Recently, there has beenYouth an outcry by youthsacross the Caribbean for several newly elected governments to honour their elections promises and deliver on the creation of new jobs and the establishment of national youth funds aimed at tackling the many problems that affect youths. While some governments have already buckled under pressure and responded favourably, others continue to ignore the demands of youths. By their own admission and actions in part, they believe that regional resources ought to be directed at more pressing and fundamental areas that will see regionalism and democracy being advanced, economic and social progress fast-tracked, and poverty reduced, if not alleviated. They do not see the need to pay keen attention to the youth population through the advancement of cohesive, modern and sharp legislative and non-legislative policies and initiatives. In fact, it can also be argued that some of these governments would rather design and fashion reactive and piecemeal policies that address singular issues which they deem important to their re-election bids and their political constituents. This is done largely without meaningful consultation and at the exclusion of youth leaders. Unfortunately, the new A Partnership for National Unity/ Alliance for Change (APNU/AFC) Government in Guyana appear to be one of those unresponsive Caribbean regimes that continue to ignore the thunderous cries of youths for jobs, meaningful reforms, and an end to racial divisions in the society. The new government is demonstrating through its recent actions and policy positions that it is more concerned about taking revenge against the opposition People’s Progressive Party, advancing its image abroad through the reorganization of the Foreign Service and the strengthening of its political machinery under the facade of pursuing social cohesion. Despite being in office for well over a year, the David Granger administration is not honouring its elections promises to young people. There still is no coherent job creation policy and no new outlook for youths. The recently completed National Youth Policy is weak, uninspiring and largely ideological. While it takes note of the social and economic parasites that’s eating away at the development of youths, it offers no realistic solutions, schemes or avenues for the advancement of young people. Also, youths continue to be locked out of key positions at every level of government as they are dismissed as being either too young or inexperienced at the moment to make meaningful contributions to the notion of nation building. Clearly, the new government believes in tokenism and from time to time engages in many window dressing exercises aimed at pulling more wool over the eyes of the populace. It must be noted too that core youth groups and opposition political pressure groups continue to remain silent despite governments clear assault on young people. There was talk of banning young people who owe money on student loans from travelling abroad unless they repay. There is still the implementation of a nonsensical 2am curfew. There is the strategic firing of young professionals and youths who are perceived to be supporters of the last government. Youths cannot continue to be silent and sheepish. They must demonstrate their impatience by lobbying the government to keep its campaign promises and to do exactly what it said it will do for young people when it was in opposition. Youths have to hold the government to account and demand the strategic quarterly update of the country’s youth policy. They must demand the creation of a modern job creation scheme while pressuring the government to involve it in the decision making processes of the state level. They must understand that silence and continued lambish behaviour are not options if they crave and desire political reform and respect. Youths must work together to re-energise themselves and inspire the changes they want in their societies. Each day history is made and tomorrow when youths recognise that their later years are still hard, they will have no one to blame but themselves.
