Guyana’s political legacy, loyalty and leadership

Dear Editor,
Comically ironic, perhaps, is there “Much ado about Nothing” in Shakespear’s play, drama or theatrics, “All’s well that ends Well?” In life, in order to attain the helm, there are many hills to climb, encountering many hurdles while traversing. But in the end, we do have to descend to the bottom in order to participate with our ‘roots and grounding!’
So, is it worth the while, or, as Guyanese say, “anything sa do,” in our passing phase while paraphrasing our daily encounters in this dear land of many people who are busy going places while being passionately proud, or, protectively pretensive, or, pervasively pernicious? Being potently poor further reduces the limitation of choices.
Guyana is feverishly approaching another milestone next month with the anniversary of the 56th year since Guyana brokered with Republicanism. She severed the British monarchy in 1970 although enjoying membership as a Commonwealth nation. Barbados followed suit in 2020 but Jamaica and other small islands remain non-Republic.
The benign or baneful wooing of friendships and the barefacedness or impropriety of vices, have scribed the famous and infamous trails, trials and traits of Guyana’s history in all its glory and ingloriousness, honour and dishonour and dignity and indignity. There is nothing dishonest about being honest!
Since Guyana became an independent nation in 1966, many courtships, companions and companies ensued prior, during and after, in order to campaign for this country’s sovereignty (Cheddi/ Forbes/Peter); govern this state (PPP/ PNC/UF); and, the declaration of a Co-operative Republic (Communism/Socialism).
From dust to dust, the three-party leaders have returned; the three parties have burnt their originality to ashes; and, Capitalism has metamorphosed as a common ideology. New leaders have been molded with different concepts; the three parties are either vibrant or dormant and the economic engine is now business oriented with a foreign fame, flame and flair.
From the birth of British Guiana to this day on earth in Guyana’s dirt, there is no dirth (dearth) of scandal, skepticism and suspicion, as we reside in this heavenly or hellish abode. Now it is so embarrassingly difficult to believe or disbelief anything and everything from everyone and anyone! It’s the facts of life and not only from the media but also from the horses’ mouths!
As Guyanese prepare to “mash” next month, in a mirror of reflection, we reminisce on Guyana’s Heads of State. The first President, Arthur Chung, also the first ethnic Chinese President, hailed from Windsor Forest in Region 3. Coming from the judiciary, he was powerful but remained powerless. Ostensibly formal, he remained ceremonial from 1970 to 1980.
Guyanese will confirm that PNC’s Burnham left his people, party and policy with the disdainful legacy of “feel the sharpness of his steel,” when he stated that, “the gauntlet has been thrown down.” Undoubtedly, his reference to violence has survived his name and nature and is still pronounced in weaponizing his disciples. Dr. Walter Rodney from the WPA was one of the sad recipients of this effect.
To rewind, Burnham’s successor, Desmond Hoyte, instilled fear, fever and fury with his multifaceted mantra, “mo fya, slo fya.’ This ordeal has transgressed into audacious actions in many folds, more often than one would care to remember. Who will forget the many violent street protests, burning and looting, rape and murder and “kick down door” type robbery!
It is easier to remember recent events. “Sleepy joe” stumbled on many occasions. Granger, a ranger, remained a stranger, cloaked in hidden quarters most of the time. But he did not shun from political manipulations, misgivings and misrepresentations. His pernicious phrase, “kith and kin,” established the PNC’s misguided maneuverings and biasness for racism.
Guyanese will always recall Volda Lawrence’s speech in November 2018, while serving as Chairperson of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Minister of Public Health in Guyana, “The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC.”
Dr. Cheddi Jagan reworked the making of Guyana when he became the first Chief Minister and Premier, leading the first elected government in 1953. He stamped his dominance by working with, by and for the people. Guyanese has inherited his patriarchal gift of “study, work, save and build.” No wonder he is referred to as “The Father of the Nation.”
Guyana was dethroned from a “Bread basket” nation to a “Begging bowl” nation by the PNC government from 1964 to 1992. Lifting Guyana out of political shame and economic disgrace, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s debt reduction program and fiscal management saw Guyana’s GDP rise from $300 million to $3.7 Billion, with the per capita catapulting from $500 to $4,900 during his 1999-2011 Presidency.
Donald Ramoutar led a PPP/C minority government under a backdrop of intense hostility and was responsible for proroguing Parliament.
A two term President, it is Dr. Irfaan Ali who is retransforming the economic landscape of Guyana from the second poorest nation in this Hemisphere to the fastest and wealthiest growing nation per capita, mainly due to the oil and gas production. How will his legacy be grounded is anyone’s guess.
From the “Complete Lyrics of Ira Gershwin,” he scribed, “The future of this nation, with the present generation, You must admit is nothing but a joke.” Are our heroes now zeroes? Is Gershwin’s remark any reference to Guyana?
As they say, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Afterall, words are but winds, if we’re to accept “The comedy of Errors” as illustrated by Shakespear.
Guyana’s political arena is stigmatized with undiluted uncertainties, unadulterated jealousy and unabashed uncomfortableness. Should Guyanese worry when worry kills?

Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall