Bettering the lives of many Guyanese in 2011 
A GINA feature 

THERE were remarkable developments in all the departments of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security in 2011. Several of the ministry’s initiatives blossomed such as the Women of Worth (WOW) Programme, the Family Court was completed, the Night Shelter expanded and construction progressed on the Homeless Shelter at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice. 
The lives of senior citizens and other vulnerable groups including children and women were bettered. The labour sector monitored workplaces, increased training and undertook outreaches to several parts of the country. 
The Ministry , which was for most of 2011 under Ministers Priya Manickchand and Manzoor Nadir got  two new Ministers following the recent General and Regional Election: Ms. Jennifer Webster  with portfolio for  Human Services and Social Security, and Dr Nanda Gopaul responsible for Labour.

OLD AGE PENSION AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
Government’s commitment to alleviate poverty was furthered as pensioners received an increase of 14%, affording about 44,000 pensioners a $7,500 monthly grant in addition to a water bill waiver of $8,000 each. The Ministry made it easier for pensioners to receive their pension books by taking the distribution to areas close to their homes.

SHELTERS 
The Night Shelter at Arapaima Street, East La Penitence was expanded to accommodate more residents with the aim of reintegrating them into society. The Shelter was initially established to provide sleeping accommodation for the homeless, but was transformed into a safe haven for more than 200 homeless persons, on a 24-hour basis, providing three meals, and medical and rehabilitation services.
Meanwhile, construction began on a 300-bed residential centre for rehabilitation and reintegration at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice ,as well in 2011, that will take care of the homeless on the streets.

WOW 
The single parent training programme was broadened allowing over 400 more single parents the opportunity to become marketable.
With skills achieved, single parents were also afforded the opportunity to improve their financial status through the revolutionary single parents’ micro credit Women of Worth (WOW) programme.
The programme provided the opportunity for more single parents to improve their financial status and to make significant contributions to economic development by having access to loans ranging from $100,000 to $250,000 to establish and expand small businesses. 
The programme is a collaborative initiative between the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI).  
The WOW department at the Ministry, by December 2011, had issued about 1,160 loans, valued in excess of $224M, to single parents since its inception in 2010. 
In addition to this, single parents who were registered with the Ministry in 2009 continued to received grants for daycare expenses so they could have remained employed.

PROTECTION FOR THE VULNERABLE 
Guyana’s children today enjoy a special place on the agenda of the PPP/C government, as more resources were invested in 2011 for further promotion of children’s rights. Amendments were made and bills passed in the National Assembly, including the new Child Development Act of 2011.
This act will provide for the licensing and monitoring of children’s facilities including day care centres and play groups.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
The Ministry over the past five years stepped up its fight against domestic violence, through several initiatives such as the National Domestic Violence oversight committee, White Zone and the Skeldon Declaration.
These programmes were further promoted in 2011 with the provision of more technical assistance and referral services such as legal aid to survivors of domestic violence. In December, new President Donald Ramotar indicated that his government will take a ‘no nonsense’ approach to dealing with the issue.
In 2011, scores of men and boys, aged 14 years, from Berbice signed onto the Skeldon Declaration, indicating their commitment to help put an end to domestic violence in all its forms  wherever it exists.
This strategy was a collaborative effort between the Ministry and non-governmental organizations, including the Men Empowerment Network that cleared the path for the launching of the historic White Zone, a place of neutrality, at the Wakenaam cottage hospital, where vulnerable persons, especially women and children, can seek help and protection from human predators.

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS
Feminition, the brain child of former Minister Priya Manickchand, provided women from across the country the opportunity to further promote their talents and creativity while tapping into economic gains during the three-day event. It brought out the wide range of talents of women and created business linkages.

CHILD PROTECTION AGENCY 
This historic venture that was initiated by the Administration in 2009 as part of the move to further protect the well-being of children in Guyana was further strengthened in May 2011 when the Child Care and Protection Agency moved into a $25M head office at the corners of Broad and Charles Streets, Charlestown 
The agency was actively monitoring foster homes and orphanages, and implementing policy with regards to adoption, custody, guardianship and maintenance of children.
In December, the Child Care and Development Agency also held its first review conference to appraise and examine its operation procedures, achievements and challenges of the Agency and formulate strategies for the coming year.    
The Agency also trained more social workers to further enhance the human resources capacity.

