Granger courts civil society to help correct social ills
President David Granger; Rotary’s Immediate Past District Governor, Elwin Atmodimedjo; and Past District Governor Dunston Barrow interact during the World Understanding Day Dinner at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday 
(Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)
President David Granger; Rotary’s Immediate Past District Governor, Elwin Atmodimedjo; and Past District Governor Dunston Barrow interact during the World Understanding Day Dinner at the Pegasus Hotel on Friday (Cullen Bess-Nelson photo)

By Navendra Seoraj

PRESIDENT David Granger has reiterated the need for inclusionary governance and social cohesion to bring about balance and order in today’s society. Last Friday evening, he said there is a place for civil society to help in correcting social ills.

Speaking at the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s World Understand Dinner at the Pegasus Hotel, The President said: “We must collaborate and understand that working together is the formula for the future, given that problems cannot be addressed by any single groups.

“Problems need national responses, so civil society and the Government have to work collaboratively to bring about change.”

“I propose a social contract which will involve members of civil society, political parties, NGOs and other organisations, to promote betterment for communities and the promotion of a good life.” – President Granger.

Thus with the topic being World Understanding, he said Guyana has to understand that the only way forward is through social cohesion, which is needed to bring a once “broken country” full on its feet.

The nation cannot continue to move from crisis to crisis, the President said, as he stressing the importance of social cohesion. He said this would be the only way by which there can be an end to evasiveness and for the constitution and inclusionary democracy to be thrive.

“As such, I prescribe an opportunity for civil society to assist in the management of the state, and to ensure that its efforts are directed to the broader objective of developing today’s society,” the President said.

His statement was welcomed by the distinguished audience.

Civil society understands the plight of the poor, hence it can support the Government in solving many existing problems in the country, such as the plight of the uneducated, the President said.

He estimated the number of school dropouts over the last five years at approximately 4,000, and said
there are many communities which are regarded as unsafe, not to the extent of their collapsing, but they are at the stage where there is a need for change.

“We must work together to bring about the change that is needed if we are to avert another decline into the era of violence. There is definitely a social problem as a result of drug abuse, poverty, suicide, and so forth; thus urgent attention and action is needed to counter the effects of these social problems.

“I propose a social contract which will involve members of civil society, political parties, NGOs and other organisations, to promote betterment for communities and the promotion of a good life,” President Granger announced.

The Rotary Club’s Past Assistant District Governor, Mr K.A Juman-Yassin, during his remarks, highlighted the need for a commitment between the Government and the civil society, given that, with a combined effort, the fight against corruption would be far easier.

The work of the Club has focused on six key areas; namely, peace and conflict prevention, disease prevention and treatment, water and sanitation, maternal and child health, basic education and literacy, as well as economic and community development.

Over the years, he noted, the Club has rendered support to communities in many ways, with the most recent project being the Coomacka multi-million-dollar solar water system.

He gave the assurance that the club will continue to contribute towards the development of Guyana’s society.

The Rotary is a service Organisation of 1.2 million business and professional leaders, united worldwide to provide humanitarian service and help to build goodwill and peace.

At Friday’s event, President Granger received the Rotary’s Paul Harris Fellowship Award, which honours those who have contributed, or who have contributions in their name totaling US$1,000 to the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International.

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