General News

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has made it clear that there is no barrier between him and Guyanese, as his government is working tirelessly to build a ‘One Guyana’, through a community-by-community approach.

Since taking office on August 2, 2020, President Ali immediately embarked on a community campaign, meeting residents at the grass-root level to listen to their concerns.

That same zeal for consultation is being mirrored by every minister of government, who not only address the concerns of persons within their constituencies, but Guyanese countrywide.

“And trust what I am telling… the results will come for the benefit of the Guyanese people and prosperity will come to every home,” the president assured, during a recent interview.

He said Guyanese must determine their priorities and the onus is on the government to meet those demands.

The president believes that the only way citizens’ concerns could be addressed is by having regular consultations in all communities.

“Do you want a lazy president, an office-ridden president, a president who is bounded by four walls or do you want a proactive president that is on the ground and who is willing to work with every single citizen?” the head of state questioned.

Referencing his recent engagement with residents of Mocha-Arcadia, East Bank Demerara, the head of state underscored that from the fruitful meeting several issues were resolved.

Like many other communities, President Ali also met with several persons residing in Leopold Street, Georgetown, and surrounding communities.

From that face-to-face discourse, over 30 young people were able to gain employment and are providing an income for their families.

Additionally, His Excellency reached out to residents of Independence Boulevard (Punt Trench), where an enhancement project is ongoing.

Dr. Ali led a team to Baracara Village along Canje Creek, and currently, the village is undergoing a massive transformation.

“We are creating agricultural blocks, cleaning canals, we are giving them agricultural help to increase production and building community facilities.”

The president said the PPP/C Government has never been a team that only responded to what it wants.

“We reacted to what the people want that is the greatest functionality of democracy…skills development, providing jobs, transforming lives, that is what I am about, that’s what my energy is on,” the head of state added.

He said his administration is willing to welcome anyone who wants to come on board to transform Guyana.

“We need, sometimes to put ourselves in the position of others in this country and understand that pain and difficulty, and that is what I do every day as a president…. we are ready to work with every single group,” the president asserted.

https://dpi.gov.gy/govt-building-a-one-guyana-one-community-at-a-time-president-ali/

Georgetown, Guyana—(February 2, 2022) His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali said that his Government’s ‘One Guyana’ vision is about promoting greater inclusion at the legislative, political and social levels.

The Head of State made this assertion virtually during his address to more than 50 religious leaders from North America this afternoon.  

“No government has all the answers. It is my wish to be able to benefit from the viewpoints of all, including our political parties, trade unions, private sector, workers and social organisations. ‘One Guyana’ is, therefore, a social contract of inclusion.”

The President reiterated that the ‘One Guyana’ vision is about creating a more equal society, guaranteeing that everyone is afforded the opportunity to lead productive and happy lives as well as reducing inequality in access to education, health, employment, income and justice.

“‘One Guyana’ vision, in this regard, aims to ensure that every citizen is accorded a dignified existence and with due respect for their rights and with equality before the law.”

Important to realising the vision, he added, is building an environment of trust. 

ONE GUYANA COMMISSION

He further explained that the One Guyana Commission, which will be established, seeks to give voice and recognition to all social groups in our society regardless of political affiliation, race, religion, or gender.

During the interactive session, President Ali emphasised that while the vision encompasses the entirety of Guyana, the diaspora is also included.

As such, he pledged to continue to engage with them not only to tap into their skills for national development but to ensure greater integration in national decision-making.

He added that under the ‘One Guyana’ vision, all will benefit from Guyana’s resources and that social groups including women, indigenous peoples and young people will be empowered.

ROLE OF THE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY

President Ali acknowledged the important role the religious community has to play in fashioning the ‘One Guyana’ vision and said that he was ready to work with them.

“You are the custodians of morality, and you can help people to appreciate their moral and social obligations. The religious community also must lead the way in promoting social harmony, particularly through encouraging greater tolerance and understanding and through respect for our multicultural diversity.”

He also told the religious leaders that he would continue to engage with them and would look to address any concerns that may arise.  The leaders assured the Head of State that, as a community, they will make their contributions and stand behind the vision of ‘One Guyana’.

Following the discourse, an outcome document will be prepared and shared with the President to guide further discussions.

https://op.gov.gy/index.php/2022/02/02/one-guyana-is-a-social-contract-of-inclusion-president-ali/

Today marks the 57th Anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Agreement and invites its commemoration as a binding international agreement between the Parties. Concluded on the eve of our country's independence between the United Kingdom, Venezuela and British Guiana, it governs the resolution of the controversy which had arisen as a result of Venezuela's baseless and ill-chosen contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is 'null and void'. It removed the roadblock to Guyana's independence that Venezuela had, with imperial ambition, sought to effect.

The Head of State is in Brussels for the three-day EU-CELAC Summit, which is set to conclude on July 18.

After their meeting, the Guyanese Head of State and the US Secretary of State engaged with members of the media from Guyana and the United States.