By Josiah Williams | November 5, 2024
The Government of Guyana has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating corruption by enhancing collaboration with the private sector to ensure compliance with financial regulations and foster a culture of accountability.
This was the focus of a one-day anti-corruption workshop hosted by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance at the Pegasus Suites for private sector representatives.
The workshop aimed to sensitize participants on strategies to strengthen internal mechanisms to combat corrupt practices.
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, emphasized the importance of working with private sector organizations and other partners to tackle corruption comprehensively.
She highlighted the government’s efforts, including ratifying international anti-corruption treaties, revising procurement laws, and establishing the National Coordinating Committee on Anti-Corruption, which oversees 16 agencies.
Teixeira stated that these measures are integral to Guyana’s framework for addressing corruption and building a transparent governance system.
She also acknowledged the need for a cultural shift across all sectors, with transparency and accountability as guiding principles.
Chairman of the Private Sector Commission’s (PSC) Economics and Finance Committee, Ramesh Dookhoo, stressed the private sector’s responsibility in the fight against corruption.
He highlighted the necessity of revising governance codes and enforcing these measures, especially when admitting new members to the PSC and its affiliated bodies.
Dookhoo also called for the establishment of comprehensive legislation and a dedicated agency to combat corruption.
However, Minister Teixeira noted that while Guyana currently lacks the capacity for such an agency, steady progress is being made through improved laws and institutional frameworks.
The workshop marked a step toward fostering collaboration and accountability between the government and private sector, laying the foundation for a more transparent and corruption-free Guyana.