Education will be driving force for Guyana – Min. Lawrence
–Pan African Movement holds 32nd Anniversary Conference
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, January 5, 2020
Education will be the driving force for Guyana now that it is a petroleum-producing nation says Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence.
“I am sure that you have recognised that education is essential to ensuring that every citizen is positioned to benefit from these developments. Guyana will be unable to maximize the returns on its natural resource endowment unless education is encouraged at all levels.”
Eric Phillips, lecture at the University of Guyana, Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence, medical student at the University of Guyana, Brother Nicholas Elliot and Sister Olive Sampson CEO of the International Decade for People of African Descent
Minister Lawrence was at the time delivering the keynote address on behalf of His Excellency President David Granger at the Pan African Movement’s 32nd Anniversary Conference on African Civilisation Day.
The event held at the Pan African Gardens. was held under the theme ‘towards the decade of national development’.
A 13 feet poster showcasing major achievements by Africans being displayed
According to the Minister, the 10-year development plan will not only see an increased thrust into the education sector of Guyana but will also encompass the green state and the digital state that will propel Guyana to new heights.
She encouraged the elders across the country to ensure that they nurture young people in their communities so they can capitalise on the opportunities that will be available during this period of unprecedented development.
“I wish to propose that the Pan African Movement implement initiatives and programmes to educate and enlighten them [youths] on the way forward. They need to understand and be knowledgeable about the role they must and can play firstly in the development of themselves and secondly in their communities and country,” Minister Lawrence said.
The Minister also called for togetherness among people of African descent. “I challenge each of you to take an active role in the promotion of each other so that we can foster more cohesion in our communities and villages and our country as a whole…
Additionally, Mayor Ubraj Narine said that the plot of land known as the Pan African Gardens will be leased to the Pan African Movement for 99 years.
(from right) Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Karen Cummings, His Worship the Major of Georgetown Ubraj Narine and former Mayor of Georgetown Hamilton Green in attendance of the 32nd Pan African Conference for African Civilisation Day
The objective of the Pan African Movement is to bring people of African descent together, promote unity, help advance their efforts in areas such as services, technology, economic, education and culture.