PRESIDENT of Guyana and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Irfaan Ali, has approved the conferral of the Military Efficiency Medal (MEM) on the outgoing Brazilian Military Attaché in the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Brazil, Colonel Marcelo Ambrosio. According to a statement from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the award was conferred on Colonel Ambrosio by Army Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Godfrey Bess, during a simple ceremony at Camp Ayanganna, on Thursday. The MEM is a prestigious award which is usually awarded to serving members of the GDF, who would have completed ten years of continuous service with good conduct. Brigadier Bess, in presenting the awarded to Col Ambrosio, thanked him for his service on behalf of President Ali, the government and people of Guyana, and the GDF. “We thank you for the support that you have provided to the GDF and Guyana on behalf of your government.

The work of your office continues to strengthen our mutual ties. You have played a significant role and your support has been unwavering despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are very appreciative of the care and support given to our officers who were in Brazil. We are thankful that they returned to us safe. With the continued support of your government and through our bilateral arrangements the relationship between our militaries will only continue to be strengthened. Thank you,” Brigadier Bess said. Colonel Ambrosio, in return, said that it was a privilege to have served in Guyana and expressed thanks to Brigadier Bess and the force for the support he received during his tenure. “I have been honoured to work with you to strengthen our bonds of friendship and I feel proud to have made an impact. My family has been quite happy here and we have made a lot of friends too,” he said. Following the conferral ceremony, Colonel Ambrosio his wife and other members of his party were hosted to a special luncheon in the Officers’ Mess.