By Tangerine Clarke
Calling Guyana, a multi-religious,
multi-ethnic, multi cultural,
nation, David A. Granger,
president of the A Partnership
for National Unity (APNU), Alliance
for Change, (AFC) Coalition,
invited others to join him
in a shared governance platform,
to better develop the country,
and its citizens during an epic
address to launch 2020 campaign
for March 2, regional and
general elections.
“This is the first time in Guyana’s
history, that we have a sixparty
coalition. We are putting
an end to winner takes all politics,
come and join us to work for
the common goal. There is room
for everyone in the “benab”, the
coalition will make sure this
country is developed, for all of
us, the politician told more than
20,000 flag waving citizens in
green and yellow attire, at Durban
Park, Georgetown, on January
3, 2020.
Under the theme “Forward
Ever, Backward Never — we
are moving forward together,”
the politician spoke passionately
about his vision for a good
life for all Guyanese with First
Lady Sandra Granger, and cabinet
ministers beside him, during
the afternoon’s presentation,
that included performances by
the National School of Dance,
Adrian Dutchen, and others.
“God gave us the most beautiful,
bountiful country, and the
most people in the Caribbean,
and if that were not enough, he
has given us the most oil,” said
Granger. “We cannot fail if we
keep the oil in the hands of the
people. We can’t let the oil fall
in the hands of the fakes and
the frauds,” he added, taking a
direct jab at the opposition and
boasting that the APNU+AFC
has genuine, honest people.
“We are building back the
economy. We are protecting the
environment. We are opening
enterprises for young people,” he
said while praising the Coalition
for reshaping the Youth Corps,
to give young people an opportunity
to succeed,” he said to loud
applause.
Caribbean L 24 ife, JANUARY 10-16, 2020
Looking beyond the next five
years, the president has planned
a decade of development that
would see improved healthcare,
education that is free, expansion
and improvement of public infrastructure,
energy supply extended
to more rural areas, and solar
energy to electrify every home.
“We need five more years to
develop this country. I declared
Dec. 20, 2019, National Petroleum
Day, to let Guyanese know
they will never be poor again.
The oil wealth belongs to you,
and this government will make
sure it goes to the people who
need it most, from Region 1 to
10, ordinary people,” said the
politician who assured citizens
that the Coalition government
was here “to give you the benefits
of this bountiful harvest, the
petroleum, the mineral resources
of this country.”
He is confident that citizens
would see the benefits of oil
reserves over the next 10 years,
during the decade of development.
“We are your best guarantee
President Arthur Granger dances on stage with a Chutney
singer and ministers behind him, at the launch of the
APNU+AFC 2020 campaign at Durban Park, Georgetown,
on Jan. 3, after his epic speech to more than 20,000 supporters.
Photo by Tangerine Clarke
to ensure that the oil money is
well spent. Five years ago you
put your faith in us, and we did
not let you down. We are asking
for five more years to complete
what we have started,” said
Granger.
“We will make sure that every
child after leaving school can
get a job, or become self-employed,”
said the politician, who
reminded the gathering, of his
“B” initiative — Bus, Bicycle and
Boat, that have helped parents
across Guyana to save millions
of dollars.
Guyana Coalition launches
re-election campaign