Dear Editor,
As I watched the press conference held by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Saturday, September 9, 2023, and heard him outline the turnaround in our country and the economy in a way that I can only term as phenomenal, I feel extremely proud, excited, and fortunate to be a Guyanese under the leadership of Dr. Ali, at this very promising and pivotal time in our history.
Editor, as the press conference unfolded, I found myself reflecting on a moment four years ago, as a student at the University of Guyana, when I briefly shared my views on the performance of the then APNU+AFC Government, with one of my lecturers who was clearly supportive of that government.

As I presented my views, which I believe were objectively critical of that government, I was branded a “PPP/C supporter”. Frankly, I was also objectively critical of the PPP/C when it was in government and welcomed the opportunity for the APNU+AFC to deliver on its promise of change. Like thousands of others, I was sorely disappointed.
My points were from firsthand experience, seeing the pains the APNU+AFC imposed on ordinary people, as they destroyed the sugar industry.
Decent and hardworking people in my adopted sugar-belt community were plunged into abject poverty, and back home in my hinterland community, I witnessed how the loss of incomes by CSO’s left many families struggling to survive. These are just two of the many injustices the previous government inflicted on its people.

Fast forward to the present, when I listened to a president with real integrity leading a government that supports democracy and demonstrates genuine concern for citizens through well thought out and implemented actions to rebuild our economy, providing social services, employment opportunities, and restoring dignity to ordinary Guyanese.
Editor, I should point out that as an ordinary Guyanese without any special ‘contacts’ and with minimal effort, simply walking to the meeting place, I have met the President in person at no less than three public events for the year thus far. I have also seen and met several ministers of the government.

This President and his government are physically present in our community and our lives and most importantly, they listen and make meaningful efforts to address our concerns. This year alone, my street was built, and a new school was completed in my community, and I know for a fact that this is happening in numerous communities across our country.
This is why I am not surprised to hear of the tremendous change and development taking place under President Ali and the PPP/C government.
The first year of growth in sugar after many painful years of destruction by the last government, the revival of forest sector that benefits so many communities in hinterland areas, the massive expansion in construction and other sectors providing jobs and investment opportunities, and the emergence of Guyana as a prime investment destination, were not achieved by accident but by the careful, deliberate and competent action by a caring government.

Further, to those who say this growth is all because of oil, I want to point out that the developments mentioned above are all from the non-oil sector, which has had remarkable growth under the PPP/C administration. Also, given the actions and track record of the APNU+AFC, I shudder to think what they would have done with the oil money if they had got their hands on it.

Finally, while just four years ago I was reluctantly branded a PPP/C supporter, I am happy today to be able to witness the tremendous progress being made by this government.
Although not politically active, I am proud to embrace that label and add to it that I am in fact strongly in support of President Ali and the PPP/C government….has shown what is possible when a government genuinely cares for its people in the vision of “One Guyana”.

God bless,
JC Henricks