On 23rd February 1970, Guyana is the only country with Co-operative in its name as the “Co-operative Republic of Guyana”, with lots of history with this name. When slavery was abolished in 1834 on the plantations and slave labor was replaced by Chinese, Portuguese, Indians, and Africans, they freed slaves formed groups and pooled their resources to acquire plantations which they operated and managed and became the first cooperatives in Guyana.
Many of these groups failed due to the lack of Government support, fundings, management, accounting and marketing skills in short supply, and lack of interest due to failures. Past Guyana Commissioners/Chief Co-operatives Officers Clement Randolph Jarvis Esq. and George Hoyte were very instrumental in the Co-operative movement past successes, and I worked daily very close with both
The spirit of cooperation does exist in many communities, and if party politics do not interfere, there can be the pooling of labor, monies, skills, experiences, and will for co-operatives groups to be successful with efficient accounting, management, and strategic planning. I firmly do believe that Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO’S) can be very helpful with marketing, management, and manpower skills, as needed. Guyana Co-operative Bank was very helpful but was sold in 2002 to a commercial bank.
Funding is critical to support the reemergence of successful co-operatives. Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), USA Cooperatives and Credit Unions; and Philanthropists should be approached through the Guyana Department of Co-operatives for financial supporting assistances. Guyana’s Institute of Private Enterprise Development Ltd. should be encouraged, for their community service, to assist co-operatives wherever possible. United Nations Sustainable Goals should assist Guyana being more active with the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) for support, best practices, and linkages. https://www.ica.coop/en
On 16 December 1992, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution proclaiming the first Saturday of July as the International Day of Cooperatives. The aim of this celebration is to increase international awareness of cooperatives and create an enabling environment for their growth and prosperity. With my experiences in the Co-operative movement in Guyana, this was a great day for the Co-operative movement.
KURU KURU COOPERATIVE COLLEGE
1973 the Kuru Kuru Cooperative College at the Soesdyke Linden Highway was which was established in 1973 to strengthen the cooperative movement by providing inter-disciplinary outreach and extension programs that addressed the business aspects of cooperatives, including organization, financing, management, and marketing with a branch at Durban backlands, Georgetown and HE LFSB asked me to serve as FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN, Kuru Kuru Cooperative College, under the Chairmanship of Harold Barrington Davis. I was full time Company Secretary/Accountant at Guyana Lithographic Co. Ltd.
The Kuru Kuru Cooperative College was established to train, equip and mentor persons to manage the Co-operatives, which became very successful, and with the change of Government, policies, limited support, and migration, the Co-operative movement experienced a decline. I am of the view that with support from the Government and trained officers at the Ministry of Co-operatives, a better new day for the cooperative movement will arrive. I had the honor, delight, and satisfaction to serve as its First Deputy Chairman, Board of Governors, Kuru Kuru Co-operative College.
I also served as First Chair of the Appointments, Finance and Education Committees. My mentor Sir Donald Jackson, told me “whenever you are the Deputy for anything to always be prepared to Chair a meeting with no notice and have followed this advice, constantly. Mr. Davis was extremely busy, and many times had to cancel his attendances at Board Meetings at the College at the Soesdyke Linden Highway, a 37 miles trip from Georgetown, and I was always prepared to Chair the meeting and report back with 24 hours to Chairman Davis.
LITHOGRAPHIC Co-Operative CREDIT UNION, with Buying Club, Canteen & Vacation Trips
Whilst being employed as Company Secretary/Account at Guyana Lithographic, also served as Secretary/CEO/Accountant at Lithographic Co-operative Credit Union, used my Bookers business, management and accounting training with business principles, practices and systems, where we took savings from members through weekly deductions by Lithographic payroll department, which were paid over to the cooperative credit union monthly.
We granted loans at LOWER the prevailing rates from banks and other lending sources, purchased Groceries, Shirts, Pants and Suits clothing material IN BULK, at much lower prices for members and sold them at under the retail prices, operated a canteen restaurant for about 500 members, who were all Lithographic employees, and arranged monthly air vacation trips to Kaieteur Falls and Imbaimadai. As a result of these many activities, financed by the Credit Union, we were able to pay 20% Interest Annually on savings and 30 % on total purchases AS A BONUS, Annually to members, unprecedented in Guyana, for Credit Unions and Cooperatives, at that time.
