Minister Persaud pointing the way

Sep 15, 2026 Features / Columnists, The GHK Lall Column

Hard truths…

(Kaieteur News) – I have always seen Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindya Persaud, as different from her cabinet colleagues. Slightly different only. I take whatever the territory gives. Give thanks. Small starts lead to large developments.

Recently, the minister was in full battle gear. “Child sexual abuse is a crime. It has always been a crime.” With her permission, I add: will always be a crime. Regardless of who’s involved. Could be the biggest dawg in this country. He gets out of hand, he goes down. What troubles me is that Minister Persaud could be so rightly energised, so effusive, over the crime of child sexual abuse.

She was this way before her audience of lawmen, medicine men and women, and policemen and policewomen, among a variety of other illustrious Guyanese. Extolling and exhorting. Have a heart. Children are involved.

Respond quickly and competently. Help to remove these predators (scum of the earth) out of society’s path. Keep the young out of danger. I admire anyone-man or woman, social worker or psychologist, minister or helper-who takes such a position, utters such a call. Now darkness takes over the land. Including the minister and others.

For there were those times, when she was another way, manifested a different stand, on the same crime of sexual abuse. No colleague, no political comrade (old or new) should be exempt from Minister Persaud’s sweeping interest, energy, devotion to her portfolio.

It must be become more than a duty. It must be a calling. The fervour of the religious, minus the fanaticisms. How else can the children be saved, from those who stalk them, tarnish them? It could be a parent. It could be a so-called holy man.

It could be a Cabinet trickster. It could be a newcomer whose footprints lead back to a child. In each one of the instances I mentioned, Minister Persaud had an honorable duty: he goes or I go. He stays, I am on my way.

It hasn’t been so. I regret that this minister, who I assess as cut from a different cloth, gives some appearance of being garbed in the same old cloth of her comrades. If the children are going to be protected, Minister Persaud, the charge has to be universal. None given immunity. No matter what they bring to the PPP color scheme.

Notwithstanding whatever nasty work they do for the party. Child sexual abuse is a crime. Minister Persaud said so. I say, therefore, that abusers are criminals. So, why are they in the Cabinet? Why are they in parliament?

Why do lawbreakers participate as lawmakers in Guyana’s highest house? This is where Vindya Persaud, MD; Vindya Persaud, spiritual maharani, Vindya Persaud, minister and fighter for the abused and terrorized and then silenced, should not be silent herself. Her words impress. She still has a long way to go to inspire. Don’t think she would invite a child sexual abuser in her home.

So, why does she consent to share time, space, and fellowship with them in government quarters? Volume in public coupled with silence in private are like gasoline and a matchstick. They don’t coexist well. It’s not too late for Minister Persaud to change course. There’s that mirror on the wall waiting for her to take a frank, fearless look.

Separately, I understand from trusted sources that Minister Persaud’s people have pulled their weight around grieving MV Barima families. They have done better than their peers from other government areas. It’s possessing the right stuff, and delivering it to those rocked by life’s tragedies. I giveth and taketh. Commendations for Minister Persaud, and her group.

Last, Minister Persaud’s people pull some long hours. Midnight oil burned. GPL won’t be happy. Funny thing, while absorbing the situation before dawn, the lights suddenly go out. I have that effect on some people, including those on the road who takeoff rather sneakily. Wonder if the police would burn those orders, too. Peace and goodwill to everyone.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

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child sexual abuse, GHK Lall, Vindya Persaud

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