Beyond Quick Fixes: President Ali's Call for Balancing Public Expectations with Sustainable Policy

“For us its easy, everybody says to give $10 million per household, just give it and you’re secured for the next term but how is the country secured, how is the future secured?” -President Ali

President Irfaan Ali speaking at the International Business Conference 2024

 In a recent interaction with delegates at the International Business Conference, President Irfaan Ali emphasised the need for managing public expectations regarding wealth creation in Guyana, especially in light of the country’s rapid economic growth. 

As the government prepares to distribute a $100,000 cash grant to citizens aged 18 and older, both domestically and in the diaspora, the President cautioned against the misconception that prosperity can be achieved overnight. He pointed out that while the burgeoning economy may lead some to expect immediate wealth for every individual, such unrealistic expectations can jeopardise sound governance and lead to poor policy decisions. 

President Ali stated that it is crucial for the population to have a clear understanding of economic realities and to evaluate policies based on long-term benefits rather than short-term popularity. “There will be voices that will push you to do things that are popular at the moment but you have to be able to evaluate from a policy perspective and to make decisions that not necessarily easily guarantee you a next term but would guarantee the country a next 50, 60, 70 years,” he remarked.

President Ali stressed that responsible governance means making policy choices that ensure the country’s long-term stability, even if these choices are not always the most popular or immediately rewarding.  Leaders, he noted, need to resist the pressures of election-focused promises that prioritise immediate benefits at the expense of future security.

“For us its easy, everybody says to give $10 million per household, just give it and you’re secured for the next term but how is the country secured, how is the future secured?”

Instead, he advocates for strategic leadership that adheres to fundamental principles of governance, advocating for simplicity in planning that will ensure the population can relate to and understand the government’s direction. The President concluded by stressing the importance of making plans that are straightforward, understandable, and relatable to the citizens. 

 The conference was co-hosted by the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce (SGCC) and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA), with contributions from investment and trade agencies from both nations, highlighting collaborative efforts to strengthen economic ties and frameworks.