FAMILY COURT 
Guyana’s first family court has been completed, albeit some delay in its operationalisation.
This facility will allow adults and children to seek redress, and where family law issues can be discussed in a specialized manner such as divorce, division of property, domestic matters, adoption, guardianship and custody.
A committee has been established and is currently working to formulate laws and regulations for its speedy operation. 

THE PALMS 
The welfare of senior citizens has always been a major priority for the PPP/C Government hence the constant maintenance and upkeep of the institution was critical in 2011.  New recreational facilities, including a gym, a library, and canteen facilities were installed to keep the residents healthily occupied.

LABOUR 
The Labour Ministry emphasised training, job services, public education and heightening awareness of labour standards, prevention of child labour and HIV and AIDS in the workplace.
Government has been working continuously to ensure workers’ rights are respected, labour laws are strictly observed and interventions are made when employers fail to honour their obligations. 
Today the country’s Labour Laws provide a measure of guarantee through procedures and institutions, for the maintenance of a stable industrial relations environment. 

BIT TRAINING 
The Ministry continued with its aggressive training programmes to allow more youths to develop their potential under the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment (NTPYE) and the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) which has been providing thousands with the opportunity to acquire a skill. 
The programme was designed to specifically target school leavers and school dropouts to ensure that they are equipped with skills that will make them employable in areas such as Heavy Duty Equipment, Garment construction, Information Technology, catering and masonry.  
Almost 2,000 youths were trained by the Ministry during the year.

HIV/AIDS  in the workplace
In ensuring that the workforce is protected, and that stigma and discrimination against HIV/AIDS in the workplace is removed, the Labour Ministry continued the promotion of its national HIV/AIDS workplace programme which saw many businesses and workplaces committing to being equal opportunity employers.

ERADICATING CHILD LABOUR
The Ministry also continued to forge partnerships with several Ministries and agencies including education, health and the Guyana Teachers’ Union to increase awareness of child labour . 
The Ministry also embarked on a child labour project to reduce truancy and increase school attendance.
Labour, Occupational Health and Safety (LOSH) 
2011 also saw the continuation of the Ministry’s outreaches to workplaces throughout the country, along the coastland as well as far reaching communities including Mahdia, Lethem, Crabwood Creek, Kwakwani, Linden, Bartica, Port Kaituma, Parika and Mabaruma, contributing to a much safer working environment.

CRMA 
The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency (CRMA), of the Labour Ministry in 2011 provided placement for hundreds seeking jobs by allowing for business persons to register their vacancies by posting information on the website.

NEW MINISTERS 
Minister Jennifer Webster, with responsibility for Human Services and Social Security, and Dr Nanda Gopaul responsible for Labour were sworn in on December 5. 
Minister Webster has pledged to work to improve the quality of life of women, children, differently-abled, and senior citizens.
In collaboration with the Chancellor of the Judiciary, she plans to bring into reality the Family Court and reform pension for senior citizens, and focus a little more on the family.
The new Labour Minister’s focus will be on “observing the modern pieces of legislations that we have already enacted to ensure they are observed and that workers, irrespective of industry, irrespective of station in life, the conditions and their employment history is one in which they will be happy and that they have an environment of peace, tranquility and see Guyana develop from strength to strength.”

 

 

 

 

Source: http://guyanachronicle.com/2011/12/30/the-social-services-sector

Although there has been an increase in the number of students attending extra lessons, this has not resulted in an increase in passes in Mathematics and English, according to new Education Minister Priya Manickchand.

She made this comment on Saturday during a meeting with parents and students at the Bush Lot Secondary School, in Region Five, which will be one of 32 secondary schools throughout the country participating in a pilot project to reverse sagging performances in Mathematics and English at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. On the same day she also visited other schools in the region as well as in Region Six that were identified to be part of the pilot project.

“Lessons have not been working as they should,” Manickchand said, while adding that the ministry has “found the solution.” According to her while there has been an increase in the pass rate for English, only 30% of the students have passed Mathematics.

She said her ministry “cannot accept that 70% of the students would fail” and that it “wants to change that.”

