National consultations on social ills to help shape policies, 2026 Budget measures – Min Griffith

The Guyana Government will be shaping its policies and measures in Budget 2026 based on the feedback and recommendations garnered through ongoing countrywide consultations on tackling a number of issues plaguing society including gambling, drug abuse and the impact of social media on young children.
During a presentation nearly two weeks ago of his Administration’s policy agenda for economic and social transformation of Guyana and Guyanese over the next five years, President Dr Irfaan Ali said he has instructed several of his Cabinet Ministers to embark on national consultations in order to come up with an inclusive set of solutions of these social ills affecting families across the country.
Among those tasked with carrying out these engagements is the Minister of Labour and Manpower Planning, Keoma Griffith, who recently revealed that these consultations have already commenced.

“The President has tasked me and my colleagues from the Ministries of Education [Sonia Parag], Information [Kwame McCoy], and Public Service [Zulfikar Ally] with leading consultation on social media’s harm, especially for our children and vulnerable,” Minister Griffith said while speaking recently on the government’s Developmental Agenda for the next Five Years.
He went on to add, “We will listen to you and shape policies that protect our families. Our government is also placing attention on curbing gambling practices. We’re consulting widely all over Guyana and rolling out measures in the 2026 budget, specifically to curb the damage that gambling is causing to our families. On substance abuse, like vaping and fentanyl, we are stepping up, stepping in with education, prevention, and international partnerships against smuggling.”
President Ali had explained during his December 17 Address that he has been besieged with grave concerns from parents, teachers and elders about the corrosive effects of social media, especially on the young population.
He had pointed out that while other countries are already taking drastic steps, such as restricting social media for children and young people under the age of 16, his Government’s response will be driven by feedback from the population.
With regard to the spread of new forms of substance abuse, including dangerous varieties of vaping and the use of potent narcotics, such as fentanyl and other drugs known to impair cognitive abilities, the Head of State had emphasised the importance of tackling this pressing threat.
“I wish to address these emerging forms of substance abuse directly through informed policy, public education and coordinated action that place prevention and protection at the centre of what we do,” he noted while recommitting to work with international partners against all forms of drug smuggling.
“We have a global responsibility to save this generation and generations to come… [And we’ve] sharpened our fight against narcotics to protect our children and our communities,” the President added.
The Guyanese leader had said he has been equally bombarded with concerns from families, religious leaders and community advocates about the ill effects of gambling, which has seeped into too many households, eroding savings, imposing financial hardships, straining relationships and fuelling harmful social consequences.
“This too…”, according to President Ali, “…demands a collective reckoning. We’ll consult widely with all stakeholders and those who regulate. Arising out of these deliberations, we will incorporate concrete measures in the 2026 budget to confront and curtail this courage.”
Also speaking on the pernicious influence of unchecked gambling, Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo told reporters at his press conference on Thursday that while many would not like this move to curb gambling, it is a necessary step in shaping Guyanese society.
In the past, gambling was once limited to guests of hotel-based casinos, but with hundreds of betting shops in communities across Guyana and online mobile apps, the practice has quickly caused a major social problem across the country.
Back in October, the Vice President had indicated that the Government would be tightening regulations and imposing higher taxes on online gambling after increasing complaints of breadwinners losing their money to this activity instead of taking care of their families.
Nevertheless, both President Ali and VP Jagdeo emphasised the roles that religious and community leaders will have to play as part of the efforts to address these societal scourges.