Latest update November 23rd, 2024 1:00 AM
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US spearheads programme to strengthen Guyana’s Parliament
The Guyana Leadership and Democracy (LEAD) project, one designed to strengthen the functions of the National Assembly, was officially launched on Wednesday evening last by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded International Republican Institute (IRI).
Chief of Party for LEAD, Glenn Bradbury, making his remarks
The venue was Cara Lodge, on Quamina Street, in Georgetown.
The aim of the venture is to create a better relationship between Guyana’s Parliamentarians and members of the public, while maintaining a standard and professional structure.
Spearheading the project is Chief of Party for LEAD, Glenn D Bradbury. He has been a senior advisor to the parliament of Canada for over 20 years, and has worked with other countries across the world.
During his remarks, Bradbury said that he believes that the elected representatives in the National Assembly are capable of achieving beneficial national goals through commitment and energy.
“Certainly, their rationale and motivation remain mutually consistent, irrespective of their political allegiances, that being, to do all in their constitutional power to benefit the lives of the people of Guyana and serve those who have placed their faith in them.”
Bradbury, who has been in Guyana for just about a week, told Kaieteur News that during the course of next week, further meetings will be held with members of the Government and Opposition Parties respectively, on areas that they feel should be given priority.
He said that before coming to Guyana, he studied the country well, and has an idea of what needs to be addressed. He did not disclose those ideas, but noted the programme will be geared towards what parliamentarians feel is best for the country. The LEAD project has a time span of about two years, Bradbury said.
Meanwhile, United States Ambassador to Guyana D. Brent Hardt during his remarks said that the project is one that is timely, especially since Guyana’s National Assembly is grappling with serious issues that need to be dealt with in a manner which is in the nation’s best interest.
Ambassador Hardt also highlighted that the United States of America has recognised that the new dispensation in Parliament can pose many challenges, and that if those are not handled accordingly, can lead to a stalemate and frustration.
The Ambassador commended stakeholders who have helped to shape the direction intended for the project.
One of the main issues raised by these stakeholders was the hosting of local government elections.
In this regard, Hardt expressed hope that all the parties come together to approve the legislation and pave the way for elections this year.
Opposition Parliamentarians Khemraj Ramjattan and Joseph Harmon engage US Ambassador to Guyana D. Brent Hardt
Hardt added that the U.S., through USAID, will immediately assist in the area of educating citizens in an effort to prepare them for the local government elections and renewed local governance.
Leader of the Alliance For Change, Khemraj Ramjattan, and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)’s Joseph Harmon were also present at the ceremony, which also sought to welcome Mr. Bradbury to the ‘Land of Many Waters’.
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