Skip to main content

FM
Former Member
AT a time when we are experiencing and participating in a larger way than is normal in the music, dance, food, culture of our African Guyanese brothers and sisters; as we celebrate with them “The Year of People of African Descent”, the myth of marginalisation and discrimination against blacks in Guyana has once again reared its ugly head. In fact, some of us have been misled into believing that if we experience delayed service; if we do not land the job of the desired kind; if we do not get the response to our requests as and when we expect same; in short, if we do not get things our way, we are victims of marginalization and we beat the drums of marginalization. Many who argue that there is discrimination or marginalization of blacks in Guyana have failed to cite specific instances that support their contention beyond a shadow of doubt. On the contrary, there are many instances and examples of the PPP/C efforts and the indomitable will of our President Bharrat Jagdeo to create for all Guyanese equal opportunities as we persevere in a determined effort to bridge the racial divide.
We are not a government of a particular race or ethnic group but a government for all Guyanese. Indeed, the social services, the infrastructure, the Institutions built by the PPP/C are there for all to use and benefit. Guyana is a plural Society and there is evidence of continual progress in our country that cuts across race or ethnicity. It must be noted that Urban areas that have access to potable water, electricity, good roads, education, health care and other social services include many black villages.
Circumstances will dictate that some of us be hucksters while others are farmers; that some of us are teachers while others are doctors; that some of us are policemen while others are carpenters. Those circumstances are in large measure derived from situations we as individuals have large measure of control over, but in most instances we refuse or fail to exercise the desired control.
I am yet to see the results of any comparative study among our different ethnic groups that could be rooted in the practice of discrimination against a specific ethnic group. Albeit, quite often the distinctions if they do exist are drawn on class lines rather than along racial lines.
Blacks have been provided with opportunities to make their contributions, and indeed have made their contributions in the Public Service, Education, Health Care, Sports, Music, the Security sector which is a very important sector where trust and confidence are important attributes required. And there can be no denying that our President Bharrat Jagdeo has reposed a high degree of trust and confidence in those responsible for this important aspect of our Country’s development and that most of those who hold key positions in our Police Force, Our Army, Our prison Service etc. are Blacks.
In our beloved Guyana standards have got to be maintained; they are opportunities available and they are goals to be attained and everyone has an equal chance at the starting line. We must not look for others to blame if we are not at the starting line. We must stop reaching out for sympathy and stop disguising our political Agenda sheltering under the umbrella of discrimination.
Black leaders must work with Government to create more opportunities for African Guyanese. We do have racial preferences but these are often overshadowed by our general respect for each other.
Let’s honestly and profoundly examine the socioeconomic situation of Blacks in today’s Guyana as opposed to the Guyana of the pre1993 era. Today, blacks own far many more businesses, automobiles, nice houses, mining concessions, thriving farms etc. Today, many more blacks send their children to private schools. It is a fact, Indians outnumber blacks in the construction business, they operate in more communities than the blacks. Thus, it is obvious that the former will be seen to get more of the contracts available by way of public bidding. Nonetheless the name Courtney Benn is now a household word in the construction industry. We must work together to give rise to more Courtney Benns.
Neither the PPP/C Government nor Guyana’s eminent, respected, diligent and likeable President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo are engaged in practices and systemic discrimination in resource allocations or available opportunities to our Guyanese people. For me, marginalization in Guyana is not a real issue.

Written by NORMAN WHITTAKER.M.P, Minister of Local Government


Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle

Replies sorted oldest to newest

The University of Guyana has 40 East Indian Faculty members compared to 140 African Faculty members in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Education,

Health, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Technology, and African participation is prominent at the senior levels.

Most Heads are Africans in all three types of school - nursery, elementary, and high. Only in elementary schools do East Indians show some

competitiveness with Africans for Headships. In the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration, it was not unusual to find on average that 70 percent of the Regional Education Officers (REDOs) were Africans.

Today, the ethnic imbalance has be are Africans, followed by East Indians with 40%.

East Indians predominate in the senior positions of School Heads and Deputy School Heads only in Regions 2 and 3. Africans occupy these positions

In Regions 4 through 10. The magnitude of Africans in these senior positions, therefore, is higher than that of East Indians. Some schools only have

Most school heads in Regions 2, 3, and 6 are East Indians, while the majority of school heads in Regions 4, 5, and 10 are Africans. East

Indian school heads are found in the largest majority in Regions 2 and 3.

