General News

Acknowledging the necessity of enhancing and developing Guyana’s human resource base, the government is looking to partner with the Toronto Metropolitan University to facilitate a training programme targeting 2,000 youths across various sectors.

According to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, this project is currently in its consultancy stage, with training focusing on areas such as accounting, auditing, software development, and healthcare, among others. 

President Ali made the disclosure while delivering the keynote address at the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) Corporate Dinner Monday evening, at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, Kingston, Georgetown.

The programmes will guarantee high-paying employment opportunities after persons receive their certification.  

“Those jobs will pay a minimum of US$25,000-$30,000 annually. So, we’re working on that. The module is with 2,000 young people,” President Ali emphasised.

Guyanese within the Guyanese Diaspora can also tap in on the training opportunities, President Ali disclosed.

“The diaspora has to be part of wealth creation and wealth creation is investing in innovation, investing in research and development, investing in the market, investing in getting the right technical skills that are going to help you,” he emphasised. 

READ MORE : Gov’t partnering with Toronto Metropolitan University to upskill Guyana’s human resource – President Ali – DPI Guyana 

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali met with the US Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer and the National Security Council Senior Director for the Western Hemisphere Juan González this afternoon at State House in Georgetown.

Discussions focused on areas of mutual interest between Guyana, CARICOM and the United States.

Issues of democratic governance, economic stability, and regional security and other pressing hemispheric matters were discussed.

US Ambassador HE Nicole Theriot; Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Mark Wells and National Security Council Senior Advisor Laura Updegrove were among the US officials present.

President Ali was joined by Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud; GDF Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan; National Security Advisor, Gerry Gouveia,

GDF Colonel Sheldon Howell and Brigadier (Ret'd) Godfrey Bess. 

READ MORE : Office of the President | Facebook 

Accra, Ghana (January 27, 2024) His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali emphasised the opportunities that exist for “massive increases in trade” between the continent of Africa and the Caribbean.

The Guyanese Head of State, who is on an Official Visit to the West African country of Ghana, said that in order to achieve these increases, systems must be put in place “to fix the trade barriers” and issues with transport and logistics.

During the panel discussion as part of the Africa Prosperity Dialogues 2024 Summit of Heads of State and Business Leaders on Saturday, President Ali, who is the current chair of CARICOM, was adamant that both Africa and the Caribbean can benefit from the opportunities that exist.

“There are tremendous opportunities as we seek to have the issue of food security resolved within the region. When you look at our region’s population, you may say that our population is very small, but what we give to Africa, to investors, is access to a market of over 400m people in which we have trade arrangements and trade agreements.”

Pointing specifically to aquaculture as an example, the President said that the size of the aquaculture market in the United States is US$4b annually, and Guyana is among the most competitive countries when it comes to aquaculture and the production of fish products for the US market.

“You have the know-how, you have the technology, we have the land, and we have the competitive advantage. What if we merge? And for us to do this, we have to think outside of the box. We have to embrace the new opportunities. We have to look beyond the traditional areas. And, the Caribbean and Guyana present this very important opportunity for you.”

During his presentation, the President also underscored that the Caribbean and Africa need to work together on other important issues, such as climate change and energy security.

READ MORE : Massive increases in trade between Africa and the Caribbean possible—President Ali – Office of the President (op.gov.gy) 

Yesterday, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett met with Secretary General of the United Nations H.E. António Guterres to discuss Guyana's Presidency of the United Nations Security Council for February 2024. 

READ MORE: Secretary-General Meets with President of Security Council for February | Ministry of Foreign Affairs (minfor.gov.gy) 

Guyana plans to build about 200 more shade houses in 2024, as it moves forward with the production of high-value crops as a result of increased demand and lucrativeness.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha made the disclosure Wednesday last, during the ministry’s estimates and considerations in the Parliamentary Committee of Supply. 

READ MORE : 200 shade houses to be procured to boost high-value crop production – DPI Guyana 

The Government of Guyana has pledged USD$150,000  towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in support of Palestinians displaced and affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. UNRWA is the primary humanitarian agency in Gaza, with over two million people depending on it for their daily survival.

Guyana’s contribution to UNRWA aligns with our appeals for a more robust international response to the ongoing situation in the Gaza Strip and the protection of civilians impacted by the ongoing conflict. To this end, as an elected member of the United Nations Security Council, Guyana supports a ceasefire to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Over the years, Guyana has made several financial contributions to UNRWA, in alignment with our consistent support for and solidarity with the Palestinian people in their quest for freedom and a secure homeland. Further, Guyana is a member of the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People.

The Government of Guyana looks forward to a new day for Palestinians and Israelis beyond the constant shadows of war. Guyana is prepared to work as a member of the UN Security Council and with the entire UN  membership to accelerate the vision of two independent states living side by side in peace and security, and of a peaceful Middle East.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and  International Cooperation

READ MORE : Govt pledges USD$150,000 to UN aid for Palestine Refugees – DPI Guyana 

Faster turnaround time for diagnoses and greater accuracy are just two of the monumental benefits that will be enjoyed from the new state-of-the-art pathology lab at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The $474.6 million lab, which was commissioned on Sunday by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, features cutting-edge equipment, such as pathology scanners and tissue processors.

It aims to significantly reduce waiting time for diagnoses, and improve patient care through telepathology.

Telepathology is the digital transfer of high-resolution images between distant locations for diagnosis, education, and research.

READ MORE:   

 $474.6M GPHC pathology lab promises faster diagnosis, greater accuracy – DPI Guyana

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.