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Ambitious attorney and newly minted – politician, Ronald Daniels is a ‘Special Person’
Deeply conscious of the struggle that resonates with the ordinary man…
Attorney -at -Law and newly-minted politician Ronald Daniels
By Shania Williams
Kaieteur News – With a conscience deeply rooted in the ordinary man’s struggle pursuit of a better life, attorney-at-law, Ronald Daniels is making a bold entrance into the political arena. However before he could make his mark as a politician or even an attorney Daniels’ journey is steeped in very humble beginnings which fiercely carved out a life that is sure to inspire many.
To support his dreams, Daniels did the most honest and hard work. Those, who would look at him today may never tell that this lawyer once ‘pulled the doors,’ of a minibus, earning a humble sum to support his young family and complete his legal studies at University of Guyana.
And he did not worry about being looked down upon; Daniels did what needed to be done and kept his eyes on the prize, working his way up from a minibus conductor to the hallowed halls of the Guyana’s highest Court of law.
Behind his legal mind is a rising political persona with a deeply human story—one of perseverance, faith, and an unwavering love for people.
Daniels once working quietly behind the scenes, using the law to change lives, this week’s ‘Special Person’ is stepping out of his comfort zone to become more than just a legal professional, but a bold advocate for change
EARLY LESSONS
Born in the mining town of Linden, the quiet yet brilliant, Daniels has weathered life’s hardships from an early age.
With some of his formative years, spent in Grove, East Bank Demerara, Daniels told the Waterfalls, he was raised in a small, wooden, one-room house alongside his mother Marcia, grandmother Agnes, and aunts Winifred, Myrtle, Tina, and Oddessa.
His childhood was rich in love though poor in material wealth.
Despite limited resources, the household was filled with laughter and warmth.
“I was not aware that we were ‘poor’ in the traditional sense because my mom, grandma and aunts collectively provided for us, and our home was characterized by lots of laughter and happiness,” Daniels shared.
Life, however, shifted when his mother fell ill when he was just eight. That moment marked a turning point in his life—awakening a deep sense of responsibility and emotional maturity. He began assisting with her care, gaining a sharper awareness of the sacrifices made by the women who raised him.
Family man: Daniels taking a group photo with his loving wife and kids
“The women whom I grew under and grew-up with- mom, grandma, aunts, sisters (Roxanne and Susan) and my female cousins (Joelle and Antonia) were especially remarkable in the stewardship of their resources; focus and commitment to family; and strong sense of responsibility. Wherever in me these virtues are found I credit this to them fully,” he reflected.
Daniels further added that due to his mom’s illness, he developed a sense of realization of his living condition and became a man beyond his years.
“From then, I started taking intelligent stock of my environment and circumstances. This is when I began to appreciate the enormous personal sacrifices my mom, grandma and aunts were making to support us kids. This is when I began to realize that we were not as fortunate as some of our counterparts…,” he said.
GIFTED
From an early age, Daniels displayed remarkable intellectual gifts. He was reportedly speaking in full sentences by seven months and showed signs of being inquisitive.
These said traits that shaped his future as a legal mind. “From my tender years I was considered to be a gifted child…I am told that I was talking plainly at seven months-old and that I have always been inquisitive,” he said with a smile.
The lawyer’s academic journey began at Campbell’s Trust Nursery School and continued at Grove Primary. And although he scored 500 marks at the Common Entrance Exam, he was placed at Central High School due to administrative decisions and his father’s preferences.
“I can recall protesting to my father and requesting that this be rectified at the Ministry of Education. He declined and chose to keep me at Central, closer to his office. This affected me negatively in first form,” he said. Though disappointed at first, Daniels’ found lifelong friends at Central High School and began to thrive academically.
As a youth he was eager to learn, so much so that he trained and became certified as both a Land Surveying Technician and a Civil and Building Engineering Technician before pursuing studies in International Relations. He later earned his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and a Legal Education Certificate from Hugh Wooding Law School. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Development Studies and holds certifications in Negotiation, Mediation Advocacy, and Anti-Money Laundering.
Among his early achievements was being named Best Speaker in the University of Guyana’s UNAIDS HIV/AIDS Debate in 2008 and competing in the International Chamber of Commerce Commercial Mediation Competition in Paris in 2014, where his team reached the finals.
“I served as a Seminar Group Leader at Hugh Wooding Law School and then as the President of the Student Representative Council representing the university at the Council of Legal Education annual meeting and receiving high commendations for same. I lectured part-time in Guyana and at the UWI Open Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. I have engaged in several leadership training through church ministry and John Maxwell programmes as well as several post-graduate work-shops,” he added.
Daniels and his lovely wife, Kay
THE STRUGGLE
Daniels’ legal career began in Trinidad and Tobago, where he was first called to the Bar. But before that he took several odd jobs to support his family and achieve his dreams. The Lindener recalled that at the time his inspiration was his ailing mother.
