There was a period when any patriotic Guyanese was ashamed at the diminution of this country’s image. It was a time when this nation’s morality was stripped of its decency. Certainly, love for country, for Guyana, did not prevent criticisms against the executive criminality that had become interwoven into the national fabric. After all, we all watched as the nation was plundered by a collective of executive thieves, friends and cronies. The thieves brazenly waxed fat.

The twenty-three years of the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration has been unlike any in Guyana’s modern history. Not even in the realm of the CARICOM fraternity, has such an instance been known.

It can be likened unto the rule of the locust, during which every facet of the nation’s moral decency was stripped from its structure: beginning with the executive that treated the nation with gross contempt; when the nation’s laws were trampled on; when one section of the nation was willfully discriminated against, and marginalised; when policemen were targeted and shot dead on our streets; when crime caused many a police station’s door to be closed before dark; when organized crime, in the form of the narcotics trade, gun running, and money laundering became the order of the day and the route to riches; when people-trafficking became a fact, despite ugly denials to the contrary; when Guyana became known as a narco trans-shipment point; when billion- dollar drug shipments were intercepted; when a notorious narco lord, currently cooling his heels in a United States prison, claimed to be assisting the then government in combatting crime, but had instead been killing perceived drug rivals etcetera; when hundreds of young black men were killed; when teenage crime began its ascent to the pinnacle of the national crime ratings; when the nation’s treasury had been made the personal account and personal ATMs of especially many senior and middle ranking personnel; when state assets in all forms were systematically transferred to one section of the nation; and when the business sector received billions in tax waivers and concessions.

Many of this clique, instead, used the waivers for even bigger profits, and were found not to even be paying their fair share of taxes. They were tax dodgers, many of these so-called captains of industries!
It was a period also that marked the rise in arrogance of a government that took every criticism–many constructive and well meaning–as offence, and would often proceed to use the then state media, as configured, to cuss out those persons and institutions. The highlight, of course, being the disrespectful and notorious verbal assault on the person of a former United States ambassador to Guyana, Dr. Brendt Hart. This must rank as the lowest point in our bilateral relations during that shameful period.
No state, with these criminal attributes is respected domestically, much less internationally. There was an image of Guyana, in some CARICOM quarters, that it was good for business and making millions, but not for paying taxes. Not now, for the Commissioner General and staff have been plugging the loopholes; tens of millions are being recovered.
How could such a poor country have afforded such criminality? Only under the then PPP/C government.

There was the state-owned media that offered no real time to the then political opposition. It was also used by what was then described as “ghost writers”, on behalf of the PPP/C government, that penned scurrilous articles mounting personal attacks against critics of the government. That this category has been described as “ghosts’’, is because they penned under pseudo-names, often those that are of African-Guyanese origin, to attack the African-led PNC/R opposition!

And the list is infinite in chronicling the numerous indignities that were heaped on this nation. As the nation sank deeper into the abyss of immorality, there was a defined air of despair. We were in politico-socio-economic crisis, as the latter began to reflect the known vulgarities of such a condition.
Guyana lost its international respect. We were not fit to be among the respected nations of the world. We must have been tolerated.
Internationally, Guyana became known as a nation of drug syndicates, as evidenced by the daily numbers of persons caught at the CJIA, attempting to smuggle cocaine/marijuana.
The period 2002-2005, can easily be described as the worst in our history in comparison with the 1980s.

Since the dawn of a new dispensation, with a new administration, Guyana’s respect internationally has been gradually restored to the level of decency.
First of all, our country is governed by a Head-of-State/Government that epitomizes integrity, personal decency, respect for the family, above all for women and children.
The President clearly understands the history of this nation, with specific reference to the race problems that do exist. It explains his immediate invitation to the political opposition for discussions on national unity; since then promoting the idea of social cohesion. There is even a cabinet portfolio for this important concept.

Secondly, President Granger, since his ascension to the presidency, has spoken at many international fora; not only highlighting the threat to Guyana’s sovereignty, but also representing Guyana’s interests and policies on critical issues such as climate change, security of small states, the sustainable development goals, economic and business opportunities that are available in Guyana, and the need for CARICOM states to promote the well-being of the Caribbean.

Just to reiterate on the “economic and business opportunities available here’’; it can be recalled the President’s London visit which attracted scores of British business interests, seeking information on investment opportunities here.
Thirdly, co-leading this new vision is the distinguished, qualified Foreign Affairs Minister and first vice-president, the Honourable Carl Greenidge, formerly Secretary General of the African Caribbean Pacific States. He is leading an entirely new corps of Ambassadors and High Commissioners, whose diplomatic thrust is to promote economic diplomacy, as mandated by President Granger. Minister Greenidge has brought a life time career of international expertise to his portfolio.

Listening to him outline and analyze the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy, is a lesson for any young Guyanese seeking to acquaint him/herself on the subject.
Nationally, President Granger has been at the forefront, promoting the instrument of local government as indispensable for the furtherance of citizens’ participation in the socio-economic affairs of their respective communities. He has coupled this, with the concept of capital towns as a means of driving socio-economic development of the respective regions.
Continuing on his mission of wanting a good life for Guyanese, President Granger has emphasized the importance of education as a key component in the growth and development fabric of Guyana. He has lamented the high rate of school drop-outs, and has introduced the innovative initiative of the Five Bs –Boats, books, bicycles, buses, and breakfast. According to President Granger, poverty of parents should not be a reason for children not attending school. And, there has been a better attendance level, especially in the Hinterland, where many children had to travel long distances at prohibitive costs to their parents.

In all this, the President is supported by the eloquent Prime Minister, the Honourable Moses Nagamootoo, who has among his portfolio, responsibilities for the all – important task of constitutional reform.

As leader of government business in the House, the Prime Minister, an attorney, has been articulating many of government’s policies, particularly on the emerging oil and gas industry, and social cohesion. He has been bringing to bear, over 50 years of political activism that reflects a deep understanding of Guyana’s socio-political and ethnic issues
It is a truism that a state’s socio- political-economical image is vital in terms of its perception and treatment internationally. In this regard, the coalition government has had its work cut out, so to speak, in its incredibly difficult task in repairing Guyana’s desultory image. Of course, there are many challenges, such as the audit reports and their attraction of police investigations of many high profile, former state officials. Many of them are now facing prosecutorial action.

Improving Guyana’s image internationally is an ongoing task that has been taking place domestically. It can only get better.