Contrary to the potpourri of pessimistic views spewing in the local dailies recently, Guyana has made some significant strides since Independence amid politics of donkeyism instead of democracy, politics of personality instead of policy, politics of antagonism instead of achievement, politics of stagnation instead of progress as well as politics of decadence, dissatisfaction and disintegration instead of determination.
That said, Guyana is one of those countries in the developing world that emancipated itself from colonial rule, and this achievement is no laughing matter. Just imagine if colonialism had continued where we would have been today. Certainly not celebrating independence but struggling to convince the colonial overlords that their time in British Guiana is up. Colonialism and neo-colonialism are the worst acts of humanity against humanity. They are unrepairable and unforgivable international sins. We are, as a nation, still trying to recover from the ravages of colonialism. We have been dented by colonialism. If you think colonialism is gone, look around and think again. The style may be gone but the substance of colonialism is still around. Who controls Guyana’s natural resources? Who tells Guyana how to conduct general elections? Who gives Guyana money to combat drugs and crime? Who and where does Guyana get its loans from? Do you think the above things come free? There is no such thing as a free lunch, my friend.
Despite that Guyana has been unable to relinquish itself from the yaws of international financial lending institutions, multinational corporations, and developed countries, domestically and unlike most Caribbean countries, Guyana has managed for the most of the past two decades to achieve economic growth rates, at least 3 per cent per year. This achievement is counterbalanced, however, by the fact that growth rates have not translated into human development, namely in education. Guyana has one of the highest illiteracy rates in the Caribbean. By any estimation, more than half of Guyana’s population has some form of psychological problem, including some in the current regime. What is needed now is the vision to produce desirable outcomes, preferably a more educated mass of Guyanese with a better standard of life. Can our politicians deliver or do future generations fifty years from now would be asking the same question I am asking? I hope not. We cannot afford to be in learning curve or in name blaming or in finger pointing games anymore and any longer. We have no other choice but to learn from our mistakes and deliver.
To return to where I began, if you are someone who believes that airports give the first impression of a country, then Guyana has made some strides here. I have travelled to many countries around the world and I can say honestly Guyana’s airport is up there, if not better, with any other airport. It never used to be this way. In the 1980s, Guyana’s airport was a hellhole but it has come a long way since then and just ask those who are arriving right now to celebrate 50 years of independence how does it feel like to pass through the airport.
While you ask that question, I will like to ask the current regime a few questions concerning the 50 years jubilee celebrations. Why are you so bent in having such a big bash when most of Guyana is in dire straits? Who are funders of the celebrations? What is the financial contribution from the government/tax payers? How much money was given to the Diaspora in Brooklyn to celebrate the jubilee? I understand the sympathy and solidarity for a small celebration or even commemoration but not what is going on. This big celebration is a wasted opportunity.
To the average Guyanese, this regime has faltered and fumbled badly since assuming leadership and one would think that fifty years of Independence would have been an opportunity to correct the regime’s bizarre behaviour, including ministerial salary raises. Instead of big celebrations give the civil service a pay raise; put more money into crime fighting rather than relying on outside sources; provide some financial help to venders; bring some relief to the agricultural sector; and let people celebrate if they want.
This move, among others, would have demonstrated that the regime is not into wild but careful spending for the people. Say out LOUD that celebration is fine but the multiple needs of people come first. This move would have certainly extended the political shelf life of this regime beyond 2020.
