WITH chants of ‘Harper, we want Harper’ emanating from the gargantuan crowds in Albion, Berbice on Sunday last, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Prime Ministerial Candidate, Mrs. Elisabeth Harper, took to the stage and assured the women of Berbice: “I will be your voice and your rights will be fully respected.”Speaking to thousands of supporters that lined the Albion Estate Road, Mrs. Harper asked the crowd: “Who will lead our country for the next 5 years? Are you ready to make that choice? Will you choose a leader and a party that have brought so much progress? Are you ready for the Presidency of Donald Ramotar?” Her answer and that of the crowd was the same – a resounding ‘yes!’

Harper spoke with confidence of the numerous achievements that were made a reality under the PPP/C Government. “In your community you have more services in education, health and job opportunities. You are now able to build your own homes with the help of the Housing Ministry; and there are massive improvements taking place in the agricultural sector under this Government,” she declared.

Speaking specifically to the young people who will be voting for the first time, Mrs. Harper said: “I want you to listen very carefully; soon you might be standing on this stage and putting forward a vision on this stage. I encourage you to work hard and help to build this blessed country of ours…”
The PM candidate also highlighted a few areas that the PPP/C will be focusing on in its manifesto that will bring benefits to the Guyanese people. “Food security is at the top of our agenda, increase production and the diversification of our other crops, we will also continue to partner with the private sector to create more investment projects and jobs creation”, she related, while applauding the contributions made by the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and the excellent work they have been doing in the ‘ancient county’.
She said Government will establish a ‘special development fund’ for Region 6 (East Berbice / Corentyne) that will encourage jobs and health creation activities. Harper also underscored the fact that Education has always been a priority of the PPP/C Government, with many laudable and distinguished achievements over the years in this sector.
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT

The humble yet brilliant and distinguished woman who is vying to be the Prime Minister of Guyana also spoke on her ‘pet issue’, empowering women.

“We will review all the laws that will encourage and promote women’s rights and equality. And we must exercise zero tolerance on domestic violence,” Mrs. Harper declared.
She explained that “domestic violence destroys who we are and everything we stand for, and we as a community should not encourage it…I encourage our men to participate in this fight also.”

“Single parents will be able to further their education; training and day care services will be provided, child support will be mandatory by the court…these are some of the opportunities that will be available to Single parents under a PPP/C Government,” Mrs. Harper said.

While acknowledging that more attention needs to be given to the creation of jobs for our young people, Mrs. Harper promised that the PPP/C will ensure that jobs are created, and a number of new initiatives will be explored to ensure that this can be achieved.

“With these new initiatives, many more people will be able to enjoy a higher standard of living in this country”, she said. “Our manifesto will talk about housing for young people, a vision that is geared to creating a Guyana with a great future, with more interacting and dialogue…,” she posited.