TO everything, there is a season, and a purpose for everything under Heaven. This conviction is going a far way to provide solace to the souls of those who hoped for a different outcome from the 2015 elections.Global history has shown that power corrupts, even in our own country. There are few and rare leaders who put humanity above self-interests and has eschewed violence and vengeance, even against those who have done them wrong. Foremost among these are Mahatma Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Guyana’s own Dr. Cheddi Jagan – undoubtedly great iconic souls in the human equation.

Amidst accusations of irregularities and outright fraud, and allegations of complicity by GECOM and foreign observers and envoys of the recent electoral processes, Brigadier (Rtd) David Granger was sworn in as the 8th Executive President of the Republic of Guyana.

He has come into office with the great weight of his previous affiliation with the hated and feared PNC regime, sitting like the legendary albatross upon his shoulders, and this has undoubtedly tainted his image.

However, even if he had been complicit, as he has been accused, in the Burnhamite brand of leadership, the olive branch he has extended to protagonists in his inaugural presidential speech – if he proves sincere and stays true to the message of hope and healing he has projected to the nation, then he can, with a great deal of effort and sustained commitment to national reconciliation, carve his own niche in the socio-political dynamics of the nation.

The fear of the return to the politics of the despised PNC regime is very real and engenders massive distrust of the Granger Administration in the substantial PPP/C support base, and President Granger can only eradicate this fear and mistrust by stamping his own imprimatur on the national landscape by demonstrating through example his commitment to govern this nation with equitable and just leadership.
The biblical Saul became Paul, and Plato has said that a man can change by “… turning his whole soul toward the light.”

Guyana needs to emerge from the dark era of racial divisiveness and turn toward the light of a united nation with common goals for upward mobility.

But for this to become an eventuality President Granger has to build the trust, not only of his own supporters, but of all Guyanese, even his bitterest opponents in the socio-political fray.