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 Mr. Raphael G. C. Trotman MP, Attornew at Law
Born in 1966 in New Amsterdam in Region #6 into a family of lawyers, is himself a family man, married to Nicola Denise Trotman, he is the father of four.
His contribution to influence the landscape of Guyana’s civil society, its politics and national development, commenced over a decade ago, when he was first elected a member of the Mayor and Councilors of the capital City of Georgetown (1994) and an elected a Member of Parliament since 1998.
Over the ensuing years, Mr. Trotman has gained significant experience in city and political government. He has been Chairman of the Legal Affairs and Security Committee of the City Council, and a member of several Parliamentary Select Committees from 1999-2001, including from 2001-2005, a member of the Foreign Relations and the Constitution Reform and Standing Order Committees of Parliament. He has participated as a member of a Study Mission to the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland to observe the “Good Friday” Peace Agreement and process, in 1998.
This son of the soil has also benefited from post graduate training at the National Defense University in Washington DC and from Harvard University – School of law. Mr. Trotman holds a Master's degree in International Relations from the prestigious Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusettes, USA .
He has attended a British Government sponsored Workshop for Parliamentary Scholars and Parliamentarians in 2000 in the United Kingdom, and a World Bank Seminar on Parliament, Good Governance and Poverty Reduction in Helsinki, Finland, in 2003.
During 2005 Mr. Trotman was invited to participate in:
- The European Union Visitor Programme at EU headquarters in Belgium and Luxembourg in January, 2005.
- The United States Department of Defense sponsored Advanced Policy Making Seminar on: “Transformation, Defense and Security Challenges in the Caribbean”, Nassau, Bahamas, February, 2005.
- The United Kingdom Government sponsored visit to Houses of Commons and Lords and meetings with senior government officials in March, 2005.
- The United States International Visitor Leadership Program, April, 2005 which consisted of meetings with Senior Government and State officials in Washington, D.C., Lincoln, Nebraska, and Sacramento, California.
Proficient in Spanish, Mr. Trotman has two notable publications to his credit
- The Wars of the West Indies and the Threat of State Disintegration in Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica.
- International Dispute Resolution: The Guyana/Suriname Boundary Dispute Revisited.
 Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan MP,. Attorney at Law
Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan LLB. (UWI) LEC. (UWI) was born on October 12, 1960 at No. 48 Village, Corentyne, Berbice. He is an eminent attorney-at-law, a fearless and objective politician, and volunteer youth organizer. His profession as an attorney-at-law and as a politician brings him in contact with people from all over Guyana –the Essequibo/Demerara/Berbice. He is married to Sita Ramjattan and is the father of two children.
“Prakash”, or “Prak” as he is fondly known was born into and grew up in a grassroot, humble political family on the Corentyne. He served as the former Chairman of the Progressive Youth Organization (PYO - 1988 - 1995) and as a member of the Central Committee 1997 – 2004 of the Peoples Progressive Party (PPP/C).
This former State Counsel in the Chambers of the Director of Public Prosecutions, a former President of the Guyana Bar Association 2003 –2005, has been a Member of Parliament since October 1992, and was Member of Public Accounts Committee of National Assembly 2001 – 2004. He has fearlessly and objectively represented his views on numerous issues, some highly politically sensitive, all in his quest for a better Guyana.
Mr. Ramjattan has participated in many national and international workshops and seminars; and contributed to numerous discussions and public debates on issues of mal-administration, good governance, undue political interference by the state, unprofessional and unethical behaviour, among other topics. He is Editor of the Guyana Bar Review. An ardent cricketer, but a little too old for the National team; so he is satisfied being President of the Gandhi Youth Cricket Club.
 Ms. Sheila Holder MP
Ms. Sheila Holder MP. homemaker, civil society activist, consumer advocate and politician, who has been married to Noel Holder, agriculturist and CEO of i-net Communications Inc. for the last 36 years and has two sons and a daughter from the union.
