From its $42b allocation from the country’s $1.146 trillion budget, the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) will not only focus on military hardware but there will also be greater emphasis on technological enhancements and human resource development, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Irfaan Ali yesterday said.
“Synergy is not only investing in assets but investing in assets and technology that offers a synergy with our partners and our allies so that we have seamless integration when needed,” Ali yesterday said in his address at the opening of the GDF’s Annual Officers Conference at Base Camp Ayanagana.
The President contended that the focus is necessary to ensure there is military efficiency and reliability, even as the technology upgrades and higher learning of army personnel allows this country to work closely with its defence partners whenever necessary.
“I want this conference to understand that as we move now to this agenda described in a nutshell, by the Chief of Staff that deals with the issue of national defence strategy, there will be, based on our assessment, some reorientation, reorganizing of the way we do our work and perform our tasks and of course, we’ll have to re-engage at a different level. With the type of assets that we’re investing in, there will be structural changes. To whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.
“So, this conference must address the shift in our asset base, that would definitely affect a shift in strategy and then, rework structurally, how we adapt to these shifts in ensuring that we remain efficient, and reliable,” he added.
Ali pointed out that when he took office and spoke at his first officer’s conference, he had committed to the transformation of the Guyana Defence Force, where “government would lead the transformation through investment, technology, training and development fostering a cultural shift in the way the way Guyana Defence Force is viewed, retooling and upskilling.”
Training of staff of the army has been a key part of that transformation where last year alone, more than 151 officers benefited from overseas training and 1500 have benefited from training locally “These are important numbers because it tells a story that we are committed to the targets, and to the promises we make,” Ali stressed.
“I believe that today we have hundreds of men and women in the Guyana Defence Force who are benefiting in an accelerated way from the government housing programme. And we will continue to push this agenda. We have opened up studying opportunities on the GOAL programme and we’re investing not in the comfort of our men and women who are at locations at our borders and other locations that are considered difficult. We’re not investing in their comfort. We’re investing in the dignity of the force when we give them better facilities,” he added.
And as Guyana takes up its seat on the United Nations Security Council, the President said that to that body, Guyana will make a presentation, not on traditional subjects but aim to highlight the cost of war and conflict to the environment and food security and why this should be important to everyone.
He told the nation’s army that regardless of what they hear, they must know that their government is investing in strengthening the force to defend and protect the people and the resources of the country.
“We’re boosting its human and material capabilities. We’re strengthening defence cooperation with our friends and allies and we’re intensifying our surveillance of our territory, our surveillance of our territory, our borders and our exclusive economic zone.
And I want to make this point, the surveillance not only of our borders, but our investment is to have complete eye of everything that belongs to Guyana, including our exclusive economic zone. That is what these investments are geared towards, giving us a comprehensive and total understanding of everything that occurs within our borders, and our exclusive economic zone,” he stated.
For 2024, government, Ali said, has doubled the financial allocation to the Guyana Defence Force, allocating some $42.2 billion, an increase of more than $20 billion compared to last year, and the $14B it received in 2019.
Ali also hailed this country’s partner nations and allies which rallied behind Guyana, especially since Venezuela’s heightened aggressions.
“Partnership does not just happen, we invest in partnerships. When you look at the type of visits we’re having, the level of visits, our engagement with our friends, building this partnership is hard work. Investing time resources in building a partnership, it is hard work, but this is critical for our defence strategy; identifying who our partners are, and building, continuously building those partnerships,” Ali said.
On the Venezuela controversy, he said that Guyana remains “steadfastly committed to the principles outlined in the joint declaration of the Argyle for dialogue and peace between Guyana and Venezuela. As a responsible member of international community, Guyana upholds the values enshrined in the declaration, striving to resolve disputes peacefully, in accordance with international law. That is where this controversy will be determined at the ICJ (International Court of Justice) and we are one hundred percent committed to this process, and it is an unwavering position of Guyana.”
He added, “Good neighbourliness is not merely a diplomatic nicety, it is a pragmatic approach to addressing shared challenges, promoting regional integration, and enhancing the wellbeing of all our citizens. Through dialogue, cooperation and respect for each other’s sovereignty, we can build bridges of friendship and understanding that transcend borders and contribute to a more harmonious and prosperous hemisphere. And that is the aspiration of Guyana.”
