“President Ali missed a good opportunity to show empathy and provide constructive guidance. It would have been far more productive for the President to offer insights into how young Guyanese citizens can navigate the process of acquiring lands or housing, or to discuss broader policies aimed at addressing housing issues in the country.” So said Senior Counsel and Member of Parliament (MP) Roysdale Forde in a statement addressing President Ali’s insult of a 28-year-old journalist who admitted to not owning a house.
Last Thursday during a press conference journalist Shervin Belgrave asked the President a question, rather than address the question the President asked the journalist if he is a homeowner. When the journalist replied in the negative, Ali berated the journalist and told to to sit down.
Forde is of the view the president missed an opportunity to use his platform to inspire and guide, rather than dismiss a young citizen, who may have been seeking guidance or expressing a genuine concern. According to the MP the incident demonstrates a clear abuse of power- a leader using his authority to demean and silence instead of uplift and support.
Calling for a different approach to leadership Forde reminds that in democratic societies leaders are elected to represent the interests of all citizens, regardless of their socio- economic status or background. Every individual has the right to participate in public discourse without fear of being belittled or ignored by those in power, he asserted. “As such, it is imperative that the President and his administration reflect on this incident and take steps to ensure that such dismissive and derogatory remarks are not repeated.”
Roysdale Forde’s full statement follows:
Abuse of Presidential Powers by President Irfaan Ali
Guyana made a startling comment that has sparked widespread criticism. During the event, a young Guyanese citizen stood up, presumably to ask a question or voice a concern, only to be abruptly told by the President to sit down because he, answered in the negative, to questions asked, by the President, about his ownership of land and house. This insensitive act, by the President, not only belittle the individual but also revealed a worrying trend of disconnect between leadership and the people.
Instead of using his presidential platform to inspire and guide, the President chose to dismiss a young citizen, who may have been seeking guidance or expressing a genuine concern. This incident demonstrates a clear abuse of power- a leader using his authority to demean and silence instead of uplift and support.
As I understand it, the role of a President, or any leader, extends far beyond mere governance; it involves creating an environment where citizens feel heard, valued, and empowered. I believe that by responding in such a dismissive manner, President Ali missed a good opportunity to show empathy and provide constructive guidance. It would have been far more productive for the President to offer insights into how young Guyanese citizens can navigate the process of acquiring lands or housing, or to discuss broader policies aimed at addressing housing issues in the country. Such actions could have demonstrated a commitment to inclusivity and empowerment, crucial elements for fostering a strong and cohesive society.
Further, this incident highlighted a larger more troubling issue of disconnect between the leadership and the realities faced by ordinary citizens. It raises questions about whether the President and his administration truly understand the challenges and aspirations of the people they are meant to serve.
In a democratic society, leaders are elected to represent the interests of all citizens, regardless of their socio- economic status or background. Every individual has the right to participate in public discourse without fear of being belittled or ignored by those in power. As such, it is imperative that the President and his administration reflect on this incident and take steps to ensure that such dismissive and derogatory remarks are not repeated.
Leadership should inspire hope, provide guidance, and foster a sense of unity and purpose among the populace. It is clear, that the remark made by the President at the press conference was not only inappropriate but also reflective of a broader issue of disconnect and insensitivity towards the concerns of ordinary Guyanese citizens.
