Dear Editor,
I WANT to thank the Minister of Finance Dr. Ashni Singh for presenting Budget 2026 to the National Assembly on Monday. I also want to thank the Government of Guyana for a budget that meets the needs of our most vulnerable citizens, such as young children, people with disabilities, and the elderly.
What struck me most about this budget is that it’s not just about numbers and predictions; it’s also about people. As President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali rightly stated, “Budget 2026 is positioned with the people at the centre.” The steps are meant to have the biggest effect on people and improve their quality of life. Those words mean a lot to me because they show that development needs to be felt at the level of the home and the community.
I was especially happy to hear the President say that Budget 2026 really includes all parts of the Guyanese population, even the elderly. Older people often feel like they’ve been forgotten, but this budget shows that our health, dignity, and well-being are still important as the country moves forward.
The plans for people with disabilities and kids with special needs are also good. The President said that the main problem for these people is access, and he made it clear that the government is dealing with this directly, whether it’s getting to school, getting to buildings, getting to medical care, or getting to social services.
As outlined by the minister, Budget 2026 delivers tangible support for vulnerable groups through a range of targeted measures, including an increase in the old-age pension to $46,000 per month, at an annual cost of $52 billion, providing pensioners with a steadier income to cope with rising living costs; the introduction of annual transportation grants for pensioners and schoolchildren, easing the burden of travel to essential services and schools; an increase in the Because We Care cash grant to $60,000 per child, benefitting more than 206,000 children nationwide and the expansion of public assistance to $25,000 per person, extending vital support to the most financially vulnerable households.
I’m glad that this budget shows that a society that cares is one that looks out for its most vulnerable members. Budget 2026 makes us sure that the government is not only in charge of the economy, but also looking out for the health, dignity, and inclusion of all Guyanese.
This budget that puts people first is great. Thank you to the government and the Minister of Finance. I can’t wait to see these promises come true in communities all over our country.