‘His policies laid a foundation for economic growth’ – Pres. Granger
—17th death anniversary of Hugh Desmond Hoyte observed
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, December 22, 2019
His Excellency President David Granger, Ministers, Members of Parliament (MPs) and special invitees gathered at the Place of Heroes (Seven Ponds) in the Botanical on Sunday in observance of the 17th death anniversary of former President, Hugh Desmond Hoyte.
Hugh Desmond Hoyte SC was the second Executive President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. He served Guyana in several capacities before assuming office. His portfolios included Home Affairs Minister from 1969 to 1970, Finance Minister from 1970 to 1972, Economic Development Minister in 1974 to 1980, Prime Minister from 1984 to 1985 and President of Guyana from 1985 until 1992. Hoyte died on December 22, 2002.
During brief remarks, President Granger remarked that the late President Hoyte was “one of the few leaders of the world that identified the vital role which small states could play in protecting the world’s environment.”
According to the Head of State, it was the late leader who committed to set aside 371,00- hectares of forest to be used as a model for conservation and development [the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development]. President Granger described the late leader as a “champion of change in the country.”
“His policies laid a firm foundation for sustained economic growth and environmental stewardship…Guyana can learn much from his prudent approach to economic management and political cooperation,” he stated.
During his tenure, the late president had responsibility for African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) affairs under the Lomé Convention and was the ACP spokesman on sugar for 1981 to 1983. As a member of the Heads of Government of CARICOM conference he was charged with promoting freedom of movement within the Community and for coordinating CARICOM’S policy on the environment for the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992. He was also nominated CARICOM’s spokesman on sugar.
Despite the weather, family, friends and colleagues showed their respects for the late son of Guyana’s soil. Among those in attendance were Ministers of Legal Affairs, Natural Resources, Agriculture, Mayor of Georgetown among others. The event was chaired by Minister of Public Health, Hon. Volda Lawrence.