Guyanese need to have ‘know-how’ on technology for country’s development – PM

…as ICT Roadshow 2023 launched to target 5 regions

As the Government of Guyana continues to push its Information and Communications Technology agenda, the annual ICT Roadshow 2023 was rolled out and will target young people in at least five regions across the country.
Under the theme “Today’s Youths, Tomorrow’s Digital Innovators”, the event is organised and led by the Industry and Innovations Unit at the Office of the Prime Minister.

The initiative will run for seven days across five regions, that is, Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Four (Demerara-Mahaica), Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice Corentyne), targeting hundreds of Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Form students.
The aim is to engage young people and spread awareness of the importance of ICT in Guyana’s social, environmental and economic development.
According to Prime Minister Brigadier Ret’d Mark Phillips, who officially launched the ICT Roadshow 2023 at his office on Friday, ICT literacy among the Guyanese population is important especially for the country’s future development. He contended that Guyana’s continued development would not be possible unless citizens are educated on ICT-related things.
“We’re a bit behind the curve but I’m happy that on the Government’s side, we making the investments now to ensure that we’re up to date with the technology. And from our side, we’re having this roadshow where we’re going out to communities and make our people aware of ICT because unless you’re knowledgeable of ICT, it’s difficult for you to work not only the public but also in the private sector. It’s difficult for you to even, as far as I’m concerned, exist in Guyana today,” Phillips stated.
The Prime Minister went on to note that while the roadshow will target and attract young people, there will be curious adults wanting and willing to learn about the sector as yet. To this end, he urged the organisers and stakeholders leading the initiative not to turn them away.
“Treat them as the young population because Guyana is developing at a terrific rate, yes, and people out there are aware of that and everybody wants to be part of what is being offered. So, whatever training is available, when you go into any community, we’d like to see not only the youths turning up, but the older folks turning up too,” he stressed.
PM Phillips further explained that one of the major aspects of the Guyana Government’s ICT agenda is bridging the digital divide. He contended that this roadshow is an important initiative in that quest to the bridge the digital divide since the allows the population to become aware of ICT and the possibilities within the sector that are available to them.
“We can invest in all the hardware like building all the ICT hubs, installing the computers at the hubs and having the connectivity but unless the people have the know-how on how to utilise technology that becomes available to them it means that the whole project will be incomplete. So, the ICT Roadshow is an important aspect of ensuring that we achieve the strategic aim of bridging the digital divide,” the PM indicated.
Meanwhile, Outreach Officer at the OPM’s Industry and Innovation Unit, Jennifer Persaud-Boodhoo, who is leading the roadshow, noted that students will be sensitised about the ICT sector, which can motivate them to pursue education and careers in technology-related fields.
“It is our strong belief that this roadshow will impart ICT knowledge, dialogue and inspire our young people to develop and reinforce tools that can enhance Guyana’s technological frontier. With professionals from both Government and private sector agencies, we are grateful that you are taking your time to help us enable a digitally connected society,” Persaud-Boodhoo posited.
Among the stakeholders participating in the ICT Roadshow 2023 is the Guyana Telecommunications Agency and its Director, Andre Griffith, who said young people do not need much convincing of the importance of ICT to the future.
“We don’t really need to convince them of the importance of ICTs. But thesssssssssssssss challenge, I think, with the young people is not just use of ICTs, it is safe use, it is responsible use, it is productive use. And I think, this is what we’re going to try to take to them with the roadshow,” the ICT specialist indicated.
The first ICT Roadshow 2023 event will be held on Monday in Region Five.
The OPM’s Industry and Innovations Unit has embarked on a number of initiatives to further this development agenda on the ICT landscape, such as Guyanese Girls Code, ICT Summer Camp, and Hackathons. Moreover, ICT hubs are being established countrywide under Government’s ICT programme. (G8)