First Lady secures partnership to expand employment for persons with disabilities

First Lady Arya Ali and government ministers interact with a disabled person

First Lady, Arya Ali, has secured a landmark partnership with major utility and service providers to expand employment opportunities and improve access to essential services for persons with disabilities through the Centre for Equity, Opportunity and Innovation.

The announcement was made during a ceremony at the Centre, which was launched in June at Palmyra, Region Six.

The Guyana Power and Light (GPL), Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), ENet, One Communications, MMG, MoneyGram, and Western Union have all begun establishing service kiosks inside the Centre and will begin offering a full suite of services to residents of Region Six by January 2026.

In addition to the 90 persons already employed at the facility, the seven companies have committed to hiring at least one person with a disability to manage their kiosk.

The commitment brings to fruition sustained lobbying by the First Lady over the past four years for the private sector to play a more meaningful role in providing employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. Her InclusAbility Initiative has amplified the need for greater levels of inclusion.

“For years, we have been urging corporate Guyana to make inclusion a lived reality. This partnership shows what is possible when we work together for the good of all our people. The Centre was created to empower persons with disabilities and today’s collaboration with these seven companies brings us even closer to that vision,” the First Lady said.

Finance Minister and MP for Region Six, Ashni Singh, praised the initiative, saying it demonstrates meaningful change when government, the private sector and civil society work together.

“It represents economic empowerment at the community level and showcases the values of President Ali’s One Guyana philosophy,” Singh said.

Public Utilities and Aviation Minister, Deodat Indar, added that the private sector plays a critical role in development.

“Our utility companies are not just service providers. They are partners in development. Their presence here will make services more accessible while supporting sustainable employment for persons with disabilities,” he said.

Minister of Public Service, Government Efficiency and Implementation, Zulfikar Ally, called the initiative “an excellent example of delivering targeted, people-centered solutions, and increasing job opportunities for persons with disabilities which is essential to a modern, inclusive public service.”

Chairman of the National Commission on Disability, Ganesh Singh, described the initiative as a “progressive step” strengthening the government’s commitment to inclusion.

“This brings services closer to people, especially people with disabilities who can now use an accessible facility to pay for services. I hope other private sector entities will see this and come on board to employ more persons with disabilities. We need all hands on deck to truly transform the disability landscape in Guyana,” Singh said.

Representatives of the partnering utility companies expressed their support, describing the initiative as a demonstration of “inclusive development.”

The expansion of employment opportunities at the Centre marks another step in advancing inclusion through meaningful partnerships. (Office of the First Lady Arya Ali)