Guyana Energy Agency Awards Winners of their 2020 Art Competition
The Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) held an Award Ceremony for the winners of its recently concluded Art Competition on November 27, 2020 at the Herdmanston Lodge. Under the theme ‘My Vision for a Smart City/Town in Guyana in the Year 2040’, the aim of the art competition was to create interest among young people about a sustainable energy future for the country.
The prize-giving ceremony of the Art Competition was organized as one of the activities to commemorate CARICOM Energy Month 2020 which is being observed across the Caribbean from November 1-30, under the theme ‘A RE-silient Community: Energy at the Centre’. The competition was launched in March 2020 and a total of forty-three (43) entries were received from students across Guyana. In addition to the first, second and third place entries, ten (10) additional pieces were selected for inclusion in the design of the Agency’s 2021 Calendar.
Ms. Shevon Wood, Head of the Energy and Energy Statistics Division-GEA in her opening remarks stated “it is the Agency’s intention to encourage dialogue about alternative energy, energy conservation and efficiency and promote the principles of sustainable development. I am pleased with the number of entries received across the country during the competition and was impressed with the creativity expressed by participants.” She also stated that the GEA will continue to promote such activities among youths as it continues to utilize various platforms to bring awareness to energy and energy-related issues. She also announced that GEA plans to launch another art competition in 2021 and encouraged the attendees to look out for the details that will be published subsequently.
Mrs. Regina Torrington, Visual Arts Coordinator, Unit of Allied Arts, Ministry of Education in her remarks, congratulated all the participants of the competition and said that “competitions play an integral role in the development of confidence and nurturing talents in students”. She also stated that the participants who were able to present a modern image of the town or city of choice, include elements of renewable energy and show clearly how these would benefit the town or city were selected as finalists.
In his address, the Honourable Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, Prime Minister of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, congratulated the awardees for participating in the competition. He also encouraged the attendees to utilise energy in a smart and efficient way as we all have to do our part to conserve energy for the future of Guyana.
Copping the first-place prize of G$75,000 and a trophy was Devanjali Ramkellawan of Abram Zuil Secondary School. The second-place prize of G$55,000 and a trophy went to Ntini August, while Shakira Rahaman copped the third prize of $30,000 and a trophy. Ten additional trophies were conferred to Emille Outram, Maitri Vathada, Nerissa August, Arantxa English, Teanna Mentore, Michael Hing, Lathica Kandavel, Ema Gangadin, Kathryn Hamilton, and Annie Joseph for their outstanding pieces. Awards were presented by the Honorable Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips and Dr. Mahender Sharma, Chief Executive Officer of the Guyana Energy Agency.
The first-place winner, Ms. Devanjali Ramkellawan, mentioned that the competition was a challenging but rewarding experience. It was a good opportunity for the participants to express their views for the future. Meanwhile, at the event, the “Green My Life” Booklet was also launched and is available for download on GEA’s website: www.gea.gov.gy. The booklet consists of useful tips for persons interest in incorporating sustainable practices in the daily life.