By Tiana Cole | HGP Nightly News |
The Government of Guyana says empowering young people will remain a central pillar of its development strategy, with a series of new and expanded initiatives planned over the next five years to increase access to training, employment, entrepreneurship, and social support.
Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, outlined the administration’s youth-focused agenda while speaking on the government’s forward plans, noting that targeted investment in young people is critical to the country’s long-term social and economic development.
According to Minister Griffith, the government intends to ensure that young people in every region benefit from expanded opportunities in training, job placement, innovation, and even affordable housing. He explained that these efforts will cut across multiple sectors, including education, sports, agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship.
Among the key initiatives are specialised programmes aimed at equipping youths with practical, market-relevant skills. These include expanded Information and Communications Technology (ICT) training in remote and hinterland communities, as well as a flagship agriculture programme targeting young people interested in cultivating high-value crops as a pathway to entrepreneurship.
The minister also revealed that youth empowerment efforts will be supported by stronger social protection measures. These initiatives are intended to address growing concerns related to social media harm, gambling addiction, and substance abuse among young people, issues the government says must be tackled alongside economic development.
For Indigenous youths, the government plans to expand Civil Society Organisation (CSO) programmes, promote community-based enterprises, and strengthen village-led tourism initiatives designed to create sustainable livelihoods while preserving cultural heritage.
A major component of the youth agenda is increased access to financing. Minister Griffith announced that through the newly established Guyana Development Bank, young entrepreneurs will be eligible for zero-interest loans without the requirement for collateral, removing a significant barrier to starting and expanding businesses.
The government has already taken steps to widen access to skills training by abolishing tuition fees at government technical institutes. As a result, citizens can now access free training in fields such as ICT, hospitality, oil and gas, construction, and other modern skills aligned with the demands of today’s workforce.
The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Planning has also begun consultations with stakeholders to develop comprehensive strategies addressing youth well-being, particularly in relation to online safety, gambling, and substance abuse, as part of broader efforts to build a healthier and more resilient society.
Officials say these combined measures reflect the government’s intention to place young people at the centre of national development over the next five years.
