By Mark DaCosta- The Alliance for Change (AFC) has initiated a unique and expansive “Listening and Grounding” campaign across Guyana, aiming to engage citizens directly in a dialogue that could redefine governance and policy-making in the country. This campaign, which prioritises informal, on-the-ground interactions over traditional political rallies, represents a shift towards a more participatory approach to understanding and addressing the needs of the Guyanese people.
The AFC, led by prominent attorney Nigel Hughes, has set out to reach every corner of Guyana, from bustling urban markets and rural corner shops to the remote hinterland and riverine communities often overlooked by central governance. The campaign’s essence lies in its focus on meeting citizens where they are, without the usual fanfare of political events. Gone are the sirens, outriders, and heavy security details typically associated with political leaders. Instead, the AFC team navigates deplorable roads, dilapidated bridges, and overgrown bush paths, determined to hear firsthand the concerns of the populace.
The party’s commitment to inclusivity is evident in its cross-sectional approach. Hughes has made it clear that the AFC is reaching out to all ethnic groups across the nation. “We are a political party that competes nationally, engaging with citizens in every village, city, and municipality,” Hughes asserted. “Our goal is not to split votes along ethnic lines, but to connect with every Guyanese, from the southernmost community of Gunns to the easternmost point of Corriverton and Moleson Creek, and as far west as Baramita. We are determined to understand the lived experiences of our citizens at every socio-economic level.”
This outreach is particularly crucial given the stark socio-economic realities highlighted by recent international reports. The World Bank’s 2022 report revealed that 48 percent of Guyanese live in poverty, a shocking statistic in a country that boasts the fastest-growing economy in the world, driven by its burgeoning oil sector. More alarming is the 2023 report by UNICEF, the WHO, and the World Bank, which identified Guyana as leading in “wasting,” a severe form of child malnutrition, across Latin America and the Caribbean. These findings underscore the growing disparity between the nation’s oil wealth and the actual conditions under which many Guyanese live.
The AFC’s campaign aims to bridge this gap by gathering qualitative data through direct conversations with citizens. Unlike the quantitative methods employed by organisations like the World Bank, which rely on statistical data, the AFC is using an interpretivist approach. This method focuses on understanding the meaning behind the numbers by engaging with people in their daily environments. The team’s fieldwork has already uncovered a range of pressing issues, including the high cost of living, inadequate salaries and pensions, poor infrastructure, and unequal access to essential services.
For instance, in the hinterland regions, the AFC has encountered widespread concerns about land demarcation, a critical issue for indigenous communities. Residents have also voiced their frustrations over the unequal distribution of flood relief, which they believe is influenced by political affiliation. Furthermore, there is growing discontent over the imbalance in infrastructural development, with rural and poorer communities feeling left behind despite the country’s rapid economic growth.
These listening sessions have also revealed the deep-seated anxieties of many citizens regarding the benefits of the nation’s oil wealth. Common sentiments expressed include: “We are not getting anything from the oil money,” and “With oil, the rich are getting richer, and the poor, poorer.” These statements reflect a pervasive sense of exclusion from the prosperity that should, in theory, be lifting all Guyanese out of poverty.
The data collected through this campaign will undergo a rigorous analysis, incorporating insights from academic research and reports from international agencies such as the United Nations and Transparency International. The aim is to generate unbiased inferences that can inform future policies. By synthesising these qualitative insights with existing quantitative data, the AFC hopes to develop policies that are more responsive to the real needs of the population.
This participatory approach to governance recognises that those who are most affected by policies should have a say in their formation. The AFC believes that engaging citizens in this way not only helps to build legitimacy for new policies but also ensures that they are more effectively implemented.
The AFC’s campaign is already yielding results, with the government taking note and acting on several issues highlighted by the Listening and Grounding team. However, the party stresses that much more needs to be done to ensure that the benefits of Guyana’s oil wealth are shared equitably among all its citizens.
As the AFC continues its outreach across the nation, it remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for better governance. In a land as rich in resources as Guyana, the party insists that “better must come” for all its people. This campaign is not just about gathering data — it is about ensuring that every Guyanese voice is heard in the corridors of power.
