The Human Resource capacity of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will be soon be strengthened as systems will be put in place to facilitate the registration of more soldiers in academic programmes aligned to the country’s development needs, President Irfaan Ali announced Thursday.
“It is important that within the army we have experts in oil and gas. It is important that within the army, we have experts in oil and gas related disasters. It is important that have experts in climate change. It is important we have experts in GIS mapping… I’ve already discussed with the Chief of Staff an aggressive programme in ensuring we get more army officers, more soldiers registered in academic programmes that are aligned to the development needs of our country,” he said.
The Head of State was at the time speaking at the GDF’s 55th Anniversary Dinner held at the Officer’s Mess, Base Camp Ayanganna. He said the GDF has an important role to play in the emergence of “a new Guyana”.
“I compliment you for all the work that you have done and you will continue to do; for me, you are the embodiment of professionalism,” Ali said while pointing to the importance of collective awareness and knowledge of the country’s development trajectory.
“We can only develop and defend that development trajectory if we are aware of where they are and if we are aware of the development that lies ahead. We have to be aware, not only of the economic prosperity that lies ahead, we have to be aware of every single sector, we have to be aware of our threats…climate change is a threat, and we have to be aware of the impact it can have on our country,” the President said adding that members of the Joint Services will benefit from the 20,000 scholarships his government intends to over the next five years.
“You have tremendous human resource potential that I’m going to tap in to as Commander in Chief. All of this of course should lead us to be better citizens. But I believe strongly to be better citizens, the government has some responsibilities. And you have some, all of us have some personal responsibility,” the President noted.
He told the attendees that regardless of where executive power lies; it is their right as citizens to participate in the country’s development process. He urged the soldiers to take part in the national development drive.
“I believe, very strongly, that together we have to build a solid partnership and that partnership has underlying goals: the protection of our country, the advancement of our country, and the development of the citizens of Guyana. Once we all subscribe to this, these noble aspirations in service, I think we can all hold our heads high and know that we have done our best, and you can depend on us as a strong partner, moving forward.”
Meanwhile, Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess assured the Head of State that the GDF aims to continue its transformation in order to become capable of defending the country against all threats.
“The security, safety and stability of our nation has now become much more important. There is now much more at stake for us to secure. There’s much more to be done to ensure the continued viability of our nation and the safety and prosperity of our citizens,” Bess said.
The Chief of Staff thanked the President for his continued support and commitment.
Observations to mark the Force’s 55th anniversary themed “Together we toiled to arrive at fifty-five with greater efficiency for National Security commenced earlier this month.
