quote:

Originally posted by Demerara_Guy:

quote:

Originally posted by TK_REDUX:

Just look at how AFC is pulling better crowds at the village public meetings.

The AFC has supporters, but not in the large amount like the the PPP/C.

Actually DG it is on record that the PPP meetings that are of the same size and locations as AFC are considerably less people in attendance. The only place where the people mass that outperform these AFC meetings are the large events like Albion and depreciation day.

Other than that PPP hands down have smaller meetings. Manickchand had to cancel one meeting in new amsterdam because she said she is not talking to 5 people.

Blairmont we had 20 people.

In whim right Opposite Ramaya's house we held a meeting barely 50 people and we prappa cuss ramaya. But at the end of the day Ramaya does hold yagna in his house and he easily gets a few hundred people.

Rohan who is one of our old PPP guys who is now working with Ramaya and the AFC does laugh when they pass by our meetings.

we are taking a licking there is no question. Trust me not the spin young taps and other fools are telling you.

Guyana ruling party launches election campaign

Monday, October 03, 2011
Source - Caribbean 360

President Bharrat Jagdeo defended his term in office stating that his government took Guyana from a bankrupt country and made it the most dynamic vibrant economy in the Caribbean.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Monday October 3, 2011 – The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) continues to hold the date for general election a closely guarded secret, despite launching its campaign Sunday night.

Some had speculated this would have revealed in light of the dissolution of parliament on September 27, which now mandates the election date to be announced before November 14.

Instead, the thousands who attended the launch were informed by the party’s presidential candidate Donald Ramotar of his plans for the country.

He said this includes cheap and reliable electricity through hydropower, solar energy and wind power, a harbour to accommodate larger ships, and continued emphasis on education and health.

In his address, President Bharrat Jagdeo defended his term in office stating that his government took Guyana from a bankrupt country and made it the most dynamic vibrant economy in the Caribbean.

“Today we have the highest level of international reserves ever. We spent the most that we have ever done on education, healthcare and housing, on water and electricity, because these are important to our people,” he said.

“We have done so and at the same time reduced the fiscal deficit,” the president stated.

He said further that the interest rates have been reduced significantly due to the policies of the government.

Also appearing on the party’s political platform was former executive member of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) Joseph Hamilton, who broke ranks with the party in 2008.

He defended his decision to join the PNCR stating it was the only viable option.

None of this will change the facts DG, this story is as fake as the hair on His excellency's head.

Were Moses Nagamootoo, Ralph Ramkarran, Navin and Indra Chandarpal, and Komal Chand in attendance?

quote:

Originally posted by Errol Arthur:
Were Moses Nagamootoo, Ralph Ramkarran, Navin and Indra Chandarpal, and Komal Chand in attendance?

That would be a hells no!

Elections are about serious business - President tells huge crowd at PPP Albion rally

Georgetown, GINA, October 2, 2011
Source - GINA

President Bharrat Jagdeo speaking at the PPP/C rally at Albion

A colossal crowd converged at Albion, Corentyne Berbice as the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP/C) began the first of a series of rallies in the lead-up to the national elections. Chairman of Region Six Zulfikar Mustapha had reported that the latest head count showed about 28,000 in attendance.

President Bharrat Jagdeo who spoke in front of the exuberant crowd of supporters waving colours of the Party flag, reminded them that the upcoming elections are about serious business.

"I urge you to understand what these elections are about. They’re about serious policies, whether we go forward or we go backward," President Jagdeo said.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar gets a grand welcome to the PPP/C rally at Albion

The Head of State also cautioned the PPP supporters about complacency, reminding them of their duty to exercise their right to vote.

"Elections are won only when the ballots are counted. Elections are won when each vote is cast because each vote in our country matters; so your friends, your family, everyone must be out there,” President Jagdeo said.

At the 2006 polls the PPP led won by a landslide victory, securing 54.6 percent of votes, and automatically winning the Parliamentary majority with 36 seats in the National Assembly against the main Opposition People’s National Congress Reform–One which captured 22 seats.

A section of the large gathering of supporters at the PPP/C rally at Albion

History was recorded as the Party, for the first time secured Parliamentary seats for all 10 geographic constituencies.

Local and foreign observers and the Joint International Technical Assessors Observatories were in Guyana during the 2006 elections period. For this round there will be observer missions from the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

This elections will however, see the first ever coalition party, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) contesting, led by David Granger.

