By Tracey Khan-Drakes
[www.inewsguyana.com] – Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), Mrs. Elisabeth Harper does not believe that her image is under threat following her alignment with the ruling Party even though the government continues to be accused to corruption or gross misconduct both locally and internationally.
During her appearance on the radio show ‘Hard Talk’ aired on 90.1 Love FM with host Chris Chapwanya, Mrs. Harper explained that her decision to accept the offer by incumbent President Donald Ramotar will give her the chance to serve the country in a higher and more effective capacity.
She does not believe that giving up her successful and untarnished record as a diplomat is a mistake; she is adamant that her credibility will be maintained.
“The position that I have accepted is one that I find to be an honourable one, it is one that would allow me to serve the people of Guyana in a higher capacity. Who would not want to do that if they had the opportunity especially if they had their country at heart and the people of the country?…My reputation being tarnished? My credibility speaks for itself, my integrity is intact and that’s it…I just want to give what I can to the people of Guyana,” she said.
The Former Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also responded to concerns of Leader of the Opposition, David Granger that her entrance into the PPP/C will have no impact on their way of doing business.
“Mr. Granger is quite within his grounds to say what he feels, I know what I know, I know what I believe in and this is what I am going to be doing. I think my focus really is to speak to the electorate, the electorate wants to hear what the issues you are bringing to them and that is what I will be doing in the next few weeks…my integrity speaks for itself and therefore I am presenting myself to the people of Guyana as someone who I hope they can have some confidence in.”
Mrs Harper in responding to critics about her sudden stance on the issue of domestic violence described it as an, “unfortunate saga” that will only discourage other women from speaking out.
Mrs Harper, who was also a victim, explained that after telling her story, is being criticized heavily by some sections of society.
“I wonder in all of this what this unfortunate saga is doing to some of those women who initially might have heard me speak. Yes it might have been 25 years later…but there may be women who are currently been abused and they have no recourse, now what does that do to their confidence if this is now being seen as though it is just sort of a political football? It is not, it is a very serious issue and it is something that should go across the political divide.”
During the campaign trail, the career diplomat intends to maintain her diplomatic decorum and focus on issues and not personality.
“I intend to maintain my line in terms of I am here to serve you, this is what I would like to do for you, this is how I am going to do it. I will work with the PPP/C when we get into government, we will even work with the Opposition as we have to because we are working for Guyana, we’re not working for ourselves.”
Mrs. Harper was careful while giving a position on the rights of the LGBT society noting that, “Everyone has a right to live their life the way they see and therefore it’s their life, I do know that the government will be embarking on consultations with regard to the rights of the LGBT and so therefore that consultation has to take into account all of the views of all of the population and at that point Guyana will decide.”
Mrs Harper replaced Prime Minister Samuel Hinds as the PPP/C candidate after he served in the position for close to 22 years.
While she remained as Ambassador General for the past month, Harper has taken to the campaign trail and was well received by many with her message to eradicate domestic violence.
Jim I think they are wrong to curse you and your family. That’s totally wrong! Now you will have to punish all the days of your life. I feel sorry for you, just change your name and features like Michael Jackson. Whenever you do I will give you forty million dollars right away in exchange for the proofs of the forty thieves you boast about. See how easy your life is going to be. Yes I’m serious just like you, first take it to the police, a copy to the Ombudsman, US. Embassy, AFC/PNC, Kaieteur News, and one right here. You know what give Kaieteur News two copies. Glen lall will definitely give you a raise. Winston Felix said Glen does buy and pick anything and publish them.
Albert are you a jackass or a jenny ass? We just cannot attack each other, we have to attack the PPP supporters. Don”t you see that we have been winning with propaganda.
Jim, When you said cuss bird, what really do you mean?
Do you mean profanities? Or Pronounising a cures, like your mother big stinking C or P ? You can make accusation without proofs.
Elizabeth Harper serve Guyana all she life as public servants perfectly and proudllie good and now she want to serve as the ruler. Why the PPP dont put she to be them President.
“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence + character that is the goal true education.” Martin Luther King.
There is no person with a purer character than Mrs. Elizabeth Harper, coupled with her experience and her education, she brings sound credentials to any political party. All of the negative criticism being dished out on this woman of high moral and ethical values only highlights the low moral standards that most people have come to associate Guyana with. Is it that she is the perfect candidate and that your CRAPNU and afc leaders dropped the ball in not chasing Mrs. Harper?
As Mrs. Harper has already identified, her credibility speaks for itself. In using her democratic right to exercise her preference for a political party, it makes her no less the patriotic, intelligent woman that many have known her to be. The PPP saw these qualities in her and she was given diplomatic posts as a result of her dedication.
In spite of being a victim of domestic violence, Mrs. Harper was able to attain what many other aspiring politician were unable to achieve. She truly is a voice for many women who have had to remain silent and her stance on domestic violence MUST be embraced not used for political mileage.
Ramotar and Harper are up against Granger and Nagamootoo, using Dr. Kings quote above take your time and decide on which platform should that statement be placed…. The PPP or the coalition? I’m certain that good sense will prevail and you can understand that there will be only one winner. The Ramotar/Harper tickets wins hands down!!!
This woman is a sad example of how abused women of Guyana are. She has no credibility or integrity to maintain all that was dashed when she took platform with woman abuser Jagdeo and join the most abusive government in the history of Guyana. No one said the issue of domestic violence shouldn’t be address she’s a hypocrite saying she wants to serve Guyanese when she had all the time to do so but never took a genuine interest or spoke when it was necessary she didn’t have to run as prime ministerial to stand for something and serve Guyanese so she can keep the pretense for those foolish enough to believe her.
allinging your self with a set of cuss birds and ali baba and the forty thives that is stripping Guyana dry what a grate ambition
Credidle yes but on the wrong side of the fence Where is credibility in PPP/C Govt. You are being made a scape goat. GET REAL.
I think they call this professional suicide. At least you will not get a chance to ridicule yourself further a PM. Ciao!
Your credibility does speak for itself, but your integrity will be questioned with your association with the PPP. When you said you had to think about it, you should have think about it some more!