Guyanese Politics

Raising $100 Million USD

Raising $100 Million USD to Preserve Guyana’s History Through Digital Archives and National Museums

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

History defines who we are as a people. It tells the story of our struggles, our victories, our culture, and the sacrifices made by those who came before us. Yet in many ways, Guyana has not done enough to properly preserve its history. Too many stories, photographs, documents, and cultural expressions remain scattered in private homes, forgotten in old boxes, or lost over time.

Guyana’s story is powerful and deserves to be preserved with care and respect. It is a story of slavery and colonial rule, of people who endured immense hardship yet built communities and traditions that continue to shape the nation today. It is also a story of resilience, of generations who fought to overcome poverty, discrimination, and political division while working to build a better future.

The leaders and citizens who fought for Guyana’s freedom and development should be recognized and remembered. Their contributions helped shape the nation and laid the foundation for the opportunities many Guyanese enjoy today. Preserving their stories is not only about honoring the past but also about educating future generations.

One solution is to create a digital archive dedicated to Guyana’s history and culture. This platform would collect and preserve photographs, videos, written stories, artwork, music, and historical records from people across Guyana and the global Guyanese diaspora. It would provide a space where citizens, historians, artists, and community leaders can document the experiences that make up the country’s collective memory.

However, the vision goes beyond a website. My mission is to raise $100 million USD to help build beautiful museums across Guyana that will preserve and showcase the nation’s history, culture, and achievements. These museums would serve as permanent institutions where future generations can learn about the journey of the Guyanese people, from the era of slavery and colonial rule to independence, cultural development, and modern nation building.

These museums would also highlight the contributions of workers, farmers, artists, entrepreneurs, teachers, and community leaders who helped build the country. They would preserve political history, cultural traditions, and the voices of everyday citizens whose stories are often overlooked.

By starting with a digital archive and building toward physical museums, this effort can bring together historians, artists, citizens, members of the Guyanese diaspora, and leaders from across the political spectrum. The goal is not to promote one narrative but to protect the full story of the nation.

Countries that preserve their history strengthen their identity. They give future generations the knowledge needed to understand where they came from and how their society evolved. As Guyana continues to grow and develop, preserving its history should be seen as a national priority.

Building museums and protecting our historical record is not just about the past. It is about investing in the future and ensuring that the story of Guyana is told with dignity, accuracy, and pride for generations to come.

#Guyana #GuyanaHistory #PreserveHistory #CulturalPreservation #MuseumDevelopment #CaribbeanHeritage #DigitalArchive #GuyaneseDiaspora #HistoryMatters #NationalVision #Leadership #ProtectOurHistory

Bharrat Jagdeo vs forbes burnham

Bharrat Jagdeo: Leadership or Legacy in the Shadows?

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

Bharrat Jagdeo lives in the shadow of Forbes Burnham. He wants to be remembered and loved like him. But good leaders do not blame the people who paved the way for their success. Good leaders create a clear vision, mission, and objectives for people to follow. They preserve history so citizens can remember, learn, and grow from it.

Jagdeo has held office for over 20 years, controlling several ministries, serving as President, Vice President, and Finance Minister. Yet he continues to dwell on actions taken 35 years ago, instead of focusing on leading Guyana into the future, protecting borders, building the economy, and creating opportunities for citizens.

He seems to underestimate the intelligence of Guyanese citizens, assuming we do not remember our history. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, the first executive President of Guyana, passed away in office on August 6, 1985, at age 62, leaving a legacy of vision and nation-building.

Jagdeo has played a major role in electing leaders like Donald Ramotar and Mohamed Irfaan Ali, yet he refuses to acknowledge his own responsibility in the challenges Guyana faces. The PPP/C has been in power for over 75 years and continues to struggle with leadership. A leader who constantly blames his enemies is not leading; he is deflecting.

