Healthy competition makes healthy development even in the field of politics and in this regard political leaders and parties have a pivotal role, whether in government or opposition.

In fact, competitiveness is one of the key driving forces of development in today’s world, however, this must be guarded by both written and unwritten ethical and moral principles or else the result could be chaos and instability which could only harm or hinder progress.

Responsible actions and behaviour by political leaders and parties, from both sides of the political divide, are imperatives in ensuring that peace, goodwill, and national unity are consolidated. This is an essential prerequisite in the process of building a nation’s future.

Experience across the globe has shown that irresponsible actions and behaviour by political leaders and parties could lead terrible devastation and virtual irreparable damage to the fabric of society.

We have had our taste of political destruction in the 1960s which was fundamentally authored by some political leaders and parties from which unfortunately we are still suffering. This again was repeated to a lesser extent in the late 1990s with similar consequences.

One would have thought some sections of the political divide would have learnt from those experiences and thus would have become more mature in their political approach and engagements. However, this does not seem to be the case as recent developments on the political front has shown.

Some political players seem to have been guided by wild statements, speculations, accusations and the most absurd rumours. In fact, they seem to relish these ridiculous speculations and rumours.

On this note one finds it ludicrous that some opposition political forces are calling for the resignation of Health Minister Dr. Leslie Ramsammy based on a wild accusation that he was linked to Roger Khan and his criminal activities.

The behaviour of these political forces would suggest that the minister, without any evidence, is guilty of criminal offences. Notably, when real and hardened criminals are apprehended these very forces scream for justice and invoke the mantra that a man is innocent until found guilty.

But in the minister’s case from the behaviour of these political forces, it would seem that this mantra is not applicable. So we apply this mantra selectively-that is to score cheap political points. Therefore, according to these politicians Dr. Ramsammy is guilty until he can prove his innocence.

This is the sort of double standards we are subjected to in Guyana by some political morons, yet they question how one political party wins elections after elections. They need to look into the mirror.

As Dr. Ramsammy correctly pointed out, that nothing is wrong with scoring political points as it is part of the game but to descend into the cesspit of besmirching your opponent’s character is most deplorable and unacceptable.

Dr. Ramsammy is one of the brilliant sons produced by Guyana and he has returned to his country to serve and to make a contribution to its national development. And in this regard his record is unquestionable because as Minister of Health he has virtually revolutionized the health sector. Any objective observer would attest to this fact.

In addition his integrity has never been compromised and therefore for political opponents to embark on a character bashing campaign is most unfortunate and is bad for the political atmosphere of this country.

Dr. Ramsammy has thrown down the gauntlet to these political rabble rousers and they should take up the challenge if they are really serious about their spurious claims.

“I have never been involved in any kind of criminal activity and if there are allegations in that respect, then the police must do their job. If called upon to cooperate with any investigation, I will do so. I am at all times available to those who are responsible to investigate any criminal activity, if they think I could be of any help. I can look the public in the eye and I can look all those politicians who call me their friend and I say, I have never been engaged in any criminal activity nor have I ever been engaged in facilitating any criminal activity” – Dr. Leslie Ramsammy