OVER 2,800 youths have benefitted from tertiary level training under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration; an achievement which Minister of Public Service Dr. Jennifer Westford said is unparalleled. “Let us think about any other country in this hemisphere, or out of this hemisphere, who would have given the opportunity for its citizens, especially its young citizens, to be trained free of cost, … there is no other country, no other government, that can boast of this development and we must give credit where credit is due,” Minister Westford said.
She was at the time addressing over 5,000 youths who had gathered at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC) for the first ever Impress, Youth Expo, organized by the PPP/C, to create a forum for youths to disseminate ideas and seek clarification from government officials on its policies and programmes for development.
Minister Westford was one of several government officials who addressed the youths, encouraging them to value the treasures of education and aim for the sky, which, she said, is the limit of success.
Minister Westford, who holds a Master’s degree in International Studies, shared some of her earlier academic training as a Cuban scholarship awardee.
“As I look around today, I see faces, I see expressions, I see persons who want something, who are looking for something that is out there, something that they can reach for; and let me assure you, that something is within your grasp. Without a doubt, and we hear this many times, it’s being said that our young people are the future of our country and I believe that and I know many of you believe it; generally young persons have a lot of vigoor, you have a lot of vitally, you’re innovative, you’re willing, energetic, and moreso, optimistic, and that optimism is what we need in the Guyana,” Minister Westford said.
Youth development has been one of the main pillars of the PPP/C administration since taking office in 1992, according to Minister Westford, and was the motivating factor behind President Jagdeo sealing an accord with then Cuban President Fidel Castro for 500 scholarships in medicine in 1992.
“Imagine that, 500 of our young Guyanese, our brilliant Guyanese, being trained as medical doctors, coming back to this country to serve our people. What a great idea, what a great vision of this young man who led our country,” Minister Westford said.
The cadre of trained professionals also included veterinary doctors and engineers, agricultural scientists, meteorologists, engineers, agronomists.
Within this group are six from the hinterland who have returned as medical doctors and are serving their communities. Reference was also made to Wowetta, Region Nine Senior Counsellor, Bertie Xavier, who sits on the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
“With all the talk that we hear from the developed countries about rights for indigenous people and human rights, tell me, which of those countries can boast about giving equal opportunities and rights to their indigenous people as we are doing here in our country. I can answer, none of them,” Minister Westford said.
With the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector rapidly emerging in Guyana, Minister Westford said the endless benefits to youths have been the reason so much attention has been given to technology and youth.(GINA)