Saying that confidence has been restored in the country’s democracy since his administration assumed office in August last year, President Irfaan Ali on Friday assured Guyanese in the New York diaspora that the government is moving towards inclusive governance for all.
“Guyana is attempting to perfect not pervert its democratic value… A more transparent system of governance and a more open forum of governance,” Ali said during a virtual address to a Town Hall Forum, which was organised by the International Center for Democracy (ICD) in Queens, New York, on Friday.
Ali’s comments came in wake of recent calls by American legislators for more political inclusion in Guyana: “Guyana’s wealth is for all the people of Guyana, irrespective of their ethnicity. I urge the current government and leaders of the opposition in the National Assembly to work together towards further strengthening Guyana’s democracy and building a more inclusive nation,” Congressman Hank Johnson said in a statement on Wednesday.
During his remarks, Ali reiterated that he is not opposed to meeting with the opposition but he said they must first recognise and respect his government as legitimate.
“I am not averse to meeting the main parliamentary opposition. However, its designation of my government as illegitimate presents practical obstacles to any such engagement. The parliamentary opposition must understand, they have to respect the will of the people, they have to honour the will of the people and in respecting and honoring the will of the people, and they have to respect the government of the day that was elected by the people of the country,” he explained.
The president said he has been engaging a number of organisations including the private sector and will continue such interactions in order to benefit from their insights “to learn more about their concerns.”
Additionally, Ali said his government has been including persons with national interest, experience and expertise in managing the country.
As a result, he said the “One Guyana Commission” that would be established will address the real and perceived racial problems in Guyana.
“The Guyana that we want is one that is united. In establishing a united Guyana, we will not ignore or avoid addressing the thorny issues of race and inequality. I believe that, yes, we have to deal frontally with these issues,” he said.
Ali also thanked the ICD and others in the diaspora for their role in safeguarding democracy, especially during the March 2nd, 2020 elections.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Guyana, I acknowledge and express our appreciation for the sterling watchdog role and advocacy of the ICD and others in the diaspora in defending our people’s democratic rights,” he expressed.
The defence, according to Ali, existed even before the elections. “… Even prior to the elections, the ICD was in the vanguard of advocating for constitutional rule,” he said.
He noted that the ICD was “most vocal” in demanding respect for constitutionalism on the heels of the passage of the no-confidence motion in December 2018.
As a result, Ali commended the efforts of those both locally and in the diaspora, who he said stood their ground and demanded that the will of the electorate be respected.
“Guyana owes a debt of gratitude to non-profit and non-partisan organisations in the diaspora, such as the ICD. It was the vigilance of democratic-loving forces, their outspoken and principled stance and their robust and sterling advocacy which allowed democracy to survive the brutal attempt at its suppression,” he noted.
Ali said any assault on “free and fair” elections represents an attack on democracy and must at no point be allowed.
The president also outlined some of the government’s plans, as outlined in the PPP/C manifesto, which include a number of major projects in the coming years.
This, Ali said, includes equality for all. “Our vision was articulated in our manifesto which stated ‘we all want a society which is free, prosperous, socially just, globally competitive, and which serves every Guyanese equitably.”
“Every Guyanese must have a chance at a good education, access to good-paying jobs, be able to start their own businesses, raise and provide for a family, own their own homes, live in a safe and secure environment and retire with dignity,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, who addressed the forum in person, said the government is committed to governing in the “fairest and most inclusive” manner.
“…And we are committed to the ideal that every Guyanese must feel, much actually feel that they have an equal place and they are entitled to equal opportunities to realise their dreams and their potentials,” he said.
Nandlall assured that every citizen will be treated equally without any form of discrimination.
He said it is the Government’s responsibility to ensure that Guyanese benefit “fairly” from all the country’s investments.
“And that is why we are concentrating on a solid local-content policy and law. To protect jobs in our country. To ensure that the Guyanese benefit,” Nandlall said.
“We will do everything possible to ensure they deliver promises in manifesto… as we are delivering, we are ticking off and we are scoring well so far,” he added.
During the event, a group of opposition supporters protested the government at the venue.
