“GUYANA pulls out of USAID Project”, was the headline in the Guyana Chronicle, Tuesday, November 26, 2013 issue. The action of the government underscores that on the matter of principle, there was no alternative left to the government.

Our country may be considered under-developed and struggling against heavy odds to build a proud nation, but make sure we will not ever sacrifice principles in pursuing growth, be it monetary or otherwise.
This correspondent finds it most objectionable for personnel of USAID to unilaterally decide on what projects meet the approval of the government. It is distasteful that long established convention was ignored in this specific.
It is noteworthy that Cabinet rejected both project and design, and by so doing demonstrated quite correctly the integrity of Cabinet’s ministerial responsibility. It follows, therefore, that without any input by Cabinet in the project, affecting health, economic growth, democracy and governance, the proposed project can be considered seriously somewhat presumptuous.
Surely, better assistance can be pursued with noted respect and due regard to sensitivities that must arise in the quest of meaningful genuine assistance that impact on the entire population of our country.
Written By David DeGroot