Parents were happy with the initiative and indicated their willingness to support the project, which was to have started from yesterday for one week during which time teachers would conduct classes in both subjects for two hours each.

Teachers also thanked the minister for initiating the project and were “confident that it would work,” providing that they get the support from the students and parents.

They also expressed a willingness to spend extra time with the students to ensure that they are successful.

Manickchand told the students that they should make the effort to go to school early in the mornings, take shorter lunch breaks or to attend school on Sundays if the teachers want them to.

She also urged the students to give up the time they spend on video games, Facebook and texting during the examinations period and focus on getting good grades.

If they should text, she said, it should be in proper English and they should also “start thinking in English.”

The parents were also encouraged to spend more time with their children and avoid giving them too many chores so they can spend more time with their books.

To this end, each student from schools selected for the project would be given a study package that consists of items such as text books, past examination papers and “DVD players that revise the entire programme.”

 

 

 

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/news/guyana/12/20/extra-lessons-not-working-to-boost-math-english-scores/

Following discussion Thursday with head of various schools from Regions 3, 4, 7 and 10 at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD), new Education Minister Priya Manickchand visited Region 3 where she met with parents, students and teachers from several schools, including Leonora, Stewartville and Zeeburg Secondary. 

The meeting was aimed at informing students and parents about the new initiative being undertaken by the government through the Ministry, to further improve students’ performance at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate, in mathematics and English.
Minister Manickchand said that the programme, which is being piloted in 32 secondary schools, is aimed “to improve the mathematics and English performance nationally…the schools were selected based on their previous results at the examination (CSEC) which shows that they have a foundation that could propel us to an average pass rate to about 50/60 percent”.
She said each student in the identified schools will be supplied with all the relevant learning materials, including scientific calculators, math and English text books, past examination papers, revision DVDs and geometry sets.
Teachers too, will be provided with special curriculum guides and syllabuses.
“In the remaining four months before the CSEC, we are hoping to focus on the areas where students have been the weakest …and I am confident that this new pilot programme will bear fruit,” Minister Manickchand said.
She urged parents and students to combine their efforts with government’s in making the programme a reality.
In an invited comment to the Government Information Agency, Minister Manickchand said that the feedbacks received from parents, teachers and students were positive.
“Once this programme works, it will be rolled out to every single secondary, starting from the Form Four, (grade 10)…based on the feedback teachers were hungry for this type of initiative, teachers are so passionate to see their students doing well,” said Minister Manickchand.
The Education Minister also met with teachers from the region, where she addressed several issues including furniture and the teaching curriculum.
Minister Manickchand visited schools in Region 2 today to meet with parents and teachers.

 

 

Source: http://guyanachronicle.com/2011/12/17/minister-manickchand-visits-region-3-schools-involved-in-new-pilot-project

A five-month long pilot project will be introduced in 32 secondary schools throughout the country to reverse sagging performances in Mathematics and English.

New Education Minister Priya Manickchand an-nounced the initiative at a meeting with head-teachers, heads of department and teachers at the National Centre for Education Resource Development (NCERD) on Thursday, saying that it is intended to increase pass rates by 20%.

To this end, Manickchand assured that the over 4,000 Fifth Form students, who will be sitting the 2012 CSEC exams and teachers, will be given all the resources they need to be able to succeed.

This year the achieved pass rate for English A was 60.8 percent as compared to 59.2 percent in 2010, while in Mathematics there was a decrease from 34.5 percent to 30.4 in 2010—a range that is in line with the pass rate in Trinidad, Jamaica and Barbados.

“The education sector has seen large investments, in fact the largest in terms of the resources that are plugged into the ministry, but we are not seeing the corresponding results proportionate to the investment made particularly in core subjects like Mathematics and English,” Manickchand was quoted as saying by the Government Information Agency (GINA).

She added that failings in these subjects would mean that a lot of doors in education and in jobs would be closed to Guyanese children.

GINA noted that the Education Ministry has long recognised that student performances, particularly in Maths and English A, have been an area for concern and it has implemented several initiatives to improve performances.

These include the special training for Maths and English teachers via the Non-Graduate programme, workshops with subject specialists, strengthening the Maths programme at the Cyril Potter College of Education, and the institutionalisation of the remediation programme.

