Confronting corruption must start from the top

Dear Editor,

Thanks to our present rulers, Guyana has become a most perplexing society, one in which the lines between good and evil, right and wrong, are becoming, or have already become, dangerously blurred. We now have an administration that appears convinced that a well-oiled and heavily funded propaganda machinery, aided, perhaps unwittingly, by certain external agencies, is sufficient to persuade both Guyanese and the international community that we uphold decency, democracy, and stand firmly against corruption.

This week, with the usual fanfare, it was announced that an anti-corruption workshop had been launched at the Guyana Police Force Officers’ Training Centre at Eve Leary, ostensibly to benefit members of the Guyana Police Force. However, given the facts that are widely known, such an initiative amounts to little more than placing a bandage on a festering wound or administering Panadol for an advanced illness. Unless we address the root causes, this seminar risks being nothing more than a charade.

For instance, there are persistent concerns in the public domain regarding the accumulation of substantial wealth and overseas properties, particularly in Florida—by certain public officials within a relatively short period. Yet, there appears to be little appetite, at the highest levels of leadership, to investigate or address these matters decisively. Similarly, the case of the official at the Central Housing and Planning Authority, who resigned following revelations of unexplained wealth and the acquisition of overseas properties purchased outright, remains a troubling example. Additionally, questions surrounding the circumstances of the assassination of “Paper Shorts” continue to linger in the public domain. These are not isolated incidents but snapshots of a broader and deeply rooted problem.

Concerns regarding the relationship between senior public officials and private business interests have also been raised publicly, including in an interview conducted by journalist Isobella Young. While such discussions warrant careful and responsible treatment, they nonetheless underscore the need for greater transparency and independent scrutiny of matters that may affect public trust.

At a more personal level, I recall an experience where my driver was stopped by police officers and accused of speeding; an implausible claim given the circumstances. He was asked to exit the vehicle and was bluntly questioned about whether he had money on his person. Upon being asked who was seated in the back seat and providing my name, he was promptly told to proceed. Such encounters, while seemingly minor, are indicative of a troubling culture of opportunism and selective enforcement. There are numerous similar incidents, but I will not burden this letter with further details.

It is well established that within any institution, subordinates often emulate the conduct of their superiors. As the philosopher Thomas Hobbes observed, notions of “good” and “evil” are often relative to those who define them. Within a commonwealth, these concepts are shaped by collective standards. However, human motivation frequently aligns with self-interest. Where individuals perceive that they can pursue what is deemed “wrong” without consequence, and where enforcement is inconsistent or selective, they are more likely to do so. It is often only the fear of punishment or the benefits of social order that restrain such behaviour. 

Herein lies the crux of the corruption challenge in Guyana. Once one has the “right connections,” it is business as usual. We do not need more seminars or workshops; rather, we require a government and a police leadership that are genuinely committed to eradicating corruption in all its forms. Wherever corruption manifests, the response must be swift, firm, and even-handed.

Dear Editor, if we are serious about confronting corruption, we must begin at the very top, and I mean precisely that.

Unless, as a people, we summon the courage to confront this pervasive problem, all the eloquent speeches, the billions in revenue, and the vast wealth derived from our abundant natural resources will ultimately be rendered meaningless. This will be especially so if we continue to overlook the steady erosion of the moral fabric of our society.

Corruption manifest itself in different forms, greed disregards our cherished values, the rule of law, and it ignores the essence of our democratic framework, such as the vital role of local government.   

While preparing this letter, an abomination, something beyond belief came to my attention. The Government announced that they will be taking over several streets in Georgetown while owing the City Council large sums of money. Dictatorship is a handmaiden of corruption.     

This is not a matter to be taken lightly. Those who are genuinely concerned must continue to speak out and actively engage in efforts to bring about meaningful change. History has repeatedly demonstrated humanity’s tendency to ignore warning signs, often proceeding along a self-destructive path, frequently led by individuals driven by greed and the pursuit of economic and political power.

Sincerely,

Hamilton Green