Dear Editor
THE constitutionally enshrined Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) should direct its work as a matter of high priority at the political leaders, ministers of government, members of the National Assembly, public servants, politicians and political groups of the PPP and PNC.

Woking first with these categories can impact positively on race relations and social cohesion. They are the influential ones who, by private and public statements, conduct and practise in their public duties set the national tone for the politics of race and lust for power in Guyana. These groups should be the primary targets to promote peace, justice, and reconciliation for the good of the national community.

The ERC will be wasting its time and resources and will achieve nothing; that is, unless it engages the political players and public officials identified above in a determined effort to promote reconciliation for improved race relations for the building of national unity. The ERC should simultaneously engage and thoroughly investigate public employment practices to determine fairness, discrimination based on ethnicity, political affiliation or political opinions, with reference to our constitution and labour laws.

There are widespread observations and concern by the national community about employment practices in the public service and in public agencies. The ERC should undertake a comprehensive human resource audit on the ethnic composition of senior persons in the public sector for the challenge to those in public life: government, the National Assembly, and public officials to take the appropriate corrective action and measures in the national interest. The ERC can only justify its existence with integrity by actively pursuing the recommended actions above.

With thanks.
Joshua Singh