Guyana is no better today than five years ago

It is standard practice in a democratic society for the people to periodically review the administration chosen to run the nation – this is election time. At that review, the administration is then either reinstated or replaced based on its performance during the time it held office.

There are several factors taken into consideration at these reviews. These factors can change from one election year to the next based on the issues the people feel are important during that point in history.

Some pertinent factors remain static, such as the financial state of the country and whether the administration was able to improve the standard of living for the people during his term. Other factors are fluid and can change at a moments notice.

For example, although George Bush cannot be re-elected as president because of term limits, his party will no doubt be judged on his performance during this current term – which includes an ongoing war and an unforeseen natural disaster that highlighted the administration’s current inability to deal with sudden catastrophic events.

The people’s assessment of day-to-day politics as well as the unforeseen events will determine whether the current political party will continue to hold office or be tossed out and replaced with another party viewed as capable of attaining the desired goals of the people, which brings us to Guyana and its current political climate.

When the question is asked, “Is Guyana better today than it was five years ago”? – what is the reply? Surely one cannot dismiss the obvious improvements such as the renovations done to the airport and the major road repairs and expansions. These are indeed significant improvements that cannot, and should not, be ignored.

However, historically the review of the government by the people has entailed a more far-reaching probe into more than just the infrastructure of the nation. To be sure, these improvements to our infrastructure were needed and long overdue. However, the sewers still overflow, there is no bridge to Berbice (as promised) and we still lack decent roads to connect the city with the hinterland areas of our nation.

Moreover, there are also far more pressing issues that have simply gone untouched under the current administration. The illiteracy rate in Guyana is an embarrassment, the educational system is deteriorating even more every year, crime is still rampant causing the people to live in relentless trepidation and, most importantly, the country is still overwhelmed in excessive poverty and corruption infiltrations almost every part of our government, law enforcement and judicial system.

These are the issues that will be considered at the next election. Will the people judge the current administration as competent and re-instate them for another term? This is a rhetorical question, in that I cannot possibly see how this could possibly occur.

Guyana does not need a government that is simply competent – she needs a government that is extraordinary. We need a government that has the ability take us from this sad state of disrepair into a crime-free, poverty-free existence.

The World Cup event, due to be hosted by Guyana in 2007, highlights an issue that demonstrates how crime and corruption in a country is directly related to the economic state of a country. The fact that our people are terrorised by criminals everyday is sad enough, but when one looks at the bigger picture, crime has an effect on the country that has far greater implications.

As mentioned in a recent KN editorial, the UN recently conducted a study that explored links between crime and development. The study said, “Africa has a serious crime problem, a key factor in its seeming inability to grow out of poverty and fully join in the global economy.” Stating that investors shun areas ravaged by violent crime, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Antonio Maria-Costa, said the study showed, “African as well as foreign investors looking to put money in the developing world put their funds elsewhere, such as Asia, for fear of financial and property crime and corruption, undermining economic development.”

The study also noted, "When asked about obstacles to investment, African business leaders rank corruption highest. Corruption is also believed to be behind the large bureaucracies and endless red tape that characterise some African business environments." Another glaring piece of information said, “Africa's justice system has fewer police and judges per capita than anywhere else in the world, leading to low conviction rates so criminals remain free, and the continent is increasingly becoming a transit area for drug traffickers.”

In other words, crime and corruption prevents economic growth. With this in mind, it is no wonder Guyana, a country rife with crime and corruption, has seen no substantial or sustainable economic growth since its independence from Great Britain.

The crime and corruption that ravages our nation has a direct link to economic instability, so it is time to clean up the crime by starting with cleaning up the corruption. Once the corrupt politicians are out of the way, we will be able to clean up crime – which was many times a product of the corruption in the first place.

We need a new government with viable solutions and an implementation plan for policies and practices that will help Guyana develop into a successful and thriving country on par with its neighbours and the rest of the world.

Given the failed state of Guyana and the miserable collapse of the old system, it is quite apparent that a new systematic approach is essential to infuse the country with life and vitality. It is time to toss the old system and enable a new government to present proven methods for the recuperation of the economical, political and the social structures of our country. Though some of these methods may be new to Guyana, many are established techniques that have helped other developing countries reach their full potential – and can help our country to do the same.

We cannot shy away from these new techniques, even if they seem alien to our previously established views and customary ways of conducting business, politics, etc. Remember it is the old system that has brought us to the brink of chaos. It stands to reason that a new system can only help us recover from years of atrophy in a vegetative state as a society.

Are you ready to toss the old system and give Guyana the opportunity to flourish instead of flounder? Can you get past the years of racist politics and embrace a new way of government? Guyana, hopeful Guyana, awaits your reply.