IT IS reasonable to expect an updated assessment on the state of the Republic of Guyana from President Bharrat Jagdeo when he addresses the nation on ‘Republic night’ this Wednesday. For him and his government and, indeed, the Guyanese people in general, it would be a moment tinged with emotional memories as he delivers what will be his final address to this nation as its fourth Head of State ahead of the next general elections, likely by August this year.
That Guyana has achieved enormous social and economic progress under the governments of the incumbent People’s Progressive Party since its return to office in 1992 cannot be objectively dismissed. Except, of course, by those elements in sections of the media and political organisations whose passionate dislikes are well known. Yet, dissent continues to thrive as a feature of our democracy — even when the spreading of falsehood sinks to an alarming level.
Every government has the right to chronicle its achievements, as well as to point to areas of disappointments and lack of progress. The Jagdeo-led administration, in continuing from where the late President Cheddi Jagan started on the PPP’s return to government in October 1992, and extending to the leadership subsequently provided by his widow, has much achievements to outline as Guyana prepares for another free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections.
There has certainly been a transformation in the social infrastructure in Guyana over the past 18 years under the PPP-led administration that so sharply contrast with the 28 years of government under PNC rule–most of it characterised by bitter political conflicts, discrimination and suppression of basic human rights.
Guyana’s steady achievements in the social sectors of education, health, housing and potable water supply, has been noted also by regional and international organisations, agencies and governments. Independent research could well confirm that with comparative resources, Guyana has established a pattern of progress that, for all its own problems, may be emulated by its CARICOM partners.
Universal healthcare remains a goal as the government presses ahead to reach out with various programmes to meet the general healthcare needs of the population, while efforts of a partnership arrangement with the private sector continue for specialised medical treatment that includes, for instance, open-heart surgery and kidney transplants.
In the education sector, in which the government continues to make heavy investments for today’s and future generation(s), the loss of trained teachers is one of the current challenges being faced. The fact that loss of experienced nurses and teachers who opt to seek a better future abroad is not just a headache for Guyana but other CARICOM states is, obviously, of no comfort to no one.
It is, therefore, wise of the government to first engage the Teaching Service Commission (TCS) on recruitment of overseas-based teachers in the fields of science and mathematics before taking a final decision on how to arrest the trend.
Rampant criminality and domestic violence are some of the persistent challenging problems, and we look forward to whatever new and creative initiatives the government may have to offer between this week’s Mashramani celebrations and the coming 45th Independence Anniversary on May 26.