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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Thursday August 30, 2018
President Granger pledges support to GPF band – in honour of its 160th anniversary PRESIDENT David Granger on Wednesday pledged his support and that of the Government of Guyana, to the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) military band at a special luncheon, which he hosted at the Baridi Benab, State House, to celebrate the band’s 160th anniversary.
In his brief remarks, President Granger noted that the GPF band has become a national institution, which has served the Guyanese people well. “The force has built up a formidable reputation not only in Guyana, but also in the Caribbean and even as far as the UK and it has
produced a great number of talented musicians. The band has had an important role in the development of Guyanese culture, because it is the best band in the land. The fact that the band has been awarded a National Award signifies the seriousness with which the state has taken the role which the band has performed,” he
President David Granger addressing the audience
President David Granger interacting with members of the Guyana Police Force band
said. The President expressed the hope that the band can become decentralised, with a presence in all of the 10 administrative regions. “The band doesn’t just have a proud past, it also has an important future. Youngsters who are interested in playing music in all of the villages and regions are encouraged to emulate the Guyana Police Force military band. It will be such a great thing to be able to go to a region and see that every region has a major police
division and every police division has a band. Some of the members may be volunteers, young apprentices. I would like to feel that the police band as a national institution shouldn’t do so much travelling as it has to do now. It should be able to stimulate the growth of divisional bands throughout the Police Force. It is possible that young people can be encouraged. On the part of the Government of Guyana, I commit myself…This is a national institution and it deserves national support from
a national president,” he said. Woman Superintendent, Charmaine Stuart, Director of Music and Culture with the Guyana Police Force band, said the band has planned activities in Linden, Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara in observance of its milestone. Acting Commissioner of Police, Mr David Ramnarine, as well assistant commissioners of police and other senior officers of the force were also present. (Ministry of the Presidency)
Thirty-six Lethem youths certified by BIT FIRST Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger on Wednesday attended the closing ceremony of a three-week Information Communication Technology (ICT) Workshop, which saw 36 adolescent and out-ofschool youths certified by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT). The workshop took place at the St. Ignatius Secondary School, St. Ignatius Village, Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo (Region Nine). Mrs. Granger encouraged the students to grasp the opportunities that their new certification affords them. “This programme is all about employment and preparing our young people for employment… People are becoming obsolete in certain skills and we have to think ahead… You are the ones who will inherit this new technology and you are the ones who will have to seize the day in that respect,” she said. The First Lady also congratulated the 24 graduates of BIT’s Heavy-Duty Equipment Operator Training Programme who shared the graduation ceremony
with the ICT participants. Chief Facilitator, Mr. Fitzroy Younge lauded the First Lady’s initiative as it complements the Government’s vision for youth empowerment in Guyana. “The objective of the programme was to
empowerment, the ICT skills acquired would enable these young people to perform effectively in various sectors of Guyana… First Lady… you are serving our country with deep compassion and empathy, you are indeed an
First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger poses with, from left, ICT Salutatorian, Ms. Nikita James; Most Improved Student, Mr. Daniel Ruffino; and Valedictorian, Ms. Phabiula Rodrigues
Thirty-six students received Information and Communications Technology (ICT) certification upon completion of the First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger’s ICT Workshop in Upper Essequibo - Upper Takutu (Region Nine).
provide the opportunity for adolescent and out-of-school youth… to access training in Information Communications Technology. In keeping with the government’s vision to emphasise youth
elegant and gracious person for making these classes available, not only to the youth in Lethem, but to [the youth in] all the regions of Guyana,” he said. Chairman of BIT, Mr.
Clinton Williams encouraged the graduates to apply their ICT skills in a wide range of sectors. “Sometimes we do these programmes without realising that [the skills acquired] can be used in a number of ways…In the business environment… ICT can be used… in data processing… Technology can be used also in education. The fact that we have to pull [information] from the internet suggests to you that [you can] find anything that you want to find if you follow this programme and further develop yourself… Graduates, it is said that skill
is wealth, use your new skills wisely to enrich your lives and that of your family and make us all proud of having made this investment in you so that… we all, in fact, can experience the good life in return,” he said. Most Improved Student, Mr. Daniel Ruffino, in an invited comment had a word of encouragement for youths who might be intimidated by initiatives like this. “Part of it was… challenging, but I overcame that challenge… Once you start, don’t give up,” he said. Valedictorian, Ms. Phabiula Rodrigues said that
girls have a place in the technology arena. “I was never expecting to be in this position today, but I worked hard… [In] the class; mostly it was the girls dominating the boys. Yes, we can work hard and accomplish whatever [challenges] come our way,” she said. The workshop was conducted through a collaborative effort between the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Social Protection, and the BIT and saw the participation of youths from St. Ignatius Village, Lethem, Quarrie, and Tabatinga.