OPINION: The sun on Sunday sets Pres. Ali on fire

Last Updated on Monday, 8 September 2025, 23:12 by Writer

by GHK Lall

I perform my civic duty (Guyanese can interpret, accordingly), and keep my oath to identify only the illustrious from President Ali and the new PPP Government, in the first 100 days. I express gratitude to the president for the gems in his second inaugural speech. My apologies for not listening to a word. but when the word has resonance, it takes wings and soars. And, so it came to past that Sunday, September 7th, 2025, will go down as a day of nobility and glory for Excellency Ali and the PPP Government.

First, there will be access to information. Thanks, Dr. President. All those sweltering middays in front of the Office of the Commissioner of Information and Office of the President has borne fruit. Lady Mary Currie endures; good things come to those who wait. And sweat, which the president could identify with from yesterday, given that he carried the heroic disadvantage of a full suit on a hot, humid September day. No one knows how much info will be forthcoming, but this much can be said: it will be better than what existed before, and little things mean a lot. In my customary role as unpaid adviser to President Ali, I respectfully recommend letting the commissioner down gently and preferably under the cover of dark, so his departure is befitting his office and his dignity. It’s not just the temperature that is high, so are acids.

Second, those who have a corruption problem will have to go through me. With proper permission, I stand alongside President Ali. An anti-corruption squad is on the way. Since that’s so, it means that corruption does exist, and it is that bad. I always said that His Excellency was the man for the job, and he proved me right last Sunday. There are two sub-issues here. The first is the caliber and character of the anti-corruption squad from its chief to its cooks. When operating flawlessly, they can make the president look good (better than me, to stretch matters), and the PPP Government exudes a perfumed odor. I say why not; long overdue. The second sub-issue drags in the Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly (sorry the name eludes), who must now recalibrate his ban on the mention of the word corruption in the people’s house. It wouldn’t look too kosher for the government to be hailing its anti-corruption squad, while the Speaker blocks the word in parliament. How then would government ministers (could I be one, please?) showcase the PPP Government’s sterling efforts and results in its anti-corruption campaign? It would be the height of comedy (and ridiculousness) for guvment peeple to be banging the table in high dudgeon about the presidentially-originated anticorruption drive alongside PPP anticorruption works, while the Speaker maintains his ban on the corruption word. I am trying to be helpful, identify loose ends that can cause stumbling or become a neckerchief.

Third, President Ali hit high notes: his new government will parachute on those spreading misinformation and disinformation. Good! A wide net will be cast. Very good! The social media crowd of abusers will receive special attention. I am compelled to say it: President Ali is not just darned good, he is godly. One media outlet helped by noting pro-government channels and people who seemingly enjoy immunity from the reach of the law re the use of social media for demonization and criminalization of citizens, and who “destroy peace and safety, and undermine democracy.” No! that wasn’t me, it was Excellency Ali. Like the commissioner of info, and the Speaker (unless he has been retired), the challenge for President Ali is how to deal with offenders on all sides of the social and political aisles. Incidentally, does this mean that the Hon Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo will have to transform into John F. Kennedy and Mother Teresa on Thursday afternoons, and the rest of his waking hours? Frankly, this is too rich for me. But whatever has to be done will be done. The president is resourceful, so compromise will be found. Notwithstanding that some secret weapons must be kept for emergencies.

Fourth, I read of procurement overhaul. Clearly, the sun on Sunday set Excellency Ali afire. Dr, Carpen, (ah, my bad), Dr. Anthony will have to get another hospital to accommodate the mass casualties from such an overhaul. Bottom line, though, is that once procurement is overhauled, the anticorruption squad will have time for long liquid lunches.

Last, I thank President Ali and the PPP Government for the extra security during the election months. This government cares, and I have the evidence to back-up that position. Upwards and onwards, Mr. President, and I am standing right at the side. There is no more winning combination in Guyana, probably the universe.