Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation Zulfikar Ally has introduced ‘The Voice’, a new website designed to give citizens and public servants a direct channel to share ideas, raise concerns and offer recommendations aimed at improving public services.
Speaking during an interview, Minister Ally said the initiative was created to ensure that valuable suggestions from frontline public servants and members of the public reach decision-makers more quickly.
“Often times, there are people who have so many good ideas within the various agencies and ministries that we have, and we don’t always get the opportunity to hear them,” the minister said.
Through the website https://mpsmandate.gov.gy/ users can submit suggestions, report workplace or service-related issues and provide recommendations for improving government operations. Ally said he personally reviews submissions, contacts users directly when additional information is needed and works to resolve issues where possible.
“I will either try to fix the problem or explain why it cannot be fixed or what the challenges are,” he explained, adding that many of the conversations have evolved beyond complaints to constructive discussions on making the public service more efficient.
The minister highlighted several examples of the website’s early impact. In one case, a public servant from Berbice who had not been paid for several months used the platform to report the issue. Following engagement with the relevant ministry and its Human Resources Department, the matter was resolved and the employee was added to the payroll.
Minister Ally also cited feedback from citizens who submitted recommendations to improve the public service, including suggestions for the education sector and customer service at the Diamond Regional Hospital. He said these contributions demonstrate the value of engaging directly with citizens to identify practical improvements that can enhance the delivery of government services.
According to the minister, the platform also supports President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s vision of maintaining close engagement between the government and citizens.
“The idea here is that we want the public to be engaged in the decision-making. We want the public also to be engaged in identifying what those issues are so that we can know about them,” the public service minister said.
The minister explained that because the platform is web-based, citizens can access it from a mobile phone, tablet or computer at their convenience.
Persons wishing to submit suggestions or concerns can visit mpsmandate.gov.gy, where they can complete a short online form with their contact information and details of their issue or recommendation.