Minister Broomes’ performance on Facebook underlines need for both gov’t, opposition to develop strategy on way forward

Dear Editor,

On the afternoon of Saturday 22 December, 2018, I saw a 25 minutes and 51 seconds video with the Hon. Simona Broomes, Junior Minister of Natural Resources, clad in a blue and white striped jersey and a Christmas decoration on her head, on her Facebook page. In the video the Minister was responding to, and attempting to encourage ‘her’ supporters, as a result of the NoConfidence Motion that was passed successfully against the Government on Friday evening.

As a senior communications professional, I am ‘taking over’ the Government’s and Opposition’s communications at this point in the name of citizenship; not the politics and campaigning aspects but governance.

Apart from the Minister’s attire being inappropriate, I found it unbelievable, what the Minister was doing and saying, a few hours after the Government of which she is a part, fell. As someone who has studied and practised the science and art of communications, I must note that what the Minister was doing, is one of the reasons for the results in Parliament on the 21st December, 2018; the lack of meticulous strategizing and the Government has to take stock -review and revise its behaviour, engagements and operations, etc.

The Minister took to her Facebook page to express her emotions. This act and kind of behaviour from Government Ministers, is at a very emotional level and could impact negatively on the following: the Government’s ability to manage the current ‘crisis’ and impending change process; the Government’s ability to control the messages sent to its various audiences - both internal and external (supporters, investors, business community, other Governments, Opposition, etc.) which is important to its leadership; the Government’s ability to mobilize the much needed support at this time (for the parties in Government, as well as for the stability of the country).

The Minister also, was involved in some name-calling; by calling Mr. Charrandas Persaud, who is the Government’s Member of Parliament who voted ‘yes’ to the No- Confidence Motion in favour of the Opposition, a Judas. This is totally unacceptable from any Member of Government and it is also not strategic. Government must not descend into name calling in public, particularly as it relates to this matter. The Government has to show more emotional sustainability; they are the Government, leading a people through a period of massive uncertainties at this point and we need to see leadership at its best and highest.

Therefore, President Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Bharrat Jagdeo; here is how we will do communications from here, at least for the next month.

The Government and Opposition must immediately, separately, and if possible, collectively on some aspects; meet with its Ministers or key representatives and advisors as well as appropriate individuals and develop a comprehensive strategy on the way forward; a communications and crisis management strategy must also be a main component. The communications and crisis management strategy should include: Building greater internal cohesion within the government, developing core messages (what are the next steps according to the Constitution, Laws of Guyana, policies of parties in Government, policies of the PPP/C), etc.; deciding on who speaks for the Government and Opposition at this point; and since I will not take any chances, clear decisions and agreement should be on what is communicated and how these messages will be sent out, etc.

A mobilization strategy must also be developed – which should include: How the Government and