New gov’t should be focused on creating stability

Dear Editor,

The PPP/C administration seems to be missing an excellent opportunity to develop a culture of stability in Guyana which is absolutely necessary to attract foreign investment, expand local investment, and for a more economically, emotionally, and spiritually stable society. Additionally, this could be a missed opportunity to develop Guyana as a strong leader in the national context, regionally and internationally.

On Thursday 20 August, 2020, there was an incident where the police visited the former Director of Sport, Christopher Jones’ house to allegedly retrieve some items. This incident led to what I would refer to as an unnecessary situation of agitation of the APNU+AFC supporters and leaders, and even some of the PPP/C’s supporters who are anxious to get on with their lives and would like the government to get on with the business of governing the nation with as little drama as possible.

Mind you, I am not saying that if a wrong was done that the person or persons who are involved in the wrong should not have to answer, but the correct procedures and processes ought to be followed.

I think that what the PPP/C administration has not fully understood is what is required to manage and maintain an economy that will grow by over 40% this year. What they have not yet understood, is the level of organisation, focus, standard of operation, level of interaction, level of mobilization of the individual citizens, institutions, and the society as a whole. It does not appear that the new government understands the level of stability, that would be required to grow and maintain the growth of what will be one of the fastest growing economies in the world, as well as an oil and gas producing and exporting country.

One of the reasons why countries like  Norway, the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom do not fall apart easily, is partly based on the integrity of the systems and principles which govern the individual (whether they are in leadership or not), the institutions and these societies. These societies also observe those systems and principles because they understand their relevance and importance to the sustainability of the economy and wider society. Meaning that these countries have built a culture of stability, relatively speaking. Essentially, they adhere to the rule of law.

If I had to advise the government on what should be their priorities at this point and how they should address issues with the previous government, here is what I would advise.

For the first month or three months, focus on fine-tuning the government’s manifesto and transforming it into a national development plan – from a mere political party manifesto. One way of doing this is through strategically engaging key sections of society now that you are in government. For example, every minister can present their programme to key stakeholders in their ministries and be open to inputs from those stakeholders  which is one of the best ways of  expanding the programme beyond a political party manifesto to a national programme while incorporating the views of the ‘body of knowledge’ in the public sector, for instance. Another benefit to this approach is that it will build ownership from those in the public sector who will have to implement the government’s programmes.

This could be done from August to October 2020. Then from November 2020 to January, 2021, having further developed its national programme, the government can use this period to communicate this programme to the population, not only through political individuals, but through the teams which will be fostered in the various ministries since in the earlier months – August – October, the government would have done its consultations, so by November, the government would have buy-in from the key stakeholders in the various ministries.

Having gotten the necessary buy-in and teams are built, by January, 2021, the government and key stakeholders in and out of the ministries, being clear on the focus for the country’s development, will then communicate this programme to the wider stakeholders and the world. For example, investors, financial institutions, the international community, etc. But essentially, by January of 2021, the programme and focus will be clearly communicated. This time periods could be shortened and adjusted based on the fact the national budget for 2021 has to be developed later this year.

At the same time, the government can be addressing its issues with the APNU+AFC, but following the correct procedures and processes, so as not to create much drama, since the higher priority is to create a culture of stability in the country.

The rule of law is there to prevent governments from operating with impunity and also as a tool and a principle for improving governance and development. It is a key part of the development framework which will have a positive snowball effect in many ways, for instance, in enhancing the business environment in Guyana.

Many local and international businesses and investors, such as ExxonMobil and our local business people, have invested heavily in Guyana, with the anticipation that our government would create a culture of stability for them to get returns on their investments, as well as citizens have high expectations for the growth and development of the society as a whole.

Additionally, a stable environment will go a long way in creating the environment for the government to realize its goal of creating more jobs. If Guyana becomes an attractive environment for investment, that is one sure way of creating many more jobs. Let us have less of the drama and more focus by the government on creating and maintaining a stable environment in the country.

Yours faithfully,

Audreyanna Thomas