Minister Ramson says; affirms persons living with disabilities important stakeholders in Guyana’s development, will not be left behind as country advances

By Trina Williams
AS Guyana continues along its rapid development trajectory, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, on Friday, said that persons living with disabilities (PWDs) will not be left behind in this plan but instead will serve as key stakeholders in this road to progress.
The minister made those remarks at the launch of the National Youth with Disabilities Conference, which was held at the University of Guyana, Turkeyen Campus.
“The government continues to view persons with disabilities as an integral part and an important partner in development, and will continue to consult with you in the development and implementation of programmes and policies to improve the lives of persons with disabilities,” the minister said.
He then expounded on the numerous initiatives his government has rolled out since assuming office in 2020.
With special emphasis being placed on ensuring a better quality of life for all Guyanese, according to Ramson, in 2021, over $120 million was allocated for the training of PWDs and there were also the provision of aid in different forms.

Additionally, in June 2022, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali announced the special needs one-off grant of $100,000 for children with disabilities, which benefitted over 5,000 children.
Meanwhile, in 2023, a state-of-the art disability training centre, known as the Learning Lab, opened its doors and over 200 persons living with disabilities were trained through the lab.
According to Minister Ramson, this figure is expected to double in 2024, noting: “As far as this government is concerned, every life is of equal value and that’s something that’s a philosophy that pervades all across the policies that we’re looking to enact or that are already existing.”

United States Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole D. Theriot, committed her unwavering support to the conference and its objectives.
“I’m personally really happy to be here because this event combines three of my and US government’s favourite things, empowering you, empowering people with disabilities, and furthering and enhancing democratic values…,” the US Ambassador said.

The diplomat then shifted her focus to the manner in which democracy is being upheld in Guyana and how PWDs are making their voices heard when it comes to talks of development.
“You’re showing that young people with disabilities like you must be valued and respected as equal partners in development,” she said: adding “…we must create an inclusive society that recognises and supports each individual’s equal reciprocation and to be honest, Guyana’s not the only case where we have work to do… the United States has some work to do on that as well and we are committed to doing that.”

Programme Manager of the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, Ganesh Singh, said that the conference provided a platform for discussions on the current landscape.

With that being said, they will be able to strategise ways moving forward in order to ensure that PWDs’ rights are upheld.