Every religious institution plays a key, critical role – Pres Ali

…pledges direct transfers for all local religious institutions

As this year’s edition of the National Toshaos’ Council’s Conference got underway Head of State President Dr Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment towards enhancing the religious community in Guyana.
The National Toshaos Council (NTC) officially launched its 2025 annual conference on Monday with an opening ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), bringing together Indigenous leaders from across Guyana’s 10 administrative regions.

The event marks the start of a week-long dialogue between elected Toshaos and the Government, focused on advancing Indigenous development. Delivering the feature address Dr Ali spoke about the investments the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has made in communities over the years. These investments the head of state noted will continue recognising the important role religious institutions play in the community
“We’re going to support, and I want to make this very clear, because you are religious communities, the church, the temples and the mosques and every other religious institution plays a key and critical role in our community and most of you are Christians, and you know that a part of faith, a strong part of faith is giving your tithes to the church, supporting the work of the church.”
The Head of State added, “But I believe, and this Government, believe too, that as our country grows in material richness, spiritual richness and human richness, that a country also must support our religious organisations, that the country must support our churches, our temples, and our mosques, because they play an important role in the social, moral and civil fabric of our society and one of the things that we will do is that we will work with our religious community in transferring resources directly to them, to help them in their work”.
According to President Ali these investments align with the administration’s goal of building a “One Guyana” where all Guyanese regardless of race or religion will benefit from the country’s economic resources.
“This is what love is, this is what building a One Guyana on strong ground is. So, while spiritually, you have your individual responsibility, your family responsibility and your community responsibility, we in this Government are going to take national responsibility as we move this country forward in supporting our religious communities.”
These investments the head of state noted will also promote economic diversification within communities.
“We’re going to invest to ensure the economic diversification of your communities, high-quality, high-speed connectivity of your villages, your children, your homes. You can trust us to disburse directly to you, resources from the LCDS (Low Carbon Development Strategy), increases in your grants, presidential allowances, support to your children, the elderly and women. You can trust us to increase such support in successive People’s Progressive Party Civic Government.”
The Guyanese Government is investing heavily in its indigenous communities, with a focus on infrastructure, healthcare, education and economic opportunities. Specifically, the Government has been allocating significant funds to public works, health services, education, and agriculture. These investments aim to improve the quality of life and promote the development of hinterland communities.