In a Facebook live stream on Tuesday morning, President Dr. Irfaan Ali addressed the nation, drawing on a childhood fable to emphasise the importance of responsible leadership and prudent decision-making in the upcoming general elections.
Using the classic story of the ant and the grasshopper, President Ali reminded Guyanese that while the ant diligently prepared for the future, the grasshopper wasted time and faced hardship when winter arrived. He likened this moral lesson to the electoral choice ahead on September 1st.
“The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has brought you stability, economic growth, and widespread development,” he said, highlighting achievements such as massive infrastructure projects, including thousands of kilometres of roads, hundreds of bridges like the near-complete Demerara Harbour Bridge, and the rehabilitation of hundreds of schools.
The Head of State also spotlighted improvements in education, including increased scholarships, the ‘Because We Care’ grant expansion, and international partnerships allowing Guyanese to study abroad.
He also referenced the health sector, which has undergone transformation with the development of new hospitals, clinics, and partnerships with institutions like Mount Sinai in New York, as well as the establishment of new medical and nursing schools aimed at cultivating local healthcare professionals.
“Now is not the time to risk what we have built,” President Ali stressed, warning against opposition parties he described as “like the grasshopper,” promising unrealistic benefits without regard for long-term stability.
He recalled the period from 2015 to 2020 under the APNU+AFC Coalition, citing economic decline, job losses, tax increases, and attempts to undermine democracy.
On national security, the President emphasised investments in modern technology, strengthened border protection, better resources and salaries for security personnel, and community policing initiatives. He underscored the importance of strong diplomatic ties, particularly with the United States, to address external threats.
“We have fulfilled all our manifesto promises and are building a strong, stable, and prosperous Guyana,” he said.
To this end, President Ali called on all Guyanese to vote for continuity and progress with the PPP/C on September 1, pledging to work together to build a secure and thriving nation.
“Together, we will move forward for a better Guyana.”
