Aug 08, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

(Kaieteur News) – First, the disclosures. This is owed to all Guyanese, none more than the departed in the star-crossed MV Barima. Next in line are the tragedy struck family members; parents, spouses, children, above all. Last in line in this first leadership postmortem is Pres Ali. Prime Minister Phillips turn is coming. In this postmortem, the objective is not to dissect Pres Ali and drain him of all plasma. It is to touch him in soft strokes. Inspire him to view his actions differently. Guide him to motivate himself, operate differently, should, God forbid, another disaster visits.

Wherever Pres Ali was-in Canada, in a swamp, in a plane, in a luxury box, in the company of quality people-he had to come to a dead stop and race back to Guyana. If he was in a plane that might be problematic. In all other settings, it would have to be the same controlled urgency to his movements. Except for one. The one exception I would make to Pres Ali staying one minute longer wherever he was on that horrendous Saturday night, Sunday’s predawn hours, would be as follows. The president on an operating table, out of it, due to serious cardiology or neurology attention needed. He was not, and I am grateful to the Almighty, the merciful and the benevolent. Once he was mobile, in the fullness of his senses, it had to be to Guyana for Pres. Ali.