A five-year strategic plan for social cohesion is almost completed, Minister of Social Cohesion Amna Ally has reported to the National Assembly.
In her presentation on the 2017 national budget on Wednesday, Ally informed the House that the 2017 to 2021 strategic plan is the result of a series of consultations in all 10 administrative regions. The consultations, she said, were made possible with the financial assistance of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to facilitate the development of the plan.
Ally said the approach was taken to ensure that a significant mass of citizens from all regions was duly consulted to make inputs into the plan. The aim was to ensure that citizens participated in determining the focus and direction of Guyana’s social cohesion process. These included stakeholders from Regional Democratic Councils, Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, faith-based organisations, non-governmental bodies, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Fire service, the Guyana Defence Force and youth groups. She pointed out that the response received from participants was overwhelming and applauded their efforts for contributing effectively and efficiently during the consultation process.
Ally added that the plan’s implementation “will bring us one step closer to achieving an enabling environment where persons are willing to embrace our unique diversities, and where we will support key actions that will replace confrontation with cooperation, facilitate the reduction of inequalities, and promote greater tolerance and acceptance, mutual respect and improved livelihoods for all.”
Ally also highlighted the programmes that her ministry has “rolled out” since its establishment 18 months ago.
She also noted that since the coalition government took office in 2015, there has been increased access to transportation services for students throughout Guyana. “This sharp rise is an output of H.E President David Granger Five B’s progamme – ‘Boats, Buses, Bicycles plus Breakfast and Books’ – that sets out to bridge the inequality gap that exists in our society in terms of access to education,” she said.
At this stage, opposition People’s Progressive Party/Civic Chief Whip Gail Teixeira pointed out that the government acquired the buses through donations. Ally lashed back, saying Teixeira could not do that in her time. When reprimanded by Speaker Barton Scotland, Ally responded with a smile, “Sir, the Chief Whip is tantalising me and I can respond to her.”
She informed the House that “the President initiated this programme because he strongly believes and recognises the importance of having an educated nation. That simply means access to education must no longer be seen as a privilege for some but rather a basic human right for all our Guyanese boys and girls.”
