A young leader
Editorial
The future of Guyana is now in the hands of the young generation with the accession to the presidency of Bharrat Jagdeo. Jagdeo's presidency marks the end of an era in the politics of Guyana which had been dominated by the towering presence of Forbes Burnham and Cheddi and Janet Jagan. It is an era also which contained some of the darkest moments of our history and the experience of those dark days have bedevilled subsequent efforts at national reconciliation and healing. Coming to the presidency without the baggage of this dark era, President Jagdeo's presidency could set in train the process of breaking down the ethnic insecurity which has plagued this country since independence and the mistrust which prevented Guyanese from the various ethnic groups from working together to transform the country's potential wealth into realisable resources which could improve their lives. The young president is at an age when most young professionals are in mid-career and he is not unfamiliar with their concerns: a satisfying job; a home for their family; and sufficient income to provide their family with the basic necessities and a good education for the children. In the campaign for the 1997 elections, the President met young people from all races and from all walks of life and acknowledged that their hopes and aspirations were reasonable expectations. Returning to his pledge he made during that campaign, President Jagdeo held out his hand to them in his inauguration speech urging them to work with him to help them to realise their aspirations. In coming to the presidency at such a young age, President Jagdeo brings to his job an appreciation of what the technological advances made can offer to this country and the areas where these advances can offer advantages. More importantly, he can speak to the country's youth in a language which they understand. In the past, he has been eager to exchange ideas with those willing to take the time to talk with him whether or not they shared his party affiliation. He should continue to do this. Also, in the area in which he has the most experience, President Jagdeo as finance minister would have had discussions with various groups and individuals about ways of generating and stimulating economic growth. His record in this area has not been impressive but he has the opportunity now of moving outside of the circle into which he tapped for new ideas and of identifying new talent. One characteristic of the youth of Guyana with which the President must be familiar is its attachment to ideas rather than personalities or ideologies and for appointments made on merit. He has the opportunity in his quest to move Guyana forward to tap into the human resources potential which his predecessors ignored to see if there are ideas which accord with his vision for Guyana that can be adopted. Also, to tap into the reservoir of professional and technical expertise which is ready to work for the development of Guyana regardless of the party in power. One issue on which the new President could signal his intention to move beyond his party's circle for implementable ideas is that of the composition of the National Youth Council. President Jagdeo should ensure that it is free of the control of the PYO and organisations associated with the PPP. Let the Council be a forum where ideas contend and he will benefit from hearing views other than those crafted at Freedom House and the PYO secretariat. An unintended but welcome impact (to the PPP/Civic at least) of Jagdeo's presidency is the problems it poses for the major opposition party, the People's National Congress (PNC). Cries for a change in leadership, until now kept at manageable level, are likely to become louder from the younger members of the party. Also, public sentiment that the new president should be given a chance should constrain the PNC from using its more militant tactics in pursuit of its agenda. But more importantly, Jagdeo's presidency will bring the PNC face to face with the stark reality that it would need to accelerate the process of bringing new blood into its leadership. Jagdeo's presidency also has unintended consequences for the PPP/Civic. Unlike 1997, Jagdeo cannot be dumped by the PPP as unceremoniously as it did Sam Hinds for some other candidate unless it is clear that his performance in office would be a liability to its winning the elections. Also, if the recommendations for a two-term presidency proposed by the Constitution Reform Commission is accepted, Jagdeo's presidency could spell the death knell for the presidential aspirations of not a few of its leading executive members. By placing the future of the country in the hands of such a young president, the PPP has ensured that the Guyanese people will be offered a fresh vision. The other parties will be forced to follow suit, with the happy result that those visions will not be coloured by experiences forged in our unhappy past. One word of caution for the young president who confesses to being a protege of Cheddi and Janet Jagan. Be your own man, use the lessons you have learnt from them to tackle the challenges you have taken on. Don't be afraid of making mistakes, your age entitles you to make a few. Also, more because you are so young, there is a distinct possibility of a life after politics. The bridges you will have built are those that you will have to cross and you are likely to be around to have the Guyanese people heap their praises and blessings on you or have their condemnation ringing in your ears depending on how well you superintended their construction. 
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