Selection of Mr. Ramkarran strongly supported by the youths of ANUG

Dear Editor,

I wish to respond to sentiments expressed by the leader of the LJP in your article on Wednesday captioned `Shuman in talks with APNU’.  Ageism, or discrimination against a person on the basis of their age, is not uncommon, especially since  such leadership is generally perceived to be linked to a particular mindset. The modus operandi linked to this group and generally eschewed by the youth population of Guyana is that which is associated with bureaucracy, the absence of technological approaches to everyday tasks, constant regurgitation of historical injustices from a politically biased perspective, political rhetoric, demagogic speeches, racism, corruption, unfulfilled promises and so much more.

It should be clear to all of Guyana by now that these features of governance are neither germane to Guyana nor to those of a particular age group. Nevertheless, to group anyone into this category by a quick glance of their physical features, to assume that someone embodies this dysfunctional approach to governance, without due diligence is to judge the proverbial book by its cover. What Mr. Shuman did by expressing his disappointment in ANUG’s recent choice of Presidential Candidate on the basis of age is not only a display of discrimination, but also reveals a distinct flaw in his judgement given that he has succumbed to the proverbial judging of the book by its cover which is neither reasoning nor conduct expected from one seeking to occupy the highest office of the land. But we know that Mr. Shuman doesn’t believe this since he is in talks with a party who is led by a candidate even older than Mr. Ramkarran.

So what is the motive behind Mr. Shuman’s attack on Ramkarran? It should also be noted that it was the membership, of which 70% are youths, who elected Mr. Ramkarran. Does this not reflect the voice of informed youths? Though Mr. Ramkarran was not the only nominee, his nomination saw all other nominees declining in order to give way to his candidacy because they felt he was the best choice to lead the party based on the party’s mission and his appropriateness for the job, not to mention his wisdom, vision and integrity.

ANUG has embarked on a journey to transform Guyana by forcing the two large parties to function collaboratively. The mission of the party is to ensure that both of the two political behemoths are involved in the functions and decisions of the executive branch of government. Neither party must be permitted to make unilateral decisions for the benefit of its own supporters and to the exclusion of the opposition’s supporters. With both sides represented on the Boards and Commissions of power in Government, decisions will benefit from true inclusiveness and neither of the two large ethnic blocks will continue to feel a sense of isolation whenever their party is not in power.

In order to do this, substantial changes must be made to our statutory framework, a process which requires an independent Parliament where the combined opposition holds the majority. Mr. Ramkarran’s professional background as a well-respected Attorney-at-Law and Senior Counsel, Speaker of the National Assembly for eleven years, a former executive and pillar of one of the two major political parties for almost 40 years, the Chairman of the Constitution Reform Commission in 1999-2000, and a regular columnist on political matters through his Conversation Tree Blog and Sunday Stabroek, among many other credentials, establishes him without challenge as the best man for the task ahead. It was comforting to see the youth membership in support of this reasoning. The age factor no doubt came up, but in the end, reason prevailed, and credibility and competence triumphed.

ANUG’s candidate has little interest in securing a position of power in government, and has committed to supporting any candidate that was chosen by the membership. Never once had Mr. Ramkarran expressed an interest in the top spot. However, the sentiments that he was the most appropriate man to lead the process toward a system of inclusive governance where all Guyanese feel that they are represented in executive decision-making was immutable and reflected in the party’s election.

ANUG has clearly stated repeatedly and without exception or qualification that it will not be joining forces with either the PPP or APNU. This promise is not only rooted in the long history of a third party ceding their identity to the larger political entities, but in recognition of the real and genuine fear which exists today amongst our nation that third parties will not only become subsumed but will betray its supporters in the quest for sustained power once in government. With this in mind, the LJP has revealed themselves.

Yours faithfully,

Aruna Budhram

Jonathan Yearwood

Carlos Gonsalves

Akanni Blair

Kian Jabour