Reflecting on the past year

The advent of the new year has always been a time when people reflect on the past year, perhaps what they have achieved in terms of their personal and professional goals and what they intend to accomplish in the coming year. In Guyana, we have always treated it as a time that we cleansed our houses and got our affairs – financial, business and even familial – in order so that for the rest of the year we will be able to accomplish what we did not manage to accomplish in the previous year.
The New Year is also a time when we make resolutions. Many have quipped that the New Year resolutions do not last for more than a week or so; but we have known examples of New Year resolutions being very creative and helpful, and we think that everyone could benefit from this experience. It is important that we set realistic targets/goals and work hard towards achieving them.
In our New Year resolutions, we can do no better than to follow what the famous Roman Philosopher-Emperor Marcus Aurelius taught us. In his work, Marcus Aurelius tackled issues like how we should live our lives, what does justice mean, and how can we live with the knowledge that someday we will no longer exist. He taught us that we must treat every day as if it is the last day of our lives. This means that we must work to the optimum to make a positive difference in our communities and country and maximise our time on earth. We believe that his reflections are still relevant, especially at this time of the year.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government, has been in office for just about 16 months and has started brilliantly and is determined never to allow dictatorship to return following what happened in Guyana during the 2020 General and Regional Elections. It is providing relief to households affected by the health crisis, stimulating small businesses, negotiating with large foreign investors and developing the agricultural industries. The forestry and mining sectors are also being stimulated.
The present political milieu in Guyana clearly indicates that democracy and development go hand in hand and that Guyana is embarking on a period of development which will transform the country into one of the wealthiest and most well-governed and democratic countries in the world.
It is hoped that the country: meaning all stakeholders, including the Government and parliamentary parties, the business community and ordinary citizens, will begin to focus on moving the country forward. Our past experiences are enough to convince us that we cannot risk going through any period of instability.
That said, in spite of the present uncertainties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic which has stuck with us since 2020, 2022 should be seen as a year of renewed hope in our country and all that it has to offer.
Additionally, the Government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic compares with the best in the world. We are very hopeful that 2022 will be a year of great things.
With the growing oil sector, our leaders must use this resource to help to create the right environment to allow citizens to be able to live in a free, happy and prosperous country where everyone could be given the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Our politicians should recommit themselves to working with each other for the benefit of the entire nation.
We hope that 2022 will bring happiness, peace and prosperity to every Guyanese, both at home and abroad.