From learning about investing in the stock market to trading with cryptocurrency, youths across the region are being trained in financial literacy during a week-long event organised by the University of Guyana (UG) and the Jamaica Stock Exchange.
The two institutions have collaborated to host an initiative called Money Week, taking place from June 3–5 under the theme “Build Your Financial Future Dollar by Dollar.” Held at UG’s Turkeyen Campus and accessible to regional participants via Zoom, the event features in-depth sessions focused on the stock market and cryptocurrency. The initiative was officially launched on Tuesday at the George Walcott Lecture Theatre, Turkeyen Campus. During the opening ceremony, Vice-Chancellor of UG, Professor Paloma Mohamed-Martin, highlighted how accessible the Guyana Stock Market is for everyday citizens. “We also would like to thank George Edwards and the team from the Guyana Stock Exchange, because many people still don’t know that Guyana has a stock exchange, and that there are many great Guyanese companies listed on it. You don’t need a huge amount of money to actually invest—you can start with as little as five or ten thousand dollars,” she said. “Some companies even manage brokerage services for investors.”
UG Vice Chancellor Dr Paloma Mohammed
Professor Mohamed-Martin noted that this accessibility often comes as a surprise to people, and emphasised the importance of public education on the topic.
She further revealed that representatives from the Guyana Stock Exchange, as well as local brokers, would be conducting their own sessions during the week.
Additionally, the event features several panel discussions with business icons from across the country. “One of the things that happens is that a lot of our young people and business-minded individuals think that when they see a big name on a building, it happened overnight,” she explained. “But many of these companies—like Gafoors Industries, who donated the building we’re in—started as family businesses decades ago. We want young people to hear these origin stories and understand the journey.” As the week progresses, special attention will also be paid to cryptocurrency and Bitcoin.
: Scores of persons present at the event
“We also have some films on topics like Bitcoin and cryptocurrency—how they really work and how we need to prepare as a nation for these futuristic yet very present realities,” the Vice-Chancellor said.
The Vice Chancellor also sought to touch on the importance of attaining money through independent ways.
“There are many things. You have high-level keynotes, you have workshops, you have films, you have discussions. But most of all, we hope that you have fun, because anybody can tell you, while spending money is fun, take it from me, making money in a proper, honest, transparent, and accountable way, making your own money, is much, much, much more fun.”
Meanwhile, Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer, Dr Peter Ramsaroop, also addressed attendees during the launch, stressing that the development of the local stock market requires collective participation.
“When you look at our market, it’s not just the million or so people in Guyana—the market is the region. That’s where your money is, and that’s where you can make money,” he stated. “If you study where Guyana is going, find where you fit, follow public policy and tie it to private sector initiatives, we’ll have a great country. The 1GY stock market will continue to grow—if we are all part of it.”