Speaking to Party supporters today President Jagdeo described the other contestants as parties from a different era, pointing a finger first at Granger who he said has had backward-thinking policy.

"If you listen to his speeches sometimes, it's not going to change much. Everything he talks about is going back to the past. He never talks about the future. He doesn’t speak about ICT. He doesn’t speak about an environmental sector or tourism or the new economy,” President Jagdeo said.

President Bharrat Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate Donald Ramotar join Chutney sensation Fiona as she performed at the PPP/C rally at Albion

The Opposition Leader's proposal for the return of National Services was seen by President Jagdeo as the wrong approach to the children of Guyana and their future. When asked whether they would welcome the return of national service the crowd responded in the negative shouting in one accord.

The recently formed coalition Party, in President Jagdeo’s view, is a disguise for the defunct People's National Congress Reform (PNCR).

"The PNC thought they would pull a fast one on us because they are worried about their track record so they change their name to APNU. It's still the same PNC, the same policies; the same issue.

The Alliance for Change (AFC) was described by the President as a confused Party with volatility in its leadership and bringing a different message to different groups in society.

"The AFC carries one line in Berbice and a different line in Linden. The lawyer...(Ramjattan) has gone on the platform in Linden and saying that, we (PPP) discriminate against Afro-Guyanese. They will come here in Berbice and tell you that we're not doing enough for Indian people" President Jagdeo said.

Berbice is however, a stronghold for the ruling party and one of the main sugar producing regions in Guyana and its viability under Donald Ramotar will continue, President Jagdeo assured.

He said the Skeldon sugar factory, Government's largest investment ever in the sugar industry was established to significantly reduce the cost of production.

The Ancient County boasts the University of Guyana Tain Campus which today accommodates over 300 students pursuing studies in various disciplines but a remark by a PNC/R Member of Parliament that the move to have a campus in that region was political, did not find favour with President Jagdeo or the huge crowd of supporters today.

“When you get into the University of Guyana nobody ask you which Party you support… and if they did we will find it reprehensible because we believe in working for all the children of Guyana… that is our approach to education,” President Jagdeo said.

In the health sector President Jagdeo made reference to the massive capital investment made in recent years to build eight new hospitals and provide scholarships for Guyanese to study abroad. Very soon 700 will be returning as doctors.

Today’s rally featured appearances by some new faces, including former PNCR member Joseph Hamilton who declared his support for Ramotar being the next President of Guyana.

He touted Ramotar as the only capable person to rule Guyana and flayed the APNU leader as a “just-awaken,” reluctant politician.
The rally was nothing short of a party-like atmosphere with members of the Shakti string band and a fusion of African and India drummers livening the air with up-tempo entertainment.

Calypsonians, the Mighty Ken Dingo and Winfield James, Mahendra Ramkellawan and Fiona, Vanilla were among the crowd favourites.

Other upcoming rallies are planned for Linden, Good Hope and Stewartville.

Fight for social, economic justice will continue - Ramotar pledges
- to huge crowd of Party supporters at Albion

Georgetown, GINA, October 2, 2011
Source - GINA

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar being escorted by supporters at Albion, Corentyne

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar today outlined his plans for Guyana if elected at the next national and regional elections during the official launch of the Party’s campaign at Albion, Berbice.

Addressing the large, energetic crowd, he said that history can attest to the fact that under the PPP government, Guyana has seen massive transformation as the first notable developments took place in 1957 to 1964 such as the University of Guyana (UG), Bank of Guyana, and the repositioning of a bankrupt electricity company among many others.

These developments Ramotar said, “stand today as national pride and is associated with the PPP/C.”

From left: Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Donald Ramotar, President Bharrat Jagdeo, and Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee at the launch of the PPP/C 2011 election campaign at Albion, Corentyne

He noted that in spite of these developments, when the Party returned to Office in 1992, the country was in a terrible state as a result of poor governance under the PNC administration.

Today however, the country’s developments are recognised by many. Ramotar quoted the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves who called Guyana, “the only shining light in the entire CARICOM.”

He assured that the PPP/C Government is committed to building Guyana from strength to strength and will put in place the necessary infrastructure that will complement and boost this process of development.

Ramotar pointed out that the non-availability of cheap energy is still an obstacle in Guyana that the advent of the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project will remove, making way for more widespread development of industries.

