Arguably the most important achievement of the PNC in its 60 years of existence was its dismissal of the PPP/C from government in 2015, and the most important day in the history of the PPP was its removal of the PNC from government on 5th October 1992. On both occasions, the ruling group was involved in undemocratic machinations intended to establish its permanence and stifle our democratic experiment. It is an irony that says a great deal about our political context when two organisations that we have created but have little control over – our alienated political selves so to speak – are credited with saving us from the ruin they have perpetuated over decades. Yet to hear them tell their stories, as they both found occasion to do this month, they are virtual paragons of political virtue!
President David Granger told his special congress that during its 60 years of existence, the PNC deepened social cohesion and national integration, fostered mutual respect for religions, promoted patriotic pride, and encouraged all citizens to give meaning to their ‘Guyaneseness’ as a “pluri-cultural” country. To be kind, all we could possibly say of this claim is that the leader of the PNC was speaking about his party’s aspirations, for social disunity is so manifest that it is he who has now seen it necessary to establish a ministry to foster social cohesion. Mr. Granger also spoke of the PNC’s economic achievements, including its efforts at stimulating economic diversification, ‘buy-local’ and ‘feed-yourself’ initiatives, the construction of bridges, roads and highways, the establishment of a national airline, the delivery of the masses from logies and enabling them to open the doors to their own family homes.
In 1964, when the PNC took government, Guyana had a
