…says Dr. Luncheon
Cabinet endorsed the conference centre located programme and rejected the “uncharitable and reckless manner” in which segments of the leadership of the organisations supported by Guyanese of African descent were deriding government’s actions.
So says Head of the Presidential Secretariat and Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Roger Luncheon, at his post-Cabinet press briefing Thursday. The launch of the year-long programme of activities is in response to the United Nations declaration by way of resolution that 2011 is the International Year for Peoples of African Descent. The activities include seminars, debating competitions, essays and video-essay competitions, student exchanges, tours to historic sites, lectures, round tables, exhibitions and other activities.
“Cabinet rejected their claims that sought to justify and legitimise their actions and recalled evidence of the carefully documented and recently publicised responses by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport,” Dr. Luncheon said.
“Be that as it may, Cabinet noted that its intention was not to engage in scoring cheap political points over its discharge of responsibility to Guyanese, including those of African descent,” he said.
“By all measures, Guyanese of African descent in the year 2011 have and continue to recognise their profound presence and decisive inputs in Guyanese affairs and in society. The PPP/C administration remains committed to support that reality,” Dr. Luncheon said.
Speaking at the launch of the year of celebration at the conference centre on Wednesday, President Bharrat Jagdeo said government will pull out all the stops to ensure that the year is a successful one in terms of the planned events and expressed the hope that by the end of the year, there will be tangible outcomes.