Dear Editor,
In the ongoing discourse around the government’s cash grant app, an important consideration that deserves attention is the acceptance of life certificates as a viable substitute for in-person appearances. Vice President Jagdeo has highlighted the app’s potential to simplify the process for citizens, yet one practical solution has been overlooked: formally allowing life certificates as a method to verify identity, especially for eligible Guyanese who live overseas.
Life certificates, traditionally issued to pensioners to confirm their living status, could serve as a convenient and legally sound way to verify applicants who may face challenges with in-person appearances. For elderly individuals, those with disabilities, or others facing mobility constraints, requiring physical attendance can be burdensome. This is even more true for eligible Guyanese residing overseas, for whom traveling to Guyana for verification purposes may be financially or logistically prohibitive. A life certificate could fulfill the same need for verification without these added obstacles.
By formally accepting life certificates within the cash grant programme, the government could create a more accessible and inclusive system. To ensure accountability, life certificates could be further validated with local authorities or through existing biometric systems. This approach would preserve the integrity of the programme while making it more accommodating for those who need it most.
This proposal aligns with the government’s commitment to making essential services more user-friendly and responsive. I urge our leaders to consider adopting life certificates as a legal instrument for cash grant verification, enabling a fairer process for both local and overseas-eligible Guyanese.
Sincerely,
Keith Bernard