Ms. Holder served as a member of the Trustee Board of the NGO Forum, as a Director of Guyana Stores Ltd, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards and the Bauxite Industry Development Company Ltd. In 1995, and she was chairperson for the Environmental chapter of the Guyana National Development Strategy.
Within the region, she was elected a member of the CARICOM recognized Caribbean Consumers Consultative Committee (CCCC), precursor to the Caribbean Consumers Council, and internationally, as a member of the Global Policy & Campaigns Committee (GPCC) of Consumers International (CI) as the representative for Latin America and the Caribbean. She represented the Regional group at meetings such as the CARICOM “Forward Together Conference” with Heads of Governments; the Seventh CARICOM Council Meeting for Human & Social Development; the 23rd Meeting of Ministers and ACP-EU Economic & Social Interests Groups, in Brussels.
In 2002, she was recognized by the St. Lucia Ministry of Commerce, Tourism, Investment & Consumer Affairs and The St. Lucia Consumer Association for her contribution to the advancement of the Consumer Movement in St. Lucia, West Indies.
Ms. Holder entered the National Assembly in 2001 on a GAP-WPA ticket and is a member of the Parliamentary Management Committee, the Committee for the appointment of members of Constitutional Commissions and the Standing Orders Committee.
Along with Mr. Raphael Trotman and Mr. Khemraj Ramjattan, she participated in the World Bank Seminar on Parliament, Good Governance and Poverty Reduction in Helsinki, Finland, in 2003. It was during this time that she was contracted by the OAS to prepare a study on “Political Party Campaign Financing” in Guyana.
During 2004 Ms. Holder was a part of the Commonwealth Expert Team of Five mandated by the Commonwealth Secretary General to report on the Cameroon registration process for presidential elections. She returned subsequently as a member of the 45th Commonwealth Elections Observer Group to the Cameroon Presidential Elections under the chairmanship of the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark, former Prime Minister of Canada.
Ms. Holder has presented several papers at international conferences including the presentation on “Privatisation of Telecommunications – the Guyana Experience” at the Consumers International Fourth Regional Conference for Latin America & the Caribbean held in Santiago Chile, and has contributed articles to regional and international publications.
 David A. Patterson MP
BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying – University of Greenwich, UK
Member of Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Institute of Architects and Surveyors, Chartered Institute of Building and Guyana Association of Surveyors.
In private practice with over eighteen years experience of providing quantity surveying, project management and appraisal services to both public and private sector clients in the UK, Guyana and the Caribbean.
Vice President – Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation, Charter Member (Past President) – Rotary Club of Demerara, Member of Parliament (Ninth Parliament of the Republic of Guyana).
 *Ms. Latchmin Budhan – Punalall MP
The AFC’s newest Member of Parliament was born at Bara Bara, Mahaicony River on June 29, 1962, the seventh child to her parents who were farmers. Sister Sarah as she is fondly known, obtained her preliminary Certificate Examination from Karamat Primary School in July, 1975, a Diploma in Cosmetology from GB’s Unisex Beauty Salon in October 1991 and a certificate in Practical Salon Management from Ernesta Haynes Hair Design Institute of Barbados in August, 1992.
In 1999 Latchmin visited India to further her qualifications and attained certificates in Skin care from the Clinic for Obesity, Body & Skin Care of Hyderabad, India and certificates in Computer and Internet Technologies and the Empowerment of Women from the National Institute of Small Industry Extension Training, Hyderabad, India.
Sister Sarah possesses a deep commitment towards serving her country and has worked extensively in many small communities in Guyana, especially with women. She is a committed homemaker who works alongside her husband who is the Senior Pastor of Sovereign Grace Baptist Church in helping the poor, sick, and troubled.
As a committed member of her church she also holds a certificate and diploma in Religious Education . She is responsible for the Women’s and Children’s Ministry of the Sovereign Grace Baptist Fellowship and is presently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree Program in Professional Counseling from the American University of Peace Studies.
