Latest update January 31st, 2025 7:15 AM
Latest News
- Exxon deal cannot be reversed – Min. Teixeira tells National Assembly
- Norton slams govt. heavy reliance on oil fund for 2025 Budget amid declining oil prices
- 67 killed after jet hits helicopter in Washington
- Man killed after concrete slab collapsed on him
- 16-yr-old girl killed by 40-yr-old lover at Baramita
Link between youth unemployment and crime rate highlighted in National Assembly
…Govt. recommits to youth development
While there has been much talk about the new administration’s apparent lack of care for the youth, based on the fact that President David Granger selected a “graying cabinet,” Finance Minister, Winston Jordan recently renewed government’s commitment to the development of Guyanese young people. 
The Minister did so as he delivered his first Budget speech to the National Assembly last week.
Government had taken a beating over for the fact that its youngest Minister is over 40 years with many young people taking this to mean that President Granger sees no place for the youth in government.
The merging of the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport with the Ministry of Education, even though APNU+AFC admitted during the election campaign that much more needs to be done for the youth, was met with disapproval. The fact that the Presidential Advisor on Youth Empowerment, Aubrey Norton, is far from being considered a youth, did not appease those who were feeling neglected.
However, the government is saying that it is still very much in favour of the youth of Guyana.
Addressing the House Speaker, Minister Jordan highlighted that youth in the national development process is critical to the long term survival of Guyana. He said that a recent study by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has put youth unemployment in Guyana to be about 40 percent, “a staggering percentage when it is considered that 60 to 65 percent of the population is aged 40 years and below.”
The Minister said that the main challenges affecting youth remain “high unemployment at every level, teenage pregnancy, single parent homes and poor wages. These manifest themselves in anti-social behaviour, such as crime and drugs, poverty and reduced life expectancy.”
In that very speech, the Minister said that the crime rate is the most distressing and depressing situation currently facing the nation. He also said that the government has therefore budgeted $21B to finance the fight against crime in Guyana.
There have already been 98 murders for the year and an alarming amount of armed robberies, some deadly and some with severe injuries sustained to the mind and body of the victims.
Indeed most, if not all of those arrested for murders and armed robberies this year can be considered youths. And in some cases youths have been the victims, as gang violence seems to be gaining prominence in Guyana.
Minister Jordan, in his speech, said that government is committed to ensuring a safe and secure society for all.
He told the House that following wide consultations with various youth groups and other organizations, a draft of the National Youth Policy 2015 has been completed.
The first-time Minister said that the National Youth Policy 2015 aims to build a nation where Guyanese youth are safe and healthy, have equal access to opportunities, can participate in public life and are empowered to meaningfully contribute to Guyana’s sustainable development.
Jordan said that the “comprehensive document” captures the government’s vision for the youths of Guyana and caters for the needs of youth between the ages of 15 and 35 years, which is over 50 percent of the population.
The Minister said that once the draft is accepted, a National Youth Policy Action Plan will be quickly crafted and implemented.
Further, the Minister told the House that government is cognizant that youths are constantly looking for avenues for growth, and as such, the administration will review the existing youth development programmes with a view to enhancing the employability of Guyanese youth while promoting new initiatives for social and economic advancement.
Also, Jordan said that the government will upgrade the facilities at the Sophia Training Centre and collaborate with the private sector to create job opportunities for the over 200 trainees.
He also promised that his government will design tracer studies to effectively monitor the employment of all trainees under national youth programmes.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Show us the numbers!
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- The government through its superior management of the economy says that it has bestowed... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