The Ministry, GINA noted, will be ensuring that the students participating in the pilot get all the required resources, which include for texts, study guides, past CSEC papers, among other things. In specific schools, assistance will also be given for English B (Literature).

Some of the schools identified to be in the pilot project include Abram Zuil and Aurora, in Region 2; Stewartville, Leonora, and Zeeburg, in Region 3; Annandale, Covent Garden, and Bladen Hall, in Region 4;  East Ruimveldt, North Georgetown, Brickdam, and Richard Ishmael, in Georgetown; Bush Lot, Bygeval, and Woodley Park primary-top, in Region 5; Tagore, New Amsterdam Multilateral, and Skeldon Line Path, in Region 6; Three Miles in Region 7; St. Ignatius, in Region 9; and Mackenzie High, Silver City, and Christianburg, in Region 10.

The selected schools were chosen on the basis that their results were good in 2010 and 2011, GINA said, while noting that Manickchand and a team of ministry officials are currently visiting the schools to emphasise the importance of students committing to working towards attaining success.

Meanwhile, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam recalled that over a year and a half ago 110 secondary head teachers had met at the same location, and a call was made for the development of a different approach in preparing students for CSEC, particularly in Maths and English. Sam, GINA said, pointed to changes implemented since then, including schools committing to a more robust remediation programme, and teachers giving more of their time to students who need additional support.

 

 

 

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/news/guyana/12/17/pilot-project-introduced-to-boost-csec-mathsenglish-pass-rates/

NEWLY appointed Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, has introduced a bold new initiative, geared towards improving performance levels in Mathematics and English at the Caribbean Entrance Examination Certificate (CSEC).
According to Minister Manickchand, the pilot project will be implemented in 32 selected schools from several regions, over the next five months, and will include intense interactions among students, parents and the teachers of the two critical subject areas, with the Education Ministry being the facilitating body.

This is one of the new minister’s initiatives, geared towards transforming the country’s Education Sector.
The project was launched yesterday as the minister met with the various subject teachers, heads of department and education officers at the National Centre for Education and Resource Development (NCERD).
Alluding to the details of the project, she said, “This project is aimed at taking up percentage passes in Mathematics and English by at least 20 percent in the next five months, and we are going to make sure you and the children have all the resources you need, for the next five months. If we stick to this programme, with the resources, we could see at least a 20 per cent increase in the national pass mark.
The minister explained that each of the 4,000 students and their teachers, who form part of the programme, will be given the necessary tools, including texts, study guides, revision DVDs, combined past papers from 2008 to 2011, and the stationery needed to make the project a success.
As to the need for such action, Manickchand highlighted that, though the education sector has seen large investments from the government, there still have not been the corresponding results proportionate to the investments made, particularly in core subjects like Mathematics and English, even though the English results over the past two years have been quite impressive.

“If children cannot matriculate in these two subject areas, a lot of doors are going to be closed to them. We need to make sure this changes, and part of the problem may be because confidence level as a country is low, because we have been doing so poorly in the area.”
In this regard, Minister Manickchand, emphasized that for the programme to be successful, all stakeholders need to be fully committed to the task at hand.
She said, “This is only going to work though the collaborative effort of all involved, it is a partnership among the teachers, the government, parents and the students. I believe that if you have all of the resources and our kids have all of the resources, it is possible in the next five months; it is up to us to show the world and the country that if you put the effort in, with the support of the government with resources, good grades in Mathematics and English are possible.
Minister Manickchand, reiterated the Education Ministry’s support towards the success of the pilot project and expressed the confidence that, with the commitment required, it can become a model for the rest of the Caribbean.
Decisive Factors
According to the minister, the 32 schools chosen are among those which recorded exemplary results at the 2010- 2011 CESC Examinations, and the teachers there would have also received training in Mathematics and English.
Alluding to the advantages of this, she said, “This indicated that those schools had a foundation on which to work. The children working in 2012 already have the foundation, and with the added work during the next five months, they will be able to pass the two subjects. Anything you do consistently for five months, you will see results, I know this will work.”
The 32  schools involved in the programme were chosen from Regions 2 (Pomeroon/ Supenaam), 3 (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), 4 (Demerara/ Mahaica ), 5 (Mahaica /Berbice ), 6 (East Berbice /Corentyne), 7 (Cuyuni Mazaruni), 9(Upper Takatu/ Upper Essequibo) and 10 (Upper Demerara/ Upper Berbice ) .
Minister Manickchand and a team from the Education Ministry will be conducting a series of visit to the selected schools over the next few days, to impress upon those involved the importance of full participation in the pilot project.

