Dear Friend,
As the New Year approaches the Alliance For Change gives thanks for all the blessings and support we have received from the people of Guyana and will continue to work towards creating a more prosperous Guyana – one that all her citizens would be proud to call home. This past year has been a challenging one for most Guyanese with alarmingly high levels of domestic violence, affecting mainly our women and the high incidence of road fatalities, which have taken many valuable lives, including our youngest and brightest minds.
In 2013 the AFC waged a fight against corruption and advocated the need for good governance. We focused on demanding accountability and transparency in the day to day running of our dear country Guyana. In this area our shouts have been loud and resounding resulting in the many revelations of corruption in the management of our national assets by our Government that seemed to plague the entire year yet again. This fight was vindicated with the pronouncements we heard from Transparency International, in US State Department reports, from our diplomatic missions and our own Auditor General as we continue to strive to establish a true democracy.
Our stance in Parliament has been based on these principles as we sought to bring the Government to account to Parliament as should be. To this end we have taken up issues that dealt with this – including the need for the establishment of a Public Procurement Commission, and amendments to the Fiscal Management and Accountable Act to ensure financial accountability of the Judiciary and Parliament. We have taken strong positions on the need for state funds held by NICIL to be deposited and accounted for in our consolidate fund, and that both the Integrity and the Ethnic Relations Commissions should be fully operationalized.
The Alliance For Change has also advocated that the position of Chancellor and Chief Justice be filled and most importantly have been consistent over the years with calls for the holding of Local Government Elections which we know will open up a new vista for peoples participation. These are the hallmarks of what the AFC has done to enhance our democracy in 2013.
In 2014 our still incomplete agenda will continue as we fervently hope that Local government Elections will be held. We will continue the fight for a living wage, and that monies voted for increases in wages will be specifically quantified in the next budget. It is our hope that greater respect for collective bargaining and consultation with the Unions on the welfare of their members and without government making arbitrary awards will take place.
We will continue to advance the issues you have asked us to raise on your behalf – a reduction in the economic pressures placed on your pockets, garbage free communities for your children to grow up in, jobs for our young people and a livable wage for all.
In 2014 we will lobby hard to ensure that the state media will be opened up to give us and other organizations access to this “national” resources as happens in most democracies across the globe and that coverage of parliamentary proceedings will be carried live better informing the people of Guyana and eliminating the cloak and dagger approach.
We in the Alliance for Change know that more can be achieved when we accept that every Guyanese has a valuable contribution to make. We recommit to ensuring that the spirit of working together amongst our major political parties is put back firmly on the national agenda recognizing that constructive dialogue is the only way to ensure we move this country of ours forward, for the benefit of all.
In closing we salute our gallant fighters in all ten regions of Guyana and in the diaspora who have kept the Alliance For Change going under difficult circumstance and note the passing of several of our members and close friends who have all contributed to making the AFC a national institution for change. May your new year be filled with peace, good health and prosperity.
Happy New Year to all Guyana.
Alliance For Change
