SINCE being elected to office in 2020, the government has been investing in initiatives to foster unity amidst continuous attempts by persons locally and overseas to sow discord by peddling racism and discrimination.

However, President, Dr Irfaan Ali has repeatedly rebuffed those attempts and has pledged to continue working on dismantling every single chord of discrimination against Guyanese and to promote unity. It was out of this desire that his “One Guyana” initiative was born.

President Ali, leading from the front, is on a mission to create a pathway for peace and harmony that will unite all Guyanese and advance the growth and development of the country.

Many have embraced the President’s vision and have applauded him for taking this bold step.

The latest person to attempt to disrupt the progress being made by the government was executive member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Tacuma Ogunseye.
At a recent public meeting, Ogunseye continued the PNC’s political rhetoric of unsubstantiated claims of oppression being faced by Afro-Guyanese under the current government.

He took it a step further, insinuating that members of the Joint Services, which is predominantly made up of Afro-Guyanese, should “turn those guns in the right direction.”

“I don’t understand how people complain that they are oppressed and they are holding guns in their hands. They are the majority in the army, in the police, and they still say they are oppressed. And they still say our problem is our own making. Anytime we turn those guns in the right direction it is over,” Ogunseye asserted.

Reckless, racially charged and maniacal are two words that immediately come to mind when thinking about the WPA executive member and his irresponsible remarks.

Those unsavory remarks only serve to divide a nation that could achieve so much once its people live in harmony and peace.

But it is clear that President Ali will not let Ogunseye or anyone’s irresponsible comments derail efforts to unite Guyanese under the umbrella of “One Guyana.”

“No gun or bullet would stop us on this path of unifying our people, on this path of developing our country, on this path of uplifting the lives of our people of this country. This is clear hate, terrorism and racism that came off of that stage. All of Guyana should be upset,” the Head of State emphasised.

With the country currently on a path of unprecedented growth and development, the President called on Guyanese to examine the behaviour of the political opposition.
During a previous meeting, the Head of State had emphasised the importance of his vision for One Guyana and said that its objectives can be achieved if everyone works together.

“What there is, is a great yearning to come together; a great enthusiasm and energy to come together. There is a great opportunity for us to fuse ourselves together; that is what the ordinary people want. There are, however, a select few out there who drive a narrative that is far different from reality,” President Ali said.

He said too: “In my service to Guyana, I will not see a nation divided by ethnicity; I will see a nation cemented in unity. This land of Guyana is our common homeland; it is our common heritage. And every citizen within it is equal and will be treated equally.”

It is clear that he had thought long and hard about this delicate subject, and had decided from early that he was prepared to fight for the good of his country and his people.

Everything he has done from then to now is in keeping with that promise he made on August 8, 2020.

One can see the President’s genuine attempts to unite Guyanese and give everyone access to a good life, based on all that he has done since taking office.

He has used every opportunity he could to play up the need for a united Guyana and the benefits this would have for all Guyanese.

From the implementation of various economic measures, community visits and engagements with persons from all walks of life, President Ali has shown that he is “the people’s President” and has no interest in disunity, discrimination or racism.

For him, the focus is on promoting unity among citizens, ensuring that everyone benefits from the rich resources of this land and that everyone has the opportunity to live their best life. He is focused on the mission and, based on his approach, he will not rest until the work is done.

The fight for a united Guyana continues.