GUYANA’S impressive transformation over the past five years has not happened by chance.

 

It comes from careful, evidence-based planning that values the input of ordinary citizens.

 

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s dedication to widespread consultation shows true democratic governance, unlike the empty promises and unrealistic proposals from other political groups.

 

The recent consultations at the Ramada Hotel and Princess Hotel highlight this commitment to participatory democracy. President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo did not present a fixed agenda; they listened.

 

They engaged with stakeholders from various backgrounds—private-sector representatives, religious leaders, youth groups, women’s organisations, and the diaspora—to make sure that the nation’s development plan reflects the true desires of its people.

 

This approach is not just a gesture. Since April, the PPP/C has collected over 5,000 submissions from more than 2,000 individuals, showing an unprecedented level of civic involvement in policy creation.

 

The party’s General Secretary remarked, “Your concerns will shape the future policies of the People’s Progressive Party,” turning citizens’ feedback into real governance.

 

This is democracy in its purest form—where the governed plays an active role in shaping their future. The difference with opposition parties is stark.

 

While the PPP/C offers detailed, costed proposals based on extensive consultations, opposition figures like Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes make grand promises without showing how they would fund them.

 

Their proposals—including monthly cash grants of $100,000 to $150,000 per adult, $100,000 monthly pensions, and 35% salary increases—would drain the Natural Resource Fund within a year, according to financial experts.

 

More concerning is the opposition’s lack of meaningful consultation.

 

Where are their community engagements? Where is their evidence of grassroots input? Instead, we see internal power struggles and policy stances that seem to come from boardrooms rather than community halls.

 

The APNU+AFC’s rejection of the government’s electoral-reform consultations, which have been ongoing for months, shows their preference for obstruction over participation.

 

The PPP/C’s approach goes beyond campaign promises to active governance. From specialised consultations with Tain residents to form targeted committees, to engaging with farmers at Cullen Old Road before infrastructural work, the party shows that good governance requires ongoing dialogue with citizens.

 

Even in areas such as mental health, the government has focused on community inputs to ensure that solutions are culturally relevant and locally suitable.

 

This commitment to consultation is not just about democratic values—it leads to better outcomes. The party’s record is impressive: over 50,000 house lots distributed, 60,000 jobs created, and infrastructural investments that have changed communities. These achievements come from policies shaped by citizens’ inputs, not from isolated political moves.

 

The Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030, which guides the nation’s development framework, reflects this consultative approach.

 

Unlike the opposition’s vague talk about “people-centred development,” the PPP/C has developed a national plan that balances economic growth with environmental care—a model that is now being copied worldwide.

 

As Guyana heads toward the September 2025 elections, voters must recognise the key difference between parties that involve citizens as partners in development and those that see them only as recipients of campaign promises.

 

The PPP/C’s extensive consultation process, shown by thousands of submissions and numerous community engagements, reflects a commitment to governance that is both responsive and accountable.

 

Effective development requires more than good intentions—it requires evidence, consultation, and the insights gained from co-operative discussion.

 

The PPP/C’s approach embodies these values, ensuring that Guyana’s ongoing prosperity is built on the strong foundation of citizens involvement rather than the unstable ground of political opportunism.