Dear Editor,
As 2022 comes to an end, there are a few unfortunate developments that most probably will linger on well into the new year of 2023. The war in Ukraine which started in February this year is still raging on and there is no indication of it ending any time soon. Next February will be exactly one year since the war started. Meanwhile, the loss of lives and destruction of property and infrastructure continues unabated.
The recently concluded COP 27 ended without any agreement on the reduction of carbon emissions. The gap in living standards between the developed North and the underdeveloped South continues to widen with each passing year. Poverty is on the rise and the number of people living in extreme poverty continue to increase. This is indeed shameful given breathtaking advances in science and technology. The productivity of labour has increased but there is no corresponding increase in reward to labour.
On a more positive note, there are some signs of a reduction in the incidence of the Covid-19 pandemic even though there is still need for caution. In Guyana, the economy has been given a significant lift with greater inflows of revenues mainly as a result of oil resources, even as the country stands to benefit further from revenues from carbon credits. Overall, there are some hopeful signs that 2023 will be better than 2022, both from an economic and developmental standpoint. The country’s per capita income is expected to increase significantly which will most likely translate in a higher standard of living of the Guyanese people.
The challenge for us in Guyana is find common ground on the way forward especially given the pluralistic nature of our society. There is still a lack of trust among the major political players which is a drag on the realization of our full developmental potential. The search for a new governance paradigm based on inclusive and participatory forms of governance will no doubt continue as the country forges ahead with the One Guyana Vision articulated by President Irfaan Ali. I wish all Guyanese a happy and productive 2023!
Sincerely,
Hydar Ally