Improving ranks’ wellbeing, greater community involvement
President Dr. Irfaan Ali (centre) is flanked by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips (left); Chief of Staff (ag), Brigadier Godfrey Bess (right); Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn and other officers of the Guyana Defence Force in this traditional ‘family’ photo (Delano Williams photo)
President Dr. Irfaan Ali (centre) is flanked by Prime Minister, Mark Phillips (left); Chief of Staff (ag), Brigadier Godfrey Bess (right); Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn and other officers of the Guyana Defence Force in this traditional ‘family’ photo (Delano Williams photo)

— among pillars of new national defence policy outlined by President Ali

By Richard Bhainie

STRENGTHENING of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) as an institution; emphasis on improving the wellbeing of ranks; the fortification of national security through foreign policy and greater involvement of the GDF within the communities, are four pillars of the new national defence policy.

The multi-faceted national defence policy, conducive to Guyana’s national development strategy, was outlined by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, during his inaugural address to the Annual Officers’ Conference of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), on Thursday at the National Cultural Centre.

“We must not see a difference between national development strategy and our defence strategy, the success and sustainability of our national development strategy requires a strong defence strategy that supports the growth and development of our country,” President Ali highlighted.

While recognising the critical stage of development and economic growth Guyana has embarked on, the President elaborated on his defence policy which entails the “retooling, re-organising and reskilling” of the members of the force, for the development of a well-skilled and versatile force, to execute the policy in line with the national development strategy.

INSTITUTION

The Head of State announced that the first pillar of the new policy is to strengthen the Defence Force as an institution so that it may be able to better execute its mandate.

While this will be done through the acquisition of equipment, aircraft and marine vessels, which will allow the force to exercise improved surveillance over Guyana’s terrain, technological advancement will also play a pivotal role.

“A stronger force however, does not mean a larger force; we are building a smarter defence force with an emphasis on increased use of technology and intelligence so that we can know what is occurring on our borders and within our territorial sea and EEC,” the President said.

INDIVIDUALS

Of utmost importance is the wellbeing and welfare of ranks who serve within the GDF; this forms the second pillar of the defence policy and heavy investment will be channeled into improving the lives of members of the force and their families.

“A grateful nation takes care of those who are prepared to lay down their lives to protected our motherland, no soldier should therefore live in want and destitution,” President Ali said.

He noted that a number of scholarships and training opportunities, improved health services and a special housing programme will be set aside for members of the force and their families; the policy also caters for ranks after their retirement.

“I am pleased to say to you that we have already communicated to the chief-of-staff to have the first 150 officers and ranks pre-qualify with the banks for the first roll out of not only house lots but housing facilities,” the President announced.

NATIONAL SECURITY

“The third pillar of our defence policy is the fortification of national security through the pursuit of a foreign policy which places primacy on respect for international law and the protection of our territorial integrity and national sovereignty,” President Ali explained.

Relations with friendly militaries and states will be founded on friendship and co-operation, he said and noted that the country will be no pawn or puppet of any foreign power, no foreign power will establish a presence that Guyana and the GDF do not request.

“We will exercise our sovereign right to choose our friends and to enter into agreements which will enhance our defence force’s capabilities and our people’s development,” The Guyanese Head-of-State noted.

He also noted that the first line of defence Guyana will employ is that of diplomacy and will embark on peaceful resolution to disputes while maintaining utmost respect and adherence to international law and the cultivation of strong foreign relations.

“But while we are a peaceful state no one should underestimate our resolve at protecting our territory and safeguarding national sovereignty, let not our peaceful intent be mistaken for weakness,” the President asserted.

He made reference to the recent detaining of Guyanese fishermen by Venezuela while they were fishing in Guyana’s exclusive economic zone and thanked the international community for their support while noting that Guyana will continue to court the solidarity of the regional and international community in deterring threats to our territorial integrity and sovereignty.

“Guyana will also forge close cooperation with sister militaries and friendly states in enhancing the capacity of its armed forces. At present this co-operation has manifested in joint and multilateral military training exercise through donations of non-lethal equipment from our friends and allies,” he said.

NATIONAL INTEGRATION

The fourth and one of the most important pillars of the defence policy the Head of State outlined was that of the integration of the force within the communities of Guyana.

“This will involve a more pronounced identification with our communities. The Guyana Defence Force is part of the State, it is not aloof from the people and the communities in which they live, and it is not intended to be an elite exclusive institution,” the President said.

He explained that the members of the Force are highly skilled and versatile and these skills will be made available to the people of Guyana through the force becoming more involved in the communities.

“I believe we have done ourselves an injustice by not allowing that skillset to be optimally utilised in communities so Guyana can understand the holistic nature of our GDF,” the President said.

Through the new defence policy, the GDF will play a greater role in search and rescue operations; responding to disasters; in the provision of infrastructural services; the defence and protection of border communities; in medical outreaches and responding to medical emergencies and in coaching and honing the talents of Guyana’s athletes.

The President explained that while the country will enjoy greater economic influence and opportunities, the country will also develop greater responsibility and the force must be prepared to offer support; the defence policy is tailored to elevate the force to be able to do so.

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