Dear Editor
“Ego”, a Latin word meaning “I” can be traced back to the early 19th century and was made prominent by the Father of Psychology Sigmund Freud to define the difference between the ‘id’ (instincts) and the superego (morality) as humans navigate realities of the world. It is no surprise than in the political arena where there is a push for positioning and influence, the gaps between instincts and morality enter in a collision course resulting in an egotistical mentality. The recent talks between one time coalition partners, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and the Alliance for Change (AFC) suggest a menu for egomania rather than cooperation.
Negotiations involve a complex interplay of technical elements such as strategic positioning, interest alignment, value creation, risk assessment, and contract structuring.
These require not only analytical precision but also contextual sensitivity. Being represented by foreign actors who lack understanding of local cultural idiosyncrasies—such as communication norms, historical dynamics, power structures, and decision-making customs—can lead to critical miscalculations. Such representatives may inadvertently signal disrespect, misinterpret non-verbal cues, or push proposals that are culturally tone-deaf, ultimately weakening your negotiating position. In high-stakes discussions, especially those involving national interests or community welfare, this disconnect can result in unfavorable outcomes, erosion of trust, or long-term reputational damage.
The negotiations approach by both parties seem to lack the aforementioned context, clarity and each party’s vision for nation building. The make up of the negotiation teams should reflect this calculus and abstain from including outsiders as a representative for a party who are deficient of the country’s historical context, a critical aspect to understanding political orientations. We may never have the full menu of discussions between the negotiation entities. However, national interests were not being faithfully pursued. In this pivotal election, significant issues like national morality, wealth management, and fair deals for citizens benefiting down to the “man in the streets” have been overshadowed by media confrontations.
The common adversaries, the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) and ill-mannered foreign actors are disremembered for self-interest, deception, and meaningless posturing. The decision makers forgot the mother of three kids struggling to make ends meet living paycheck to paycheck, our nation’s education deficiencies and the healthcare crisis we find ourselves in. Social, political, and economic reforms are overdue to inadequate education & training, research and quality assurance measures that define institutions. This defining moment in our country carries the hopes and dreams of our young people who are not bound by antecedents, but the willingness to see a nation transition into the 21st century of science, technology, and innovation. The ballot is loaded with lots of hope but little intent by the main opposition parties to put aside personal differences and embrace a path of taking the country forward. Coalition politics will always be a difficult task of assembling differing social, political and economic backgrounds into a solitary theme focused on national development. While the outlook for reality appears to be grim, children, young people, adults and the elderly wait in anticipation for a winning combination that will unseat the incumbent and rescue the country from the throws of corruption it now occupies.
Yours truly
Collin Haynes MPH MBA
