Dear Editor,
MEN on Mission (MoM) launched by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, certainly jumpstarts a thought- provoking new week. The President displayed his batting skills in an exhibition at the final of the Commander-in-Chief Inter-Service T20 cricket match, where, the Guyana Police Force (GPF) beat the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).

Guyana also greeted the new week with the good news that Tagenarine Chanderpaul, the lone Guyanese selected to play on the West Indies team, will open the batting in Australia. The President again kick-started the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle with a $1.5 million government donation. President Ali continued his reach-the-people tour by visiting Sophia, Tucville, Den Amstel, Hague and Annandale. The Region Two Business Chambers hosted their Agro and Trade Expo.

Patients will no longer have to pay for CT scans at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. With 15 witnesses ready to testify, the CoI got underway for the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections. GECOM sets December 12, 2022 as Nomination Day for Local Government Elections. Luis Inacio ‘Lula’ Da Silva defeated Jair Bolsonaro to become Brazil’s new President.
Benjamin Netanyahu made a come back to become Israel’s new Prime Minister.

November month is dedicated as Tourism Awareness Month with the theme, “All Sectors, One Tourism.” Vice-President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that Guyana will soon auction 14 offshore oil blocks with notable new fiscal conditions. President Ali left for Florida. As you enjoy the Miss GPF Youth Ambassador Title competition, cinema, horseracing, cricket, football or just relaxing, do review the week’s quotes:

1) President Ali philosophised, “In this art of giving, it must be a way of life. It must be something you believe in. It must be something that makes up your value system.” The President gave a $1.5 million donation to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Kettle to start the season. The PPP/C Government has been a giver from the moment they stepped in office.

2) President Ali stated: “That is why an important part of Men on Mission is to work with boys all across the country – and girls too – to ensure that we do coaching, mentoring, motivation to get back our boys and girls, but especially our boys in school, in a learning environment and build back their positivity towards education and learning.” The Men on Mission (MoM) initiative was launched by the President for boys and men to cease to be the problems in society and to now be the solution. The PPP/C Government is awakening a new wave of male consciousness, creating a precedent for the world to embrace.

3) President Ali announced: “We are going to unleash $900 million into the market to step up production, so that we meet the demand especially for the value-added product and to push this sector…” A $900 million revolving fund is set up to boost the forestry sector. Stakeholders welcome the low interest rate of four per cent.

4) Attorney General Anil Nandlall remarked, “… it is going to be an expensive undertaking, and I want to assure that every single cent of the monies that are going to be expended will be made public, because it is public funds. We are going to make it public.” The Presidential Commission of Inquiry for the March 2, 2020 elections commenced this month. A number of the Opposition agitators are uncomfortable.

5) CEO for ANSA McAL Group of Companies, Anthony Sabga, said: “Guyana is a good place to be and invest…the company intends on staying for the long haul.” The company is celebrating its 30 years of operation in Guyana and wants to be a key player in the development of this country.

6) Indian High Commission to Guyana, Dr. K.J Srinivasa mentioned: “This is a great example that I give back home to all my friends, that Guyana is such a wonderful example for the two secular syncretic traditions in any place in the world.” At the Diwali celebration, he commended Guyana for its unified celebration of cultures. The PPP/C Government is supportive of all cultural customs and traditions.

7) Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, explained: “There are opportunities equally available to Afro-Guyanese and other ethnic groups through the policies and interventions of the PPP/C Government. Our government’s plans of prosperity include, every single Guyanese.” He is appealing to Guyanese to not become entrapped by the perversion of the Opposition, which is not only increasingly becoming more isolated, but also losing significant ground in the communities.

8) Minister within the Ministry of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, enquired: “I would like to know, which one of our children is deprived or denied access to school, from nursery to even university.” During an outreach in Sophia, he expressed disgust at persons who try to divide Guyanese on the basis of race.

9) Anthony Sabga 111, CEO for ANSA McAL Group of Companies declared, “…we’re proud to be a part of the landscape and part of this progressive country that recognizes the importance of not just building for the sake of building, but building for economic resilience through the diversification, investment in human capital and institutional capacity.” This company will be building a wharf and port facilities at Wales, West Bank Demerara, contributing towards the PPP/C Government’s oil-and-gas industry development.

10) US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch advised: “The US has many states that would be interested in Guyanese products. So, please consider logistical support, alongside the state which you intend to be your first market.” The US and Guyana recorded US$1.4 billion in trade in the first half of 2022. A multimillion-dollar US trade mission visited Guyana consisting of five firms worth a combined US$205 million in revenue. This is another clear indication of investors placing trust in the PPP/C Government’s economic policies.

