Guyana’s Public Security Minister wants a culture that makes youth assets in the Caribbean

Vice President and Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan has made a call for there to be a culture within the Region where young people are viewed as assets rather than liabilities. Minister Ramjattan made the call at the opening of a two-day Regional Forum on Youth Crime and Violence which opened on Monday here in Georgetown.

The Minister related that “children should be in schools and not jails” while speaking out against crime prevention approaches which often tend to depend on the justice criminal system.

He lamented that there is a need for juvenile reforms and called for such legislation changes. The Public Security Minister in putting forward a number of proposals believes political commitment in terms of resources is key in responding to the issue at hand.

CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Manorma Soeknandan highlighted that CARICOM was not silent on the issue. She did, however, place emphasis on the crucial need “to perfect the art of meaningful cooperation and coordinated action between and among ministries and departments to achieve effective solutions …”

The Forum was held under the theme: Youth Crime and Violence; Breaking the Cycle Exploring New Platforms for transformation.

Decisions from the Forum are expected to be submitted and discussed at the Twenty-Ninth Community Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) meeting set for 3 March 2016.