Some 27 organisations representing Afro-Guyanese communities across the country have each received $1.8 million to advance their empowerment projects. This is the second tranche of payment being disbursed under Government’s purview.
The cheques were handed over during a simple ceremony held on Saturday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC). It saw the attendance of Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips; Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr; and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips has said the Government of Guyana has taken decisive steps towards promoting inclusivity and empowerment of Guyanese of African descent through funding initiatives aimed at supporting cultural organisations and community-driven projects.
These recipient organisations had previously submitted proposals for projects focused on the empowerment of Guyanese of African descent across the country, and the Prime Minister emphasised the Government’s commitment to a people-centred approach by stating, “We believe in people-centred policymaking and policy implementation. We had to ensure that we have a system in place where you can approach this Government, as leaders in the African Guyanese community, and say that these are programmes, these are projects that we feel will aid in the advancement of our people.”
Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips; Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson; and Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, posing with some of the recipients on Saturday
This initiative, he said, aligns with the United Nations’ proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024), adopted by the UN General Assembly in Resolution 68/237 in December 2013.
Phillips strongly criticised the former management of funds intended for the Afro-Guyanese community, noting that, previously, a large portion of the funding was allocated to administrative costs, resulting in only a few groups receiving a small amount in funding. This, he noted, is in contrast to the current Government’s approach.
“Today, there is no longer a large percentage of the allocation going towards administrative costs, since this cost is absorbed within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport’s operating budget,” he disclosed.
In recognising the importance of transparency and accountability, the Prime Minister called on the organisations to implement their projects and programmes in a transparent manner, ensuring value for money and maintaining open communication between the Government and community groups.
“We want to hear about success. If there are any problems along the way, come back to us. We are ready to listen and to help, because we, as a collective – Government and you, our African Guyanese communities – we are interested and focused in the advancement of our people, all the people of Guyana…advancing the cause and empowering Guyanese of African descent, and fostering an environment in the wider Guyanese society of shared prosperity and progress for all Guyana,” the Prime Minister has said.
Securing these funds allows various groups to tackle critical needs. From agriculture to healthcare and training, these projects would directly benefit the community of Guyanese of African descent, who have expressed their deep appreciation for this move.
Dr Ruackel Easton, who represented the Association of People of African Descent, has said his group would utilise the funds to offer medical supplies and services to vulnerable persons in underdeveloped communities.
“The funds will be used towards a health outreach programme to as much of the demographic that we can cover. We have many other projects that we will be doing, and thanks to the help of the Government, we will be able to facilitate all of these other projects,” he told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Another beneficiary, Rojeria McWatt, who was representing the Afro-Guyanese Union, said the funds would advance the group’s cultural sensitisation outreaches.
“This will help us to host events that will sensitise the general public about what the Afro-diaspora in Guyana has to offer in terms of dance, fashion, performing arts…because we, as a people, have much to offer,” she explained.
The African Renaissance Outreach will champion the cause for increased civic engagements with a strong focus on social justice, according to its Chairman, Elisha Ali.
“The money will benefit the African diaspora in Guyana immensely, because we will be able to give back to our communities. We plan on promoting civic engagements within the community,” he said.
Ali noted that before this intervention by the Government, the organisation relied on fundraisers and donations to advance its programmes.
Funding was allocated within national budgets to support this initiative. In 2018, $68.4 million was allocated to the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G). Subsequently, funding increased to $100 million annually from 2019 through 2022.
In 2023, Government allocated another $100 million to support a total of 55 groups, of which IDPADA-G is a part.
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