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In a country with unprecedented economic opportunities fueled by an oil boom and other promising sectors, Guyana should be thriving. Yet, its progress is being suffocated—not by a lack of resources or talent, but by an epidemic of unqualified individuals occupying key positions of power. These appointments, often based on nepotism, cronyism, and misplaced loyalty to “friends, family, and side chicks,” are stifling innovation, ethical governance, and proper growth.
The issue is not just one of incompetence—it is compounded by arrogance, unethical behavior, and an alarming absence of accountability. Too often, those who ascend to positions of influence are individuals who neither understand their responsibilities nor show any willingness to learn. They hide their ignorance behind bravado, smothering the creativity and vision of those who are genuinely capable of advancing the nation. This tragic trend is a betrayal of Guyana’s potential and the aspirations of its people.
Guyana is not short of talent. Across every sector, there are brilliant, innovative, and principled individuals who “know the work.” These are the people who don’t need to pretend or lean on sycophants to mask their incompetence. Instead, they are sidelined by the unimaginative, the unethical, and the self-serving. It is a glaring irony that in a nation bursting with promise, those most capable of delivering progress are too often overlooked or deliberately suppressed.
The excuse that these appointments are “strategic” is as tired as it is insulting. This is not strategy—it is cowardice. It is the fear of empowering the competent and principled because their integrity threatens the status quo of mediocrity. It is the preference for yes-men and women who won’t challenge the system, even when they know it is failing. This deliberate sidelining of talent is a betrayal of every Guyanese citizen who deserves a country that lives up to its potential.
The price of this mismanagement is clear. Public services flounder under weak leadership. Mismanagement and unethical behavior in public utilities like the Guyana Water Incorporated and GPL leave citizens without reliable access to basic necessities. Corruption and favoritism in law enforcement and public administration erode trust in institutions. The criminal class continues to thrive, protected by the same networks of nepotism that deny opportunities to deserving professionals.
On the global stage, Guyana’s oil economy should be a bright light of hope. Yet, the same issues of unqualified leadership threaten to squander this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If the best minds are not at the table—people who understand not just oil and gas, but also how to build inclusive, sustainable industries—then we are doomed to see this wealth disappear into the pockets of the few while the majority languishes.
