–Minister Ally tells GOAL 2026 graduates, emphasises investments in education key to sustaining national development

MINISTER of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Zulfikar Ally has underscored that Guyana’s most valuable resource is its human capital, as he addressed graduates at the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) fourth graduation ceremony.

He told the graduates that the occasion marked a milestone in their continuous journey, urging them to take pride in their achievement while recognising the responsibility that comes with their new qualifications.

“From today, you should not look back, but you should remember the hard work and commitment you have put in to get where you are today,” he said. 

Ally added that graduates are now expected to apply their skills in meaningful ways, noting: “Our country expects that you would put everything that you would have learned into making a difference, making an impact in your workplace, in your communities, and for your country.”

Ally said the graduates are entering what he described as a “new Guyana” shaped by rapid transformation, digitalisation and expanding opportunities. 

Against this backdrop, he stated that unlike previous years, access to education has been significantly widened through initiatives such as GOAL, alongside broader policy reforms in the education sector.

“You now are well equipped to face the new Guyana, the ever-changing Guyana, the digital Guyana, the modern Guyana,” he noted, adding that education is now more accessible and less financially burdensome for citizens pursuing higher learning.

He contrasted current conditions with earlier challenges, saying employment and access to tertiary education were once major concerns for many families, but argued that the situation has changed significantly due to government policies and economic expansion.

Ally further stated that Guyana’s growing economy has created increased demand for labour, pointing to expanding industries and job availability across sectors.

“The most valuable resource any country possesses is not what lies beneath its soil or offshore, it is the knowledge, the skills, and the creativity of its people,” he said. 

The minister further added that graduates must see themselves as central to national development.

He further urged them to build on their qualifications, noting that their success represents not only personal advancement but an investment in Guyana’s future as the country continues to modernise and expand its economy.