‘Govt interested in youth development’ – Min. Ferguson
─ Min. Ferguson addresses Sand Creek, South Central Rupununi youth
─ underscores that govt is not interested in handouts, rather in sustainable youth development
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, February 26, 2019
To encourage sustainable youth development which in turn will stimulate and foster growth and increased opportunities for youth, the government, through Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Annette Ferguson, has reiterated its commitment to decreasing handouts and consistently increasing tangible programmes and initiatives.
The minister highlighted this fact to the youths at Sand Creek at the recently concluded Ministerial Outreach to the Rupununi during February 15-17, 2019.
According to Minister Ferguson, these programmes will create an environment conducive to sustainable livelihood for the nation’s youth.
‘Handouts’ create dependency and are limited, however, programmes designed to inspire and propel youth will endow tangible skills and competencies which will enable the recipients of these programmes to utilise the learned skills for an indefinite number of years.
Minister Ferguson reiterated the government’s commitment to bridging the coastland with the hinterland through educational initiatives, business and entrepreneurial programmes, telecommunications and infrastructural development.
She also highlighted the multitude of developmental initiatives currently available through several ministries including the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme by the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.
“When we came in, we recognised that what was there wasn’t working and we believe as any responsible government that rather than giving handouts to our young people we must find ways and means of devising programmes that would be beneficial to them hence the HEYS project… I know that many young people went back to their communities and they can testify what this particular programme has done for them, not only are they exposed to the training but upon completing the training, they’re certified and also given a stipend so that when they return, they can have a startup.”
She further explained that Guyanese must be watchful and must be able to differentiate between fact and fallacy, particularly in this current political season.
“We have to be very mindful with the type of information that is brought to us that is not truly reflective of what your government is doing that is why we took time off to be here so that we can share the facts, we can bring the truth and let you know what your government is doing,” she added.
The outreach to the region saw 19 ministers visiting 32 villages in just three days to listen to the concerns to residents with the aim of finding solutions.
Nateshia Isaacs
Images: Adrian Persaud