“It has always been to give my mom a better life, a normal life. I am committed to her, she has shaped my life, the ultimate decisions I have made are because of her. She has taught me to be resilient. I had the opportunity to leave for better educational opportunities in the USA but I couldn’t leave her,” he said.
Because of his passion and unconditional love for his mom, Daniels worked as a minibus conductor when he was at Guyana Technical Institute (GTI) and even during his first year of law at UG. I was working the bus even when I was working with Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes.
“So basically, I studied law in the day and worked as a tout in the night. I worked as a street vendor, selling glasses and knives sometimes. I worked as a construction labourer. I did pipe-work and I was even a security guard at night and went to classes in the morning. I have had those jobs because things were hard and I had to make ends meet. I did two to three jobs while studying and still managed to be at the top of the class,” he said.
After completing his legal studies and being admitted to practice in Trinidad, Daniels returned home to Guyana where he worked closely with renowned attorney Nigel Hughes.
He credits Hughes for his professional growth. “Mr. Hughes has been instrumental both financially and as a mentor in my becoming an attorney and also in my academic and professional growth,” he said.
With Hughes’ blessing, the lawyer later co-founded his own law firm alongside a brilliant female colleague.
PAYING IT FORWARD
Having faced much hardship in life, the lawyer sought to use his professional platform to advocate for the most vulnerable in society. It is his way of paying it forward.
For over a decade, his work has balanced private legal practice with a passion for public service.
Service has always been at the core of his’ journey. The lawyer has held leadership roles in school, university, and professional settings, often offering pro bono legal assistance to the vulnerable.
“God has been generous in the gifts He has afforded me. Even from my tender age, I have understood my talents to be facilities which God has given me to serve others. I have been serving others as a child in primary school- standing up for their interest. It was the same in high school, at the university and in the workplace. As an attorney-at-law, I have persisted in that vein,” he said.
“From a tender age, I have understood my talents as gifts from God, meant to serve others,” he said.
The lawyer asserted “If I am to weigh my practice over the years, the bulk of it has been offering pro bono representation to affected persons. Over the years, I have consistently carved out the time to comment on topical legal and political issues affecting our countrymen.
My focus in this regard has always been, and I would hope I have succeeded in large a part, to assist in equipping our countrymen with requisite knowledge to better understand and navigate the political and legal landscape which affects them so fundamentally,”
Despite numerous invitations over the years, Daniels only recently entered politics—after what he calls a divine “release” from God. A man of deep faith, he refused to act out of ambition, waiting instead for spiritual confirmation.
When that moment came, he joined the APNU, moved by what he sees as statesmanship and integrity in the party leadership.
For the attorney, the political arena is not a platform for personal power, but a mission field to serve and transform lives.
“Over the years I have been invited by most of the major parties and smaller parties to become directly involved in politics. I have always respectfully declined- not out of a lack of interest but due to my not being released. He brought to my awareness since my tender years that my purpose is to serve our countrymen politically, and that He will instruct my release when that time comes And He did release me several months before the onset of the elections season,” he explained.
. “I prayed about this and engaged my wife and spiritual leaders to pray with me about this. It was only after His further confirmation that I accepted the invitation from Mr. Norton.”
FAMILY MAN
In his personal life, Daniels takes the greatest pride in his role as a husband and father. His wife, Kay, whom he describes as an exceptional academic and culinary talent, is the glue that holds their family together. Together, they are raising four children: Mayah, Josh, Ronan, and Raziel. He speaks candidly about the struggles they’ve endured as a young couple navigating the complexities of faith, family, and financial hardship.
“My greatest achievement, hands down, is being a husband and father. Kay and my journey as a couple and as parents has not been an easy one. We have had to overcome many hurdles, especially because we were not intentional- like most young people- in preparing ourselves for marriage and for being parents,” he said.
Daniels’ journey has not been without profound loss and difficulty. He recalls the emotional and financial struggles of law school, working unpaid apprenticeships, and even grieving the murder of close friends Kumari and Nasheed Baksh in Trinidad.
Through it all, his faith has sustained him. “God never left us out in the cold. Kay and I have scrolls of stories about God coming through for us in the nick of time. Kay’s patience, contentment, and unwavering support made these challenges more bearable,” he said.
As a lawyer and emergent leader, he offers sound advice to young people “Do use your time purposefully and wisely. Work hard and honestly in whatever your dreams or pursuits are. Always aspire to add value. There is a difference between purpose and ambition. Be intentional about discovering your purpose and be faithful to it, as we are most effective in faithfully walking in purpose than simply pursuing ambition. Never sell yourself short and never compromise your integrity to get ahead,” he said.
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Mr. Daniel’s is indeed a special and remarkable person not forgetting Godfearing I support you all the way. May the blessings of the almighty God be upon you always .