1st – 8th August Local Statements

Major congrats to President Dr. M Irfaan Ali

August 6, 2020

Dear Editor,
The Essequibo Islands/West Demerara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (R3CCI) extends warmest congratulations to His Excellency Dr. M. Irfaan Ali upon his election as President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

His decisive victory is a personal triumph and we wish him success as you take up the responsibility to lead this nation.
We look forward to working closely with President Ali to further strengthen our relations and foster close ties of friendship and cooperation.
Best wishes for his well-being and peace, progress and prosperity for the Guyanese people.

The R3CCI also extends sincere congratulations the newly-appointed cabinet.
We look forward to working with Ministers of Government to implement and facilitate decisions that will develop the business community and by extension the country.
We would like to find an early opportunity to meet with policy leaders to discuss the potential synergies between the work of R3CCI and some of the initiatives identified, particularly for the business sector.

Regards,
President Halim Khan

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Congratulations, Dr. Ali! Here’s hoping that you do us proud!

August 6, 2020

Dear Editor,
The Guyanese of Indian Ancestry Association (GIAA) congratulates the PPP/C for finally being declared the winner of the 2020 elections and His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, being declared the 9th Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

We are optimistic that Dr. Ali and his cabinet will serve with distinction, honesty, transparency and full accountability to the citizens of our dear land.
We hope that this government will respect and promote all the different religions and cultures, as this will forged real unity in diversity.
We are confident that the cabinet will be a mixture of youth, experience and all ethnicity, thus realising our motto of One People, One Nation One Destiny.

Sincerely,
Executives of GIAA

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ACDA disappointed over Guyana’s electoral process

August 6, 2020

THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) has expressed its disappointment with the March 2020 electoral process which it believes has not alleviated the racial division and political discord in Guyana.

ACDA in a written statement on Wednesday said, “ACDA is disappointed that the [elections] did not result in the two major electoral parties agreeing on a serious definitive discussion on constitutional reform to end the pernicious winner-takes-all governance system that only results in deepening the racial fractures in our society.”

The organisation added that racial division has never been in the best interest of the Guyanese nation, but are cleverly used by politicians and foreign groups to exacerbate fears and distrust among the country’s people. This, ACDA stated, was more evident and virulent during the recently held March 2020 elections.

Additionally, the organisation noted that there was an array of international forces led by the U.S. and its ABCE allies against the Granger-led A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU-AFC) coalition government and disregard for clearly defined laws and guidelines of the electoral laws of Guyana.

ACDA has been on record since 1997 as calling for shared governance and the end to winner-takes- all elections.
The organisation maintains that this system will always lead to a crisis during the elections period, since the major ethnic groups understand that this system of governance gives the winner all and relegates the loser to the economic, social and political margins of the state.

Elections in Guyana are an ethnic census, the organisation said and they are now more convinced and committed to an organised struggle of the African community for constitutional reform and economic justice for the community.

“We call for urgent and decisive action to utilise the opportunity before our nation from the new oil wealth to address economic inequality affecting people of African descent. As a signatory of the U.N. International Decade for People of African Descent declaration during a time with heightened awareness that Black Lives Matter, Guyana must meet its responsibility.”

ACDA in its statement warned Guyanese to beware of ‘Greeks bearing gifts’ and not to believe that their equity in the development of Guyana would be matched by the foreign powers who have intervened most aggressively in the recent national elections.
“Most of them have never been throughout time, interested in the well-being of the people of Guyana. They will not change as they seek to reap the bounty of Guyana’s oil harvest and the opportunities that would be created for their own gain,” the organisation said.

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Granger and Ramjattan ‘buse-out’ PPP/C’s Cabinet

Aug 06, 2020

The David Granger/Khemraj Ramjattan-led APNU+AFC coalition yesterday went on a tirade against the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) following the appointment of the new Cabinet at the Arthur Chung International Conference Centre.
The coalition made it clear that it sees the appointment as a “rubberstamp” Cabinet under the “authoritarian” control of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo.
The coalition hurled insults at Jagdeo, and challenged the legitimacy of the Cabinet of President Irfaan Ali.

Read the full statement below:

