PRESIDENT David Granger and Leader of the Opposition Bharrat Jagdeo met on Wednesday, at the invitation of the former, to reportedly discuss the appointments of Chancellor and Chief Justice of the Judicature. Going by the picture released by the Ministry of the Presidency showing the two greeting each other, the phrase ‘a picture tells a thousand words” could hold true. Looking at that photograph of a smiling president greeting an equally smiling leader of the opposition, such level of cordiality –occasional in our political culture — is most welcoming.

Where the nation’s politics remains splintered, ruckuses in the National Assembly cutting deep, political finger-pointing the norm, cross-accusations and threats of non-cooperation, the pictorial disposition of the nation’s two leading politicians may be just what the doctor would order for this society. The truth is we all have similar needs, desires and aspirations, and where attention could be paid to that which we have in common as against what divides us, the motto of “One People, One Nation One Destiny” is attainable.

Without exception, Guyanese face the same market forces/pricing. Whereas some may be fortunate not to pay taxes on incomes and some commodities and services and others not, thereby able to stretch their earnings further, it does not exempt any from reliance on these. All need food, clothing, shelter, water, electricity, access to quality health and education, and the benefit of traversing proper roads.

Without exception, we need the protection and service of our men and women in uniform and the comfort of knowing our borders are secure from foreign interference, be they illegal activities or territorial threats. None can honestly deny that should they feel aggrieved and wants justice, he or she expects the constitution and laws of Guyana to protect him or her. Equally, it goes for wanting the satisfaction of knowing that living in Guyana is not equated to a nightmare, but that of opportunities to pursue dreams and unleash potentials.

We all want government to work for us. Truthfully, while partisanship may inform support or condemnation for the party/group in power, everyone wants to know whether or not they voted for the party/group in office that they are treated fairly. The resources of this country — capital, natural and physical — belong to all the citizens. It is not unreasonable therefore to expect of the people to want their resources to be properly managed and fairly distributed.

All of the above are human aspirations and expectations. Ideally, while it should matter not from whence we came, where we reside, our connections, political affiliations or absence thereof, ours is not an ideal society. It is a society still scarred by centuries of cultivated mistrust for the other, which very often raises its ugly head in the form of political expediency. Recognition of the adverse does not negate the desire for the ideal and working to make it possible. However, should there be focus as to how this can be possible as against how roadblocks could be put in place to hinder, it could bode well for developing a positive political culture. This could see, though not limited to, building on the warm greetings of the President and Leader of Opposition.

Society still looks forward to a politics where all are included. Early effort by the APNU+AFC government to cultivate constructive dialogue with the PPP/C opposition remains a worthy aspiration and pursuit. The government’s team is headed by Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and though the opposition expressed disinclination to participate once he heads the team, society hopes there would be a rethink.

Critical to developing the new desired political culture and proceeding with deeper political engagement is acceptance that each side has the right to determine who they want to represent the team. As fittingly as the PPP/C would expect the APNU+AFC to respect the members of their team, it is not unfair to ask of the opposition to respect the government’s team. We have to start somewhere. Wednesday’s meeting showcased the possibility.