AN image once damaged by a slew of events that followed polling day on March 2, 2020, has been pieced together through the strategic efforts of President Dr. Irfaan Ali and his government, on the global stage.

The economic, political and social benefits that accrue to countries with a positive influence and image are immense, and range from increased exports and financing for critical projects, to support in matters concerning sovereignty and territorial integrity.

At the centre of a good image, however, is democracy, an important element of governance that empowers the people of a nation and ensures that there are equal and equitable rights for all.
Like a distorted image, the future of democracy in Guyana was blurred in 2020, when Guyanese and people the world over, watched as this sacred tenet of society was threatened by the actions of the former A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition administration in the aftermath of the March 2, 2020 general and regional elections.

The electorate, after casting their votes, had to endure an unimaginable wait for the results of the elections, as they witnessed unlawful acts and a slew of legal challenges.
In this time, the patience of the electorate was tested, as they observed an attempt by the then coalition administration to rip the democratic fabric of the nation with “delay tactics” which were openly criticised by a wide section of society.

“We experienced a dark time when we were made to walk through a deep valley in which the shadow of autocracy at home, and ostracism from abroad hung over us. We escaped that awful fate because brave men and women of all races, ages, and political persuasion stood up to defend democracy, and to resist stolen elections and autocratic and illegitimate government,” President Ali of the party that emerged victorious at the elections, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), had said.

Since its election to office in August 2, 2020, the government has spared no effort in trying to cement diplomatic partnerships and ties that were threatened, and to establish Guyana as a democratic nation that is governed with the highest respect and regard for laws and regulations.

It was predicted that it would take at least a generation to repair the damage inflicted on Guyana’s image during the five-month election period.
Head of the Electoral Observer Mission of the Organisation of American States (OAS), Bruce Golding, had said: “Even if this debacle (elections) is soon and satisfactorily resolved, it will perhaps take a generation and significant institutional reform for that damage to be fully repaired. The people of Guyana did not deserve this.”

However, in a little under two years, through the work of the government and other key stakeholders, Guyana is now a country that is respected and acknowledged for its economic potential and strategies, and one that, based on anecdotal evidence, is on the “places to visit” list of tourists and investors across the world.

There seems to be no aspect of Guyana that is not attractive to world leaders, investors, celebrities and even ordinary visitors.
Some 51,398 persons already visited the country in the first quarter of this year and based on information from the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA), the arrival rates are expected to be 10 per cent more than the 158,347 arrivals recorded in 2021.

There have been visits to Guyana by high-ranking officials of the United States, United Arab Emirates, CARICOM, Africa nations, and others. All of those visits have ended with commitments to strengthen bilateral ties in many areas.

On the other hand, Guyana has been well-represented at various conferences across the world. Leading from the front, Guyana’s Head of State has been evidently immersing himself in knowledge related to the challenges that affect countries the world over, and, together with his team, devising solutions and strategies to address those problems that are then shared with leaders at the highest levels of international governance.

President Ali was present at the COP26 Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Glasgow, Scotland, EXPO 2020 in Dubai, and the annual reception of the London Caribbean Council at the House of Lords.

He also attended Toronto’s Guyana Festival Committee Dinner; California’s ninth Americas Summit; Rwanda’s hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting; Suriname’s hosting of the Energy, Oil and Gas Summit and Exhibition; Barbados’ hosting of AGROFEST’22; and Suriname’s hosting of the 43rd CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government Meeting, among other prestigious events.

At those engagements, the President affirmed Guyana’s position as it regards upholding democracy, outlined opportunities for investment here and shared the country’s strategies to enhance regional integration, address food security and reduce carbon emissions.

Those presentations and the vested interest in the country’s development are enough to conclude that Guyana’s image has been rebuilt.