GOOD governance generates waves of citizen confidence across the land. That’s the hallowed hallmark of a Government that’s efficient, effective, and exuberant in its zeal to make a positive difference for the nation. We could measure government progress with this simple gauge of confidence.
Today, Guyanese enjoy that peaceful feeling of immense confidence about the future of this nation. In this government’s proactive approach to governance since taking office, Guyanese see real hope for their future. Across the nation, people wake up every day feeling good, thankful that after the elections fiasco that depressed everybody for so many months and steered the country into stormy seas, Guyana is on track to achieve its immense potential, with definitive, decisive, determined leadership that guides the ship of state to the safe harbour of stability and rapid socio-economic growth.
Under the talented leadership team of President Irfaan Ali, Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo, Finance Minister Ashni Singh, and investment czar, Peter Ramsaroop, Guyana overnight became a golden star on the world stage for robust investment opportunities, making serious waves among investment experts around the world.
In fact, never in history has there been so much interest in Guyana as a global investment hub. In its few short months in government, this team of brilliant economic minds transformed the Guyana brand into one that generates global confidence. This is indisputable evidence that the government of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) is the best option for governance at this stage of Guyana’s development.
Considering the tremendous damage the Coalition made to the Guyana brand, both local and international, it’s stunning that the President Irfaan Ali-led Government has been able to turn the tide around so fast. Ali’s Government, from day one in Office, acted with a deep sense of urgency to rapidly turn the situation around – from one under the Coalition of vengeance and revenge and small-minded pettiness, to one of confidence, efficiency, professionalism, and dedicated commitment to the goals of the party – achieving its promises to the people.
Imagine how the nation rebounded from the depressing stormy Coalition days in Office, that today we see senior global investment experts visit these shores with starry-eyed confidence in this government’s ability to navigate the ship of state.
When a Government could gain the immense confidence of its citizens, and on top of that gain the investment confidence of top global investment experts around the world, it’s the definite sign that Guyana is on the cusp of tremendous socio-economic transformation; and in the right hands of leadership.
In fact, so amazing is the transformation that this government is generating, that across the media, local and overseas, even among folks who oppose the PPP/C, there’s an admiring lack of serious criticism against the government: indeed, it’s as if government overnight achieved social cohesion. Nobody can rock the boat anymore with outlandish criticisms, because governance has been good and decent and professional and sensible.
History records the PPP/C, throughout its 50+ years in existence, as the pre-eminent movement for the socio-economic progress of Guyana. When the party gained democracy in 1992, it had to reverse 28 years of PNC damage. When it regained Office in 2020 after a terrible period of governance under the PNC-dominated Coalition, again it had to set about repairing terrible damage done to the socio-economic and democratic fabric of the nation.
And the nation owes a debt of gratitude for the leadership of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo for where it has arrived at today. His leadership at the helm has been a great source of hope. Throughout those threatening days when the Coalition trampled on the democratic process and damaged Guyana’s brand worldwide and shut down socio-economic progress from the pre-2015 period, Vice-President Jagdeo tirelessly worked to lead the response, to fight back, to make sure Guyana did not descend into the jaws of global shame. With astute leadership and a knack for bringing the diverse sections of the nation together, he led the country through the threat, to see President Ali’s Government sworn in.
Since then, it’s been an amazing ride. Investment experts from around the world keep showing up on Guyana’s shores looking to tap into the opportunities that the government opens up. The team from the United Arab Emirates is just the latest to visit the shores of this country to propose investment projects.
Despite the global angst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Guyana is emerging as the number one global destination for major investments. From major international hotel brands, to ground-breaking new highways, and even a railway system, and crucial transportation linkages to Brazil and Suriname, the quality and number of investment projects on the table is heartening, and historical.
On top of all that, the country is seeing positive growth in its traditional economic sectors. Sugar is back on the agenda, with Sasenarine Singh showing great passion and resolve as he leads the sugar rebound strategy. Mining and gold, forestry, agriculture, the new oil and gas sector, rice, everywhere there’s confidence, robust, deep, motivating rock solid confidence in the government’s leadership.
The country does face crucial challenges to convert these investment opportunities to real possibilities for Guyanese, but even in this there’s rapid movement. President Ali brokered a deal with the University of West Indies to train 20,000 Guyanese over the next five years. That’s a giant step to resolve the brain-drain crisis that Guyana faced over the years, to prepare for the development journey ahead.
This focus on developing the country’s human capital is a further governance move in strengthening the foundation necessary to ramp up Guyana’s potential as one of the 21st century’s most promising investment hub; a country sailing in calm seas where anybody could invest and be assured of stability, democratic respect, and adherence to the rule of law.
Guyanese today feel great confidence in the direction, leadership, and governance of their country, and much of that confidence comes from the fact that the world is also now confident that Guyana is sailing in secure, safe and sound waters.
