President Dr Irfaan Ali spent time over the weekend engaging with members of the Guyanese diaspora across several locations in New York.
On Saturday, the President interacted with Guyanese nationals at a get-together hosted by the International Centre for Democracy (ICD) at the Villa Russo Banquet Hall in Queens. He also visited the Regent Street Lounge, where he met and spoke with patrons. Later on Saturday evening, Ali stopped by the Ex-Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Association of New York to pay tribute to veteran basketball coach Bernard Daniels. The President described Daniels as “a true pioneer who led with his heart, strength and wisdom,” and commended his lifelong contribution to the development of basketball and his mentorship of generations of young athletes.
On Sunday, Ali continued his outreach with members of the diaspora during a visit to the Rockaway Roti Shop in South Ozone Park, where he engaged with Guyanese residents in an informal setting. The head of state over the years have called on Guyanese living abroad to return and invest in the many opportunities that are becoming available in Guyana, telling members of the Guyanese Diaspora that they need to witness the rapid transformation that is unfolding back home. In September, while addressing a reception hosted by the Guyanese Diaspora in New York, where he led a delegation to attend the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), Ali had told members of the Guyanese Diaspora that persons are no longer fleeing the country but returning as a result of the development currently unfolding at a rapid pace. “For those who left a long time ago, the Guyana of today is not the Guyana of yesterday. We are no longer the land that people run from. We are now the land that people are running toward. Every single person in the room knows who we are. We are the fastest-growing economy in the world. We are a land of opportunities,” President Ali had declared. He had outlined his Government’s plans for Guyana’s continued development and assured Guyanese living abroad that they too are welcome to participate in the country’s transformation. According to the Guyanese leader, there will be investment opportunities that are tailored specifically for the Guyanese citizens, including members of the diaspora, which he implored them to take advantage of. He had said that Guyana’s Government will be taking concrete steps to strengthen the way it engages with citizens abroad, including fully revamping the Diaspora Unit at the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry. During his inauguration speech in September also after being sworn in to serve a second term in office, President Ali had promised to ensure that the vast potential within the Guyanese diaspora was tapped into and became partners in the transformation of the country.
Discover more from Guyana Times
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