 

 

 

Source: http://guyanachronicle.com/2011/12/16/minister-manickchand-launches-bold-new-education-initiative

nclusive education has been given a great deal of prominence in the Ministry of Education as part of its intent to foster improvement and expansion of the educational services offered in Guyana.  This notion was disclosed by Chief Education Officer, Mr. Olato Sam, recently.  However, he asserted that this area demands greater focus largely because of the paucity of available options for various under-served groups within the society.  As a result, Special Needs Education in particular is seen as one of the main points of focus for the Ministry’s Strategic Plan.  He emphasized the importance of ensuring that a clear policy in this area is developed for the education system and more importantly that the range of required services are given special attention for improvement.
“To this end we have developed a Special Needs Education Unit within the National Centre for Resource Development (NCERD) that is now mandated to manage the implementation of our policies and plans and to further our broad objectives for greater inclusiveness.”
The new department, according to Sam, is currently being headed by Ms. Karen Hall.

In fact, he disclosed that Special Needs Education has now been established as an area of specialization at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) so that “we can now have more teachers adequately prepared with the requisite skills and knowledge to further these efforts in our school system.”
In this regard, he said that there is need for this area to be afforded more support and focus even as he amplified that the education system needs to be retooled, restructured and reoriented to ensure that inclusivity is embedded into the everyday practice and not be regarded as an adjunct programme. “That means the streaming of a range of services currently placed within the category of Special Needs is inevitable if we are to meet our mandate of modernizing the education system. We have a long way to go but it is our wish that centers like the Open Doors will be more intricately linked to the standard operation structures within the Ministry of Education, receiving the required resources and support to ensure their viability,” Sam noted.
Moreover, the Chief Education Officer alluded to the genuine need that exist both human and material resources needed to meet the outlined objectives of the Ministry.  “At times we at the Ministry of Education feel a bit overwhelmed, largely because we are all too cognizant of the limited and material resources available…” But according to Sam this shortcoming does not in any way daunt the spirit of officials within the Ministry, adding that in fact “what is compels us to do is to forge stronger partnerships with entities which can assist filling the gaps where necessary. Our experiences have taught us that such partnerships work effectively and the success of the Open Doors Centre is one glaring example of that.”
It was just recently, too, that head of the Open Doors Center, Mr. Arthur Lewis, named the introduction of Continuous Vocation Education and Training (CVET) as a strategic move to gaining the support of the Education Ministry in order to secure trained staffers and other assistance to aid the delivery of education to disabled trainees.  It is Lewis’s belief that once the operation of the entity, which is designed to cater to the educational needs of persons with disability, is on par with the requirements of the Ministry of Education much needed assistance will be forthcoming.
He shared his optimism that the officials in the Ministry will recognize that the organization is in dire need of persons with a passion for education and development to help solve its existing staffing problem.  “We need persons who have a passion for training and education to get on board with us.  At the moment most of our staffers are on part-time employment.  We need persons to come on board as full time instructors…” he insisted.
The Open Doors Centre got on stream in 2001 as a project and three years later it was handed over to the Ministry of Health after which it was transformed to a full-fledged educational institution. The entity has as its aim the need to promote and help improve the lives of young persons with disability.

 

 

 

Source: https://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2011/12/12/education-ministry-promotes-inclusive-education/

