PP / C members, supporters and all Guyanese must demand justice for Sash Sawh and his family
DEAR EDITOR,
Kaieteur News – It is now 15 long years since Satyadeow ‘Sash’ Sawh, his sister Pulmatie Persaud, his brother Rajpat Sawh and security guard Curtis Robertson were brutally murdered by terrorists on April 22, 2006.
It is a complete pity that after all these years, the People’s Progressive / Civic Party (PPP / C) has not provided objective and complete answers about what happened to one of its leaders, and has not identified organizers this terrorist act either. . These murders should be one of the priority ‘cold cases’ to solve.
Sash Sawh served three PPP / C Presidents – Cheddi Jagan, Janet Jagan and Bharrat Jagdeo. Therefore, the PPP / C has primary responsibility for ending the hearsay, rumors and theories about internal party jealousy, forestry concessions and drug lords. Guyanese, at home and in the diaspora, need an answer as to why police assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) never came to light.
All PPP / C members and supporters must support his wife, sons, relatives and friends who have been consistently calling the PPP / C leadership, for over 10 years, to complete a full and proper investigation.
Satyadeow Sawh was a patriot and internationalist whose time among us was too short. He was a compassionate and intelligent person who graduated from York University in Toronto with a Degree in Economics.
He was one of the most effective democratic leaders in the Guyanese diaspora in North America, an outstanding Ambassador to Guyana and one of the most dynamic, efficient and effective Ministers ever in any Guyanese Government.
As we know, between 1968 and 1985 in Guyana, there were strict elections, economic downturns and trends towards dictatorship and the militarization of society. That was a very difficult time for the democratic forces in Guyana. Some PPP leaders in Guyana defected to the PNC, others moved out of politics, and Walter Rodney was assassinated in 1980.
Between 1982 and 1993, in response to these challenges, patriot Sash Sawh led the Society of Concerned Guyanese (ACG) in Toronto to organize the Guyanese diaspora and Canadian institutions to support the successful return of democracy to Guyana in 1992.
As an internationalist, Sash also led the ACG to support organizations in Toronto that were struggling to end nuclear weapons, to free South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia, to end dictatorships in Central and South America and for progressive change in the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
Between 1993 and 1996 in Venezuela, Satyadeow Sawh distinguished himself as Ambassador over Guyana. In recognition of his contribution to improving relations between Guyanese and Venezuelan nations, he was honored with a national award in Venezuela.
Today, the Guyanese diaspora in Venezuela, involving over 30,000 people, still remembers Ambassador Sawh for his unwavering support for his legal rights in Venezuela and for facilitating many of their family members to return to Guyana.
In 1997, the late President Dr. Jagan acquired Satyadeow ‘Sash’ Sawh’s mandate to create the new Ministry of Fisheries, Other Crops and Livestock.
Under his leadership, the agricultural sector was diversified into new and expanded sub-sectors such as honey production, commercial fish farming and processed juices.
As a Minister, Sash was humble, caring and approachable. He had an undeniable grassroots connection with fishing folk, farmers, workers and the poor. He understood their problems, concerns and aspirations, and represented their interests with zeal, passion and integrity.
Regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation, Minister Sawh carried the message “food safety” to farmers in their villages throughout Guyana. At CARICOM Ministerial meetings, he always offered fresh ideas and new ways to meet the food needs of Caribbean people.
Sash’s focus was on how farmers and processors could increase their income by exporting value-added products and by replacing imported foods with quality local products. There have been successes. Seafood export revenues grew from US $ 3 million in the early 1990s to over US $ 62 million in 2007. In 2001, over 40 percent of Guyanese used chicken was imported from the US. By 2011, Guyana became self-sufficient in poultry production.
Everyone, especially young people, can learn a lot from Sash Sawh. He set an example by his actions and not just his words. Even when things went wrong and there was defeat, he showed an unwavering commitment to the cause of democracy and a better life for all Guyanese. His ethics were based on his religious and moral upbringing, his parents’ compassionate lessons, and his life experiences growing up in Mahaicony and, later, at Georgetown.
The secret of Sash’s success was his self-sacrifice and dedication to what he loved to do, happily serving his family, country, farmers, workers, the poor and the disadvantaged. He was a loyal son, a wonderful father and husband, a patriot and an internationalist – a true philanthropist.
Sash was always dedicated, dedicated and loyal to the People’s Progressive / Civic Party.
He had an impressive ability to effectively communicate the struggles, aspirations and triumphs of workers, farmers and other working people. He was blessed with a booming voice and undeniable ‘human touch’. This was confirmed at his funeral when thousands of Guyanese showed love for him because he was honest, forward-looking, competent and inspirational, and had a genuine interest in their welfare.
His happy personality, joyful laugh and attractive smile infected everyone. He was a perpetual optimist. He was not a negative person or complaining. He was always cheerful and enthusiastic.
All PPP / C members and supporters and all Guyanese, at home and in the diaspora, cannot be silent and allow the injustice of April 22, 2006 to continue. We want the PPP / C government to conduct an investigation now. If we do not do this, then it will be the shame of the PPP / C for generations to come.
Geoffrey Da Silva