-Says Army Chief-of-Staff, pledges loyalty to new government

AS Guyana enters a new era, its progression as a nation will be dependent on the protection of its people and its national sovereignty, something which Chief of Staff (ag) of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Godfrey Bess, promised to uphold and preserve, under the leadership of the country’s new President, Dr. Irfaan Ali.
“GDF is an apolitical institution and it will continue to uphold its noble position and service to the people of Guyana,” said Brigadier Bess in a virtual message, on Monday.
Dr. Ali, on Sunday, took the oath of office, which will see him serving as Guyana’s 9th Executive President. He took the oath before Chancellor (ag) of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

The new president, upon taking that oath, automatically became the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces and the Minister of Defence.
“This means all officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force are subjected to the new Commander-in-Chief’s directives…As the Guyana Defence Force has done in the past it will continue to do now, and that is to serve the state and people of Guyana under its Commander-in-Chief, Dr. Irfaan Ali,” said Brigadier Bess.
Further to this, the army Chief of Staff pledged the GDF’s loyalty to the Constitution of Guyana and the democratic government to be led by Dr. Ali. He also committed the GDF’s resources to the state, under the guidance of President Ali.

In further expressing his commitment to the new administration, Brigadier Bess said: “I also recommit the service of the officers and ranks to the conduct of the GDF’s constitutional mandate, as we put our shoulders to the wheel, to deter aggression, defend sovereignty and ensure the development of our country as safe and secure space.”
Brigadier Bess, according to a past report, had charged ranks to maintain the values of the GDF with a high level of professionalism.
Bess emphasised that the Force must continue to improve, and he would do all that he could to ensure this is done.

“We are the guardians of the country’s patrimony. Now, more than ever, given the current political economic and social factors, and at a time when no country is immune to the COVID-19 pandemic, we must strive for excellence, show strength, resilience and extraordinary high level of professionalism in the execution of our duties,” Bess urged.

He added that: “As service men and women of GDF I wish to underscore our purpose and service to the nation. We must protect our citizens and defend the country against all enemies. The GDF has been and will continue to be ready to deter aggression, defend our national sovereignty, and ensure the development of our country as a safe and secure place.”
Bess said the GDF will continue to support the police in the maintenance of public order. Bess was appointed last June to perform the functions of chief-of-staff, after approval was granted for Chief of Staff, Brigadier Patrick West to proceed on accumulated leave.

Bess committed himself to aiming for improvement of the Force, both in its infrastructural developments and human resources advancement.