An organisation to assist the Afro-Guyanese community was launched yesterday at Rahaman’s Park, Houston, Georgetown.
The Association of People of African Descent (APAD) is the brainchild of Andrew Douglas, a retiree and remigrant. According to him, the idea of an association started with conversations with friends. He had returned to Guyana in 2018 and was attempting to start a business, but quickly became disillusioned when he realised that he really didn’t know anyone to help him get off the ground. He engaged some friends about the available choices and observed that most small businesses didn’t have the connections needed to expand and thrive.
Douglas realised after giving the matter deep thought that he needed to organise for success. He told his friends, “Let’s work on something, see how we can help,” and thus APAD was born. He explained that the mission of APAD is to bring together Afro-Guyanese organisations and businesses to create a collaborative community that engages in collective action and sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise.
The retiree’s aim is to bring about ethnic social change while striving to ensure that members of the Afro-Guyanese community have the resources and the support they need achieve their goals. He also stressed that APAD values are committed to transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
“In order for us to be successful, we must carefully chart an apolitical, non-partisan role. That means reaching out to all Afro-Guyanese organisations and having conversations with all. This is so, in order to understand their aspirations and their goals then to build leadership relationships with the leaders of other organizations and then create that bridge to allow conversation to start, so the learning and the collaboration can go on.”
Douglas outlined his personal journey in alignment of APAD. He explained that back in 2013, he wanted to come back to Guyana. He was retired at the time and eventually came back in 2018 and tried to find business in Guyana but got disappointed because in Guyana, “you had to build relationships.” As such it was a very daunting time for him.
He said that he then spoke with a businesswoman since he wanted to come up with a strategy to be successful. She advised him to get a home, get an office, travel the country and wherever you see the vision, buy the land and get started. He noted that the conversation also explored partnerships and investment. However, what resonated with him and inspired him to think about starting APAD was the advice, “be kind, do ventures to assist the lesser off people regardless of race, politics or creed.”
He added that when he was persuaded to start APAD, this particular phrase ran through his mind like an anthem and called him into action.
At the launch yesterday he said he offered Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, APAD’s hand in partnership. He told her, “We would like to help the government to improve the lives of people and their communities. And to build this nation and to secure our highest aspiration of oneness in our diversity.”
Also, he said he called on the ancestors to grant APAD the wisdom to negotiate peace always, to navigate peaceful pathways, and to employ rigorous discipline to implement their plans. And lastly, he said, “to fulfill our nation’s highest aspirations of one people, one nation and one destiny for one Guyana.”
Meanwhile, Walrond assured APAD of the government’s support as it had extended its hand to them, adding, “you are knocking at open doors.” She reminded that the government stands resolved to engage with all ethnic groups.
The minister opined that the offer by APAD shows changing tides in the attitude of Guyanese. “This is above politics, as for the people to really grasp what is in front of us, and the things and the opportunities that really belong to us, we need to extend our hands.”
As such she noted that one cannot take anything with hands clasped and so she supports APAD because it says something when a group of people decides to be organised. She explained that it’s just not about forming the group but unity and coming together with a vision. “As a collective, you come together and decide what the programmes are that you want government support for and… you are knocking at open doors.”
Walrond assured that no idea will be shut down and encouraged APAD to be open to communities as she was anxious to see what programmes the organisation will come up with to help the community.
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, who was also present at the launching remarked that the government is one that is responsive and caring. A government that is for the people, understanding people and trying to work with people and what the government is doing, is what any government should be doing.
He added that the government wants to work with Afro-Guyanese in the most genuine ways, not superficially. It will make sure that the issues that affect Afro-Guyanese are discussed. Also, issues that affect other groups as well will also be examined. He said APAD must be able to come out to advise all of us, as not only Afro-Guyanese but other Guyanese as well. “This must not be an us-versus-them, but we should do it together. We can do it for Afro-Guyanese but not to take advantage of other groups.” (Subhana Shiwmangal)
