–to ensure smooth coordination, execution of national events

PRESIDENT David Granger has mooted the idea of establishing a Department of National Events to ensure major public events are well coordinated and properly executed. The Department, if it becomes a reality, will be housed within the Ministry of the Presidency.

The idea was floated at a recent meeting between the President and several high-ranking officials, including Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry. An official who attended the meeting explained that, for now, the Department is just a conceptual idea.

Though specific details of the deliberations were not disclosed, the source revealed that attention was placed on national events during the discussion when the idea of establishing a Department of National Events under the Ministry of the Presidency came up. The idea was put forward by President Granger. The source explained that no decision has as yet been made to establish such a Department, but Government would most likely be moving in this direction.

“It has not evolved to the point where a decision has been made. It is just an idea which was floated, and could possibly be developed to create a framework for such a Department. From the posture of the President, too, it seems like he would like to see the Government go in that direction,” the source told the Guyana Chronicle.

It is not clear what Minister Henry’s reaction to this idea was, but such a move is intended to chart a way for strengthening the management of national events, more particularly Mashramani activities and Independence celebrations.

Guyana recently celebrated 50 years as an independent nation, and the planning of events for that occasion was hailed a success by Minister Henry, but several shortcomings in protocol and logistics were noted, and those attracted criticisms. One such logistical mishap was the seating arrangements at the flag-raising ceremony, which led to the Opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPP) leaving the event prematurely. Another criticism, which continues to resurface annually, is the mundane cultural displays at the Independence celebrations and, to some extent, Mashramani events. These have generated much discussion in social corners, and the general feeling is that there is need for better management of these events.

Against this backdrop, the discussion was likely held to devise a strategy to strengthen the management of these events, so as to ensure all protocols are observed and the events are well coordinated and executed.