Dear Editor,
It is with deep concern that I write this letter, as I still want to believe that the President I supported at the polls is not fully aware of certain troubling developments within Ministries and their respective agencies. I make this assumption because the President I voted for consistently championed the “One Guyana” vision and reaffirmed his commitment to being a President for all people.
Yet, only a few days after the elections, my wife—who is of African descent and also cast her vote in support of this President—now faces removal from her position within the Department of Education. The suggestion appears to be based on an assumption that she may not have supported the PPP/C, which is entirely false. But even if that were true, is she not entitled to her democratic right to choose?
As a government consultant, I am privy to conversations that indicate the Department of Education is not the only institution where such practices are alleged to be taking place. Similar reports have emerged from the Ministry of Health and its agencies (such as GPHC), the Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies (including NAREI, NDIA, and GuySuCo), the Ministry of Legal Affairs and its departments (such as the Deeds Registry and the Attorney General’s Chambers), as well as other entities including the Guyana Revenue Authority and Guyoil. These are only a few examples, but I am advised the list is growing and will soon attract public attention.
Mr. President and Mr. Vice President, if these allegations bear any truth, I must express my profound disappointment. While my personal view may seem insignificant in the wider scheme of things, I assure you that the international community is paying attention. If such actions are being carried out without direction from your offices, but rather at the discretion of Regional Officers, Agency Heads, and Executives, then this raises serious cause for concern. Are we truly returning to a time when a person’s ethnicity determines their employment or advancement within public institutions?
My wife has been an exemplary employee, consistently demonstrating dedication and integrity in her work. She often sacrifices personal time and household responsibilities to ensure her duties are performed to the highest standard. She has never received a disciplinary letter, nor has her professionalism been questioned. Why then should her career be jeopardized by individuals who misuse their authority within the Ministry of Education?
The system is clearly flawed and in urgent need of reform. While some may dismiss these developments as “five more years pun dem,” I, as an Indo-Guyanese, cannot ignore the painful reality that my wife is being unfairly targeted. How do I tell her that this is not racism, nor the abuse of power by those entrusted with responsibility?
If you disregard every other letter written on this subject, I sincerely ask that you take this one seriously. Demonstrate to us that the leadership we voted for does not endorse such practices. Prove to the people of Guyana that “One Guyana” is more than a slogan—it is a principle that guides your governance.
Sincerely,
Emile Joseph
