President Dr. Irfaan Ali announced significant changes in the government’s ministerial portfolios during a live broadcast on his Facebook page.
Minister Sonia Parag, who previously headed the Ministry of Public Service, is now set to assume the role of Minister of Local Government and Regional Development. President Ali mentioned that this transition would take place over the course of the week.
In her new capacity, Minister Parag will collaborate with Minister Anand Persaud within the Ministry of Local Government to drive accelerated community-oriented programs and targeted initiatives at Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs), Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), and Municipalities across various regions.
President Ali emphasized the government’s commitment to empowering local governance structures and extending benefits to the people through these programs.
With Minister Parag’s move, the Public Service portfolio will now be overseen by Senior Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, who holds responsibility for Finance in the Office of the President. This expansion of Minister Singh’s responsibilities aligns with the critical role played by the Public Service Ministry in formulating policies guiding the management of the public service.
A noteworthy initiative under the Public Service Ministry is the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), a flagship program executed to fulfill President Ali’s commitment to investing in human development through academic advancement.
The GOAL program offers over 20,000 scholarships to Guyanese, focusing on online and distance learning to empower individuals for educational advancement. This initiative aims to contribute to the overall growth and development of the nation.
