“Take national defence more seriously” – Commander in Chief to Army

As Guyana is now on the cusp of prosperity, President Dr Irfaan Ali has implored the ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to take national defence more seriously.

The President at the time was addressing the opening GDF’s Annual Officers Conference that opened on Thursday.
The two-day conference is being hosted under the theme, “Enhancing national security and development through capacity building, empowering troops and strengthening community relations”.
The President said that Guyana was on the verge of transformation, one that would change the citizens’ fortunes for the better.
“We cannot afford to be complacent, we must seize the moment, so as to ensure a secure future for present and future generations. In this regard, the Guyana Defence Force is integral to Guyana’s development. The Army is expected to place a more concretive role in Guyana’s development,” Ali said.
At the Force’s national defence conference last year, President Ali, in his inaugural address, had outlined the country’s national defence policy and the level at which the policy would be exercised.
He noted then that the defence policy was undergirded by civilian control of the military, and guided by the Government’s desire for peace and the protection of the country’s territorial integrity, and the terrain of external threats.
This year, the President said there has been some development.
“I want to provide some insights on the efforts being made thus far, towards the implementation for our national development policy. Over the past year, we would have advanced national security. We have fostered good neighbourly relations; we have deepened our defence relations with other States and their militaries,” the President stated.
The Head of State underscored that the Force was currently being strengthened to execute its lawful mandate, and the Government would do everything in its power to ensure the security and peace of the country.
“As such, you will find that this year, we are proposing to increase the budgetary allocation to the GDF, to $17.6 billion. The Defence Force’s capability was advanced by the acquisition of vehicles, equipment, and machinery,” he explained.
President Ali further voiced that even with some mischievous elements that sought to cause conflict, Guyana would continue to encourage friendly relations within the region.
“Guyana will continue to promote friendly relations with other countries and their Defence Forces. But I am aware that there are mischievous elements who wish to ensnare Guyana into geopolitical conflicts…Guyana has no intention to become a part of this,” President Ali said.
The Commander in Chief also explained that the GDF should develop better approaches for different scenarios.
“We have to start doing scenario modelling. Not only workshops and the Officers’ Conference, the same on date format…long before the Conference, we should task specific units to come up with modelling and analyse different modelling of scenarios that could confront us and to develop a strategic approach to deal with different scenarios,” he explained.
He also charged the Force to use current events like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine situation to develop that strategic approach. The Force was also challenged to develop strategies to deal with climate change, food security, and natural disasters.
“What is our role in terms of food security? What are the threats that the region face in relation to food security and how do we build that in defence strategy?” he questioned.
The GDF was also asked to produce an outcome document explaining its roles and responsibilities in building “One Guyana”.

Reinforcement to defend
Meanwhile, GDF Chief of Staff (ag), Brigadier Godfrey Bess assured of the Force’s reinforcement to defend Guyana. According to Bess, diplomacy remains the first line of defence for the Force, and it must enhance its national security profile to deal with possible threats.
He said that organised crime, the booming narcotics industry, illegal airstrips, border crossings and migration continued to present significant challenges to the Force.
Bess also pointed out that scores of Venezuelans have been coming to the country and are settling in various regions.
“Their presence has seemed to become normalised as they live and operate within every facet of life and geographical district of this nation. These activities, individually or combined, present threats to the welfare of our communities or people…,” he said.
In this light, the Chief of Staff said he was thankful for the support that the GDF has already received from the Government.
“The Guyana Defence Force has benefited tremendously by the addition of … transportation and a heavy-lift helicopter. Additionally, in 2022, the Force will receive an additional maritime vessel. These assets will allow us to be more effective …,” he noted.
Meanwhile, he related that in 2021, 62 per cent of the ranks of the GDF underwent military and capacity-building training with local and international academies.
With these newly-acquired skills, Bess vowed that the Force will continue to improve and increase its capabilities to be better able to monitor the country’s land, air and water territories. (G9)