With regards to the sugar industry, the Presidential Candidate who is also a member of the Board of Guysuco, assured that the future of this key economic activity will remain intact under his administration. He added that like Skeldon, co-generation plants will also be built at other sugar factories in Guyana.

He emphasised that Government is moving rapidly to provide hinterland communities with solar panels so that notwithstanding their geographic location, those communities too, can experience the wave of development that is taking place. Moreover, his administration will undertake to invest in feasibility studies with regards to wind power and bio fuels.

Ramotar noted that an oil and gas find in Guyana will see the country being poised for more massive developments and improvement of living standards for all.

He lamented that some elements of the Opposition are going into the interior and spreading lies about the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and assured that the strategy does not in any way prohibits logging and mining, but rather, seeks to ensure that these are done in a sustainable way.

The need for a more educated workforce was emphasised by the Presidential Candidate, who noted that the PPP is very confident of its youth population and will do everything in its power to ensure they are afforded the best opportunities. He noted that President Bharrat Jagdeo was only 35 years old when he first took Office and has since managed to carve a place for himself in Guyana’s history.

“We will continue to fight for economic and social justice for all Guyanese,” Ramotar said.

Reference was also made of the developments in the areas of agriculture, health and Government’s ICT drive which has seen the roll-out of the landmark One Laptop Per Family Project (OLPF).

He also disclosed plans for a deep-water harbour, which he said is extremely important as the country moves forward.

Ramotar told supporters that Presidential Candidate for the APNU, David Granger, spent his entire life defending an undemocratic system and never once apologised for the sufferings that Guyanese were subjected to. He (Ramotar), on the other hand, began fighting for political democracy since the age of 17.

“We have started this Party as a people’s Party, and we will continue as a people’s Party,” he posited.

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds called on Guyanese to come together in national unity as the country moves forward.

He too recapped the many developments that have taken place in Guyana, particularly in the areas of mining and electricity (two areas for which he holds responsibility).

Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee, who also spoke, said that the PPP came into Office with a vision that it never lost sight of and called on all Guyanese to ensure that the Party stays in Office for continued growth and development.

“We are the Party that has said that its time to change and time to rebuild. Today we are still changing and rebuilding; it is a work in progress but we have come a far way,” Minister Rohee said.

4 Horsemen of inertia

quote:

Originally posted by Alexander:
Caribj won't like what Ralph Gonsalves had to say about the Guyanese economy. The only shining light economy in Caricom?

Ralph Gonsalves wants an excuse to toss all those Guyanese in his island so he is telling them "go home, things are nice". They arent listening though.

Why are Guyanese living in St Vincent, an island with a bankrupt banana industry?

quote:

Originally posted by TK_REDUX:
Just look at how AFC is pulling better crowds at the village public meetings.

TK maybe you should try busing in people too. Your meetings arent working so stop fooling yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by caribj:

quote:

Originally posted by TK_REDUX:

Just look at how AFC is pulling better crowds at the village public meetings.

TK maybe you should try busing in people too.

Your meetings arent working so stop fooling yourself.

quote:

Originally posted by asj:
PPP/C CAMPAIGN LAUNCH APP 20,000

MASSIVE, IMPRESSIVE AND CONFIDENT THE PEOPLE HAVE ANSWERED

.

Very impressive start..

quote:

Originally posted by TK_REDUX:
PPP in trouble. In past years they will pull 20000 easily in Albion. 10000 is a punch to the PPP belly. Plus they had to bus people in to still pull 10000. We have them on the backfoot. AFC will win this election. Just look at how AFC is pulling better crowds at the village public meetings.

GR says that the AFC only got hundreds of people looking on. Not voters, TK. Your dankey attitude is not going to pull any votes.

quote:

Originally posted by Errol Arthur:
Were Moses Nagamootoo, Ralph Ramkarran, Navin and Indra Chandarpal, and Komal Chand in attendance?

They have been assigned other duties in other parts of the country.

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by asj:
PPP/C CAMPAIGN LAUNCH APP 20,000

MASSIVE, IMPRESSIVE AND CONFIDENT THE PEOPLE HAVE ANSWERED

.

Very impressive start..

you lying it was a 1000 people going around in circle

quote:

Originally posted by warrior:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by asj:
PPP/C CAMPAIGN LAUNCH APP 20,000

MASSIVE, IMPRESSIVE AND CONFIDENT THE PEOPLE HAVE ANSWERED

.

