… commends officers for hard work, making sacrifices
PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar, for the first time in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, yesterday addressed the Guyana Defence Force Annual Officers’ Conference, at the officers’ mess, Camp Ayangana, Thomas Lands.
The Commander-in-Chief, who addressed wide-ranging issues, key to which was security of the nation, also made a commitment to do more to strengthen the army.
He challenged the GDF to see the security of the nation viz a viz its human resource and social and economic development, as one of its main responsibilities, and to work assiduously to this end.
He said even though its fundamental responsibility of securing the country’s borders has not changed, it has remained the principal and fundamental duty of the military in our country, for as society develops, the challenges in this area become greater.
President Ramotar said while improved transportation and communications have had mostly positive impacts in the world, it is also true that it has now become global, with global links and greater sophistication.
The Commander-in-Chief acknowledged that globalisation brings about a growing integration of the world’s economy, but looked frontally at the pros and cons of globalization. On this note, he cited drug trafficking as being one of the global problems, and called for a global approach to fighting this scourge.
Stressing the need for heightened vigilance, he made a sobering point: We cannot ignore the fact that as society develops, weapons available to criminals become more sophisticated, and communications are now not only available to the Disciplined Services, but also to elements involved in criminal enterprises.

GLOBAL APPROACH
Said the President, “Recognizing it at  that level suggests that there is need for a global approach to fighting this scourge.”
In this regard, he recommended linkage between the Guyana Defence Force and other military agencies as being extremely important including links with regional forces, with the United States and others in ‘our continent’.
Meanwhile, conscious of the army’s needs, Ramotar said, “I want to assure you that I am willing and ready to do more in strengthening the army…that of course will depend on the growth of our economy”.
He added that he is optimistic that “we can develop rapidly” in the near future.
Albeit, he cautioned, “We must also see that we get value for every penny that we spend. After all, we must be conscious that we still have many poor people in this country, and we have to find resources to empower them, to get them out of poverty.”
And stressing the importance of care for and maximising the use of the army’s resources, President Ramotar cautioned the officers to be ever militant and guard against complacency. “We must always be careful how we treat what we have. We must be careful and ensure that, in procurement, we get value for our money and never again should the army lose stuff, like the 30 AKs, some of which are still out there.”
On a note of optimism, the Guyanese Head of State called on the ranks of the Guyana Defence Force to be ready and prepared for the future, adding, “We must concentrate on our human resources.”

PLANS UNVEILED
To this end, he unveiled plans for  investment in the academic development of ranks at varying levels, with a view to upgrading the least qualified to reach the secondary level. 
He spoke of providing life skills training so that soldiers can have skills that the society needs when they would have retired from the institution; addressing the welfare of soldiers as it relates to housing, for example; and other efforts at  enhancing professionalism.
Ramotar called on the officers to lead by example, so as to inspire others and ultimately heighten standards all round in the Guyana Defence Force.
“GDF officers must be upright and of unquestionable character and- integrity, which is vital for the moral of the Army…officers must be aware that the ranks look up to you and therefore leadership by example becomes vital, and integrity is vital for success,” he stressed.

At yesterday’s opening of the Army Officers’ Conference.

President Ramotar alluded to the political stability and better relations Guyana enjoyed with neighbours over the last five years, even as the country’s main trading partners were experiencing great difficulties, and attested to the fact that this played no small part in the growth of Guyana’s economy.
He referred to the crime wave experienced a few years ago, in which the army played an important role in maintaining the security of the nation, ultimately engendering confidence in the minds of the populace.
In conclusion, the president extended profound thanks to the officers and ranks for their hard work and sacrifices that come with military service, adding that keeping our nation and people safe is a noble endeavour. 
“I congratulate you because you have done well in this regard,” President Ramotar concluded.