Latest update March 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 29, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists
Most caring Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora have made written and verbal suggestions to our administrators as to how to manage the economy, create jobs, improve the lives of the populace and reduce crime, among others. Some are of the belief that unless their ideas are taken seriously, nothing will happen.
The majority agree that the government has done an excellent job in cleaning up the city and fixing once impassable roadways. But some are asking what else has been done? The economy is stagnated and people are still scared to walk the streets at nights in many areas, albeit the criminals are being apprehended at a faster rate.
These are tangible issues and their effectiveness can be measured by the various successes. However, both vision and transformative leadership are needed in order to have real change in the country. They are needed to reduce crime, especially murders and armed robberies. Most people believe that there should be zero tolerance for the murderous criminals who prey on innocent, law-abiding citizens. The consensus view in relation to fighting crime is to first reform the police force, provide the ranks with the appropriate training, adequate resources, and transportation, and establish a proper detection unit. Also, structured community patrols and dedication to duty are required. These strategies will at least help place the police on par or a little ahead of the pace of the criminals.
We have written extensively about the required restructuring of the Police force – getting rid of rogue and corrupt cops and disciplining those officers who abuse the public and discriminate against their colleagues – as being key to good policing, and hence crime fighting. Vision is needed to establish a proactive crime fighting plan to prevent intended perpetrators from acting with impunity; improving police relations with the public and restore the public’s confidence and trust. These are important issues that must be dealt with swiftly in order to make the communities safer.
Transformative leadership and vision are needed not only to create jobs, improve the lives of the poor and develop the economy, but also to diversify the economy in order to ensure that income is not reliant solely on one sector of the economy. This must be to an extent that any disruptions caused by natural or man-made disasters or by price or production fluctuations in the international system, should not lead to economic failure. Diversification of the agricultural sector is needed for both foreign and local investments and increased production. This can be achieved through joint ventures between government and the private sector, with the former providing the land and infrastructure and the latter providing the management and marketing skills as well as finance.
Transformative leadership is also needed for the government to establish a joint venture with the private sector to develop the tourist industry. Tourism has not been successful in Guyana over the past few decades, despite the efforts of a few diehard operators and administrators.
For tourists to really be attracted to Guyana, a lot needs to change. It is somewhat encouraging that a strategy to advertise via placement of attractive brochures in the country’s embassies and consulates around the world has been employed. An international tourist czar would be a good investment.
Most importantly, the continued absence of vision and transformative leadership has led to the mismanagement of communities, inadequate water supply; under pressure fire and ambulance services; substandard health care, education and other social services. It will take renewed vision and transformative leadership to improve in all these areas. Nothing is possible without a vision of what is to be achieved. Consequently, being on the wrong path will not achieve anything.
Listen to the man that is throwing Guyanese bright future away
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