Dear Editor,
Editor, kindly permit me to publicly express congratulations to the Guyana Amazon Warriors, for winning the 2023 CPL Championship. I must admit that true leadership by Captain Imran Thair was demonstrated and one felt the energy, vibes of TEAM effort and unity amongst the team. It was the coming together of different persons, with different identities and multiple cultures. But through it all, collectively, their eyes were on the prize of breaking the trend of being “runner up” and they did it together,
For this cricket season, Guyana, whether by the Government or Private Individuals, several activities were hosted, culminating with this newfound concept, ‘Cricket Carnival,’ on Monday, September 25, 2023. Editor, imagine this activity was hosted in the heart of the city on a working and school day. The work of renowned Philosophers, Plato and Aristotle suggest to us that they both adopted a philosophical and abstract approach to defining human behavior and the structure of the mind. I was forced to ponder on their writings during the last few days. How insensitive and selfish can mankind be one to another? However, I am reminded in the book of 1 Corinthians 15 verses 22-26 of the quote, “every man to his own order.”
Editor, from the glimpse of images of this “cricket carnival” seen on various posts on social media, I have come to the realization that our societal values are rapidly deteriorating. This ‘stink and dutty culture,’ in the name of entertainment, needs to be stopped. The ‘mindset’ of our people needs to be changed. We are not setting a good example for the younger generation. The onus is on us to inculcate and bequeath to the next generation what is right from wrong. While this calls for a personal decision to reset one’s mind, I believe families and National Leaders have a responsibility to influence the way persons conduct themselves publicly,
Additionally, Guyana, is experiencing an exponential rise in ‘cost of living’, yet, the Government sees the need to give its ‘no objection,’ to these activities which do not in any way benefit the poor. Instead, a few persons are continuously enriching themselves at the expense of the vulnerable. Any funding from the national coffers could have been better utilized to address the high cost of living faced by the average Guyanese, addressing the wages and salaries increase for Teachers, Nurses, Public Servants and other categories of Government employees. Also, funding to assist NGOs, CBOs and FBOs in addressing social issues would have had greater impact.
Editor, I conclude by reiterating the call, for a resetting of the mind, and it begins with us, as “individuals.”
May God continue to bless our people and nation.
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson, MP
HR Specialist/ Social Worker
