Dr Norton outlines plans for Social Cohesion Ministry

“I wouldn’t blame persons for thinking the Ministry never really attained anything,” Dr George Norton expressed, as he told Guyana Times of his plans to transform the Social Cohesion Ministry.
Dr Norton was initially disappointed with his transfer from the Public Health Ministry, since his expertise lies in health, to be placed as the leader of a ministry he said neither he nor the public knew anything about.
President David Granger had justified his reshuffling of the Cabinet, saying that Dr Norton has some strengths in the area of social cohesion.
While Dr Norton did not originally connect with the President’s assertion, he told this newspaper that he was now beginning to understand how he can help to foster national unity.

“It was said that I have some strengths in this particular Ministry and I am beginning to see them,” he said on his first official day at the Social Cohesion Ministry, located in the compound of the Ministry of the Presidency.
“Meeting with people and knowing their lifestyle, habits and culture is something I have developed over the years naturally and this is an opportunity to put them into practice in the best interest of Guyana. I am very happy that I am given this opportunity to make an effort in unifying Guyana in whatever way I could. I will do all I can to achieve that objective,” he stated.
The Social Cohesion Ministry was established upon the assumption of the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition to office.
The first Social Cohesion Minister, Amna Ally, was tasked with devising programmes and strategies that would foster unity among Guyanese.
Before being transferred to the Social Protection Ministry as the substantive minister, she had promised to present a social cohesion strategic plan in the National Assembly “soon”.
Reports indicate that 29 social cohesion sensitisation and strategic plan consultations have been held with a number of stakeholders, including Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs); Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs); Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs); civil society; the Guyana Police Force (GPF); cultural and political groups; the Private Sector, health workers and vulnerable groups.
But the public has not been well-informed about the objective and strides made within the Social Cohesion Ministry and Dr Norton does not blame them.
The new Minister, however, intends to change this and to improve on the work that was done by his predecessor.
He has already met with religious leaders, including Dr Roshan Khan as a representative from the Muslim religion, Dr Vindhya Persaud as the Hindu representative and Pastor Ronald McGarrell from the Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO).
Dr Norton noted that the work ahead to foster togetherness among the population was going to be challenging.
“The years of Guyanese history will show you that it is not one that we can really be proud of. There has always been conflict along the racial and political divide. We have so many different sects and religions, and a vast difference in so many ways in our geographical layout. For one to really say that they have achieved national unity in spite of all that has been said about it, is really farfetched. But I am convinced that whatever can be done to erase the differences, it is worth doing,” he stated.
Dr Norton also wants to help in other areas such as advancing sports and culture in communities where talented persons who are disconnected from the city are not afforded the opportunities to develop to their full capacity.
He noted too that he wanted to equip persons with the knowledge needed to create jobs for themselves with the understanding that Government could not provide jobs for everyone.
The Minister noted too that being in the Social Cohesion Ministry would not stop him from focusing on health issues plaguing the nation.
Dr Norton explained that during his travels across the country, he would continue to pay keen attention to the health crisis affecting communities and try in whatever way he can to provide assistance and bring relief to those affected.
Some $90 million was budgeted for the Social Cohesion Ministry in the 2017 National Budget.