THE Education Ministry and the Guyana Telephone & Telegraph Company (GT&T) will be working closely, through a collaborative effort, to enhance the capabilities of children with the aim of fostering literacy in Guyana. 
This was announced last week by the GT&T’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Yog Mahadeo and the newly-sworn Education Minister, Ms. Priya Manickchand at the inauguration of the schools literature ‘Know your stuff’ quiz competition, in the boardroom of the telephone giant on Brickdam, Georgetown.
The initiative, the brainchild of educator, Dr. Joyce Jonas, is one that seeks to build the minds of young persons in the field of literature through a creative and fun-filled way.
Jonas, who is known to have a deep interest in this area of study pointed out that this new venture is something she is passionate and excited about.
“I find this very exciting… I am passionate about life and literature is about life. I believe that one of the best subjects students can study is literature, because it is life-based but it should be fun and that is what the competition is about,” she told the media.
The students, who will be participating in the contest, will be drawn from the fourth forms and it is her belief that it will work smoothly with regards to any upcoming examinations, especially the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (SSEE).
Jonas said one of the main goals of the exercise is to encourage children to be focused on the elements of the quiz, so that they can be well prepared for any challenges they may encounter during their examinations.
She said this is not intended to be extra lessons to what is being is taught at schools throughout the country. “It’s not anything extra but we will be working along with the teachers to enhance literacy capacity of students.”
Jonas said it is her hope that the innovation will be an encouragement to the other students to make a difference in the area of literature.
The literature text that will be used for the quiz are the same  that will be used for the SSEE and would require participants to do short stories and plays in relation to what they have been studying. “All of the questions will be on examination material…not all will be simple; some will be complex, like identifying a speaker from a quote that is given,” she said.

Vital part

Additionally, Jonas said that some questions will be based on the authors and their backgrounds, since this is another vital part of literature. “We want them to be a bit more informed about the syllabus and it should be done in a more creative and fun way.”
Mahadeo said: “An investment in our children is an investment in our country’s development and, moreso, the world at large and we have a very deep interest in this area of development.”
He made reference to the fact that initiatives undertaken by GT&T and the Education Ministry have been successful over the years and this will be a continuous trend in Guyana.
“Over the years, we have been working with the Education Ministry and have been very successful in our efforts. We have the spelling bee competition, which saw Guyana participating, for the first time ever, in the regional competition …what we are doing is beyond our imagination,” Mahadeo said.
He said that the company realises the importance of nation building and will continue to support any project that is being executed in relation to the development of children at all levels. “We will continue in our efforts to support nation building.”
“When we start something, we always continue to ensure there is continued development so that we can further develop our country,” Mahadeo said.
He disclosed that, in the new year, for every term there will be some sort of competition that will give students the opportunity to exercise their skills and abilities, especially from a public standpoint.
“In the new year, there will be new ideas that we still have to discuss to enhance the learning capabilities of children,” Mahadeo revealed.
He said that the quiz is another stepping stone geared towards development of education in the country and these competitions will not only enhance the minds of children but give them the opportunity to be in the spotlight and be proud of their accomplishments.
“This is going to be an annual something; it is just the beginning, we will be playing our part as the communications company to ensure that we are significant in ensuring education is delivered,” Mahadeo assured.
Minister Manickchand lauded the undertaking and said she is pleased with the steps that are being taken to enhance the education sector.
“This is one to which I am looking forward,” she acknowledged.
She reflected that, over the years, GT&T has been bringing to the table ideas and interventions that have been working to develop the minds of persons from all walks of life and the various age groups.
“We believe the education of young people in Guyana should be continuous… we will be working to ensure that it is fast tracked also,” Manickchand said.
The minister said that, while Guyana has been excelling in the sector over the years, there is still a lot of work to be done.
“We have attained universal primary education but we will be working on attaining quality in that field and also at secondary level we will be working to ensure every child has access to education,” she said.
The minister said these are just a few of the challenges that she will be working to address, so that children can be on par with the rest of the world through the education system.
Directing her attention to the literature competition, once again, she said it would also work to benefit teachers, because it will urge them to implement teaching guides that are creative, which means taking a new approach to education.

 

 

 

Source: http://guyanachronicle.com/2011/12/11/education-ministry-gtat-collaborating-on-childrens-literacy-quiz

 

 

Source: https://www.stabroeknews.com/2011/opinion/editorial/12/08/politics-and-gender/

The 20-member Cabinet team appointed by President Donald Ramotar on Monday have all promised to make their respective ministries as efficient and effective as possible so that all Guyanese can benefit.

Speaking to Guyana Times International after the appointment, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Robert Persaud said having a new ministry is a challenge, but his ministry will focus on coordinating all natural resources, taking into consideration the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). His primary objective is to “coordinate all activities within the natural resources sector, be it mining, forestry, land and environment activity…as you know, given our LCDS thrust and also the rich natural resources, the president has decided that we needed to have a more coordinated approach.”

