THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has been implementing strategies and policies that promote and support the development of every Guyanese, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, creed, political persuasion, or any other personal features or preferences. This is being done with inclusion as its guiding principle.

As evidenced throughout the previous two years, the Dr Irfaan Ali-led administration’s goal has been to fulfil both the short-term and long-term requirements of each person by creating an inclusive system and agenda, all under the banner of “One Guyana.”

The PPP/C’s efforts to promote unity in society have gone beyond rhetoric, as indicated by its investment in programmes such as the education cash grant, the GOAL scholarship programme, and the creation of part-time jobs, among many other things that target the entire Guyanese people and not just one section of society. This contrasts with the previous A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration’s fruitless attempts at fostering “social cohesion.”

In fact, according to President Ali, the main objectives of the “One-Guyana” initiative are to increase social equality, guarantee that everyone has the opportunity to lead fulfilling lives, and reduce inequalities in access to the legal system, employment opportunities, healthcare, and educational opportunities.

The Head of State has stated that the “One-Guyana vision” aspires to ensure that every citizen is given a dignified existence, with due respect for their rights and equality before the law.

The development that is taking place in front of us and the government’s intentions are obviously very different from the portrayal and the lies that some social groups are spreading in an effort to polarise the Guyanese society and destabilise the nation.

President Ali has repeatedly said that the approach of his administration to decision-making is one of stakeholder engagement, which could pave the way for realisation of the One-Guyana vision.

“Together, we are going to embark on the journey of prosperity with all of you; the achievement of peace and prosperity; this is a golden opportunity to attain that objective. We will succeed and make proud all those whose struggles were important in achieving our independence.

“The future belongs to us. The naysayers wish to break our stride, but the evidence is overwhelmingly clear that Guyana is surely… on a fast track to peace and prosperity. Let us keep it that way under the umbrella of One-Guyana,” the Head of State had said during his address to the nation on Independence Day.

The government has already removed the VAT from water, energy, and data in addition to allocating billions of dollars in the form of various grants to ease the economic conditions impacted by COVID-19 and other economic factors.

Furthermore, 6,000 Guyanese participated in distant learning in 187 programmes provided by eight universities in 2021 through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL). Additionally, over 9,000 people applied to be a part of the programme, which is available to all Guyanese this year.

The government has also conducted outreaches in various communities to meet Guyanese directly in order to determine what problems exist and how they could be properly addressed in the event that the existing programmes do not directly address the requirements of citizens. To date, the government has travelled to every region and held discussions with residents in places such as Buxton and Linden, which are well-known APNU+AFC strongholds.