Govt-Diaspora initiative in a timely fashion – will stimulate dialogue

Dear Editor,
“The Guyanese diaspora represents sixty-five percent of tourism to Guyana. Transfers account for about thirteen percent of gross domestic product – higher than foreign development aid, foreign direct investment, and oil revenues. ”
“During the Ramotar Administration, data collected under the auspices of the Guyana Diaspora Project (GUYD), funded by the International Organization for Migration, was never used to exploit the diaspora. It is not clear where the database of information gathered by 7000 diaspora members lives.
As a result, diaspora members have become skeptical of past and present Administrations’ efforts to engage the diaspora in the effective development of Guyana. As such, the Diaspora Virtual Conference organized by the Consulate General of New York in December 2020 “to launch the diaspora engagement strategy and action plan” was suddenly canceled to the dismay of diaspora invitees. ”
“The APNU / AFC had promised to develop diaspora desks and policies to engage with the diaspora in the 2015 Manifesto but did not deliver on those promises. Former President Granger also pledged to create policies for the “huge diaspora” during his first address to the Guyana Parliament in 2015 and failed to follow through. After five years in office, the Granger Administration did not improve its relationship with the diaspora or implement an engagement strategy. However, the International Organization for Migration had developed a diaspora strategy in 2016. ”
This article is timely and will resonate with readers, and will stimulate the necessary dialogue on engaging with the diaspora.

Correctly,
Wayne Forde