Bridges of faith and togetherness trialogue for Guyana

Dear Editor,
Following our nation’s presidential election and listening to continuing divisive dialogue from many forums, and witnessing an alarming spike in hate and racial comments, a group of us who have been finding common ground with one another for some time was deeply concerned. We decided an open letter to President-elect Ali was the correct approach in an effort to emphasise to our future President that he has the platform and pulpit to bring our nation together. The bridges of faith and togetherness trialogue, for Guyana, is an on-going conversation among local civic leaders in Region 10, hence I developed this letter to highlight the importance of creating an inclusive Guyana where the diversity of our country’s people and their talents are valued and embraced. We hope Guyanese in our communities and across the country will embrace this open letter and the sentiment it conveys to President-elect Dr Irfaan Ali.
Dear President-elect Ali,
We work for our community. In so doing, we are living the belief that our communities and our country are stronger and greater when people from diverse cultures and traditions work together on common causes. You have been elected on a message of making Guyana great again. You have also stated that you plan to be the President for all Guyanese and create a country in which we can all be proud and prosperous. Guyana is a nation built by immigrants who have enriched this country with their talent and hard work. As the new leader and oil-rich country of Caricom and the Caribbean, it will be important that you make Guyanese of all religions, races, genders and cultures feel included in our country’s goals and objectives to make Guyana great again. Mr President-elect Irfan Ali, you must lead the efforts to be inclusive of all Guyanese, We urge everyone to put negative rhetoric aside and for you to bring together a leadership team that can help unite Guyanese and move us forward together. As our new President, you cannot be successful if any segment of our society feels disenfranchised by you or your Administration. We commit as individuals, as a group and as part of many diverse groups to work with you to create a country in which no one feels excluded or becomes a victim of prejudice. Like you, we need a Guyana that is free of racism and bigotry and believe that only by returning to these principles upon which the country that we love was founded will Guyana reach its full potential and stand as a shining model for the rest of the world. We implore you not to forget the words of the great president Abraham Lincoln who said “With malice towards none, with charity for all… let us strive to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.” At the risk of overburdening you, I’d like to add another topic to your to-do list. The question, of course, is rhetorical. As you know, there is no Department of Manufacturing. More importantly — and despite the depth and size of the Guyana Central Government — this nation does not have a coherent industrial policy. While you prepare to take on the mantle of President, I hope you will seriously consider the future of Guyana manufacturing, and how it might be preserved. As you know, Guyana is filled with communities that are led by creative engineers, craftsmen and women who were born and prospered under the aegis of manufacturing, making everything from boats, forms of cars, appliances, furniture, clothes and shoes. Guyana was and continues to be proud of this legacy. Guyanese share a strong belief that we can design and manufacture anything — that our ability to produce is unlike any in the world.

Sincerely,
David Adams