MINISTER of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, has emphasised the importance of social cohesion to Guyana’s development, in her message to the devotees at the Shri Samayapuran Mariamma Mandir at Ogle, Greater Georgetown on Sunday.

She also spoke of the importance of unity to nation building, and asserted that all citizens must make efforts to ensure that Guyana’s motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, is realised.

Addressing the small gathering at the mandir, Minister Ally said that President David Granger has mandated that the Ministry capitalises on every opportunity to erase the barriers of inequality, racial and other forms of discrimination and segregation, and to undertake and promote endeavours that would foster a more cohesive and cooperative society.

Minister Ally has accordingly invited religious organisations and other groups to partner with her Ministry to devise strategies to promote nationhood. Two weeks ago, Minister Ally held the first such meeting with members of the Muslim community.

A Ministry of the Presidency release said Minister Ally commended the organisers at the Ogle mandir for responding to this national call, and noted that these efforts will be successful only when groups and organisations take responsibility for facilitating and promoting such engagements.

“As a Government, we are talking about social cohesion and the need for it; but we believe (that) when the religious institutions, the churches, the mosques, the temples, the groups, the communities, and all the other organisations do what you are doing, it will make the task of the Administration less arduous,” Minister Ally declared.

She added: “It will provide an opportunity [for] people to know what social cohesion is; the advantages of having a socially cohesive society, and how we each can contribute to making our society a socially cohesive one.”

The Minister pointed out that social cohesion is about bringing people together, celebrating differences, and working together to achieve set goals for the development of Guyana. As such, each Guyanese must play his or her part in nation-building.

Minister Ally called on Guyanese to work to eradicate barriers, respect differences, and find common ground. “That is why we have the ‘Three Bs’ [plus Breakfast and Books] Programme — to ensure that children attend school and get a good education, so that they can have a level playing field for opportunities in nation-building.

“People must have a sense of belonging; people must respect each other, and be allowed to participate in their society. They must be included in the processes of development and decision-making; they must have equal access to facilities, social services, education, healthcare and job opportunities,” Minister Ally iterated.

In brief remarks, Pandit Deodatt Tillack pledged that his mandir would partner with the Government on initiatives that would benefit the citizens and the entire country.

“We want to commend the efforts of the Government for this initiative. We should all work for the good of the country. As we dedicate ourselves to our religion, we also have the right to work towards the good of the country, too. We worked selflessly under the former Administration, and we intend to work selflessly under this Government, too,” he said.

Pastor Ronald McGarrell of the Inter Religious Organisation (IRO), who was among attendees at the mandir, praised the Government’s initiative, and encouraged all Guyanese to support it. He also pointed out that Guyana’s potential can only be realised when there is national unity.