‘Dr Cheddi Jagan a force for good in Guyana − President Ali

Dr Cheddi Jagan was a towering figure in the history of Guyana and the wider Caribbean region. He was a man of great principles, vision, and courage, who dedicated his life to the service of his country and his people.

On Monday (March 6, 2023), President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali reflected, alongside ministers of government and other citizens, on the life and work of the former late president at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre.

President Ali, in his address, commended the contributions that remain a vital component in today’s society. “He lived ahead of his time; comrade Cheddi was not a reactionary force he was a thinking force, so he was always ahead of his time. If you read the depth of some of the things, he wrote you will see how far in advance of society and thinking he was. Importantly, in his death, his teachings remained constant with reality. That is why his life is still applicable to the social, political, and economic transformation of Guyana and the region,” the president noted.

Dr Cheddi Jagan was born on March 22, 1918, in Port Mourant, a small village in Berbice. He was the son of

Indian immigrants who came here to work on the sugar plantations in the colony. Despite growing up in a poor family, Dr Jagan excelled in his studies and became a qualified dentist in the United States.

However, instead of pursuing a career in dentistry, Dr Jagan returned to Guyana in 1943, determined to dedicate himself to the struggle for independence and social justice. He became involved in the trade union movement and founded the Political Affairs Committee, which later evolved into the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).

Under his leadership, the PPP/C became a powerful force for change in Guyana, advocating for the rights of workers, farmers, and the poor. Dr Jagan was a champion of democracy and human rights, and he fought tirelessly against the authoritarian regimes that ruled Guyana in the 1950s and 1960s.

Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and ex- ile, Dr Jagan never wavered in his commitment to his principles. He continued to speak out for democracy and justice, and his message resonated with the people of Guyana and the wider Caribbean region.

His legacy, is an inspiration to all those who believe in the power of democracy, social justice, and human rights. He was a leader who inspired others to follow in his footsteps and a symbol of hope for the oppressed and marginalised.

In this vein, President Ali noted that, “The ink of history will forever be fresh with his ideas, contributions, and sacrifices for freedom, democracy, equality, unity, fairness, and upliftment of all of humanity”.

The president encouraged Guyanese to recommit themselves to the ideals that Dr Jagan held dear, to continue to work towards a more just, democratic, and inclusive society, where every person has the opportunity to realise his/her full potential.

The PPP/C Government is currently in talks with several big companies in the energy sector to train some 500 Guyanese women to operate heavy duty machines in the mining and oil and gas sectors.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali Wednesday (March 8, 2023) said the future undertaking would allow the participants to earn an average salary of $350,000. “The government is going to invest in ensuring that you are certified and we are going to partner with the private sector, so you move smoothly from certification to employment. These are the commitments that I’m making to you,” Dr. Ali emphasised.

The President made the statement as he addressed a large gathering of women, that joined him and First Lady, Arya Ali for dinner in recognition of International Women’s Day 2023, at State House. The administration will continue to work and provide the necessary resources to lessen the burdens on the nation’s women.

Meanwhile, President

Ali has demonstrated his stern stance and unwavering commitment towards eradicating violence against women, and stressed a zero-tolerance policy approach.

Acknowledging that the social issue continues to be a “devil” plaguing the nation, the president highlighted that citizens must stand collectively to combat the scourge. “How many mothers will cover for their sons? How many wives will cover for their husbands?

… the root cause is our silence; the root cause is our collective guilt.. not to stand strong and definitively against violence against women. If we do that, we can get rid of this monster and devil from the society,” he said.

In Guyana, women are spread across every sector including the judiciary, aviation, agriculture, manufacturing, health care and education, among others.

The Guyanese leader said the successes of Guyanese women are significant and transformative.

Some 72.6 per cent of students currently studying through the Guyana

Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) Scholarship Programme are women, while another 57 per cent of persons benefitting from scholarships through the Ministry of Public Service are also women.

Another 69 per cent of those trained in the public service are women. Eighty per cent of the total intake in the education ministry’s technical programmes are also women.

At the University of Guyana (UG), 70 per cent of the total student population are women. Importantly, the withdrawal rate at UG among females is at 0.4 per cent and is among the lowest in the region.

“What that tells you, is that not only are women enrolled, women have the staying power, they have the fighting power, they have the sacrifice power and they have the ability to finish what they start. And this is something that men must learn,” President Ali underscored.

Meanwhile, in the health care system, 60 per cent of the doctors and 98 per cent of the nurses are women, the president stated.