CURRICULUM VITAE OF MS. LATCHMIN BUDHAN - PUNALALL
I was born at Bara Bara, Mahaicony River on June 29, 1962 as the seventh child to my parents who were farmers.
My qualifications are as follows:-
Preliminary Certificate Examination from Karamat Primary School in July, 1975.
English Language, Mathematics, Principles of Business & Principles of Accounts at CXC in 1980.
Diploma in Cosmetology from GB's Unisex Beauty Salon in Oct, 1991.
Certificate in Practical Salon Management from Ernesta Haynes Hair Design Institute of Barbados in Aug, 1992.
Intermediate in English from Pitman Examinations Institute in Dec, 1992
Certificate from Ravishing Bodies - Clinic for Obesity, Body & Skin Care of Hyderabad, India in Dec, 1999.
Certificate in Windows, Ms-Office and Internet Technologies from the National Institute of Small Industry Extension Training, Hyderabad, India in Dec, 1999.
Certificate in Empowerment of Women Through Enterprises from National Institute of Small Industry Extension Training, Hyderabad, India in Dec, 1999.
Certificate in Religious Education from the Sovereign Grace Baptist College, Corriverton, Guyana in July, 2003.
Diploma in Religious Education from the Sovereign Grace Baptist College, Corriverton Guyana in Jan, 2005.
Over the past many years I have been responsible for the Women and Childrenʼ's Ministry of the Sovereign Grace Baptist Fellowship. I have also been working alongside my husband who is the Senior Pastor of our churches in helping the poor, sick, and troubled
Presently I am midway in a Bachelors Degree Program in Professional Counseling from the American University of Peace Studies.
*Would be sworn when Parliament reconvenes in October. Mrs. Punalall has replaced Ms. Chantalle Smith who resigned at the end of August 2007.
 Pastor Sewnauth Punalall
The Pastor was ordained as a Gospel Minister at the Cruz Bay Baptist Church, St. John, US Virgin Islands in June,1988 and uniquely combines his Ministry’s work with his desire to serve Guyana and shape the future of our country as a member of the Executive of the Alliance For Change.
He holds a Diploma in Agriculture from the Guyana School of Agriculture, a certificate in Farm Science from Aldermaston College, England,
Diploma in Religious Education from Virgin Islands Bapist School of Theology., a Degree of the Graduate of Theology and a Bachelors Degree in Religious Education.
Pastor Punalall has served as Senior Pastor of Sovereign Grace Baptist Fellowship and Principal of the Sovereign Grace Baptist College in Guyana and works as a Bible Teacher of two media ministries, Inspirations from the Bible (TV) and the Sovereign Grace Bible Broadcast (radio).
 Dominic Gaskin
Mr. Gaskin is the owner of a Georgetown jewellery store. He has had formal training in diamond grading and gemology combined with 25 years experience in the various arts of handcrafting precious jewellery. He is currently the President of the Guyana National Association of Goldsmiths and Jewellers.
He has a wife and the couple have two children both of whom attend school in Guyana. He is an active member of the Queen’s College Old Students Association and is their representative on the Queen’s College Board of Governors.
He has been a member of the party since its launching and was on the AFC’s list of candidates at the last general election.
 Alison Mohamed
I was born in Bartica, where I lived until I was eight; then my family moved to Better Hope, ECD – my father was from there, and my mother was a Bartician. We lived there for six years, my parents separated; and when I was 16, I moved to Kitty to live with my mother. After school, I had worked as a Stores Clerk at Beepat & Sons, and did secretarial courses in the evenings.
I was working as Secretary to Assistant Commissioner Thompson of the Guyana Police Force, when a friend convinced me to take up a position at Red Thread – it paid a little more, but the real importance of this move is that I became exposed to women who had problems. You see, though there are incidences of abuse in my own childhood, it is an area I had ‘blocked out' – maybe because I had no-one to talk to; never felt there was someone at my side.
But with the realisation that it was not just me, I found a role for myself: to get involved and to use my own experience to help someone in that situation; and from this, I developed an interest in working with women.
