Gov’t will continue to focus on issues that affect all citizens – Minister Harmon –as he responds to opposition’s claims of discrimination
Georgetown, GINA, July 27, 2016
Government views all citizens as Guyanese and does not discriminate on lines of ethnicity, geographic location or racial preferences, Minister of State, Joseph Harmon stated today.
It was pointed out that all Ministers, and President David Granger engage with and “see Guyanese as Guyanese.”
The Minister, speaking at a post-Cabinet media briefing added that, “Where problems exist in this country, we try to find solutions to those problems.” He was adamant that Government does not consider any community based on its predominately racial composition.
The statements were made in response to allegations by Parliamentary Opposition members about some persons and communities being discriminated against.
The President’s engagements were cited by Minister Harmon as examples. “You’ll see a wide range of persons of communities that he has visited. If you look at the Ministers’ outreaches, you’ll see that”. He noted that even during his own outreaches into communities, he was told that some were “PPP areas” but explained, “I do not see it that way. We do not see it that way. Once the elections are over, it is our responsibility to ensure that all of Guyana is treated in the way in which every citizen should be treated. That is, we must provide a good life for all of them.”
When persons speak of racial division, Government wants them, instead, to speak of the issues which affect all, Minister Harmon said. “Let us address the need for physical infrastructure for these communities. Let us address education for these communities. Let us look at what affects these communities and not what separates these communities.”
He agreed that more needs to done but, there is no need to engage for an engagement sake with any specific group since Government has always tried to, “engage Guyanese as Guyanese and this is how we see, and this is how we will continue to engage this matter.”