Cheddi Jagan, who preceded Burnham, struggled with leadership as well, focusing on racial divisions rather than strong governance, organization, and effective management. The PPP/C has always been in campaign mode, yet without the work of Burnham and David Granger, the party would have had no power and no strong economy to inherit. Both Burnham and Granger handed over robust economies that could have been leveraged for the country’s growth.

True leadership is about creating a lasting vision, not living in the past or relying on others’ legacies. Guyana deserves leaders who build, preserve, and empower, not those who simply complain.

Birthright

Guyana Must Not Sell Its Birthright

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

In the Book of Genesis, Esau returned home exhausted and hungry. His brother Jacob had prepared a pot of lentil stew. In a moment of weakness, Esau traded his birthright, his inheritance and leadership of the family, for a single meal. The story, told in Genesis 25:29 to 34, has echoed through history as a warning about sacrificing long term destiny for short term relief. From that story comes the phrase selling one’s birthright for a mess of pottage.

Today, many Guyanese see an uncomfortable parallel.

Guyana is one of the fastest growing economies in the world because of vast offshore oil discoveries. The nation has moved from relative obscurity to global attention almost overnight. At the center of this transformation is ExxonMobil and its partners, operating in the Stabroek Block. The revenues are historic. The stakes are generational.

But the fundamental question remains. Are we Esau in this story?

The government of Guyana represents the people. The oil beneath our waters is our inheritance. It is our birthright. Yet many citizens worry that the structure of existing contracts gives disproportionate power and profit to multinational corporations and their shareholders, while Guyana bears significant risk and limited control.

No one denies that foreign investment was essential. Oil exploration is capital intensive and technologically complex. Companies like ExxonMobil took on exploration risk when Guyana had no proven reserves. That risk deserves reward. But once billions of barrels were confirmed and production scaled into the hundreds of thousands of barrels per day, the balance of power shifted.

The question is not whether companies should profit. The question is whether Guyana negotiated from a position of hunger.

Like Esau, did we focus on immediate needs such as jobs, infrastructure, and quick revenue, while overlooking the long term architecture of wealth, environmental protection, local content development, and sovereign leverage? Did we trade generational equity for short term satisfaction?

Esau despised his inheritance not because he hated it, but because he undervalued it in the moment. That is the danger facing any resource rich developing nation. Oil wealth can transform a country, but poorly structured agreements can lock in disadvantage for decades.

This is not a call for hostility toward investors. It is a call for strategic maturity.

Guyana must strengthen its negotiating capacity, invest in world class legal and economic advisors, and build institutions capable of auditing costs, enforcing environmental standards, and ensuring transparency. Production sharing agreements must evolve with circumstances. Stabilization clauses should not become handcuffs. Profit sharing must reflect production realities and market conditions.

Other nations have renegotiated resource contracts as fields matured and risks declined. Guyana can pursue better fiscal terms, stronger local content requirements, and more meaningful technology transfer without undermining investor confidence. Stability and fairness are not opposites. They are partners in sustainable development.

The real issue is narrative.

If Guyana sees itself as small, inexperienced, and dependent, it will negotiate like Esau, desperate and temporary. If Guyana sees itself as sovereign, strategic, and long term, it will negotiate like a nation protecting its inheritance.

Oil will not last forever. The wells will eventually decline. What remains must be a diversified economy, educated citizens, world class infrastructure, and sovereign wealth that supports future generations. That is the true birthright.

Jacob walked away with more than stew. He walked away with legacy. Guyana cannot afford to be remembered as the nation that sold its inheritance for immediate comfort.

We must change the narrative. Not through anger. Not through impulsive nationalism. But through intelligent restructuring, transparent governance, and disciplined negotiation.

A birthright is not just what you inherit. It is what you protect.

Respect Voters and Their Rights

The President and Vice President of Guyana Must Respect Voters and Their Rights

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

In any democratic society, the foundation of governance rests upon the will of the people. In Guyana, voters are not just participants in an election. They are the lifeblood of the nation’s democratic process. The president and vice president, as the highest representatives of the government, have a solemn responsibility to uphold the rights and dignity of every citizen who exercises their right to vote.