11) Attorney General Nandlall reported: “In conducting the exercise, the working group assessed and identified the country’s ML/TF threats and vulnerabilities.” Guyana has completed its second Anti-Money Laundering/Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) risk assessment report. The PPP/C Government is in compliance with international regulations.

12) Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, remarked: “We would like to see more private-sector operations done because we see this as absolutely critical to ensure that we are able to realize the private sector-led growth that we anticipate will take us through the medium of term [sic] to the long term.” Muneshwers Ltd. has procured a US$4 million loan agreement with the IDB for the acquisition of a mobile crane, which will modernise operations on the wharf.

13) Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond proclaimed: “Tourism is one of the key sectors to which we look in our quest to diversify our economy in order to build a sustainable economic future. The sector employs over 15,000 persons indirectly, and it earns us approximately US$300 million in foreign exchange each year.” Tourism month was launched in Linden with the theme, “All sectors, One Tourism,” which seeks to reinforce the Government of Guyana’s stance on inclusive development for all.

14) Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, asked the Opposition: “Is this not the height of political irresponsibility? These amendments emerged to ensure that there would be no “Mingo-ism” in future elections.” As a result of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional Elections, some 32 electoral fraud cases are awaiting trial since late 2020 and 2021. Those charged include the PNC’s Volda Lawrence, past GECOM officials, former CEO Keith Lowenfield, his Deputy Roxanne Myers and embattled Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.

15) President Ali informed residents of Den Amstel in Region Three, “We are working for the upliftment of the community. We want to see all the communities prosper. That is why I am asking them now to either come in and see that the lands that are not in production, we can get them into production.” President Ali was on another of his outreach programmes promoting equal treatment across the country.

16) Chairman of the Den Amstel NDC, Kenton Hilliman, complimented President Ali, saying: “I need to extend a firm gratitude to you for the amount of intervention [sic] in this community…. We are going to profit from it.” People are not following the reckless Opposition and instead, are listening to the wise advice of the President and gaining profitably.

17) To do or not to do, that is the question. Attorney General Nandlall declared: “I reject those accusations and insinuations unreservedly…..I never instructed or directed any police.” When he intervened in the Clarke case, he was criticised. Had he not intervened, he would have still been criticised.

18) President Ali told Tucville squatters: “The PPP has always been a party that helps people. We work with people. We want people to live positive lives.” The PPP/C Government is aggressively creating better lives for all Guyanese.

19) President Ali visited Tucville, an area which no President visited before. A vendor at Nicky’s food court exclaimed: “I live in this area 53 years, and I appreciate this. This is history.” The President made commitments to address the residents’ concerns including jobs, housing, improved drainage and community enhancement.

20) As Norton continues to play in the little league, Minister Rodrigues slammed him for his derogatory remarks towards the owners of the low-income houses. Colin Wilson, a recipient of a house lot had this to say: “In terms of the low-income houses, I think the government doing a fine job. I personally went in a couple, and I don’t see a problem.”

21) Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn declared: “We have to pay attention to the culture that we ourselves as adults pass on to the next generation, the vulgar music, the drinking of Heineken and other things while driving, the texting while driving, the speaking on the phone while driving, these are normal things in the way we operate on the road.” The minister urged traffic officers to increase the rate of ticketing for errant drivers on the roadways.

22) Senior Minister, Dr Ashni Singh, commented: “We, as a government, are committed to ensuring that all of Guyana participates in and benefits from this exciting period of transformation in Guyana.” The PPP/C Government is ahead of its schedule on delivering their manifesto promises and ensuring that all Guyanese benefit from the country’s resources.

23) NY Attorney General candidate, Michael Henry stated: “James [NY AG], embraced Rickford Burke as a ‘brother from another mother,’ at a Brooklyn meeting this past weekend,” the statement read. “Mr Burke faces charges in Guyana for ‘inciting public terror’ and ‘race hatred.’ He is affiliated with the PNC, one of two political parties in Guyana.” A war of words and wisdom is playing out between New York Attorney General incumbent and candidate.

Shanella London smiles as she successfully defended the female championship. Region Two residents are smiling with a water ambulance and a boathouse totalling $24 million given by the Ministry of Health.

Residents at Hague, West Coast Demerara are smiling with the President, after he announced a $275 million investment in roadworks for Hague ‘Backdam.’ Four more Guyanese, Karran Singh, Courtney Kalamadeen, Yema Singh and Tanuja Sukhnandan are all smiling with their “Know India Programme” trip to Rajasthan, India. Jamal Durant and Suriya Walcott are smiling as the top winners in the Massy art contest on mental health.

Region Two residents are smiling as 27 persons from various communities are being trained as pharmacy assistants. As you prepare for another week and anticipate any hurdles, do remember: “No Matter What Life Throws At You, Keep Smiling.”

Yours respectfully,
Jai Lall.