APNU+AFC sees new fraudulent ‘Cabinet’ as Jagdeo rubberstamp
The APNU+AFC Coalition has taken note of the PPP’s naming of ‘ministers’ who will now form a fraudulent ‘Cabinet’.
The naming of the various ‘ministers’, resulting from fraudulent elections, is in itself uninspiring and appears to be a hodge podge of misfits and Jagdeo loyalists.
The nation can expect to be besieged by nothing but blind loyalty to the dictates of Jagdeo – from the ‘President’ to the most junior ‘minister’. The new ‘Cabinet’, illegitimate as it is will be nothing more than a rubberstamp of Jagdeo’s maniacal control ‘freakism’. This ‘Cabinet’ is a creature of Jagdeo.
There is the return of Robeson Benn who picked up the moniker of ‘Bruck Up Benn’ during his tenure a Minister of Public Works. He is now appointed to the Home Affairs portfolio. This is a sad day for citizen safety and security in Guyana when a callous, heartless authoritarian as Benn is taking charge of Guyana’s public security.
The ordinary citizens would be justified in being engulfed in fear and trepidation as they go to bed tonight. It was Benn who barged into the National Communications Network and demanded that a local song be banned from the airwaves. This belligerent dictator is now being put in command of the security forces.
A tainted and toxic individual as Kwame McCoy who the PPP, in shame, hid from public view for the last five years suddenly surfaces and is made a ‘minister’. August 5, 2020 will be recorded as a day of infamy, shame and disgrace in Guyana’s national, governmental and parliamentary history.
Vickram Bharrat lacks experience and competence and is a complete misfit at the Ministry of Natural Resources. Mr. Bharrat does not even have the benefit of wither serving a full term as an opposition parliamentarian (he came in as a late replacement for Charles Ramson Jr.) nor did he shadow the portfolio.
Ramson Jr. must consider Bharrat’s appointment to Natural Resources as a slap in his face as he (Ramson Jr.) is the only member of the ‘Cabinet’ who hold qualifications in the oil and gas sector, yet he has been banished from this portfolio.
The appointments of Anand Persaud, Joe Hamilton and Nigel Dharamlall reek of gross incompetence and clearly demonstrates the dearth of quality leadership in the PPP.
It would appear as though the ‘Prime Minister’, Mark Phillips, is without portfolio, yet he has a junior ‘minister’ whom, it appears he will be required to babysit as his full-time occupation.
Notably, no appointment was made for the critical portfolio of finance. No mention was even made.
We take note too that several high-ranking PPP executives and leaders have been sidelined or discarded. These include Clement Rohee, the former General Secretary; Indra Chandarpaul, head of the women’s arm of the PPP; Robert Persaud, a former Minister of Natural Resources; Shyam Nokta, Odinga Lumumba, Harry Gill, Jennifer Westford, Africo Selman and Dharamkumar Seeraj, among others.
It is further evident that the Jagan legacy in the PPP has been unceremoniously demolished and discarded.
Today, Guyanese have witnessed what the APNU+AFC has warned of – that the PPP has not, in any way changed. It remains a one-man authoritarian cult and this has now been formalised with this fraudulent de facto ‘Cabinet’.

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JFAP wishes PPP/C every success

August 5, 2020

Coalition member, the Justice For All Party (JFAP), has congratulated the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on its victory at the 2020 General and Regional Elections, and has wished President Irfaan Ali the best of success in his term in office.

On Tuesday, a letter was sent out to the media signed by JFAP Leader, Chandranarine “CN” Sharma and the party’s General Secretary, Savitree Singh Sharma.

It stated: “We would like to offer to you our most sincere wishes for a successful term as President as you prepare to take up the responsibilities and challenges of your high office. As you embark upon your new responsibilities, we look forward to working with you closely to further strengthen our friendship and to advance our common objective of building a united and prosperous Guyana.”

The JFAP was formed by Sharma and his wife many years ago, with the intention of highlighting the struggles of Guyanese, and to fight for the improvement of life for the poor and voiceless.

On June 19, the Party called for an end to the 2020 Elections, which had gone on, at the time, for 108 days. The Party stated then: “An Election has taken place under the watchful eyes of local and international observers. A National recount was carried out under the eyes of CARICOM. All votes were counted. There is a clear winner. The recount shows that the PPP/C has won the election, therefore, Mr. Irfaan Ali should be allowed to be sworn in without delay.”

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Granger signals election petition

August 2, 2020

President David Granger today signalled that an election petition will be filed, a likely sign that APNU+AFC has accepted that GECOM’s declaration will be the result recount which shows a win for the PPP/C.

A statement from the Ministry of the Presidency follows:

President David Granger, this morning, received a call from the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh who invited him to a conversation with Opposition Leader Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo to discuss the way forward.

The President explained that he had no objection to speaking with Mr. Jagdeo but as far as a proposed declaration is concerned, he recognised that the Commission has a legal obligation as a result of the recent ruling of the Court of Appeal, to proceed with a declaration.

President Granger said that notwithstanding that declaration, the APNU+ AFC coalition maintains that the anomalies and irregularities which have been uncovered during the recount process cannot be accepted and will form the grounds for an election petition.

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LJP congratulates President Irfaan Ali

On Aug 2, 2020

See below full statement issued by the Liberty and Justice Party:

The Liberty and Justice Party congratulates President Elect, Dr. Irfaan Ali and the People Progressive Party/Civic on their victory at the 2 March 2020 elections.

That the declaration took this long is a travesty and an event that has caused very serious societal fault lines that the people will now look to the incoming administration to take significant steps to heal. The events leading up to these delayed results are matters that we hope the incoming administration treats with decisively to avoid future such events and to deter anyone from thinking they can perverse the will of the people.

