STUDIES have shown that 75% of Guyana’s human population is happy. Yet A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC)’s Presidential Candidate, David Granger, at the launch of its campaign at Pegasus on March 03, 2015, said otherwise when he announced that “Guyana is an unhappy country.”This is according to the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C)’s General Secretary Clement Rohee at the party’s weekly press conference yesterday at Freedom House, Robb Street.
Rohee stated that the PPP takes strong objection to statements made by APNU Leader David Granger that Guyana is an unhappy country, noting that “the statement by Granger is not only unfounded, but in stark contradiction to the findings of a Latin America Public Opinion Poll (LAPOP) which, in a recent survey, found that the happiness level of Guyanese have risen significantly within recent years.”
Furthermore, he added that the findings of the LAPOP are applicable to Guyanese as a whole, but are particularly applicable to the current generation of young people who are today the main beneficiaries of the new development paradigm in which young people are now capitalising on the opportunities created by the Government to create that good life to which they not only aspire, but to which they are entitled.
According to the PPP’s G.S, that is manifested in the increasing number of University and other tertiary graduates who have made a name for themselves as young entrepreneurs and professionals.
“This wave of prosperity is manifested in the increasing number of Guyanese who are the proud owners of their own homes, cars and other consumer durables, which, under the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) regime was a distant dream,” said Rohee.
He made it clear that the statement was not meant to disqualify what was gained by some persons under the PNCR, but rather at validating what was gained by many in addition to those who gained a house in those days.
PPP’s ROLE
Meanwhile, he announced that the PPP is proud of the role it has played in poverty reduction in Guyana and also the strong advocacy role it has played in the creation of a better and just society.
“This mood of happiness is the result of hard and painstaking work by the PPP/C Government to empower our people, in particular young people, through the creation of a knowledge society, where Guyanese from all walks of life are today in a much better position to realise their dreams of a good and satisfying life,” he said.
He also acknowledged, that it is no wonder therefore that overseas Guyanese are returning home in increasing numbers after being forced by the PNCR regime to look for a better life elsewhere.
As the LAPOP survey indicated, Guyanese today are less inclined to migrate to foreign shores, in particular, to the United States.
All of these developments fly in the face of remarks made by Granger that Guyanese are unhappy with the quality of life they are enjoying today. “Whatever unhappiness exists can only be the figment of Granger’s biased and jaundiced imagination and is completely at odds with objective reality,” said Rohee.
Apart from that, in addressing the issue of Guyana being the country with the highest suicide rate in the world, Rohee disclosed that they (PPP) have been working closely with the various faith based organsations, particularly in the Hindu community, and others who have an influence among the young people, who may attempt or want to consider suicide.
GROWTH OF THE ECONOMY
Meanwhile, he reiterated that the PPP stands proud of its record of achievements and pledges to continue to propel this glorious country along the path of sustained progress and prosperity, noting that “yes, everybody would like to have an improvement in their standard of living, but this is always a work in progress, because as Guyana’s economy grows, it will address the degree of happiness of people in society.
The G.S announced that the PPP joins with the rest of the world in the observance of International Day of Happiness which is being observed on March 20, noting that the pursuit of happiness is a universal goal that is sought by all people throughout the world.