GDF to play greater role in Guyana’s development – President Ali

Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and President Dr Irfaan Ali promised to transform the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) into a more community-oriented body intended to play a bigger role in the development of Guyana.
The President made the commitment on Monday when he pinned five newly-promoted GDF Officers with their new badges of rank. He urged the Officer to see themselves not only as distinguished men and women in the Army, but to play a key role in community and national development.
Those officers pinned by the President at a simple ceremony at State House were Colonel Gary Beaton, who was promoted to the rank of Substantive Brigadier, and Lieutenant Colonels Ronald Hercules, Julius Skeete, Omar Khan and Kenlloyd Roberts, who were all promoted to the rank of Substantive Colonel.
Four of the officers, except for Colonel Julius Skeete, were also awarded the Military Service Medal. Colonel Skeete received his national award in 2018.
The Head of State also said the Government would like to make the military more community-oriented, engaged and aligned with national development goals, particularly as Guyana continues to emerge as an oil economy.
“Guyanese must not only see these distinguished men and women in uniform as just members of the Army. They must see you as a key and integral part of [the] development, of their community and national development. Our military is blessed with great men and women, with tremendous skill sets and experience and the know-how. The time has come for us to harness this great potential in our military to uplift and build communities all across the country,” the President said at the ceremony.

He said that the Defence Board has begun discussions on a strategic way forward on how the military will become integrated into the community life of Guyana.
“The time has come to harness the potential of the military to uplift and build communities all across our country and this will be the focus to make the military more community-oriented, community-engaged and more in line with the national development thrust of our country,” he added.
President Ali urged the GDF to think outside the box as a course is chartered in which the military will be actively involved in the development shift and advancement of our country. This, he said, comes on the heels of the “emerging oil and gas sector, new security challenges, new border challenges. The military has to and must play a key role in the emerging needs of our country”.
He said that the promotions were long overdue and are necessary to strengthen the leadership of the Army. He noted that the elevation of these officers manifests the Defence Board’s intention to ensure the Force is continuously manned by a team of professional and highly motivated officers.
“I congratulate Brigadier Gary Beaton on his appointment. His promotion is duly deserved. I commend him for his outstanding and committed service. His service is worthy of emulation. His elevation to the rank of Brigadier should serve as an incentive to others to strive for greater professionalism and excellence in the discharge of their duties. I also extend congratulations to the other newly-appointed Colonels. Their promotions are meritorious and overdue. I charge these five officers to give their full support to the acting Chief of Staff, who retains my confidence. Other promotions will follow in the future,” the President said.
The Commander-in-Chief said promotions are essential to entrench a system of meritocracy and to reward performance, qualification and experience and his Government will ensure that it adopts a policy to ensure that all those deserving of promotion are so elevated.
“The second purpose of today’s (Monday’s) ceremony was to confer the Military Service Medal on four officers. The Constitution of Orders of Guyana at Article 32 (1) provides that the Military Service Medal may be awarded in respect of military service by Members of the Guyana Defence Force in action or other distinguished service beyond the call of duty. As President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and in the exercise of the duties of that office, I was pleased to confer the award to [these officers]. I congratulate the recipients; they are richly deserving of this honour. The nation acknowledges and salutes their splendid service,” President Ali said.
Members of the Defence Board, including the Prime Minister, Brigadier Mark Phillips; Attorney General and Legal Affairs Minister, Anil Nandlall and Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn also attended the ceremony.