Eye on Guyana with Lincoln Lewis

The President and the Presidency

THE presidency does not belong to any political party, since the office- holder, though she/he ran on a party slate, would be elected through a process participated in by the citizens. Further, this is a constitutional office whereby holders are remunerated from the state coffer which is funded by taxpayers with party political and apolitical interest.When the President is elected, the holder of this office is in service to all the people. As such, his/her legacy becomes a part of the nation and therefore belongs to the nation.
The major role of a sitting President is not to pursue partisan political interest. As Head of State and Head of Government, the presidency shoulders the responsibility for the day-to-day management of the state and protection of citizens through policies and programmes that ought to be shaped consistent with laws, universal conventions and charters.
In this environment the President, while elected on a partisan political ticket, becomes the Chief Public Servant, operating in service to all the people and is answerable to all the people.
Thus, the action of the present government in calling on the previous government to account for their stewardship, and in the specific instance the acquisition and usage of the Red House augurs well for political growth. Moreso, it is just and fair.
The PPP government’s decision to dedicate usage of the Red House to the preservation of the legacy of Cheddi Jagan even as similar treatment has not been given to others, notably Jagan’s predecessors, coupled with the party’s continuous public assault on Forbes Burnham speaks to a primitive outlook to governance and an absence of understanding of the presidency and role of the President.
In this regard, the PPP’s response to the idea that the Red House be used as home of the legacies of all presidents is not only crass but disrespectful.
But this notwithstanding, visionary and political shrewdness can bring about positive results. For instance, the PPP’s proposal-though not well intended-that the homes of Burnham and Desmond Hoyte be used to store their works is deserving of examination.
As this issue is being examined, the opportunity is taken to either minimise or eliminate the controversy. Consequently, it is being suggested that efforts be made by the State to acquire access to the homes of the Jagans, Burnham and Hoyte to house their works during their public life. To do this relieves the nation of the burden of determining which President’s work will be held at the Red House.The Red House has its own history. The property belongs to the State and it can be renovated to serve as the nation’s premier guest house to host foreign dignitaries.
While Burnham’s home is owned by Stanford Solomon, a prominent African businessman, it becomes important if the government is serious about protecting the legacies of the Presidents to reach out to this gentleman, with a view to using the residence at Belfield for such purpose.
The children of Cheddi and Janet Jagan are actively involved in social issues and they also must be engaged as to using their parents’ residence in Bel Air. Desmond Hoyte’s residence on North Road seems to be un-occupied and an approach must similarly be made to the beneficiary of the property for storage and exhibiting of his work.
The usage of these homes brings to the nation an intimate insight into the lives of these leaders, how they lived, including their choice of furnishing and fixtures. For these tell their own stories, whet the appetite, and create vistas for understanding into the minds of these men. The opportunities to have their works form part of the nation’s education and tourist attraction/destination are also of utility.
It is a stain on this nation that 30 years after the death of Burnham (the nation’s first President with executive responsibility) and more than a decade after Hoyte’s death (second President with executive responsibility), their contributions to society in this capacity are still to find proper storage by the State and access to the public. What we have been witnessing instead is an infantile approach by sections of society with their negative and/or selective portrayals of these men’s legacies, as Jagan is presented as a saint.
As leaders we have a responsibility to the society to make sure there is contextualisation of the work of every President to assist present and future generations to understand the contributions each made. There must be growth in our politics. An aspect of this growth will see attention paid to the message and not necessarily the messenger.
Attention paid to the content of the message and not necessarily the tone of the message. In the utilisation of such approaches, one can find a comment, however crass and divisive it may have been said and intended and/or who may have spoken it, that can spark a brilliant idea and action.
Whatever the final decision on the Red House, it must not be tit for tat but the realisation of a solution acceptable to this society and will take cognisance of the importance of putting systems in place that will see the legacies of all Presidents protected.

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