–Dr. Jagdeo says party is preparing the next generation of leaders

THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) continues to expand its influence, with the recent addition of over 600 young people from Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to its ranks.

This announcement was made by the party’s General Secretary Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during his most recent press conference.

He proudly shared that these 600 young men and women have become members of the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO), the party’s youth arm.

Addressing reporters on Thursday at Freedom House, Jagdeo emphasised the significance of this milestone. While acknowledging the addition of such a large number of Amerindian youths to the party as noteworthy, he was quick to remind everyone that diversity has always been a hallmark of the PPP.

“Our party is the only multi-racial party, as everyone now has accepted; even our opponents. We are the only multi-racial party, and the largest Amerindian party as well,” Dr. Jagdeo stated.

He further reflected on the party’s last congress, which saw substantial support from the Indigenous community.

“We have a massive amount of members who are Amerindians. In the last congress, one-third of our delegates were Amerindians who came to the party’s congress. We have in our leadership a number of Amerindians,” he shared, before underscoring the PPP’s deep connections with these communities.

With the success of the youth engagement initiative in Region Nine, Jagdeo revealed plans to expand this effort to other regions, with Region One (Barima-Waini) being the next focus.

“I came from Region Nine last week, and we had a youth camp there where over 600 young people joined the youth arm of the party. Tomorrow, I will be going to Region One, in the Moruca sub-district, where we will have another youth camp, and where they, too, will join the PYO,” he announced.
He added that the administration intends to replicate this initiative across all ten administrative regions of Guyana.

“In Region Two, we have done this right across, and in every region, this is going to happen,” Jagdeo affirmed.

This youth engagement initiative has been a longstanding goal of the party.

Dr. Jagdeo stated that the promise made at the last congress was to recruit 5,000 young people into the PPP. With the recent developments, the party seems well on its way to achieving, or even surpassing this target.

He emphasised the true purpose of the PYO, which is to train the next generation of leaders.

“As we promised at the last congress, I said by the time we have the next congress, we will have a 5,000-strong youth movement, all in line with preparing the next generation of PPP leaders; leaders who will emerge in the next ten years or so as the leadership of this party and country. We are working to prepare them for that,” he stated.

Reiterating the party’s commitment to diversity, Jagdeo noted, “We have kids from every community, and from every race.”

He also explained why the PPP has become the largest Amerindian party, attributing it to the party’s sustained efforts to improve the lives of hinterland communities. “We don’t have to be apologetic. The reason we became the largest Amerindian party is because of our work. Over the years, we have been conscientiously working to change the lives of the people in the hinterland,” he stated.

As the Government of Guyana continues its outreaches and efforts across the nation, it remains focused on preparing the next generation of leaders, who will continue on the road of progress.