…Charges Force to remain non-partisan, serve with distinction FormerChief-of-Staffpassesonthemantle

Brigadier Godfrey Bess tosuch”. Hesaidwhenhewastook expressed confidence in the officially handed the the helm as Chief-of-Staff on July leadershipofBrigadierOmarKhan reins of the Guyana 1,2020. terming him “my close friend and

Former Chief-of-Staff, Godfrey Bess making his final speech at the helm of the Force.

Defence Force (GDF) “Guyana and the GDF were brother-in-arms for more than 30 to Brigadier Omar Khan during a going through one of the most years”. He said Brigadier Khan has Change-of-Command parade at difficult periods in this country’s been an invaluable member of the BaseCampAyangannaonFriday history Force’s leadership team over the In his farewell address, “Hesaidduringthatperiod,the lastthreeyears.

Brigadier Bess called on members

GDFhadtocombatthecontagious, “When I leave today, I know ofForcetoremainnon-partisanand and at times deadly, effects of the that I will be leaving the Force in toserveGuyanawithdistinction. COVID-19 pandemic, while very capable hands. From my

“I want to take this opportunity simultaneously dealing with the various encounters with Brigadier to remind and assure everyone like uncertainty that existed after the Khan, whom I have known for 31 IsaidwhenItookcommandalmost March 2020 General and Regional years, working beside each other, I 3 years ago, the GDF is not guided elections “Yet, the GDF know him to be a very intelligent by circumstance but by the successfully overcame both and innovative Officer with a ConstitutionofGuyana. TheGDF challenges impeccably,” Brigadier passion for mind mapping and will always be a professional and Bessstated. strategizing. non-partisan organization. Even as

Bess who served the Force for Further, his tenure at the we acquiesce to the civil rule of the 33 years said one of the significant National Intelligence and Security military, the Constitution of accomplishments achieved that he Agency would have equipped him Guyana will continue to be our government, Speaker of National the values of the Guyana Defence values“isthatforthefirsttimeinits with strategic awareness of the guiding North Star The Guyana Assembly Manzoor Nadir, Heads Force, which are duty, discipline, history, the GDF deployed female c o n t e m p o r a r y s e c u r i t y Defence Force is ever mindful, that of Services, Members of the identity, integrity and loyalty I soldiers on the border to serve environment and the various should it ever be evidence of being Diplomatic Corps and Defence charge you to live by the Force’s besidetheirmalecounterparts.” security challenges that the GDF partisan by civil society, we, its Attaches, international and creed, “I am a professional in the “This initiative derailed some must prepare for I have every members, will lose our impact and regional counterparts and Guyana Defence Force service is of the negative stereotypes confidencethatyouwillcontinueto respectandbyextensionourability representatives, Retired Chiefs of my motto’. Continue to serve with associated with our females and ensure that the GDF is welltoserveandinfluencechangeinour Staff, Officers of the Regular and distinction and wear your uniform continues to bear dividends to date. positioned to provide the stability country,” the former Chief of Staff Reserve, Force Sergeant Major, withprideanddignity.” Itismyhopethatthesuccessofour necessary for development,” he said. Regimental Sergeant Majors, Speaking of his years of females will go a far way towards said.

Brigadier Bess’ farewell S e n i o r & J u n i o r N o n - service, the former Chief of Staff supporting the fight for diversity, Brigadier Bess thanked his address was made in the presence Commissioned Officers, Soldiers said when he took the oath to serve equity, and inclusion,” he stated wife Shandelle, his parents, of , President Irfaan Ali, Prime andCivilianemployeesoftheGDF, the people of Guyana without fear while making his final address at children Godfrey Junior, daughters Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark family members, friends, well- and favour affection or ill will, he the GDF Tarmac at Camp Lushonn and Belinda and his Phillips, and member of the wishers. realised that there was no shortcut Ayanganna. grandchildren for their unwavering Defence Board, Ministers of the He charged ranks “to maintain to service and ”dedicated all I had Meanwhile, Brigadier Bess supportovertheyears.