–reveals security concerns no longer dominating discussions

CONCERNS about security are no longer dominating discussions among Guyanese living overseas, with questions now centred on investment, home ownership, and participation in the country’s rapid transformation, according to President Dr. Irfaan Ali during a diaspora engagement in Canada.
Addressing members of the Guyanese Diaspora at the Pearson Centre in Brampton, Ontario, President Ali said the government had received hundreds of responses ahead of the engagement, many of which reflected optimism about Guyana’s future and a growing desire among overseas-based Guyanese to contribute to development.
“We received close to 600 emails,” the Head of State disclosed. He explained that 420 of those messages were “about complementing development and sharing encouraging words”, while 159 inquiries focused on six major categories, and another 45 involved personal issues, including land disputes and neighbourly concerns.
FROM CRIME FEARS TO INVESTMENT
According to the President, the largest share of concerns submitted by diaspora members related to business investment, finance and economic development.

“Guess what is the top issue today? How can we invest? How can we be part of the development? How can we own a home? How can we be part of the building out of Guyana?” Dr. Ali said, adding that the trend signalled a major shift in perceptions of the country.
He explained that 20 per cent of the 159 inquiries fell into the business investment, finance and economic development category, while housing, land and property accounted for 16.4 per cent.
Travel, tourism, migration and diaspora affairs represented 11.9 per cent, followed by security, infrastructure and public service at 10.7 per cent. Health, education and environmental services made up 7.5 per cent of inquiries.
Dr. Ali noted that issues surrounding public trust, transparency, accountability and inclusivity accounted for 10 per cent of the concerns, while another 10 per cent focused on persons offering consultancy, technological and other professional services to support Guyana’s growth.
Reflecting on years of engagement with overseas Guyanese, the President said the decline in security concerns represented a significant turning point.
He stated, “I’ve been coming to diaspora engagement for decades, and the top issue used to be security. Today, it is the last issue on the minds of those persons. “That tells you that the story of Guyana is one that is positive and one that is transformative.”
TRACKING CONCERNS IN REAL TIME
The President also highlighted the Government’s use of technology and data to address public concerns, revealing that a digital dashboard now allows him and government officials to monitor issues raised by citizens in real time.
“Even when I’m travelling, I can see in real time every issue that is raised by any person or on any outreach by any government official,” he said.
Dr. Ali further disclosed that some attendees who submitted questions ahead of the event were already receiving responses electronically.
He announced, “By the end of today, at least 159 persons who raise an issue will receive an electronic response with advice and documentation from the Government of Guyana.”
97% OF CANADIAN INQUIRIES PROCESSED
Pointing to the effectiveness of the Government’s Diaspora Unit, the President said that since the start of the year, the unit had received 89 inquiries from Canada and had processed 97 per cent of them.
Dr. Ali said the feedback from overseas Guyanese reflected a population increasingly eager to reconnect with the country through business, property ownership and professional expertise, rather than expressing anxiety about instability.
“That tells you a story,” the President said while reflecting on the trend in diaspora inquiries. “That tells you that the story of Guyana is one that is positive and one that is transformative. And this alone tells about the different period in our history.”
The Head of State said the government’s response system has become increasingly data-driven, allowing authorities to categorise concerns and address them more efficiently. He explained that issues raised by members of the diaspora are entered into a digital monitoring system, enabling follow-ups in real time.
“We work by data. And this is what the data tells us,” Ali stated, while explaining that concerns ranging from land matters to investment opportunities are tracked and addressed through government systems.
In outlining how the Government has been responding to overseas-based Guyanese, the President revealed that many participants who submitted concerns prior to the engagement had already begun receiving replies.
“Some of you, if you check your phones and your email now, you’ll be receiving responses to your queries,” he said. “Some of you will be receiving documents.” He added that by the end of the engagement, those who raised issues would receive “an electronic response with advice and documentation from the Government of Guyana.”
A STAKE IN GUYANA’S FUTURE
The Guyanese leader also used the forum to encourage diaspora members to consider opportunities in Guyana’s expanding housing sector, particularly through investment in the planned Silica City development.
“We are building a new city. That city is called Silica City,” he said. “It is designed to be a city of sustainability, a city of wellness, a city of the future… basically, it is a city 50 years ahead of its time.”
“This is not a dream. We have already started the work in this city,” he said, noting that the first 200 homes are nearing completion and that additional investment has been secured for future phases