IN A world where making the news is often based on unpleasant incidents and events, and where there is an apparent increase of stories of domestic violence, deaths, allegations of impropriety, failing to play by the rules, and abuse of our natural resources, a pessimistic outlook will write Guyana off.

Being at the proverbial crossroads, the options couldn’t be clearer: Guyanese either choose the road to success or the one to failure. Given human frailty, there is an inclination to wring one’s hands and throw in the proverbial towel, opting for the path of least resistance in the hope of living to fight another day.

Others argue that quitters don’t win, and one should not walk away from what is worth fighting for. To make things turn around or happen for the people, the path of least resistance has to be avoided.

Violence is a scourge in the society, and it happens at various levels. Whether violence is inflicted on self or at the hands of another, this nation is being depleted, physically and psychologically, of its most vital resource, i.e. its human capital.

Development cannot take place without people. Guyana, having reached the stage of infamy on the global suicide rate, it is reassuring that efforts are being made at governmental and non-governmental levels to arrest the problem. Suicide is a public health problem, and addressing it requires the involvement of all, coupled with attendant resources, skills set, and compassion.

Guyanese are capable of setting goals and working to achieve them, if not at the national level, in their personal lives. Were the self-drive to achieve and succeed in spite of the odds applied to national issues, said resilience can work wonders. Where there is despondence or reservation that Guyana is falling apart and things are not what they used to be, or getting to where they ought to be, energies and actions can be directed to make it happen.

And whereas it may be easy to question self, others and motive, the truth is that civil society — which often plays the vocal role in manifesting the will of the people — is practically non-existent, save for a few individuals and their organisations, who in the past were vocal. Some have retained that militancy when this segment of society stayed silent, disengaged and disinterested in the various socio-economic, cultural and political happenings in society. Were it not for them, things would remain as they are, or get worse.

A society like ours — which is small in population size, with most persons residing on a narrow coastal strip, and almost everyone knowing each other or someone knows someone who knows someone — where political patronage is burnt into the people’s psyche, these factors understandably play influencing roles in decision-making and judgment. But where such happens to the detriment of the people and nation, such has to cease being a method of dealing with issues. The cessation of that approach, though it may adversely impact reward and association of the affected, works to the benefit of the whole.

Guyana, our system of government, laws and resources, identify and represent who we are as a nation, a people; and these have to work in the interest and to the benefit of all. Consequently there is need to find way(s) to solve our problems, as against resignation and flight. There is no pretence this will be easy, but where there is the recognition, appreciation and conviction that Guyana belongs to all of us and the legacy bequeathed to coming generations will determine what manner of people the present generation is, it would be understood how important it is to step on the brakes of deriding ourselves and running from our problems.