Saying sorry is not an easy job for important people in public life, and it remains a rarity  in governance politics in our part of the world.
It was, therefore, quite refreshing to have an apology last week from Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment, Robert Persaud, in expressing regret for public criticisms that affected soon-to-retire Commissioner of the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Karen Livan.
Seemingly quite agitated over recurring challenges being faced  by his ministry, particularly in relation to the issuing of required permits from the Commission for mining, Minister Persaud had some quite harsh comments to make during his meeting with Brazilian miners at which Commissioner Livan was in attendance.
The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), of which Livan is a member, felt upset enough to call for an apology from the minister, and he did so. An official statement released by the ministry was to subsequently explain that not only did Minister Persaud meet with Commissioner Livan after the meeting, but he had apologised to her for “his statement and tone” and that it was not his intention to cause personal embarrassment.
The example should serve as a reminder of how all those holding high offices  in public life, and not just cabinet ministers and top bureaucrats, but also in the private sector and state corporations, ought to behave when upset, justifiably or not, over real or perceived misconduct by employees in various positions.
From  multiplying negative reports about serious crimes and claimed corrupt practices in the mining industry, which is growing in importance and value to the national economy, it is evident that the ministry is under much pressure to cope with the challenges.
Creative ways in problem-solving will have to be found,  focused on more effective management and goodwill on the part of both the ministry and the mining community in general.
There is evidently urgent need for effective policing in the more troublesome mining areas, and new security approaches should be given urgent consideration, in addition to improving management capabilities in cooperation with the stakeholders in the mining industry.