-PPP/C’s ‘fresh faces’ highlight reasons for joining party; say life is better, development is rapid

CENTRING young people at the heart of its party, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), on Sunday, officially launched its re-election campaign for the September 1 General and Regional Elections with a slate filled with fresh faces and a message grounded in real development.

Thousands of energised supports gathered at the Kitty Market Square, Georgetown, not just to celebrate the party’s impressive track record but also to rally behind a movement that looks and sounds like the future of Guyana.

At its 2025 re-election campaign in Georgetown, the PPP/C presented a wave of young and first-time candidates under the theme ‘Forward Together for a Better Guyana’.

While the opposition is scrambling to gather a crowd and continues with uninspiring messages, the PPP/C is rolling out a campaign powered by fresh faces and bold ideas. The party will be submitting a list with some 25 PPP/C candidates who are all under 25 years old, today for Nomination Day.

Leading cardiologist, Dr. Mahendra Carpen, a Berbician, who is a proud son of a cane cutter emphasised that the PPP/C is backed by a proven track record and a clear plan to lead Guyana.

Standing before a mammoth crowd, he said that he spent the last 25 years serving Guyana both nationally and internationally.

Dr. Carpen, who has worked in the Caribbean, United States of America (USA) and Canada gave his view on Guyana’s health transformation.

“I can tell you that what I have seen in healthcare in Guyana is unmatched anywhere else that I have been. The pace of development, the sheer scope, the thought process that goes into this cannot be bought, it cannot be imported from overseas. This is true visionary leadership that comes from a very talented group of leaders,” he said.

Reflecting on when the nation was facing the novel COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Carpen said it was the commitment given by President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and Guyana’s Vice-President and PPP General Secretary, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo to ease the burdens on the ordinary citizens, that is among the reasons why he has thrown his support behind the PPP/C.

“God bless you! God Bless the PPP! And God Bless Guyana! Five more years!” a vibrant Dr. Carpen firmly stated.

Roger Rogers, an economist and former University of Guyana lecturer, credited the party’s sustained investment in young people. “The youth is the future of this country, and we have invested and will continue to invest in the youth,” he said. “My choice to support the PPP can be easily explained.”

GOOD POLICIES AND OPPORTUNTIES FOR YOUTHS

Meanwhile, former executive member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), attorney-at-law Thandi McAllister spoke about her endorsement of the current administration.

McAlister, who spent most of her youth with the PNCR, said she was asked many times by her former colleagues about why she now supports the PPP/C.

“Open your eyes! Look around and with a clear conscience, and tell me, ‘Why not?’” she said, pointing to the development that is taking place.

McAllister also reflected on how President Ali navigated the tough waters when the APNU+AFC attempted to subvert the will of the electorate in the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Tricia Richards, former APNU+AFC councillor in Georgetown, positioned the PPP/C as the only national party for Guyana.

“The red wave is sweeping the whole of Guyana,” the PPP/C candidate told the roaring sea of red.

Richards, without any hesitation, proudly endorsed President Ali and the PPP/C for re-election.

She said since she joined the PPP/C family: “I have not gotten anything else other than pure love, pure respect and support.”

“There has never been a better time to be young and Indigenous in Guyana… the Guyana we know today did not happen by accident,” said Sarah Browne of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO).

Browne praised the administration’s policies on housing, education, and opportunity. “Five years have come and gone in the blink of an eye and the People’s Progressive Party/Civic has taken Guyana by storm… many of us are now the first in our families to go to the University of Guyana, to own our own homes, to lift our families out of poverty… the PPP/C has been tested and proven,” she declared.

From the Essequibo Coast, young leader Azizi Christiani echoed the message of inclusion: “This party believes that young people are not just the future but the present,” he said, “and that is why we are getting the opportunity now to lead.”

Sonia Latchman, Toshao of Bethany and Vice-Chair of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) also endorsed President Ali.

Vanda Pio, a 20-year-old candidate from Region Eight used her time on stage to urge voters to support the governing party. “Support the Party, like me, to ensure continued opportunities for youth across the country,” she said.

Additionally, Lenox Shuman, who previously served as presidential candidate of the Liberty and Justice Party (LJP) told the crowd that one cannot follow those who are “visionless” and hence why his support is with the PPP/C.
Shuman proudly stated that he joined the PPP/C after witnessing the significant investments in indigenous communities and young people.

“It is the investment in youths that brought me to this party…. we should never gamble with our future; we should never gamble with our children’s future,” he said.

Former national cricketer and businessman Steven Jacobs paused during his speech to admire how the sea of red was stretched throughout Kitty, Georgetown, stating: “This is not a rented crowd. This is not a manufactured crowd.”

He threw his support behind President Ali. “We have a decision to make on September 1 and let us not worry about personalities,” he told the crowd. “Let us ensure we vote for someone with a vision, someone with a plan and someone with a track record.”

Candidates Vickash Ramkissoon and Mishka White rounded out the evening, underscoring the PPP/C’s commitment to shaping a diverse, youth-driven future.