The Guyana Government yesterday strongly rejected a motion from a Washington Diaspora Conference which will be sent to the US Congress calling for action in various areas.
Up to press time, the motion had not been released to the public but it is reported to call for sanctions and other appropriate actions on the Irfaan Ali-led administration amid reports of corruption and discrimination.
The motion read by Errol English, a senior insurance fraud investigator in New Jersey, also called on the US State Department to probe government officials who are allegedly engaged in bribery and fraud.
The motion was well received by the parliamentary opposition, APNU+AFC and African organizations like the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G) during the wrap-up sessions of the conference which addressed a plethora of issues affecting the Guyanese community.
Alliance For Change (AFC) executive, Catherine Hughes told Stabroek News last evening from Washington that the motion is now in the hands of the United States Congress. She noted that the leading House Democrat, Congressman, Hakeem Jeffries, is well aware of the issues affecting Guyana following the opposition’s meeting with him at Capitol Hill, Washington DC on Wednesday.
The Office of the Prime Minister however, in a press statement yesterday categorically rejected the claims made in the petition, dated September 24, at the Washington Diaspora Conference, as an unpatriotic attempt by the Opposition APNU+AFC to undermine the Government’s commitment to the betterment of Guyana.
The statement said, “It is evident that the document in question is engineered by the Opposition APNU+AFC and is designed to present a one-sided perspective that does not accurately represent the actions and policies of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government of Guyana.
“While the Government recognizes the importance of addressing the concerns and grievances of any group of citizens, it is disheartening to witness the deliberate APNU+AFC-led smear campaign aimed at poisoning the well of public discourse both locally and internationally. This approach does a disservice to the democratic principles that Guyana upholds and the tireless efforts of the Government to build a united Guyana under its “One Guyana” policy, which actively promotes inclusion, engagement, and consultation at all levels of our society.”
The government views this petition, orchestrated by the APNU+AFC, as “regressive, mischievous, and unpatriotic. It appears to be a thinly veiled attempt to undermine the universally unifying work that successive PPP/C Administrations have undertaken and which President Irfaan Ali has been vigorously advancing since his assumption to office in 2020, to transform the socio-economic construct of Guyana and foster an environment where every creed and race has an equal place.”
According to the statement, the Government’s transformative agenda, which is underpinned by the ruling party’s campaign manifesto, is specifically targeted to universal citizens empowerment throughout the length and breadth of the country. Further, its consultative processes to address community concerns with ample mechanisms provided for the facilitation of such engagements, notwithstanding the approach of regular direct grassroots engagement of the citizenry by the President and his cabinet ministers. As far as the government is concerned, its international stance has been consistent with its national disposition that is evidence-based, constitutionally sound, and aligned to global best practices for an equitable governance framework that caters to achieving universal citizens empowerment, in keeping with all international charters to which Guyana is subscribed, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
It therefore views all such claims as malicious and wicked and which can be easily disproved.
“We have made efforts to engage with the global community and express our commitment to fostering unity and equality among all Guyanese despite an antithetical agenda from the political opposition,” the statement added.
Contrary to the petition’s claims, the Government insists that it has consistently reached out to local democratic institutions representing people of African descent. The “One Guyana” policy, it declared, stands as a testament to its commitment to inclusivity and harmony among all ethnic groups in Guyana. It also noted that invitations for dialogue and cooperation have been extended to the Opposition on numerous occasions, invitations which they have chosen to decline.
“The Government wishes to reiterate its unwavering commitment to its “One Guyana” policy, which caters to all Guyanese and seeks to promote inclusivity, unity, and equal opportunities for every citizen, regardless of their ethnic background.
“We remain open to constructive dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders to continue building a prosperous and harmonious Guyana”, the statement said.
