–highlights opportunities for Afro-Guyanese under PPP/C gov’t

MINISTER within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy has condemned the vile lies, racial manipulation and fearmongering perpetuated by a cadre of habitual detractors of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government.
Among the critics he named were Guyanese Rickford Burke, a resident of the United States, whom he described as “a notorious agitator and wanted man,” and retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe, who is accused of sexual assault.
According to Minister McCoy, these individuals are “bereft of integrity and vision, and seek only to derail the transformative progress Guyanese are experiencing today.”

He said Burke and Slowe recently appeared on a Grenadian talk show, eagerly spreading their venomous propaganda with reckless disregard for the truth, in a bid to stoke the flames of division within our society.
“These characters, evidently intoxicated by their own venom, are entrenched in the most insidious forms of political deceit, exploiting historical grievances, and weaponising them for personal and political gain,” he added.
The minister made it resoundingly clear to Burke, Slowe, and their cohort “that this PPP/C Government, along with the resilient people of Guyana, will not bow to their baseless tactics, nor be silenced by the cacophony of those who offer nothing but chaos and destruction.”
He added: “Their rhetoric is not that of legitimate dissent, but a brazen assault on public order designed to manipulate and frighten the very people they pretend to represent.”

Minister McCoy emphasised that Burke, with his long history of inciting racial hatred and engaging in seditious conduct, stands accused of multiple serious offences under Guyanese law.
He said: “His actions are not just a series of criminal missteps; they represent a sustained effort to undermine the government, sow discord among the population, and orchestrate criminal activities aimed at extorting money from businesses.”
He said that Burke’s call for the burning of Georgetown “are indicative of a desperate attempt to resurrect the destructive past of “mo-fire, slow fire,” a People’s National Congress (PNC)-led campaign characterised by looting, violence, and chaos that terrorised businesses and ordinary citizens alike.”
Burke’s conduct, along with Slowe’s, is not about offering a principled alternative, or even constructive criticism, the minister said.

Rather, he noted, it represents a calculated effort to destabilise Guyana’s hard-won progress against rigged elections, failed economic policies and social injustices.
He added: “Burke and Slowe are not voices of reason but relics of a past marred by division and hostility. They position themselves as champions of the people, but their actions speak of nothing more than a deep-seated hatred for any authority that dares to stand against their narrow, self-serving agenda.
“They thrive on perpetuating a narrative of division, using every opportunity to undermine the achievements of Afro-Guyanese and other citizens who are embracing the opportunities that this government has worked tirelessly to create. Burke’s contempt for those who engage with this government is

blatant. Recently, he called for the boycott of Afro-Guyanese-owned businesses in Brooklyn, New York, simply because those business owners exercised their constitutional right to engage with President Irfaan Ali during his visit to the US.”
This kind of rhetoric, according to him, is not about uplifting Afro-Guyanese, but about keeping them chained to a narrative of perpetual victimhood, where their success is always questioned, their motives always maligned, and their loyalty always in doubt.
“Instead of recognising the achievements of Afro-Guyanese entrepreneurs, public servants, and ordinary citizens who are making significant strides in various sectors — whether through access to quality education, improved healthcare, affordable housing, or thriving business ventures—Burke and his cohorts deride them as sellouts and traitors to their race,” Minister McCoy said.

This form of race-baiting, he lamented, is nothing more than an attempt to keep the community divided, to foster an environment where success is viewed with suspicion and where collaboration with the government is painted as betrayal.
Minister McCoy went on to say: “It is a cynical ploy to maintain control over a narrative that tells young Afro-Guyanese that their aspirations are not their own, that their achievements are illegitimate, and that their loyalty must be measured by their adherence to a toxic ideology.

“The truth is that the PPP/C Government has opened the doors to unprecedented opportunities for all Guyanese, irrespective of race or background. Afro-Guyanese, like their fellow citizens, are benefiting from a robust economy, increased access to homeownership, expanded healthcare services, enhanced educational opportunities through scholarships, and significant investments in infrastructure that are transforming communities across the country. This progress is not the preserve of one group but a national success story that reflects the inclusive and forward-thinking policies of this administration.”

According to the Public Affairs Minister, the vision for Guyana by Burke and others is for the nation to be one mired in conflict, where progress is held hostage by a few self-anointed gatekeepers who profit from division and despair.
He made it clear that the government will not be cowed by those who peddle lies and prey on historical grievances, adding that it is committed to building a future where all Guyanese can thrive, where economic opportunities are accessible to everyone, and where shared prosperity is celebrated, not denigrated.

“To the detractors who traffic in deceit and discord, we send a clear message: your lies will not prevail. The people of Guyana are not your pawns, and our nation will not be held captive by your politics of fear and division. We will continue to march forward, unbowed and united, determined to build a future that honours the contributions of every citizen and rejects the poisonous narratives that seek to divide us,” McCoy said.