I AM in my early twenties and I have not experienced the leadership of the People’s National Congress’s (PNC). But over the years, I have educated myself through research and engagements in various forums and discussions, regarding the previous administration, as opposed to the current one, which is the People’s Progressive Party/Civic. However, a few days ago, I came across the “Move Forward,” which is a campaign that is going viral on Facebook. It basically targets youths below the age of twenty-three, with the aim of brainwashing them into forgetting what transpired prior to 1992. I have seen numerous youths posting pictures of themselves, with comments urging others to forget what transpired more than two decades ago, stating that they have not even experienced it.It is my strong belief that all the dynamics of this campaign are incorrect, and they serve to mislead and misguide the youths of today, who is this country’s future tomorrow.
I agree that many youths cannot relate to the past experiences and hardships that their predecessors and loved ones faced, but does this mean that we should act as though they never happened? Is it also not a fact that Guyana has been totally transformed under the current leadership? Is it not a fact that the PPP/C Government has worked endlessly, to allow us the young people to enjoy the luxury lifestyles that we have today?
I ask, if the PNC Government moved Guyana backward with a leadership, where basic food items were prohibited, medical care was not available, left us a sinking economy, placed restrictions on an individual’s freedom of speech and many other negatives, and yet we are urging the ‘future’ that is the young people of this country, to forget this important part of their history, why can’t we point them to the developments too, that have taken place under the PPP/C?
The PPP/C has brought this country back from bankruptcy, to a state where we are now given the status as a developing country. Reports produced by the World Bank and CARICOM support the important fact that Guyana is rapidly emerging as one of the countries with the highest economic growth rates in Latin America.
The growth in this country’s economy has accelerated significantly, irrespective of the effects of the recent global financial crisis. While most economies in the Region contracted during the horrible 2008-2009 crisis, the Guyanese economy recorded an average growth rate of four percent; this represents the solid ground on which we now stand. And as a country, which was bankrupt just a few decades ago, being able to withstand this tragic period unaffected is most remarkable, and this was only possible because of the frameworks and regulations that were put in place by this administration.
The PPP/C Administration has also managed to regain investors’ confidence in the country’s economy, and this is visible to all, with new businesses emerging and expanding in every sector, all across the 10 administrative regions.
With respect to Health Care, moving from dilapidated health facilities, individuals can now access care in all of the administrative regions, since there is at least one health care facility in each region.
Guyana can today boast of 354 health facilities nationwide. There are 4 diagnostic centres, 126 health centres, 199 health posts and 25 hospitals. In addition to these, the National Ophthalmology Hospital and National Psychiatric Hospital provide specialised services for eye care and mental health, respectively.
It is also important to note that Guyana is the only country in the Caribbean and possibly in the world, which offers free health care services to not only its citizens, but even non-residents.
Further, from a place with no housing programmes under the PNC, thousands of Guyanese are now home-owners; with thousands more who have managed to secure a piece of land and are expected to build in the future. These are only some of the great achievements that have been realised under this administration, and do they not all reflect the interest of the PPP/C Government?
If we are urging youths to forget the past, then we should also urge them to give credit where it is due, that is to this administration, and to which they owe gratitude for these better living conditions that they are able to enjoy today. We should also encourage them to examine the changing landscape of the country, as well as the development that is taking place all around them.
The fact remains that under this administration, lives have been completely transformed and Guyana is now a new place, with a new image, both internationally and locally, because the Donald Ramotar administration, following the lead set since 1992, is one that delivers and “Actions Speak Louder than words!”

SHIVANIE RAMPERSAUD