This phase in my life was a really big influence. My experience at Red Thread (1989-94) has formed the choices I made since, and the person that I am now.
I then worked at SIMAP, as an Administrative Secretary, then in an acting capacity as Executive Secretary to Mr Nawbatt and Board Secretary.
Here was another concern for me: though my performance was sufficient to perform at a high level, I was told that because I was not qualified I could not be permanently appointed to a higher post. Now because my circumstances did not allow me to further my studies, and I didn't have this ‘piece of paper', does not mean I was unable to perform.
It happens all the time, and I think people should be paid according to their work and their performance, and not according to the certificates they have.
I left SIMAP after three years. Because my husband's job kept him away for up to six months at a time, I thought that I had to give my sons the stable home environment that I did not really have.
I wanted my own children to say, ‘my mother was there for me', and what I did not want was to become my own parents.
 Sixtus Edwards
I was born in St Lucia in 1946, the fourth of six children. I attended Roman Catholic boys' primary and secondary schools, then teachers' training college. I was a teacher for 4 years in St Lucia, then I came to Guyana in the 1960s. At the time, both my parents were working with the Demerara Bauxite Company. In fact, I have two sisters who were born in Guyana. I joined the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), and stayed in the army for 27 years, leaving with the rank of Warrant Officer Class II.
I completed a degree in Political Studies from Cuba in 1972, whilst in the army. My military honours include a State Warrant in 1970, Border Defence Medal in 1974, Military Efficiency Medal in 1980, and a Military Commemoration Medal in 1990.
At the Government Technical Institute, I attained a Certificate in Electrical Installation in 1984, and a Certificate in Refrigeration Services in 1986. I currently hold an Electrical Contractor's Licence. In addition, I completed a Certificate in Conflict Resolution, by distance learning, from the American University of Peace Studies in 2006, I am about to complete a Diploma in Counselling, and I am enrolled for a degree in Strategic Management, to begin in January. I am self-employed, and work in both the refrigeration and security fields.
I would say that I am a man with great ambition, and I like to take an example from people around me who are successful, and who have high self esteem. I manage myself well under pressure. But my greatest motivation is my family. I am committed to maintaining a strong family and family values, and to my Christian faith. I am active at my church, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Brickdam. I am married, with four children. My parents returned to St Lucia in their retirement. But apart from my immediate family, I have to think of whoever is around me. There are people out there suffering. We have to see them as our greater family, and help them when we can.
 Martin Cheong
I was born on 11th September 1966 at Aratack Mission on Kamuni Creek, Demerara River, one mile from Santa Mission and the only Amerindian community in Region 3. I was the tenth in a huge family of 13 children: eight girls and five boys. Aratack is a very small community, originally Amerindian, but it became mixed. In fact, my paternal grandfather was pure Chinese, from a small settlement at the head of the Kamuni Creek, and my mother’s family is mixed as well. The main economic activity is subsistence farming, while generally males go out of community to work in forestry or mining, and return periodically. As a child I thought woodcutting work was too hard – I hated the idea. As I saw it, the only alternative was teaching, so I told myself I would be a teacher. In 1978 I wrote the Common Entrance and secured a place at the McKenzie High School. While my father was arranging for me to go there, we got a letter saying I had been awarded a government scholarship, with all living expenses, to North Georgetown Secondary School. I boarded at Station St, Kitty, with two other boys.
That first week – doing nothing before school started – was traumatic. We found ourselves now the guests of strangers who were not genuinely caring, who called us names, who looked at us and saw $75 a month. It was a radical change that shook my thinking and my whole mental state. I had visited the city before, but coming to live in Georgetown was a shock. I was torn away from my community, society, family, even customs and play.
I did CXC/GCE in 1983 then went back home. There was no teaching vacancy, so I helped my father out on his nut farm, and got involved in the Pentecostal Church. After two years I came back to Georgetown and studied theology. From 1985 I worked at Guyana Telecommunications Corporation for five years, then at the Inland Revenue Dept for five years, then at the National Frequency Management Unit for another five years. In 1995 I did a course at the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, then a Diploma in Marketing at UG during 1996-1998.
