Government is moving too slow with these appointees

May 10, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
It has always been a difficult task for new governments to replace a number of political appointees who were appointed by the previous administration. This has been the undertaking of the coalition government since it assumed office in May 18, 2015, but it appears that it is having difficulties in recruiting qualified persons. This is why the government is moving at a snail’s to replace the political appointees from the previous administration with its own supporters in various state agencies, boards, departments and at the thirteen embassies and the thirty one consulates around the world. This is known as political patronage which has been practiced by most modern governments. However, by moving at a snail’s pace, the government runs the risks of making decisions which could turn out to be costly to the people and the country because those from the previous administration might hinder the actions of the government.
It is important for the government to distinguish when to act slow and when not in recruiting new personnel. It will help the public to understand its decisions. Many are of the opinion that acting too slow can impede the progress of the government through acts of sabotage by those from the previous administration. There are circumstances in which speed is risky for making decisions, but given the partisan political landscape of the country, in most cases, it is warranted. However, the government must be commended for taking its time to appoint new members to state boards and other government positions. Even though it took the government a while, it was a mammoth task that was necessary to ensure continuity of services to the public.
There are also circumstances in which slowness is risky or, worse, harmful to the interest of the country. For example, the slow pace in replacing diplomats and other key personnel have stalled several government programs to the detriment of the country. Diplomats are considered foreign emissaries of the country and they are very important in promoting Guyana’s interests and image to the international community. In other words, they are the eyes and ears of the government in the international community. Though it is an unwritten rule, it is normal for all political appointees including the ambassadors to the United States and China and the high commissioners to the United Kingdom and Canada to offer their resignations to the government and demit office unless told otherwise.
For the record, most of the diplomats did not and it took the government more than ten months to replace some of them. With respect to certain foreign postings which are of critical importance to the country, many believed that the government should have replaced them much faster. Even though the government is known for taking its time, many are questioning the quality of the appointments which the government has made so far. They do not believe that the government has done due diligence on some of the overseas recruits, many of whom have padded their resumes especially those who claimed to have Ph.Ds. The question is: Has the government obtained the transcripts from the Universities/Collages of its overseas recruits to confirm their qualifications. Likewise, has it obtained correspondence from the employment institutions of the recruits to validate their experience?
The government ought to know that many in the diaspora have purchased their degrees, especially those who claimed to have PHDs from “fly-by-night” institutions. Not doing due diligence has embarrassed the last government after it became known that those who claimed to have Ph.Ds had padded their resumes. Because due diligence has not always been done in the past is no justification for the government to continue the practice. The government will be disgraced if it fails to do due diligence. Verification of one’s qualification and experience is important, therefore it is pertinent for the government not just to accept the resumes of prospective employees. Due diligence must be done to avoid buying a pig in a bag. The changeover should be orderly, humane and avoid a hiatus.
Diaspora member (name supplied)

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Government is moving too slow with these appointees

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