Georgetown, Guyana – (May 17, 2019) Minister within the Ministry of the Presidency with responsibility for Youth Affairs, Ms. Simona Broomes said that education and skills training for youth remains high on the administration’s agenda and it is particularly keen to provide opportunities for youth to venture into entrepreneurship. The Minister made these statements during her visit, this afternoon, to the Sunnatul Jamaat Masjid to interact with the youths at Alexander Village, Georgetown.

Minister Broomes noted that her presence at the venue was not ornamental, rather it was in keeping with the mandate given to her by President David Granger to advance youth development.

“You here are demonstrating a strength that a lot of people can’t do and you can do anything regardless of your situations. We as a Government recognise that young people have suffered a lot and we cannot do it alone and with my new portfolio, I am going to go to all Ten Administrative Regions… the Government is committed to you the youth… I’m not here to talk the talk, I’m here to walk the walk,” she said.

During the interactive session, Minister Broomes addressed several concerns raised and questions posed about employment and financial opportunities for budding entrepreneurs. After listening to the plight of Ms. Lavern Hendricks, a qualified teacher by profession, the Minister telephoned Minister of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry to intervene in matter and pledged to follow-up her case.

Minister Broomes also committed to follow- up other queries at their subject ministries.

Meanwhile, Imam Khalid Ford, in his welcome remarks, lauded the Minister and the Government for taking the initiative to reach out to the youth at the masjid, noting that several of them hail from vulnerable communities. “Most of us, we are from depressed communities and persons tend to look at persons coming from these communities and attaching a stigma to them and with the help of the Minister we will be able to remove the negative stigma and label’s that we face,” he said.

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