Today marks the 10th anniversary of the swearing-in of Brigadier (Ret’d) David Arthur Granger as the 8th Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
On May 16, 2015, in the presence of thousands of Guyanese gathered outside the National Assembly in Georgetown, President Granger took the oath of office, administered by then Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Carl Singh. The National Assembly was chosen as a mark of respect for the Parliament, the Constitution and the people of this great country, Guyana.
President Granger’s inauguration ushered in a new political era, ending 23 years of uninterrupted rule by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
President Granger’s rise to the presidency followed a historic electoral victory by a six-party coalition—the largest political alliance in Guyana’s history—comprising the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Alliance For Change (AFC), Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Guyana Action Party (GAP), Justice For All Party (JFAP), and the National Front Alliance (NFA).
This coalition represented a bold step toward national unity and inclusionary democracy, ideals which President Granger strongly advocated from the outset of his presidency. “Let us now put past rivalries behind us and work in unity to banish poverty, ignorance, fear and hatred,” he declared in his inaugural address.
During a period marked by challenges to Guyana’s territorial integrity and crises in public security, education, health, and governance, President Granger positioned his administration as a government of reform and restoration. He frequently emphasized the need to defeat the “real enemies” of the Guyanese people: crime, disease, ignorance, and poverty—which he described as the “four horsemen of the Guyanese apocalypse.”
Key Themes of His Presidency:
- Restoring Public Security: Confronting high levels of crime, including violent robberies, piracy, and domestic violence, while addressing the root causes of insecurity.
- Fighting Poverty and Inequality: Pledging to reduce extreme poverty, especially among the very young and elderly, and promote economic independence for working families.
- Restoration of Local Democracy: Vowing to restore and fortify Municipal and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils with the return of Local Government Elections aimed at empowering citizens at the grassroots level.
- Promoting Social Cohesion and National Identity: Advocating for a “One Nation” philosophy based on cooperation, inclusion, and consensus-driven governance.
Education Reform: Acknowledging the crisis in public education and committing to turning around a system producing too many illiterate and innumerate youths.
President Granger’s vision of Guyana was one of shared governance and national integration—where the hinterland and coastland are equally developed, and disparities in education, wealth, and opportunity are reduced. He championed a political culture that valued consultation over confrontation, and unity over division.
As Guyana reflects on the 10 years since his inauguration, the message of inclusion, reform, and national unity remains central to the conversation about its democratic future. President Granger’s legacy is one that sought to bridge historic divides, forge collaborative governance, and chart a course toward a more equitable society. President Granger demitted Office in August, 2020.