Respecting voters goes beyond merely winning elections. It requires transparency, accountability, and a commitment to ensuring that every citizen’s voice is heard and valued. Citizens of Guyana have the right to fair elections, access to information, and the assurance that their votes will count without manipulation or intimidation. When leaders fail to honor these rights, they risk eroding public trust, weakening democratic institutions, and creating divisions within the country.

Voter respect also means listening to the concerns of the population after elections, addressing the needs of all communities, and governing in a way that reflects the collective interest rather than narrow political agendas. The president and vice president must recognize that their legitimacy comes not from power alone but from the consent and trust of the people they serve.

In a nation as diverse as Guyana, where multiple ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds coexist, protecting voters’ rights is critical to maintaining unity and social cohesion. Any disregard for these rights can lead to disenfranchisement, public unrest, and long-term damage to the democratic fabric of the country.

Ultimately, respecting voters is a moral, legal, and civic duty. The president and vice president must honor the sacrifices citizens make to participate in democracy, safeguard their rights, and ensure that Guyana remains a nation where every voice matters. Democracy thrives when leaders govern with integrity, transparency, and respect, not when they prioritize power over people.

#Guyana #Democracy #VoterRights #Leadership #Transparency #Accountability

The President and Vice President of Guyana Must Respect Voters and Their Rights

Rupert Roopnaraine (Dies at 83)

Rupert Roopnaraine, Guyanese Scholar, Lawmaker and Party Leader, Dies at 83

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

Rupert Roopnaraine, a prominent Guyanese scholar, parliamentarian and government minister who helped shape his country’s intellectual and political landscape for decades, died early Monday morning. He was 83.

Roopnaraine was widely regarded as one of Guyana’s most thoughtful public figures, bridging the worlds of academia, literature and national politics. Trained as a professor and literary scholar, he carried an intellectual rigor into public life that distinguished him across generations of leadership.

Over the course of his career, he served in Parliament and later held ministerial responsibility in the Ministries of Public Service and Education. In those roles, he focused on institutional reform, public sector development and strengthening the nation’s education system. Colleagues often described him as principled and measured, guided by a belief that governance should be rooted in integrity and service.

Roopnaraine also served as leader of the Working People’s Alliance, a party historically associated with multiracial democracy, grassroots activism and social justice. Under his leadership, the party maintained its presence as a moral and intellectual force in Guyanese politics, particularly during periods of political transition and national debate.

Beyond government, Roopnaraine was respected for his literary contributions and commentary on Caribbean identity, democracy and culture. He belonged to a generation of Caribbean thinkers who viewed scholarship and civic responsibility as inseparable pursuits.

His death marks the passing of a figure whose influence extended beyond formal office. In classrooms, in Parliament and in public discourse, Roopnaraine’s voice reflected a commitment to thoughtful leadership and national development.

#RupertRoopnaraine #kendesi #kendesimedia #kendesitv #kendesi #Guyana #GuyanaTalent #CulturalWealth #intellectualproperty

Manzoor Nadir

We Need Leadership That Works

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Manzoor Nadir, walked past the Leader of the WIN Party and a parliamentary delegation today at the Parliament buildings, dismissing their impromptu request for a meeting.

The WIN team had arrived at Parliament to meet with the Clerk of the National Assembly, Sherlock Isaacs. As the Speaker approached, he exchanged brief pleasantries but refused to engage on questions regarding the election of the Opposition Leader or his ongoing refusal to convene a meeting of Opposition Members.

It is clear that the National Assembly needs leadership that is willing to work and engage with all Members of Parliament. Citizens deserve officials who take their responsibilities seriously, rather than ignoring calls for dialogue and action. It is time to remove those unwilling to work and find leaders committed to serving the people.

