Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs has declared that now is the greatest period of opportunity for the nation’s youth.

In a maiden presentation that he noted felt more like a veteran performance, the minister said that the government’s visionary planning has created a landscape where athletes, creatives, and young professionals can finally thrive.

He noted that the 2026 budget facilitates youth development through a multi-sectoral approach that spans housing, education, and professional training.

He highlighted that 40,000 new homes are slated for construction over the next five years, with young people as the primary beneficiaries. Additionally, he pointed to the success of the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and various technical programs which have already trained over 14,000 youths and will continue to expand in 2026.

Significant budgetary focus has also been placed on the “orange economy,” with $3.7 billion specifically allocated to support young creatives. Minister Jacobs revealed that these funds will support over 100 cultural events and the development of new recording studios across Regions 2, 3, 6, and 10.

Further, plans are in place for the commencement of the Palmyra Cultural Marketplace, a dedicated space designed for creatives to showcase their talents and engage in cultural exchange.

“This is what you call visionary thinking and planning. Now is the best time ever for young people in this country. This is the best time to be a Guyanese. This People’s Progressive Party/Civic’s interest lies with young people,” the culture, youth and sport minister affirmed.

The budget also facilitates the ongoing upgrade of community grounds—with over 450 grounds currently targeted for fencing, pavilions, and lighting—and the completion of world-class facilities like the synthetic track in New Amsterdam.

The Minister took aim at what he described as the hypocrisy of the APNU+AFC, particularly regarding their sudden concern for youth and sports development.

He argued that the opposition had previously dismantled the very ministries they now seek to defend and reminded the House of the “punitive taxes” placed on citizens during their tenure.

“They are coming to this House and talking about taxation after placing over 200 punitive taxes on the backs of the Guyanese people. Mr. Speaker, even the donkey on the road wasn’t safe! They taxed everything – if you blinked you were taxed; if you raised your hand, you were taxed,” Minister Jacobs contended.

To further bolster this point, Minister Jacobs pointed to Durban Park facility as a glaring symbol of the abysmal failure of the coalition government.

“If you take a drive there now, you’ll see the athletes they’re [on] the stairs and they’re hanging out clothes…that is the athletes that they built it for. Mr Speaker, we’re going to save them the embarrassment and we’re going to put a whopping new museum and art gallery there,” he told the House.

Minister Jacobs maintained that criticism must be grounded in facts rather than rhetoric and that the reality of development is visible to every citizen on the ground.

“We don’t make fake promises,” the Minister declared.