Plans for youth development in New Year’s address outlined by President

President Irfaan Ali, old year’s day outlined a plan to develop the young people of Guyana. Ali’s
aspiration for youths which has two components was disclosed as he delivered the New Year’s
Address to the Nation.
The President said he wants to create new educational and work opportunities for young
professionals in the country. The intention, Ali noted, is for young people to gain experience and
to become educated and trained to be owners and managers of all sectors of the Guyanese
society, especially the emerging oil and gas sector. “The ground must be ready now for young
Guyanese to assume those positions regardless of their race, colour or creed,” he said. President
Ali continued, “The Ministers of Government have already been advised to implement policies
throughout their ministries and departments and in the award of scholarships and the building of
training institutions to this effect.”
Ali pointed out that in the second component of the plan, he will be holding meetings and
engaging with individually organised groups of young people including youth arms of all
political parties. He stressed that the meetings, will start as soon as they can be arranged. “I want
to hear their views. I want to learn how they think. We should shape the future of our ‘One
Guyana’. I want to dialogue with them about the kind of country they wish to inherit and how
they will advance it. The next generation must be better than this one. If not, our country will
regress, not progress,” President Ali said. The Head of State continued, “When I look at my little
son in all his innocence, I want the best for him. One that is free of racism, discrimination and
violence. One that is firmly set on the path of harmonious relations and equity for all Guyanese. I
know, that every parent wants the same thing for their children.”
A brighter future together
Ali took the opportunity to call out the APNU/AFC for what he said as their attempt to stop the
passage of the Natural Resource Fund Act in the National Assembly on Wednesday. Ali noted
that the actions of the opposition was not only a violent assault on democracy, but a blatant
disrespect for the highest law-making institution of the country. President Ali however noted that
he will not be distracted from the goal of building a “One Guyana” in which all Guyanese enjoy
equality of opportunity and a pathway to prosperity. “I have said it before, and I say it again now
– I do not want a rich Guyana of poor people. Yes, Guyana must be rich so that never again
should we be among the poorest in the world; never again should our poor have to be nomads,
seeking survival in other parts of the world; never again must we be subjected to insults and
contempt,” the President declared.
He added, “I also say this, whenever old, outdated and outmoded expressions of racism and
division raise their ugly heads, what renews my hope and strengthens my resolve is our young
people who, like me, have different more productive attitudes, beliefs and openness about our
way forward.” President Ali also called on all Guyanese who are not yet vaccinated to overcome
their fears. He said that evidence, both locally and overseas indicate that the vaccines save lives
and give protection against new variants such as Omicron.Further, Ali noted that COVID-19 has

disrupted the supply chain causing an increase in cost of goods imported. He said that his
government has started to implement measures to ease the burden.
Additionally, the President pledged that his government will lose no time in seeking ways to ease
the strain on the people of Guyana. He added, in collaboration with the private sector,
government will roll-out strategies early in the New Year to alleviate the problem.