A Look Back

OCTOBER 5, 2021 marks 29 years since the return of democracy to Guyana after 28 years of PNC authoritarian rule. Indeed, October 5 can be considered a watershed moment since it ushered in a new chapter in the political landscape of the country.

There can be no doubt that the return of democracy has changed the international profile of the country from that of a pariah state to one that is a respected and valued member of the international community. Because of the past undemocratic nature of the country, Guyana was denied financial and technical assistance by lending institutions and the donor community, for which the PNC regime must take full responsibility.

When the PPP/C took power on October 5, 1992, the country was in a dire economic situation. The economy was bankrupt. The entire physical and social infrastructure was in a state of advanced decay. The country was living on borrowed money and debt repayment and servicing was eating up practically the entire government revenues. At one time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) refused to do business with Guyana after having deemed the country ‘uncreditworthy’. Such was the extent of our economic and social decline that we were ranked among the poorest country in the western hemisphere, second only to Haiti!

How did a once prosperous country in the early 1960s descended to such levels of economic depravity in less than two decades? There can only be one answer: the strangulation of democracy by the then Burnham regime which unashamedly was prepared to go to any length to remain in power even if it meant the reduction of the population to a state of mendicancy. There was always enough for the political boys, and as far as they were concerned, the rest of the country could go to hell.

For the vast majority of Guyanese, life in Guyana under the PNC regime was indeed a living hell. There was no way the average Guyanese could have survived on the wages or salaries they received. Many were forced to ‘moonlight’ on the job in order to supplement incomes. And, as if those were not enough, several essential food items such as wheaten flour, peas, imported milk, cheese and butter were banned. It was a miracle how Guyanese survived in such an environment of starvation wages, high inflation, food shortages and a collapsing social infrastructure including water and electricity supply.

Thankfully, all of that changed after democracy was restored in October 1992.

The PPP/C under the then leadership of Dr. Cheddi Jagan immediately embarked on a rebuilding and reconstruction programme with emphasis on human development. Due to prudent financial management and visionary thinking, the quality of life of the Guyanese people began to steadily improve. Poverty levels which were estimated at 86 per cent under the PNC began to fall as the economy improved and more resources were put into social services, especially education and health.

According to a World Bank Country Study (1993), by 1988, output was only 68 per cent of the 1976 level. By 1989, total debt was 600 per cent of GDP due in part to a massive devaluation of the Guyana dollar.

Democracy in Guyana, as the last General and Regional Elections have demonstrated, is still fragile and it is important therefore that all efforts be made to strengthen and institutionalise our democracy in order to prevent a return to that sordid past. The fresh air of democracy and that mood of optimism of a better Guyana ushered in by the return of democracy in October 1992 must not be allowed to smother.

The country, so far, is well on the road to economic prosperity and the deepening and further consolidation of our democracy is an important ingredient for our continuing prosperity. President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has repeatedly stressed the importance Guyana has placed on the values of democracy and good governance and made it abundantly clear that such values must never be sacrificed. These values, he said, are values that are part of human dignity and human rights without which no society can develop and prosper.

We owe a debt of gratitude to all those who stood up for our democracy in the difficult years of PNC authoritarian rule and who would have contributed to making it possible for the return of democracy on October 5, 1992.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

All our printed editions are available online
emblem3
Subscribe to the Guyana Chronicle.
Sign up to receive news and updates.
We respect your privacy.