GEORGETOWN — Veteran businessman Harold Hopkinson, the founder of Secure Innovations & Concepts Inc, says Guyana’s economic transformation will require embracing all citizens, including LGBTQ Guyanese, rather than driving talent away.
Speaking publicly at a the European Chamber of Commerce (ECC) Guyana Chamber Day Luncheon, Hopkinson described the country as being “at a crossroads,” where old laws clash with new ambitions for global competitiveness. “We need every capable person contributing to our growth,” he said, noting that Guyana’s expanding aviation, oil, and hospitality sectors must attract, not repel, skilled workers.
Hopkinson said the country’s outdated criminal code has economic costs, pushing citizens like his own son Quincy, to seek opportunity overseas. “Discrimination hurts families and it hurts the country,” he said. “To build a modern Guyana, we must protect our human capital.”
He cited clear regional and international trends: countries that have removed discriminatory laws have gained stronger investment markets, higher labour productivity, and significant tourism growth.
Hopkinson stressed that companies and investors, including multinationals operating in Guyana, now prioritize human-rights standards in procurement and operations. “Inclusive companies build the strongest teams,” he said. “It’s the only way to stay competitive.”
The businessman, who built his company into a top security contractor serving major airlines and ExxonMobil, urged policymakers to act with urgency, saying that for Guyana to maintain momentum, it must align with global expectations. “Respect for human dignity is not politics,” Hopkinson said. “It’s a practical necessity for development.”
