The art of deflection

Aug 07, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

Hard Truths by GHK Lall

(Kaieteur News) – Pres. Ali reminds of a wrestler who steps into the ring for a fight. He’s under pressure but has an ace. The president walks into the square circle with his own bell. One of those newfangled contraptions that come with an on-and-off switch. No hand-wringing. Simply press the button, and the game’s on. In the harrowing aftermath of a big Guyana tragedy, the PPP Govt has these gimmicks and gadgets to help sway hearts, spin heads. In the role of national leader, the president has had few winners. When the MV Barima headed down, the president was out-of-town. The government on the ropes (still is), knew that rabbits had to be pulled out of a white hat. Enter Dr. Ali with his bell and white attire to mark the solemnity of the occasion. Nothing so ghastly as in-the-face red. White is that sign of peace and serenity. This is the art of deflection, how distraction works. In both areas, the PPP Govt is now a proven master.

To Moruca in Region One went Mr. Ali. A one-stop, government full-service center is coming to Santa Rosa. These guys are good at this game. He rang his bell. Everyone straightened up, listened up. In the midst of catastrophe, before many who may have difficulty burying their dead, Pres Ali came with money and his bell. GRA (TIN certs). GRO (birth and death certs). Banking (ATM). Document renewal (passports). In scanning the media item, I couldn’t hear the president. I could read him. I hope that he didn’t get too carried away in his customary out-of-place and out-of-synch fashion. People in a wide span across those lands are grieving.

A cornucopia of gifts for a broad subset in Guyana’s demographics. It took over 100 of the indigenous to return to their forefathers for the PPP Govt to remember them outside of election time. It took six years of oil at increasing daily production levels before Guyana’s First Citizens are given the respect due. They have been divided and diminished. Their sacred lands snatched. Their people exploited even more ruthlessly. A hundred shouldn’t have had to die for the people to hear what they did hear. Other communities will hear. Because whatever has to be done to get the MV Barima tragedy away from the headlines, it will be done. The millions found. The contractors found. A busy leader and busy ministers found to deliver the news. Quick aside: was that really Mr. Parliament among the hinterland touring parties? They will go to other indigenous communities. I urge patience on residents in the other far-flung administrative regions of Guyana. A presidential or ministerial party would be touching down in a neighborhood by you soon. The dark arts of deflection and distraction now moving at express speed.

From Region One in Moruca to Kaneville in Region Four: set to become a model city. Guyana’s first. I absorb those words, and shake my head: AI in action. Who reads a book anymore? Simply plug some words into a program and it does all the heavy lifting, the sweating, right down to that other lost art -spelling. Grove and Diamond are next in line, the East Coast. GT type amenities in mind for villages and communities across Guyana. It is unbecoming of me, but what GT type amenities? Safe streets and drainage -where, Mr. President? Green spaces, Mr. President, where can I find outside of the National Park?

At least, with the president taking the lead belatedly, the PPP Govt seems to have been shaken to its roots, now has its foot on the gas pedal. Enmore is to get a $1.5 billion Assisted Living Facility at Enmore. Whatever was once stuck on drawing boards and in planning committee are all now galloping at breakneck speed. Ring that bell, Excellency. Ring dah bell. The art of deflection, distraction. Whatever the costs, get that tragedy off the frontpage.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper

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art, deflection, GHK Lall, PPP Govt.

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