#LeadershipThatWorks #NationalAssembly #GuyanaPolitics #OppositionMatters

#kendesi #kendesimohammed #kendesiblog #kendesivlog

Azruddin Intiaz Mohamed

Azruddin Intiaz Mohamed: A New Era for Guyanese Leadership

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

Guyana stands at a critical political crossroads. For decades, the People's Progressive Party Civic (PPPC) has dominated the nation’s political landscape, shaping policy, governance, and access to public office. However, a growing segment of the population believes it is time for a change. Enter Azruddin Intiaz Mohamed, a figure increasingly seen as capable of bringing accountability, transparency, and effective governance to the country.

Supporters of Mohamed argue that his leadership represents a new chapter for Guyana. Unlike previous administrations, which have been criticized for neglecting the needs of everyday citizens despite the nation’s oil wealth, Mohamed’s approach emphasizes equitable development, economic opportunity, and the restoration of public trust. This is a vision that resonates with Guyanese across socioeconomic and regional lines, especially those who feel left behind by decades of entrenched political practices.

It is clear that the PPPC recognizes the threat Mohamed represents. Efforts to maintain influence over Parliament and public institutions have intensified, reflecting a political system at a tipping point. Observers suggest that this struggle is less about ideology and more about preserving power and access to resources. Yet, the public appetite for change remains strong. Citizens are increasingly demanding leaders who prioritize the country’s well-being over partisan interests.

The stakes are high. Leadership in Guyana is not just about managing governance. It is about shaping the nation’s future as it navigates newfound oil wealth, regional influence, and global partnerships. Mohamed’s supporters believe that his leadership can finally align government priorities with the people’s needs, ensuring that development benefits all citizens, not just a select few.

As Guyana approaches this pivotal moment, one thing is certain. The nation’s political landscape is shifting. Whether the PPPC can adapt to this new reality or be relegated to opposition will depend on the choices made today and on the voice of the Guyanese people demanding accountability, transparency, and effective leadership.

#GuyanaPolitics #AzruddinIntiazMohamed #PPPC #Leadership #Accountability #Transparency #GuyaneseFuture #PoliticalChange #Governance #OilWealth #Development #CitizenPower

Mohabir Anil Nandlal

Guyana Must Reject Leadership That Threatens Democracy

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

I do not want to ever see Mohabir Anil Nandlall as the PPP/C presidential candidate in the next elections. I believe his leadership would push both Indo Guyanese and Afro Guyanese to leave the country and never return. In my view he represents a serious danger to democracy and has been a deeply disappointing Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs of Guyana.

Guyana needs an Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs who respects the rule of law and the will of the people. The office must protect constitutional rights, not intimidate or silence voices that hold power accountable. Under Mohabir Anil Nandlall’s tenure I believe reporters, journalists, and influencers have been attacked and pressured, creating an environment of fear rather than transparency.

Instead of strengthening confidence in our institutions, Guyana appears more corrupt and unstable on the world stage. Democracy cannot survive where the law is selectively applied and criticism is treated as an enemy. Leadership should unite the nation, protect freedoms, and inspire trust across all communities.

For the future of Guyana, we must never put him in office again. Our country deserves leadership that upholds justice, respects free speech, and serves all Guyanese equally.

#Guyana #DemocracyMatters #RuleOfLaw #FreePress #HumanRights #GoodGovernance #JusticeForGuyana #Accountability #LeadershipMatters

UNITY CRISIS

Guyana Does Not Have a Leadership Shortage. It Has a Unity Crisis.

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

For too long, people have been taught that making a difference requires a seat in Parliament, a presidential title, or formal political authority. In Guyana, as in much of the world, that belief has become a convenient excuse for inaction and misdirection.

The truth is simpler and far more uncomfortable. Real change does not begin with titles. It begins with purpose.

A determined, consistent, and purpose driven individual, one who genuinely loves people and wants to see their village, town, and country succeed, can move a nation forward. Leadership rooted in love, patience, compassion, and tolerance has always been more powerful than leadership rooted in ego and control.

This principle is especially relevant now, as Guyana watches its opposition parties fracture at one of the most critical moments in the parliamentary calendar, the national budget debate.

