Pres. Ali cranks up the pressure

Nov 11, 2025 News

…Ministers get strict deadlines to digitise public sector

(Kaieteur News) – President Irfaan Ali has turned up the heat on his Cabinet, issuing strict deadlines to fast-track the full digital transformation of Guyana’s public sector.

Speaking on Monday morning at the launch of the Public Service Upskilling Platform at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the President gave Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, eight months to complete the digitisation of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS)— one of the country’s most notoriously inefficient state agencies. He also directed the Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency, and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally to digitise every public service record within five months, warning that the era of slow bureaucracy and paper-based files must come to an end.

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivering the key address at the launch of the Public Service Upskilling

The conversion of these records, or their digitisation, is the process of converting analogue information into a digital form and is a necessary precursor to digitalisation, which refers to using digital technologies to improve or transform processes and activities, the Department of Public Information (DPI) has reported. President Ali’s goal for the government is to move swiftly to modernise the public sector and eliminate inefficiencies that frustrate citizens and hinder national progress. The president emphasised that both ministries have specific targets and deadlines that must be achieved.

“I’ve given the Minister of Finance a direction…The Minister of Public Service knows that his entire human resource information system, the entire public service, within five months, all the records, your files, your personal files, everything, must be completely digitised within five months,” President Ali declared. The president explained that once digitised, the new integrated system will allow ministries to share information seamlessly, cross-reference skills across departments, and enhance the efficiency of public service delivery.

He emphasised that digitalisation is more than just a convenience; it is central to Guyana’s transformation into a modern, high-performing economy. The head of state also addressed the digital tools vital to the country’s agricultural sector. He revealed that within four months, farmers will have access to new technologies and platforms to enhance productivity. “Within four months, the farmers must be able to use the tool we’ve been investing in to access education in the field, to access real-time information in the field, to access weather in the fields, to access extension support in the field, and to access technology in the field,” the president said.

He noted that digital transformation across sectors, including agriculture, tourism, manufacturing, and infrastructure, is designed to create a fully integrated digital economy, positioning Guyana as a regional leader in innovation and efficiency. The president also highlighted that several homegrown apps will be launched in the coming weeks. These apps were built to support public service delivery and national development priorities. “In the next three to four weeks, we will see a series of apps being launched that we are building ourselves, that we are trusting our young people, our brain power, our technical capability to drive this future,” President Ali announced. These initiatives form part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s 2025 manifesto commitments, aimed at delivering a smarter, more connected, and inclusive Guyana.

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

deadlines, digitise public sector, President Irfaan Ali, pressure, Public Service Upskilling

Latest News