Maintaining our identity and relevance is important

Jun 23, 2019 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

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From its formation in 2005 and more so in the national elections of May 2015, the AFC has asserted our relevance in this ethno-centric society. We are indeed the strongest ‘third force’. We contributed significantly to reining in the PPP’s arrogance and corruption. Before the historic elections in 2015, the AFC had won 7 seats in the 2011 polls, and 5 seats in 2006. Nowhere in the Caribbean has that ever happened with a third political party.
History has shown that the introduction of a third party into the political mix enhances the positive consequences of a two-party system. It prevents gridlock; it increases voter turnout; it holds the governing party to its promises; and the third force ensures that the needs and interests of every racial grouping are catered for.
Although third parties usually have little chance of winning elections by themselves, they do play a big role, especially in ethnic-based societies like ours, when it comes to bridging that racial divide.
In this particular context therefore, Guyana DOES need the AFC more than ever. This party has an irrefutable responsibility to keep promoting the interests of all the different groups in this society, and to enhance (ramp up) our nation’s chances for greater and more positive development.
The AFC is your true ‘alternative’ party that stands beside the two main parties that have dominated our nation’s history. Among our functions is keeping the democratic process alive and well. With our grouping of qualified professionals now functioning as Ministers in areas that demand high levels of professionalism, the AFC is able to keep our Government’s developmental objectives all moving in the right directions, all catering for the people in this nation.
Guyana’s very imminent oil and gas (hydrocarbon) industry is on our doorstep and is already developing into a brand new sector in our economy. The AFC in Government will not only provide keen scrutiny, but we will be able to help guide the trajectory of business development in this country, especially with so many downstream enterprises on the verge and ready to emerge in Guyana in the very near future.
On the issue of consolidating our strengths as a very viable Third Force, it has to be acknowledged that the AFC has been too miserly and modest in promoting our accomplishments over the past four years. In fact, it can be said that the biggest secrets in Guyana are the accomplishments and achievements that this Coalition Government has recorded.
In every sector, every sphere of life, production, development and achievements for our people, this government has done much better in four years than the PPP did in 23 years. Having said that, we acknowledge that we have not done all that should have been done to tell the nation about these accomplishments, to lay out the real FACTS for the nation. We have been too modest, but here are some of those accomplishments:-

 To date, in our first term in office, this Government has held two Local Government Elections that fulfilled our promise to decentralise government, relinquish control over your community affairs, and allow you to manage them through your NDCs

 We have improved Guyana’s ranking on Transparency International’s ‘Corruption Perception Index’.

 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) is a very serious international crime. This Government has given it the serious attention it deserves, first by acknowledging that it is happening in our country, instead of denying it like the PPP did for many years. We are still fighting the people who have been perpetuating this scourge, and we are slowly making inroads, but this is a long-haul fight. Guyana’s efforts are being recognised, and in 2018 we went up in the global ranking, gaining Tier 1 status.

 With respect to our citizens’ enjoyment of political and civic rights, Guyana has regained the respect and confidence of the international community. Our record since 2015 is much better. We have not abused any foreign dignitaries in their own homes, or belted out feral blasts on our friends from the developed countries.

 We did establish a Procurement Commission which the PPP wanted no part of because their Cabinet wanted to control the purchase of goods and services in every sector, including health and agriculture.

 We carried a serious anti-corruption crusade even while in opposition and now, with our APNU partner, we are still fighting this uphill battle.

Maintaining our identity and our relevance are very important, just as important as doing the right and reasonable things, and speaking out frankly on issues. The recent community public outreaches have shown us that we need to talk more about the good things that are being accomplished. Our supporters and the public at large need to know what we are doing and why we act in certain ways, and we have an obligation to provide you with answers.
The AFC+APNU government is going into the upcoming elections with clean hands and a good progress report. There is more to come.

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