EVERY PPP/C President since 1992 has had a baptism of fire and not one has been able to concentrate energies, time and resources toward engineering the nation’s future according to the developmental path charted in successive PPP manifestos and the Poverty Reduction and National Development Plans drafted by the Cheddi Jagan-led Government.

The Opposition has been like the albatross riding on the backs of the nation’s progress; but despite this cross to bear, the transformation of Guyana’s socio-economic and infrastructural landscape within a short time-span of two decades is nothing short of miraculous.; but in all those years development and progress were allowed to continue and escalate because the PPP/C had a parliamentary majority.
And this is President Donald Ramotar’s greatest challenge, in that, for the first time ever, the PPP/C Government’s developmental trajectory is embattled in the National Assembly, with every developmental initiative being shot down by the joint Opposition. That, coupled with the opposition’s customary extra-parliamentary destructive escapades, has tested the President’s fortitude to the limit.
But it is at the 30th Congress of the PPP, which had its opening ceremony at the JC Latchmansingh Secondary School in Berbice yesterday, that one can recognise where that spirit to endure and prevail over the obduracy and negative dynamics of anti-developmental and anti-national forces bent on circumventing progress under a PPP/C Government, even at the cost of the welfare of their own supporters, has its genesis; because that spirit is and has been shaped by the heroism of Guyana’s freedom-fighters who braved and endured much to position this country on a pathway to peace, progress and prosperity; and foremost among those who carved a destiny for this nation is the Founding leader of the People’s Progressive Party, the Father of the Nation, Dr. Cheddi Jagan.  There are many laying claims to him; but it is in the party that encapsulates all that he represented and strove for that his spirit resides, and this was the inherent message of the General-Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party and the Head-of-State of the Guyanese nation under a PPP/C governmental construct, President Donald Ramotar.
The party’s General-Secretary recalled the years of struggle against colonialism and undemocratic forces, in which he played an integral role, until elections of 1992 heralded the dawn of a new era of freedom and progress for the Guyanese people.  He spoke of the tireless struggle to build and strengthen the party and shape a better future for the country.
During the dark years when all Guyanese were shackled by under-development and abuse, recalled Ramotar, there was always the enduring hope by the party of shaping a better and brighter future; and he listed landmark anniversaries that mark significant episodes in the country that link all the people of the country in a collective endeavour for freedom and progress.  Struggle, he posited, marked character and identity.
The patriots and martyrs were many, he said, and spoke movingly of young Balram Kanhai, who was ruthlessly gunned down when violence was visited upon delegates attending the party’s Congress of 1994.  As a father, he said, he could only try to condole with the parents in their unfathomable grief; but this is a life-long pain that time cannot erase. However, he averred that the sacrifices of the patriots have not been in vain, because the PPP has endured over the years and achieved much in the re-establishment of democratic norms and freedoms, and what he termed the visible improvements in the country’s landscape; the re-energising  of the economy, revitalisation of  social development that has put the nation on an upward trajectory; despite the obstructionist actions of the joint opposition.  Listing some of the achievements within sectors, and initiatives that have impacted the lives and living standards of Guyanese and enabled upward mobility of individuals and communities, Ramotar warned that these gains were not invincible and could be reversible if the joint opposition prevails in their obstructionist actions.
Recalling days of pre-PPP governance that began in 1992, the President reminded the gathering of teachers having no chalk to write with, blackouts for two weeks duration, long lines for basic foodstuff, and a multiplicity of other ills negatively affecting the peoples’ lives, and the quality of their lives.
But this is where the spirit of Cheddi Jagan is encapsulated in the heart of the PPP because, as the President promised, the PPP/C Government would leave no stone unturned to continue the progress and consolidate the gains achieved over the past 20 years of PPP at the helm of the nation’s leadership, and he committed all his efforts toward ensuring Guyana remains a blossoming country with a crop of greater things.
Alluding to extra-national linkages where partnering with international bodies and neighbouring countries are enabling and facilitating various aspects of national growth, i.e. Mercosur, Petrocaribe, Ramotar said that these linkages have enabled great strides to achieving many of the PPP/C’s objectives, for instance bridging Brazil and Guyana, and in the near future Suriname and Guyana, for instance; and he made reference to the relationship that was forged with the late Hugo Chavez, which opened trading opportunities with Venezuela.
The PPP/C Government’s achievements have been lauded by many international bodies, said Ramotar, and he noted the recognition by the UN/FAO of Guyana achieving its first Millennium Development Goal three years ahead of schedule; as well as the recognition by the UN of Guyana being one of 17 countries that have reduced poverty and achieved food security.  
The hard work has been for the people, for the children, and for the future of the country, stated the President, who iterated that the party has always put people first, and this is the basis on which it was founded.  He urged that the party continue to be the light of the people, the hope of the people – understanding and empathetic of the people’s needs.
Lamenting the undemocratic and anti-developmental actions of the joint opposition, the President said that their actions have caused suffering for everyone, including their own supporters; and he spoke movingly of the pain of the families of the victims killed at Linden.
He promised that despite the actions of the joint opposition, the party in Government will continue to press on with its developmental plans, and that it is the people of Guyana that will own the progress achieved; the investments are in the future of the people, he averred and promised that the only hope of the people, which is the PPP, will continue to work hard to win the battle, “…not only to battle, but to win, and we can and will win”.
The PPP, he promised, will continue to be the light of the people and will continue with the plans to reinforce the principles of the party and regain the confidence of the people.  “If I could have one wish”, averred the President, “it is that all my efforts leave a place for my children, my grandchildren, and my great-grandchildren to live the dream that unites us with Cheddi Jagan as the golden thread;  and the process starts right here, right now.”