Guyana | Forde tells Diaspora in NY, they must hold gov't accountable

BROOKLYN, New York, May 15, 2024 - Brooklyn, New York, May 15, 2024 - Two weeks after President Irfaan Ali’s high-profile visit to Brooklyn, New York, which stirred significant attention among Guyanese in Brooklyn and beyond, Opposition Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde S.C. visited with a distinct and resonant message.

While Ali's visit was viewed by some as political showmanship, masking his administration's controversial practices in Guyana, Forde brought a call for unity and action, emphasizing the importance of inclusive governance and uplifting the lives of all Guyanese. During his appearance on Brooklyn's popular 'Talk A D' Town Radio,' Forde shared with host Kareen Lambert his vision for greater collaboration between the Guyanese at home and the diaspora.

Forde stressed the necessity of broad-based support to address political challenges in Guyana, highlighting the crucial role of the diaspora in advocating for better governance. As a senior counsel and a leadership aspirant for the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), he outlined a strategy to engage the diaspora in raising awareness about Guyana’s issues through lobbying efforts in the United States Congress.

Roysdale Forde SC, MP with former Mayor Pt. Ubraj Narine at left ,and Natasha Singh Lewis MP (right) at a Town hall meeting at Woodbine Ballroom, Brooklyn N.Y on May 10, 2024

Critiquing the 2024 National Budget, Forde pointed out the imbalanced allocation favoring infrastructure over human development. He noted that while GY$666 million was dedicated to infrastructure, public servants’ salaries were largely overlooked. He argued that such financial decisions impede the progress of the working class, advocating for civil actions like strikes and picketing to pressure the government into improving working conditions.

Forde also addressed disparities between different groups of workers, criticizing the government’s perceived favoritism towards certain sectors, such as the preferential treatment of sugar workers over teachers, which he attributed to ethnic biases. He dismissed comparisons between Guyana and Dubai, emphasizing the need for equitable wealth distribution in Guyana.

The government continues to refuse to engage in collective bargaining with public servant and teachers and in last year imposed a 6.5 percent increase in wages and salary.

The discussion also touched on the disparities between different groups of workers, highlighting the government’s perceived favouritism towards certain sectors over others, such as the preferential treatment of sugar workers over teachers, which Forde linked to ethnic biases.

Forde also rubbished comparisons made between Guyana and Dubai, pointing out the equitable distribution of wealth in the latter, unlike in Guyana. Touching on social welfare issues Forde criticised the Ali government for discontinuing beneficial programmes from the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) without suitable replacements, such as school meals and transportation initiatives.

Section of the audience who turned up to share with MP Forde at the Town Hall, Woodbine Ballroom, Brooklyn NY on May 10, 2024

On social welfare, Forde criticized the Ali government for discontinuing beneficial programs from the A Partnership of National Unity and Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) without suitable replacements, such as school meals and transportation initiatives.

Earlier in the week, on Caribbean Hits and Jams Radio, Forde addressed the calls for boycotting Guyanese-owned businesses that welcomed President Ali in Brooklyn.

He acknowledged the emotions behind the boycott, citing widespread discrimination and abuses under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP) government. Forde described the boycott as a legitimate tool to bring attention to these issues, urging a focus on achieving equitable and fair leadership.

Going further, the lawyer accepted boycott is a legitimate tool used by political parties and civil rights movement to bring attention to their issues.

He further stated, that whilst he is not the one to say whether the boycott issue is legitimate, the question before us is whether the call “will ultimately lead to a resolution of the issue because the underlying issue is the fact that people feel the PPP is playing with our people and not leading in an equitable or fair way.”

In conclusion, Roysdale Forde’s visit to Brooklyn highlighted his commitment to fostering unity and advocating for the rights and well-being of all Guyanese, both at home and abroad. His call for action and collaboration resonated deeply with the diaspora, reinforcing the need for inclusive and fair governance in Guyana.

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