Latest update June 1st, 2026 12:37 AM
Law student Naomi Barkoye is Canadian High Commissioner for the Day
(Kaieteur News) – Twenty-year-old Naomi Barkoye served as High Commissioner of Canada for the Day in observance of International Day of the Girl Child 2025.
Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana Sébastien Sigouin with 20-year-old Naomi Barkoye, who served as the 2025 Canadian High Commissioner for the Day.
In a statement, the Canadian High Commission said that Barkoye is an undergraduate Law student at the University of Guyana and a national cricketer.
She was selected through an online competition where she submitted a one-minute video on the topic: Name someone (other than a family member) who has had an impact on your understanding of the rights of women and girls, and explain how.
“Naomi delivered a strong video presentation on the work of the Honourable Madam Justice Desiree Bernard, the first female Justice of Appeal of Guyana in 1996, the first female Chief Justice in 2001, the first female Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and the Caribbean and then in 2005, and the first female Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice.”
According to the statement, Barkoye performed her role as the High Commissioner on Thursday October 9, in advance of the International Day of the Girl. Her day included a television interview on Guyana Today, meeting with her staff, a meeting with several CARICOM Secretariat officials, including Elizabeth Solomon, Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign Policy and Community Relations; Michele Small-Bartley, Programme Manager, Youth Development; Dr. Hilary Brown, Programme Manager, Culture; Jhonson Alexandre, Deputy Programme Manager, Foreign Policy and Community Relations; and Project Officer, Foreign Policy and Community Relations, David Allen.
She also had an insightful meeting with the Managing Director SOL Guyana, Ms. Deborah Edwards, and her team, and she co-hosted a luncheon that was organised in her honour that included the Chancellor (ag), Honourable Justice Madam Roxane George, UN Resident Coordinator, Jean Kamau, British High Commissioner, Jane Miller, Leader of the Forward Guyana Movement, Amanza Walton Desir, CEO of Blossom Inc and Director at Sispro Inc, Ayo Dalgety-Dean, and President of GCCI, Ms. Kathy Smith, along with UK High Commissioner for the Day, Scmonica Todd and UN Resident Coordinator for the Day, Safiyyah Azeez.
The day ended with a project visit to Blossom Inc. which is currently being funded by Canada’s Local Engagement and Action Fund (LEAF). Blossom’s work is focused on supporting survivors of gender-based violence and advancing the rights of vulnerable populations, including Indigenous communities.
“Ms. Barkoye excelled in her role as High Commissioner and calm and confident throughout her various engagements on behalf of the High Commission. She expressed that her experience as High Commissioner for the Day “felt like a dream” and she was excited about the connections that she made and is open to exploring more opportunities,” the Canadian High Commission said.
Meanwhile, Canadian High Commissioner Sébastien Sigouin noted that the High Commission will work with Ms. Barkoye in the coming months to connect her with opportunities and he encouraged partners to the same.
“Our High Commissioner for the Day activity goes beyond just today; we want to see Ms. Barkoye reach her full potential so we will continue to engage with her and seek out opportunities that will assist her with her personal and professional development,” the High Commissioner said.
He also recognised the other young women who submitted videos to participate in the competition and noted, “Guyana’s future is in very good hands”.
On October 11, 2011, Canada initiated the call for the establishment of an International Day of the Girl at the United Nations to raise awareness about the unique challenges that girls face and to urge all to take action. The United Nations then declared October 11, 2012 as the world’s first International Day of the Girl.
Since 2016, the High Commission of Canada in Guyana has hosted the High Commissioner for the Day Contest every year (except 2020 due to Covid-19) in observance of the Day of the Girl.
The activity was launched to promote gender equality in Guyana and allow girls to see themselves in positions of influence and capable of making an impact.
The success of this activity has encouraged other missions in Guyana and the region to have their own High Commissioner/Ambassador/Resident Coordinator for the Day which is providing more opportunities for young women.
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