OVER the last four-and-a-half years, there seems to have been an unfolding of a silent revolution in the Republic of Guyana. A revolution is usually characterised by sudden, radical and sometimes violent changes. But here in Guyana, a new social order has been created, an order that is soft or gradual but is changing the way that the State is governed.
Since May 2015, we’ve witnessed comity in how the executive, legislature and judiciary function. This is a classic case of a break from the past, where the separation of powers was undermined. Now, Guyana can say with confidence that the financial independence of the legislature and judiciary has been guaranteed.

This silent revolution at reference is slowly changing the nature of the media, which is now open and free, and freedom of speech and association and assembly have been restored. Over this period, new local government elections were held after over two decades, and the legal architecture has been built to allow credible procurement, lawful financial transactions with clean money, and the acquisition of assets by legitimate means. The silent revolution is clearing the stream of business and justice of corrupt practices and influences. Violators, even in law enforcement agencies, have been put on notice that there will be zero tolerance for bribery, fraud and ‘shake-downs’.

The clout of the narco-underworld that had once extended to law enforcement via ‘death squads’ and summary executions, has been trimmed, though not totally eliminated. Armed bandits who once reigned unrestricted and unrestrained are now on the run. And pirates who once harassed our fisher-folk are on the radar of our security forces, which regularly patrol our seacoast and riverine areas.

When this government took office, the country was at a point where citizens felt that the previous government had mismanaged the economy, and there was growing contempt for citizens by top officials. This was a period of rampant corruption, a time when Death and Phantom Squads reigned supreme, and the minister of home affairs was not only said to have a hand in it but also quoted as saying that he’d do it all over again if given a chance. Hundreds of dead bodies were dumped around the country and the Coroner’s Act was not activated.

Georgetown, once proudly known as the Garden City became the Garbage City; the City Council became the pawn in an ugly game of politics that saw Central Government withholding its financial obligations for its buildings. Back then, Local Government Minister Kellawan Lall boldly announced that it would please him immensely if the city were to suffer a health crisis. Simply put, there was no regard for the structures or management of government. Regional and neighbourhood democratic councils not controlled by the PPP/C saw discrimination in budgetary allocation, and moves to either undermine and break up the councils, or impose an Interim Management Committee. Freedom of speech, including dissent and protest, and respect for the role of independent media were assaulted.
However, the silent revolution is now reflected in the orderly and law-abiding processes everywhere in Guyana, where leaders are required to observe respect for accountability and transparency in the execution of their official functions. The silent revolution is shaping anew public buildings, open spaces and our infrastructure. The critics say this silent revolution is too little and too late, but they cannot deny that Guyana is once again on the move. Hats off to the Granger-Nagamootoo partnership and symbols of the image of our new Guyana!