Recent reports from Transparency International have cast a damning light on the growing levels of corruption in Guyana. Guyana, ranked 92nd out of 180 countries with a score of 39 out of 100 on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), reflects widespread concerns about corruption in the country.
The findings are clear: corruption has worsened, and the government’s attempts to downplay or deny the truth only serve to deepen the sense of frustration and mistrust among the people. It is time for the administration, led by President Irfaan Ali, to stop making excuses and instead face the stark reality of the country’s corruption crisis.
The numbers don’t lie. Corruption indices clearly show that Guyana is failing to adhere to basic principles of transparency and accountability. For instance, over the past few years, billions of dollars have been disbursed in cash grants – from COVID-related assistance to funds allocated for agriculture and other sectors. Yet, not a cent has been accounted for. Where has the money gone? The government must explain how it justifies such widespread disbursements without proper oversight or accountability.
In a democratic society, one of the key checks on government spending is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament, which is tasked with reviewing how taxpayer money is spent. But in Guyana, the PAC has been systematically obstructed. On several occasions, members of the government side have found excuses to block quorum, preventing the committee from carrying out its work effectively. This is not just a minor procedural problem—it is a deliberate attempt to shield government spending from scrutiny.
The oil and gas sector, which has brought significant wealth to the country, is perhaps the most glaring example of the government’s failure to manage its resources properly. Billions of dollars are flowing into the coffers, but the sector remains a black hole of opacity.
Governments contracts are awarded without proper oversight, and, in some cases, the government itself takes over contracts and re-awards them to other contractors, often without a trace of accountability.
Efforts by the opposition to hold the government accountable have been repeatedly ignored. This is not just a political failure—it is a violation of the public trust. When a government refuses to answer legitimate questions about its conduct, it sends a clear message to the public: they do not have to answer to anyone.
The laws intended to address corruption, such as the Anti-Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Act, remain on the books but are largely unenforced. Despite widespread knowledge of ongoing money laundering and drug trafficking under the Ali administration over the past five years, not a single individual has been brought to court for these crimes.
Corruption is not a victimless crime. It is a direct assault on the people’s rights, their future, and their dignity. It robs society of the resources needed for development, leaving entire communities deprived of essential services and opportunities. For the religious community, corruption is seen as a sin—an act of greed and selfishness that goes against the very values of fairness, justice, and respect for others.
Rather than seeking to make excuses or deny the undeniable, the Ali government must hang its head in shame. The reports are there for all to see, and they cannot be ignored. It is time for the government to take responsibility for its actions, review the findings, and make real efforts to correct the systemic corruption that has become entrenched within the administration.
Guyana deserves better. The people of this country deserve a government that is committed to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance. It is high time that the administration stops playing politics with the nation’s future and begins to manage the business of state with the respect it deserves. Only then can we hope to build a society that is free from the scourge of corruption and can look to a brighter, more equitable future.
