President David Granger, on Wednesday, presented Brigadier Godfrey Bess with an Instrument appointing him the acting Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
The promotion and presentation of instrument ceremony took place at the Baridi Benab, State House and saw the attendance of members of the government, the GDF and the Bess’ family.
Bess will act in the stead of Brigadier Patrick West who has been granted accumulated leave with effect from Wednesday, July 1 – March 2021.
In brief remarks, the President extended his best wishes to Brigadier West for his service as an officer in the Defence Force since 1985 and welcomed Bess as the
“The Chief of Staff is not merely the holder of the highest rank and most prestigious appointment in the Force. He is required to exercise command continuously in order to achieve the objectives of the Defence Board and directives of the Minister in order to accomplish the Force’s mission. He must communicate, coordinate and, most important collaborate with his subordinates,” the President said.
He added that the command includes the authority and responsibility for effectively employing the Force’s assets, and for coordinating and controlling military forces for the accomplishment of the Force’s mission.
In execution of the Force’s objectives, the President urged Bess to encourage his officers and soldiers to strive for success in all exercises, operations and missions and to improve the Force’s effectiveness.
“Leadership is a personal, moral and intellectual quality that is founded on clear and coherent concepts, rational objectives, viable measures and the availability of adequate resources which enable and encourage disparate elements of the Force – air, land, sea and services – to work together as a team,” he stated, adding:
“The Defence Board wishes Brigadier West a happy retirement, content in the knowledge that his achievements will be recorded in our country’s military history as a period of consolidation and transformation. The Guyana Defence Board congratulates Brigadier Godfrey Bess on his appointment. We wish him success in executing the functions of the office of Chief of Staff of the Force.”
As a result of West’s absence, approved the appointments of Colonel Godfrey Bess to perform the functions of Chief of Staff; Colonel Trevor Bowman, Inspector General; Colonel Sherwin Anderson, Quartermaster General; and Colonel Raul Jerrick, Adjutant General with effect from 1st July 2020.
Brigadier West, 54, served as the country’s 10th Chief of Staff. He has expressed gratitude to the President and the Defence Board for both “specific and general direction” which he said has helped to shape the course of effective transformation within the Force, while at the same time developing the concept of Total National Defence.
“I am certain that the momentum of the Force at this stage can see the seeds of transformation which were sown coming to fruition in another few years,” he said when he thanked his predecessors for their efforts. “Colonel Bess will have a very good foundation going forward,” Brigadier West said while describing his time in the military as “very good.”
Meanwhile, 51-year old Colonel Godfrey Bess said it is an honour to have been bestowed with the privilege of serving as Chief of Staff of the Defence Force. He thanked President Granger and the Defence Board for the opportunity to serve while Brigadier West proceeds on his accumulated leave.
