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PRESIDENTS of Guyana and their YEARS of TENURE:
These presidents’ policies and circumstances have COLLECTIVELY contributed to Guyana’s MIGRATION CRISIS.
1. Forbes Burnham (1964-1985)
2. Desmond Hoyte (1985-1992)
3. Cheddi Jagan (1992-1997)
4. Janet Jagan (1997-1999)
5. Bharrat Jagdeo (1999-2011)
6. Donald Ramotar (2011-2015)
7. David Granger (2015-2020)
8. Irfaan Ali (2020-present)
Guyana’s MIGRATION issue is complex, and SEVERAL PRESIDENTS have CONTRIBUTED to the circumstances leading to the MASSIVE MIGRATION of almost 1 MILLION Guyanese. (Meta Ai)
Key Factors Contributing to Migration
Economic Challenges
The country’s economic struggles, including poverty and limited job opportunities, have driven many to seek better lives abroad ¹.
Political Instability
Guyana’s turbulent politics, particularly during the socialist-oriented governments after independence in 1966, have also played a significant role ¹.
Presidents Associated with Migration
Forbes Burnham: Guyana’s Founding Father, with food imports restrictions, Nationalization/Acquisition of Foreign Businesses were economic challenges, and the National Service Program, ALL, resulted in mass migration of Indo Guyanese.
Cheddi Jagan: Guyana’s Founding Father, presidency from 1992 to 1997 marked a significant turning point, but his SOCIALIST POLICIES may have contributed to the economic struggles .
Janet Jagan: The Brief Presidency from 1997 to 1999 saw continued economic challenges and brain drain.
Bharrat Jagdeo: Presidency from 1999 to 2011 oversaw significant economic growth, but emigration rates remained high due to persistent poverty and limited opportunities.
Donald Ramotar: Presidency from 2011 to 2015 faced criticism for mismanagement, potentially exacerbating migration .
David Granger: Presidency from 2015 to 2020 aimed to address economic issues, but the impact on migration remains unclear.
1. Forbes Burnham (1964-1985)
Forbes Burnham, Guyana’s Prime Minister from 1964 to 1980 and President from 1980 to 1985, played a significant role in the country’s migration crisis. Burnham’s socialist-oriented government nationalized key industries, leading to economic decline and widespread poverty. His authoritarian rule and human rights abuses sparked fear and uncertainty. Burnham’s policies and actions exacerbated racial tensions between Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese. Guyana’s economy stagnated under Burnham’s leadership.
Many professionals and skilled workers left Guyana. Approximately 150,000 to 200,000 Guyanese migrated during Burnham’s rule. Burnham’s policies and actions contributed significantly to Guyana’s migration crisis, setting the stage for continued emigration in subsequent decades.
2. Desmond Hoyte (1985-1992)
Desmond Hoyte’s presidency in Guyana, from 1985 to 1992, saw significant migration due to numerous factors. Economic decline: Guyana’s economy struggled under Hoyte’s leadership. Widespread poverty and limited job opportunities. High inflation rates. Hoyte’s government faced opposition and criticism.
Professionals and skilled workers left Guyana. Estimated 100,000-200,000 Guyanese migrated. Main destinations: United States, Canada, United Kingdom. Migration rate (1985-1992): 4%-6%. Population: Approximately 740,000. Urban-rural split: 55%-45%. Ethnic distribution: Indo-Guyanese (43%), Afro-Guyanese (30%).
3. Cheddi Jagan (1992-1997)
Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Guyana’s President from 1992 to 1997, had a complex impact on migration. Jagan’s socialist-oriented policies and struggles to manage the economy led to continued poverty and limited job opportunities. His presidency faced opposition and criticism, contributing to ongoing political tensions.
Professionals and skilled workers continued to leave Guyana. Approximately 100,000 to 200,000 Guyanese migrated during Jagan’s presidency. Dr. Jagan’s presidency marked a transition towards democracy, but economic struggles persisted, contributing to ongoing migration
4. Janet Jagan (1997-1999)
Guyana’s first female president faced significant challenges. Guyana’s economy continued to decline. Her presidency was marked by protests and opposition.
Professionals and skilled workers left Guyana. Approximately 20,000 to 50,000 Guyanese migrated during Jagan’s presidency. Janet Jagan’s presidency was marked by transition and stability efforts, but economic struggles persisted, contributing to ongoing migration.
5. Bharrat Jagdeo (1999-2011)
Bharrat Jagdeo’s presidency in Guyana (1999-2011) saw significant developments. Economic growth: 2.5%-4.5% annual GDP growth. Poverty reduction with Moderate progress> Infrastructure development with Roads, bridges, airports. Social programs with Healthcare, education, poverty alleviation.
Estimated 150,000-250,000 Guyanese migrated. The Main destinations were United States, Canada, United Kingdom. Migration rate (1999-2011): 4.5%-7.1%. Migration Factors, Economic struggles: Despite growth, poverty persisted. Limited job opportunities: Brain drain continued. Political instability with Opposition and criticism. Corruption allegations with Mismanagement claims. Jagdeo’s presidency saw economic growth, but migration persisted due to underlying challenges.
6. Donald Ramotar (2011-2015)
Guyana saw continued migration due to, Economic stagnation as Growth slowed, and poverty persisted. Corruption allegations with Mismanagement and corruption claims. Political instability with Opposition and criticism. Limited job opportunities with the Brain drains continuation.
