President Ali Direct Attorney General to Form Task Force on Children's Mental Health and Safety

Kaieteur News reported on October 25, 2026, that President Dr. Irfaan Ali issued a directive to the Attorney General, tasking them with coordinating an inter-agency task force. This body is intended to formulate a thorough plan of action to tackle increasing worries about the mental health, welfare, and safety of children within Guyana.

This directive came after a consultative meeting that included representatives from the Government, the Judiciary, the Speaker of the National Assembly, constitutional commissions, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations, all of whom discussed significant issues impacting the nation's children.

An Office of the President release stated that, based on recent occurrences, the meeting concluded that various sectors of society must implement immediate, decisive, and coordinated measures to address the broad range of factors contributing to the current situation. This necessary approach must involve parents, the Government, the school system, social and religious organizations, law enforcement, the Judiciary, and all other pertinent societal stakeholders.

Key measures considered critical to resolving this national issue included public awareness campaigns, education, parental backing, school activities, psychosocial support, mentoring, encouraging healthy and recreational activities, regulating exposure to music and social media, and revising laws. Furthermore, the review of law enforcement methods and modifications to the administration of justice were also deemed essential.

To address all the matters discussed and to develop a comprehensive strategy, His Excellency instructed the Honorable Attorney General to oversee the coordination of an inter-agency task force. This task force will include representatives from the government, the judiciary, law enforcement, religious organizations, civil society, and other pertinent stakeholders to devise and design a comprehensive set of recommendations and actions for subsequent review and implementation.