PLEASE allow me a little space in your newspaper to share my view on the ERC and its Chairman.
The ERC has an enviable record of success. As the first of its kind  anywhere, the ERC has moved from an unknown entity to a household name in Guyana.  It is the foremost organisation one thinks about when there are differences of a racial, cultural or religious nature.
I dare say its work is more well known than that of any other Commission in Guyana. It has reached more Guyanese and more communities than any other organisation. More people can identify with what the ERC stands more than any other organisation, I dare say even more people here know what the ERC is doing than they know about CARICOM which has been around for much longer than the ERC.
Those who have participated at functions held by the ERC would attest to the large turnout at every activity put on by the ERC. The lectures that  were held  in the various regions attracted over 300 people. I challenge any other organization to show such a turnout.
Not only has the ERC been able to attract the numbers but they are able to engage persons so that once you attend one of their activities, you are always interested and want to be a part of whatever they are doing next in your area. Persons who attend activities put on by the ERC become  partners with the ERC.
Since its establishment, the ERC has had to chart a course through unknown territory as there is no predecessor or parallel organisation that it could have looked to as an example.
Bishop Edghill has been the captain of the ERC and as the first Chairman he has moved the ERC to what it is today, a Commission that has earned the respect of the majority of Guyanese. Very often he has left his family and other duties to travel to the remotest parts of Guyana to address ethnic insecurities in those areas and promote peace and harmony.
He is not a ‘desk Chairman’ directing the show from his office, he gets out there and meets with people, hear their concerns and address their problems. How many other heads of organisations take their responsibilities as seriously and is so open and willing to meet with ordinary people? When you call for him at the ERC you do not get put off with excuses, if he is not there, you can count on him returning your call. Many other heads and even ministers would do well to take a page out of Bishop Edghill’s book.
The ERC under the leadership of Bishop Edghill has done wonders to change the way we think of people of different cultures, race and religions. Under his guidance the ERC has taught Guyanese how to live together and block out the negative rhetoric put out by some politicians for their own self interest. This was evident at the last Elections in 2006 and this is what we need to have repeated in 2011.
Let Bishop Edghill and the ERC be permitted to continue the successful campaign they held at the 2006 Elections so that the 2011 elections can be just as peaceful and free of violence.