The dust is gradually settling in the wake of the recently  conducted November electoral poll, that has produced the unique finish of a hung Parliament, with there being a  minority government – the first in the nation’s post-independence political history,  particularly since the re-introduction of free and fair elections since 1992.
As is expected in these changed  constitutional circumstances, such an uncharted  landscape has resulted in  an avalanche of speculations/discussions and views as to the kind of governance that ought to  emerge from this  new parliamentary challenge.
There is overwhelming consensus that the new dispensation offers a unique opportunity for a system of shared governance that encapsulates  all the political parties.
This line of contention, ever since   the mantra of the PNCR-1G, has been in the public domain for close to a decade, and has now assumed greater urgency, particularly among the political opposition.     
For all the  opinions/discussions that have been proffered  for shared governance as the best constitutional mode of governance for this  country, there has   never really been, from its many advocates, a given framework as to how this system ought to be implemented and function in the peculiar nature of this nation’s political  dynamics.
Perhaps a most common picture illustrated is about the allotment of cabinet positions to the other side of the political equation; but, is such a formula for shared governance? Or are there other components that must accompany this distribution of ministerial positions? 
But certainly, within the national context, there is already  a framework and evidence of shared governance at work. For example, there are the appointments  of the various constitutional  commissions and their  Heads,  which is done by the executive in consultation  with the Leader of the Opposition.
In fact, the  latter is  invited to submit his list of nominees for consideration to these bodies. The judicial chairs  of Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Judiciary is considered in similar manner. Then there are the various Parliamentary Committees, on which not only do some  Members of the Opposition sit, but which are also chaired by them. As well as, from time to time, the Executive holds discussions with the Leader of the Opposition. 
But, for shared governance to even begin to  become a reality  there has to be the element of trust; the all important essential of consensus, coupled  with the pivotal requirement of political will on the part of all the players.
It must also be stressed that  in every instance of shared governance, that the participants are often of different political ideologies. 
Be it as it may, the current scenario, made possible by the November  election results,  offers  also for conciliation to accompany  efforts by all the significant actors in this new page of the nation’s history.
And  beginning immediately during his inaugural address, President  Donald Ramotar has  offered  not only to be a President for all Guyanese, but also to work with the Opposition  in the nation’s  best interests.
This has been a call that he has made several times since, and has   underlined these appeals with several meetings with both APNU and the AFC,  inclusive of their  respective leaders.
This augers well for future developments,  despite  the  inevitable challenges that will lie ahead.  But the opposition  must  understand that this call from the Executive must not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness,  to be taken advantage of; that,  it is the nation’s best interests that  President Ramotar has in mind, and that such must be paramount as they sit with the PPP/C administration to discuss the way forward;  and not selfish motives, unreasonable demands, political grandstanding, or  power play.
Also, they must not allow themselves the dangerous  political tactic of playing to their  supporters’ gallery, or be taken along  by impossible expectations on the part of the latter.
The  President has signalled his every intention of continuing the  national transformation process that is already underway, and since there are many  common  points  of interests  as expressed in his and opposition parties’ 2011 manifestoes, then there ought to be sufficient good ground  for  consensus, leading to broad agreements.
President Ramotar has, in a very committed way, made the first pitch, thereby starting the long process, but all must work together for the removal of  fear and insecurity;  unity and goodwill; and the peace and prosperity of  all the Guyanese people.