Incumbent Leader of the Alliance For Change (AFC) Khemraj Ramjattan has been re-elected by party members, who have also decided to remain part of the main opposition coalition.
The AFC held its seventh National Conference yesterday to elect its 12-member National Executive Committee (NEC). The party had said more than 50 members had been nominated and were vying to sit on the NEC.
Ramjattan and former General Secretary David Patterson were nominated for leadership by 8 groups each. Patterson did not contest any additional position.
In a statement following the conclusion of the process yesterday, AFC announced Ramjattan’s re-election and that Cathy Hughes was elected as Chair, Ricky Ramsaroop as Vice-Chair and Sherod Duncan as General Secretary.
It added that the new leadership body has pledged to work towards the advancement of the founding principles, increasing membership, establishing more groups, addressing concerns of members and in a more heightened manner, matters of national concern. The new executive will be meeting shortly co-opt additional members to the second highest decision making forum of the Party.
AFC also said that the conference examined “The way forward” and it was decided that members are in favour of remaining in partnership with the APNU until the expiration of the Cummingsburg Accord in December 2022, when it will be reviewed.
However, the party said that the “conference demanded in the meantime that the AFC secure a firm agreement and structure for it to have greater influence on policy positions and political actions within the alliance, while maintaining its independence, rebranding and regaining its identity.”
The Conference saw 285 delegates representing the ten regions in Guyana, the USA, Canada, the UK, the Caribbean, and the Women for Change (WFC) and the Youth For Change (YFC) in attendance and participating. Former Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder was the Returning Officer for the elections.
Sunday Stabroek reached out to Ramjattan following last evening but he claimed to be too tired from a “long” conference to engage. He did promise to communicate his plans for the next two years, at a later date.
Ramjattan has held the leadership on several occasions, rotating it with party co-founder Raphael Trotman, who opted not to contest in order to focus on his health. Trotman had told Sunday Stabroek also that he believed that the party needs new vigour and he also needs to focus on his health.
“I believe the party needs refreshing and rejuvenating and even renewal, and having said so, I think I need to stand aside and act as a mentor. Additionally, I have my own medical recovery that I need to focus on,” he told this newspaper.
