By Mark DaCosta- The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party has voiced pressing concerns about the current state of governance in our country, particularly within the realms of the mining sector, economic pressures, and escalating domestic violence. In their latest press statement, read by Parliamentarian Tabitha Sarabo-Halley, WIN highlights several critical issues that they believe reflect systematic challenges and failures perpetuated by the ruling party, the People’s Progressive Party (PPP).
The WIN party asserts that the situation in the gold mining sector is dire, pointing to compliance difficulties faced by miners. With over 100 mining licences suspended by the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC) earlier this year, many small and medium-scale miners, who often operate in remote regions, are feeling the adverse effects of stringent regulations.
“The paperwork, travel, and reporting requirements can be costly and difficult,” they argue, calling for an urgent upgrade to a digital compliance system that would simplify the processes for these miners. The party emphasises that while regulatory frameworks are crucial, they must not unduly burden those striving to operate legitimately within the sector.
In addition to mining, WIN is deeply concerned about the rise in domestic violence, which has taken a particularly alarming turn, with reported domestic-related murders doubling from the previous year. The party stresses that though laws are in place to protect victims, significant gaps in implementation hinder those most vulnerable from seeking help or protection.
WIN insists that the government must establish a high-risk domestic violence registry and implement mandatory risk assessments in response to serious threats. “Domestic violence is no longer a private matter; it is a national public safety issue that requires coordinated action, accountability, and urgency,” they state, advocating for a shift from reactive measures to proactive prevention initiatives.
Furthermore, WIN critiques the rising cost of living that continues to afflict ordinary citizens. With inflation rates moderating but food and transportation costs remaining high, the party believes that the government must consider how these financial pressures influence the everyday lives of the populace.
The party urge immediate governmental measures that address these disparities, asserting that the policies must reflect the real economic difficulties faced by families. “When staple items such as greens and plantains become expensive, the effect is felt across the entire country, because these are everyday foods for most households,” they lament.
Over the past months, WIN has also witnessed troubling trends in regional politics that reveal an apparent cooperative effort between the PPP and the APNU, aimed at sidelining their party despite its standing as the largest opposition group in Parliament.
A clear instance of this occurred during the elections for the Chairpersons and Vice Chairpersons of Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs) on October 10, 2025, when coordinated voting patterns effectively barred WIN from obtaining leadership positions in various regions. “Coordinated voting combinations prevented WIN from securing leadership positions,” they observed, exposing how alliances were formed at the expense of democratic representation.
The spirit of exclusion continued post-elections, with WIN councillors reporting systematic barriers to committee placements, despite procedures traditionally hinging on proportional representation. In Regions 3, 4, and 5, WIN councillors found themselves sidelined, despite timely requests for representation — requests that went acknowledged but ultimately resulted in no action. “WIN councillors are excluded from structural influence,” they confirmed, underscoring the challenges they face in participating meaningfully in governance structures.
At the national level, WIN maintains that their position as the largest opposition party with 16 parliamentary seats allows for a critical role in governance, yet finds their authority challenged by both the PPP and APNU. The party described their offer of six shadow ministry positions to the APNU as an authentic attempt to cooperate, only to be met with demands for parity that WIN argues lack constitutional backing. WIN countered the narrative presented by others that their actions are coercive, stating, “Exercising constitutional authority is not bullying.” Instead, they insist they are adhering to the mandates given by the electorate.
WIN accuses the traditional political parties of engaging in tactics that undermine their democratic legitimacy and distort the will of the people. “Democracy requires clarity,” they declare, condemning the coordinated efforts they believe aim to suppress emerging political forces in the country. As they navigate through these turbulent waters, WIN expresses their commitment to defending the democratic ideals that underpin their mission.
The We Invest in Nationhood party’s statement captures a critical snapshot of the multifaceted issues facing our nation today — ranging from compliance challenges in the mining sector and the rising spectre of domestic violence to the broader economic struggles impacting everyday lives. Most poignantly, they highlight the political landscape that appears increasingly consolidated against their party, raising serious questions about the integrity of governance. Their resolute stance is clear: they will not yield to systematic attempts to diminish their parliamentary voice nor allow political manoeuvring to dictate the future of our nation’s governance.
