MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony has said the 2013 National Budget is not just people friendly, but also youth friendly,

Speaking during the debate in the National Assembly last Friday, he said Guyana has a bulging, youth demographic and it is, therefore, important to invest in that section of the population.
Anthony stated that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government has never shied away from this responsibility.
“We have embraced a true multi-sectoral approach to youth investment, because youth is too big to fit in any one ministry,” he asserted.
He emphasised that the investments also in education, health, housing, water, human services and culture, through the 2013 Budget are all in Guyana’s youth.
Anthony stated, further, that the reductions in personal income tax and property tax are substantial investments in youth, as well.
In addition, the minister indicated that his ministry will continue to maintain its regular youth programmes, which include the training at Kuru Kuru, Sophia and Smythfield.
“These have, over the years, provided both residential and non-residential training in various skill areas, allowing young people to get a second chance at an education. We give them an employable skill with which they can work on their own or get a job,” he explained.
Anthony said that his ministry continues to work with the children at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) to equip them with skills to make a better life.
He also mentioned others, such as the President’s Youth Award and the National Volunteer Platform, to which the government also gives support.
The minister disclosed that, this year, his ministry, in partnership with other stakeholders, will start a series of after-school activities, which is a community-based initiative aimed at providing young people with the opportunity to learn a sport, get involved in the arts or both.

Recently concluded
He said discussions were recently concluded with the Director of Youth Affairs of the Commonwealth Youth Programme and the latter has agreed to fund a consultant to update the National Youth Policy.
“Very shortly, the consultations on this document will start. It is my hope that, through these consultations, we will address issues such as male underperformance in the education system, youth health, youth violence, youth employment, youth voice in decision-making, teen mothers and young families, among others,” the minister said.
Continuing, he said, the ministry will, this year, finalise the structure on the National Youth Award Scheme, which would be implemented in 2014, to recognise leadership, excellence and innovation by young people.
However, he noted that, while much emphasis has been placed on young people, the best investment is yet to be made.
“If we truly believe in our young people and want to bequeath them with a precious investment for the future, then let’s come together and end the divisiveness, the pettiness that has blighted our interactions,” he suggested.
He acknowledged that a country’s culture is one of its most important assets and that Guyana, by the circumstance of its history, is endowed with a rich and diverse cultural heritage.
He reminded that, this year, too, Guyana celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Slave Uprising, the 190th anniversary of the Demerara Slave Uprising and the 175th anniversary of Indian Arrival in British Guiana.
Anthony mentioned that there are a series of events organised by the ministry in collaboration with other stakeholders, to commemorate these important historic events.
He reported that there is a new vibrancy in the area of music and that the ministry has several ongoing related outreach programmes.
Additionally, there was a major breakthrough in art with the start of the Guyana Visual Arts Competition and Exhibition under the patronage of President Donald Ramotar.
Anthony said drama is alive and well, “not only in the National Assembly, but in the whole of Guyana as well.”

Significant contribution
According to him, the National Drama Festival is making a significant contribution to the development of dramatic and theatrical arts in the country, recalling that, last February, his ministry launched the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama.
He revealed that the local museums still attract large numbers of visitors and that, last year, the ministry hosted the exhibition themed ‘India a Culture of Science.’
Anthony announced that the National Museum is, currently, hosting a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) exhibition on the Transatlantic Slave Trade.
In relation to the archaeological findings in the Berbice area, which he spoke of in the National Assembly last year, he said the preliminary demarcation of the areas of such interest has been done and work has begun on a draft Archaeological Act to protect the delicate sites.
Anthony said it is the government’s vision to have every Guyanese taking up a sport, whether as recreation or at a professional level.
He disclosed that the World Health Organisation (WHO) is predicting an increase in chronic non-communicable diseases because of inactivity and bad nutrition and said the cheap way to eradicate sitting disease is through sport.
“So we were very pleased by the generous allocation that was given to sports this year,” the minister said, referring to the budget.
He said, this year, the ministry would be spending $300M on the improvement of community facilities and he urged communities to start preparing their requests, so that, as soon as the budget is passed, the programmes can be started.
The minister revealed that, as the development of the National Aquatic Centre continues, $52M has been budgeted for the completion of a warm-up pool there.
He said $560M will be spent, this year, on the construction of stands for approximately 8,000 people at the National Synthetic Track, which would be completed by the end of 2014.
Meanwhile, Anthony, admitting that there have been “ups and downs” in Guyana’s history, said now is the time to close that sad chapter and, collectively, collaboratively, write a new one.
“This budget is the ticket to that better life; it is the way to more prosperity for all. Let us embrace it; let us support it for a better Guyana,” he appealed.