ON this his 72nd birth anniversary, President David Granger continues to have his eyes set on ensuring the nation’s children enjoy “the good life” and he made it clear that his love for country is what drove him to seek the highest office in the land.
During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Thursday the Guyanese leader, who is also retired military officer, noted that his love for country was a motivating factor in his decision to run for the presidency. In reflecting on his achievements, the President made it clear that he is a man for all seasons and no novice in the political arena. “I came into office with a great deal of experience and personal commitment, professional experience and political savvy and so I didn’t come as an apprentice, I felt I was quite mature and I knew what to expect from political office.”
Granger continued: “I wasn’t dreamy, my head wasn’t in the clouds, I wasn’t starry- eyed, I knew that there would be difficulties and I focused on institutional change.”
Though the celebration of a birth anniversary represents a personal milestone, the President’s wish for his 72nd year on earth is to ensure that children receive a better quality education, life and are able to appreciate Guyana’s beauty. “My wish is that we would give our children a better quality of life,” he said, while hoping for children to be exposed to the wonders of their homeland. He told the Guyana Chronicle that his push for a ‘Green State’ is important and if children are exposed to areas across the country, then there would be a greater appreciation for the concept.
“I think the very spirit would encourage them to study harder at school and achieve better results and find satisfaction, employment, living in this country. I really feel sometimes when I speak to children and adults who have never gone past Parika, they don’t know what a blessed country we live in. If they were able to move around, if I had the resources to move them around, there would be greater satisfaction,” the President said. He said too that much of what he desires is cultural and noted that while infrastructural development is critical, a good quality of life is also important.
In this thrust, the head-of-state noted that with the good life, citizens should be safe, have access to better health care, education and be comfortable. “I’d like to see lovers going to Stabroek Square 2am in the morning, lights on safe, holding hands and so without fear of attack,” President Granger told the Guyana Chronicle, while noting that while his statements may sound dreamy, they are a reflection of his desires. “The good things in life; people want safety, health– the good life,” he asserted, while noting that he is determined to ensure Guyanese start enjoying the good life. “You don’t really need to have skyscrapers,” he added, noting that comfort and good quality of life are instrumental to development.

The President strongly believes that the structure of government is currently better than where it was under previous administrations. He made mention of the Ministries of Public Telecommunications and Social Cohesion, two new ministries he believes are important to the country’s development. “This is not bureaucracy; not having a ministry of public telecommunications was a serious deficiency and now Minister Hughes has been able to push that sector.”

The Ministry of Social Cohesion is important in a country that is multi-ethnic, multi-religious, so I think we brought a different quality into public administration,” the Head-of-State noted. He believes that since taking office in May 2015, there has been an upsurge of nationalism, patriotism and citizens are proud. As such, he noted that the cultural change which has taken place over the past two years is not insignificant.
The President does not believe that 15 government ministries are too much and said, “It is just 15 ministries,” while noting that they are compact. “I feel it is a good thing, maybe to my credit that all of the ministers I started with in May 2015 are still with me. So I am loyal to my ministers and I think my ministers are loyal to the coalition.
The very fact that we have a coalition of six parties is also an achievement, even though we just have a one-seat majority,” he declared. President Granger believes citizens are satisfied when they see the coalition at work representing their needs, something which has never happened in the country’s history.

Meanwhile, he noted that prior to being elected president in 2015, he had held slightly different views about the state of affairs in the country, but “I have now realised much more clearly where the rot was and what we have to do.” Moreover, he noted that after 23 years there is need for infrastructural enhancement as many challenges exist. He spoke of the non-existence of a bridge over the 1000km long Essequibo River, the age-old Demerara Harbour Bridge and bridges being broken as a result of regular use by heavy-duty vehicles. “So we have taken a holistic look at the country, infrastructure, agriculture, business, public health and gradually we are bringing reforms and I think that is the contribution this administration has made, the contribution I have made.”
The President believes that there is a new level of awareness of what needs to be done in here and he and his ministers alike are determined to “make Guyana a better place. “I am convinced Guyana will be a better place in 2020 when the electorate will judge us. I think the judgment will be that we have done well,” President Granger added.