President Ali announces

MAINTAINING that violence has no place in society, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, has said that in 2024, a special programme will be rolled out by organisations such as the Salvation Army to directly tackle social issues.

The President made this announcement at the launch of the Salvation Army Guyana Division’s annual Christmas Kettle Appeal, at the Umana Yana, High Street, on Friday.
“In addition to our normal contribution to the Salvation Army, we are going to launch a special programme next year with the Salvation Army and others, to proactively address social issues and not wait until it’s upon someone to come in for counselling,” the President said.
Refusing to conceal how disturbed he is by the prevalence of violence among young people, especially in schools, Dr. Ali said that there must be consequences for bad behaviour.
He further related: “All we want in this country is for us to work in the interest of national [life] and interest [of] the country.”
The Christmas Kettle, also referred to as the Red Kettle, due to its colour, is the Salvation Army’s most famous street campaign.
It is most recognised during the Christmas season. During this time, volunteers stand outside of businesses and play or sing Christmas carols, or ring bells to inspire passersby to place donations of cash and cheque inside the trademark red kettles.

The annual Christmas Appeal helps the Salvation Army to meet the needs of those less fortunate, through the provision of food, shelter, rehabilitation and much more.
The Head of State then urged children in the audience to not be clouded by greed or the need to fit in with the majority, and instead always strive to be themselves.
Dr. Ali firmly remarked: “Our time, my dear young people, must not be marked by the urgency of the immediate. The urgency of the immediate is sometimes the plot to destruction.
“These things will fade, the glamour and glory it brings is short lived and it will fade, and then you will have a whole long road ahead of you that you [will] wish was not shaped by the shadow of the urgency of the immediate.”

Highlighting the importance of eradicating the plagues of violence and injustice, the President said that organisations such as the Salvation Army are important stakeholders in this process.

Chairman of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Edward Boyer, during brief remarks, lauded President Ali’s “One Guyana” policy and highlighted its role in shaping a bright future for Guyanese.

“Dr. Ali has established the “One Guyana” vision and in keeping with his emphasis on quality for all, he has fashioned a nation where voice and recognition is being given to all social groups in our society,” he underscored.

INJUSTICE
With darkness grappling every corner in the world, the President underscored that to turn a blind eye to global phenomena such as the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, would be unjust.

“For me to say that the family of humanity is entering a period of joy, globally, would be doing a disservice to the pain and suffering that is brought upon many women and children around the world as I speak to you,” he related.

For context, Hamas’ attack on Israeli territory, and the subsequent Israeli aerial bombardment, as well as the consequential cutting off of all access to fuel, electricity, water, and medicine to the people of Gaza, have brought the status of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to its lowest levels in several decades. Hamas’ attack on Israel has resulted in the loss of over 1,400 lives, including that of women and children.

Meanwhile, the Israeli bombardment of Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 2,600 Palestinians, many of whom are children and women. Further, the Israeli air raids on Gaza have also resulted in the indiscriminate destruction of essential infrastructure, including United Nations (UN) centres, hospitals, and schools.
President Ali also drew attention to the situation in Haiti, noting that these acts of violence must stop, and no effort will be spared in pursuit of betterment for all.
“Our children and women in Haiti continue to suffer in hunger, dying every day at the hands of criminals, being raped and subjected to every single form of indecency,” he said.