EFFORTS to forge ahead in building a strong cohesive Guyanese society have not been easy to accomplish, and Social Cohesion Minister Amna Ally is accusing the PPP, now in opposition, of spreading too much divisive information.With the primary objective of bridging the gaps created by social, economic and ethnic divides, the Department of Social Cohesion, which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency, has been consulting with the citizenry since September.

On many occasions, it has had to clear up many misconceptions being peddled by the PPP.

At the community level, and even in sections of the press, the PPP has been accusing the APNU+AFC Government of promoting racism. The party has also alleged that the Government has been discriminating against persons based on their ethnicity and political affiliation.

Speaking with the Guyana Chronicle on Monday, Minister Ally said this allegation is far from true. She explained that, on assuming office, the Government had no other choice than to relieve some persons of their duties because they were deep rooted in corruption and aided in malpractice.

“There are many people who were involved in corruption and malpractices…we can’t afford to accommodate that, we have got to weed out the malpractices and the corruption, because that is going to take away too much from the development of our people,” she explained.

NOT ABOUT RACE
The Social Cohesion Minister explained that the issue has never been about race, religion or sex, but solely about corruption.

“If you are a corrupt person, then we can’t keep you. If your name is on a payroll and we don’t know you, we can’t keep you; and we would have had a lot of that, but we are not witch-hunting for one moment,” she maintained.

Minister Ally said that despite the information being peddled by the Opposition, the people know the truth and are in support of social cohesion.

“Notwithstanding what the Opposition is saying, the people out there want social cohesion because the people out there want a better life; and so, whatever programme we have, they are advancing it.”

Minister Ally said it is time for the Opposition to put the development of the country first, and she has extended a hand of friendship to them in this regard.

“We must put aside our political differences for the advancement of the people of this country. And so I am stretching out a welcoming hand for them to come on board and let us work together.”

Real development, she said, will come only if Guyana stands united.

GOOD LIFE
Speaking at the first ever ‘Supenaam/Good Hope Unity Fest’, a Region Two event held over the weekend, the minister said Guyana is a land for all the people, and all must enjoy a good life.

“In our country, we have a lot of differences: we have ethnic differences, we have a lot of inequalities, poverty, some people enjoying a better life than others; and so this Ministry was established to bridge the gaps between the rich and the poor, to reduce inequalities, to reduce poverty, to give you a better life. You must be able to enjoy what people in Georgetown are enjoying, and this Ministry if going to work with you to bridge those gaps…. Regardless of your race, your religion, your gender, learn to live together, to work together, so that you can build yourselves and your communities,” Minister Ally admonished.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo has called on the PPP to come to the table of unity talks. He is contending that it is vital for a more unified National Assembly.

The Prime Minister is spearheading the unity talks. The Opposition has thus far not responded to his call.

The administration has said that Parliament should be one where there is less confrontation, less arguments, and less expressions of animosity and hatred.
The Prime Minister explained it is envisaged that the Parliament, on both the Government and Opposition benches, will work in harmony for the greater good of Guyana and its peoples in 2016.

COME ON BOARD
He has re-issued his call to the political Opposition: “Come on board! Let us talk! Let us make 2016 the year when we put aside our squabbles, when we stop cussing each other; and this bickering must stop. I want to say that I will not spare any effort in pursing this goal, whether they cuss me up today, and they reject me today, I believe that it is unsustainable to do so forever.”

He added: “For me, there is no such thing as an ‘opposition in a house’. We are all partners, and the old concept of our old majesty’s loyal opposition does not work anymore. We are all nationalists, we are all driven by one agenda — the love of our country, the love of our people, the love of our environment — to see that we have a productive and healthy environment, and (one) that we could all be proud (of),” the Prime Minister said.

In September 2015, President David Granger had pledged to dismantle the artificial walls of mistrust and division which have been erected to create separateness among Guyanese.

It was during the opening of the historic social cohesion round-table discussions at the Arthur Chung International Convention Centre that President Granger had made a stirring appeal for unity among Guyanese while outlining a 5-point plan to build a strong and cohesive society.

He had said that it was time Guyanese take strident steps to stop social erosion and ensure effective participation and representation in all strata of society.

The goal, President Granger said, is to end exclusion and marginalization, build trust among the various groups, and instill a sense of belonging in all.

Since establishment of the Social Cohesion Department, the Government has been placing attention on reducing extreme poverty; eliminating gender and geographic inequalities; fostering greater participation of political parties in national development; creating opportunities for fair employment and safety in the hinterland; and ensuring equal access to education.

By Svetlana Marshall