By Mark DaCosta- In light of a recent Inter-American Development Bank report, significant socio-economic disparities affecting African Guyanese have come to the forefront, highlighting government policies that many argue are artificially deepening lines of inequality in our nation. Veteran trade unionist Lincoln Lewis contends that the ongoing neglect and systemic discrimination against African Guyanese contribute to a cycle of poverty, corruption, and economic marginalisation.
The alarming statistics released in the 2025 report highlight that 58 per cent of our population lives in poverty, with 32 per cent in dire conditions. Notably, groups such as Afro-descendants and Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected, facing poverty rates that exceed averages by substantial margins. This reality directly contradicts the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government’s narratives about progress and inclusion. Lewis asserts that policies implemented by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) are rooted in what he describes as “economic genocide,” a clear reference to the United Nations’ definition of actions calculated to harm specific groups.
For years, Lewis has raised the alarm about government policies negatively impacting African Guyanese, historically drawn to professions in the public sector, education, healthcare, and mining. These policies have rendered many vulnerable, pushing them further into the clutches of poverty. The systemic bias, he says, is not merely a phenomenon of economic hardship but rather a calculated suppression of a demographic that has historically driven our economy.
“Yours truly is on record describing these policies as ‘economic genocide’,” Lewis states, invoking the United Nations Genocide Convention to stress the severity of the situation. The ramifications of such neglect extend beyond statistics; they encapsulate a community’s struggle for survival and dignity in their homeland.
The engagement of trade unions like the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has seen calls for a serious reconsideration of wages and working conditions echoing through the corridors of power. Lewis describes how the GPSU has repeatedly urged the government to address a significant erosion of wages against the backdrop of rising living costs, yet these demands have been largely ignored. On this, Lewis asserts, “All of this has fallen on deaf ears,” signalling a concerning trend of disengagement from pressing community needs.
Compounding these challenges, the preferential treatment observed for workers in the sugar industry, predominantly employed by East Indian Guyanese, raises eyebrows and allegations of discrimination. In stark contrast, African Guyanese workers in the bauxite sector have faced systemic abandonment, with Bauxite Company Guyana Incorporated (BCGI) shutting its doors due to a lack of targeted support and an unwillingness to address a decade’s worth of grievances. “The regime chose abandonment,” Lewis asserts bluntly, revealing the strategic neglect that has left many without recourse.
The dismantling of valuable pensions, seen as a significant victory for the African workforce, further solidifies Lewis’s claims of systemic marginalisation. The state, while investing substantially to protect the pension plans of sugar workers, appears to turn a blind eye to similar needs within the bauxite sector. The negation of financial security for a predominantly African workforce has prompted calls for equity that remain unanswered, feeding into the narrative of inequality that characterises state governance.
Lewis challenges the perpetuation of negative stereotypes that label the African Guyanese community as lazy or opportunistic, reframing the historical context that defines their legacy of resilience and contribution. “African Guyanese were economic pioneers,” he emphasises, highlighting their role in establishing the first mass-based economy and pioneering various sectors in our nation.
He calls for a united front, standing in solidarity with all oppressed groups, including Indigenous communities who are similarly burdened by the socio-economic landscape. The need for justice and equitable participation has been echoed throughout the years, with Lewis reiterating that true progress can only be achieved in a climate where rights are universally accepted and upheld.
Recognition of these realities is vital. Rather than being ignored, the voices of the marginalised must be amplified to challenge ongoing systemic inequalities. The future of our nation hinges not on the silence of the oppressed, but on the decisive actions taken to ensure that all groups can thrive equally. Ignoring these disparities risks perpetuating the poverty cycle, ensuring that a large segment of our society is left behind in their quest for fairness and dignity. As Lewis rightly points out, “These realities cannot be denied or wished away,” and it is imperative that we confront them collectively, demanding accountability and change from those in power.
