Senior counsel and Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde has added his voice to society’s bewilderment over President Irfaan Ali’s showmanship during the People’s Progressive Party/Civic 32nd Congress last weekend. In a release Forde, while some see Ali’s antics harmless entertainment, he contended it brings to the fore deeper concerns about the role of the presidency and the mien expected of our highest office.”
As President of Guyana, Forde reminded Ali he has immense responsibilities, from protecting the integrity of national security to facilitating an environment that allows for economic development and promoting social justice and cohesion. “These are very weighty state and national assignments that demand attention, diligence, and statesmanship,” the Member of Parliament.
He councelled Ali that in the eyes of the world the president represents the nation’s aspirations, values, and principles. “Dressing and dancing as pop star could send the wrong message about the seriousness with which we approach governance and the respect we accord our citizens,” he intoned.
See Forde’s full statement:
Reducing the seriousness of the Presidency in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to Showmanship; how sad
It is true that Guyanese, as other citizens around the world, look to their leaders for guidance, inspiration, and responsible leadership of our nation. This is not only reasonable but legitimate expectations, on the part of those citizens, whose development depends on the policies and decisions taken by those in national leadership. However, unprecedented recent events have facilitated space for contemplation about the boundaries of presidential conduct and the perception of leadership in Guyana.
At the 32nd congress of the PPP/C, the President, Irfaan Ali, took to the stage, not to address pressing national issues or outline policies for progress, but to attempt to perform a rendition of Michael Jackson’s moves. Incredibly strange; but true.
While some may see this as harmless entertainment, it brings to the fore deeper concerns about the role of the presidency and the mien expected of our highest office. As President of Guyana, Mr. Ali has immense responsibilities, from protecting the integrity of national security to facilitating an environment that allows for economic development and promoting social justice and cohesion. These are very weighty state and national assignments that demand attention, diligence, and statesmanship.
Dressing up and trying to dancing as a pop star may seem like a lighthearted gesture, but it risks making light the gravity of the presidential office and diminishing its authority in the eyes of the general public and international community. Again, such antics, as the one displayed by the President, divert attention away from very serious and worrying issues facing our nation.
At a time when our nation is struggling with challenges including: an active border controversy with Venezuela, economy recovery, poor wages and salaries for public servants, lack of appointment of a substantive Chancellor of the Judiciary, and a Chief Justice, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, an unmanaged cost of living crisis, and national environmental vulnerability, the nation’s focus should be on substantive solutions, not superficial spectacles.
I would be the first to agree that, certainly, there is a place for jollification and cultural expression. But, the presidency demands a higher standard of conduct befitting its solemn responsibilities.
In the eyes of the world the president represents the nation’s aspirations, values, and principles. Dressing and dancing as pop star could send the wrong message about the seriousness with which we approach governance and the respect we accord our citizens.
I encourage all Guyanese to think about, the way that unprecedented, very worrying incident could affect our national image as a nation and how it has blurred the line between the seriousness of the highest office of our nation and clumsy entertainment. We must send a clear message about our expectations of leadership and hold the President and his men accountable for upholding dignity and integrity of their offices. Surely, our democracy and people deserve nothing less.
Roysdale Forde S.C. M.P.
