The ‘A’ Division of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) yesterday held its second annual Youth Expo under the theme ‘Moulding and fusing the youths for a healthier and brighter future.’
The event was held at D’Urban Park and youths from various police youth groups across the seven Divisions were afforded the opportunity to interact and view exhibits from corporate Guyana, the Joint Services, the Government Technical Institute as well as the achievements of the groups and the GPF over the past years. They were also entertained by performances of drama, dances, poetry, and songs from local artistes.
According to Comman-der of ‘A’ Division Clifton Hicken, the objective of the exhibition is to empower the youths and show them glimpses of life beyond being involved in the youth groups. “As you can see we have different types of exhibitors…we want them to know they have a chance to be able to gain full employment,” the commander said.
“This is not just a youth expo for them to have fun but to walk away with knowledge so they can know where they can go to be gainfully employed,” he added. Hicken emphasised that “the event is going help the youths take away their mind from the idle time and help the youths to know they have a place in society.”
The Force has already received pledges from organisations such as Qualfon and the GTI to work with the youths once they have attained 16 years.
The exhibition is a part of the police calendar geared at fostering relationships with communities as the law enforcement agency works to rebuild trust.
Among other activities to be held are five-a-side male and female cricket competitions, a spelling bee competition and the annual Youth Camp. “These activities are timely since that they would be away from school and would have activities to take up their time,” Hicken said.
He stated that the programmes not only create an open space for youths from communities to interact with each other but also serves as an ice-breaker. “I want to thank the Ministry of Education for allowing us to use the schools that are in close proximity of the divisions to facilitate the programmes,” he added.
