Pres. Ali warns against false lobbyists, announces special mechanism to protect govt’s integrity

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Sunday addressed concerns about individuals falsely claiming to influence government decisions, issuing a strong warning to the public and potential impostors.

“I wish to emphasise that the government does not have a system of lobbying and any person representing themselves as a lobbyist or peddling access to anyone in government is misrepresenting themselves and misleading others,” President Ali said during his inaugural address.

President Ali was on Sunday sworn in as the 9th Executive President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana following his re-election to office at the September 1 polls.

The President explained that such individuals exploit the perception of influence for personal gain, often deceiving citizens and organisations seeking legitimate engagement with the government.

To curb this growing concern, Dr Ali announced that a special mechanism will be established to identify, monitor, and take action against those misrepresenting themselves as lobbyists. The initiative aims to protect the integrity of government operations and maintain transparency in all interactions between the public and officials.

“This measure will ensure that Guyanese citizens and businesses have clarity on legitimate channels for engagement with government and prevent unscrupulous individuals from exploiting false claims of influence,” President Ali said.

Government officials have also been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases of fraudulent lobbying activities, underscoring a commitment to accountability and public trust.