Members borrowed at a very low interest rate, to purchase, repair and remodel their home; start & expand small businesses; pay school, mentoring & tuition fees; pay for weddings, funeral expenses, LIFE Insurance Coverages for ALL members; and financial assistance to the parents and families.
At Imbaimadai Ranch Orchard, Limes and Lemons were large as a person’s head due to the very fertile soil. There was a TALL LOOK OUT STATION towards the Venezuela Border. Most memorable, was Guyana Airways Captain Roland DaSilva, often flew the aircraft to Kaieteur Falls, and on arrival he often took the aircraft to the lowest level possible, for the persons in the aircraft to get the best view of the falls. Major Captain Roland DaSilva, CCV, became Chief Pilot, Manager, First and the only recipient of Guyana’s Highest award for Bravery-The Cacique Crown of Valor, for his bravery, dedication, and duty in the face of fearful odds during the Rupununi uprising in January 1969, presentation by His Excellency Prime Minister Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Esq., SC.
GCIS and Guyana National Lotteries
Whilst working as Company Secretary/Accountant, Hon. LFS Burnham, Esq, SC, requested me to serve as a Founding Director at Guyana Co-Operative Insurance Services, (GCIS) with Chair Harold Wilkinson, Secretary of the Treasury and Yesu Persaud. I was also asked to serve as a Director at Guyana National Lotteries under the Chairmanship of Attorney Lloyd Luckhoo Esq. then to Leonard Alli, Chartered Accountant.
Co-operatives in USA
There are more than 40,000 cooperatives of all types in the U.S., supporting jobs that provide more than $25 billion in wages. According to a University of Wisconsin study, cooperatives have an estimated 350 million members. There are many types of cooperatives. In the USA Cooperatives function as very strong Credit Unions in every State and almost in every Town, as a Bank, and as of the first half of 2022, the total assets of credit unions amounted to USD 2.14 trillion dollars
Co-operatives in ISRAEL:
There are four major forms of agricultural co-operatives in Israel: kibbutzim, moshavim, communal moshavim, and secondary service co-operatives. A kibbutz is a co-operative village of 200-2000 people. Approximately 300 kibbutzim in Israel which is a community where members work on a collective farm. I received a scholarship to study in Israel through the Printing Workers Union in Guyana, but my Dad did not agree, so did not pursue this offer.
World Co-operatives
There are 3 million cooperatives worldwide; together, they provide employment for 280 million people, equating to 10 % of the world’s employed population. The 300 largest cooperatives and mutuals in the world had a total turnover of US$2.018 trillion in 2016.
Co-operatives are in AFRICA, Kenya and Uganda, ASIA, India, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Poland, Scandinavia, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Lions, Jaycees, Motor Racing, Turf and Cricket Clubs.
I was very active, prominent, and involved with Central Demerara Lions Club, Georgetown Jaycees, and Georgetown Toastmasters, and at various times served as their Elected Presidents. I was also an active member at Guyana Motor Racing Club, Guyana Turf Club (Horseracing) and Guyana Cricket club.
I do have a 2 pages letter dated May 8, 1996, signed by His Excellency Hugh Hoyte, S.C., M.P., Minority Leader in Parliament of Guyana, Leader of the People’s National Congress Party and Past President of Guyana 1985-1992, confirming all the positions as above. This letter was needed to confirm my many involvements in Guyana, at a very life changing meeting in the USA. These involvements all assisted greatly in expanding my experiences, competencies, and confidences including relationships building, relationships maintenance and respect to all.
Picture : August 9, 1977, met at a US Embassy in Guyana Reception US United Nations Ambassador His Excellency Andrew Jackson Young, who encouraged me to visit, study and learn the USA He is an American Politician, Diplomat and Activist, who was the appointed as the first African American to be appointed to this position.