Political commentator Steven Vickerie captured the moment plainly when he observed that if APNU and the WIN movement had entered Parliament as a single, disciplined bloc, the government would have felt the pressure immediately. One message. One strategy. One set of demands tied to clear public outcomes. That is what a serious opposition looks like in any democracy.

Instead, the country is witnessing the opposite.

APNU has announced it will proceed alone, citing failed negotiations and an inability to find common ground with WIN. Regardless of which side is more at fault, the result is the same. Fragmentation at the exact moment unity is required.

This is not merely a political miscalculation. It is a failure of responsibility.

Guyana is not lacking political parties. It is lacking political maturity.

The leaders of WIN, the Forward Guyana Movement, APNU, AFC, and PNC must confront an uncomfortable truth. Voters are exhausted. They are tired of being held hostage by internal party conflicts, leadership rivalries, and strategic posturing. They are tired of being asked for patience while their cost of living rises, public trust erodes, and political actors prioritize leverage over livelihoods.

Opposition politics is not a performance. It is a duty.

You cannot demand the public’s trust while displaying disunity. You cannot claim to represent the people while keeping them in suspense. You cannot speak of democracy while allowing egos to override collaboration.

At its core, this is not about APNU versus WIN or one movement versus another. It is about whether Guyana’s political class understands that leadership requires sacrifice. Sometimes that sacrifice is personal ambition. Sometimes it is pride. Sometimes it is the willingness to compromise for the sake of the people watching from the outside.

Guyana’s citizens do not expect perfection. But they do expect seriousness, discipline, and unity of purpose, especially from those who claim to offer an alternative to the governing party.

Titles alone will not save this country.
Seats alone will not move it forward.

Only leaders who put Guyana first, above party, above ego, and above internal disputes, can do that.

The people are watching. History is recording who chose unity and who chose themselves.

#guyana #kendesi #kendesiblog #kendesimohammed

OBEY THE LAW

When Lawmakers Refuse to Obey the Law

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

If the creators of the law are unwilling to follow the law themselves, then there is no law. What remains is hypocrisy and abuse of power. Only a foolish person blindly follows rules written by men who openly ignore what they enforce on others.

Mohamed must show up to Parliament, assert his authority, and take control one step at a time through lawful and constitutional means. This is not a normal government operating in good faith. They do not respect rules, procedures, or democratic norms.

When those in power refuse to honor the rule of law, leadership must be firm, strategic, and disciplined. The response cannot be emotional or reckless. It must be deliberate, visible, and grounded in the institutions of democracy. Change happens by standing present, exposing wrongdoing, and forcing accountability step by step.

Preserving Guyana’s History

Preserving Guyana’s History Before It Is Lost Forever

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

Guyana’s history is not just written in books. It lives in our buildings, monuments, archives, and sacred spaces. When those structures are destroyed, we do not only lose wood and bricks. We lose memory, identity, and connection to who we are as a people.

In recent years, Guyana has witnessed a troubling pattern of fires destroying historic and culturally significant buildings. These losses raise serious questions about preservation, accountability, and the nation’s commitment to safeguarding its past.

According to information shared with me by inside sources, there is growing concern that elements within the current political leadership, including the PPP/C government, may be deliberately neglecting or undermining Guyana’s historical legacy. These sources allege that instead of prioritizing preservation, collaboration, and nation building, there is an effort to erase or diminish parts of Guyana’s history, particularly the legacy associated with former President Forbes Burnham.

While these claims require independent investigation and verification, they cannot simply be dismissed, especially when viewed alongside observable developments. Changes in how Guyanese history appears on platforms such as Google search results and Wikipedia, combined with the repeated destruction of historic structures, have fueled public suspicion and unease.

Guyana has already paid a heavy price for the loss of historic buildings. The Great Fire of Georgetown in 1945, known as Black Friday, destroyed the General Post Office, the Assembly Rooms, and the Demerara Electric Company. In 2004, the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, a national monument, was gutted by fire. Other major losses include St Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in 2010, the Park Hotel, and more recently, the Critchlow Labour College in 2025. Many of these buildings were wooden structures containing irreplaceable records, artifacts, and archives that can never be recovered.

