Newborn cash grant, a deposit into Guyana’s future—President Ali

Mar 09, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News- The Government of Guyana’s initiative to give Guyanese mothers a $100,000 cash grant for every child born in 2025 is an investment in their future to realise their full potential, President Irfaan Ali said on Saturday.

The Head-of-State spoke at the launch of the newborn cash grant initiative at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), where more than 500 mothers were presented with their cheques.

“We stand here to launch an initiative that speaks to the very soul of who we are—a society that refuses to let potential go untapped, dreams go unfulfilled, or children go unsupported. Every child born in Guyana is not just a citizen; they are a vital thread in the fabric of our nation’s story,” he said.

The President emphasised that Guyana’s children are not just the country’s future but its heartbeat.

“Every newborn represents a promise, a blank page waiting to be written. But a child’s potential cannot flourish without nourishment. This cash grant is more than financial support. It is a seed planted in the soil of our nation’s future,” President Ali said.

The President underscored that the grant must not be seen as a cost on the country’s treasury but as a “deposit into our children’s future” and their ability to contribute meaningfully to our society.

“We are planting seeds for a future where every child has the tools to grow, succeed, and lead. This is not a burden on today’s taxpayers. It is a commitment to tomorrow’s leaders and nation builders,” he added.

To ensure that mothers receive the grant in a timely manner, President Ali said his government is putting systems in place that would see them receive their cheques before they leave the hospital.

“We have set up a mechanism so that within one week of birth, every single mother will receive that cheque, and they will receive that cheque before they leave the hospital.”

The President said that the grant is not a privilege but a “right” for every baby born, “regardless of their parents’ income, background, or circumstances; equality begins at birth, and this initiative ensures that every child, without exception, receives the support we’re offering.”

President Ali also presented some statistics regarding the number of newborn babies for the year, noting that, so far, 2,052 babies have been born between January and February of this year.

“Bringing a new life into the world is one of the most profound joys a parent can experience. It is a moment filled with hope, love, and endless possibilities. Yet, as experience teaches us, the joy often comes with the weight of new responsibilities and expenses, from diapers and formula to healthcare and childcare.”

The President also announced that First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali will be providing the mothers who attended the event with newborn hampers.

“As your government, this is our way of saying your joy matters; your child matters. And we are here to walk this journey with you—not only at the birth of your new child, but throughout the life of this child,” he said.

Honouring women on International Women’s Day

To commemorate International Women’s Day, which was celebrated on Saturday, the Head-of-State also spoke extensively on women and their contributions to Guyana’s development. He also highlighted his government’s commitment to empowering them.

The President said that over the past four years, the Government has invested over $156bn in initiatives aimed at uplifting women, including education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. He pointed out that 60% of hinterland scholarships awarded under the GOAL Scholarship Programme were to women, and out of 14,000 University of Guyana graduates in the last four years, nearly 10,000 are women; and more than 4,000 out of 4,600 newly graduated teachers are women. These stats, the President said, underscore women’s critical role in shaping Guyana’s future.

“The women in our society are the bedrock of our society. The women in our society are the foundation on which this nation will stand and grow,” President Ali said while emphasizing the need to honour, protect, and celebrate women.

“We must protect them. We must support them. We must show them compassion. We must embrace them. We must encircle them with love. We must lift them up. We must celebrate them. We must honour them.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony also celebrated the achievements and resilience of women. He emphasized that women have played a critical role in holding families, societies, and the world together, and it is important to acknowledge their contributions.

He said, “Today (Saturday) is a day when we can celebrate all the achievements and accomplishments of our women and you have been the ones who have been able to hold us as a family as a society and as a world together, so we want to celebrate your resilience and all that you have done for us throughout the years.”

Dr. Anthony then shifted focus to the newborn cash grant, highlighting that it is not a random or accidental programme but a carefully considered effort by the government.

He explained that the grant is part of the Government’s larger strategy to ensure the health and well-being of the nation’s citizens, particularly mothers and children.

To this end, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Vindhya Persaud highlighted the challenges that new mothers face in raising children, from the cost of food to diapers. She explained that the $100,000 grant was designed to address these challenges and provide support to families.

Minister Persaud said, “The cost of having a child, the cost for food, the cost for pampers the cost for things that you need and that is what our government paid attention to.”

She further emphasized that the grant will be rolled out year-round, ensuring that whenever a baby is born, the family will receive this crucial support.

“This government with a lot of care and concern will be providing this $100,000 cash grant to get you started, to get you on your feet and to help and support in a tangible way,” she added.

Minister Persaud also highlighted the Government’s broader vision for children, viewing them as “priceless assets” for the nation.

She explained, “We are looking at children from the moment of birth through this cash grant, we are looking at children when they are going to school, through the, because we care cash grant, we are looking at children and adults, who have disabilities.”

(Newborn cash grant, a deposit into Guyana’s future—President Ali)

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• Arya Ali, cash grant, launch, newborn, President Irfaan

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