By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance hosted a high-level Anti-Corruption Roundtable on Tuesday, uniting representatives from the government, private sector, and civil society to strengthen Guyana’s collective efforts in the fight against corruption.
The event, held under the theme “Partnering to Build Resilient Public and Private Institutions in Guyana’s Fight Against Corruption,” was led by Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Hon. Gail Teixeira, who emphasized that building strong and transparent public institutions remains a national priority.
“The access to services for the public — equitable access, easy access, reduction of delays — is a critical part of reducing and preventing corruption in government circles,” Minister Teixeira said.
Teixeira highlighted that the Office of the Auditor General has intensified its monitoring and review of government agencies, noting that while progress has been made, there is still work to be done.
“When they say they have reviewed 829 contracts and only three percent were cited for overpayments, this is again a big issue,” she stated.
The minister pointed to record management and verification as recurring concerns identified in global anti-corruption reports — particularly the delays and inefficiencies encountered once matters reach the courts.
“This is a 2022 document, and I regret to say that these cases remain incomplete at the courts of Guyana,” she lamented.
Teixeira further stressed that the final stages of anti-corruption work — investigation, enforcement, and prosecution — require urgent strengthening if Guyana is to meet international standards.
“That is the issue of how these matters are addressed in the courts of Guyana because this is where we get into trouble at the international level. We can only say they are before the courts,” she explained.
The minister noted that Guyana has made significant progress in governance and transparency over the past five years, with positive assessments from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), the United Nations, and the Organization of American States (OAS).
Tuesday’s discussions are part of a broader government initiative to deepen accountability frameworks and enhance cooperation between the public and private sectors in pursuit of a corruption-free Guyana.
