GDF ranks subject to Commander-in-Chief Irfaan Ali’s directives – Army Chief

Army Chief of Staff (ag), Godfrey Bess in a Command Directive to the officers and ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) related that they are now subjected to the directives of the country’s new Minister of Defence and Commander in Chief President Dr Irfaan Ali.

Bess told the ranks that Dr Ali assumed the post when he took the Oath of Office before Chancellor of the Judiciary on Sunday making him the ninth Executive President of Guyana. He explained that from the moment Ali took the Oath of Office he automatically became the Commander in Chief and as a result, the GDF is now subjected to his directives.
“As the Guyana Defence Force has done in the past, it would continue to do now and that is to serve the State and people of Guyana under its Commander in Chief, President Dr Irfaan Ali. It is important that I remind you at that time that the Guyana Defence Force remain an apolitical national institution and therefore would continue to uphold its noble and exemplary tradition of service to the Guyanese nation and all our people,” said.
“As Chief of Staff acting, I pledge the Guyana Defence Force’s loyalty to Constitution of Guyana and the democratically elected Government to be led by our Minister of Defence and Commander in Chief President Dr Irfaan Ali. I commit the resources of the Guyana Defence Force to the State under the guidance of the Minister of Defence and Commander in Chief President Dr Irfaan Ali,” Bess added.
The Army Chief also committed the service of the officers and ranks to the conduct of the GDF’s constitutional mandate as they continue to work to deter aggression and defend Guyana’s sovereignty while ensuring the development of the country as a safe and secure place.
“I command your continued allegiance to our country the Co-op Rep of Guyana and command your delivery of service with the highest level of professionalism,” he told the ranks.
Just about two weeks ago, Bess reminded soldiers that they are the “guardians” of Guyana’s patrimony and as such, there needs to be a senior officer corps that boasts of courageous and bold leaders.
Bess took over the helm of the GDF following the departure of then Chief Brigadier Patrick West, who went on pre-retirement leave on July 1.
As a result of that development, Bess was appointed by the then caretaker President David Granger to function as Chief of Staff; Colonel Trevor Bowman, Inspector General; Colonel Sherwin Anderson, Quartermaster General; and Colonel Raul Jerrick as Adjutant General. (G2)