My source also raised concerns about race and political power in Guyana, alleging that systemic racial bias continues to influence leadership decisions within the PPP/C. They pointed to the historical pattern in which Guyana has seen Black vice presidents, but never a Black president under the PPP, regardless of qualifications or experience. These claims reflect long standing grievances held by many Guyanese and highlight the need for honest national dialogue about race, inclusion, and representation.

History teaches us that when societies attempt to erase the past rather than confront it, history has a way of repeating itself. Guyana cannot afford that mistake. Development does not require destruction. Progress does not require forgetting. A nation can build modern infrastructure while still protecting its heritage.

We must teach our children that the past matters. The past shapes the present and guides the future. Guyana needs more museums, more protected historic sites, and stronger preservation laws. We need transparency when historic buildings are lost, thorough investigations when fires occur, and accountability at every level of government.

Preserving history is not about politics. It is about respect. Respect for those who came before us, for the struggles they endured, and for the lessons they left behind. Guyana’s story belongs to all of us, and it must not be allowed to disappear in smoke and ashes.

If we fail to protect our history today, tomorrow’s generations will ask why we allowed it to burn.

GUYANA’S BIGGEST OIL DEAL

Why Former President David Granger Signed Guyana’s Biggest Oil Deal

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

In 2016, Guyana took a bold step into the global oil market. Former President David Granger signed a historic deal with ExxonMobil for the Stabroek Block, one of the world’s largest offshore oil discoveries. The deal brought attention and opportunity but also sparked controversy over its terms.

Why Granger Signed the Deal

Attracting Investment: Guyana’s oil industry was new and risky. The deal brought major companies to the country.
Economic Opportunity: Promised revenue, jobs, and infrastructure for a developing nation.
Global Credibility: Partnering with ExxonMobil showed the world that Guyana was open for business.
Timing: Signed at the right moment to benefit from early oil production and stabilize the economy.

The PSA included a 2% royalty, 50% profit share after cost recovery, tax exemptions, and a $20 million signing bonus. Critics say the terms favored the companies, but supporters call it a visionary move that put Guyana on the global energy map.

#GuyanaOil #DavidGranger #ExxonMobil #OilDeals #EnergyPolicy #CaribbeanEconomy #Guyana

David Granger's Return To Buxton Village

A True Story from Buxton and a Lesson for Guyana’s Future

Written By Kendesi Mohammed

This is a true story.

Malika Ramsey once introduced me to David Granger. During that meeting, I told him plainly that if he returned to Buxton Village, he would win the election and become the next President of Guyana. David Granger did not say a word. He simply listened.

When he returned to Buxton, something powerful happened. Everyone who had been listening to the PPPC literally ran from the PPPC stage to hear him speak. That night, I was wearing my favorite color red, recording the moment and watching history unfold.

When David Granger returned again, more than 6,000 people showed up in Buxton to listen to him. I met David Granger in the exact same spot I had been dreaming about while living in America. That moment confirmed something for me. I understand the future of Guyana, and I know we still have serious work to do.

David Granger is not a man of many words. His strength has always been in action. That is a lesson we must learn as a people.

We must stop supporting the very individuals we complain about. We must stop recycling disappointment. Instead, we need to hire, uplift, and empower the people who support us every single day without tools, without resources, and without real opportunities.

Those are the people who deserve investment. Those are the people who deserve access. If we give them the opportunity to grow and to become wealthy, they will turn around and help us build Guyana even more.

The future of Guyana will not be built by empty speeches. It will be built by decisive action, strategic support, and empowering our own people to rise.

We know what needs to be done. Now is the time to do it.

#kendesi #kendesiblog #kendesimohammed #kendesimedia #kendesinews

#Guyana #Buxton #DavidGranger #kendesi #kendesimohammed