Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne-Shadeek on Wednesday urged indigenous village leaders to embrace transparency, accountability and responsible governance as unprecedented levels of investment continue to transform Amerindian communities across Guyana.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day leadership training for Amerindian Village Councils at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Minister Browne-Shadeek said village leaders play a critical role in ensuring government resources translate into meaningful development for residents.
“This training remains a priority for the government because we understand a simple truth: empowered leaders, empowered villages, and empowered villages accelerate development,” the minister the told participants drawn from Regions Four, Five, and Six.
The training, held under the theme “Empowering Village Councils for Sustainable Village Governance,” brings together toshaos, community development officers (CDO) and village councillors to strengthen their leadership and governance skills.
“The resources entrusted to villages do not belong to any individual leader or council; they belong to the people,” she stated. “Transparency is not optional, nor is accountability. They are fundamental requirements of good governance.”
Minister Browne-Shadeek noted that while government investments in indigenous communities have increased significantly through presidential grants, low-carbon development initiatives, capital grants and other programmes, her ministry continues to receive petitions from village residents raising concerns about governance issues.
“People know their rights, and they are prepared to exercise them. They are holding us accountable, as they should,” the minister said, while reminding leaders that ignorance of the law can no longer be used as an excuse for poor governance.
Referencing the Amerindian Act, she urged village councils to ensure decisions are openly discussed, financial records are properly maintained, village meetings are regularly held, and residents are kept informed about matters affecting their communities.
Meanwhile, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira reinforced the message, telling village leaders that governance is fundamentally about how power is exercised and on whose behalf decisions are made.
She expressed concern that some residents remain unaware of the resources being received by their communities, noting that Village Councils have a responsibility to keep citizens informed.
“People must be informed. You cannot receive large amounts of money or grants, and people don’t know. When people understand what is happening and how resources are being used, they will trust their leaders more,” the minister said.
She also reminded leaders that they were elected to serve their communities and must always act in the best interests of residents.
The annual training programme will allow participants to engage in sessions on leadership management and administration, transparency and accountability, project management, proposal writing, financial management and the Amerindian Act.
The training initiative will be rolled out across all regions of Guyana, ensuring indigenous leaders nationwide benefit from the same capacity-building opportunities.