Dear Editor,
‘Cometh the Man Cometh the Hour.’ I refer here to Guyana’s President, Dr Irfan Ali, who starred at recent visit to the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City. But my reason for this compressive (hopefully comprehensive too) missive has little to do with his duty-bound delivery, which was Grade A, but on what happened on the side, namely his ‘Meet and Greet’ that took place New York City on the evening of September 24, 2026. It went way above the organisers’ expectation and preparation as it ‘magnetised’ a massive crowd from the Guyanese Diaspora.
So why? How come?
Editor, I posit that President Ali has confirmed that he has united Guyana, and hence his ‘One Guyana’ is most bona fide, and it is not just a mere pitch. I recall Mexico’s Vicente Fox, who in the 2000s, deemed every single Mexican migrant living in the United States as “national heroes.” He never ever referred to them as citizens who abandoned their homeland. In fact, the perceptive man wisely created the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME), so that they could have been provided with health, education, and legal services. He also established the Tres por Uno (Three-for-One) program, where municipal, state, and federal governments matched every dollar invested by his diaspora hometown associations to build infrastructure in Mexico.
I think this is where, outside of his invigorated leadership, President Ali must be given his deserved accolades. He does not bully, beg nor bribe for patriotism, or party support. He has, instead, with his battery of same-minded astute ministers, rolled out an unprecedented set of incentives, designed to bring a sense of belonging to the diaspora, who can equally be a part of the country’s rapid transformation.
I think here of the many initiatives the PPP/C Government has launched, that many are still not attuned to and capitalising upon.
1-Facilitating individuals who are willing put their money into major national industrial projects with ‘guaranteed financial returns.’
2-Establishing partnerships with Barbados, that cater for returning or overseas citizens to take equity stakes in critical long-term Caribbean infrastructure.
3-Accommodating members of the returning diaspora, so that they can buy into the newly developed, master-planned housing communities, featuring upgraded electricity, roads, and treated water.
4-Setting up of the Remigrant Scheme, where Guyanese, who officially want to relocate back home will qualify for significant tax breaks-duty-free concessions on importing personal effects, household goods, and personal vehicles, (thus) dramatically lowering the upfront cost of moving back to settle.
I need not go on almost ad infinitum, except to say, that President Ali’s ‘One Guyana’ has finally encapsulated the 1966 motto of “One People One Nation One destiny.” That New York Meet and Greet even converted some enemies, as his leadership charm, energy and guise have transcended geography, race, religion and rank. There is now a most pungent feeling of “equality of being” in terms of a national identity, and equal accessibility for opportunities.
Sincerely,
Raymond Anderson
Source: INews Guyana
