Minister Sukhai: Direct engagement at the heart of government’s interventions

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to direct consultations with Amerindian villages, ensuring that interventions align with village priorities.

Speaking during an outreach to residents of Akawini and Wakapou Village in Region Two, Sukhai highlighted that Guyana remains the only country to host an annual engagement between Amerindian village leaders, the Head of State, and Cabinet members, fostering direct dialogue on indigenous concerns.

She also underscored Guyana’s pioneering land tenure policies, which protect Amerindian land rights, as well as the tangible benefits of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS). Both Wakapou and Akawini villages received $70 million each under the LCDS.

Additionally, she emphasised financial accountability measures under the Amerindian Act of 2006 and initiatives promoting clean energy, which aim to reduce costs while supporting agro-processing and manufacturing.

These investments align with the government’s efforts to ensure that Amerindian villages and communities receive equitable development opportunities and remain integral to the country’s progress.

In the 2025 budget, $7.2 billion was allocated to enhance the welfare of Amerindian communities, with an emphasis on the Land Titling Programme, the resumption of the Amerindian Community Support Officers (CSOs) programme, the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, and the National Toshao’s Council (NTC) Annual Conference, among other initiatives.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline  Sukhai