NEWSPRINT to MIRROR Newspapers via CECIL RAMSINGH, an example of fairness
My 1967 risky decision, but relationship, friendship and trust were paramount. I as Company Secretary /Accountant at Bookers Lithographic & Boxmakers then to Guyana Lithographic & Boxmakers who was very close to Cecil Ramsingh, Office Manager at Mirror Newspapers through Georgetown Jaycees International. I attended Cecil’s Funeral with Noel Gonsalves & John Sawh in Miami and met Cecil’s daughter Titanya and Banks Clifford Reis’s EX Wife Marlene who worked at Lithographic Accounting Department.
Cecil Ramsingh, Mirror Newspapers in I967 asked for my help to secure some rolls of newsprint. I risked my Lithographic job to secure Rolls of Newsprint Paper from Peter Taylor, agent for Domtar Paper Mills who supplied paper for Lithographic. I was also a Master Mason at Mount Everest Lodge, Church Street, where Peter Taylor was the Grand Master. I used both my Lithographic & Lodge Relationships with Peter Taylor to secure the Rolls of Paper for Mirror newspapers. My Dad’s Truck “Derek Flint” transported the Rolls of newsprint to Mirror. Cash and Carry with secrecy.
At this time newsprint was a banned item for the People’s Progressive Party, Mirror newspapers. Do know, there are MANY persons who assisted the PPP, due to fairness, when applicable, during PPP’s very difficult years. Now, the many PPP’s “johnny come lately” with no clues on the past, as they choose to label persons in their SHALLOW THINKING, when many were PRACTICING and CONTINUE to work for a Guyana, with One People, One Nation, One Destiny.
I was a Master Mason, Church St, Mount Everest Lodge, Sponsored by Georgetown Lord Mayor, and Speaker Rahman Bacchus Gajraj, CBE, and over the years do regularly clean my Master Mason apron, with memories.
Picture: Central Demerara Lions President Shamir Ally with HE LFS Burnham, Esq. OE, at a ceremony.
H E Prime Minister HE Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Esq, SC, and Shamir Ally enjoyed a close working relationship, and I spent some weekends at Belfield House, sitting on the breezy veranda, visiting the farm and enjoying the fruits in season. I was also close with Her Excellency Mrs. Viola Burnham through the Georgetown Toastmistress Club, and welcomed her during her visits to New York city, with High Teas at Plaza Hotel, Peninsula Hotel, and tours of the Museums. We travelled in my red convertible Mercedes from her Queens, New York residence with families.
His Excellency Hon. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Esq, SC, OE. had four (4) FIGHTS during his term of office.
Looking back, I was around to see, know, and read of at least FOUR (4) Fights, FROM the British; The Portuguese Class; The High Class Africans; and Dr. Cheddi Jagan (The Opposition). Who knows know.
The Honourable Madam Justice Dr. Desiree Bernard, CCH, OR
With whom I was close to from Georgetown Toastmasters Club when she was Attorney at Law and President at Georgetown Toastmistress Club. Attorney Bernard moved on to be Guyana’s first female judge of the High Court in 1980 and Justice of Appeal of the Supreme Court in 1992. She was appointed Chief Justice of Guyana in 1996, Chancellor of the Judiciary of Guyana and the Caribbean in 2001 and a Judge of the Caribbean Court of Justice in 2005 and in 2014, she was appointed to the Bermuda Court of Appeal. My experience was that the Attorney Justice Bernard, was always with a calming voice, a patient listener, cool, calm, collected but firm in her opinions, comments and decisions based on facts, data, and her learned opinion.
Picture: With His Excellency Arthur Chung, President of Guyana at State House.
During the 1960’s His Excellency the President’s sister Ms Emily Chung, worked with me at Bookers Lithographic and Boxmakers then at Guyana Lithographic Company. Emily was an efficient, caring, and trusted employee, always with a smile. Few knew her brother was the President of Guyana, due to her humility.
