Guyanese share hopes for country’s prosperity
THE year 2022 has come and gone, and we are now embarking on a new year.

It is important to have a perspective, projections and plans, now that today is the first day of the year.

While for some people, 2022 went well, a lot of hurdles were overcome, and significant achievements were gained, it was a difficult year for others.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke with members of the public who shared their perspectives on where they would like to see Guyana going during 2023.

Pastor Sean Wilson made it quite clear that while we are doing well, educationally, as a country, he would like to see the issue of bullying in schools being dealt with more forcefully.

According to him, children are greatly affected as a result of these incidents in all areas of their lives.

Wilson said that as a citizen, he would like to see a higher level of education for rural areas of our country.

He spoke to the fact that a young person who is desirous of pursuing an education at the highest level but doesn’t have the financial resources, can do so in their community or village.

Wilson also wants to see more business and job opportunities for people living in rural and hinterland communities, especially young people.

“Oftentimes, there are a lot of training programmes that occur in these areas, but at the end of it, no opportunities for them to practise the knowledge and skillset that they would have acquired,” Wilson told the Pepperpot Magazine.

He also spoke of establishing the “Certificate of Legal Education” Programme here in Guyana.

According to him, it would be far easier for students who cannot afford to do the programme in the Caribbean to do it right here in Guyana.

We also spoke with Joycelyn Williams, an economist by profession, who was elated that the country’s healthcare workers received their increase.

She spoke about the issue of quality healthcare countrywide, while at the same time healthcare professionals are being adequately compensated.

In her opinion, more needs to be done for our healthcare workers.

Williams also believes that the second set of professionals that needs to be taken care of is our policemen.

According to her, security is major in any part of the world, and a necessity in society.

The Pepperpot Magazine then spoke with an Author and Christian Leader, Geary Reid.

Reid explained that Guyana is a beautiful country with diverse groups of people, therefore, we must unite as its citizenry. The development of Guyana must be seen and felt in every home. He also believes that there is a need to upskill some people, so that they can contribute to the development of Guyana and their personal development.

“With the threat of flooding in some communities, persons must have access to land at affordable costs, in areas that are less prone to flooding,” he said, adding: “The construction of roads must be quality roads that can withstand the traffic in those communities, and those roads must be durable roads that will last for many years, without the need for major repairs, shortly after construction. Persons need easy access to mortgages to construct or purchase houses. The interest rate must be affordable to them.”

Further to his views, Reid said that efforts must be made to ease the impact of inflation on the lives of ordinary citizens. “Therefore, efforts must be made to review the cost of living and the remuneration earned by many hard-working individuals. Teachers continue to positively contribute to the educational development of our country, so their remuneration must reflect their hard work and sacrifices for the educational development of our people,” he said.

Certainly, these passionate citizens care about the development of their country, and have high hopes that the necessary developments are seen in the new year.