AMIDST a large gathering of jubilant supporters, many decked in the traditional APNU+AFC colours of green and yellow, coalition leader David Arthur Granger was yesterday sworn in as Guyana’s Eighth Executive President at the Public (Parliament) Buildings in downtown Georgetown.

His name is now inscribed among the pantheon of executive presidents who presided over the affairs of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. Those are Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Hugh Desmond Hoyte, both of the People’s National Congress (PNC); and Dr Cheddi Jagan, Mrs Janet Jagan, Samuel Hinds, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Having taken the Oath of Office, the new President, standing in a stately posture and looking directly into the crowd outside the Parliament Buildings, told the large gathering that he would be a president for all Guyanese; and this drew a rapturous applause.

Supporters across the country erupted in celebration on Wednesday when data from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) showed that the APNU+AFC Alliance was in the lead in the 2015 General and Regional Elections. And yesterday, supporters travelled from near and afar to witness the swearing-in of their beloved leader. It was a joyous occasion, and some were almost moved to tears as the new President spoke about the campaign trail and the need for national healing, while extending a hand of friendship to outgoing President Donald Ramotar and the PPP/C to join the movement towards national unity in building a better Guyana.

The swearing-in was also attended by senior members of the business and religious communities, and by leaders of the APNU+AFC coalition.

MOMENTOUS OCCASION
It was a momentous celebration for the large crowd, and other leaders also shared their optimism for a better Guyana.
Ronald Balkan, an APNU frontbencher in the 10th Parliament, told the Chronicle that he was elated at the alliance’s victory at the polls, which was formally announced yesterday; and he said he was looking forward to serving in the APNU+AFC administration and being on their slate for the 11th Parliament.

He said the APNU+AFC alliance harbours no bitterness towards anyone, and now that the elections are over, it is time for reconciliation and national unity, and for peace and progress to prevail.

Former Labour Minister Dr Nanda Gopaul, the only senior official of the PPP present at the occasion, magnanimously congratulated the alliance on their victory at the polls, and Granger on becoming the President of Guyana.

BUILD A UNITED GUYANA
Dr Gopaul said he looks forward to seeing the new President working to build a united Guyana, and that he wished the alliance well in its endeavour to build a better Guyana for all Guyanese.

“I would like to see progress continue. I would like to see a Government acting in the interest of the people, and President Granger said he will be a President of all the people of Guyana. That’s a good beginning!” the former Labour Minister said.

President Granger has extended a hand to members of the former administration to join the coalition, and when asked if he would accept this invitation, Dr Gopaul said he was not yet prepared to comment on that matter, but when the time comes, he would cross that bridge. For now, he said, he needs valuable rest.
WORK FOR GUYANA
Chairman of the Inter-Religious Organisation of Guyana (IRO), Reverend Ronald McGarrell, said he is hoping that the new President would have the support of all Guyanese in building Guyana.

“Guyana is a country for everybody! I call on all Guyanese to put their energies together and build a bountiful and prosperous nation for our children and for our children’s children. I don’t think we should be fighting with one another, we should really care about one another; and the vast resources that this country has should be shared equally among our peoples, so that we can all live happily.

“I hope that this nation of Guyana can become an example to all other nations on this planet. I hope that all those Guyanese who ran away over the years will come back and build this nation. Guyana needs this expertise to continue to grow and develop,” the IRO Chairman said.

But now that the elections are over, Reverend McGarrell said, it is time for the coalition to get down to serious business and keep all of its promises.

“I want them to — right away — start making life better for all Guyanese. Make the country safer; make all the people well; take care of the elderly and the young people who need jobs. I would really like them to quickly put things in place so that people who have been suffering no longer suffer, and they become happy and glad to be living in this land.”

A number of supporters of the APNU+AFC whom this newspaper spoke with in the crowd also expressed similar sentiments.

PROMISE

The coalition had promised to review taxes, increase salaries and old age pension, focus on weeding out corruption, liberalise the telecommunication and information and communication technology (ICT) sectors, establish several task forces geared at curbing crime and strengthening national security, and award benefits to the country’s small miners.

The attendees paid rapt attention to the President, a historian and retired military officer who became leader of the Opposition following the 2011 Regional and General Elections.

President Granger said the election of the new president has fortified the nation’s right to democracy. He pointed out that inclusionary democracy is the best way to overcome division in Guyana.

By Tajeram Mohabir