The International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G) says that it will be responding to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport’s request for its financial records and added that it will be done “at the earliest possible time”.
That was related to Stabroek News by co-founder Vincent Alexander during a brief telephone interview yesterday.
On Wednesday, Minister Charles Ramson wrote to IDPADA-G’s Chief Executive Officer Olive Sampson requesting the organisation’s financial records no later than September 5, 2022. He said that the records are needed to ensure that public funds received by any entity are spent according to the intended objective.
As a consequence, he requested copies of all financial records including, but not limited to, payment vouchers, payroll, contracts, and receipts for all monies spent for the fiscal years from 2018 to the present date.
When contacted yesterday, Alexander said that the IDPADA-G is examining the letter and a response will be forthcoming.
“We received the letter and we are formulating a response. I do not know what position we will take as yet because we are discussing it but I can tell you that a response will be provided [to the Minister] at the earliest time possible,” he said.
When asked whether IDPADA-G will meet the September 5th deadline, Alexander said that he cannot commit to a date since the members of the body have not yet made a decision. He said that once the members reach an agreed position then a response will be formulated and dispatched to the ministry.
Ramson’s letter to the IDPADA-G is as a result of allegations by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo that IDPADA-G has misused monies received. Jagdeo accused IDPADA-G’s founding members of using the Afro-Guyanese community for personal benefit.
In December 2013, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 2015 to 2024 to be the International Decade for People of African Descent with the objective of strengthening national, regional and international action and cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society. Additionally, it is intended to promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies as well as strengthen frameworks for the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination.
Its theme is “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development”.
IDPADA-G, according to its website, was set up to craft the Guyana plan for the International Decade for people of African Descent in keeping with the provisions of the UN’s resolution inclusive of mechanisms for implementing, superintending, monitoring the plan as may be deemed necessary. IDPADA-G says that it is an assembly of African organizations and its general assembly is made up of one representative from each of the registered organizations. The organization consists of the General Assembly, a Coordinating Council, a Secretariat and Sub-committees.
Former President David Granger started the funding for IDPADA-G in 2018. The organization’s objectives include expanding Afro-Guyanese share in the economy; increasing access to training and employment opportunities; restoring excellence in education, ensuring equity, justice and the respect of human and civil rights; demanding reparations; and the preservation of Afro-Guyanese history and culture. It is unclear what arrangements were made for the auditing of the expenditure.
Alexander, at a recent press conference, said that while IDPADA-G is not generally funded to provide grants, in 2018 they received $10 million from the Ministry of Finance to be disbursed as grants among Afro-Guyanese. That was done between 2018 and 2019.
Alexander had also said that the organization’s finances were audited in accordance with the law and government sent investigators, twice, and no irregularities were discovered.
