GOVERNMENT has emphasised the importance it places on inclusivity on national matters and its faith in accomplishing the social cohesion it speaks about.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, Friday evening during her feature address at the opening of Wedding Expo 2017 at Duke Lodge, Kingston, reiterated that the APNU+AFC government is open to both private and public sectors in its effort to take Guyana ahead.

The minister was responding to comments by President of the Guyanese American Chamber of Commerce, Wesley Kirton, who had earlier expressed concern that the relationship between the two institutions is ‘cold’.

Kirton, who chaired the ‘Wedding-expo’ program, indicated in his welcoming remarks that while the private sector is critical to the sustainable development of the country, there is some level of distrust among government and the private sector.

“I’m a little concerned about … the coldness of the relationship at this time between private sector and the government. It is critical for both sides, private sector and the government, to begin to trust one another more and to seek to work together to enhance and build the economy and to help create… but further enhance the prosperity and happiness to which the population so dearly look forward to,” Kirton stated.

He also said that even as young couples face new challenges, society has the role of reminding them of the sanctity of marriage, even as support mechanisms are needed to ensure lasting marriages and stronger families.

However, Minister Ally responded, “this government is open to work with all Guyana, be it private or public. We believe in development. We believe in love and unity and to achieve that yes, we have to work together.”

She endorsed the wedding exposition as a tourism drive, which offers a ‘one-of-a-kind experience’, a new perspective on destinations and the wedding industry here to Guyanese and visitors. Minister Ally said it gives all participants a true Guyanese experience, and continues to promote and benefit the ‘entire’ tourism industry.

“The annual showcasing of Wedding Expo will assist to move up the ranking of the preferred destination for staging weddings. There is a strong market available regionally and internationally for weddings and Guyana is a perfect and unique destination, unlike many other countries,” Minister Ally said.

She said however, that in all the joys of supporting weddings this year under the theme ‘magnificent beginnings’ the importance of promoting healthy marriage relationships must not be ignored.
“The ministry is committed to building strong relationships and families within our nation. Our responsibility as a government is to provide an integrated social development service that enhances development and improve the quality of life for all. Healthy family relationships are essential for social cohesion.”

According to Minister Ally, socialisation of the wellbeing of each child is the base from which the family can learn, work and contribute positively to society, and play integral roles in the care of the vulnerable in society, such as the disabled and elderly.

The family is the first institution of learning and is where each member can be taught to be good citizens, living in harmony with the wider society.
“It is a realistic, reasonable and sensible approach to forging what I believe is one of the most important things in our national life – that is relationship and family. Studies have shown that the strength and stability of adult relationships are vital to the wellbeing of children. If the relationship is strong then the adults are more likely to support each other through whatever challenges they face, including approaching parenting with confidence. And if they are confident parents,” she said, “then their children are more likely to succeed.”

In recognition that marriages and relationships without violence promote a stable society, Ally said her ministry actively pursues programmes and activities which promote healthy and violence-free relationships.

In endorsing the creative Wedding expo undertaking by Captain Gerry Gouveia and Roraima Airways, Minister Ally said, “Families are the building blocks of a strong nation and this government will invest in this regard.”

The exhibition, which sees several exhibitors providing various wedding services, was declared open by Minister Ally, and will run until Sunday at Roraima Duke Lodge, Kingston Georgetown.