Vanessa Kissoon and Amna Ally- “fully paid-up public citizens”

Vanessa Kissoon and Amna Ally are what you would call “fully paid-up public citizens”—women who have given selflessly to their country and their party, the People’s National Congress (PNC). These two political giants have devoted years of their lives to the party they love, only to be pushed out by mistreatment from fellow members, with the tacit or overt support of the party leadership.

The Party’s leadership dismissive response to their resignation—unfazed and unconcerned—speaks volumes about the leadership disinterest in regaining power. For only a political neophyte or a fool would ignore the simple truth: politics is a numbers game, and Ally and Kissoon, individually and together, hold significant sway in society.

Conflict is a natural part of any organisation, but failing to manage it constructively can lead to severe dysfunction. This, unfortunately, seems to be the reality within the PNC today. As the country watches in disbelief, high-ranking men, associated and within the party continue to vilify Kissoon and Ally, raising troubling questions about how women are treated within both the party and society at large.

How do these men treat their wives, daughters, sisters, and female friends? Their actions suggest a deep and damaging disregard for the contributions of these women and how women, that value their worth in society, are viewing the fall-out

Amna Ally’s unwavering dedication to the PNC is well-known. Her father, Barakat Ally, not only stood as a friend to the party’s Founder leader, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, but made substantial financial contributions by planting rice fields for the party.

Ally herself served as the party’s chief scrutineer during national, regional and local government elections, tirelessly working with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM). Her absence has left a noticeable void, as the party struggled to maintain clarity during crucial periods such as the Claims and Objection phase, demonstrated by the confusing messages on whether objections were or would be submitted to GECOM.

Ally’s rise through the ranks of the PNC was marked by an unshakable loyalty. From her early involvement in the Young Socialist Movement (YSM) to her role as the Party General Secretary, Ally stayed with the party during its 23 years in opposition wilderness. While others abandoned the cause, Ally remained steadfast, even as she balanced a full-time job as a public school teacher, rising to the rank of headmistress.

Vanessa Kissoon’s story mirrors Ally’s in many ways. Kissoon has been a backbone of the PNC in Linden and Region 10, playing a key role in ensuring the party maintained its stronghold in the region despite the PPP’s efforts to weaken its influence.

Kissoon stood firm against the PPP in 2012 when the government attempted to impose electricity tariffs in the region, and part of leading a regional resistance never before seen in 21st-century Guyana. This battle led by then regional Chairman Sharma Solomon, with the support of other council members, church, trade union, other civil society leaders, Kissoon, and others, was one of the few instances of substantial opposition to the PPP’s authoritarian rule, drawing comparisons to the resistance once led by former President Desmond Hoyte.

Like Ally, Kissoon is also a dedicated public school teacher/educator, but her work extends beyond the classroom. As a trade union leader, Kissoon has been instrumental in the Guyana Teachers Union’s fight for better wages and working conditions. She has also championed social causes such as improving the working conditions for female security guards and pushing for the establishment of night care centers for their children.

Kissoon and Ally are more than just political figures; they are trailblazers for women’s rights and social change in 21^st century Guyana. Their resignation from the PNC serves as a painful reminder of the high cost of betrayal by one’s own party, and of the failure to recognise the value of those who have given so much to the cause. Their departure should serve as a wake-up call for the PNC to reflect on its leadership and its commitment to its supporters.

Today, Vanessa Kissoon and Amna Ally are honoured not only as political figures but as leaders who fought tirelessly for their party and their country. Your fellow women salute you, Vanessa and Amna, lifting you up in recognition of your enduring contributions to Guyana’s political landscape.

The Blackout is a guest column for independent writers