guyanatimesgy.com
tuesday, september 10, 2013
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More resignation woes for the AFC Gentlemen, With regrets, I no longer wish to be involved with the Alliance For Change (AFC) party. When AFC employed Peter Ramsaroop, as its chief executive officer (CEO), I sent a note to Hon Raphael Trotman, since a CEO at a political party was very unique, and possessed the potential to provide the training, discipline and execution capacities for future AFC Leaders in a government. Hon Raphael then introduced me to Dr Rohan Somar. I attended a New York/New Jersey AFC chapter meeting at Dr Somar’s New Jersey residence. I listened to the discussion, ideas and plans, and decided to associate myself with the New York/New Jersey AFC chapter. November 28, 2011 General Elections, et al: • Listened, read and heard all the glowing reports on AFC’s prospects at the November 28, 2011 General Elections. • Contributed my scarce time, financial resources, energies, skills and contacts to the AFC Party. • Spent one month during November-December 2011 in Guyana, and saw on site the political real-
ities in Guyana, including conversations with many VVIP’s in businesses, government and society. • On my return to Guyana in December 2011, I mentioned to Dr Somar, VP Ewart and Ron Alert my disappointment with AFC internally and externally. • Many emails were sent to AFC leadership on my Guyana on site experiences on a number of issues, including finances, controls, discipline, management, leadership, et al. At the New York/New Jersey AFC chapter, a few individuals have hurdled insults, character assignations and caustic remarks to me and Dr Somar, and no person in the AFC leadership, took concrete action to ensure that there will be no repetition of such behaviours. The New York/New Jersey AFC chapter suspended the offending persons and peace prevailed for around one year. Recently, emailed insults, character assignations and caustic remarks have been hurled at the New York/ New Jersey AFC chapter chairman Dr Somar without abatement. Perhaps, some members may condone, sup-
port or encourage such behaviours, since no discipline is being enforced. On August 13, I celebrated my 71st birthday and reassessed all of my activities and involvements and decided to cease my AFC membership. I have already served Guyana through 1979, in the following governmental capacities, whilst I worked with Bookers Lithographic and Boxmakers Limited: • 1976, when the Guyana government was acquiring the Booker McConnel Sugar Estates and other Booker Holdings in Guyana, I served on Guyana’s financial advisory team. • Deputy chairman of the board of governors of the Kuru Kuru Co-operative College. • Member of the board of directors, Guyana Cooperative Insurance Services (GCIS). • Member of the board of directors, Guyana National Lottery Company Limited. • Led and was a member of several delegations on overseas missions. I am not a Johnny come lately to government in Guyana. I continue to hold many
associations with major businesses, key individuals and organizations in Guyana since my arrival in 1979 to the U.S. to pursue my education. Liberal democracy has its pluses and minuses, like everything else, but democracy must have accountability for actions as a key, and discipline must be applied when needed without fear or favour. I plan to continue my personal relationships and hopefully these will grow. My commitment to a better Guyana remains via other avenues. Currently, I am heavily involved with the following projects with global time sensitive timelines: • Gulf countries (Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman) Economic Integration Consulting Project, similar to European Union (EU), Caribbean Community (Caricom), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) groupings. • Master’s in business ad-
ministration and doctorate classes, teaching at George Washington University, Qatar University and Central Penn College. • November 2013 Scholarly Paper Presentation at Qatar University: “International Conference on Transition to Knowledge-Based Economy: MultiDisciplinary Thinking and Best Practices.” • Consulting projects at the U.S. Department of State. • My global consulting business, including work on the establishment of a new graduate accounting degree programme at a university. Regrettably, I have made the irrevocable decision to walk away from the AFC with immediate effect. Onward, upward, may we all grow, work and help to achieve, in our own inimitable way, the vision of a Guyana with “one people, one nation, one destiny.” Wishing all persons, the best of good health, safety, prosperity, success and peace, with God, Lord Rama and Allah’s blessings, Dr Shamir Andrew Ally
Parents need to take greater responsibility Dear Editor, Parents need to take responsibility for their children a bit more seriously. Admittedly, parents or guardians cannot watch over those in their care all the time. Even at home, this is not possible. Entire villages will have to cooperate and look out for the boys and girls in their communities. The police must be a part of this. When gambling was rampant in my village, I got the police to make some raids and things turned around. Parents must not allow their children in some places. The adults must show responsibility, and when they do not, they must answer for anything that goes wrong. At the higher level, where creeks are concerned, I suggest that all of the resorts employ a life guard. I know that we are moving in this direction where tourism is concerned, but we have to make it a national policy. Safety must come first. Respectfully yours, Roderick Bacchus