—urges young people to embrace technology as gov’t accelerates digital transformation
PRESIDENT of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Chairperson of the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Kathy Smith, says young people are part of a “generational transformation”, one that is witnessing rapid technological change and shifts in the nature of work as new industries emerge.
According to Smith, digital skills are no longer optional in the world of work, as artificial intelligence (AI) and digital literacy have become core workplace competencies, even in fields such as construction, healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, finance, technology and other industries.
“I want you, young people, when you get into programmes, don’t look at them as just another programme. I want you to focus on digital transformation,” she advised.
These remarks mirror the Government’s ongoing efforts to advance digitalisation and technology-related fields.
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, in delivering the 2026 National Budget in January, said the Government’s ambitious digitalisation agenda is aimed at modernising the delivery of public services while leveraging technology to improve efficiency and transparency.
In 2026, several initiatives are expected to be advanced to realise the vision of Digital Guyana, ensuring that interactions with Government agencies are timely, efficient and responsive.
Additionally, the Government developed the MyGuyana Citizen Portal, a “whole-of-government” central gateway that will allow every citizen to access Government services, he said. The portal, together with the electronic identification (eID) card system, will enable more efficient, citizen-centred interactions.
“Mr Speaker, Government’s objective to improve the delivery of public services to every citizen, regardless of where they reside, will be achieved through the decentralisation of government services. This has already resulted in the operationalisation of Integrated Service Centres (ISCs), with the first location in Leonora and expansions to follow in other regions in 2026,” the Senior Minister said.
He reiterated that the Government’s objective is simple and clear: to ensure that basic services are easily accessible to all Guyanese.
In March, the Citizen Connect app was launched, a mobile application designed to give every citizen a direct voice in governance, making it easier for reporting of grievances to be made, track progress and receive timely updates.
Additionally, AskGov, another initiative is a 24/7 AI assistant that answers questions and guides users through government transactions. The general objective is to improve the delivery of public services to every citizen, regardless of where they reside, through the decentralisation of government services.
The Government is aiming not only to achieve universal digital connectivity but also to strengthen digital skills. To support this effort, $176.1 million has been allocated to continue the operations of the Guyana Digital School, while $2.5 billion has been allocated to expand technical and vocational education and training (TVET).
