Guyana’s Future is Bright

Feb 02, 2020 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Guyana’s future is bright. There seems to be an energy of optimism, enthusiasm and happiness that, after more than 50 years, we are finally getting it right. In 2015, the Guyanese people voted for a Coalition Government, which to date is the closet we have come to a Government of National Unity. On the political front, we are literally seeing the end of racially divisive politics. This brand of politics and political strategising, practised by both the early leadership of the PPP and PNC damaged our people’s minds, brought undue violence and killings, much of which were extra-judicial killings involving the previous Governments and deep, but not intractable ethnic tensions and mistrust.
Between 1999 and 2014, we saw the rise of the narco-state and the emergence of a small group of ultra-rich people, who acquired their wealth with the support of, by supporting and in partnership with the ruling elite during this period which coincided with the ‘Troubles’ of 2002, all the way up to 2015.
The positive impact of a Government representative of all our people, committed to an open society, political inclusivity and correcting taking responsibility and fixing when it missteps cannot be overstated. Imagine in five years we have not experienced a massacre, which was so prevalent prior to 2015. We have not had instances of extra-judicial killings, or persons suing Cabinet officials because said officials targeted them with violence, threatened to slap and strip them, threatened to make them lose their jobs and/or pensions and so on.
Prior to 2015, several persons were victims of violence by the then PPP-led Government.
After 2015, we are seeing the emergence of several political parties, some with familiar faces, new faces and those who are seeking to stick it to the Government, openly and freely doing their work with fear of victimisation; this is an immense positive step for Guyana.
Another positive development we must all be proud of, is the arrival of a number persons from various countries seeking work and to make Guyana their home. Similarly, the impact of the plethora of Diaspora Guyanese that have returned home since 2015 to work in Government, retire and/or start businesses or otherwise lend their talents, skills and resources to help rebuild Guyana is encouraging.
This means among other things, that Guyana is poised to become a ‘Rainbow Nation’ and the economic giant of the Caribbean. And I truly hope that the arrival of other cultures and peoples help Guyanese of Indian and African ancestry more so than others, that we do not have to live poor and divided, and that it was the politics of old which many subscribed to, which kept alive tensions among our people for political advantage.
Political inclusion and the participation of all Guyanese in local and regional development is another major positive indication that our future is very bright. For 23 years, imagine we had to live with Interim Management Committees, local and regional councillors, most of whom were appointed by the PPP. These people were more concerned about pleasing the political bosses rather than serving the people in their respective regions and communities. Today, we have youth, women, retirees and a number of other persons who are councillors and directly involved in rebuilding their communities and regions. Four new townships have been established since 2015 to bring services and budgetary support for regional and community work to rural and hinterland areas, so as to bridge the development gap between the coast and hinterland.
Greater confidence in the police force and justice system have improved police-citizen relations, building trust and willingness of persons to provide tips to help solve and prevent some crimes. Since 2015, numerous CCTV cameras have been installed all across Guyana. The Guyana Police Force is using these cameras to solve numerous crimes and to charge drivers who break traffic laws. Many unsolved crimes that until 2015, remained solved have been solved, persons charged and the victims finally can feel some form of closure. We still have more work to do but for the most part, Guyana is more secure from both internal and external threats to our people.
Finally readers, it goes without saying that our economy is transforming for the better. Guyana is no longer recognised or are we blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force for failure to reduce money laundering, and enact the necessary laws and systems to dissuade money laundering and track the illicit finances that circulated in Guyana. We have started producing oil, hundreds of businesses have opened shop right here to do business with us. Several local business and entrepreneurs have expanded their services, or opened a business to attract the increase of legal money that is already circulating.
Our future is indeed bright, and we need strong leadership committed to a united, peace and thriving Guyana. Not leadership that will take us back to dark times characterised by racially divisive politics, State-sponsored violence, massacres, the social and economic impacts of the illicit drug trade and living in fear.
There are some politicians and political groups that want us to remain divided and poor. There are some who fear they will lose control over certain groups of people, if we are united, open and free. There are some who want to take us back in time, but this is not an option. If you know such a person or group of persons, tell them no, we are not going back. Guyanese are better together!

Yours respectfully,

Andrew Small

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