When David Granger assumed the presidency of Guyana, a large portion of the populace was hopeful that he and his coalition of parties would be able to move the country forward and restore it to its rightful place as the breadbasket of the Caribbean.
There was also the expectation that given Granger’s exemplary military background, he would be the right person to restore law and order to the country whilst ensuring that the Constitution is upheld. It was also hoped that he would be able to lay the foundation for a unified country where national unity, shared governance, social cohesion and public decency were achievable in the not so distant future.
Granger was not the typical or conventional politician. Though he was inexperienced, his rhetoric was sharp. He appeared genuine and disciplined after taking over the reins of the People’s National Congress. President Granger for the most part, was a cut above the rest when compared to those vying to become President back in 2015.
Also, there was no indication that he would allow himself to be tainted by the divisive politics of those at the helm of the traditional People’s National Congress (PNC) inner circle. After all, he was part of a coalition which included the Working People’s Alliance and the Alliance For Change. There would be no room for him or the PNC to hijack the ship or become rogue. Under his tenure as Executive President, all seemed bright and Guyanese as well as People’s Progressive Party (PPP) supporters was optimistic about the greener pastures ahead, better standard of living and a new Guyana. The politics practiced by Granger, up until May 11, 2015, were admirable and in some ways unprecedented.
Now in office, President Granger’s brand of politics has changed and taken a turn for the worse. He has adopted a standoffish approach to the management of the affairs of the country. As opposed to taking a hands-on approach, Granger would have us believe that his Ministers are making decisions and running the country without his direct input. So when the public is outraged at their policies, he is spared the blame and is always able to step in like a knight in shining armour to cosmetically right their wrongs. In this way, his image remains intact for as long as the media remains docile and partisan.
Also, Granger is practicing politics of spite, vengeance and prosecution as opposed to the healing and reconciliation he preached about on the campaign trail. This is most evident in the rants of his Ministers and the rush to charge and jail PPP Executives, former Ministers and public officials for their perceived wrongdoings which in most instances do not have the necessary evidence to withstand judicial scrutiny. His infamous and highly unpopular Attorney General is allowed to attack and defame high-ranking female members of the Judiciary who are serving in key portfolios without being upbraided. This is not strange because none of his Ministers have been dismissed or properly disciplined since the coalition came to power.
He has also managed to subvert and influence the hierarchy of the Guyana Defence and Police Forces in ways that are unimaginable in a bid to keep them inline and loyal to his political causes. While many may jump to deny this, the posture of the two security bodies are very different compared to the posture they had adopted during the tenures of the Jagans, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar.
Granger is building trust within the rank and file of these organisations by placing individuals who are formers members of service into important and highly political portfolios on Inquiry Commissions and in Public Sector jobs.
Granger’s politics now border on autocracy and his rhetoric confirms this. It is his coalition’s way or no way as is seen in the National Assembly. Granger’s Government continues to behave as though it has a monopoly on ideas by rejecting the positions of rights groups for critical minority segments of our society on issues that affect the livelihoods of their constituencies including gays and Amerindians.
In short, President Granger is not the same man who faced the populace and campaigned in the 2015 elections. Maybe, the office has changed him. Maybe, the internal politics of the coalition require him to bury some of his noble qualities so that it can survive the trying political times and prolong its years in Government.
Maybe, we don’t know the real man behind the presidential mask. What is certain however, is that in order for him to leave a legacy that he can be proud of, he must experience an epiphany. He must return to the promises he made on the campaign trail.
He must end the unnecessary persecution and prosecution of PPP officials and proceed to building political harmony and trust in the country. If he refuses or is indecisive for too long, he will not be President in 2020. His tenure so far, has been disappointing to say the least.