I became interested in the Amerindian People’s Association (APA) after I saw a television interview with its President, David James. The objectives and goals impressed me because this NGO was trying to represent the social and economic rights of indigenous peoples. I met David shortly afterward, and indicated my interest to him. I accepted the organisation’s invitation to be a Trustee – a voluntary post – in 1997. In 2000 the APA formed the Centre for Amerindian Rights and Environmental Law, which was incorporated as a department of the APA in 2001 and renamed the Amerindian Legal Services Centre. I was appointed its Head, with the general responsibility of addressing all the legal issues that affect Amerindians in Guyana: the rights of Amerindian communities, which tended to be land issues, among other things. We also conducted capacity-building activities such as planning and facilitating workshops in various Amerindian communities, training in basic administration, and discussing rights under the various laws that deal with Amerindians, and the forestry and mining sectors; and more recently the Amerindian Protection Act. Through the APA, I trained in conflict resolution, negotiation and human rights.
Because of the APA’s association with other international organisations, I have been to conferences in different parts of South and Central America and the Caribbean. On behalf of South and Latin America, I made a presentation on Land and Conflict at the ECOSOC forum in 2005, and also made a presentation on the Amerindian situation in Guyana to the Commonwealth, in Geneva. In 2006, myself and David James went on a Caribbean lecture tour sponsored by Oxfam, to sensitise indigenous peoples in the region to our experiences in Guyana regarding the then recently passed Amerindian Act.
I was part of the group of representatives of the APA, The Amerindian Action Movement of Guyana (TAAMOG) and the Guyana Organisation of Indigenous Peoples (GOIP) which, after consultation with communities, worked on the draft new Amerindian Act; and I also made presentations to the Parliamentary Select Committee individually and on behalf of the APA. I was also involved in the establishment of the Shell Beach Protected Area, worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the establishment of protected areas in Guyana, and I’ve also worked with the Forestry Commission on issues related to Amerindian lands and lifestyle.
Gavin Hope
I went to Enterprise Primary School at Robb and Albert Streets; Bishops' High School for one year, and then Queens College . I represented Guyana at hockey at the CAC Games, the Goodwill Games, and other tournaments.
In athletics I was a two-time junior champion at the Nationals, and I represented Guyana at the CARIFTA Games in 1985.
I began working at the Guyana Airways Corporation as a Customer Service Representative in July 1985, two days after writing my last GCE O-Level exam, and eventually became Senior Supervisor, Customer Services, remaining at GAC until the last day of its existence.
Then I worked as a Probation and Family Welfare Officer with the Ministry of Labour and Human Services (2000-2004); then I moved to U-Mobile, now Digicel, where I am Consumer Sales Support Supervisor.
 Francis D’Archiville
I was born 3rd November 1942 at Hague Backdam, West Coast Demerara, but then my family moved to Anna Catherina, where I grew up. I attended St John’s Anglican School at Edinburgh, which is a small village between Anna Catherina and Leonora. My father was from St Lucia and my mother was a second-generation Indian – in that her grandparents had come as indentured servants. She spoke Hindi with her family and friends, and my father spoke French patois with his family and friends – but I learnt to speak neither, because in the home they only spoke English to us and to each other.
My parents were very strict, so as soon as I left school I decided I wanted to make my own money and I moved to Linden where I had some relatives on my father’s side. A lot of people came to Guyana from St Lucia to seek their fortune – my father came as a pork knocker – and those who didn’t make it in the diamond fields ended up in Linden because the bauxite company paid the most. It was around 1959-60 and I was 17-18. I worked for [Demerara Bauxite Company] DEMBA at first as a mechanic helper, then eventually First Class Mechanic. The money was good but McKenzie was a bit wild then – the proverbial ‘mining town’ – and my mother decided it was not for her only son, so she came and literally extracted me: put me in a ferry boat and took me home.
