GUYANA HAS A new president in David Granger and much is expected of him following last Monday’s watershed national elections won by his ANPU/AFC coalition. While the people of the CARICOM member state can now exhale, it is clear that a new style of leadership characterised by a visionary outlook is required to put people at the apex of nation-building. Party and politics must be secondary.
It was most unfortunate that the official results were delayed, through no fault of the elections officials, but rather because of the intransigence of the defeated PPP/Civic alliance. Former president Donald Ramotar was clearly reluctant to accept the will of the people after his party’s 23-year hold on office. But Mr Ramotar and his colleagues only need to reflect on issues such as the failure to hold local government elections, the handling of the prorogation and dissolution of Parliament, and indeed the charges of abuse of power against some officials, to understand the results.
While Mr Ramotar insisted that the poll was flawed, this view differed from those of international and regional observers. His inital reluctance to listen to the appeals from various national organisations and accept the popular vote was most unfortunate. The former president and his PPP/Civic should have faith in the law courts and put their case there. His exit from office was anything but statesmanlike. History may judge him harshly.
The poll also highlighted other things. Guyanese are tired of the Forbes Burnham bogeyman or the messianic Cheddi Jagan. Young Guyanese are looking to the future and they want pragmatic leadership which can unify their rainbow nation. They want an end to corruption and they want economic growth and a shift away from the old divisive ideological politics. Most importantly, they want policies which will bring benefits to the ordinary citizen.
As a retired high-ranking soldier, President Granger must understand what it means to set goals and achieve targets. He was the leader of a multiracial military force and worked with political leaders of varied political and ethnic backgrounds. He has an opportunity to chart a new path, not only by his words but by his deeds. He must pursue centrist policies which can turn around Guyana’s fortunes.
President Granger must also live up to his words: “Let us now put past rivalries behind us and work in unity to banish poverty, fear and hatred. We assemble here today to witness the swearing in not of a party leader, but of the president of all the people. I shall be a good president for all the people.”
The ANPU/AFC coalition must therefore get past the acrimony which has consumed the nation. The country is going to require a period of healing, but it has an opportunity to start a new era.