The former agriculture minister said harmonisation is key to sustainable development of all natural resources.

“My priority is in terms of looking at harmonisation of activities and ensuring that we have proper coordination of the various strands of the natural resources sector. It is also ensuring that we have reduced conflict between different users…Harmonisation of policy, but also looking at the different activities ensuring that they do not conflict with the others — ensuring that our environment is properly managed,” Persaud stated. He said he is up to the challenge, noting that it will indeed prove difficult.

 

Award of contracts

Bishop Juan Edghill, who was appointed minister within the Finance Ministry, said his thrust is to focus on all dissatisfied citizens who have expressed concerns about not being awarded contracts and projects at varying levels, noting that justice and fairness are key.

“I think I bring to the table a level of fairness and justice and a willingness to work with all the people of Guyana,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, new Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister Anil Nandlall said he has to become acquainted with the office he now holds, noting that one of the first things he intends to do is get a “status update on the justice improvement programme”. He said he is interested in knowing at which stage it is currently and what else can be done to improve the programme.

“More importantly, my ministry would be engaged in a lot of consultations with the Bar Association; with the business community; with all the stakeholders, including, of course, the opposition members of parliament, especially those that are lawyers so that every decision I make I would try, as hard as possible, to be as consensual as possible, because we need the cooperation of all involved to take the legal system forward.”

He acknowledged that there are many problems affecting the justice system, noting that those problems must be resolved in a speedy manner.

“There are a lot of problems in the system that we have to work out and we have to get it done. That is the important thing right now. There is an agenda which I would have to look at – everything would centre on improving the quality of justice which we are dispensing to our people. That is the bottom line!”

Nandlall was asked about his succeeding Charles Ramson SC as attorney general and legal affairs minister despite the fact that he was a senior counsel. “I feel humbled that I hold such an important position not being senior counsel, but you know that that has happened all over the world…” he stated, pointing to Trinidad and Tobago as an example.

 

Workers’ rights

Another newcomer, Labour Minister Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul said he will be working towards ensuring that the rights of all workers across the board are protected.

“I will look at laws and legislation which are existing; there are modern laws, modern legislation and we are hoping that we would be able to police these laws to ensure that workers’ rights are protected and safe guarded.”

He stated, however, that it is not a case where the rights of workers are not currently protected but more needs to be done.

“Workers’ rights are protected under the existing laws; it is just that we have to work feverishly to ensure that all the areas of concerns are addressed and that people are happy at their places of work, be it in the sugar, bauxite [industries], wherever, they must feel a sense of security and a sense of belonging. We will work towards that.” Gopaul noted that “all matters which are outstanding we would like to settle; we would have all grievances resolved and we are going to work feverishly to ensure that grievances are resolved.”

 

From health to agriculture

Agriculture Minister Dr Leslie Ramsammy has committed to transforming the agriculture sector, noting that improving drainage and irrigation is a must. He said he has set up a meeting with all senior departmental heads with the aim of being briefed and he will also be visiting many of the factories while meeting farmers over the next few days.

“Clearly, we have to look at drainage and irrigation; it is a major problem if we are going to address agriculture. We have to look at more modern production methods in the country. I would be looking at all those things; it is going to be an exciting next five years for agriculture. I spent more than 10 years transforming health, and I would like now to make sure that by the time I leave this portfolio that the transformation of agriculture would have been quite advanced,” the former health minister said.

New Education Minister Priya Manickchand told this publication that she is keen on having talks with stakeholders within the education system so as to grasp an understanding of areas that need to be examined. She said, “Of course, I would really like to hear from people, parents, students, teachers about some of the things they might want to see in my term.”

Inspiring teachers to give their best, along with understanding root problems in the education sector, Manickchand said, will be her initial focus. “…the Education Ministry would have a whole host of people there who have intense experience, if we would match and mix those experiences with new ideas, then we have places to go.”

When asked whether she will miss her post as human services and social security minister she said, “It is not difficult to let go. I think Minister Webster will do a fantastic job. She is very interested in women’s issues.”

