The year 2022 has been nothing short of an interesting year as the world returns to pre-pandemic normalcy. We can shake hands again, schools have reopened, and people are traveling like never before.
As Caribbean leaders try to recreate stability in their countries, there are many who deserve praise for how they have dealt with the crisis.
While it is always easy to recognize Caribbean leaders from the more prominent islands like Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados, 2022 was the year when President Irfaan Ali of Guyana stood tall as he quietly carried out some monumental accomplishments for Guyana and the region that earned him the Caribbean National Weekly Male of the Year for 2022.
Under the leadership of President Ali, Guyana has accomplished tremendous things in 2022 at the local, regional and international levels.
Locally, the year 2022 saw Guyana:
Concluding the financial agreement for the construction of the US$260 million New Demerara River bridge.
The Public Works Ministry signed a $52 billion (US$260 million) contract for the construction of the new bridge on May 25 last year. Ali indicated that the project forms part of his plans to expand and modernize the country’s transport infrastructure and significantly reduce the incessant traffic woes on the East Bank of Demerara.
Announcing salary increases for all public sector workers
President Ali made good on his promise to share Guyana’s newfound oil wealth with all Guyanese nationals. In 2022, Ali announced an eight percent across-the-board retroactive increase to public servants, teachers, health care workers, members of the disciplined services, constitutional office holders, as well as government pensioners, and workers in the sugar industry.
In addition to the across the board, several other specified groups also received increases ranging from 23-67 percent including soldiers who also received a 100 percent bonus for the month of December and special construction grants to build houses.
Developing the country’s Education system
President Ali also placed great focus on the education development of Guyana. He re-established the Guyana Teaching Service Commission (TSC) thereby reconstituting a constitutional body that is geared toward moving swiftly to address the shortage of teachers and the promotion of some members of the teaching profession. Five persons were sworn in as members of the new commission.
The Guyana government also signed an agreement with the International Development Association (IDA) to boost the education sector by expanding access to quality education at the Secondary level as well as improve technical and vocational training (TVET).
President Ali also started a coding school as well as a law school in Guyana.
The Council of Legal Education (CLE) approved a request to establish a law school in Guyana after years of attempts.
Guyana partnered with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to launch the Guyana Coders Initiative (GCI), as the administration moves to transform the nation into a hub for Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Ali said the move towards nurturing local digital talents will ensure the country assumes a firm position to match the evolving technological world.
Investing billions in developing the health sector
President Ali and his team intend to spend an estimated GUY$125 billion (One Guyana dollar=US$0.004 cents) in improving the health care services for residents in the hinterland supporting critical upgrades to hospitals over the next three years.
He said importantly all the facilities will also receive the necessary equipment to provide critical services to the public. Steps will be taken to ensure basic medications are available at all health institutions.
In addition to the GUY$125 billion investment in the hinterland area, seven new hospitals to deliver quality health service to Guyanese in all regions will be constructed.
Millions have also been invested in the country’s mental health and the rehabilitation of inmates.
Guyana has also signed an agreement with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Bank to facilitate the updating of the Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) assessment.
Providing national security
With a major financial injection into the Guyana Police Force, the country has reported less than 108 murders so far 2022. That is the lowest level in the past decade as law enforcement authorities indicated that serious crimes in the country had declined by 19 percent.
President Irfaan Ali also gave his assurance that Guyana will continue to champion the peaceful resolution in the territorial controversy with neighboring Venezuela.
He said the government will not support any use of force as a means of settling any dispute or controversy among nations.
Providing access to the international world
As Ali tries to make life comfortable for those in Guyana, he is also ensuring that residents have access to the international world.
Guyana has asked Canada to lift tourist visa for nationals trying to enter the North American country, Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman, has said.
The United Kingdom lifted decades-long visa restrictions for Guyanese, allowing them to stay there up to six months. British Airways began serving the Guyana-UK route in November.
Committing to Green Climate development
The Guyana Cabinet gave the go-ahead for the construction of a 300-megawatt natural gas power plant that is expected to cut electricity bills in half.
Ali also signed several international agreements geared towards the preservation of the country’s forest and natural resources.
Guyana and the European Union (EU) signed a legally binding trade agreement to promote the sustainable trade of legal timber from Guyana to the European bloc and counter illegal logging in Guyana.
Regional support
Ali has also proven to be a firm supporter of CARICOM through his many programs geared at improving the region.
Guyana will be supplying ready-made houses to St. Vincent and the Grenadines more than two years after the La Soufrière volcano erupted, wreaking havoc across the country.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali has declared that Guyana will be the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) focal point for training in smart farming and agriculture.
Guyana has also signed several agreements with its Caribbean neighbors including Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Suriname and Barbados.
International support
Throughout 2022, Ali has been steadily positioning Guyana to be a major force internationally.
Oil production in Guyana and Brazil is expected to substantially increase in 2023, successfully anchoring production growth in the Latin America region the country is already producing about 360,000 barrels of oil per day.
Guyana has also signed agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Great Britain, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, China and Canada.
One of his major international moves for 2022, is the announcement by Ali that some of the oil blocks to be auctioned will be set aside for government-to-government partnerships in the future.
For his accomplishments in 2022, Ali was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA), by the government of India, the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians. Ali received the award for politics and community welfare
Guyana has undoubtedly had an amazing year with President Irfaan Ali at the helm as Guyana is projected to be one of the major oil producers in the world for 2023, there is no doubt that greater things are yet to come.
