Dear Editor,
As the 13th Parliament of Guyana convened on November 3, one cannot ignore the unmistakable pattern unfolding before us. The Government benches is again being dominated by the aged and well-connected, while the young, qualified, and prepared continue to watch from the sidelines.
The Cabinet’s composition has already revealed a worrying reality—favoritism and nepotism remain alive and well.
Some former ministers are merely recycled into new portfolios, a quiet admission that their previous tenures fell short of expectations. Yet instead of being replaced or held accountable, they are repackaged and reappointed. If they were unable to deliver before, what guarantees their aptitude now? Can a change in title suddenly correct a deficit in competence or vision?
Meanwhile, the youth of this country—Generation Z—have been urged to study hard, skill up, and prepare to lead. Many have done exactly that. But when their moment arrives, they are told to wait. They are seeing seasoned veterans return to the forefront, instead of they being given the chance to apply their own energies and ideas. How long must they wait? What message do we send to students striving through higher learning if every door remains closed to them?
We speak of transformation, yet the “wheels of change” are being turned by the same tired hands gripping them for decades. How can a young nation accelerate when its leadership keeps applying the brakes of familiarity and comfort?
If the government truly believes in youth empowerment, it must begin living by that promise , not just by investing in education and upskilling—but by appointing, trusting, and guiding the next generation of thinkers and doers. Recycling relics only delays the progress Guyana needs. The older guard should not see stepping aside as surrender, but as service—to make room for renewal by entrusting the future generation, by giving them a chance to lead.
The question remains painfully simple: When will the next generation’s turn come?
Sincerely,
Hemdutt Kumar .
