Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 20, 2016 Letters
Dear Editor,
Following its victory on May 11, 2015, Guyanese in the Diaspora congratulated the newly elected Coalition Government, especially Mr. Granger on his elevation to the Presidency. But it was not long after that many of the Coalition supporters in the Diaspora became disappointed with the Government for not creating a Diaspora Department and appoint a Member of Parliament for Diaspora affairs as promised during the election campaign.
Notwithstanding the lofty rhetoric at the swearing-in-ceremony of the President, one would have thought that Diaspora affairs would have been on the top of the government’s list. But it appears not, even though the leaders of the Coalition promised to make the Diaspora the eleventh region and a legitimate constituency in the future. In light of these comments, it made sense that the only way to do this was to establish a Diaspora Department as an extension of the government. In this way, the Diaspora would be served by people who have their interest at heart, and would work exclusively and tirelessly to advance the country. They would have been involved in the political processes and as such, they would help in the development of the country and thus create a better life for all.
The New York Diaspora has always been considered the fund raising mecca for the political parties in Guyana. The 2015 election campaign was no different as members of the Diaspora opened their purses and wallets and gave generously to the Coalition. Some even took time off from work and others have sacrificed their families to join the Coalition campaign in Guyana.
Not only has the government ignored the various groups in the Diaspora which supported it during the election, it has also reneged on its promise and has not created a Diaspora department or appoint a Member of Parliament for Diaspora Affairs. One of the reasons put forth by the Government is the lack of resources which to many is a slap in their faces. To be frank, the government, especially the leadership has disappointed many of its supporters in the diaspora who have worked extremely hard to help the coalition win the election but only to be neglected by the government.
For almost three decades, the diaspora has and continues to contribute approximately 20 percent of the country’s foreign currency by way of remittances to support relatives. Given its limited resources, the government should implement policies regarding investments, targeting members of the Diaspora. And, where expertise or consultants with requisite skills are needed but unavailable in Guyana, members of the Guyanese Diaspora must be given first preference to fill vacancies on Boards and other positions in the government. There might also be the need to hire personnel from the Diaspora for consulate and other diplomatic positions.
Since taking office, the government has not reached out to its constituency in the New York Diaspora and the possibility exists that it will not do so. It has not responded to e-mails or letters from various organizations either. Had the government reached out to the more than 250,000 of its supporters in the Diaspora, the possibilities would have been endless. It would have given them a sense of involvement in the country’s future development prospects; and creates the energy of political togetherness and unity which the diaspora has not had under the former administration.
But they say in politics it is who you know and who knows you. The Minister of State has found time to reward Brian “BK” Tiwarie but not the thousands of APNU supporters in the Diaspora who the Minister seems to have forgotten. Appointing a few as ministerial advisers without any guidelines is meaningless because no one seems to know what to do with the “honorific” titles.
Guyanese in the Diaspora are simply tired of being disrespected and are fed-up of the phoniness shown to them by the government. Many have become apolitical, which means that they are no longer involved or interested in politics. This development will likely remain intact unless the government realizes that the Diaspora matters.
Diaspora watcher (name supplied)
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