President Irfaan Ali’s “One Guyana” initiative, which is being hailed by his government as a vision for national unity and cohesion, is coming under increasing scrutiny. Critics argue that rather than uniting the nation, the slogan is being used to further divide Guyana along political and ethnic lines. Some are even claiming that the slogan is a stolen idea—originally introduced by former opposition leader Robert Corbin in his 2006 campaign for president.
At first glance, “One Guyana” might appear to be an inclusive call for unity, promising equal opportunity and national solidarity. However, many Guyanese see it as a politically motivated tool that not only excludes large segments of the population but also hijacks a concept originally introduced by Corbin, who ran under the same slogan nearly two decades ago. Corbin’s platform was built around the idea of unity, but without the political dominance and exclusion that many believe are now part of the current government’s approach.
An experienced political analyst explains that while Corbin’s “One Guyana” focused on fostering a sense of national togetherness, President Ali’s version seems to be more about consolidating power and political advantage rather than achieving true unity.
“Ali’s “One Guyana” has become a slogan to justify policies that consistently shut out large portions of the population, particularly opposition supporters and marginalised communities. It has morphed into a tool for political division rather than a vehicle for national harmony,” the analyst said.
One of the most glaring criticisms of President Ali’s use of “One Guyana” is the perception that his administration is actively excluding anyone who does not align with the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
From government contracts to development projects and even public sector employment, many feel that those outside of the PPP/C’s political circle are being sidelined. This practice, some argue, runs counter to the very ideals of inclusion and shared prosperity that the slogan purports to represent.
In recent years, several key development initiatives—particularly in the oil and gas sector—have raised concerns about who truly benefits from Guyana’s economic boom. Many members of the opposition and civil society have argued that despite the government’s claims of national progress, the wealth generated from the country’s newfound oil riches has largely gone to the political elite and foreign corporations, leaving the ordinary Guyanese citizen in the margins.
Critics also point to the widening gap between the haves and haves-not arguing the president’s so-called ‘One Guyana’ is really just about One Party-the PPP/C- and it is creating divisions in every corner of the country.
Furthermore, the growing discontent over President Ali’s version of “One Guyana” is exacerbated by the exclusion of key sectors from the national conversation. The Indigenous and African communities to a larger extent, but also ordinary Indians, small businesses, workers, and pensioners. Many families feel disconnected from the economic prosperity touted by the government and alienated from the so-called national unity being promised.
To make matters worse, President Ali’s recent use of the “One Guyana” slogan has done little to address the significant inequalities in Guyana’s healthcare, education, infrastructure systems and the soaring cost of living. While the government has introduced various initiatives, such as the healthcare voucher system, critics argue that these programmes are often poorly executed and fail to reach the people who need them most.
The analyst also argues that President Ali’s version of “One Guyana” seems to be a shallow rebranding of Guyana’s national motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny,” a rallying cry for genuine national cohesion. “What Ali has done is hijack a national aspiration, and a vision of a political rival [Corbin] and repurpose them for a political agenda that benefits a very narrow segment of society,” the analyst added.
For many Guyanese, the real question remains: Can the promise of “One Guyana” ever be realised if the policies and actions of the government continue to exclude so many people? The answer, according to critics, is that the slogan has become a symbol of political manipulation rather than a true reflection of national unity.
