Government plus faith-based organisations bodes well for all

Dear Editor,
A United Guyana, alias One Guyana, is quite noticeable in recent times, and I am most pleased. The time has long come for us in Guyana to be patriotic, nationalistic, and cohesive, even though we still are unique as individuals and groups of various kinds.
This kind of thinking and mindset was again reiterated when the Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, recently «… reaffirmed the Government of Guyana’s commitment to working closely with churches, mosques, temples, and non-Governmental organisations (NGOs) to drive social development and strengthen the moral fabric of the nation. As we all know, ‘United We Stand’ and, conversely, ‘Divided We Fall.’”
The occasion for sounding this obvious truth was the opening of the “One with Me” Ministry Care Centre in Diamond, East Bank Demerara, when McCoy highlighted the role of faith-based organisations in protecting children, supporting women, and fostering community growth. This made me think of the May 2024 event when President Ali, upon invitation, did the right thing and attended an event hosted by the Assembly of God Church.
However, some members of the People›s National Congress chose to denounce President Ali for his actions. What was the reason? According to the PNC, the largely Christian Afro-Guyanese population, making up the Assembly of God, truly belongs to the PNC. Their warped mentality is that the PPP was Hindu and, therefore, should not attempt to participate in Christian events.
I hasten to say that Minister Kwame was “spot on” in “emphasizing the PPP/C Government’s focus on extending care and opportunity to all citizens (irrespective of colour, creed, and clime) in such initiatives as free education, the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, and (multiple) training programmes (with the express aim) to ensure families and communities thrive.”
His commitment is that «… the Government will continue to back faith-based organisations, describing them as essential partners in maintaining values rooted in love, service, and social responsibility.” In Guyana, it is undeniable that the PPP/C is overtly maintaining a platform that emphasises inclusivity and support for all religious groups as a core part of its national development vision.
So, the Minister was quite in order when he elaborated that Guyana’s churches, mosques, masjids, and NGOs are steeply involved in work that truly represents the Government’s interest in humanity and its interest in people, as it is “because the Government sets out to share and to manifest the universal values of taking care of people, of taking care of our children and our women, to make sure that they have the means of succeeding, that their families can flourish.”
Fellow Guyanese, let us accept the reality that a new era is rapidly descending on us. True to its philosophy, manifested in its manifesto, the PPP/C is pushing in overdrive “… to create a strong, formidable, unbreakable partnership with the churches et al., so that all can work together to take care of the social ills among us all…”
I remind all that all over the developing and developed world, religious organisations are emerging more and more as vital partners to Governments by providing social services, fostering community cohesion, and assisting during crises, often operating in areas where state capacity is limited.
Their ability to leverage trusted relationships, volunteers, and physical assets allows them to support public policy goals, particularly in health, education, and humanitarian relief.
Long live this partnership!

Yours truly,
Hargesh B Singh