SINCE mid-2015 when the APNU+AFC coalition was elected to office, Guyana has been transformed into virtually a different country; Guyanese now live in a gentler, more properly governed State. One that is administered according to the rule of law, free of extra-judicial killings, free of State-sponsored violence, oppression, cronyism, nepotism, and State-sanctioned torture.

Free of institutionalised racism. And free of the well-known anti-democratic practices of the People’s Progressive Party’s (PPP) Regime. Instead, as the ideal of full democracy is being vigorously pursued by the David Granger administration, positive policies have been formulated, sensible public programmes have been initiated, local democracy has been restored, public funds are being used for the benefit of all Guyanese, Indigenous citizens are now being recognised as equal, women are being respected, young people have opportunities to improve themselves, education is now a priority to government, the elderly are being given their due respect, green-spaces are being restored in which children may play, the public health system is being improved, the environment is being preserved, investment is being encouraged, and secure jobs are being created.

Guyanese across all of our country’s regions are now free from the oppressive yoke of the PPP regime. And, all of this because an honest, trustworthy, genuine man, David Granger, now occupies the Office of the President of Guyana. We have truly come a long way; we must never go back.

Guyanese surely remember with great sadness, sickening regret, and deep shame the dark days of cowboy-confusion under the rule of the PPP regime. We remember the extra-judicial killings of Yohance Douglas, Ronald Waddel, the protesters at Linden, and numerous other Guyanese. We recall the murder of a sitting PPP government minister, Satyadeow “Sash” Sawh, along with one of his siblings and driver; we must not forget how Ronald Bulkan, Sherlina Nageer and others were physically attacked by police while protesting near the Marriott Hotel. And, of course, the brazen shooting of Courtney Crum-Ewing; one of the many Guyanese who paid the ultimate price. We must never forget those Guyanese who died, either because they spoke up against the cruel PPP regime, or, simply because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fortunately, those wild-west days are over, and we now live in a kinder, gentler, more civilised society. We now have a country where we can walk on the street, travel from region to region, and even protest against the government, free from threats, free from danger, free from violence, and free from fear. Is not freedom a wonderful thing?

Guyana is indeed a blessed land. With our God-given natural resources, beautiful flora, unique fauna, diverse cultures, and beautiful landscapes, our country is uniquely endowed. And now, we have chosen an honest, hard-working, visionary leader who is capable of managing those resources, and leading our people towards better lives through the creation of good jobs, a president who can protect our territory, a man whose only interest is in creating a good life for all. Guyana is surely blessed. As citizens, we should all resolve to protect the gains that we have made. Never again must we become a wild-west country. Never again must we allow anyone to take us backward into the “cowboy days.” We must all resolve to remain on the path towards a gentler, more civilised future.

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