MANY persons vote for political leaders on the basis of their (leaders’) legacies – a gift or a bequest that is handed down. To have a political legacy, a party or a person must have a history of leadership. Brigadier David Granger has served as Guyana’s president for fewer than four years, yet, his legacy is already significant. Even if David Arthur Granger ceases to be president today, his will remain a memorable presidency; and this, for all the right and enviable reasons. His legacy of equitable opportunities for all Guyanese is already well established.

Historians will doubtless spend many years analysing President David Granger’s first term — and overall — his entire contribution to the country. Guyanese are already aware – whether they support the man politically or not – that Guyana’s ninth president is one with a refreshing difference. David Granger is a man who genuinely cares about the welfare of people, particularly those who are disadvantaged. President Granger’s already established record of caring about people who have fewer privileges will certainly feature prominently when his overall legacy is examined.

One of President Granger’s first and most notable observations is the existence of what he called, the gap between coastal developmental prospects and those of the hinterland. In other words, he noticed that people residing on Guyana’s coast had better and a greater number of opportunities for personal betterment, as compared with Guyanese who live in hinterland communities. President Granger declared his intention of closing that gap. He vowed to ensure that all citizens have equal access to the chance of building better lives, regardless of where they live.

President Granger has repeatedly emphasised that he is, “president of all the people of Guyana” ; as such, all Guyanese must have equal opportunities, as this is their God-given right and constitutional guarantee.
Early in his presidency, he unveiled his 10-Point Plan of Action for Hinterland Development.

Those 10 points are the:
1. A Hinterland Education Support Programme
2. A Hinterland Poverty-Reduction Programme
3. A Hinterland Infrastructure Extension Programme
4. A Hinterland Energy Development Programme
5. The Hinterland Employment and Youth Service
6. A Hinterland Happy Household Programme
7. A Hinterland and Indigenous Peoples’ Land Commission
8. A Hinterland Language, Cultural, and Sports Commission
9. A Hinterland Tourism and Development Service, and the;
10. A Hinterland Public Services Provision Scheme

The President’s plan, which is continuously being implemented, has already resulted in improvement of the standard of living in many of Guyana’s less advantaged communities and villages.
In each succeeding year of President Granger’s term, there have been improvements and additions to that plan, as needs are continuously identified and feedback is analysed by government.

More recently, the 2019 budget reflects President Granger’s continued focus on equality of opportunities for everyone. As the ministry responsible for taking the lead in this aspect of government’s policy, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has made that commitment clear. Minister within that ministry, Valerie Garrido-Lowe said, “Since this government took office, the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has been focusing on building the capacity of our indigenous and hinterland people. Your government does not believe in handouts. We believe in empowering people and giving them the economic support required, so they can create successful and meaningful lives for themselves.”

Minister Garrido-Lowe underscored that the almost $60 million allocated to hinterland development is not a handout; instead, the minister said, it is an investment in “green,” innovative, and sustainable, income-generating projects.
Apart from that allocation, Barima-Waini will benefit from a $16 million investment in a cassava flour processing factory at Kwebanna; Smith Creek will be further developed by the instillation of a $6 million solar farm at its crab-processing facility; and Santa Rosa will get a brand new ground-coffee processing plant, at a cost of $15 million.

Potaro-Siparuni’s lapidary project will be supported with the injection of $3 million.
Under the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme, 3,795 youth from 222 villages have benefited from one-year training courses in 2017 and 2018. Those young persons have used their newly acquired skills to establish 2,054 small businesses in villages as far as Karasabai, Tipiru, and Achiwib in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo region; as well as in Monkey Mountain and Red Creek in Potaro-Siparuni.

That determination to improve the quality of life of all Guyanese to the point where all citizens have equal opportunities for living fulfilling lives is a primary commitment of President David Granger. As such, that commitment is guaranteed only if and when the APNU+AFC coalition remains in government. It is therefore up to all Guyanese to ensure that President Granger remains in office to continue to build the legacy of equal opportunity.