Georgetown, Guyana – (May 25, 2019) President David Granger, last evening, conferred 77 national awards on distinguished Guyanese, even as he noted that it is a token from a nation that is grateful for their service and contributions.
At an Investiture ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), the Head of State said citizens’ contribution to society, their participation in national development and their personal accomplishments are central to a country’s progress.
He said citizens whose service reflect the values – of identity, integrity and loyalty – help to make Guyana a better place and they deserve to be accorded the recognition of the state and the respect of the nation.
“The Constitution of the Orders of Guyana established the National Honours System which recognises and respects those citizens whose selfless service has had a measurable impact on the country. The National Honours System applauds citizens for their contribution, participation and accomplishments. National awards are part our National Honours System. The awards embody our nation’s values. They are tangible tokens of the respect which a grateful nation can bestow on its worthy citizens. They express appreciation for selfless service, encourage emulation and extol success. I congratulate this year’s national awardees. I applaud their accomplishments in diverse fields – academia, business, charity, defence, the economy, education, enterprise, faith, health, sport, security and other public services. The awardees’ achievements have strengthened our motherland,” President Granger said.
The Head of State also noted that national awards are an institution of the State and it is the administration’s obligation to preserve that institution by conferring these awards annually and unfailingly. He added that national awards should never be disregarded or disparaged through arbitrary or capricious conferment or through neglect.
“National Awards have been restored to their proper place of prominence in our nation’s order of business. They have been conferred annually, since 2015, as they will continue to be,” the President said.
Meanwhile, Chancellor of the Judiciary and Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Orders of Guyana, Justice Yonette Cummings- Edwards echoed these sentiments in her address, noting that it is important for citizens to be recognised and rewarded for their hard work.
“National awards provide a medium for this national recognition of the remarkable contribution of our citizens,” she said.
Among the awardees who received the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH) are High Commissioner of Guyana to the United Kingdom, Mr. Frederick Hamley Case; Chief Parliamentary Counsel, Mr. Charles John Ethelwood Fung-A-Fatt, S.C.; Ambassador of Guyana to Belgium, Mr. David Thomas Allan Hales; Ambassador of Guyana to the United States of America, Mr. Sheik Riyad David Insanally and Ambassador of Guyana to Cuba, Mr. Abdool Halim Majeed and Monsignor Terrence Montrose.
Deputy Commissioners of Police, Mr. Lyndon Lancelot Alves and Paul Langevine and Retired Divisional Officer, Mr. Compton Sparman received the Disciplined Services Medal (DSM) while Lieutenant Colonel Courtney Byrne received the Military Service Medal (MSM).
Among the recipients of the Medal of Service (MS) were 13 women, including Ms. Bibi Fazeela Khan, Ms. Taramattie Barker, Ms. Gail Robinson, Ms. Zahora Singh, Ms. Soyinka Grogan, Ms. Donna Bowman and Ms. Rosemary Noble.
Thirty-six persons received the Golden Arrow of Achievement including 11 women.
Meanwhile, at a reception held for the awardees at the Guyana Defence Force Officers’ Mess, Base Camp Ayanganna, President Granger said national awards are part of culture and tradition of Guyana and it must be sustained regardless of who is in power.
“People in leadership positions have an obligation to preserve that culture and ensure that there is continuity and respect for that culture from generation to generation,” he said.
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