ANY construct led by the PPP — in or out of government as PPP or PPP/C — always engaged in inclusionary politics, and President Irfaan Ali’s leap of faith in including former President David Granger in a confab with all living former Presidents has a precedent in Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s untiring pursuit of his vision for fraternal leadership in the national political configuration. This was partly realised with the PPP partnering in a highly successful coalition with civil society with the formulation of the PPP/C, preluding the 1992 elections.
Promoting ethnic conflict as a political strategy is a destructive tool some politicians use to optimise their chances at elections, without consideration of the very debilitative effect disunity in the land can have, and has had, in the socio-economic dynamics in the national developmental landscape.Dr. Cheddi Jagan always advocated ‘shared governance’ as a way of forging national unity, which could have ensued in once again achieving a political ethos of united striving and struggles for human rights and freedom of 1950.

However, trust is a major factor in any partnership, especially where an entire nation’s welfare is of paramount importance and should be the primary consideration, taking precedence over any other determinant. Constant betrayals and reneging on promises cannot engender the requisite degree of trust, enough to gamble with national social development and economic growth; so models of shared governance were formulated by the PPP/C Government to enjoin opposition parties in national governance by way of parliamentary committees and the entire nation in the formulation of policies via civil society/stakeholder fora. The bond formed between Dr Jagan and the young, dynamic, charismatic Dr. Walter Rodney had the promise and the potential of once again uniting the nation, but this hope was blasted by an assassin’s bomb when Dr. Rodney was killed; but Dr Jagan and the PPP continued pursuing the fructification of his dream of unity. The PPP Government has always been open to dialogue that could eventuate in the implementation of Dr Jagan’s vision of shared governance. The PPP Government tried, time and again, but failed when elements being engaged became confrontational and/or reneged on decisions made jointly – in parliamentary committees or at other fora,

The concept of unity through shared governance was not even a consideration when Dr. Jagan first entered the realm of politics, because the working-class people – race regardless, embraced him as a champion fighting for a new dispensation of freedom and human rights for all and rallied around him, until the split in the PPP.
President Jimmy Carter endorsed the concept of shared governance, which he rightly surmised can bring an end to racial divisions in our country, which is a severe inhibitor to the development paradigm in Guyana. Mahatma Gandhi once philosophised that there is the presence of the Kingdom of Heaven in its inner workings to bring morality, honesty and courage to the human equation. If this great thought can actualise in the political arena of nations what peace, progress and contentment can enrich lives within the family of humanity. It is a vision of Dr. Cheddi Jagan, and President Ali is determined to pursue this course in attempting to unite the nation by bringing leaders together to have dialogue in charting the way forward in the country’s socio-economic development path and to build trust in the resonances of the collective Guyanese psyche.

Under the watch of the PPP/C Government of the past, there has been decentralism of governance and local and regional authorities have much more say and power to implement developmental projects and programmes to benefit individuals and communities in equitable measure Currently, Cabinet outreaches have been re-energised, and the engagements between the people and their government has resulted in a re-vitalisation of village life, where concerns are being addressed and needs are being met, with fiscal space being created to address pressing social needs and extant existential challenges created largely by widespread job losses and the COVID-19 pandemic. President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s invitation to Guyana’s former Presidents to meet officially on December 15, 2020, to chart a way forward and build a better nation is a continuum of the PPP/C’s efforts to build bridges in the nation.

President Ali in his first address as Head of State of Guyana, had committed to working in the best interest of the people of Guyana. He said: “There is only one future, and that requires a united, strong Guyana. That future requires every Guyanese to play a part in building our country, and ensuring we leave a better Guyana for the next generation. We are in this together; we are not separated by class, by ethnicity, religion or political persuasion. We are united in the true Guyanese spirit.” According to the President, his administration will be focused on a development agenda that will reflect the priorities of every Guyanese, and assured the nation, “We are building a country for every Guyanese. There is no need for fear; there is no need for distinction based on political persuasion, religious belief or ethnicity. This is a Government for all of Guyana.” The ball is now in former President David Granger’s court. President Ali has opened the innings.