OPINION: “If you behave yourself…”

Last Updated on Sunday, 7 December 2025, 15:13 by Writer

by GHK Lall

“If you behave yourself, you will get it this year.” The utterer of those words was Pres. Ali on August 26th in Eccles, during the final week of the elections campaign. A hectic time, yes, and that was the sweet-sounding, sweet-smelling cosmetic from Guyana’s president to his audience. The “it” that he promised they’ll get was the highly-awaited news of a cash grant.

“If you behave yourself…” Irfaan Ali, holder of a doctorate and then presidential candidate, may have forgotten that he was not speaking to children, but grown adults. He may have forgotten that part, but he shouldn’t be forgiven for failing to remember his promise of a cash grant. He had first said it as early as on the first day of 2025 in his New Year’s Day address to the nation. So, why is he even being lauded for playing these games about a cash grant this year, when he adopts the role of entertainer?

“If you behave yourself…” Well, the people who were there did behave themselves, Dr. Prezzy. They came out and voted in their numbers from across Guyana for the red cup. Better to vote red, so as to get in the black. Whoever wants to see green or blue, are entitled to do so, but that is all they will live with, the green that is out of reach, and the blue that leaves them singing sad songs. In contrast, Guyanese who are in the red, see red, hear red. Well, they have had enough of dragging on their behind and scraping it red. Time for them to be given that hand that comes with a cash grant, Mr. President. It cannot be one of those scanty, poor man, box hand. Is Pres. Ali still there? Calling Dr. Ali! Calling Dr. Ali! Has anybody seen or heard from the president? Sure, it is the holidays, but he can’t take a holiday now. Would be highly untimely, skipper. Will somebody at the Office of the President, please convey my message to the headman? I am speaking for the Guyanese people. It is cash grant time. And this year is running out of time. Put up or pack up.

“If you behave yourself…” With all the respect in the world to Pres. Ali, whether deserving or not, the cash grant money on which a decision is to be made about its quantity and the timing of its arrival, is not his money. Just to be aurora borealis clear, so that all Guyanese have the brightest idea, be they PPP, PNC, AFC, WIN, FGM Guyanese, (or Cuban, Venezuelan, and North Korean Guyanese), not one dollar, not one blind cent, of the cash grant money is Pres. Ali’s to give or to dangle in front of Guyanese as bait and to taunt them. I raise my voice and damn the torpedoes. IT IS NOT PRESIDENT MOHAMED IRFAAN ALI’S MONEY TO PLAY AROUND WITH, AND KEEP DESTITUTE GUYANESE HANGING BY THE SEAT OF THEIR PANTS OR SKIRT. I tone down: kindly hand over the cash, sir. The people are waiting, hoping, praying. Yessir! Things are that bad, and it is Xmas. No Guyanese in this magnificent oil rich province should be without around this time. Do you hear what I hear? A cash grant announcement in the air by next week.

“If you behave yourself…” Great God in heaven (or wherever), President Ali should know after six years at the top that he is only a trustee of the Guyanese people’s money. He didn’t inherit it; he didn’t win it at the gambling tables (although Guyana’s elections come close), and he didn’t earn it. Pres. Ali is one of those lucky fellows that stumbles upon a pirate’s treasure, and then doesn’t know what to do with himself. So, he makes the rounds of the political talk circuit in Guyana lecturing Guyanese about how fortune favors the bold, and that if they behave themselves, they can get to be president. The first thing that a successful, but vindictive, one would do is put him in a home. One where all expenses are paid for by the State, with free uniform thrown in as a bonus.

“If you behave yourself…” I think that there should be draconian legal penalties for anyone who plays with the minds of citizens. Regardless of if they allow him or her to do so, or not. And when Guyanese are terrified to such an extent by uncertainty over a lousy cash grant, then there is only one that fits. Merry Xmas, everyone.