I studied mechanics at the Georgetown Technical Institute, but I was too restless and I left to go and work at the Public Works Department in Kingston, Georgetown. I stayed there for 2 years then I went to work at First Federation Life Insurance Company in August 1965. (I had gotten married in July of that year; we have three children.) After being an Agent for nine months, I was appointed Sales Promotion Manager. It was then that I started travelling within Guyana and abroad. I would say the experiences of travelling – together with reading – are the sources of a lot of knowledge for me, and the best things for a person’s development. Eventually I became Area Manager, with oversight of our offices in Georgetown, Vreed-en-Hoop, Linden, Corriverton and New Amsterdam. Through the company I attended conventions and managers’ conferences in London, and the Latin America/Caribbean region. I was with First Federation for 15 yrs in all, then I migrated to Tampa, Florida, where I was Warehouse Manager and then Vice-President of Shipping at Sahlman Seafoods (the former parent company of Georgetown Seafoods). Again I was fortunate in that I travelled to St Maarten, St Lucia, Grenada, Guyane. After five years in Florida, I transferred to the post of General Manager of Georgetown Seafoods, Providence EBD, where I stayed for two years.
 Clayton Hall
I was born in Georgetown, where my father was a schoolteacher. When he became an Agriculture Field Assistant he was assigned to various locations out of town, and we all followed him; so we lived for on and off in West Demerara, in the Essequibo River area, and in the Essequibo Islands. When we returned to Georgetown, we lived in Charlestown. We were poor, so I am accustomed to living a very ordinary life. I was educated at St Mary’s RC School and then St Stanislaus, both in Georgetown. My first job was at Central Garage, where I eventually became Workshop Manager. Following this I was Manager of the Guyana National Engineering Corporation (GNEC), then I was Manager of the Bel-Lu Claybrick and Tile Factory during 1979-82. I had completed a Diploma in Public Administration at the University of Guyana, but as you know, as a government officer one was often redeployed, and this is how I ended up in the forestry sector. Eventually I went to the UK to do a BSc in Wood Science and Technology, followed by an MSc in Forestry, specialising in Forest Industries Development, from the University of Wales. I am a former Commissioner of Forests at the Guyana Forestry Commission.
I would say that in my early life the Roman Catholic church had an influence on me. The other great influences came after I began to work. In the private sector, people like John Simon DeFreitas set an example of work ethic and commitment. In my government posts, at GNEC former Divisional Manager Burchell Forde and former Executive Directors Pat Carmichael and then Claude Saul taught me a great deal as well as encouraged me in the development of my career path. Later in life I was also influenced by John Douglas, former Advisor on Forestry and Dr Kenneth King, former FAO Director. I would say that at each phase of my life I was fortunate to have such persons guiding me, and advising me; allowing me to develop and bloom.
Why did you become involved in the AFC?
Back in 2005 I was completing a stint as Programme Director of Conservation International, when I was approached by Raphael Trotman, Khemraj Ramjattan and Sheila Holder with their idea of forming a political party. I was involved in several discussions on this issue, during which I made some recommendations; but the end result was that I was prepared to support them and to be a part of this, and the AFC was launched.
I had never been overtly involved in politics before this, but I have to say that what was said to me by Raphael, Khemraj and Sheila stirred me; and having had so many experiences – working for the government and being subject to political whims – I thought it was time to take a stand and made a contribution to my country in this area. I never planned to become involved in politics, but I guess you could say the time had come.
I’d like to state that I am also an environmentalist and conservationist, in essence, and I remain very concerned with this area. I thought the Alliance for Change created an opportunity for a new dispensation of politics in Guyana. Politics for us in Guyana has always been confrontational – based on race and ethnicity. The AFC’s message: “don’t vote race, vote change” was a new approach and new political culture for Guyana, that is not confrontational. This change is fundamental to a new Guyana, and it captured not only my imagination but also those of other people. Most people are suspicious of politicians and it takes some time to give trust, but what the AFC offers is a new way of cultivating pride and giving hope for the future of Guyana. This positive approach, I think, has made many people besides myself prepared to stake their future in politics in a way never seen before in Guyana.