Estimated 50,000-100,000 Guyanese migrated. The Main destinations were the United States, Canada, United Kingdom. Migration rate (2011-2015): 2.5%-5%. GDP growths at 1.5%-3% annually. Inflation: 2%-5%. Poverty reduction with Limited progress. Population: Approximately 790,000. Urban-rural split: 60%-40%. Ethnic distribution was Indo-Guyanese (43%), Afro-Guyanese (30%).
7. David Granger (2015-2020)
Economic Performance, GDP growth: 2.5%-3.5% annually. Inflation: 1%-3%. Poverty reduction with Moderate progress. Key Policies were Economic diversification with foreign investment. Infrastructure development with Roads, bridges, airports. Social programs with Healthcare, education, poverty alleviation.
Challenges were Corruption allegations: Criticized for lack of transparency. Political instability with Controversial 2020 elections. Economic struggles with Limited job opportunities.
Estimated 30,000-50,000 Guyanese migrated. Main destinations were United States, Canada, United Kingdom. Migration rate (2015-2020): 1.5. Demographics (2015) Population: Approximately 810,000. Urban-rural split: 60%-40%. Ethnic distribution: Indo-Guyanese (43%), Afro-Guyanese (30%).
Legacy: Economic growth: Laid foundation for future development. Migration: Continued brain drains. Political instability: Tarnished Presidency.
Comparison to Other Presidents
1. Bharrat Jagdeo (1999-2011): Economic growth, migration.
2. Donald Ramotar (2011-2015): Economic stagnation.
3. Irfaan Ali (2020-present): Economic growth, ongoing migration.
8. Irfaan Ali (2020-present)
President Irfaan Ali has been leading Guyana since 2020, focusing on economic growth, self-sufficiency, and balanced approaches to climate talks. His presidency aims to reduce dependence on oil and gas by diversifying the economy and promoting foreign investment. Guyana’s economy has expanded significantly under Ali’s leadership, driven by the oil and gas sector. Ali aims to make Guyana a regional exporter of grain and fertilizer within the next few years. He advocates for a balanced approach to climate talks, considering Guyana’s unique position as a significant carbon sink.
Ali’s background is rooted in education and politics. He holds a doctorate in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the West Indies and has served as Minister of Housing and Water and Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce.
Approximately 10,000 to 20,000 Guyanese migrate annually, primarily to the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Ali’s government aims to address poverty and limited job opportunities, key factors driving migration.
13 KEY CHALLENGES for needed SOLUTIONS:
1. Economic struggles: Despite ECONOMIC growth ON PAPER, POVERTY persists, particularly in RURAL areas for almost HALF the POPULATION.
2. CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS: Criticisms of mismanagement, flawed awards of contracts and corruption continue to DOMINATE the public perception. 2025 SARA & SOCU to request/secure ALL SUSPECTED CORRUPT PERSONS, BANKS’ ACCOUNTS and TAXES’ RECORDS to PROVE THEIR WEALTH from 2015 to currently.
3. Regional security concerns: Guyana shares concerns with regional partners regarding democratic practices in Venezuela and security in Haiti.
4. 3 Fs, FAMILIES, Friends and Favorites for CONTRACTS , Assistances and Support.
5. 2025 Elections: BIOMETRICS; Commonwealth Secretariat & CARICOM OBSERVERS; and USA PEACE CORPS IN GUYANA at ALL POLLING STATIONS : and ALL SOP’s to be on GECOM WEBSITE the same day GECOM Receives
6. OIL Blessings NOT REACHING approximately 90% of the population.
7. Over 130 COMMISSIONS and BOARDS without OPPOSITION REPRESENTATIVES, which is a gross violation of past Government’s practices.
8. NO FEASIBILITIES STUDIES to the public for MAJOR PROJECTS
9. OVERDUE CENSUS REPORT. What is there to hide ??? hmmmmmmm
10. CURRENT VERY HIGH PRICES: Limited BELIEVABLE VERİ for 2023 and 2024; 2022, 6.12%; 2021, 5.03%; 2020, 0.99%; 2019, 2.09%; and 2018 at 1.28%.
11. Reported Corruption in the GUYANA POLICE FORCE,
12. Most Guyanese NOT EXPERIENCING the OIL BLESSINGS to their satisfaction.
13. The Prime Minister of INDIA, His Excellency SHRI NARENDRA MODI’s, 3 Days STATE VISIT, November 19 to 21, 2024, had in ATTENDANCE, FEW of the other 5 Ethnic Groups’ Persons, MISSING WERE the Afro, Mixed & Indigenous Races.
With Due Respect, THIS was a NOTICEABLE HINDU GRATUITOUS DISPLAY, for a Guyana with 6 Races. THIS IS NOT a Good Distinguishing Characteristic for a “DEMOCRATIC” CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC of GUYANA, missing its “HUMANITY FIRST,” to these Groups, at this 2nd STATE VISIT by INDIA. GLOBALLY many are following the Events in GUYANA on Social & the Print MEDIA. Need for RES NON VERBA ( DEEDS not WORDS) from the PPPC Administration.
HINDUS in Guyana Statistics with NUMBERS
Back Channel from a USA Based Guyanese Expert on Population Statistics. Estimated Numbers are as follows: Errors and Omissions Excepted. (E&OE)
1. EAST INDIANS 30% of 790,000 = 237,000
2. HINDUS 70% of 237,000 = 165,900
3. MUSLIMS 30% of 237,000 = 71,100
4. HINDUS as CHRISTIANS 55 % of 165,900 = 91,245
5. HINDUS 45% of 165,900 = 74,655
Onward & Upward towards, One People, One Nation, One Destiny.