Veteran politician Amna Ally dies

May 11, 2025 News

Kaieteur News- Former General Secretary of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), Amna Ally, died on Saturday at the age of 69.

Ally, who served as Minister of Social Protection under the A Partnership for National Unity + the Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government, reportedly died at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The PCNR, in a statement, expressed deep sadness at the passing of their former General Secretary, describing Ally as a dedicated and former long-standing member of the party, whose unwavering commitment to the ideals of PNCR and her country has left an indelible mark on the country’s history.

Former General Secretary of the PNCR and Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally

“Ms. Ally’s service to her country was multifaceted. She was a committed educator, a valued member of the Young Socialists Movement (YSM), and served in various capacities within the party. Her leadership and dedication extended beyond party activities as she served as a Member of Parliament and held the position of Minister in the Government under the APNU/AFC administration from 2015 to 2020,” the PNCR said.

The party said that during her lifetime, Ally had exemplified service, integrity and patriotism, shaping the PNC and her country, leaving a legacy that will inspire many.

“The PNCR offers heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew her. ‘Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un’ We belong to Allah and to Him we shall return. May Allah grant her eternal rest and provide comfort to those she leaves behind during this difficult time,” the party said.

Ally, a longstanding member of the PNCR, resigned from the party in March 2025, citing a lack of respect for women by a certain faction of the leadership.

“Comrades, with immediate effect, it is with great regret that I have to tender my resignation from the PNCR of which my membership and association have been for over fifty-four years,” Ally said, adding that the continuous disregard for women “who are the backbone of this great party has been overwhelming.”

Similarly, the Alliance For Change (AFC) expressed sympathy to Ally’s family, friends and colleagues while describing her as a “formidable presence in Guyanese politics and a dedicated servant of the people.”

“Her political journey, spanning several decades, was marked by loyalty, commitment, and a deep sense of duty to the nation. She served in several key roles within the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), eventually becoming its General Secretary—a position she held with firmness and clarity of purpose,” the party said.

The AFC said that while serving as Minister of Social Cohesion from 2015 to 2020, Ally “championed the importance of national unity, inclusion, and healing.”

“Her work in that Ministry was pioneering, as it sought to bridge divides and cultivate a stronger sense of shared identity and mutual respect across the diverse fabric of our society.

“Amna Ally was widely respected across political lines for her unwavering commitment to her party and her clear, forthright style of leadership. She was a tireless campaigner and an organiser par excellence, whose influence was felt both at the grassroots and national levels,” the AFC said, while recognizing and honouring her “long and impactful service to the nation.”

The AFC said, “While our political philosophies may have at times diverged, we acknowledge her role as a patriot who gave of her time, energy, and intellect to the development of Guyana.”

Meanwhile, in a post via his Facebook page, President Irfaan Ali expressed his sympathy on behalf of the government and his family. He said that, “Amna had a long career as a Parliamentarian dating back to 1985. Throughout her parliamentary career, Ms. Ally held several positions, including Chairperson of the Social Services Committee and member of the Parliamentary Management Committee, Standing Orders Committee, and Appointive Committee. Additionally, she served as the Minister of Social Protection from 2015 to 2020.”

He noted that outside of Ally’s legislative contributions, she has also served as an educator for several decades.

Former President David Granger, under whose presidency Ally served, said her political career began in 1970 when she was only fifteen years old. Ally served under four leaders of the PNCR, Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Robert Corbin and David Granger.

“She served, also, as National Secretary of the Young Socialist Movement and was appointed General Secretary of the PNC during David Granger’s tenure. Ms. Ally entered Parliament in 1985 and, except for a three-year period between 1998 and 2001, served as parliamentary representative of the Mahaica-Berbice Region. She was the first Minister of Social Cohesion and Minister of Social Protection in the APNU+AFC Coalition administration in 2015-2020,” the former president said.

Ally was a graduate of both the Cyril Potter College of Education and the University of Guyana, making her a trained teacher. With a steady hand, she managed party administration, operations and mobilization.

Granger reminded that Ally was the untiring and undisputed motivator behind the 3 B’s programme, which included buses, bicycles and boats, providing for the first time in Guyana’s history free public transport for school children.

“A Muslim, she was cheerful and dutiful organizer of observances for children’s entertainment during major national and religious festivals. Whether in or out of government, she was able to cultivate cordial relations with opposition and government officials and former party members,” he added.

Granger said that Ally’s political service was “exemplary” and so too was her determination to provide a good life for everyone and to make the country a better place.

“The People’s National Congress is poorer for her passing. On behalf of my wife and myself, I offer condolences to Ms. Ally’s family during their time of grief,” the former president said.

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo also extended his condolences to Ally’s family, friends and colleagues in a Facebook post, calling her a PNC stalwart whose “decades of public service and commitment to political life in Guyana will be remembered.”

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall, SC, on Saturday, extended his deepest condolences to Ally’s relatives, especially her daughter Farzana, and friends.

“Although we were on opposite political sides and obviously saw things differently, I think we both enjoyed the common ambition of working for a better Guyana. She was an exceptional politician and served her Party and its constituents with admirable loyalty and commendable commitment.

I salute her long years of public service and public life. She made a solid contribution to debates in the National Assembly, often punctuated with bouts of her peculiar but inimitable humour,” he said.

Nandlall said that despite her strong political persona, “personally, she was kind, warm, had an extraordinary sense of humour. She and I enjoyed a good personal relationship for many years.”

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, in her post to Ally, said that she has played her part in building Guyana while noting that as a woman in politics, her journey couldn’t have been the joyride it seemed.

“We didn’t share political views, but we shared a healthy relationship that grew into a lovely friendship. That survived me being in Govt, she being in Govt, me being in opposition, and she being in opposition. She made the moistest black cake, and had the ability to sit at a table in Parliament and organised her party’s activities from Region 1 to Region 10. She was also an educator to retirement. Her conversations with me were always frank. And caring. To my dearest Farzana, her other relatives, friends and party supporters, my deepest sympathy,” the minister wrote.

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Amna Ally, dies, PNCR, politician, Teacher

One thought on “Veteran politician Amna Ally dies”

habeeb May 11, 2025 at 1:36 pm

Even the press could not get Amna’s age correct at her death ?
One said 69, another, 77 ?
So, which is it ?
I wouldn’t believe anything Grainger said about her age.
He could never be trusted, as the last president, holding on to power.habe

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