…GRA tax boss, Lincoln Lewis on list
The list of persons who will be given National Awards by President David Granger for the 50th Republican Anniversary is out and among those making the list is a People’s National Congress (PNC) executive and several known sympathisers of the ruling party – APNU/AFC.
According to the list which was released by the Ministry of the Presidency, People’s National Congress (PNC) executive Cheryl Sampson and party member Mark Archer will both be receiving the Golden Arrow of Achievement (GAA).
Sampson was elected to the 15-member PNC executive at the party’s biennial congress back in 2018. Sampson, a veteran teacher by profession, is a long-time member of the party and also served as a parliamentarian.
Archer is the current Communications Director at the Ministry of the Presidency and a former army officer, who served with the President in the Guyana Defence Force. Meanwhile, APNU/AFC-nominated Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Commissioner, Charles Corbin will be receiving a Cacique Crown of Honor (CCH).
Trade unionist and General Secretary of the Guyana Bauxite and General Workers Union (GB&GWU), Lincoln Lewis is also slated to receive the GAA. While Lewis’ contribution to trade unionism is well known, so too is his open advocacy for APNU/AFC ahead of the General and Regional Elections. Mark Benschop, another ardent supporter of the coalition Government, who was previously accused of treason, is also set to receive an award, this time a Medal of Service.
Another entrant on the list is Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA) Commissioner General Godfrey Statia.
Meanwhile, long-time Government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh is also included on the list of awardees. They are both in line to receive the CCH.
Ambassador Charlene Phoenix, who was involved in the shakeup at the Foreign Affairs Ministry last year that saw her replacing former Director General Audrey Jardine-Waddell as the Ministry’s first Permanent Secretary, is also set to receive the CCH.
Other notable awardees include Anglican Bishop of Guyana, Reverend Charles Alexander Davidson; Police Complaints Authority (PCA) Chairman, retired Justice William Ramlall (CCH), Mother’s Union Worldwide President, Sheran Harper – wife of Guyanese cricket legend, Roger Harper; Police Service Commission Chairman, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Slowe (CCH).
Meanwhile, Fire Chief Marlon Gentle will be receiving the Disciplined Services Star. Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police and former F Division Commander, Kevin Adonis is slated to receive the Disciplined Services Medal.