By: Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News|
GEORGETOWN, GUYANA — President Irfaan Ali has sounded a national alarm over what he describes as a “pandemic of gangs” infiltrating secondary schools across Guyana and the wider Caribbean. Speaking at the opening of the Guyana Prison Service Annual Senior Officers’ Conference 2026 on Monday, the Head of State called for an immediate, aggressive intervention to “take the bull by the horns” before a generation is lost to criminal networks.
A Regional Crisis at the School Gate
The President did not mince words, characterizing the rise of school-based gangs as a regional crisis that transcends national borders. He noted that the school yard has become a primary recruiting ground for organized crime.
- Direct Action: President Ali insisted that authorities cannot remain distant. “We have to get into our secondary schools. We have to get into those communities. We have to get into those homes,” he declared.
- Breaking the Stigma: He urged stakeholders to identify and work within “stigmatized communities” to provide alternatives to the prestige and protection often falsely promised by gang leaders.
The “Root Cause” Strategy
The President’s vision for 2026 focuses on a “prison-avoidance” model that prioritizes social intervention over future incarceration.
- Environmental Trauma: The Head of State highlighted that many youths are raised in environments “marked by trauma” and a lack of positive role models, making them vulnerable to the influence of drug traffickers.
- The “High-Powered” Group: As part of this mission, the President announced the launch of a specialized task force to integrate social services, religious bodies, and security forces to identify at-risk youths before they commit a crime.
- Early Reorientation: Targeted support and sustained mentorship were cited as the most effective tools to dismantle the spread of gang culture.
A Call to Civil Society
President Ali emphasized that the government cannot solve this issue in isolation. He called for a united front involving:
- The Religious Community: To provide moral guidance and safe havens.
- Civil Society: To lead community-based programs and vocational training.
- Parents: To take an active role in monitoring their children’s associations and social media influences.
Addressing the “Natural Attraction”
The President warned that as Guyana’s economy expands, it naturally attracts international criminal elements seeking “new grounds.” By securing the schools, the government aims to harden the nation’s “softest” targets against external criminal exploitation.
“If we can do all of this—get into the homes, the schools, and the hearts of our young people—we will be able to address this challenge at the root cause.” — President Irfaan Ali
