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Violent behaviour in our society must be eradicated – Ramjattan
From Left: Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Sherod Duncan; IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry and Permanent Secretary (PS), Daneilla McCalmon at the launch yesterday.
– Corrective measures initially aimed at 20 communities
The Community Crime and Violence Prevention component of the Citizen Security Strengthening Programme (CSSP) was launched yesterday morning, where it was highlighted that 20 communities will be benefitting from capacity building and non-conflict resolution training among other measures to curb the crime and violence issue in Guyana.
The CSSP is funded through a US$15M (over G$3B) loan from the Inter-American Development Bank.
The specific objective of this component is to improve behaviour for non-violent conflict resolution in selected communities, which will contribute to the overall aim of the programme – to contribute to the reduction of crime and violence within the State.
This component will also seek to address the high incidence of violent behaviour at the community level which is as a result of the prevalence of social norms that tolerate the use of violence in interpersonal relationships, etc.
Delivering an overview of the component was Community Action Specialist, Mark Ross, who explained that this component accounts for 38.2 percent or US$5.7M of the CSSP project. He explained that the approval of the IDB followed the identification of 20 communities, and was based on a two-staged methodology.
The first stage, he explained, was the accumulating of crime data at the community level for murder for the period 2010 to 2013; and domestic violence, robberies, breaking and entering and larceny for the years 2011 to 2013.
Using this data, Ross said that 25 communities with the highest crime rates in Guyana were indentified.
The shortlisted communities were then ranked in terms of suitability for intervention based on the range of additional criteria, including the percentage of youths and young adults; the percent of persons who have primary or lower education; the percent of persons who have low formal qualification; the percent of unemployed persons; the population size in each community and the ethnic composition of each community.
The final 20 communities that were selected, Ross said, are: Vreed-en-Hoop in Region Three; Albouystown, Charlestown, Sophia, South Ruimveldt, Alberttown, Kingston, La Penitence, McDoom, Providence, Annandale, Buxton, Friendship and Enmore in Region Four; Rosignol, Friendship, Albion, Port Mourant, Adelphi and Angoy’s Avenue in Region Six; and Wismar in Region Ten.
A section of the gathering yesterday, where Finance Minister, Winston Jordan (sitting second from left) Acting Commissioner, David Ramnarine and Deputy Director of Prisons Gladwin Samuels were also present.
Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, who delivered the keynote address, told participants that in order to increase the level of safety and security, the reduction of crime and violence is high on Government’s agenda, since both crime and violence pose a real threat to public security and the human rights of all Guyanese.
The Minister extended gratitude, as he cited the turnout yesterday at the Shopping Plaza Tarmac along the Aubrey Barker Road, South Ruimveldt, as an indication that citizens are concerned.
He therefore took the time to point out that his Ministry – and by extension, the Government of Guyana – understands the need to foster cooperation and partnerships with communities to address the problems related to Public Security in an effort to safeguard the wellbeing of all citizens.
Ramjattan also pointed out that this ‘shift’ is not new, and is a result of successes of similar programmes in other countries.
“Already we are partnering locally with communities throughout the country, through the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Community Policing Groups (CPGs) and the Neighbourhood Police, and these partnerships have led to many successes in crime detection and crime prevention efforts,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that during his stewardship thus far, he has discovered that from the partnership between communities and the police, there is much to be gained and puts the police – or the State – in a position where it is seen as not being an external authority that is distant and feared by the community.
“There is so much consensus building and reciprocity (and) social cohesion when communities actively participate and partner with the police force; when it acts as an organiser – that is the police force, to help in building capacity to find solutions in the communities.
Communities then feel empowered and self confident and then they come up creatively with solutions to their satisfaction. It seems all of a sudden there is a new found altruism and trust to create solutions rather than being passive recipients in a welfare state culture. This then causes the communities to undertake a variety of positive activities,” Ramjattan said.
The Minister went on to say that he is impressed with this CSSP component, while noting that it will have a far wider impact than just crime and violence reduction; it will also impact the realisation of the potential of ordinary citizens.
“Crime and violence are developmental issues, because they both stymie national and human development and our peaceful coexistence in Guyana. Crime and violence have direct effects on human welfare, both in the short and long term, as they do frustrate entrepreneurial pursuits and negatively impact productivity.
“Increase in crime and violence have also forced the government and governments of the world, to divert resources from other priority areas such as education, health, social services, et cetera.”
Ramjattan said that according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), each year approximately 200,000 adolescents – between the ages of 10 and 19 – die globally, and many more sustain serious injuries because of crime and violence. He added that the World Bank, the United Nations (UN), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and many other regional and global authorities all recognise the urgency of addressing crime and violence.
The UN report on crime and violence in the Caribbean, dated March 2007, concluded that youth violence is neither retractable nor youth the problem, because youth represents the unique window of opportunity to both prevent and reduce crime and violence in society at large, the Minister noted.
“So though we see it as a problem, it is basically, also the solution. Of concern to our Government is the fact that the face of crime and violence is substantial with those of adolescents and youths, who are both perpetrators and victims, and who should be in school or gainfully employed otherwise.”
Minister Ramjattan added that the age cohort of zero to 29 years represents more than half of Guyana’s population and therefore, emphasis must be place on creating opportunities in the enabling environments available so as to reduce the 40 percent youth unemployment rate that Guyana is currently faced with. This will be done, the Minister assured, so that Guyanese youths can reach their full potential.
Present at the event were other Ministers of Government including the Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; a representative of the Ministry of Social Protection, Diego Alphonso, who delivered remarks on behalf of Minster Volda Lawrence; the Deputy Mayor of Georgetown, Sherod Duncan; the Acting Commissioner of Police, David Ramnarine; the Deputy Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels; IDB Country Representative, Sophie Makonnen; and Heads of several Non- Governmental Organisations and representatives of the Private Sector.
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This is clear proof to show the PNC /AfC lies to the people of Guyana that they had a plan to solve the current crime situation which is going on in Guyana right now what a shame on the government.