Minister of Home Affairs Oneidge Walrond delivered a forceful rebuttal during the ongoing Budget 2026 debates, condemning what she termed divisive and inflammatory rhetoric from opposition figures, including David Hinds of A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
In her address, Minister Walrond asserted that the opposition has been misrepresenting Guyana’s history to sow ethnic division. She specifically criticized remarks suggesting that Afro-Guyanese members on the government side have a duty only to advocate for Afro-Guyanese dignity, rather than for all citizens of Guyana. “Such rhetoric fuels division and undermines national cohesion,” she stated.
Further, she accused elements of the opposition of propagating “wild, inflammatory charges of ethnic discrimination” aimed at undermining the legitimacy of the government. Drawing from Guyana’s political history, she referenced the People’s Progressive Party Civic’s (PPP/C) 1993 budget presentation, pointing out that the nation had become the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, with debt servicing consuming 100% of revenue at that time.
Walrond noted the transformation under the current administration, highlighting that debt servicing now accounts for only about 5.5% of revenue, thereby enabling significant investments in essential services such as schools, hospitals, and housing.
Rejecting what she viewed as attempts to weaponize ethnic issues for political gain, Minister Walrond affirmed that Guyanese citizens are increasingly resistant to such divisive tactics. “This government is about true empowerment. It provides access and inclusion, creating an environment where the talents and ambitions of our people can thrive,” she explained, emphasizing that dignity is built through opportunity.
She reaffirmed the PPP/C government’s commitment to ensuring that all ethnic groups can participate in and reap the benefits of national development. “Guyana is for all Guyanese,” Minister Walrond asserted, vowing to uphold the principles of unity, development, and people-centered governance reflected in Budget 2026.