 

Now in his role

The elevation from minister within the ministry is a dream come true for Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsarran. He told this publication that he is humbled by the fact the president has chosen him to be the new health minister after years of being a minister within that ministry.

“The Ministry of Health has done a lot of good things over the past few years; we have also invested heavily in infrastructure and training. One of my immediate tasks would be to see that the Guyanese people get more out of that investment, the return on the invested dollar. I am not always satisfied that we are getting the best out of that investment, so we need to tidy up on management of the massive investment in improved infrastructure and training.”

He stressed that having more trained personnel would ensure that a better quality of service is offered to the people of the country. “I am hoping to push the principle of equity of access. Principle of equity, value for dollar, quality services and, of course, we need to have clientele satisfaction. Not all the time do we deliver the services in the manner we should. This creates disgruntlement. This needs to change,” he stated. Ramsarran, who had been responsible for regional health services across the country, stated he hopes to improve health care across the board during his tenure as health minister.

 

Homeowner vision

Housing and Water Minister Irfaan Ali told this publication that he is pleased to be retained by President Ramotar, noting that his vision to have every Guyanese become the owner of a home is quickly becoming a reality.

Ali believes that focus needs to be placed on community planning and development so as to ensure that persons at the grassroots levels can become integrally involved, contributing to sustainable communities. Besides, Ali intends to expand his ministry’s public-private partnership while enhancing educational programmes aimed at sensitising first-time homeowners.

Meanwhile, Ali, who also has responsibility for the water sector, said improving the current billing system is critical in that area. “The billing system must be improved, we are also looking at ensuring more of the population has access to treated water and also work on integrated water resource management system and also expansion of water in the hinterland communities,” he stated.

All appointed ministers thanked President Ramotar for having confidence in their work and abilities to run effective and efficient ministries over the next five years.

 

 

Source: https://www.guyanatimesinternational.com/?p=12270

President Donald Ramotar on Monday swore in a 20-member Cabinet, more than half of whom are from the Bharrat Jagdeo administration, along with five new faces and a new ministry.

“I have every confidence that this team that I have just sworn in will work. Some of them who have been here before will continue the dedication that they have shown previously in their positions and in the new positions that they will now have; and those who are coming in for the first time, I want to say that you have a good team of people, experienced enough, who will help you along,” Ramotar told a State House gathering after the ministers took their oaths of office.

The new faces include former Region Two Chairman Ali Baksh who now holds the post of minister within the Agriculture Ministry; Bishop Juan Edghill, Minister within the Finance Ministry; Dr Nanda Kishore Gopaul, Minister of Labour; and Ganga Persaud, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, a position that was held previously by Norman Whittaker following Kellawan Lall taking up a posting as Guyana’s ambassador to Brazil in July.

The fifth new face is that of Attorney Anil Nandlall who has been appointed Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Nandlall replaces Senior Counsel Charles Ramson.

Noticeably missing from the Cabinet line-up was Shaik Baksh, who previously served as Minister of Housing and Water and also Education in the Jagdeo administration.

Also overlooked for Cabinet postings were: Manniram Prashad and Manzoor Nadir who served as Tourism and Labour Ministers respectively.

Meanwhile, former Agriculture Minister Robert Persaud will head the new Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, which will operate out of the Office of the President, while former Minister of Health Dr Leslie Ramsammy has been appointed Minister of Agriculture.

Dr Bheri Ramsarran now holds the position of minister of health. Additionally, former Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand is now minister of education, and Jenifer Webster who was Minister within the Ministry of Finance now fills Manickchand’s previous post.

Those retaining their posts are: Minister of Public Works, Robeson Benn; Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett; Minister of Housing, Irfaan Ali; Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport Dr Frank Anthony; Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai; and Minister of Public Service, Dr Jennifer Westford.

Whittaker, who served a five-month stint as Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, has been shifted to Minister within that Ministry. He has been replaced by PPP stalwart Ganga Persaud, who previously served in that ministry as a permanent secretary.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, the longest-serving prime minister in the hemisphere, retains his position as Minister of Energy along with parliamentary duties.

No minister of tourism has been appointed, an announcement which Ramotar said he will make shortly.

 

 

 

Source: https://www.guyanatimesinternational.com/?p=12218President