Dear Editor,
Allow me a space in your daily to address a pertinent issue that continues to plague our country under the Ali/Jagdeo administration.
Under this administration, democracy appears to be threatened on a daily basis. The Constitution is being undermined and, in my view, trampled upon with impunity.
Article 71 of the Constitution states that “local government is a vital aspect of democracy” and that “local democratic organs form an integral part of the political organisation of the State.” Today, however, we are witnessing this fundamental aspect of our democratic system being ignored.
Editor, on January 26, 2026, the Minister within the Office of the President, with responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, presented the Appropriation Bill, amounting to $1.558 trillion, to the National Assembly. The Bill was subsequently passed in March 2026, with provisions made for all local organs.
Unfortunately, we are now in the eighth month of the year, and local democratic organs have yet to receive the funding necessary to effectively carry out their constitutional responsibilities. At the same time, Regional Democratic Councils have received their allocations.
Editor, what makes these two levels of local governance different? Is this disparity the result of political domination, or is it an attempt to undermine locally elected leaders and create distrust among citizens who entrust them with making decisions on their behalf?
I would remind the administration that sovereignty belongs to the people. The people have spoken, and elected officials have a responsibility to respect the will of the electorate.
The citizens of Region 10 also spoke at the 2025 Regional Elections. Yet, the administration continues, in my view, to suppress the will of the people by disregarding the elected representatives through whom local democracy is meant to function.
These actions raise serious concerns about the state of democracy in Guyana. We must stand against growing threats to democratic governance. On a daily basis, we see what appears to be an increasing reach of the Executive into areas where independent and locally elected institutions should be allowed to function freely.
Editor, I have just returned from a U.S. Department of State programme focused on state and local government, and the contrast between the principles and practices I observed in the United States, and what is currently taking place in Guyana was striking. Strong democracies depend on respect for institutions, elected representatives, decentralisation, accountability and meaningful citizen participation. When executive authority overshadows these principles, good governance is placed at risk.
We, the people, must therefore remain vigilant and stand against any tendencies that weaken democratic institutions and concentrate excessive power in the Executive.
Editor, local democracy must involve as many citizens as possible in managing and developing their communities. Yet, over the past week, we have seen the President and his Cabinet embark on a countrywide outreach programme under the banner of a “Model Village Initiative.” I have no objection to initiatives aimed at improving communities. However, bypassing elected representatives of the people in the process is deeply troubling.
How can there be meaningful consultation if the elected representatives of the people are excluded or sidelined?
We have experienced similar approaches in the past, and the people should not be expected simply to accept a predetermined plan presented as consultation.
I recently observed the consultation held in New Amsterdam, and I was concerned by what appeared to be a heavy presence of PPP supporters, some of whom, according to my observation, were neither homeowners nor residents of the town. More importantly, it appeared that a preconceived plan had been developed before citizens were given a meaningful opportunity to provide input.
That raises a fundamental question: How can something be called a consultation if the outcome appears to have been determined before the people are genuinely heard?
Local government exists to bring decision-making closer to the people. Elected local representatives are not obstacles to development; they are an essential part of the democratic process. If the Government truly believes in consultation and participatory democracy, it must respect the institutions and representatives established by the Constitution and allow citizens to have a genuine voice in decisions affecting their communities.
Guyana belongs to all of us, regardless of political affiliation. Our democracy cannot function properly when political considerations determine which elected institutions are respected, which receive resources, and which are bypassed.
The people must remain engaged, informed and prepared to defend democratic principles through lawful and peaceful means. Active citizenship is not an act of rebellion; it is a fundamental responsibility in a democracy.
Meanwhile, I see another elaborate plan being presented for sports and green spaces in New Amsterdam. While I welcome investment in sports and recreational facilities, I must question whether these announcements will become reality or remain another set of unfulfilled promises.
In 2021, the President pledged to complete the Burnham Park Synthetic Track in New Amsterdam, particularly for the benefit of the town’s young people. Yet, five years later, approximately half of the synthetic surface has still not been laid. The stands remain based on an outdated design, all while the facility is intended to serve the youths of New Amsterdam and the wider community.
Compare this with the facilities at Palmyra. Palmyra came much later, yet it already has a properly painted perimeter fence, an asphalted parking area, a big screen, and a modern stand with improved amenities.
This raises a legitimate question: Are taxpayers in New Amsterdam different from those at Palmyra? Are we living in two different countries, or is one sporting facility considered more deserving than another?
How can citizens trust a government to deliver on new promises when previous commitments remain unfinished?
The Government must also recognise that there are more immediate and critical issues affecting the lives of ordinary Guyanese every day. While sports and green spaces are important, the Government must not lose sight of the daily struggles facing families across the country.
What is being done about poverty, hunger and the inability of ordinary citizens to meet their basic expenses? Many people are struggling to pay their bills, put food on the table and find the money needed simply to travel to work, and conduct their daily business. Some are reduced to begging for a dollar just to eat or commute.
These are not abstract problems. They are the daily realities of many Guyanese and deserve serious attention from the Central Government.
At the local level, immediate assistance is also needed for the Rose Hall Town Council. The Council requires support to address the outstanding stipends of its councillors, who have reportedly gone without their modest payments for the past three months, as well as the salaries of its staff.
Local government cannot function effectively when councils are deprived of the resources necessary to pay their councillors and employees. If the Government is serious about strengthening local democracy and improving communities, then it must provide the financial support that local democratic organs require to perform their duties.
Development cannot simply be about announcing new projects. It must also be about completing what has already been promised, treating communities fairly and addressing the basic needs of the people.
The people of New Amsterdam—and indeed all Guyanese—deserve more than promises. They deserve delivery, accountability and equal treatment.
How can we build trust when promises made to the people remain unfulfilled?
Yours truly,
Kirk Fraser
Freedom 250 Alumni 2026
US State and Local Government