Very impressive start..

you lying it was a 1000 people going around in circle

Don't try to be funny you are not.
One of the reasons why the PPP is winning is because of jokers like you. You have nothing constructive to say.

The Guyanese populace are speaking, and also they are showing in large numbers where their political alliance is...its with the most progress political party in the history of Guyana...its with the Peoples Progressive Party Civic.

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by warrior:

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by asj:
PPP/C CAMPAIGN LAUNCH APP 20,000

MASSIVE, IMPRESSIVE AND CONFIDENT THE PEOPLE HAVE ANSWERED

.

Very impressive start..

you lying it was a 1000 people going around in circle

Don't try to be funny you are not.
One of the reasons why the PPP is winning is because of jokers like you. You have nothing constructive to say.

the only people that is being funny here is the ppp transporting people from all over to dance at they rally which part of guyana those three wise men come from

bhaiji, have you seen the crowd? Do you thing it's funny for the PPP to transport 20000 supporters to that rally.

The PPP is very strong in berbice...

quote:

Originally posted by Ramakant_p:

quote:

Originally posted by asj:
PPP/C CAMPAIGN LAUNCH APP 20,000

MASSIVE, IMPRESSIVE AND CONFIDENT THE PEOPLE HAVE ANSWERED

.

Very impressive start..

Indeed very impressive Rent-A-Crowd

Ooooooh yes you would be surprised how many people we had to bus in. Back in the Day Dr. Jagan used to get 25000 right here, Now we have to bring people from as far as diamond.

RENT-A-CROWD just like depreciation day only smaller. was really a 10K crowd. Even Supah cannot stomach it he is puking when Demerara waves and the foolice report 10,000.

The Guyanese populace..will ensure the present administration wins the elections and rightfully earns the mantle of Governance.....a good term...truly deserves another....they'll be voting P.P.P/C

So Albert, was Moses Nagamootoo on stage like Joe Hamilton?

Was Navin Chanderpal at the Rally? How about Komal Chand?

Is it true that Joe Hamilton presented a letter of referral from Bharrat's partner Robert Corbin?

That was the first of the rallies...and more P.P.P stalwarts will take to the stage....hold your horses squingy...

Albert, I ask again: was Moses Nagamootoo on stage like Joe Hamilton?

Didn't not see any pictures of Indra Chanderpal? Was she present at Jagdeo's rally?

Is it public mischief...you guys wanna create...knowing fully well the comrades you speak about are strong members of the P.P.P/C and will be on stage campaigning for the P.P.P/C at the upcoming rallies ....you guys should be ashamed of yourself...

quote:

Originally posted by albert:
Is it public mischief...you guys wanna create...knowing fully well the comrades you speak about are strong members of the P.P.P/C and will be on stage campaigning for the P.P.P/C at the upcoming rallies ....you guys should be ashamed of yourself...

Strong members of the PPP/C indeed. That is why we want to know if they were present at Jagdeo's Rally.

Were they?

quote:

Originally posted by albert:
Is it public mischief...you guys wanna create...knowing fully well the comrades you speak about are strong members of the P.P.P/C and will be on stage campaigning for the P.P.P/C at the upcoming rallies ....you guys should be ashamed of yourself...

So Albert ... is wuh yuh really seying bai ... De man Nagas was a no show?

quote:

Originally posted by squingy:

quote:

Originally posted by albert:
Is it public mischief...you guys wanna create...knowing fully well the comrades you speak about are strong members of the P.P.P/C and will be on stage campaigning for the P.P.P/C at the upcoming rallies ....you guys should be ashamed of yourself...

So Albert ... is wuh yuh really seying bai ... De man Nagas was a no show?

quote:

Originally posted by albert:
Is it public mischief...you guys wanna create...knowing fully well the comrades you speak about are strong members of the P.P.P/C and will be on stage campaigning for the P.P.P/C at the upcoming rallies ....you guys should be ashamed of yourself...

Strong members Albert ? Why were they absent when the ONE-MAN CC SELECTED Ramotar.
Komal Chand still talk to the sugar workers,they hate Ramo guts for destroying the sugar industry.

Why is Ramo afraid of a public debate, is his intelligence limited ?

If these attendees had to find their own Transportation you Guys (PPP) would have about 400 attend.Free Ride,Free T-shirts,free Hat.Free Performers,The people are not stupid,thy know Lip Service-false promises again.

