INFANT member of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, Mark Ross was revealed to be among those making their first appearance on a National Top up list of candidates for the coalition at the upcoming General and Regional Elections, fixed for May 11. Other new additions to the list who would be making their first appearance include, among others: Shamir Ally, Mark Archer, Simona Broomes, Joel Edmund, Vladimir Glasgow, Donna Mathoo, Surendra Persaud, Tabitha Sarabo, Abel Seetaram, Sheba Thomas, Reynard Ward and Malika Ramsey.

In an exclusive interview with this publication, Ross, who joined the Alliance For Change some time last year, expressed his appreciation towards the coalition for the confidence they had invested in him, adding that he will continue to work heavily, in or out of Government for youth development across the country.
Being a co-founder of Global Youth Movement – Guyana (GYM-G), a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Ross explained that his experience thus far on the campaign trail has allowed him to understand the plight and suffering of his countrymen, especially young people and he promised to continue his humanitarian work in and out of politics.
Among the proposed areas of interest for the young politician are education, suicide, domestic violence and a continuous push for the hosting of Local Government Elections (LGE). “We want to ensure education is of high priority, especially in Region 5,” he said.
Ross noted too that “Education of the country’s youths and children must be high on the national agenda if we are to develop the natural resource and move the country forward.”
He further stated that special focus must be placed in Berbice to raise the standards of the secondary schools to that of the city public schools so that young people in Berbice are guaranteed to enjoy equal access and benefits.
“Suicide too, which has been a national issue particularly among youths, we will seek to focus heavily on, to reduce the number of cases,” Ross disclosed, adding that domestic violence will attract the same attention.”
Other members included on the APNU+AFC list are; AFC’s treasurer, Hans Gaskin; Lawyer, Joel Persid; Head of the Amerindian People’s Association, Jean La Rose; Medical Doctor, Surendra Persaud; President of the Guyana Women Miners Association, Simona Broomes, who is known globally for her valiant fight against Trafficking In Persons and former Vice- Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor, Harold Lutchman.
Member of the Essequibo Paddy Farmers Association and AFC Councillor, Naith Ram and prominent Essequibo Coast businessman, Sam Bacchus, also made their appearances on the coalition’s list.
Presenting their National top up list of candidates on Tuesday, were: the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the United Republican Party (URP), the Independent Party, Healing the Nation Theocracy Party (HTNTP) and the United Force (TUF).