SPEAKING out in defence of democracy in an independent country is the right of every patriot, be it a minister of government or a civilian citizen. In this case, it was the then Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Priya Manickchand, citing US Ambassador Brent Hardt for “crossing the red line” for interfering in the internal political affairs of Guyana, which is an independent sovereign state with a constitution and a democratically elected government.
The Women’s Progressive Organization joins with all patriotic and progressive minded Guyanese, locally and internationally to condemn the outgoing US Ambassador for meddling in the political affairs of Guyana throughout his tenure.
Why this Ambassador believed that he could design and implement his LEAD Project in Guyana without consulting the Government of Guyana? Why did he believe that he could speak ill of His Excellency, President Ramotar and everyone would remain silent? What gave him the right to demand that the government of Guyana hold local government elections? Who does he think he is to criticize the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Clement Rohee.
Many of the so-called available critics were quick to opine that Minister Manickchand was wrong to go into the Ambassador’s house and admonish him. Where were all those critics during the past three years who turned a blind eye while that same Ambassador insulted this nation time and again?
Minister Manickchand was simply voicing the views of the majority of Guyanese people when she stated, without fear, that Guyanese will not sit idly by and listen to the dictates of the Ambassador who violated the protocols of his office by interfering in the political affairs of our country.
WPO would like to congratulate Minister Manickchand for courageously exposing the political subterfuge of the U.S. Ambassador amongst his colleagues and cronies.
Minister Manickchand was within her right when she defended Guyana’s sovereignity and His Excellency, Donald Ramotar, President of Guyana.
WPO encourages the diplomatic community to use their offices to foster economic and political alliances for mutual cooperation between their countries and Guyana, and to discontinue all aspects of political interference aimed at creating further divide among Guyanese people. Guyana and Guyanese have suffered enough because of external political interference and sabotage at every stage of its economic and political development.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government created the environment that allows women to speak freely on issues. Therefore, no Ambassador will be allowed to speak ill of our country when patriotic and courageous women like Minister Manickchand are our representatives.

Alliance for Change (AFC) has once again engaged in maligning yet another woman, this time labelling Minister Manickchand as “Satira Gal” as part of its ongoing sexist and racist attack on women of this country.

In March 2013, a few days before International Women’s Day 2013, AFC used sexist and racist statements to malign Dr. Sharma, the Administrator of New Amsterdam Hospital. This kind of treatment was meted out to other Indian women of this country, such as Gitanjali Singh, Supreme Court Registrar Sita Ramlall, and recently Acting Town Clerk Carol Sooba.

Women in this country seem to be under threat from the gender bias and male chauvinistic leaders of AFC who seem to be functioning in the 16th century, when women had to know their place and speak only when they were spoken to. With this in mind, the gender bias leadership of the AFC should edify themselves on the benefits of a country where equality exists between men and women.

WPO would like to categorically state that it will not condone any further sexist or derogatory statements against the women of this country, and calls on the leadership of the AFC to retract its sexist statements against Minister Manickchand with immediate effect.