THERE are those well known critics who take pleasure in assailing everything the PPP/C government does for the well being of this country. Coming mainly from the parliamentary opposition, theirs are a daily constant staccato of NOs! Of course, their official role is to be watchdog over the elected government’s policies, offer constructive criticisms, and present themselves as a government- in- waiting. But, it is a culture of the local political opposition to be grudging. Take for example, their not so long ago incessant querying about the frequency of President Jagdeo’s overseas visits.
It must be emphasised that overseas visits are mandatory for any head-of-state/head-of-government. And for developing countries, such as Guyana, they are even more important in terms of seeking much needed development aid, representing the state’s particular interests and reiterating the country’s position on key international issues. There are those, who will point to the diplomatic missions as being suitable for such representative appearances. Such a presence can suffice for certain levels of international gatherings. But one does not expect an ambassador or a minister to be present at a gathering that demands the attendance of a head-of –state/government. Such representation by such a level will be interpreted as a diplomatic snob, even bringing into sharp focus that state’s commitment to whatever agenda there is for deliberation. What a Chief Executive of a country can achieve by his/her mere presence, no other official cannot because he/she is the repository of full authority, empowered to make decisions. Such is the nature of executive authority.
Of course, President Jagdeo has been making many overseas visits; but look what Guyana has been gaining from such efforts. This particular second term of the Presidency has seen a four-fold inflow of development and other forms of aid. And such is reflective of the great transformational changes now taking place throughout this nation. Just look at the President’s green crusade, the economic benefits, and the acclaim it has brought to this country. Such success could not have been had he remained at home, as it seems the detractors want him to do. Simply put, those visits that the naysayers have been querying in terms of the costs, have been/ and will continue to be for the benefit of this nation. The latter far outweighs the costs that the opposition forces have been mentioning.