If the people are not stupid why did they leave their homes and took all that trouble to go. Surely they had better things to do.

quote:

Originally posted by Alexander:
If the people are not stupid why did they leave their homes .

Free food and party. Given they got neither many will not vote.

Compare India Arrival Day celebration at Highbury and UG Tain.

UG Tain, right bext to the road and taxi, associated with the PPP, charge $200.entrance with limited attendance and buy your own food, which is not cheap because the food stands paid thousands to set up. People stand in the rain and a 1PM event start at 5 PM. NO refund given if you want to leave due to the delay.

At Highbury,associated with business people,about 25 miles from New Amsterdam, some people will walk for miles to get a good seat because it is always filled up quickly, no cover charge and a free snack with drink is provided.
Like the free transportation and free items given at the PPP rally and the free attendance with snacks at highbury, why are there more pople on a Sunday event compared to a paid event at nearby UG Tain.

In the years we have funded projects in Guyana, we found Guyanese will NOT refused anything given to them, even if its something they will never use, they will take it just because it is free.

quote:

Originally posted by Alexander:
If the people are not stupid why did they leave their homes and took all that trouble to go. Surely they had better things to do.

Alexander where was Moses, Navin, Komal and Ralph Ramkarran?

Why were they not in albion?

Cheddi’s dream being realized as PPP/C’s efforts catalyse
Written by Parvati Persaud-Edwards
Tuesday, 04 October 2011 03:11

Unity in the nation
As evidenced at PPP/C Albion rally

The gargantuan machinery that is the juggernaut PPP/C construct still inheres in the spirit of the iconic premier Guyanese leader of all time, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, as was evident during that party’s massive elections rally at Albion last Sunday afternoon, when Guyanese eschewed the divisive and destructive politics of race and creed to bond with “kith and kin” in a Guyanese nationhood and precipitate hope in the eventuality of a nation united in the efforts to propel this country and its people on a common path of peace, progress, and prosperity – the premise on which Dr. Jagan formulated the People’s Progressive Party, which he founded, along with a group of like-minded patriots, in 1950

