BOTH outgoing President Donald Ramotar and newly sworn in President of the Republic of Guyana, Brigadier (Rtd) David Granger had messages of peace and pursuit of consensual goals of equity, unity, progress and prosperity yesterday afternoon.

Worthy of a President of a people of diversities, President Granger, in his inaugural presidential speech urged: “Let us now put past rivalries behind us and work in unity to banish poverty, ignorance, fear and hatred. We assemble here today to witness the swearing in, not of a party leader, but of the President of ALL the people. I shall be a good President for all the people.”

This is a reassuring note on which to begin his term in office, because those who lived through the Burnham era are fearful of a recurrence of those oppressive socio-political dynamics, and if President Granger rules this nation with sensitivity to the sentiments and fears of the now Opposition supporters he will eventually earn their trust.
In a conciliatory tone, the President stressed: “We the Guyanese people have chosen to inaugurate a ‘government of national unity’ and to promote our multi-party, inclusionary partnership. We are convinced that this is the best way to overcome our historic divisions.”

If he succeeds in achieving this eventuality, where Guyanese cease to view each other with hostility and suspicion, then he would have earned his presidency, because this dark blot on the nation’s tapestry of cultures has, more than anything, impeded the realisation of Guyana’s full potential for social development and economic growth.

President Granger noted: “We have witnessed the damage done to our beautiful country over the past twenty-three years. We have been mocked by the destruction of local democracy and the denial of local government elections. We have been treated with contempt by the dictatorial prorogation and dissolution of Parliament. We have had to bear the brunt of the high rate of crime including armed robberies, arson, inter-personal violence, murder, piracy, rapes, road fatalities and trafficking in persons. We have had to bear the cost of the squandering of state resources on exorbitant but misconceived mega-projects. We have suffered most from the high cost of living and the high level of unemployment.”
Continuing, President Granger promised, “We have not been filled with hatred by these conditions. We are, indeed, more determined than ever to refashion society into one in which our womenfolk can look forward to working for ‘living wages’ to cope with the cost of living; one in which old folk can enjoy adequate pensions and social protection. Our young people will be able to attain higher educational standards and look forward to finding satisfactory jobs when they leave school. Our women and girl children can look forward to living in safety and to being protected from abuse and violent crime.
“We the Guyanese people have seized the opportunity to vote for human safety, national unity and inclusionary democracy.” These are great-sounding concepts and aspirations; and even the skeptics are hopeful that they come to fruition.
What was of great significance was the assurance that, “We also wish to inform you that the outgoing and incoming administrations, respectively, have agreed to establish a ‘Transition Team’ to facilitate the transfer of assets and the transmission of information needed to ensure the continuity of government and to guarantee the stability and security of the state.”
This is imperative for continuation of the undoubted transformation of the country’s developmental dynamics by the past administration; and while it must be a painful exercise to transfer the responsibility for taking the nation to greater heights on the development paradigm it has crafted and carved, the PPP/C leadership would not want its hard work and accomplishments to come to naught, so this smooth transference is a natural prerequisite for continuation of the synergies that would enable the new governmental structure to pursue a national developmental goal.

Outgoing President Donald Ramotar, in an address to the nation yesterday afternoon – immediately following GECOM’s announcement of the elections result, call on the leadership of A Partnership for National Unity and the Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) to take responsibility for the preservation of peace, during the transition.
“I am urging the new President and the APNU+AFC leadership to take urgent responsibility for the preservation of peace, the respect for all our citizens regardless of race, colour or creed and the protection of all Guyanese irrespective of political affiliation,” Mr Ramotar said.
According to him, Guyana now enters a new phase of political life, and he committed the PPP/C to strive for a strong democracy.
“As we enter into a new phase of our country’s political life, the PPP/C will continue to strive for a strong democracy, a cohesive society and a better Guyana…may God continue to bless the Republic of Guyana,” Mr Ramotar said.
Meanwhile, President Granger concluded his inaugural presidential speech at the Public Buildings yesterday by urging healing and conciliation, and pleading: “Let us embrace each other – regardless of religion, race, class, occupation – as fellow Guyanese. Let us work together, to realise our inspiring national motto: ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’. Let us be reminded of the famous national song:
Let us co-operate for Guyana, Let us co-operate for our land,
Let us resolve to fight together, See we do it right together
Can we do it? Yes we can.”