President Ali warns against greed, ‘shallow politics’ in national life

President Dr Irfaan Ali has warned that Guyana’s political culture risks being overtaken by greed and superficial engagement, cautioning that the erosion of conscience and sacrifice in public life could undermine the country’s future if left unchecked.
Reflecting on the broader direction of national leadership, the Head of State said, “the politics today, politics of serious politics, politics of conscience, politics of sacrifice, is being replaced by politics of greed and shallowness,” adding that the possibility of losing hard-won national gains “worries me every night.” The remarks were made on Sunday at Bloomfield Village, Corentyne, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) during the funeral service of Owal Mustapha Rahman, a long-standing member of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the father of Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha. While addressing mourners, President Ali used the occasion to offer a wider reflection on the state of national leadership and the values that should guide political life, particularly at a time of rapid economic and social change. The President cautioned that political engagement driven by self-interest, personal gain, or transactional expectations poses a long-term risk to national development. He stressed that leadership must be grounded in responsibility to future generations rather than short-term rewards, warning that failure to uphold those principles could result in the squandering of opportunities secured through decades of struggle and sacrifice. President Ali’s comments come amid ongoing public debate about governance, accountability and the character of political participation in Guyana, as the country navigates accelerated development alongside rising expectations. His remarks underscored the importance of maintaining a moral compass in public life and preserving the foundational values that underpin democratic stability and social cohesion. The Head of State reiterated that sustained progress requires a return to politics rooted in conscience, service and national responsibility, noting that vigilance is necessary to ensure that the pursuit of personal benefit does not eclipse the collective good or weaken the country’s long-term prospects.