President Irfaan Ali has officially sworn in his new Cabinet, ushering in what he has called “the most decisive five years” in Guyana’s modern history. The new administration, which will serve from 2025 to 2030, was unveiled on Saturday evening at State House, where 25 ministers took their Oaths of Office in a ceremony reflecting both the country’s ethnic diversity and a blend of youth and experience.
Addressing the gathering before the swearing-in, President Ali laid out a clear and ambitious agenda, warning that his government will be judged by “results, people-centred leadership, and efficient service delivery.” He placed strong emphasis on accountability and performance, noting that ministers would be under continuous assessment, and that those seeking to wield power rather than deliver service would be swiftly removed.
“This government is not about power,” President Ali said firmly. “Those who wish to exercise power will find themselves out of the job very quickly. This government is the exercise of responsibility, service, humility—no egos.”
At the heart of his vision is a Guyana where development reaches every household, where the elderly can retire with dignity, and where citizens have access to clean communities, sanitation, world-class healthcare and education.
“This journey is going to be accelerated,” the President added, promising that the Office of the President would set the tone for exemplary governance.
Earlier in the week, President Ali re-appointed Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips as Prime Minister and Bharrat Jagdeo as Vice President, solidifying the leadership core of his administration. Both officials were sworn in on Monday.
Complementing the Cabinet appointments, President Ali also announced a first wave of Permanent Secretaries across key ministries. These administrative leaders are expected to play a critical role in executing the government’s plan to modernise public services through a fully digitised framework.
The newly appointed Permanent Secretaries include:
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Ms. Duan Ellis, previously at the Ministry of Human Services, now serving at the Ministry of Agriculture
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Mr. Roger Rogers, former Chief Planning Officer at the Ministry of Local Government, now at the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce
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Mrs. Sharon Roopchand-Edwards, previously at Tourism, now posted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
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Dr. Erica Forte, former Regional Health Officer for Region Three, now at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security
The government has indicated that additional appointments of Permanent Secretaries and other senior officials will be announced in the coming days as it intensifies its modernisation efforts.
However, while the president’s rhetoric about humility, service, and accountability is both timely and welcome, it is not without reason that many Guyanese will approach this new chapter with cautious optimism. The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which has a long and complex history in government, has previously faced serious allegations of widespread corruption, racial and political discrimination, exclusionary governance, and intolerance toward dissenting or independent voices.
As the new cabinet and public service leadership begin their work, the true test will not be in promises made at podiums, but in the policies enacted, the voices heard, and the transparency upheld. Whether the PPP/C will break from past patterns or fall back into old habits remains to be seen—but the Guyanese people, now more vigilant than ever, will be watching.
