Latest update April 9th, 2025 12:59 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

WIDESPREAD DISCONTENT

Feb 12, 2016 Editorial, Features / Columnists

Anniversaries are significant in that they represent important milestones. They provide an opportunity for soul-searching and assessment as part of the planning for the next stage of a lifelong experience.
In another eleven days, February 23rd, is an important anniversary in the political history of Guyana. It is 46 years ago when Guyana was declared the first Cooperative Republic in the world by the government of the late Forbes Burnham. Becoming a Republic in essence severed all colonial ties with Great Britain. It is an event that should not go unnoticed or ignored by the people; certainly not because of the government’s primary focus on this year 50th independence anniversary celebrations.
Becoming a republic was supposed to have ushered in a period of change for a better Guyana, or so the nation was led to believe. The leaders of the day spoke of the need to improve the political dialogue with the people through an improved governance framework that placed strong emphasis on transparency, accountability and greater participation of the people in public decision-making, among other things. The declaration resonated well with the people who placed their confidence and trust in the government. However, indecisive and wicked actions by successive governments have caused distrust among the people.
Today, many Guyanese, particularly youths, have perceived voting as a waste of time, since the promises made by leaders of the major parties during several election campaigns have not been delivered. Those leaders have also made themselves inaccessible and become unresponsive to the needs of their constituents.
The coalition government faces the same problem. It has been reluctant to take the people into its confidence and explain to them what it has been doing on their behalf. The absence of informative press conferences to apprise the people about the Government’s activities does not bode well for the administration either.
In terms of making good on its promises, it is pathetic that the government is behaving pretty much the same way as its predecessor. Some say even worse. Not only has the government not deliver on some of its key promises, such as lowering the tax on VAT and giving public servants a substantial salary increase, but it is also fair to say that the people today feel even more alienated from the political process because of their diminished confidence in the government.
The prevailing public sentiment is there seems to be widespread discontent among Guyanese with the low level of performance. From the management of the economy, the poor level of communication or the lack thereof with the public, to the seemingly detached leadership style of those in authority, who, like their PPP counterparts, seem more concerned with providing jobs for their relatives and friends, and with their nest eggs, than furthering the interest of the people.  The notable exceptions to the negative views would be some diehard party supporters who themselves are being rewarded.
Constitutionally, the next general election is four years away, but local government elections will be with us in less two months. But as the saying goes, a day is a long time in politics, much less four years. Therefore, it is possible that the administration can recover some lost ground during this period. But the odds are heavily stacked against such an eventuality, especially considering the close numbers in the last election.
Rebuilding the people’s confidence in government is going to be a mammoth task. It will be difficult, but can be achieved once there is a commitment to match words with action. Going forward, it definitely can no longer be business as usual for the government.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| April, 7th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Berbice ease past Demerara in low-scoring match 

Berbice ease past Demerara in low-scoring match 

Apr 09, 2025

2025 GCB Female T20 inter-county tournament  Kaieteur Sports – It was a stroll to victory for the Berbice women who destroyed Demerara by 8 wickets yesterday when action in the GCB senior T20...
Read More
Upper Demerara suffer 8 wicket loss as Lakeram stars with bat and ball 

Upper Demerara suffer 8 wicket loss as Lakeram...

Apr 09, 2025

Joshi is the new National 2025 Women’s Chess Champion

Joshi is the new National 2025 Women’s Chess...

Apr 09, 2025

Kares Engineering renews title sponsorship of One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast

Kares Engineering renews title sponsorship of One...

Apr 09, 2025

Harpy Eagles looking to put old rivals to bed, with path to title retention clear 

Harpy Eagles looking to put old rivals to bed,...

Apr 09, 2025

Windsor Estates reigns supreme at AmCham Golf Classic

Windsor Estates reigns supreme at AmCham Golf...

Apr 09, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • The geography of pettiness

    Kaieteur News – You have to admire the commitment. Not to international diplomacy, mind you, but to the art of the... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]