On a bright Saturday morning, as Georgetown’s Mayor Alfred Mentore steps onto the University of Guyana’s graduation stage, the moment will represent far more than the conferral of a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. It will mark the triumphant completion of a journey he began more than twenty years ago—a journey paused, reshaped, and redirected, but never abandoned.
For Mayor Mentore, education was never just a credential; it became a compass that helped him lead with clarity. “This degree made my job a lot easier. I was able to understand from an academic standpoint what I was doing in real life. It gave me a deeper perspective on how to address and apply my learnings to everyday matters and to make more informed decisions as Council head,” he proudly shared with UG’s Department of Events, Conferences and Communication (DECC).
But the road to this degree was anything but straight. In the late 1990s, Mentore started pursuing a degree in Economics. In the early 2000s, he switched to Banking and Finance. Both times, life called him to other responsibilities. He admits, “I had to shelve my aspirations. I needed to secure a solid livelihood, develop a business portfolio, and build partnerships that created net worth. My work as a real estate investor and entrepreneur took precedence.”
As the years unfolded, another calling rose to the forefront—public service. “I always had an interest in politics,” he said. That curiosity grew into commitment as he moved from city councillor to Deputy Mayor and eventually became the Mayor of Georgetown.
Yet through all the shifts and seasons, one dream refused to fade. “Coming full circle… that has always been foremost in my mind. I felt it was necessary to complete this first step in my journey. And I’m not stopping here—my master’s is next. Learning is a lifelong journey,” he said.
When he finally returned to university, the world was in turmoil. COVID-19 had reshaped life everywhere. “It was around 2020–2021. I had to care for citizens, discharge my responsibilities as Deputy Mayor, and continue working as part of an essential service entity,” he recalled.
At home, the demands were just as real. As a husband and father raising a young family—including two teenagers—his time and energy were stretched thin. But support carried him forward. “My family gave me the support I needed. A lot of resourceful people played their part in helping me pursue this degree.”
Balancing work and study tested his resilience. “It was hard and tiring. I had to switch on and off between work and study and still put on a brave face every day.” What fueled him was a personal goal: finishing before his daughter graduates next year. With a laugh, he admitted, “I wanted bragging rights. And I wanted her to get her own moment.”
Throughout this chapter of his journey, UG played a pivotal role. “The lecturers at UG were well informed and interactive. The experiences at UG strengthened my leadership capacity and widened my knowledge base. My learnings will truly shape how I see things locally, regionally, and internationally,” he shared. And with the steady conviction that guides his service, he added, “My role will always be to find workable solutions for the greater good of the City and the nation.”
As he prepares to cross the stage, Mayor Mentore offers a powerful message to public servants, working parents, entrepreneurs, and young people who fear their dreams are out of reach:
“Never give up on your dreams. Keep your sight on the prize! If I could come full circle and dedicate the time, while running the city, to complete this journey… why not you?”
He also shares a candid reminder about the value of certification:
“Many people are qualified for the job they are doing, but not certified. And sometimes someone comes along with a certificate and gets your job—not because they’re more capable, but because they’re certified. I believe certification and qualification are two distinct things. So regardless of your constraints, find a way to get certified. There are so many avenues now, online or otherwise. And Government is doing much more to make that journey possible.”
Mayor Alfred Mentore’s story stands as a testament to determination—a reminder that no matter how long the journey takes, no matter how many detours arise, and no matter how heavy life’s responsibilities become, your dreams remain valid. And they remain within reach.
