardsDave Martins

Mr. Martins: I thank you for pointing out theseerrors, and apologize for having made them. The cor-rect version of the lyrics appears in this issue ( pagethree).Frank A. Campbell, Editor

Refreshing…Thanks Frank.Courtesy articles were well selected and the otherswell written. Therefore reading was for me, a refresh-ing and very pleasant experience.

CongratulationsPurcell

Thanks for Chinese articleThe August 24, 2015 issue of the Diaspora Times wasforwarded to me by a fellow Guyanese. I note that youhave been the compiler of the article entitled “TheChinese Also Came,” which has called upon my writ-ings as source reference. I would like to thank you forfeaturing the history of the Chinese as well as theacknowledgement to me. The article features a photoof the church attended by Chinese in Peter’s Hall, andI would like to know if you could send me a copy ofthis photo along with the relevant sources, such asowner, date, previous publication. I am in contactwith a few Chinese families whose ancestors hadattended this church, and some of their ancestors mayalso have been involved in the building of it.

I take this opportunity to send my congratulations toPresident David Granger in his success in the May2015 general election. President Granger is familiar tome on two specific items in common. The first is thathe was two years ahead of me at Queen’s College suchthat we would have been guided along similar pathsin our secondary school education. The second item isthat he appears in my genealogical compilation ofChinese Guyanese and their spouses. It is throughFirst Lady Sandra Granger, née Chan-A-Sue, thatPresident David Granger is included in this databaseof more than 19,000 individuals. The story of theChan-A-Sue family is presented in my second book,Cane Ripples, which describes the experiences of vari-ous Chinese as settlers in Guyana. The contributionsof the Chan-A-Sue family, especially in the North WestDistrict, have been described there.

With thanks,

Trev Sue-A-QuanVancouver, Canada

Website: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~guycigtr/

Thanks, Sir, for your kind sentiments and your infor-mative input. We will be in touch regarding the photo-graph.Frank A. Campbell, Editor

28


By Frank A. Campbell, Editor

Criminal charges for Cabinet, PPP suggestsPPP General Secretary Clement Rohee has said that theentire APNU+AFC cabinet should be held criminallyresponsible and hauled before the courts for the recentincrease in ministerial emoluments. Rohee told a recentpress conference that his party had already taken its “licks”for such alleged malfeasance as the gross underpricing ofgovernment lands sold to PPP officials. It was now time, hesaid, to deal with the “government of the day.” Meanwhile,according to recent reports, the pension allocated to thethree PPP ex-presidents, at rates set during the days of thePPP government, could cover the salaries of 10 senior min-isters at the recently increased amounts.

Dynamic Airlines Dynamic International Airlines recently revealed plans toincrease the number of flights to and from Guyana duringthe Christmas season and the country’s 50th independenceanniversary celebrations in May next year. The company isalso exploring the feasibility of daily large-scale shipment ofagricultural exports. Meanwhile, a debate is brewing overthe need for a Guyanese national airline. Prime Ministerand First Vice-president Moses Nagamootoo has spoken infavor of, and local Dynamic representative Gerry Gouveiaagainst, the idea.

Guilty or not guilty?Recent statements by Guyanese government officials hintstrongly at possible criminal charges against NationalIndustrial and Commercial Investments Limited (NICIL)Chief Executive Officer Winston Brassington for corruptionand related offenses. However, Mr. Brassington has reject-ed the existence of evidence of any such wrongdoing by himor other NICIL officials.

Restoring President’s CollegeAbout 30 years ago, President’s College was established as aboarding school at Golden Grove, East Coast, Demerara, asPresident Forbes Burnham’s model for the cream of thecrop among secondary school students. Over the last 20-plus years, the college has seen its standards deteriorate,thanks to the neglect inflicted upon it by PPP governments.Some have alleged that the deterioration was part of a delib-erate plot to deplete the value of anything associated withthe Burnham legacy. During a recent visit, President DavidGranger promised staff and students that that the 2016

national budget would provide the resources needed torevive and restore the quality of the institution.

To pray or not to prayThe Ministry of Education is expected to review the contin-uation of Christian prayers at government-owned schools.Such prayers are a legacy from the days before 1976 whenschools were largely church-owned and were used to pro-mote Christian religious teachings and observances.

First Lady in actionWhile President David Granger busies himself with thewide range of national concerns confronting a head of state,First Lady Sandra Granger supports a number of develop-ment efforts of her own choosing. As has increasingly beenthe case in many countries, Guyanese first ladies have, withless or greater effectiveness, pursued a selected number ofcauses. Recent activities by Mrs. Granger have included dis-cussions with Ms Supriya Singh-Bodden, founder of theGuyana Foundation, on possible areas of collaboration. Shealso met recently with several board members of theGuyana Responsible Parenthood Association.

Can anyone help?A 52-year-old farm laborer is seeking help to raise $1.6 mil-lion to pay for a coronary artery bypass. He is MahadeoMohan, a father of three of Parika, East Bank, Essequibo.

Time to stop stifling the media As president, the People’s Progressive Party’s BharratJagdeo established a reputation for trying to destroy mediahouses that did not support his party’s positions. He’s doingit again. Mr. Jagdeo recently called on PPP supporters to“ensure that our people don’t buy newspapers where thesole purpose of the newspaper is to destroy your party.”The Guyana Press Association denounced the recent stanceby the ex-president, as “dangerous.” The recent statement“highlights the fact that Jagdeo is bent on stifling the growthand operations of the media, something that he brazenlypracticed as President when he withdrew State advertise-ments from the Stabroek News.” On the other hand, theassociation said Mr. Jagdeo’s stance was “instructive,because Jagdeo’s missive demonstrates that he understandsthe powerful role of the free press.”

GUYANANEWS SUMMARY

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Diaspora Times October Final for Circulation