– throws hat in the ring for PNCR vice-chairman post

THERE is a great need for more young people to be at the helm of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) and this is something party member Christopher Jones believes is critical to the advancement of the party founded by Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
Jones, 38, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle Saturday, noted that since joining the party some 19 years ago, it has been his desire to see more youth actively involved in the leadership of the party.

He explained that with over 240,000 youths across the country between the ages of 18 and 43, there is a need for them to be adequately represented in the Central Executive Committee of the party.

“More young people are needed at the leadership level of the party and I think that is what is going to attract more young people to the party, because they see a reflection of themselves there,” Jones shared with the Guyana Chronicle.

He believes, and strongly so, that his youth and youth advocacy puts him at an advantage as he competes for the post of vice-chairman of the PNCR. In the past, Jones has served as chairman of the party’s youth arm, and it was through that arm that much-needed support, he said was rallied around President David Granger becoming presidential candidate in the lead-up to the 2011 national elections.

“He had a disadvantage in that the other candidates that were vying at that time viewed his age as an issue. But as chairman of the youth movement, I had to essentially rally my case and the youths’ case outside of the party, so that they could rally behind David Granger.”
Jones noted too that when President David Granger was appointed the presidential candidate, the same trend continued as he became leader of the PNCR.
“…and then into the 2015 election, we rallied the youth around David Granger and he was successful in becoming the President of the country.”

As such, Jones, a father of three, believes that with the youth base established during that period and beyond, he holds their “confidence and support.”
“That is what gives me that advantage,” he said proudly, while noting that he would really like to see more young people “in key positions in the PNC.”

“Outside of me vying for VC, there are 15 persons who are to be elected on the Central Executive Committee… I am advocating for five young people to be part,” he told the Guyana Chronicle. Among the five are James Bond, Malika Ramsay, Akeem Peter and Dennon Lewis.
“I am pushing for at least five young people to be elected. As one youth at the level of the vice-chairmanship, I don’t know it all in terms of being a young person, so I need a team of young persons with me. I think essentially that change in the face of the PNC to equally reflect gender balance and demographic needs,” Jones continued.
The director of sports noted too that his platform is strong, as his quest is not to be seen as Christopher Jones, vice-chairman of the PNC, but as Christopher Jones, a face of change.
“All of the posts within the PNC should not be viewed as an opportunity to go higher up in the party. There is a much greater and bigger picture and this speaks to the populace of the country… I see myself as having the opportunity in a senior position within the PNC to be able to advocate on their [youth] behalf.”

VOICE OF YOUTH
Jones explained that after listening to the hue and cry of the youth and their belief that their concerns are not reaching the ears of the hierarchy, he sees himself as “their voice.”
“I see myself as that voice to speak on behalf of that particular demographic, because many of their views and expressions are similar to mine as well. I see this as a greater opportunity not only for me as an individual, but an opportunity for the PNC as a political movement that is responsible for the masses of the country,” Jones told the Guyana Chronicle.

He stressed that he is not self-centred and is not a self-serving person, but has the best interest of the youth of Guyana at heart.
“I am very humble, disciplined, and loyal and that is how I have always been throughout the years,” he declared.

Meanwhile, when asked what prompted him to join the PNCR some 19 years ago, Jones said he believed that the only way to try fixing some of the country’s social ills would be to be party of a bigger platform. He pointed to extra-judicial killings and unjust dismissals of working-class people, which he believed hinged on political vindictiveness and racism.
“I noted that if that continued, it would hinder my future in the country of my birth. That is why I recognised that the only way one could actually try to fix the problem was by being in a political setting.”

Jones told this publication that his journey thus far has been fulfilling, but not without challenges. He explained that there is no template on how a political journey will unfold, but said living it for 19 years has proven that “every day is a different experience.”

GOOD JOURNEY
“It has been good so far, a wonderful journey, but over the years, the experiences I gained is what aided me in the decisions being made currently in vying for an office, as well too as to how I operate or function in government,” Jones noted.
Jones is ready for his next challenge, that of being vice-chairman of the PNCR, a position which is currently held by Dr. George Norton.

“I have always been nominated and that says to me that people have confidence in me to take this road. I never turned them down, I allowed the process to go forward and take up the challenge. Throughout the 19 years every so often a new challenge is given to me and I just do it to the best of my ability.

“Clearly, I have been doing it well, as many of those challenges would have been thrown to me, I would have been able to overcome them,” he asserted.
Ultimately, it is his desire to be the leader of the party.