With a total of $75 million now approved by the Parliamentary Committee of Supply, the President’s Youth Advisory Council is set to roll out a range of engagements to support youth across the country in 2024.
A major chunk of that allocation is a $23 million sum which will allow the council to select and sponsor 23 national athletes, Minister of Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Gail Teixeira said.
“23 sports athletes will be sponsored by the Youth Advisory Council… the investment is for gears and other materials so that they can excel at the games in which they represent Guyana.
“Each athlete will receive $1 million and the selection will be done by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport,” Teixeira explained.
The athletes will be chosen from several disciplines including cross fit, boxing, cricket, football, track and field, bodybuilding and basketball.
Moreover, there is a $10 million innovation fund for projects not taken into account during the budget submissions.
It was also disclosed that all members of the youth council receive a monthly $40, 000 stipend.
The Council was given $75 million in 2023 but only spent $14 million; Teixeira said it was because the council was “newly formed and trying to get its feet together and define the parameters of responsibility.”
The Council was launched in August 2022 and Dr. Josh Kanhai, a young politician who has been associated with two of the smaller political parties in Guyana, is serving as its Chairman.
And now, a number of countrywide activities are planned for 2024. These include outreaches in all regions under the themes of labour and youth, business and youth, scholarship and youth, housing and youth, agriculture and youth, health and youth and culture and youth.
There is expected to be at least one outreach in each region but for large regions, there are likely to be more than one.
Importantly, Teixeira said there will be the development of more shade houses and key youth activities and projects in selected communities.
She said this will be similar to the block making project for youths of Leopold Street and surrounding areas in Georgetown.
