Dear Editor
IN response to the letter penned by Mr Clayon F Halley in the daily of the Guyana Chronicle dated the 1st May 2017, in which he is calling for the removal of Minister Nicolette Henry from office by President David Granger.
I would like to inform Mr Halley that youth empowerment is moving forward at a steady pace, under the astute leadership of the Honourable Minister Nicolette Henry. The Department of Youth had delivered in communities all across Guyana working in schools and clubs through the programmes run by social workers, youth officers, volunteer support programmes and the President Youth Award, Guyana (PYARG).
Over the last seven months, since I became a staff of the Youth Department of the Ministry of Education, I was really encouraged to work after having my first encounter with the Honourable Minister Nicolette Henry; here was a professional with a vision for the development of youth, a mother and friend to all.
She does not micro manage, she is confident that her team at the Youth Department can function as a body, that is all set to bring opportunities to youth nationwide through education and training.
We have gone to secondary schools and youth clubs promoting the art of public speaking, agricultural development, technical and vocational training, sports, poetry, steelpan music, drama, songs and dance, youth leadership and adventure.
These progammes are in almost all the administrative regions of Guyana. What the young people need is cooperation amongst its leaders and positive guidance from the elders.
Mr Halley, you are welcome to join us at the Youth Department to share ideas with the aim of engineering youth and community development. I ask myself from where I stand, why would someone who doesn’t know Minister Nicolette Henry pen such a vindictive letter, what ulterior motive is behind this?
The Honourable Minister must continue to do her work unhindered, with support from her directors and advisers. This is a team that can only win with her support and cooperation from all members of her staff.
At this point, the Department of Youth is all geared to stage Youth Week activities from the 21 – 27 May, 2017. These are activities that were last held over two decades ago, but with the development of the youth in mind, she has taken the bold step to reintroduce Youth Week activities to the nation with support from the members of staff of the Department of Youth.
I am passionate about youth and development and would like to call on all youth and youth leaders to stand resolutely in support of our Honourable Minister Nicolette Henry, who holds responsibility for the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport.
Regards
Aaaron Blackman