Dear Editor,
PLEASE allow me to respond to the letter written by GHK Lall “The acceptance of advisory roles call into question motives of small party leaders” (Kaieteur News, August 25, 2020, pg4) and the article by Peeping Tom “Conflict or Conflation of Interest?” (Kaieteur News, August 26, 2020, pg9). Insinuations were made that the leadership of the smaller, I prefer newer, parties have placed themselves in conflict of interest positions by accepting advisory roles with the present PPP/C Government.

We take this opportunity to inform your readers and the nation at large, of a few things which have occurred recently within the A New and United Guyana (ANUG) political party. 1. Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, on August 5, 2020, informed the ANUG executive that he will not be seeking re-election as the General Secretary of the party, at the upcoming elections. He encouraged the executive to hold the election of new office bearers as early as possible within the parameters of the COVID-19 regulations. 2. Mr. Ramkarran, on August 12, 2020, informed the ANUG executive that he had received correspondence from the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Ms. Gail Teixeira, requesting the submission of the names of five ANUG representatives for inclusion on the boards of State agencies. ANUG views this as an early step toward inclusive governance by the new governing party. Mr. Ramkarran recommended that ANUG accept the offer since it offered an opportunity for the promotion of transparency and accountability within the realm of the state apparatus. 3. Mr. Ramkarran, on August 17, 2020, informed the ANUG executive that he was asked by the PPP/C Government to continue to serve as an Adviser on Border Issues to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

The ANUG executive sees no conflict of interest with Mr. Ramkarran accepting the position of, and serving the present government and the people of Guyana, as an adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the following reasons: A) This is a position he has served in for the past 26 years, under both the APNU+AFC and the previous PPP/C Governments. This is a position in which Mr. Ramkarran has vast experience and remains an asset to any Guyanese Government. B) Mr. Ramkarran will not be seeking re-election as the General Secretary of ANUG at its next internal election of office bearers. C) Mr. Ramkarran will not be representing ANUG in Parliament when ANUG assumes its seat as per the Joinder Agreement. It is for the above reasons that we, the ANUG executive, support Mr. Ramkarran’s acceptance of the offered position as Adviser to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and anticipate that he will provide sterling support to the minister in whatever capacity required.

Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Yearwood
Nadia Sagar
Mark France
Laura Singh
Akanni Blair
Aruna Budhram
Carlos Gonsalves