The following is the full text of a statement from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security in response to an article published in Stabroek News on the Audit Report for WIIN:
“The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is disturbed by the numerous inaccuracies, serious flaws and significant omissions within in the Performance Audit of the Women’s Innovation And Investment Network (WIIN) Programme for the period January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022 by the Audit Office of Guyana.

Since its launch in 2021, WIIN has revolutionised access to training for women across Guyana, offering the first-ever free hybrid model with zero entry requirements. This programme, unprecedented in its scope and impact, ensures that women in every region—regardless of background or circumstance—can gain valuable skills through the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute.

WIIN directly aligns with this government’s unwavering commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, breaking down barriers that have long kept many women from opportunities for advancement. It stands as a bold and transformative initiative that challenges the status quo and expands opportunities for all.

During the period under review, 6,203 women were trained under the WIIN Programme (2,170 in 2021 and 4,033 in 2022), surpassing the target of 6,000 persons for that period. With an investment of $185.5 million over two years, including $64 million allocated to WIIN in 2021, the initiative focused on strategically training women in several areas which are needed in the country and aligned to diverse sectoral initiatives to drive women’s empowerment and economic independence.
Although extensive documentation and information for the said period were provided, it is disappointing that the report contains many unsubstantiated conclusions. It begs the question as to whether the report is framed negatively to diminish the tangible impact that this programme has on the lives of

thousands of Guyanese women. No doubt there was, and will be room for improvement, as this is a new programme, a three-year old, programme, which continues to evolve and expand.
While the report acknowledges the significant progress made since WIIN’s inception, it undermines these achievements with skewed, overly negative conclusions. Instead of giving due credit to the transformative impact of this programme, the report distorts the narrative, diminishing the strides made and failing to recognise the full scope of WIIN’s success.

It is crucial to correct the inaccurate and misleading conclusions presented in this report.
When WIIN commenced in 2021, the Audit Report failed to document the dilapidated state of GWLI at the time the new administration took over in 2020. It overlooked key issues such as the defunct kitchen and computer lab, damaged infrastructure, leaking roof, lack of staff equipment, and the fact that only one technical staff member was employed.

While the report concluded that the physical environment and facilities were adequate, this was not the case during the audit period. The report fails to consider that the photos presented were taken at the end of 2023, after significant repairs and enhancements were made, and overall upgrades done GWLI.

None of these were inherited in 2020 and these occurred during and beyond the audit period and were a direct result of the ministry’s efforts to improve the institute’s facilities.
This context is critical in highlighting the significant transformation by 2022, including ongoing staff increases to meet the programme’s needs.
During the audit period, the ministry worked diligently to build capacity and recruit staff within the existent structure approved by the Public Service Ministry (PSM). The audit overlooks the significant impact of COVID-19, which disrupted recruitment, training, and operations well into 2021. These delays, directly tied to the pandemic, were not once considered in the report.

The report underplays the board’s role in providing oversight and guidance to ensure that programs were aligned to the institute’s long-term objectives during the audit period
The audit report adopts an overly narrow and simplistic view of vulnerability, focusing exclusively on unemployed single-parent women. Vulnerability encompasses a much wider range of groups, such as women with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, and those from impoverished communities.
By limiting its definition, the report overlooks the full scope of the ministry’s targeted efforts. Consequently, the 16 per cent figure presented is both misleading and incomplete, making the overall conclusion flawed and inaccurate.
Furthermore, the report fails to provide any data, tools, or methodology used to arrive at this 16 per cent figure, nor does it demonstrate that the other women reached were “not vulnerable.” Without a clear basis for this calculation, the claim lacks credibility and ignores the ministry’s comprehensive outreach to diverse vulnerable groups.

No mention is made of the many women from hinterland and rural areas who benefitted from training for the first time in their lives. It further fails to acknowledge that the overall number of women trained exceeded the target, with training provided both online and directly in communities, effectively bridging the access divide.

The WIIN programme was designed as a woman-centric programme to complement, not compete with, existing vocational programmes.
The report’s assertion that there was a lack of full participation from relevant government agencies and technical and vocational institutions in the course development process is blatantly false. The ministry collaborated extensively with key stakeholders, including the Board of Industrial Training (BIT).
The training during the identified period was delivered by reputable institutions such as the University of Guyana’s Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (UG-IDCE), University of the West Indies – ROYTEC, and the Association of MBAs (ABMA) in the UK, through Nations Inc., ensuring that the courses met high standards.

The claim that the certificates awarded are of “no value” is based on an anecdotal reference from a single individual. This isolated opinion does not reflect the legitimacy of the certification, which was conducted through respected educational bodies.
The report incorrectly identifies CTVET as an accreditation body. In reality, the ministry has engaged the National Accreditation Council (NAC) for the accreditation process.

The practical value and relevance of the training provided should not be overlooked by a performance audit, as it directly contributes to the economic empowerment of women and their immediate readiness for the job market.

The audit correctly identified some inconsistencies in the database, including duplications and missing information. However, the leap from identifying these issues to concluding that the Institute has used inaccurate information to make decisions is unfounded. Minor data inconsistencies do not imply that decision-making was compromised. The Institute actively maintains a database for applicants, participants, and courses by year, course, and region, which provided a solid foundation for decision-making.
The audit report asserts that the Institute had no system in place to follow up with graduates, and therefore it could not determine whether participants progressed economically. The Institute has maintained databases for participants from 2021 to 2023, including those trained through the business incubator.

The ministry also sent letters to potential employers, encouraging them to hire graduates of the programme. Contrary to the audit’s findings, these systems do exist, and while improvements are being made, they reflect our commitment to supporting participants’ post-training success.
The audit fails to capture the full scope of the ministry’s efforts, overlooking key improvements made to expand access, provide hands-on training, and ensure job readiness. Our commitment to addressing any gaps is unwavering, but it must be made clear that the audit’s skewed conclusions misrepresent the programme’s actual progress and impact.

The ministry continues to push forward, developing practical solutions that not only tackle identified issues but also build a stronger foundation for future growth, reaching even more women across the country. The ministry hopes that the observations presented of the current report are taken into consideration and looks forward to a fair and balanced evaluation that reflects the true value of the WIIN programme.”