The struggle in the nation then was against the dominion by the colonials, and the subjugation of the various peoples in the land by the plantocracy class, which was manifested in severe marginalization and discriminatory practices – some extremely savage in nature.
Thus it was that the peoples of this land came together under the umbrella of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) and the leadership of Guyana’s liberator, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, to consolidate efforts to oust the oppressors from the land.
As Dr. Jagan’s brother of the soul, PM Sam Hinds said, when brilliant young lawyer Linden Forbes Burnham wanted to engage in the politics of the land, the political party that he chose was the PPP.
PM Hinds recalled that it was profit and power-motivated colonial manoeuvring that caused a split in the party and a consequential divide in the nation, which caused Dr. Jagan agony of the soul for all the rest of his life, because his greatest dream for this nation was for unity in the land – a dream which remained unrealized up to the time of his passing, but which is now on the way to fulfilment as Dr. Jagan’s party continues on its all-inclusive path to national progress and prosperity, and its pursuit of cohesion and peace among the Guyanese people.
Interspersed with high-energy performances from local artistes – all of whom rocked, with Mahendra Rakhellawan singing the PPP elections jingle – an adaptation from his popular “Dem a watch me”, speakers took to the podium to extol the PPP/C for its developmental achievements, and to pledge their support for that party’s visionary policies and programmes, with all rejecting the collective opposition for their lack of coherent plans for taking the country forward, and their inability to even concretize a solid framework for the structure of their respective parties, thereby demonstrating their poor leadership skills – individually, as in the AFC; or collectively, as the APNU has proven.
The question asked and answered by every presenter was to the effect whether a leader who cannot successfully synchronize the construct of his own party can lead a nation; with, conversely, the demonstrable efficiency of the PPP/C organizing and programming machinery.
Peaceful environment prerequisite for progress
First speaker on the agenda, Moslem cleric Warren Barlow, emphasized that physical development is not possible, and cannot become reality – just an abstract configuration, without a peaceful environment.
He related events of Rwanda, where war between factions destroyed thousands of lives and the country. Adumbrating that under the PPP/C government, a peaceful environment is being created where Guyanese are living as brothers sharing the same space, he iterated that the ruling party promotes peace and tolerance and has created an environment that is sustaining synergies whereby Guyanese once more co-exist as brothers and good neighbours. He warned against voters making the wrong choice to put back the persons that will once again lead the country toward destruction and division.
Retired headteacher, Carl Peneux of Orealla, who described himself as a Guyanese of Warrau and Arawak mixture, recalled the years before the advent of the PPP/C administration, when Amerindians were severely marginalized in the national construct, and prophesied a landslide victory for the PPP/C, based on that party’s policies and programmes. He lauded the equitable distribution of the nation’s resources to the various communities, which began under Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s watch and multiplied superabundantly under President Jagdeo’s stewardship.
He cited the numerous developments in the various sectors that have benefited Amerindian communities, among which he numbered the establishment of an Amerindian affairs ministry; the New Amerindian Act; scholarship awards and schools with dormitories that are facilitating the access of Amerindian children to better education, which has enabled the new and future generations of Amerindians to join the various professions in positions of strength; Amerindian Heritage Month; the three Amerindian female ministers; land titling, which has given the nation’s indigenous communities a sense of belonging and security; an annual subvention to the various communities, which is apart from the developmental input at governmental levels; among others.
PPP/C a truly national party
Young teacher Paul Bennett also predicted a landslide victory for the PPP/C and he posited that, because the PNC is so ashamed of what they have done to the Guyanese nation, they have committed suicide (an obvious reference to the PNC’s submergence in the APNU configuration).
According to him, he had joined the PPP/C after analyzing all the contesting parties and found the PPP to be a truly national party that does not subjugate its drive for national cohesiveness and unity in the nation for short-term electoral gains, but instead strives for unity in the pursuit of its developmental programmes. He urged his fellow Guyanese of African ancestry to join the PPP/C and continue to help build on the foundations of the united pursuit of progress that Dr. Jagan had laid.
Reflecting on the major structural and social changes that he has witnessed under the PPP/C regime, Bennett adamantly postulated that only the PPP/C has the leadership that is competent to lead Guyana forward. He urged his fellow Afro-Guyanese to disregard contentions by opposition elements who claim that the PPP is an “Indian” party, because he has discovered that it is truly a national party that welcomes everyone, and that he feels a sense of security and belonging since he made a conscious choice to pursue progress rather than retrogressive policies and diktats and join the PPP/C.
Referring to the abysmal record of destruction the PNC left in the land, when Guyana was only internationally recognized for Jonestown, Bennett said that Guyana is at present the beacon of all Caribbean countries under the leadership of President Jagdeo and has now been put on the world map by its Champion of the Earth. He urged that Guyanese put aside other considerations and join the PPP/C to realize Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s dream of making Guyana One People, One Nation, with One Destiny.
Continuum of educational and empowerment initiatives
Gloria Beharry took to the podium and passionately adjured the nation to speak on women’s issues with one voice and – as a collective, to vote the PPP/C back into office so that they can continue to educate and empower the voiceless and the vulnerable – especially repressed and suppressed women.
