By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
Opposition Member of Parliament and Leader of Forward Guyana, Amanza Walton-Desir, has described the latest poverty findings from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) as a national wake-up call, warning that Guyana risks a deep social and economic crisis if urgent, decisive action is not taken.
According to the IDB’s recent report, approximately 58 percent of Guyanese are living in poverty, while 32 percent fall within the category of extreme poverty. Walton-Desir said the figures paint a troubling picture that demands a comprehensive and coordinated national response.
She stressed that Guyana urgently needs a clear and credible poverty-reduction strategy—one that goes beyond short-term relief and directly tackles long-standing structural challenges within the economy.
Walton-Desir argued that the country’s oil wealth must be distributed more equitably, noting that strengthening the national currency and investing in sustainable economic development are essential pillars of poverty alleviation. She emphasized that vulnerable groups must receive structured, ongoing support rather than temporary interventions.
The opposition leader warned that as Guyana undergoes rapid economic transformation, many citizens risk being left behind if key institutions fail to operate in the interest of all Guyanese. She cautioned that without accountability, citizens could become second- or third-class participants in their own country.
She also underscored the importance of citizen engagement, calling on the public to hold government accountable—not out of anger or retaliation, but out of responsibility to future generations.
While acknowledging that cash grants and social assistance have value, Walton-Desir said they cannot replace long-term solutions. She insisted that by January 2026, Guyana must have a sustainable poverty-alleviation framework in place, grounded in deep systemic and economic reforms.
Walton-Desir warned that a continued reliance on handouts risks fostering dependency, leaving citizens perpetually vulnerable and reliant on the goodwill of those in power rather than empowered through opportunity and economic security.
