Despite setbacks Guyana’s development moving apace – Ramotar tells Guyanese forum in Canada

President Donald Ramotar told a Guyanese forum in Canada that the country’s development agenda was moving apace despite some setbacks.
He also thanked the diaspora there for their contributions towards the human development of Guyana.
Ramotar and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett flew to Canada after the Rio+ 20 conference to open Guyana’s 46th Independence Festival in Toronto, and to meet and exchange ideas with a wide-cross section of diaspora groups at a conference at Sheraton Parkway, Toronto, North Hotel on Sunday.
The forum provided an opportunity for the president as well as organisations to tell their stories, make recommendations and to highlight issues. The many participant organisations have been actively involved with volunteer projects in Guyana over the years.
International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF) Chair Winston Kassim OC provided a brief on the success of an initiative by his organisation in partnership with the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) and NASCO, to enable 160 marginalised women to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and families, by equipping them with sewing or food preparation skills.
Dr Singh’s Guyana Help The Kids project has funded the new Paediatric Ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and The Guyana Christian Charities donated 715 hospital beds.
These are just a few of the many significant contributions of the cross-section of organisations, which included school alumni and village affiliated groups.
The president acknowledged the contributions, telling participants “I want to thank all of you for staying engaged with Guyana and the tremendous work you have all been doing.” He said that Guyana has a big focus on the development of its human capital, which was a common thread among many of the projects. He further noted that a look at countries around the world which are doing better shows that it is human capital, moreso than having natural resources, makes the difference.
Guyana’s commitment to developing its human capital is reflected in the national budget. Some 30 per cent of the budget is spent on areas such as education, health, housing and water. It is also reflected in its strategy to make the means of acquiring ICT skills available to low income families who would otherwise be left behind, and it is in keeping with the push to develop hydro electric power, and to supply solar panels to those off the grid in remote locations.
President Ramotar indicated too that in recognition of the importance of the Guyanese diaspora lending their skills and resources to help less fortunate Guyanese help themselves, a diaspora desk has been set up in the Foreign Affairs Ministry. A database of skilled Guyanese who have expressed a desire to return and work in the country is being set up.