Newly appointed Minister of Home Affairs, Oneidge Walrond, says the government’s ongoing digital transformation agenda will play a key role in stamping out corruption across agencies under her watch.
Speaking with media operatives on Wednesday, Minister Walrond who previously served as Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce was asked about concerns surrounding corruption in the Guyana Police Force and other departments of her ministry. She acknowledged that allegations of corruption exist in every environment where human bias can play a role. “It’s not just the Police Force,” Walrond, a former magistrate, explained, pointing out that the issue is not unique to one agency.
The Minister stressed that digitising systems will help reduce opportunities for manipulation. She pointed to the firearm licensing process as one area that requires urgent reform, noting that she has already engaged the secretary of the Firearm Board and intends to meet with the chairman to advance discussions. “It should be based on certain criteria… developing a system that removes the human element in the process,” she said, adding that digital reforms are the most effective way to improve transparency.
Her comments align with repeated commitments by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to root out corruption. In its manifesto, the party promised to strengthen laws, establish an anti-corruption unit, use advanced technologies such as blockchain to increase transparency, and fully enforce the Access to Information Act.
President Irfaan Ali, in his inauguration address, also underscored that corruption “undermines the efficiency, fairness, and credibility of public service” and pledged that his administration would ensure accountability across state agencies.
