The Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities (GCOPD) expresses appreciation to the Government of Guyana for the announcement regarding the reform of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security Board of Guardians. On Thursday, October 3, 2025, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo made this announcement in his press conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Center. Dr. Jagdeo emphasized during his press conference that these reforms are essential to tackle the various reports of exclusion and bias in the approval process for public assistance. He also mentioned that the reforms will guarantee accessibility and fairness in the process for all eligible applicants.
As a community, we embrace this announcement with great enthusiasm. For an extended period, numerous individuals with disabilities faced exclusion from public assistance because of arbitrary decisions made by the Board of Guardians, despite the clear visibility of their disabilities. We are glad that the reforms will lead to the development of a criteria-based system with clear metrics, ensuring objectivity in the approval process.
We urge the Government to guarantee that an individual with a disability is appointed to each Board of Guardians to ensure that the interests of persons with disabilities are adequately represented.
GCOPD is pleased to embrace this essential reform and commits to contributing to the reform process as it progresses.
GCOPD would appreciate publication of this release.
