‘Be the change you want to see’ – Ayodele Roache
– 19-year-old councillor plans to return Georgetown to its golden days
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, December 1, 2018
“I decided to run [for councillor] because I wanted to be the change that I would like to see and if I, one youth could get up and be the change, it could spark a ripple effect so that other young people would be inspired to get up and be the change that they want.”
Ayodele Roache being sworn in as a Councillor.
Those were the words of 19-year-old Ayodele Roache who, on Friday last, was sworn in as a Proportional Representation (PR) Councillor to the Georgetown Mayor and City Council. She is also the youngest member of the council and represents the Alliance for Change.
According to Roache, she is representing the youth voice and called on other young people like herself to “be the positive change” needed and take up the mantle of leadership. She advised they learn from past mistakes and create better ideas to lead the country forward.
During her tenure, she plans to focus on developing three areas – creating more opportunities for youth entrepreneurship, security and the development of green spaces around the city.
Roache is of the opinion that by tackling these three areas, she can reduce some of the incorrect stereotypes associated with today’s youth.
Additionally, she plans on working with the council to address the issue of garbage collection and restoring Georgetown to the Garden City she often heard spoken of whilst growing up.
“I look forward to working with the council to see what their approach is; then give my input and see how best we can find a solution for proper garbage collection and solid waste management to restore this city to the green city I heard…. So that all the other municipalities around Guyana could follow suit,” the young lady stated.
Roache, along with 29 other councillors, will officially being duties on January 1, 2019.
Isaiah Braithwaite.
Image: Keno George.