Help President Ali ‘modernize’ villages — Hargesh B. Singh — Opinion

Help President Ali ‘modernize’ villages

August 9, 2026·5 min read

President Dr Irfaan Ali during the launch of the public consultations on the Model Village initiative in Good Hope, Region Two

Dear Editor,

Guyana’s transformation continues, and I am happy that President Dr. Irfaan Ali is pushing the ‘model village’ initiative. We need this all across Guyana, where the big idea is for “…creating safer, more resilient, and sustainable communities.”

This kind of mindset and new way of thinking, being spawned by the People’s Progressive Party, was explained by His Excellency himself to eager listeners across the East Coast of Demerara.

According to the effervescent Head of State, his “Government’s national village transformation programme will incorporate security infrastructure, improved drainage systems, economic development initiatives, and enhanced public amenities (all) as part of a comprehensive plan to modernize communities across Guyana,”^[1] and not only Melanie Damishana, where he met with villagers.

On this note, I hastily apprise the nation that any good village will and must involve a combination of easy physical access to the basic needs of everyday living. It must also incorporate strong social connectivity, and definitely, a shared sense of safety, characterized by the presence of security officers and the availability of law enforcers.

By way of expansion, and as per President Ali, these villages will be equipped with potable water systems and sanitation to ensure a ‘healthy living’ environment. Of course, “Safe roads and transit options to reach larger towns” will be in place. I see that the Government is planning for proper “medical care, schools, gathering spots, market squares, and parks.” Overall, it’s like a miniature country, and this kind of thinking is consistent with the modern and developed world, and Guyana must take its place therein.

Mind you, there is a caution that President Ali alluded to, that is, ‘people are at the center of such developments.’ He clearly laid down the notion that “Stronger, resilient, and sustainable communities are communities that are built to last; communities that are built to ensure the space in which you live is not only pleasing to the eyes, physically, but that space gives a sense of belonging, that space gives a sense of pride, a sense of ownership, a sense of dignity.^[2]

“ I see this as a challenge for the people of Guyana wanting and driving to become good and worthy villagers themselves. Leaving aside logistics and minutiae, what is heartening is that this is not ‘mere talk,’ as “…preliminary assessments have already been carried out by teams of engineers, planners, architects, and development specialists, who have identified several priorities for Melanie’s development, (and in time, all across the country.)”

Staying with the motif of ‘people’ or villagers themselves, the President was emphatic that “A community is the coming together of people; it is the coming together of many different things that coexist as one, and that is what makes us a community. A community has within it its traditions, culture, economy, infrastructure, people, environment, ecology, and its own beauty.^[3] And what we want to do is invest in such a way that all of these aspects of the community can become critically integrated in making the community a better place.”

This means that the onus will be upon every citizen to parallel the model villages and become model villagers. This redounds into following the law, helping out in their various communities, showing respect for all and sundry, caring for the common good, and taking part in society’s well-being. In a nutshell, it’s about realizing a vision.

Yours truly,
Hargesh B. Singh

References

Government launches Model Village initiative to transform communities – Pres Ali – Department of Public Information, Guyana — dpi.gov.gy ↩
Help President Ali 'modernise' villages — kaieteurnewsonline.com ↩
Success of Model Community Initiative depends on citizens’ commitment – President Ali – Department of Public Information, Guyana — dpi.gov.gy ↩

Government launches Model Village initiative to transform communities – Pres Ali – Department of Public Information, Guyana

dpi.gov.gy · 2026-08-03

President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has unveiled an ambitious Model Village initiative to transform communities across Guyana into modern, economically vibrant and socially connected spaces where citizens can live, work and thrive. ... The initiative, which begins with consultations in 23 villages, forms part of the government’s wider vision to ensure that development reaches every community while preserving each village’s unique identity, culture and heritage. Addressing residents of Leonora during the launch, President Ali said the government’s objective is to ensure that the benefits of Guyana’s rapid development are experienced by citizens in every village across the country. ... President Ali said the initiative seeks to reclaim villages as centres of social and economic development through a comprehensive framework built around four pillars- Connectivity, Community, Commerce and Care. ... He explained that the approach extends beyond roads and infrastructure to include improved economic opportunities, stronger social cohesion, safer environments, better public spaces and enhanced quality of life. ... > > “ A model village should be a place where people can live well, work, learn, raise families, recreate, worship, build businesses, access essential services, have a great sense of security, a sense of belonging, have peace of mind, and feel that they belong,” he said. The head of state stressed that while every village will be modernised, the government has no intention of creating identical communities. Instead, he said, each village’s history, traditions and economic strengths will be preserved while improving infrastructure and services. ... The consultations will allow residents to identify priority areas, including roads, drainage, lighting, recreational facilities, commercial zones and other community needs. ... > > He said, “We’re here to listen to you. You know where the roads are needed. You know where the drainage problems are. You know where the children play. You know where the businesses are… Tell us what works. Tell us what does not work. Tell us what should be preserved.” ... Meanwhile, Minister of Housing Collin Croal said the consultations will commence immediately in the 23 identified communities as government works to develop a blueprint for what modern villages should become. ... The minister noted that, “In order to start that, we have identified 23 model villages, for which over the next week, starting today, all of those communities identified will be visited, will be engaged, and the interaction will happen.” ... Minister Croal said the initiative reflects President Ali’s longstanding emphasis on creating cleaner, better maintained and more liveable communities across Guyana.

Sources

Help President Ali ‘modernize’ villages in iNews Guyana, August 10, 2026
Help President Ali ‘modernize’ villages in Guyana Times, August 9, 2026

Help President Ali 'modernise' villages

kaieteurnewsonline.com · 2026-08-10

Guyana’s transformation continues and I am happy that President Dr. Irfaan Ali is pushing the ‘model village’ initiative. We need this all across Guyana where the big idea is for “… creating safer, more resilient and sustainable communities.” This kind of mind-set and new way of thinking, being spawned by the People’s Progressive Party, was explained by His Excellency himself to eager listeners across the East Coast of Demerara. ... According to the effervescent head of state, his “government’s national village transformation programme will incorporate security infrastructure, improved drainage systems, economic development initiatives and enhance public amenities (all) as part of a comprehensive plan to modernise communities across Guyana,” and not only Melanie Damishana, where he met with villagers. On this note, I hastily apprise the nation that any good village will and must involve a combination of easy physical access to basic needs of everyday living. It must also incorporate strong social connectivities, and definitely, a shared sense of safety, characterised by the presence of security offers and availability of law enforcers. ... Mind you, there is a caution that President Ali alluded to, that is, ‘people are at the center of such developments.’ He clearly laid down the notion that “Stronger, resilient and sustainable communities are communities that are built to last; communities that are built to ensure the space in which you live is not only pleasing to the eyes, physically, but that that space gives a sense of belonging, that space gives a sense of pride, a sense of ownership, a sense of dignity” I see this as a challenge for people of Guyana wanting and driving to become good and worthy villagers themselves. ... Staying with the motif of ‘people’ or villagers themselves, the president was emphatic that “A community is the coming together of people; it is the coming together of many different things that coexist as one, and that is what makes us a community. A community has within it, its traditions, culture, economy, infrastructure, people, environment, ecology and its own beauty. And what we want to do is invest in such a way that all of these aspects of the community can become critically integrated in making the community a better place.” ... This means that the onus will be upon every citizen to parallel the model villages and become model villagers. This redounds into following the law, helping out in their various communities, showing respect for all and sundry, caring for the common good and taking part in society’s well-being. In a nut-shell, it’s about realising a vision.