Office of the President

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali received a copy of a Caribbean creole cookbook—"Caribbean Paleo" from the author Althea Brown at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre this week. The overseas-based Guyanese, who was accompanied by her husband, Sean, presented the book to the President and explained that she is currently a content creator that features Guyanese food and culture on her social media platforms. Mrs Brown and her recipes have been featured by prominent US networks such as Food Network. She explained that while she has degrees in pre-law and public administration, her passion is cooking and showcasing Guyanese food and culture. During the meeting, the President lauded Mrs Brown for her initiative and committed to purchasing 100 copies. Mrs Brown will launch her book in Guyana, this evening, at the Herdmanston Lodge in Queenstown.

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali said that Guyana is the greatest example of religious tolerance and integration. He opined that the country can be a case study for the rest of the world on how persons of different faiths make up every facet of life and integrate and support each other seamlessly. The Head of State made the statement earlier today while delivering the feature address at the opening ceremony of the International Symposium on the History and Legacy of Muslims in the Caribbean at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre. The results of the symposium, he explained, have the important potential to spark more extensive dialogue. He also urged the forum to not only focus on the past but to have discussions that will prioritise the future. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd and other government officials were also at the event.

President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali, announced today that he has authorised a request by the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan for the development of a defence institute within the force. The Head of State made the announcement while delivering remarks at State House during the presentation ceremony of the Instruments of Commission to officers who recently completed the Standard Officers Course (SOC) 54. He also presented State Warrants to warrant officers. The President said that the recently commissioned officers will proceed on an additional year of rotation within the state and will undergo a slew of training, including learning Spanish, spending six weeks at the Foreign Service Institute and spending six weeks at the University of Guyana to participate in an orientation course on the fundamentals of strategic studies. Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, the Honourable Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Hugh Todd; National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia and the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Khan were also at the ceremony.

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali charged the newly commissioned officers of the Guyana Defence Force on Wednesday to forge better relations with the public in a bid to build confidence and support the work of the army. The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces made the charge during the commissioning parade of the Standard Officers Course 54 (SOC 54) at Drill Square, Base Camp Ayanganna, where he reminded the new officers that their duties are not limited to the defence of land and the people but also to the country’s “expansive and valuable resources”. The President also underscored the importance of a new national development policy, which requires increased visibility by the force to foster peaceful coexistence with neighbouring nations. He said that the commissioning of officers adds to the equipment of the force resources, which better positions the army to execute its mandate through strong leadership. Officers from the disciplined services in Guyana, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago participated in the 24-month-long introductory officer’s programme. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret'd) the Honourable Mark Phillips; Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, the Honourable Dr Ashni Singh; Minister of Home Affairs, the Honourable Robeson Benn; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan; Commissioner of Police (ag) Clifton Hicken and several high ranking officials of the Joint Services were also at the parade.

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali introduced former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Rt Honourable Sir Tony Blair to a number of cabinet ministers at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive this afternoon. During the meeting, Mr Blair and his team were given a video presentation on the development of Guyana from an infrastructural perspective and on the Government’s plans for economic diversification.

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali said that over the last three years, his Government has used more than $50b in capital expenditure for the development of Amerindian communities and the livelihoods of their residents throughout the country. During his address, earlier today, at the opening ceremony of the National Toshaos Council Conference 2023 at ACCC, the President said that the investments made are a testament to his Government’s commitment to providing equitable development for Amerindians. He explained that Guyana’s per capita investment in indigenous communities is among the best globally and that under his Government, the investment will continue through a system of integrated community-based development that will focus on community, culture and people. A number of Senior Government officials including Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d), the Honourable Mark Phillips and Vice President, the Honourable Dr Bharrat Jagdeo were also at the event.

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali assured Guyanese that his Government would continue to put systems in place to pave the way for citizens to own their own homes. During the feature address at the opening ceremony of the International Building Expo 2023 at the National Stadium on Thursday evening, he outlined plans by the Government to continue its housing drive across the country, while highlighting the exorbitant cost of the projects and the need for additional roadways to complement the new development. “I want to assure you that we are going to make the necessary investments to ensure that every Guyanese desirous of owning their own home will have the opportunity under the People's Progressive Party Civic Government.” Following the ceremony, the President also took part in a walkthrough of the expo, where he interacted with patrons and exhibitors.

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali and First Lady Mrs Arya Ali handed over cheques to 16 charities this afternoon at State House. Of the $18.5m raised from the recent ‘Cricket for Charity’ game during The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast tournament, $17.1m went to local charities. The remaining $1.4m will support ongoing works at the First Lady’s Empowerment and Disability Centre at Palmyra, Berbice. The funds were distributed to several children's homes, the Salvation Army, Dharm Shala, and two animal welfare groups. In brief remarks, President Ali expressed gratitude to the private sector donors for their corporate social responsibility to the less fortunate and vulnerable communities. He also said that he hopes the tournament blooms in the next edition and becomes a tourism spectacle. In the ‘Cricket for Charity’ game on Saturday last, at the National Stadium, President Ali's Roraima cricket team beat Lennox Cush's Kanuku team.

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali witnessed the swearing-in of the members of the Commission of Inquiry (COI) into the events and circumstances connected to the Mahdia Secondary School female dormitory fire that claimed the lives of 20 children in May of this year. The oath of offices were administered by Chief Magistrate (ag) Sherdel Isaacs-Thomas at the Office of the President on Shiv Chanderpaul Drive. The members of the commission are: Major General (Ret’d) Joe Singh (Chair), Dr Joycelin Kim Kyte-Thomas and Derrick Rowan John. The President, during remarks, said his intention is to ensure a balanced, impartial and thorough examination of the causes of the fire and related issues. “The COI represents a crucial step towards understanding and healing. It also is intended to derive lessons that can improve safety and ensure that such a tragedy never reoccurs.” Minister of Education, the Honourable Priya Manickchand also attended the ceremony.

His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali told the newly sworn-in Mayors and Deputy Mayors that the Government and the Local Government bodies must all work together, regardless of political affiliation, to improve services to communities. The President made the statement during his address to the newly elected Mayors and Deputy Mayors of the ten municipalities at a Swearing-in Ceremony earlier today. “There are no winners when communities and public assets are neglected or fall into decay.” The President said that he offers a “hand of friendship and support” to all the local government bodies and that his Government is a partner in development. The newly sworn-in Mayors are as follows: New Amsterdam, Wainwright McIntosh; Anna Regina, Devin Mohan; Bartica, Martin Anthony Murray; Corriverton, Imran Amin; Lethem, John Macedo; Linden, Sharma Solomon; Mabaruma, Trevi Leung; Mahdia, Eslyn Gail Ramascindo-Hussain; Rose Hall, Dave Budhu and Georgetown, Alfred Mentore. The newly sworn-in Deputy Mayors are as follows: New Amsterdam, Kirk Fraser; Anna Regina, Lorna Fitzallen; Bartica, Gail Ann Persaud; Corriverton, Satyanand Ramraj; Lethem, Indira Singh; Linden, Dominique Blair; Mabaruma, Liane Persaud; Mahdia, Akita John; Rose Hall, Roydel Lewis and Georgetown, Denise Miller. The Vice Chairman of Region Ten, Mark Goring, was also sworn in today.