Undoubtedly, President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharat Jagdeo, have responsibilities –intersect and separate — to the Guyanese society, having been elected by the people to be in service to the people. Both leaders’ political party and partnership presented to the electorate respective manifestoes, which are seen as commitments given to the people should they be elected.
Both leaders were elected to office in different branches of government. Together, their parties were elected to serve in the Legislature.

Whereas the President, who heads the Executive, does not sit in the Legislature, its work is brought there, and at times he addresses the House. On the other hand, the Leader of the Opposition sits in the Legislature, and has the opportunity to responsibly propose, oppose and support the Executive’s agenda.

The President’s call, made in his recent Public Interest programme, for the Opposition Leader to work with his administration, reiterates a statement of his made since his ascension to office. Every member of the National Assembly and Executive is being paid by the people via the Consolidated Fund. It is reasonable, therefore, for the people to expect that elected leaders would address, first and foremost, ideas and programmes that can enhance the people’s well-being.

Guyana, like every society, has issues — domestic and foreign — impacting the lives and livelihoods of its people. Our editorials have previously alluded to the human fact that none has the monopoly on knowledge. It requires of us, as a diverse society, to combine our talents, intellects, and skills to come up with the best possible means of ensuring our collective growth and development. There is much to be done, and enough space for all to participate in moving Guyana forward. Each citizen should have opportunities to pursue upliftment in whichever economic sector he or she finds fitting. Every branch and tier of government has a role to make this possible.
Constitutionally, the President and Opposition Leader are required to work together in arriving at the point of making decisions. For instance, there ought to be consultation in the appointments of Chancellor of the Judiciary and Commissioner of Police.

As Guyanese, it is not unreasonable to think that outside of constitutional requirements, our two main political leaders would have several engagements on matters pertaining to the nation’s interest, domestic and foreign.
It is believed that some of the aforementioned, if not all, would be informing the President’s thinking and interest to have the Opposition Leader meet with him.

Guyanese are not enemies of each other. Admittedly, there are periods of conflict and estranged relations, particularly during elections, but we can find more that unite us than divide us. It is to our better angels we must turn in the interest of self and country. Bewilderment and hopelessness that our politics is the major stumbling block in the nation’s development, and racial disunity ought not to be. Should there be deviation from the path of animosity and a willingness to work with the other, there exists a silver lining.

By and large, citizens are accepting of the President’s repeated interest to advance inclusionary democracy and improve efforts at national unity and social cohesion. Ideally, it would not matter who leads the way in achieving this. However, where our society mistakenly thinks non-cooperation is strength, it may require the Executive giving leadership in dispelling this view.

As a gesture to citizens across the political divide, both sides may find the answer for working together in their 2015 General and Regional Elections manifestoes. Perusal of these reflects commonality in focus, even though differently represented.

The common issues can comprise an agenda for the National Assembly, at which point the people can be apprised as to the origins of the issues identified. Taking this approach would encourage citizens that efforts are being made to achieve bipartisan support on common issues impacting their lives.

It is the belief that there is nothing wrong with Guyana that cannot be made right by Guyanese. Yes, we can aspire; but together we can achieve.