What do you think is the AFC’s key to the future of this country?
I think we should go back to our Agenda For Change which speaks clearly of the kind of government we would like to offer: the creation of a rule of law which would be upheld. People tend to be cautious in their dealings with the law, and lack confidence in the justice system at the moment. There are too many discriminatory practices, and a lack of basic human rights. We need to develop a new culture of trust, respect for each other and institutions of government. Unless we are able to separate the judicial and the bureaucratic arms of government, people will always be concerned about whether they are being fairly treated. I feel too that we must ensure that qualified and professional and competent people are allowed to carry out their duties and functions and not be influenced in any way in the discharge of the work they are given to do.
I think that we have helped to engender a more enabling political environment in this country, which can be seen in the way that everyone is looking forward to the Local Government elections. We have to ensure that this prevails so that citizens can feel confident in electing the representatives they want for their communities; and through this, improve representation and leadership at all levels. A long time ago, when Guyana was a young republic and we were all proud of being Guyanese, we spoke of self-reliance, but we lost that will. Now, Caricom leaders are meeting to see how we can achieve some of this self-reliance to alleviate the poverty of our people.
You hold the post of Chief Executive Officer of the AFC. Does this fit in with what you hope to achieve on the Party’s behalf?
It is an elected office, so the appointment is political as well as administrative. I think that initially we were trying to create a different type of movement, then as we developed into a full-fledged political party we found that the role had changed. The office is in transition, and it is now not a CEO’s role so much as a General Secretary’s – I think this will be adjusted at our next Delegates Conference in two years’ time. Right now, the office coordinates administrative, management and political function.
I think my role is one of service. There is an old saying: “Blessed is he who has no expectations, for he is never disappointed.” I’ve run my race. I have reached the highest levels of my profession, I am a grandfather of 5. Whatever experiences I have gained I am prepared to share. I am prepared to take on whatever is required. But one has to be mindful of the fact that in the harsh realities of this world one has to satisfy basic needs and obligations.
Do you think that your long involvement in the forestry sector has defined you? Does this affect you politically?
I think what I have is name recognition. I don’t know if the effect is positive or negative, but in politics any news is good news. I think if people know us and what we stand for – and perceive us to have a high level of rectitude, integrity and professionalism, and to be trustworthy – they tend to be confident that here are people we could follow in the political arena. Sometimes politicians take a bum rap when it comes to judgement of their character, but it’s all par for the course.
What change do you want for Guyana?
I would like to see an environment in which we recognise and respect the rule of law, and the institutions of government; recognise and hold sacred the fundamental rights of all citizens. I would like to see the implementation of the recommendations of the Constitutional Reform Commission as well as the recommendations of many of the review commissions we have had in this country that would allow the participation of all citizens in the decision-making processes that affect their lives and the happiness and prosperity of all Guyanese.
List of the AFC Regional Councilors
Region One - Mr. Michael Hope and Mr. Hubert Torres
Region Two - Mr. Francis D’Archiville and Mr. Archie Winslow Cordis
Region Three - Mr. Mohammed Shakeem
Region Four - Mr. Michael Carrington, Mr. Anthony Augustus Haynes, and Pastor Sewnauth Punalall,
Region Five - Ms. Roxanne Whyte
Region Six - Mr. Ropnaraine Matadial and Mr. Shawn Smith
Region Seven - Mr. Hilbert Abreva Knights and Ms. Olinda Kryenhoff-Griffith
Region Eight - *Mr. Mark Crawford and Mr. Ivan Wayne
* Mr. Crawford replaces Mr. Prince Wilkie who resigned in August 2007.
Region Nine - Mr. Stephen Andries
Region Ten - Mr. Wavell Apple, Ms. Judith Rogers, *Mr. Louis James and Mr. Gerald A. Whittington.
*Mr. James replaces Mr. Forester who resigned in August 2007.
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