Some people require vision and clarity of focus (Part 1)

Dear Editor,
Please permit me the opportunity to comment on Mr Lincoln Lewis’s latest letter, published in another section of the media on January 07,2021 under the caption, “Let Sam Hinds show this nation what he has done for the African communities.”
A good leader has a clear picture of future results, and aligns organisational
strategy with that vision. A leader must be intimately familiar with the end
destination — something that Stephen Covey refers to as “Keep the End in”.
I was shocked by this statement, which drove curiosity and interest in the truth. It is fortunate that I had the opportunity to work with PM Sam Hinds while at the Aluminum plant and the Steam Power Plant, and it is surprising that Mr Lewis would say, “Let Sam Hinds show this nation what he has done for the African communities”.
We are all Guyanese, Mr Lewis; and as a Guyanese living in Linden in the 80s, one would have a clear understanding of the discrimination that Mr Sam Hinds went through under the hands of the PNC and the leadership of Guymine because he stepped out from the norm of blindly supporting and following the PNC. Many employees will remember that even his privileged vehicle was taken away from him, leaving him to walk from home to work. However, he stood his ground and showed the many workers that he was truly a leader.
Calling Mr Hinds a “rubber stamp” is distasteful. If there is one thing I learnt about leadership, it is that there is no leader without at least one follower; that’s obvious. In reality, the distinctions among followers in groups and organisations are every bit as consequential as those among leaders.
As Mr Hinds continued to serve the bauxite industry as a chemical engineer with responsibility for the Alum plant, by the way, “Alum” (aluminum sulfate) is a nontoxic liquid that is commonly used in water treatment plants to clarify drinking water. This was a product of Mr Sam Hinds’s research in the 80s, and was used to reduce the amount of phosphorus in the water at most of the water treatment plants throughout Guyana.
Sam Hinds, a frontline activist of the Civic Group, was considered a spear of the PNC by many Lindeners, but that never detoured him from forming an alliance with the People’s Progressive Party, which showed strength.
The facts always tell a different story.
His leadership style and approach were the more striking, as of course are the connections that can be drawn between his political reputation and historical legacy, including the remarkable charisma that unites them. Sam Hinds has embodied that quality of “individual personality…set apart from ordinary men,” defined as the charisma of a great leader. He was keenly aware, from the beginning of his leadership, that his good guidance could help found, consolidate, and safeguard traditions of democracy for our country. At the same time, he saw that he could represent important sources of inspiration and legitimisation for our Region 10 communities and other communities. Moreover, perceiving this, He was open to moulding his own symbol status or iconicity — he was always keen to play to the ways in which his own life or biography could be seen to underpin Guyana’s long road to development under the PPP/C.
As Prime Minister, Mr Sam Hinds shared a keen sense of the power of the word and the symbol of verbal advocacy and defence, which had derived strength and inspiration from his African ancestry, and it was often recognised that he had so accepted his black identity as fundamental to his makeup that he was able to step forward as a representative and leader of all races. The pride in his background and traditions, instilled in him through his upbringing, was essential for the resilience he showed in withstanding the political turmoil he went through at the bauxite company under leadership of the PNC in the early 80s, feeling that he could speak for all Guyanese; therefore, not merely his African descent, but how he embraced it were key catalysts in the mix of character, charisma, and achievement that underpinned his leadership. Here was a Prime Minister and President-in-waiting announcing himself both to the world and to his strife-torn countrymen as a man proceeding with caution, yet filled with hope. His leadership will stand as a lasting example of good governance, tolerance and solidarity. We can therefore state that the socio-cultural and economic-political relevance and legacy of Sam Hinds is a great lesson for all Guyanese sons and daughters.
Therefore, one cannot assume that the PPP/C policies will proportionately serve all of Guyana if all of Guyana is not involved. To keep Guyana’s democracy healthy, the PPP/C has prioritised an active push towards national reconciliation, where Guyanese citizen themselves and all political parties must be proactive in addressing this situation over the country’s political divisions. This means that both the PPP/C and the APNU+AFC coalition need to not only extend offerings to work with each other, but they must also incorporate the smaller parties and civil society actors to take part in the process of fostering a national dialogue. This was demonstrated by our President, Dr Ali, when he invited the former APNU-AFC President, Mr David Granger, to a working lunch, which the latter declined. This could have been instrumental in producing policies that are beneficial for all Guyanese.
So one must not ask what the other has done for a “Division of the population”. Any Prime Minister of Guyana must have every Guyanese citizen’s interest at heart.

Sincerely,
David Adams