ELISABETH Ann Harper, the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C), made her public inauguration yesterday as she was welcomed by the thousands who had gathered at the Babu John memorial site in honour of the late Jagans.Taking to the podium for the first time in that capacity, the ever humble Harper firstly acknowledged the recognition of the people who have expressed support for her as the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the party and pledged her energies toward the continued development of Guyana, since she believes in the nation and service to it.
PASSING THE BATON
Passing the ceremonial baton to Harper, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds used the opportunity to thank supporters who over the years affirmed him as the PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial Candidate.
Hinds in delivering his final presentation to the Jagan memorial ceremony as the party’s Prime Minister, vowed to always be around to continue to challenge party supporters to continue to champion the legacy of the late Dr Cheddi Jagan.
“You won’t see the end of me,” promised Hinds who added that he will always be there to challenge those who have strayed from the ideals established by the late Dr Jagan.

It is, however, not a low point in Prime Minister Hinds’ career, as he relayed to those gathered at Babu John in Berbice that despite the fact it is his last presentation to that gathering, he does believe that during his tenure “I have achieved quite a bit.”
This sentiment earned him a resounding applause from the large crowd of supporters, seemingly out of appreciation and agreement.
Commending Harper to PPP/C supporters as their Prime Ministerial Candidate, Hinds attested that she is a person who has earned the reputation as someone who has worked diligently in the interest of the nation.
This, he noted, is pronounced particularly while assigned to foreign duties and as such he had no hesitation believing that Harper will work in the best interest of Guyana, when it comes to its dealings with the international community.
JAGDEO’S APPRECIATION
Appreciation for the Prime Minister, was not limited to the crowd of supporters, however, as
former President Bharrat Jagdeo, also issued a public note of gratitude to Hinds, on behalf of himself, the party and supporters.
Hinds is the longest serving Prime Minister in this hemisphere, having served in the post for some 22 years and would have spent the majority of that time (1999 to 2011) working along with Jagdeo.
Former President Jagdeo who also was treated to a resounding welcome at the Babu John memorial site, in expressing appreciation to Hinds for his service over the years, firstly welcomed Harper before telling supporters “may I on your behalf, on behalf of the PPP family gathered here today, say a special thank you to Prime Minister Samuel Hinds.”
The sentiment expressed by former President Jagdeo, immediately sent the decibel levels in the crowd skyrocketing with an extended round of applause, a clear appreciation for the service rendered by Hinds to the party over the more than two decades of his service.
“Prime Minister thank you for the struggle that you have shouldered jointly with us…Thank you for your decency, integrity and hard work,” Jagdeo added.
“Thank you for being strong in the face of the most vile and pernicious attacks that the opposition waged against you…You withstood those attacks with dignity and it was largely because of who you are,” the former President declared publicly.
FAITH IN JAGAN’S DREAM
According to Jagdeo, Prime Minister Hinds never lost faith with the administration and the path it chose to take the country forward.
“You never lost faith in Cheddi Jagan’s dream and today we are not losing faith in Cheddi Jagan’s dream, we are going forward to building a country that we are all going to be proud of,” declared Jagdeo in another declaration that earned him a resounding applause.
According to Jagdeo, the Prime Minister will one day be able to look back at his tenure and know that he played a part in achieving the dream that the party is working towards building.

Welcoming Harper to the fray as the party’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Jagdeo said, “We are happy to have you on board…We know of your capacity for hard work, your patriotism, your love for the country.”
BE ON GUARD
Jagdeo in advising Harper, however, cautioned that the attacks have already started. He told Harper she must be on guard against the vile attacks that would be coming as the political campaign heats up.
According to Jagdeo, a seasoned elections campaigner, “ignore them; let your dignity and strong character shine through like our Prime Minister (Hinds).”
The former president was adamant that despite what the naysayers may publicise about the party and its membership, “they can’t change who we are, they can’t change what we have accomplished.”

‘I BELIEVE IN GUYANA’
Coinciding with her first public presentation as the Prime Ministerial Candidate for the PPP/C, Harper used the occasion of International Women’s Day to salute the contributions the female sex has made towards the building of families, communities and the nation as a whole.

Turning her attention to the imminent General and Regional Elections come May 11, Harper who is the first woman candidate to be fielded in the position of Prime Minister for the PPP/C, told the thousands gathered, “it is an honour for me to be standing here in the capacity of Prime Ministerial candidate for the PPP/C, I believe in Guyana, I believe in service to Guyana.”
Harper, gave the wholehearted commitment to the thousands gathered that “if given the opportunity, I could work with President Ramotar in the next majority government to contribute to increasing the potential of this great nation that we live in.”
Attracting positive responses from the large crowd with each of her brief annotations, Harper also used the opportunity to commend the young people who turned out and had been mobilised by the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO).
According to Harper, “I believe indeed that you are our future and I want to encourage all of you, everyone to put Guyana first, let us put Guyana first as we work together to build this beautiful land of ours.”
Wrapping up her maiden presentation as the PPP/C’s Prime Ministerial Candidate, Harper “pledged to dedicate my energies towards building Guyana into a more prosperous nation.”