By Roysdale Forde S.C- As the dust settles on the General and Regional Elections, a sobering truth reverberates from the vibrant streets of Georgetown to the tranquil villages along the Essequibo: our People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) has not secured the triumph we tirelessly pursued. Still, let us be resolute- this is not defeat, but a clarion call to awaken our collective resolve.
As the African proverb wisely counsels, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” Our path forward demands unity, not division; reflection, not recrimination; and action, not apathy. The fire of purpose must burn fiercely within us, fueled by the indomitable spirit of the working people; the true backbone of our nation.
This is no moment for despair or finger-pointing. This is grassroots politics at its core – a time to convene under the shade of mango trees, bottom house, on front porches, in community halls, wherever to confront hard truths. Have we drifted from the heartbeat of our people: the market vendors eking out a living, the fishermen battling rising tides, the workers relying on us to support their cause for better pay and working conditions, the youth yearning for opportunities that keep them rooted here?
The PNC/R was forged in the crucible of struggle—born from resistance to colonial oppression and nurtured by dreams of a just, post-independence Guyana. Yet, elections speak plainly; they have laid bare fissures in our foundation. We must face them with the courage of our forebears, as the Indian proverb reminds us: “A tree’s strength is tested by the storm.” Our strength lies in our willingness to rebuild, not in clinging to past glories.
Guyana stands at a critical juncture, caught in the tempest of global upheaval and domestic challenges. Globally, economies falter, technological disruption displaces workers, superpowers wage proxy wars, and climate crises ravage our coasts and fields.
At home, inequality festers like an untreated wound: soaring living costs, decaying infrastructure, and a government fixated on oil wealth while neglecting the daily struggles of ordinary Guyanese. Our people are not merely whispering for change – they are roaring from the rooftops, demanding leaders who listen to the wisdom of elders, champion the underdog, and act with unyielding integrity.
As an Indigenous proverb teaches, “The river does not flow backward; it carves its path forward.” We must carve a bold, inclusive path for Guyana’s future.
The PNC/R must reclaim its mantle as a fierce, people-driven force. In the words of Nelson Mandela, “There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Mediocrity is not our destiny. Rebuilding begins with introspection: Are our ranks truly open to the voices of the streets, the field, office and factory, the farmlands and the hinterlands?
Does our party embody the justice we proclaim, or have we allowed bureaucracy to stifle our democratic spirit? We must answer these questions unflinchingly, ensuring the PNC/R reflects Guyana’s rich mosaic: all six races, coastal and interior, rich and poor alike.
The Guyana of 2025 is a dynamic, discerning nation. Our voters are savvy, smartphone-wielding warriors: young visionaries born in the digital era, informed by global movements, uncompromising in their fight against corruption, and bold in demanding transparency.
They reject empty slogans and divisive tribalism. They hunger for authentic solutions – green energy jobs to power sustainable growth, world-class education to equip our youth, healthcare that does not bankrupt families, constitutional reforms to ensure fairness, and bridges of unity to heal historic divides.
Our reform agenda must be a people’s manifesto, crafted in town halls and community centers. We must empower our youth not as tokens but as leaders, equipping them with skills in organising, policy-making, and digital activism. We must revitalise our internal democracy through open primaries, term limits for party officials, and robust measures to eradicate cronyism.
Our strategies must be community-driven: micro-grants for local entrepreneurs, cooperatives for farmers battered by floods, and partnerships with civil society to combat crime and poverty at the grassroots. To meet the people where they are and advocate in furtherance of their interests. Our policy blueprint must harness Guyana’s oil wealth without surrendering to foreign interests, prioritise sustainable development, and ensure no one is left behind- every citizen receives a fair share of prosperity.
Yet, reform alone is insufficient – we must confront the systemic rot undermining our nation. The PPP/C’s recent ministerial shuffle is an affront to every hardworking Guyanese. Appointing loyalists over qualified patriots reeks of arrogance, undermining merit and eroding the dignity of public service. These choices are not mere missteps; they are betrayals, entrusting our nation’s future to cronies while sidelining experts capable of navigating our crises.
When loyalty supersedes competence, our schools falter, hospitals overflow, and corruption pervades. The people suffer, institutions crumble, and Guyana’s potential is squandered.
The PNC/R has a sacred duty to stand resolute against this political sleight-of-hand. As Martin Luther King Jr. declared, “The time is always right to do what is right.” We are not mere critics; we are builders, offering bold solutions: vocational training hubs in every region, independent anti-corruption bodies with real authority, and unity pacts to bridge ethnic divides. The Guyanese people deserve a credible, compassionate alternative committed to uplifting all.
Comrades, supporters, and all who envision a brighter Guyana: let us rekindle the flame of our founding vision. From the ashes of this election, we will rise like the phoenix, united in our pursuit of justice, equity, and shared prosperity. This is not the end – it is the dawn of a new era. March forward with courage, conviction, and an unbreakable bond with the people. Together, we will rewrite Guyana’s story – a story of hope, resilience, and triumph.
