Latest update September 28th, 2026 10:20 AM
EMBRACING THE NEW ADMINISTRATION!
As with any new administration, the expectations of the APNU+AFC government are high but they must be met. Some of the promises made by the coalition have been fulfilled, others are still to be realized.
The government has been afforded the opportunity to manage the affairs of the country for the benefit of all citizens and its policies, programmes and priorities will affect all in one way or another. But in due course, the citizens will judge thegovernment on its performance.
While it is too early to judge the performance of the government, it is safe to say that it is slowly stamping its brand of good governance on the country. With few positions filled, the government must hire qualified personnel in the diaspora if it is to develop the economy, create jobs and move Guyana forward.
It cannot continue to say that it does not have the money to pay decent salaries or it has been in office for only four months and that it needs more time. That will not fly with many party supporters who have been waiting patiently to reap the benefits of their hard work during the campaign. They are becoming impatient.
On the appointment of some ministers, a few comments are appropriate. The fact that the majority of those assigned portfolios are without ministerial experience is not a major problem. After all, there are only a few people in the country with ministerial experience and most of them are in the opposition. The question is how much time they would need to learn the job, how fast will they learn and how productive will they be after the learning process is over? Whatever the outcome, they must be given a chance to prove themselves as judgement day awaits everyone.
Much has been said about the suitability of some ministers for their respective portfolios in light of their backgrounds. In particular, the appointment of only two females as senior ministers and two young persons as junior ministers have aroused some concern. But the fact that most have embraced the governmentis proof of their appreciation for the change it has brought about.
So far, most of the ministers have done reasonably well grappling with some of the issues facing the country and the problems left by the previous administration. But, in the interest of stability and good governance, the government has a responsibility to assure the nation that the many ills of the past would never happen again.
The cabinet must hold true to its ethical standard to make sure that corruption is discouraged from the inception. Furthermore, the humility that was used by the coalition during the campaign to gain the support of voters must continue. Arrogance and the willful neglect of the people, especially the youths on social, economic and political issues must not be tolerated.
The coalition government has attracted an unprecedented number of young people who supported and voted for it. Therefore, it should make sure that special mechanisms are put in place to retain the youths. This should not just be an internal undertaking but it must be transmitted to the national agenda for the involvement, participation education and development of youths.
In this regard the APNU and AFC must ensure that their members are not neglected while they are in government.
The government has been successful in some areas since taking office, but it also faces several challenges in others, including the economy which should be given the highest priority to ensure its sustenance and growth.
Agriculture should be the backbone of the economy but it is in a rot. Its sub-sectors; sugar is bankrupt and the outlook for the rice is dismal. Prices for bauxite and gold have combined to put a dent on the country’s finances and its future economic prospects. However, the government still has time to turn the economy around if it does not repeat the mistakes of the past. It should not indulge in corrupt practices.
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