OP warns public against upcoming Civil Society Summit

Dec 17, 2014 News

– says organiser is of “shady character”

The Office of the President (OP) has advised the public against an upcoming event said

Dr. Phillip M. Thomas (fourth from left) with former U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt (centre), and other members of the GNCPP

to target and mobilize civil society. The event which will be hosted by Guyana-born US-based attorney and accountant, Dr. Phillip Mozart Thomas, is aimed at making civil society more forceful in the country’s political/social system.
OP has advised the public however, to stay away from this event, stating that Dr. Thomas is of “shady character”.
In a public missive, the government said it understands that the Organisation calling itself the Guyana National Civil Society Council (GNCPP) will be sponsoring a “so-called Guyana National Civil Society Summit” at the Guyana International Conference Centre from December 17 to 19, 2014.
The Office of the President said it is unaware of the existence and of the locus standing of the organization in Guyana.
“Mr. Phillip Mozart Thomas, the organiser behind the activity, has been found to be of a shady character.”
The government said that “many of the persons and organisations whose names have appeared either as speakers, and to whom invitations were sent, are unaware of the reason why their names were published giving the impression that they are supportive of the December, 17-19, 2014 event, when this is not the case.
“Further, it has been brought to the attention of the Office of the President that qualifications Mr. Thomas purports to possess are highly suspicious. Research has revealed that the institutions where Mr. Thomas purported to have received his qualifications are unknown institutions, and lack well established bona fides.”
The government also claimed that Mr. Thomas is known to have leanings in favour of the People’s National Congress (PNC) and A Partnership for National Unity (APNU).
“He was one of the aspirants who had publicly declared an interest in replacing Mr. Robert Corbin as Leader of the PNC. As we all know, Mr. David Granger managed to distance all the ‘wannabees’, including Mr. Thomas,” the release stated.
“Mr. Thomas is known to have questionable international connections from whom funding is being given for the purpose of this specific event at the Guyana International Conference Centre. “Based on the above, the public is urged to disassociate itself from this farcical event and not to participate,” the OP statement concluded.
The Guyana National Civil Society Summit Organizing Committee sent out several invitations for the upcoming civil society summit. Invitations were extended to President Donald Ramotar, ministers, Members of Parliament and several other prominent personages.
Other citizens were also invited to sit –in at the summit which the GNCPP said will involve over 400 Guyanese National and International Civil Societies and Non-Governmental Organisations; “convening to implement a paradigm shift and transition into a new dispensation of a Culture of Peace, Lawfulness and Happiness.”
Dr. Thomas had explained in previous press briefings that emerging from the upcoming summit, will be the Guyana Civil Society Council (GNCSC) which will be mandated to speak with one voice in representing the collective interest of Guyana Civil Society, in accordance with Article 13 of the Constitution.
Prior to this upcoming event Dr. Thomas had met with several organizations, including the diplomatic community.