Speaker Profile

Catherine Andrea Hughes was born in Guyana and is a graduate of the University of the West Indies, Jamaica where gained a degree in Mass Communications with honours, and postgraduate training in Management, Training and Development in Liverpool, England.

Cathy Hughes began her professional career as a Television Producer gaining extensive knowledge of the Caribbean media and advertising environment over a twenty-five year period.  She has worked as a TV news reporter in Jamaica, as a freelance radio reporter with the BBC’s Radio Merseyside in Liverpool, England as a television producer for the Local Edition of CNN’s Headline News in Texas, USA.

Ms. Hughes has successfully run  her own company  Videomega Productions, a state of the art digital video production facility and advertising agency. She has always been a vibrant and outspoken advocate on social, and political issues in Guyana especially in the promotion of women’s rights.

But is probably best-known as a lead advocate for the development of Guyana’s tourism industry twice serving as President of the private sector led Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana.

In 2011  Cathy Hughes was elected a Member of Parliament a position she continues to hold.  In May 2015 she was entrusted with responsibilities of Minister of Tourism. In January of 2016, her portfolio was expanded when she was appointed Guyana’s first Minister of Public Telecommunications, a position held by few women in the ICT field in the Caribbean and internationally.

Minister Hughes is committed to promoting and implementing Government’s vision of establishing  ICT as a fundamental pillar of  Guyana’s developmental agenda, creating a digital government,  and increasing broadband and internet connectivity throughout the country in the transformation of Guyana.