NCN will be airing an interview with PPP/C PM candidate Elisabeth Harper this afternoon. The NCN press release follows.
Today, Saturday February 28, 2015, the National Communications Network (NCN) released the first interview of Ambassador Elisabeth “Lis” Harper, the PPP/C candidate for Prime Minister. The interview, conducted by Olive Gopaul which can be viewed at 4:30p.m today and repeated on Sunday, March 1, at 3 pm and then at 9 pm.
The online population can also view the interview on NCN facebook.
The interview highlights the events in Ambassador Harper’s life that took her from being an unwed pregnant 17-year old to the highest diplomatic position in Guyana.
During the interview, she talked openly about the struggles of being a single mom, surviving an abusive first husband, her faith in God and what she believes her 39 years of government service can bring to the office of Prime Minister.
“This opportunity if it does present itself, would allow me to use my four decades of experience building Guyana’s reputation around the world to contribute even further to Guyana’s development, in particular the honing of
policies to create more jobs, ensure that educational opportunities are available to all Guyanese, reducing crime and helping to create an environment where families are whole and an environment which would encourage our young people to stay and help build their country.”
She focused heavily on the importance of family and faith and how she chose only to accept President Ramotar’s offer to be the Prime Ministerial candidate after getting her families support and the feeling from prayer that this was the path she should follow.
But the Ambassador’s disclosure that she was physically abused by her first husband provided some of the more riveting discussion. It was a factor in her deciding to accept the invitation to run because she feels that domestic violence is becoming an epidemic in Guyana and if elected will use her position as Prime Minister to help stop this “scourge” as she referred to it in Guyana. She hopes that by talking publicly about the challenges in her life and how she overcame those that it will inspire Guyana’s youth, and especially women, to have the confidence to strive for a better life and a better Guyana.