The opposition People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), on behalf of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), is calling for an immediate investigation into a video circulating on social media that appears to show young children holding $5,000 bills while expressing gratitude to President Irfaan Ali and another individual identified as “mommy.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the party said if the video is authentic, it represents “a new low in governance” and raises serious concerns about the treatment and possible exploitation of vulnerable children for political purposes.
The video, which has attracted widespread attention on social media, reportedly shows children, believed to be no older than 10 years old, holding cash while saying, “Thank you Mr. President” and “Thank you mommy.”
The PNCR/APNU said the incident, if verified, warrants an official investigation.
“If the events depicted are authentic, they represent a new low in governance and a shocking failure of compassion, dignity, and respect for the most vulnerable members of our society,” the statement said.
“No child, regardless of circumstance, should ever be subjected to humiliation, exploitation, or treatment that strips them of their humanity.“
The opposition argued that the treatment of children is a measure of the quality of governance.
“A government is judged not by how it treats the powerful, but by how it protects the weak. Guyana’s children deserve care, protection, and opportunity—not indignity,” the party stated.
The PNCR/APNU called on the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances surrounding the video, identify those responsible and ensure accountability.
“PNCR/APNU calls for an immediate investigation into the incident, the identification of those responsible, to face some consequences. We further urge the relevant authorities to ensure that vulnerable children are treated with the respect, care, and dignity to which they are entitled.“
The statement comes amid continued political debate over the use of government-funded grants and public outreach programmes, which have increasingly featured the participation of senior government officials, including President Ali. Opposition parties have previously argued that state resources and public programmes should not be used in ways that could be perceived as advancing partisan political interests, while the government has maintained that its social assistance initiatives are intended to benefit citizens regardless of political affiliation.
Reaffirming its position, the PNCR/APNU said it would continue to challenge any conduct that it believes compromises the welfare of children.
“PNCR/APNU will not sit idly by and condone reckless behaviour that undermines the welfare of our nation’s children. We will continue to speak out against every act that demeans the vulnerable and demand accountability from those entrusted with public office.“
Maintaining that children should never be used to advance political narratives, the party concluded:
“The children of Guyana are not props for political optics or administrative neglect. They deserve protection, compassion, and a government that puts their well-being first.“
Describing the protection of children as a national responsibility that transcends politics, the opposition maintained that the dignity and well-being of Guyana’s youngest citizens must never be sacrificed for political gain or public image
