Hon. Raphael Trotman, a prominent Guyanese lawyer and politician, has recently authored a captivating book entitled “From Destiny to Prosperity,” which is now available for purchase on Amazon.com. Within the pages of this remarkable work, Trotman offers readers a firsthand account of his tenure as Minister of Governance and Natural Resources in Guyana, specifically focusing on the pivotal decisions he made concerning the emerging petroleum sector during the period of 2015 to 2020.
Trotman’s political journey spans several significant roles and accomplishments. Prior to his position as Minister for Natural Resources, he served as the esteemed Speaker of the National Assembly of Guyana from 2011 to 2015, playing a crucial role in the legislative processes of the country. Furthermore, his presidential candidacy for the Alliance for Change in the 2006 elections demonstrated his aspiration to lead and make a meaningful impact on Guyana’s political landscape.
Notably, Trotman’s involvement in politics extends beyond his ministerial and parliamentary roles. As a dedicated member of the People’s National Congress Reform, he has served as an executive member, contributing his insights and expertise to the party’s endeavors.
In his book, Trotman not only delves into the challenges and triumphs he faced during his tenure as Minister of Governance and Natural Resources but also provides invaluable insights into the crucial decisions made concerning Guyana’s burgeoning petroleum industry. By sharing his experiences and perspectives, he offers readers a unique behind-the-scenes look at the intricacies of governance and the critical role he played in shaping the nation’s path towards prosperity.
Overall, Hon. Raphael Trotman’s book stands as a testament to his unwavering dedication and remarkable contributions to Guyana’s political landscape. Through his writing, readers are given the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of his multifaceted journey and the significant decisions that have shaped the country’s trajectory.
The Story Behind the book.
Why? That is the central and critical question anyone would ask about the book: From Destiny to Prosperity, written by Raphael Trotman. Indeed, there have been years of silence as opinions were shaped and formed, and little attempt was made to alter them.
There was obviously no pleasure taken in writing the book, and neither could it have been done for financial gain. The author has come in for predictable and proverbial blows, as a result of publishing it. In fact, the natural instinct should have compelled the author to stay quiet, avoid the limelight, and let people continue having their say. However, perhaps, better late than never, we learn that an judicial inquiry was expected, none came, Covid took centre stage, and after everyone emerged from the thaw of its frigid restrictions in 2022, it became necessary to shine the spotlight on what really went on behind the scenes, so to speak, in the forming of the 2016 Guyana/Exxon contact, and everything else that followed. The people deserved to know the details – “speak the truth, speak it ever, cause it what it will…” is what the proverb admonishes.
We learn that the preeminent concern and objective of the David Granger led coalition government was not increasing wealth, but leveraging it to ensure our peace and security – something which had been denied us for generations. The terms of the existing contract already guaranteed incalculable wealth for Guyana; some of which is already being realised. What was the real worry, was whether increased threats of aggression, and actual aggression, would prevent that wealth from being won and enjoyed by the Guyanese people. The contract, and the relationship with Exxon, Hess and the Chinese National Offshore Oil Co. (CNOOC), became inextricably linked with Guyana’s foreign and defence policies. To look at the contract in a one dimensional way, and not see Venezuela, and the interconnections with the United Nations and the International Court of Justice, is to do so in error.
The coalition government cannot claim to have saved or rescued Guyana, indeed, that burdensome task has been an ongoing one since 1966 to present. It can claim however, to have tangibly strengthened the cordon of protection so that the next generation of policy-makers could have something good to inherit, and do the same, in return, that is, receive the sacred patrimony, strengthen it, and pass it on.
What we have started to experience since production began in December 2019, are the fruits of the labour’s of past Presidents, Foreign Ministers, Advisors and Foreign Officers, lawyers and experts – these include the likes of – Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddie Jagan, Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo, Samuel Hinds, Donald Ramotar, David Granger, Irfaan Ali, Sir Shridath Ramphal, Fred Wills, Rashleigh Jackson, Cedric Grant, Rudy Insanally, Carolyn Rodrigues, Carl Greenidge, Elizabeth Harper, Audrey Waddell, Cheryl Miles, Dr. Odeen Ishmael, Cedric Joseph, Ronald Austin, Ralph Ramkarran, Gail Teixeira, and now, Hugh Todd and Robert Persaud, and others.
It is this group, in the main, made up of patriots, who have shouldered the responsibility of ensuring that Guyana, punched above its weight, maintained credibility and support regionally and internationally, and ensured that we were not swallowed up by avaricious neighbours, or beaten into submission by larger hegemonic powers, and when the time came, made difficult, but necessary decisions, such as the signing of the “Exxon contracts” in 1999 and 2016. Time will not only tell, but judge their efforts and contributions in ensuring the peaceful and prosperous development of Guyana.
In this regard, From Destiny to Prosperity provides a rare glimpse into the sometimes complex and messy spheres of policy-making, national development, diplomacy and national defence, and their intricate points of intersection. We all see the outcomes, and it is good, whenever the opportunity presents itself, as it does now, to understand the process that led to those outcomes.
For those interested in matters of state, as we should all be, this book is a welcome addition to our list of must reads.
