By Ryhaan Shah
There have been few other moments in our history when there has been such need for light over the encroaching darkness. The serial corruptions and scandals that have rocked the country since the Granger Government took office just over a year ago cannot be sustained for much longer without the eruption of a real crisis – whether social, political, or economic – that would test our fragile state.
Fifty years after independence our fragility and vulnerability have increased and the Granger Government continues to proceed blithely onward as if all is well. There is no sense of urgency about the state of the economy, the rising crime, or about the government corruptions that are unfolding almost daily. President David Granger himself appears to be an enabler of the corrupt practices that have ominous echoes of the Burnham era.
Is the recklessness concomitant with the knowledge that their future in government is assured? Or is it that they know they will only serve one term and are therefore making as much hay as possible? Or maybe they are simply inept and clueless?
It could be a combination of factors but there was clearly a plan of action when, from the very beginning, Granger announced his super-sized cabinet of old PNC heads then rewarded them immediately with a super salary hike together with a damning justification for it. It will stop them from stealing, he said. Well, it hasn’t and everyone is looking on with trepidation as the country slides further and further into hopelessness and despair.
Simply put, there has been no positive change. The only change has been so woefully negative, that the PPP/C Opposition is claiming the moral high ground without this raising any widespread objections.
People get the leaders they deserve, the old adage goes, and as Guyanese continue to flee to northern shores for a better life, the level of competent and able leadership continues to drop. Everywhere, there appears to be square pegs in round holes – in the public and private sectors – as everyone tries to make the best from the skills and abilities that are available.
Our best boast these days is to show off the Guyanese abroad who are excelling in their jobs and studies in the US, Canada and elsewhere. They are feted and showered with praise and no one points up the harsh reality that had they stayed at home, they might never have had the opportunity to shine as brightly.
Here, their progress could have been stymied by racism, cronyism, nepotism and plain political spite. These are what determine whether you get the job, the award, the contract, and the chance to succeed.
No one can blame anyone for giving up on Guyana and the light that is needed to attract the diaspora back to develop their native country has long been extinguished as the two political sides continue to put themselves first in their battle for power; and this at the expense of progress and development.
The festival of Diwali, celebrated by the Hindu community worldwide, is a timely reminder of the need to have every kind of light in our lives, both at a personal and national level. We need the lights of justice, fairness and truth to shine brightly if Guyana is to progress. They have never been given a chance and the exodus continues because no one can see any light at the end of the tunnel that is Guyana.
Despite all the propaganda, oil will not save us. The earnings will most likely find their way into political pockets like so many other public funds have done over the years. It is not cynicism to point out that Guyana is indeed a very rich country.
Despite the billions that have been skimmed off and stolen from the country’s coffers, we manage to keep afloat. Think what could have been possible had there been political leaders who had put country first.
The Greek philosopher Plato observed that the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. That can easily stand as a testament to our post-independence politics: the 23-year rule of the PPP/C, and the 28 years of the PNC dictatorship before that. Misdeeds always need the cover of darkness.
It was Desmond Tutu who said that hope is the ability to see that there is light despite all the darkness. We are all tested daily to see any glimmer of light anywhere and on this Diwali holiday weekend, we should all light a diya or a candle to help us hold to every hope.
