— YFC urges, throws support behind APNU+AFC coalition

PRESIDENT of Youth For Change (YFC), Juretha Fernandes has urged Guyanese to support the continuation of progress under the incumbent APNU+AFC coalition by voting for them to have another term in office.

Fernandes made these remarks at the launch of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) + Alliance for Change (AFC) coalition’s elections campaign on Friday at the D’Urban Park. The YFC is the youth arm of the Alliance For Change (AFC).

During her address, Fernandes listed some of the notable achievements of the Coalition during its first term in government. However, she opined that the coalition’s achievements, at least for her personally, encompassed more intrinsic changes.

“You see, 10 years ago, I could not have imagined myself here tonight,” Fernandes told the sizeable crowd. “I was born in a small mining community named Bartica, to a poor family in a hospital that barely had the basic things. However, today, Bartica is a town with one of the best regional hospitals, performing several different surgeries,” she said.

Using herself as an example, a young woman, who is the daughter of a former toshao, she illustrated her point that the Coalition government is one which is inclusive and reflective of the diverse Guyanese society.

The government, she said, has not let racial differences determine the opportunities that can be grasped.

“This coalition embodies the hope of a new generation of Guyanese; hope that, as a nation, we can finally break free from the chains of racism, and shatter the walls that divide us as a people,” the youth leader said.

She asserted that the coalition is one that has the ability to “usher in the dawn of a new era” for Guyana, one marked by unity, prosperity and security.

This new era, she said, will demand the collective input of all Guyanese.

Speaking to young people directly, she said that with the emergence of the oil and gas sector, there are many more “economic possibilities” for Guyana, but those possibilities could only be realised if the young people capitalise on the opportunities presented. She reminded them that at the end of this decade, the young people of today will become the leaders who will be held accountable.

“Therefore, I urge you tonight to stand up for yourself and grab hold of every opportunity that this government has provided for you,” Fernandes said, adding: “We are the future; let us embrace this government, our government, in its continued efforts to build a mew Guyana.”

Speaking to the Guyana Chronicle at the launch, YFC member and Councillor of Georgetown, Ayodele Roach affirmed, “The youth arm of the AFC is strong behind the Coalition, and we are ready to campaign.”

Roach posited that the youth demographic is the largest voting group currently, and she is confident that the coalition government has their support.

She also noted that a strength of the coalition is that it directs focus to youth, but also encompasses leaders who are well experienced. This, she related, illustrates balance.

Nevertheless, Fernandes urged all young Guyanese to vote for the APNU+AFC coalition on March 2, positing that their vote is not only a vote for the government of the next five years, but a vote for the development of the country for generations to come.

“Don’t stop the progress,” she urged.