The Government of Guyana is hoping that its efforts to weed out corruption will happen at a faster-pace, according to Minister of Governance, Gail Teixeira.

At the opening of an Anti-Money Laundering and Corruption Expo this morning, Minister Teixeira acknowledged that more cases of corruption could occur even as the Government improves its anti-corruption efforts.

She said real efforts are now underway to strengthen institutions to help with the fight against corruption here.

“The is issue is, as we go forward in the anti-corruption fight and as we getting better and stronger in our investigation and prospection that we will be able to find more cases and that is why we have to focus on building resilient institutions against corruption and how do we keep ensuring the various institutions involve in anti-corruption in Guyana, that these are strengthen, they have skills, technical resources and training, so that they can do good work,” Teixeira said.

The Minister said the country has made progress both in the fight against corruption and with the respect for human rights. She said the basic human rights are now afforded to citizens at a faster rate.

However, she noted that where there are gaps, the administration is working to ensure that those are rectified without casting blame.

“It is always government’s responsibility, government has responsibility, it cannot deny that but when it comes to human rights and anti-corruption, this is a responsibility of all of us as citizens and that is why we talk about all of society’s approach to these issues,” the Minister said.

Teixeira said when it comes to corruption, the country has reached a point, where persons must not feel that they have to pay a bribe to get certain things done.

The two-day event is being hosted to observe both International Human Rights Day, which is tomorrow, and International Anti-Corruption Day, which was observed today.

Prime Minister Mark Phillips, believe that local advocacy is crucial to promote human rights and the fight against corruption.

“It is interesting that we link human rights and the work we have been doing in that area as well as anti-corruption activities in Guyana, and all perceivable anti-corruption action you can think about we are either promoting through the government of Guyana programmes and also working in collaboration with many private sector agencies”, the Prime Minister noted.

The Government of Guyana continues to face widespread criticism over claims of corruption taking place in several Government departments and agencies.

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