She cited, among the continuous empowerment programmes, the Women of Worth (WoW) initiative, whereby women with no educational or strong socio-economic background can be facilitated to become entrepreneurs and thus gain economic independence and social enhancement.
She listed some changes in the legislation that have been driven by the government to protect women and children, including the Sexual Offences Act, the Domestic Violence Act, establishment of the Rights of the Child commission, among a plethora of others, including the training of peer educators, insisting that these programmes should be allowed to continue under a PPP/C administration led by Donald Ramotar.
Stalwart Clement Rohee, whom the iconic Jagans mentored from childhood, said that, unlike the opposition parties the PPP/C has never lost direction, because it has vision and is moving from a giant named BJ (Bharrat Jagdeo) to another giant named DR (Donald Ramotar). He recalled the long years of struggle to achieve the current gains in the country and urged voters to ensure that they do not risk losing those gains.
Positing that the best way of guaranteeing that the country is in safe hands is by returning the PPP/C back into office. He stressed that all the PPP presidents have come from humble backgrounds and can relate to the struggles for upward mobility and the trials and tribulations of the ordinary man.
He lauded the people of Berbice for always standing solidly behind the PPP, except for some “harkatis and namak harams”; but promised that the party’s policies will always be for the benefit of the people – not just at elections; and urged that PPP supporters stand firm and ignore the “wild and irresponsible talk”.
PNC stalwart commits to ensuring PPP/C victory
Joseph Hamilton was the surprise stunner of the day, and he spoke with conviction when he promised to campaign countrywide to ensure that Donald Ramotar becomes president with a PPP/C victory at the polls.
He submitted that elections should not be about race, but about the party with a coherent programme for development; and blanked Khemraj Ramjattan, whom he dismissed as unworthy for leadership because he is pursuing his politics full of envy, hatred, enmity, and malice.
He also dismissed Granger for suddenly waking up – at age 65, and deciding to become a politician, stressing that he is incapable of leadership because he has no energy. Hamilton posited that pursuit of politics necessitates “fire in the belly and the politics in his veins” and said that Granger is “a reluctant politician” who is incapable of building this nation and taking it forward, because, from every discussion he has had, PNC politics is based on race-related issues instead of a programme to take the country forward. Hamilton says people want an administration that will provide solid groundings for their lives, their children, and future generations.
Sadly, and proving the truth of Hamilton’s contentions, he has been subjected to a wave of attacks since his Albion speech. Guyanese of African descent who want to eschew race-based politics for more progressive considerations always come under attack by PNC and its satellites – including opposition media houses; and it takes real moral and mental strength for any Afro-Guyanese to publicly stand up to a conviction to work toward the national good instead of for party paramountcy. Some persons break under the pressure, and only time will tell if Hamilton can sustain the courage of his convictions.
PM Sam Hinds urges all Guyanese to “come home to the PPP”
Incumbent and incoming presidents Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar have been described as thoroughbreds, and both have proven their mettle under fire and emerged winners.
PM Sam Hinds reiterated that the picture of national unity at the Albion rally is a microcosm of the evolving changes in the country, and stressed that “Cheddi’s dream of the heart” was for universal adult suffrage and unity among Guyanese – both of which are being realized. He encouraged that the PPP/C does not facilitate a life of ease; but a life where hard work and sacrifice will eventuate in progress and prosperity, and a better future.
The Prime Minister spoke of some of the developments that have been achieved and promised a bright future for Guyanese under a Donald Ramotar administration. He spoke of the brotherly relationship that he shared with Dr. Jagan, who always espoused inclusivity and put the people before the party.
He urged all Guyanese to fulfil Dr. Jagan’s dream of returning Guyana to the spirit of 1953 and “come home to the PPP” as Joseph Hamilton has done, because this is the only party that addresses the needs of every community with equity, fairness and justice; dealing with problems as the needs arise, within the dictating constraints; but unafraid to chart new paths to ensure the wellbeing of the people – citing the Skeldon state-of-the-art factory that was constructed to sustain the sugar industry and not take away jobs of sugar workers; as well as interventions in the bauxite industry to keep workers employed.
Bharrat Jagdeo transformed the landscape of the country
Master of Ceremonies Zulficar Mustapha said that when the PPP prevailed on the reluctant Bharrat Jagdeo to accept the presidency at age 35, the skeptics scoffed that the party had “put a boy to do a man’s job”, but Mustapha iterated that President Jagdeo has transformed the country’s development.
The President, in an emotive speech, said that we live in a wonderful country and that “it swells my heart” to see the beautiful faces of all the races” coming together at that venue. He expressed pride in belonging to a party that brings people together and enhances the rights of people.
He spoke of days of yore when the most basic rights were trampled upon and people became criminals for the things they ate; or were killed for trying to protect their right to vote for the party of their choice. He spoke of the years of relentless struggle – first to liberate the country from the colonials, then the dictatorship, then from poverty – emphasizing that all the rights that Guyanese today enjoy were won through the sacrifices of our ancestors.
The President enumerated some of the achievements of the PPP/C administration and stressed that Guyana has the most dynamic and vibrant economy in the Caribbean; reiterating that this was achieved from a point of a bankrupted country where nothing worked as he reminisced on the decrepit state of the infrastructure when the PPP/C took office in 1992.
