In recent months, President Dr Irfaan Ali has taken a more hands-on approach to monitoring ministerial performance, project implementation, and contractor accountability across Guyana. This level of oversight sends a clear message from the nation’s leadership: delays, substandard work, and poor execution are no longer tolerated by the President.
For too long, citizens have been frustrated by projects that ran behind schedule or failed to meet proper standards. The Minister of Agriculture’s termination of dozens of contracts sent a strong signal that the government is serious about performance and results. The expectation is now clear: ministries must engage capable professional contractors who can deliver quality work on time.
Among the 23 Cabinet Ministers guiding the nation’s development, all ministries are vital to the country’s economic development. However, we are highlighting five ministries to start with. In the coming weeks, we intend to analyse and promote the work of these ministries after speaking with the ministers responsible.
Let’s start with the 5 ministers’ portfolios for now.
The Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Susan Rodrigues, has held the ministerial portfolio since taking office a few months ago. Her commitment to positioning Guyana as a premier eco-tourism destination is unmistakable. Through strategic campaigns and international engagement, she is ensuring that Guyana’s natural beauty—from its vast rainforests to its rich biodiversity—reaches audiences in Europe, North America, and beyond. Accommodation capacity is steadily expanding, eco-lodges are growing, and the country’s deep Amazonian experiences are attracting global eco-travellers seeking authenticity and adventure. Hotel capacity is increasing monthly, and many airlines are coming to Guyana. Her ministry’s efforts are shaping tourism into a strong and sustainable source of national income. Minister Rodrigues is determined to position Guyana as an eco-tourism destination in South America.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill has carried a heavy responsibility, overseeing infrastructure that directly affects everyday life. Roads, bridges, the harbour and public facilities must be completed not only quickly but also properly. Timing is everything in public works—when schedules slip, entire communities feel the impact. With firm oversight and the selection of reliable contractors, his ministry can ensure that infrastructure development keeps pace with Guyana’s economic growth. Minister Edghill knows full well that contractors who are hampering the country’s progress will be trucked off, and that a severe penalty must be introduced to pay compensation to the government.
In the utilities and energy sector, Minister Deodat Indar plays a crucial role in improving the standard of living for Guyanese citizens. Energy efficiency, modernisation, and the advancement of gas-to-energy initiatives are central to national transformation. Reliable and affordable power is not just a policy objective—it is foundational to economic expansion and household stability. The ministry’s continued focus on efficiency and long-term solutions will be key to sustaining development momentum. Minister Indar is the right minister for the work ahead, and the gas-to-power project would greatly benefit Guyana’s citizens.
Within local governance, the importance of accountability and timely delivery cannot be overstated, especially as local elections approach. The Ministry of Local Government is responsible for ensuring that community-level projects are executed effectively and transparently. Citizens across Guyana expect contracts to be awarded fairly and implemented professionally. Strong local administration builds public trust and strengthens democratic participation. Minister Priya Manickchand has a significant responsibility to ensure that the people of Guyana receive what was promised in the 2025 manifesto.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha is the right minister for agriculture. If there is one minister who can make Guyana the food basket of the Caribbean Community (Caricom), it is Minister Mustapha. The Agriculture Ministry remains central to Guyana’s economic future. With bold projections of profitability in the sugar industry by 2030 and ongoing diversification, the sector is poised for renewed strength. Focused leadership, resilience in the face of criticism, and a clear long-term strategy will be essential. National development requires consistency and discipline, particularly in industries that shape employment and exports. Minister Mustapha recently cancelled the contracts of 30 companies that were not performing their work properly and on time.
Ultimately, ministers are entrusted with portfolios that directly affect citizens’ lives—performance, delivery, and accountability matter. With continued oversight from the President, Vice President, and Prime Minister, expectations remain high that each ministry will rise to the challenge.
As Guyana continues its rapid development, constructive criticism, professional debate, and national unity should shape the political environment. Strong governance thrives not on division but on competence, collaboration, and a shared commitment to progress.
The country stands at a defining moment. With capable leadership, disciplined contractors, and focused execution, Guyana can ensure that development is not only ambitious but also delivered.
At the same time, the opposition has a constitutional duty to provide credible oversight and meaningful policy alternatives. Parliamentary representation is not symbolic—it requires competence, preparation, and serious engagement with national issues. Guyanese expect opposition members to elevate debate, offer solutions, and demonstrate readiness to govern responsibly. If representatives fail to meet that standard, citizens are justified in questioning their effectiveness and readiness for leadership. Guyana has the weakest opposition parties in the history of parliamentary democracy.
Democracy functions best when both government and opposition operate with professionalism and integrity. As Guyana advances economically and socially, ministers must focus on making it a great place to live. The opposition parties lost the general election fairly. The voters gave the PPP an outstanding mandate, and it is up to the PPP government to deliver on its promises. The PPP won a landslide victory, securing 36 seats.
The nation stands at a defining moment in its history. The ministers must deliver on the promises made in the PPP party manifesto. With firm Presidential oversight, disciplined ministers, capable contractors, and responsible parliamentarians, Guyana will become the envy of the world.