Twinning Association of Georgetown
I served as the President of the Twinning Association of Georgetown( TAG). City of Georgetown was Twinned with Ottawa, Canada and Lusaka, Zambia, and served for seven years and led Delegations to Ottawa, Canada, and received Ottawans in Guyana. On trips Guyanese Engineer Dr. Lylleton Ramsahoye will meet the Ontario Hydro Team for discussions for the Guyana hydro projects.
Picture: Left to Right, Shamir Ally, President of Twinning Association of Georgetown (TAG) with Mayor Beryl Simon on way from Guyana’s Airport to BWIA Aircraft for Ottawa, Canada on an Annual Exchange Visit.
City of Georgetown is Twinned with Ottawa, Canada and Lusaka, Zambia, and Shamir served as TAG President for 7 years. Mayors Kenneth Short and Claude Merriman were in Guyanese groups to Ottawa, in Groups of around 20 each year, with TAG members, persons in business, health, education, social services, including Dr. Lyttleton Ramsahoye for meetings with Ontario Hydro for Guyana’s hydro protects. Mayor John Ford was unable to make the trips to Ottawa, as he was with more pressing items at his Executive position at Wieting & Richter, Water Street, Georgetown, BUT WE ALL had his best wishes on each trip to Ottawa.
Picture: HOLY QURAN Gift to Shamir Ally, on February 2, 1964 from HE Rahman Bacchus Gajraj, CBE (11 May 1910 -23 February 2004) died in Toronto, Canada at age 93.
RACE POLITICS, United Nations Security Council and My Prediction
RACE POLITICS has CAUSED Guyana’s MISSED OPPORTUNITIES, which has been brutal over the years, including parallel security forces, and recently the EYE IN THE SKY, to take pictures of persons, events and places for TRAFFIC and CRIME are excellent, BUT when USED for STATE VENDETTA, this is a NO NO NO. This is from the Gestapo and Marxist playbooks. Many are taking note in Washington and the United Nations, where Guyana will soon sit on the UN Security Council (UNSC). Likely PROTESTERS and PLACARDS will be around the UN Headquarters, and Questions will follow to the Guyana Representative at UNSC, part of the 3Fs, families, friends and favourites, when professionally trained Diplomats are passed over, ignored, and marginalized. Many will remember the United Nations Security Council LEADERSHIP by His Excellency Rashleigh Jackson and His Excellency Dr. Rudy Insanally.
During my 4 years Tenure in Kuwait, every Thursday at a Gala Luncheon hosted by HE Dr. Abdulla Yacoub Bishara and Wife, heard many stories, events and items on the TWO Illustrious SONS of Guyana’s Foreign Affairs from Kuwait UNSC Representative, HE Ambassador Dr. Abdulla Yacoub Bishara, CBE, First. Secretary General, Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC 1980); Past Kuwait Ambassador to BRAZIL & ARGENTINA; Kuwait Ambassador to UN; and Past Chairman at UN Security Council.
Kuwait H. E. Dr Bishara visited Guyana 3 times and was a very close brother to Hon. Rashleigh Jackson, Past Minister of Foreign Affairs, through July 2020, my end of Tenure. Once each month I will phone Hon. Rashleigh from my Global IPhone for him to talk with HE Dr. Bishara. HE Dr Bishara met Hon. LFS Burnham Esq,, Hon. Dr Cheddi Jagan and HE Arthur Chung, and at every Gala weekly luncheon a different Group of 10 Ambassadors, will learn about Guyana. Guyana Ambassador and wife were invited to each Thursdays luncheons for Ambassadors, especially from Africa, and Asia. Guyana was and continues to be very special to HE Dr. Bishara and Madame Mariam.
Picture: Right to Left: Dr. Shamir Ally; HE Dr. Abdullah Yacoub Bishara; and Dr. Maryann Beebe Ally, at Dr. Bishara’s Palace, Thursdays Gala Luncheon, at which Guyana was a weekly invitee. Our personal relationships are continuing.
My Prediction for Guyana, IS, an Influencer CHANGE from Washington, SOON, for “ a National Unity/Shared Governance, with CIVIL SOCIETY, and MORE reasonable Royalties from Exxon.”
Onward & Upward towards “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”
