President promises to intensify fight against corruption

An intensified fight against corruption and strengthened transparency is expected as President Dr. Irfaan Ali was sworn in for a second term on Sunday, following his re-election in the September 1 polls.

“Corruption undermines the efficiency, fairness, and credibility of public service. That is why we will strengthen our anti-corruption efforts by establishing a dedicated Anti-Corruption Unit, tasked with excising this cancer from our institutions and holding public officials to the highest standards of integrity,” Ali said in his inaugural address at State House.

He added: “Every official will be required to account for their personal assets, and anyone who cannot do so will face the full force of the law. We will pursue both the corrupted and the corrupters, leaving no room for impunity.”

Ali said government does not have a system of lobbying, and any person representing themselves as lobbyists or peddling access to anyone in government is misrepresenting themselves and misleading others. A special mechanism, he noted, would be created to address such cases.

The president also pledged stronger accountability in information sharing, stressing the role of the media.

“We will ensure greater transparency by instituting mechanisms in every ministry and department that provide the facts in a timely way. Additionally, and of no less importance, we must hold those who are tasked with the dissemination of information accountable for their actions. They must be held accountable, also,” he said.

Ali, 45, was sworn in as the ninth executive president of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.