Dear Editor,
As the country prepares to celebrate its 51st Independence Anniversary on May 26th, I humbly suggest that the Regional Administration, Region 2 should recognize the distinguished and invaluable contribution of its patriotic stalwarts within the Region. I recall that this noble and appropriate gesture was done in the past during the flag-raising ceremony. It was not sustained, however, even though the Region continues to be proud of producing a number of outstanding personalities in various professional fields over the years.
Therefore, this is an ideal opportunity to re-establish an awards ceremony which has the potential to inspire and promote the Region. I am indeed quite impressed with the sustained manner in which the Region has managed its limited resources in many fields including Agriculture, Education, Law, Social Work, Sports, Medicine, Culture, Entrepreneurship and Volunteerism.
It would be appropriate for the Region to recognize some of the finest, including Parmeshwar Lall, Walter Joseph, Desiree Charles, Forbes Daniels, Charles Spellen, Narotam Dass, Darmalinga Ramachandra, Rafeek Khan, Nazeer Mohamed, Sam Bacchus, Winston Christiani, Alfro Alphonso, Roopan Ramotar and Neil Boston, among others. The Anna Regina Secondary School was served with distinction by Parmeshwar Lall who retired as a graduate headmaster, while Narotam Dass remains a brilliant Mathematics teacher who also taught in Botswana. Just recently Neil Boston was elevated to Senior Counsel whose contribution to the field of law remains evident. The Region is indeed indebted to the entrepreneurship of Alfro Alphonso, Sam Bacchus and Roopan Ramotar, whose enterprises are being expanded both locally and internationally. The trio is also creating employment for a wide cross-section of persons. Agriculture remains a firm economic base for the Region to which the likes of Rafeek Khan and Nazeer Mohamed are contributing, The latter is also a rice farmer, economist and educator too. Walter Joseph and Charles Spellen have made a major impact as agricultural officers for over five decades combined. The Regional Administration also benefited tremendously from the stewardship of Winston Christiani, who served as a Chief Accountant for over two decades.
Desiree Charles, a retired teacher who remains active in many ways to enrich the lives of her fellow citizens including in fellowship, mentorship and public relations, is someone who is much admired. Dr Rama, though not a Guyanese by birth, has adopted Essequibo as his home where he remains a giant in the medical field whose expertise is widely sought after; he works at the Public Hospital in Suddie. I have been very critical of the state of sports in the Region but the exceptional efforts of Forbes Daniels as coach remain quite remarkable.
This is indeed a joyous moment for all Guyanese as we join to celebrate our victory as a free nation. In Essequibo in particular, the county remains proud to have produced such outstanding sons and daughters whose collective contributions have made the Region a model of independence.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
