PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali’s meeting with Permanent Secretaries and Deputy Permanent Secretaries on Friday shows the kind of strong leadership Guyana needs as it enters a new era.
By setting clear expectations for modernising government services through a fully digitised framework, the President shows that the PPP/C administration knows how to govern in the 21st Century.
This isn’t just about managing the administration; it’s about building the nation. Focusing on customer service, efficiency, transparency, and results sends a strong message that bureaucratic delays and the “royal run-around” are things of the past.
When the President insists that transformation must remain focused on people, with reliability, efficiency, and timely delivery as guiding principles, he expresses a vision that prioritises citizens over bureaucrats.
What makes this approach particularly impressive is how it fits well with the broader Digital Guyana strategy that has been gaining momentum in 2025. The government’s commitment to the Citizen Portal, AskGov AI assistant, and sovereign AI cloud shows that Ali isn’t just talking about modernisation; he is putting it into action.
The recent appointments of Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, Roger Rogers, Duan Ellis, and Dr. Erica Forte to key permanent secretary positions indicate that fresh leadership will drive this digital change.
Critics might call this political talk, but the results speak for themselves. The Ali administration has already delivered on biometric ID cards, paperless airport systems, and integrated 3D geographic information systems.
These are not just promises; they are achievements that are changing how Guyanese interact with their government.
The timing of this meeting, as part of Ali’s transition into his second term, highlights the urgency and priority given to public service reform. By making digitalisation a key part of his renewed mandate, the President is ensuring that Guyana’s rapid economic growth leads to real improvements in citizens’ daily lives.
This is the kind of forward-thinking governance that will position Guyana as a regional digital leader, and ensure that prosperity reaches every citizen.