The AFC burst on the political scene in 2005. Raphael Trotman and Khemraj Ramjattan, its main leaders, along with Sheila Holder, were leading members of the PNCR and PPP respectively. Supporters saw them as a welcome addition to the political scene that will break the duopoly of the two dominant political parties and reduce the drive for ethno-political dominance. Desite Guyana’s ethnic voting patterns, the AFC did exceptionally well at the 2006 elections, obtaining 8 percent of the votes. It took 5 seats from the PNCR, reducing the latter’s vote from 41 to 34 percent. It did not appear as if it affected the PPP/C’s votes. The PPP/C marginally increased its support from 53 to 54 percent.
Continue reading “THE ALLIANCE FOR CHANGE”CONGRATULATIONS!
I congratulate the ten Judges who have been appointed and wish them well in the discharge of their important duties. They are: Mrs. Zamina Ally-Seepaul, Mrs. Priscilla Chandra-Haniff, Mr. Peter Hugh, Mrs. Sherdel Isaacs-Marcus, Mrs. Jacqueline Josiah-Graham, Mrs. Deborah Kumar-Chetty, Mr. Nigel Niles, Mrs. Joy Persaud-Singh, Ms. Nicole Pierre and Ms. Hesaun Yasin. These are all young judges who, in various capacities as lawyers, have been at the top of their game for some time.
Continue reading “CONGRATULATIONS!”PUTIN’S VISIT TO NORTH KOREA
President Putin’s visit to North Korea and the revival of a Cold War defence treaty of mutual support has exacerbated the security concerns of the West, the US, South Korea and Japan. The war in Ukraine, which has shaken up the economic, political and security situation in the US, Europe and further afield continues to impact wider regions of the world. Arising from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, referred to by Russia as a “Special Military Operation” because its stated objective is self-defence, the war has continued unabated and shows no sign of ending. The declared fears appear to be that Russia intends to overrun Ukraine and then move on to other areas of Eastern Europe in an effort to restore the ‘Soviet Empire.’ So loud have been the alarm bells about European security that Finland and Sweden have formally joined NATO. China, India and countries of the South see the war differently and have refused to join the West in prosecuting the war.
Continue reading “PUTIN’S VISIT TO NORTH KOREA”WHERE’S THE EVIDENCE?
For several decades the Government’s response to allegations of the existence of corruption was: Where’s the evidence? This response served to close down such allegations. Rarely, if ever, are such allegations, when courageously made, referred to the Police. In Guyana, and many other developing countries for that matter, such allegations are treated as political attacks, even if emanating from sympathizers. This denialism and sensitivity to allegations of corruption from anyone, including the Opposition, is so pronounced that those who raise the issue are consigned to a special place in political hell. The lesson has been learnt. No friends or well-wishers of the Government would risk to raise the issue of corruption, even generally, unless they want to risk losing that friendship.
Continue reading “WHERE’S THE EVIDENCE?”THE FLOGGING OF CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS
News reports yesterday suggest that the Ministry of Education will soon pronounce on the issue of the flogging of ten Queen’s College students by a senior teacher which occurred on May 16. The matter had attracted wide publicity and a report by the Board of Governors containing recommendations has been submitted to the Ministry of Education which is being reviewed. It is expected that the Ministry’s focus will be on the incident at Queen’s College and not on the broader question of corporal punishment in schools. Yet there are few issues that attract more controversy and others consider of less compelling urgency.
Continue reading “THE FLOGGING OF CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS”