Dear Editor,
A group photograph I appeared in two days ago, following a two-hour session with the new political party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) led by an OFAC sanctioned individual has triggered irrational reaction in certain quarters. The most irrational reaction published as a Breaking News alleges that I was paid $50 million “to prepare Budget Debate” which I thought had been done by the finance minister. That allegation is entirely false, reckless, and malicious.
I have not received, nor have I ever sought or accepted, any payment from Mr. Mohamed, from WIN, or from any sanctioned individual or person acting on behalf of such an individual. The post is plainly designed to create mischief by implying that I have breached Guyana’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing laws. That implication is wicked, malevolent and unfounded.
Guyana operates a system of parliamentary democracy in which citizens participate in national decision-making through their elected representatives in the National Assembly. Following the presentation of the 2026 Budget, I was approached by the Prime Ministerial candidate of WIN, which secured sixteen seats in the National Assembly, and asked whether I would meet with the Party’s elected members to offer general guidance on the Budget Debate and the Estimates process.
I agreed to do so entirely pro bono.
In addition to the publication of a flagship Focus on Budget published for the past 36 years, our accounting firm consistently provides technical guidance on budgetary, fiscal, and governance matters without charge to representatives of almost every major political party in Guyana, across administrations and across the political spectrum. This is neither novel nor partisan; it is part of my longstanding contribution to public discourse.
As a social and economic commentator, I have a vested interest in ensuring that the Budget Debate is informed, robust, and grounded in fact, regardless of which party occupies the Treasury benches. Parliamentary scrutiny of public expenditure is central to democratic accountability, and engagement aimed at improving that scrutiny is both legitimate and necessary. I will always support and participate in making a modest contribution.
For the avoidance of doubt, I expressly invite my bankers and the Financial Intelligence Unit to review my accounts and deposits. I have nothing to hide.
Finally, the allegation collapses under its own absurdity. If I commanded a fee of $50 million for two hours of work, I would not need to be practising at the age of eighty.
I reserve all my legal rights in relation to this matter.