The President is fulfilling his mandate

Apr 12, 2026 Letters

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Dear Editor,

In recent days, public discourse has been momentarily diverted by commentary surrounding the personal accessories of the Head of State specifically, a watch he wears and its alleged value. These remarks, amplified through partisan social media platforms and echoed by figures within the parliamentary opposition, attempt to construct a narrative of impropriety based on speculation rather than substantiated evidence. Such engagements are not only, juvenile and intellectually thin but ultimately distract from the very important and substantive national conversations that Guyana both deserves and urgently requires.

At its core, this infantile line of attack reflects a troubling deficiency in the quality of the majority political opposition. Allegations of corruption, particularly in a modern democratic state, must be anchored in verifiable facts, credible documentation, and pursued through appropriate institutional channels. To do otherwise is to reduce serious governance issues to conjecture and spectacle. It is, therefore, both ironic, absorb and most concerning when such claims emerge from quarters that themselves have faced credible scrutiny on matters of integrity at the international level. This contradiction weakens not only the argument being made but also the moral authority of those advancing it.

Our country today stands at a pivotal juncture in its soon-to-be 60th year of independent history. The country is experiencing a period of accelerated transformation economically, infrastructurally, and socially. Across sectors such as energy, housing, healthcare, education, and public works, there is visible and measurable progress. This trajectory is not accidental; it is the result of deliberate policy direction, coordinated governance, and a leadership approach by the President and his team that has prioritized both national development and citizen engagement.

The President has distinguished himself not merely through policy execution but through his accessibility, humility, and grounded connection to the people. In contrast to more distant leadership styles of the not so distant past, his approach has been defined by visibility, simplicity, and a consistent presence among ordinary citizens. This combination of administrative action and personal relatability has contributed to a renewed sense of national optimism and confidence. It is, in many respects, a rare convergence of effective governance and authentic leadership.

However, the strength of any democracy is not determined solely by the performance of its government but equally by the caliber of its opposition. A functional opposition is not an adversary for its own sake; it is an essential pillar of democratic accountability. Its role is to scrutinize, to challenge, and most importantly to propose. It must elevate national discourse by offering alternative policies, innovative solutions, and constructive criticism grounded in evidence and expertise.

What Guyana requires at this stage is an opposition that engages the government on matters of substance: What are the alternative strategies for improving education outcomes? How should healthcare delivery be strengthened and expanded? What innovative housing models can be introduced for low- and middle-income families? How will the youth be meaningfully integrated into the evolving economy? What reforms are necessary within the mining and agricultural sectors to ensure sustainability, greater improvement and equity? And critically, what is the opposition’s comprehensive vision for the national economy in an era of unprecedented opportunity?

These are the questions that matter. These are the issues that impact the daily lives of citizens. And these are the areas where a credible, a sensible opposition can make a meaningful contribution to national development.

Instead, we have an opposition whose preoccupation with trivialities personal attacks, speculative claims, and performative outrage signals a retreat from responsibility. It suggests a political posture more concerned with optics than outcomes, more invested in self aggrandisement and self-preservation than public service. This is not only inadequate; it is a disservice to the electorate and to the democratic process itself.

If there are legitimate concerns regarding governance, the Constitution provides clear mechanisms for redress. Evidence should be presented before the courts, investigations pursued through established institutions, and arguments made within the framework of law and due process. Anything less undermines both the credibility of the claim and the integrity of the system.

Ultimately, Guyana’s progress cannot be sustained by government action alone. It requires a mature, disciplined, and forward-thinking opposition, one that recognizes its duty not merely to oppose, but to contribute. The time has come for a shift in posture: from rhetoric to policy, from accusation to articulation, from spectacle to substance.

The President, by all visible measures, is fulfilling the mandate entrusted to him, driving development, engaging citizens, and positioning Guyana for a future of expanded opportunity. It is now incumbent upon the opposition to rise to the same standard of seriousness and purpose. Democracy demands no less.

Its time to man up and stop winning about insignificant things like a watch and such like.

Yours respectfully,

Jermaine Figueira Former Member of Parliament

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• Head-of-State, Irfaan Ali, Jermaine Figueira, Letters

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