Dear President Ramotar, please support our efforts against corruption in Guyana

For one to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chain, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. – Nelson Mandela

A free and democratic society is one in which three actors are present – an accountable and representative government, a functioning market, and a robust civil society. It is widely believed that an active and vibrant civil society is an indicator of a mature and well-established democracy. Calling for a multi-actor approach to fighting corruption, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged governments, the private sector and civil society to “take a collective stand against this complex social, political and economic disease that affects all countries. To achieve an equitable, inclusive and more prosperous future for all, we must foster a culture of integrity, transparency, accountability and good governance.”

The Transparency Institute Guyana Inc (TIGI) is a civil society organisation, established in late 2010. It is small, resource-poor and voluntary in membership. As such, it may appear that TIGI has nothing in common with the government, but we do, as both TIGI and the government have both publically pledged to address corruption, and both entities subscribe to