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 done with inclusion as its guiding principle.

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

In contrast to the former A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) administration’s unsuccessful attempt to promote social cohesion in the local society, the PPP/C’s efforts have gone beyond rhetoric, as evidenced by its investment in programmes like the education cash grant, the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship programme, and the creation of part-time jobs, among many other things that target the entire Guyanese populace and not just one segment of society.

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.

“One-Guyana vision, in this regard, aims to ensure that every citizen is accorded a dignified existence, and with due respect for their rights, and with equality before the law,” the Head of State had said.

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.

There are, however, many others who have acknowledged that the government is working within the confines of a democratically-elected administration.

In so doing, the government has, so far, restored the education cash grant and increased it to $45,000; increased old-age pension; disbursed billions of dollars in the form of various grants to cushion the economic conditions influenced, and removed VAT on water, electricity and data, among other things.

The government has gone above and beyond to perform outreaches in various communities, and 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 needs of citizens.

To date, the government has travelled to every region and held multiple discussions with residents in areas like Buxton and Linden, which are well-known APNU+AFC strongholds.

President Ali has frequently stated that his administration takes a stakeholder-engagement approach to decision-making; this would help the One-Guyana vision come to fruition.

“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,” Dr. Ali has said.