–Minister Ramson says; uses coalition’s appointments of three seniors to parliament as justification

THE actions of the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) continue to serve as evidence of the coalition’s lack of vision for the advancement of Guyana’s youth, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, has said.

“With the recent appointment of the Member of Parliament, Ms Beverley Alert, by the APNU+AFC, they have once again proven just as they did in government, that there is no place for young people in the APNU+AFC,” Ramson contended in a post on his official Facebook page.

According to the minister, Alert is just one example of the coalition’s lack of consideration for young people, as this was also observed earlier in the year when Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton and Volda Lawrence replaced Joseph Harmon and Nicolette Henry in Parliament.

“It is important for the public to know that the choice to become Members of Parliament rests squarely with the political party which contested in the General and Regional election. Guyanese, especially young Guyanese, must see the choice of appointment as MPs by the APNU+AFC for what it really is; that there is no future for young people with the APNU+AFC,” Minister Ramson said.

He added: “Imagine three APNU+AFC MPs resign from Parliament – which, on its own, is an obvious omen for the APNU+AFC camp – and they did not see it fit to have at least one seat filled by one young person.”

The minister is of the view that the recent appointment is even more flagrant, since Alert is a political unknown and does not bring any executive governmental experience which is critical to their functioning in Parliament.

“So, if the person doesn’t have a constituency and any executive government experience then why not give a young person an opportunity? The answer is clear – there is no future for young people with the APNU+AFC – and Guyanese, especially young Guyanese, must judge them not by their words but by their actions,” Ramson posited.
While in Opposition prior to 2015, the APNU+AFC promised that young people would be placed in positions of power, but when the opportunity came to make a simple appointment, they did not appoint a single young person as minister in 2015, the Culture, Youth and Sport Minister said.

“In fact, it took the vote of no confidence against the APNU+AFC Government before an appointment could be made in 2019 in breach of the Constitution. Young leaders like James Bond, Christopher Jones, Trevor Williams who became Members of Parliament from APNU and AFC while they were in Opposition during the 2011-2015 period could not even get re-appointed as MPs during the 2015-2020 period let alone become appointed as ministers and members of the Cabinet,” Ramson said.

He went on to say: “Norton and other members of the APNU+AFC will profess their love for young people while in Opposition, but when it comes to promoting young people to positions of power, responsibility, and authority they prove time and time again that their love is just a trick to get their support.

“[In reality] The APNU-AFC destroyed the political careers of all their young leaders who will now never experience government and that is the fact that they will have to live with. There is no future for young people with the APNU+AFC.”

Contrary to the coalition’s actions and philosophy, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government not only has a Cabinet of youthful ministers led by a record-breaking young President, but it also has a vision and clear strategy for the development and advancement of youths across Guyana.

It was only August that the President’s Youth Advisory Council (PYAC) was launched to give Guyana’s youth an opportunity to be part of governance and nation building.

Further, the government, among other things, has also introduced the GOAL scholarship initiative, and is investing heavily in the overall education sector to ensure that youths are academically and skillfully equipped to contribute to Guyana’s advancement.