PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali’s swearing-in ceremony on September 7, 2025, marked the start of his second term as Guyana’s ninth Executive President and a key moment in the nation’s history.

As he took the oath of office on the sunny lawns of State House, surrounded by thousands of Guyanese from all over the country, President Ali shared a transformative agenda. He aims to turn “ambition into reality” and bring unprecedented prosperity to every citizen.

The President’s inaugural speech was truly visionary. He stated that the next five years would be “the most consequential in our nation.”

This strong claim is significant, especially given Guyana’s extraordinary economic growth since oil production started five years ago.

The country has become the fastest-growing economy in the world, with GDP growth surpassing 40 per cent each year. Under Ali’s leadership during this oil boom, the nation has generated over $1 billion annually in revenue, fundamentally changing the country’s financial landscape.

What sets Ali’s vision for his second term apart is its broad approach to national development, which goes well beyond oil wealth. His Five-Year Plan for Prosperity includes building more infrastructure that connects every region and regional partners, offering world-class health and education services, creating cutting-edge digital infrastructure, and launching the ambitious Silica City smart city project.

These initiatives are not just campaign promises; they are strategic plans based on five years of direct community consultations and careful economic planning.

Ali’s dedication to inclusive development through his “One Guyana” philosophy may be his most important contribution to national unity.

He strongly stated, “I am not the President of some Guyanese; I am the President of all Guyana.”

This commitment to inclusion aims to ensure that every citizen enjoys equal dignity, opportunities, and respect, moving beyond the ethnic and political divisions that have long affected the nation.

Ali’s focus on economic diversification shows his skill in managing the wealth from oil responsibly. While the oil revenues will keep rising, his administration is also strengthening traditional sectors such as mining, agriculture, fisheries, and forestry.

At the same time, they are developing new growth areas such as tourism, blue economy initiatives, competitive manufacturing, and knowledge-based industries.

The ambitious housing programme aims to build thousands of new homes over five years, creating tens of thousands of jobs, and exemplifies this diversification effort.

The President’s focus on putting “more money in your pockets” through reduced taxes, increased disposable incomes, and direct cash grants shows that he understands that development must make a real difference in people’s lives.

His plan to cut electricity costs in half, keep water tariffs stable and avoid new taxes demonstrates fiscal responsibility while protecting vulnerable groups from economic stress.

Most importantly, Ali’s agenda tackles structural issues that have long held back Guyana’s progress. His promise to set up a dedicated Anti-Corruption Unit, improve public service delivery, and remove bureaucratic hurdles indicates a dedication to good governance, which will enhance the effectiveness of all development efforts. The national digital platform integrating government services is a technological advancement that will reduce corruption and improve citizens access to crucial services.

Some may question the ambitious nature of Ali’s promises, but his track record offers strong proof of his ability to deliver. During his first term, the administration allocated nearly 53,000 house lots, exceeded economic growth target and kept inflation in check, while increasing disposable incomes, and started major infrastructural projects such as the gas-to-energy project and the new Demerara River Bridge.

The government’s investments in over 215 communities with high-speed internet and the establishment of 160 ICT hubs shows real progress in digital transformation.

As President Ali begins this second term, he faces an unprecedented level of opportunity and responsibility. History has indeed given Guyana the resources, leadership, partnerships, and international goodwill needed for transformation.

The President’s vision of turning “promise into reality” is more than just political talk; it represents a thorough strategy for national development that could make Guyana a regional leader and a success story on the global stage.

The next five years will reveal whether Ali’s ambitious promises lead to real improvements for every Guyanese citizen. However, his proven leadership during the early phase of the oil boom, along with his inclusive approach to governance and strategic planning, suggests that Guyana may be on the brink of its most transformative period in modern history.