The Alliance for Change (AFC) last week held a town hall meeting in Queens, New York, USA, where passionate and urgent discussions highlighted the dual challenges of diversifying the economy and retaining skilled professionals.
According to an AFC press release, the party, in recognition that Guyana was approaching a significant economic transformation fuelled by its abundant natural resources, sought to unite diaspora and indigenous voices to shape a new vision.
During the “AFC Town Hall Meeting”, the release said, key figures in the AFC leadership underscored the necessity of expanding beyond a resource-dependent economy. “If we never had to manage a complex economy, or if we never expanded the economy beyond that which the colonists left with us, why do we assume that we are capable of managing billions of US dollars for the benefit of the citizens of Guyana?” the release quoted AFC Leader Nigel Hughes as asking. It added that he highlighted the untapped potential of non-resource sectors in the nation.
A significant part of the discussion revolved around the alarming trend of emigration among educated youth. “You can’t run a country if the best people are leaving. It’s just not humanly possible,” the release quoted Hughes as saying. With alarming statistics indicating that as many as 90% of graduates from the University of Guyana seek opportunities abroad, the potential brain drain poses a severe threat to the country’s future, it added.
The energy sector was also identified as a crucial area in need of reform. Former minister of Public Works David Patterson, the release said, revealed that “approximately 30%” of electricity produced in Guyana was lost due to technical and commercial inefficiencies.
Despite the wealth of natural resources—including recent oil discoveries—the speakers argued for a more strategic and inclusive economic approach. According to the release, Hughes said: “The challenge for a better tomorrow is not whether we have resources, particularly with nationalism, but how we plan to create a truly democratic modern Guyana where every citizen has an equal opportunity to participate in the prosperity.”
Patterson also highlighted the issues plaguing Guyana’s infrastructure, particularly the handling of public projects and energy challenges. The release said he questioned the Ministry of Public Works’ budget of $7.4 billion, pointing out the lack of completed projects. “If you give a little child US$100 and say, go to the store tomorrow, they might buy all sorts of fancy things instead of what they actually need,” he was quoted as saying, reflecting on the government’s spending habits.
Member of Parliament Devin Sears, emphasized the party’s commitment to onboarding a new generation of leaders who can drive positive change. The release said Sears lamented high youth unemployment, particularly in the lucrative oil and gas industry, which has seen an influx of foreign workers. Addressing the corrosive impact of corruption, Sears also noted how it has become “a new norm” in Guyana, with even the police force engaging in bribery, the release added. The party vowed to restructure systems to reduce dependence on illicit practices for earning a living. Importantly, the AFC recognized the crucial role of the Guyanese diaspora in this fight for the country’s future. Speakers including Member of Parliament Beverley Alert urged those living abroad to “spread the word, knock on doors,” and lend their support to the movement.
A key voice at the gathering was that of technical advisor on Indigenous Affairs for the Party Laura George who highlighted the party’s commitment to elevating the rights and representation of Guyana’s first peoples. “Unless we have policymakers who are genuinely committed to ensuring Guyanese citizens have rights, protections, access to justice, and equity in livelihoods, we will continue to see indigenous peoples marginalized,” she was quoted as saying. The party’s vision is to create a Guyana that is truly inclusive, where development opportunities are balanced and all citizens, regardless of background, can thrive.
The leaders called for a concerted cross-political effort to address the nation’s economic and social issues. They emphasized the importance of ensuring that the benefits of Guyana’s resources are distributed equitably and that the nation’s brightest minds are encouraged and empowered to contribute to its growth, the release said.