African school heads predominate in Regions 4 and 5.
FM
Key Achievements in 2010

 The domestic economy achieved real growth of 3.6 percent, with non-sugar gross domestic expanding by 4.3 percent. This marks the fifth year of consecutive growth.

 Inflation contained to 4.5 percent.

 External Reserves increased to US$780 million, compared to US$277 million in 2006.

 External Debt has been reduced from 72 percent of GDP in 2006 to 47 percent in 2010.

 Fiscal Deficit reduced from 7.2 percent of GDP in 2006 to 4 percent in 2010.

 The first tranche of performance-based funds, approximately US$30 million was disbursed by Norway and deposited with the trustees into GRIF (Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund). This was one of the first payments for climate services received by a developing country and represents a new economic opportunity for our country.

 Gold declarations increased by 2.9 percent to 308,438 ounces

 Rice production amounted to 360,996 tonnes, representing 0.4 percent value added and the second highest output since rice production commenced.

 Construction industry grew by 10.8 percent.

 Information and Communication sector grew by 7 percent.

 Private Sector Credit grew at an average annual rate of more than 15 percent per annum over the past 4 years and amounted to $112.3 billion in 2010.
FM
quote:
Originally posted by albert:
The University of Guyana has 40 East Indian Faculty members compared to 140 African Faculty members in the Faculties of Agriculture, Arts, Education,

Health, Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Technology, and African participation is prominent at the senior levels.

Most Heads are Africans in all three types of school - nursery, elementary, and high. Only in elementary schools do East Indians show some

competitiveness with Africans for Headships. In the People’s National Congress (PNC) Administration, it was not unusual to find on average that 70 percent of the Regional Education Officers (REDOs) were Africans.

Today, the ethnic imbalance has be are Africans, followed by East Indians with 40%.

East Indians predominate in the senior positions of School Heads and Deputy School Heads only in Regions 2 and 3. Africans occupy these positions

In Regions 4 through 10. The magnitude of Africans in these senior positions, therefore, is higher than that of East Indians. Some schools only have

Most school heads in Regions 2, 3, and 6 are East Indians, while the majority of school heads in Regions 4, 5, and 10 are Africans. East

Indian school heads are found in the largest majority in Regions 2 and 3.

African school heads predominate in Regions 4 and 5.


You posted this before. Is this all the evidence that you can provide. We already told you tehse are mid level administrators whose role is to IMPLEMENT policy, not to set it. What about the AfroGuyanese woman in the who was not appointed for over 5 years, and so whose pension was badly impacted?
FM
quote:
Originally posted by albert:
Key Achievements in 2010

 The domestic economy achieved real growth of 3.6 percent, with non-sugar gross domestic expanding by 4.3 percent. This marks the fifth year of consecutive growth.

 Inflation contained to 4.5 percent.

 External Reserves increased to US$780 million, compared to US$277 million in 2006.

 External Debt has been reduced from 72 percent of GDP in 2006 to 47 percent in 2010.

 Fiscal Deficit reduced from 7.2 percent of GDP in 2006 to 4 percent in 2010.

 The first tranche of performance-based funds, approximately US$30 million was disbursed by Norway and deposited with the trustees into GRIF (Guyana REDD+ Investment Fund). This was one of the first payments for climate services received by a developing country and represents a new economic opportunity for our country.

 Gold declarations increased by 2.9 percent to 308,438 ounces

 Rice production amounted to 360,996 tonnes, representing 0.4 percent value added and the second highest output since rice production commenced.

 Construction industry grew by 10.8 percent.

 Information and Communication sector grew by 7 percent.

 Private Sector Credit grew at an average annual rate of more than 15 percent per annum over the past 4 years and amounted to $112.3 billion in 2010.


at least 40% of which is due to the kind contributions of overseas Guyanese who have top help their relatives. Guyanese depend on remittnaces more than any Caribbean people aside from Haitians.
FM
quote:


Specific accusations were made. Refute them insteasd of engaging in generalities.

yes we know the B of GY governor is African. Appointed after some PPP official's daughter screwed up.
FM

Add Reply

×
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×