AS thousands of Guyanese turned out at Kitty Market Square to show their support towards the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) with chants “long live the PPP/C” and chants of “Harper for PM”, they welcomed Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper. “Thank you, you have energised me with those kind words and awesome show of love,” said Elisabeth Harper as she took the podium explaining that this area is close to her heart, “this is my area I was born of this area.”
As the Prime Ministerial Candidate delivered her remarks she first reiterated the achievements and developments the country has seen under the PPP/C Government. “I am here today to tell you about my vision for this country, a vision that will build a strong and stable Guyana and it is also the vision of the PPP/C and President Donald Ramotar,” she said.
Harper alluded to many facts of the manifesto of the PPP/C for the upcoming May 11 General and Regional elections, explaining that one of the major components she will be looking at is the empowerment of women. She explained that the PPP/C builds national pride and has an unwavering commitment to build Guyana, through the development of the different sectors that would have already seen national development such as housing and water, while health and education are always priority.
She noted that Guyana has always been a hospitable nation and has always welcomed international investments and “we will continue to welcome international developments and as such further develop different sectors of our economy and country.”
JOB CREATION INITIATIVES
Harper noted that presently more attention needs to be given to job creation for our young people and in the PPP/C manifesto “we will make sure jobs are created and more development and a number of new initiatives for job creation opportunities will be embarked upon.”
“With these new initiatives many more people will be able to enjoy a higher standard of living in this country”, she said.
Harper moved on to salute the armed forces, “we salute the police and army who go beyond the call of duty every day to service their country.” The President, she noted, only at the recent Annual Police Conference laid out a 15-point programme to assist in the upgrade of the force. On this note she related that the welfare of these officers remains top priority for the PPP/C.
“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 and facilitate our decision making with in this sector,” Harper stated.
Empowering women is vital, Harper noted, “We will review all the laws that will encourage and promote women’s rights and equality. We must exercise zero tolerance on domestic violence.” She explained that domestic violence destroys who we are and everything we stand for and we as a community should not encourage it and “I encourage our men to participate in this fight also.”
Harper further explained that teenage pregnancy is also a big problem and our manifesto will be addressing these issues also. “If you had to leave school early, you have another chance to continue your education and provide for your family, opportunities will be available to support you.”
SINGLE PARENTS
“Single parents will be able to also further their education, training and day care services will be provided, child support will be mandatory by the court” are some of the opportunities that will be available to the single parents, Harper noted.
“I am asking you to support the PPP/C if you want progress to continue, we can do this together we will do this together, vote for the PPP/C and let the progress continue” was the Prime Ministerial Candidate Elisabeth Harper’s parting word to the massive crowd that gathered at Kitty Market Square.

By Rebecca Ganesh