We extend our gratitude to all the political parties that fought to defend democracy, the international community and partners, the Guyana Elections Commission and the patient Guyanese population. We also extend a special thank you to the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission, Madam Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh for all her tireless efforts and for the delivery free, fair, transparent and credible elections.

We look forward to an inclusive government and the fulfilment of the PPP/C’s pre-electoral promises to ensure an inclusive and progressive Guyana.

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URP urges President Ali to pursue electoral and constitutional reform

On Aug 2, 2020

See below full statement issued by the United Republican Party:

On behalf of the Executive of the United Republican Party (URP) and on my own behalf, we would like to congratulate you on your election as President of The Co-operative Republic Of Guyana.

We are sure that under your leadership, wisdom, and guidance, Guyana will strive to much greater heights and achievements. We take this opportunity to reaffirm the URP’s unequivocal commitment to the development of our beloved country Guyana.

Your assention to the highest office of the land comes at a critical time and we encourage you to pursue Electoral and Constitution reform. You can count on our absolute support for your efforts. We look forward to working closely with you to further strengthen our friendship and to advance our common objective of building a modern and safe Guyana every Guyanese will be proud of.

The URP looks forward to working closely and strengthen the cooperation between our party’s ideological concepts wherever they intersect and find common grounds. Let me once again reiterate the URP’s sincere congratulations on your success.

Yours respectfully,

Dr. Vishnu Bandhu

Leader of the United Republican Party (URP)

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Message from the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) wishes to congratulate His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali on his appointment as the 9th Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. We also extend our congratulatory greetings to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) on its success at the March 2, 2020 polls. The Chamber would like to thank all parties and entities which participated in the electoral process.
We would also like to thank the Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh for executing her office and duties as Chairperson in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana. The GCCI looks forward to working with H.E. Dr. Ali and the Government of Guyana on the task of nation-building and, in particular, private sector development. However, a number of immediate challenges confront Guyana, foremost of which is the devastating public health and economic impact of the novel Coronavirus.
The Chamber anticipates a now fully functional Government to comprehensively address this pandemic which has had deleterious effects on the welfare of Guyanese. As said previously, the GCCI remains supportive of any government brought to power by the democratic process and will continue to act as a partner in nation-building as we all seek to develop this nation of ours. We anticipate Guyana’s continued development, for the benefit of the people of Guyana.

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Letter of congratulations to President Irfaan Ali from CIOG

His Excellency
Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali
President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Shiv Chanderpaul Drive Georgetown,
Guyana.

Your Excellency,

AssalamuAlaikumwaRahmatullahiwaBaraktu

On behalf of myself and family and on behalf of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG), I wish to congratulate you on ascending to the Office of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, amplified because you are also the first Muslim President of our country.
Your Excellency, the Muslim community is bursting with joy at this blessing from Allah (SWT), that he has chosen one from the Ummah of our Master Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to lead our country.
Make no mistake, your elevation to this office was made possible only by the Permission of Allah (SWT), who has entrusted you with guiding and protecting our nation. Please, do not ever breach the Amanah (trust) that Allah (SWT) has placed on your shoulders. In this regard, I remind myself and you of the verse of the Holy Qura’an: “It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you” (Al-An’âm 6: 165)”.
For your guidance, as you undertake this new chapter in your life, Allah (SWT) has said “There has come to you from Allah Light and a Plain Book.” (5.15). Please read the Book of Allah as much as possible; this will be the source of your success. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says: “And We made them leaders, guiding by Our command; and We inspired them to do good works, and to observe the prayer, and to give out charity. They were devoted servants to Us” (Quran, 21:73).
Your ascension comes at a time when there is a lot of division in our country, but we are confident that you can heal the wounds and unite our people. Allah says in chapter 49 of the Holy Quran: “O mankind we have created from a single pair of a male and a female; and have made you into nations and tribes so that you may know each other, not that you may despise one another. Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the one who is most righteous. Verily Allah is well acquainted of all things.”
I implore you to govern with Ihsan (excellence), compassion, justice patience, endurance, commitment, sacrifice and most critically bowing down in Worship to the King of Kings, the Lord of the Worlds –Allah (SWT). It is reported that the Messenger of Allah (PUBH) said, “Supplication is the weapon of the believer, the pillar of the religion, and the light of the heaven and earth” (Al-Hakim). Prayers and supplications bring us nearer to God and protect us from calamities and destruction. On the positive side, prayers and supplications plead our case to God who bestows more blessings on us. In verse 60 of Sura Mu’min, God commands us, “And your Lord says, call on me; I will answer your (prayers). But those who are too arrogant to serve me will surely enter Hell-in humiliation.”
May Allah (SWT) grant you the tawfeeq to lead our country in a manner that is pleasing to HIM. May Allah (SWT) bless you and bestow upon you the wisdom, strength, and humility to be worthy and successful.
I pledge my personal support and the support of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana.

Your Brother,
Al Hajj Shahabudeen Ahmad
President of the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana (CIOG)

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