AFC Strengthens 2025 Slate with Sharma and Gravesande-Bart

In a strategic move ahead of the 2025 General and Regional Elections, the Alliance For Change (AFC) has added two high-profile names to its national slate: former minister and governance advocate Jaipaul Sharma, and pioneering entrepreneur and women’s rights champion Kerri Gravesande-Bart.

The AFC described the additions as a powerful affirmation of the party’s commitment to principled leadership, gender equity, and inclusive national development.

A Legacy of Service and Financial Oversight

Jaipaul Sharma, who previously served as Minister within both the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, during the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) brings nearly two decades of public service experience. He is known for his work in public finance and his staunch advocacy for transparency and accountability in government.

The AFC praised Sharma’s “integrity, discipline, integrity, and dedication to good governance,” highlighting his continued legacy of public service rooted in the values of his father, C.N. Sharma, founder of the Justice For All Party (JFAP).

Entrepreneurial Vision and Women’s Empowerment

Joining Sharma on the AFC slate is Kerensa “Kerri” Gravesande-Bart, founder of the Women’s Chamber of Business and a recognized leader in Guyana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. She gained national recognition as the recipient of the inaugural Women in Business Award in 2019 and has remained a steadfast advocate for the empowerment of women in business and public life.

Her inclusion, the party said, “reinforces the AFC’s unwavering support for inclusive economic growth and gender equity in leadership.”

A Slate That Reflects a New Guyana

The announcement comes as the AFC intensifies its campaign ahead of the September 1 General and Regional Elections, positioning itself as a reform-oriented force seeking to disrupt entrenched political structures.

“Their presence strengthens our capacity to represent the diverse needs and aspirations of the Guyanese people,” the AFC stated, calling Sharma and Gravesande-Bart “dynamic Guyanese patriots” who embody the party’s vision for a modern, equitable, and accountable state.

The AFC said its 2025 team reflects a deliberate balance of tested experience and new energy, designed to offer voters a credible alternative that prioritizes competence, integrity, and national unity.

“We remain committed to a slate that brings together the best of Guyana — leaders who understand service, champion progress, and speak to the hopes of all citizens,” the statement concluded.

With the clock ticking down to Election Day, the AFC’s move to fortify its ticket with Sharma and Gravesande-Bart sets the stage for a campaign centered on restoring trust, broadening opportunity, and reshaping Guyana’s political future.