President says PPP has always kept faith with the people
He adjured the imperative of a perspective of the past to enable full appreciation of the progressive developments to the present and declared his pride in the PPP/C party, which has always kept faith with the people, because it ensures development with equity countrywide.
Relating some of the achievements of the PPP/C administration and the impressive sectoral developments, President Jagdeo said that Guyana has the best debt ratio, and that no first world country can match Guyana’s debt profile.
He said that the PPP/C is not seeking re-election because it feels it has a divine right to power, but because its hard work to restore the country to socio-economic viability should be sustained, and recalled the PNC’s track record for failure in governance and their destructive policies that kept the people in subjugation and poverty.
Guyana’s most popular president lauded the party’s presidential candidate as someone who has been in all the party’s struggles and has even served as party leader. He extolled Donald Ramotar’s virtues and said that the latter is a humble person who is always open to new ideas and that he “stands way above the shoulders of the others” (presidential candidates).
Referring to the party spirit of the charged audience, the President said that, while it is good that everyone was having fun, they must also focus on the serious issues behind the campaign, because every vote matters to ensure that the PPP/C win the upcoming elections.
President Jagdeo lauds Ramotar’s capacity for leadership
He gave assurance to sugar workers that, with Donald Ramotar at the helm, sugar will always be a secure industry and will never be allowed to fold. He recalled that, after the EU cut sugar price by 36%, the Government made a conscious choice not to give up on the industry as other Caribbean countries had done, but to invest heavily in efforts to sustain the industry, and consequently the livelihood of the thousands who depend – directly and indirectly on sugar. He said Ramotar was the chief lobbyist constantly fighting for resources to be ploughed into the industry in efforts to sustain its viability; similarly the investments in the bauxite industry, because the PPP believes in people, their children and securing their future.
Guyana’s incumbent president, who has served Guyana well and faithfully, said that he had no regrets leaving because he is confident that Ramotar will keep the flag flying high and that progress in the nation will continue with greater momentum, because the PPP/C’s vision is converse to that of the opposition, which continually promotes racism, negativism, and a backward vision. He concluded by urging full support to a Donald Ramotar presidency.
Progress will continue under PPP/C watch
Presidential candidate Donald Ramotar promised an upsurge in development, because the groundwork has already been laid.
Recollecting the years of struggle with Dr. Jagan, he said that the PPP founder-leader never lost hope, because he was confident that the gains that the first PPP administration achieved in the early 1950s could have been realized once more. He then referred to Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves calling Guyana the only shining light in the CARICOM economy and promised that President’s Jagdeo’s solid foundations will be built upon, and even expanded. He outlined the many future developments he planned, stressing that, apart from established industries, his government will be exploring other growth poles – including gas and oil and other multi-dimensional technological competencies that would propel the nation on a modern developmental pathway. He pledged to ensure that, within the near future all the people would have modern tools for development.
According to Ramotar the PPP has sustained one constant that was first fostered by Dr. Jagan and maintained by the party, and that is its traditional thrust to empower the youths of the country and facilitate their growth. He assured the nation that he will continue to fight for economic and social justice for every Guyanese, and to pursue the establishment of the specialty hospital first mooted by President Jagdeo, which will enable Guyanese to receive tertiary healthcare at extremely reduced costs, and to pursue all the other wealth-creational avenues for empowerment.
He spoke about the constitution brought into effect by the PPP/C, which allows the most popular president in the history of the country to voluntarily demit office, as well as changes that have made Parliament a more deliberative body, with Cabinet practicing direct democracy – only acting on major policies in accord with the needs of, and after consultation with stakeholders of the land.
He urged supporters not to be complacent and to celebrate Dr. Jagan’s vision of one people, one nation, with one destiny and said that, although people are sad that President Jagdeo is going, the country will continue its upward growth trend and things will get better under his presidency, pledging that Guyana’s future is a bright one, and that this country will become the real El Dorado which Raleigh sought.
Local artistes, all of whom performed superlatively, to the delight of the highly-charged crowd, with President, Prime Minister, Presidential Candidate and Cabinet members joining the throng in jiving to the music, included African and Indian drummers, the Shakti Strings Band, Fiona Singh, Vanilla, Mighty Kendingo, and Mahendra Ramkhellawan singing the party’s elections jingle.

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He gave assurance to sugar workers that, with Donald Ramotar at the helm, sugar will always be a secure industry and will never be allowed to fold. He recalled that, after the EU cut sugar price by 36%, the Government made a conscious choice not to give up on the industry as other Caribbean countries had done, but to invest heavily in efforts to sustain the industry, and consequently the livelihood of the thousands who depend – directly and indirectly on sugar. He said Ramotar was the chief lobbyist constantly fighting for resources to be ploughed into the industry in efforts to sustain its viability; similarly the investments in the bauxite industry, because the PPP believes in people, their children and securing their future.

With tact and determination, the sugar industry will live through this bad period and rebound once again.

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