Leadership training completed by 66 toshaos, treasurers

66 Toshaos and treasurers from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 on Thursday received certificates in leadership, following an extensive two-day training hosted by the Amerindian Affairs Ministry.

It was noted that the leadership training was geared at providing village leaders with knowledge in specific areas to help them achieve their community development goals. Finance Minister, Dr Ashni Singh and Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai presented the certificates to awardees at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

Minister Singh told leaders to be attentive to the needs of their electorate. He said it is for this reason, several government officials have been fanning out to various communities to get a picture of what are the priorities of citizens.

“We consider this to be part of accountable governance and accountable governance is good governance and in the same manner, you have an obligation constantly to be attentive to the priorities, problems, concerns, and views of the people you serve. We are, whether in central government or in a village council, we are servants of the people,” the minister said.

Dr. Singh said the theme for the programme, ‘Accountability for Good Governance’, is in keeping with government’s commitment to be accountable to citizens at all times. “Accountability is all about us as elected leaders remaining accountable to those who elected us, the electorate. In the case of the central government, we are accountable to all of the citizens of Guyana. As elected leaders within your villages, you are accountable to all of the citizens and residents of your respective villages,” Dr. Singh noted.

It was disclosed that proper management of public resources, accountability for financial resources as well as assets, is a top priority of the PPP/C Government, Minister Singh added. The finance minister commended the Amerindian Affairs Ministry for organising the training sessions, stating that the importance cannot be overemphasised.

Further, Amerindian leaders were reminded that they are part of the transformation currently underway. Meanwhile, it was revealed that in media related interviews a few leaders and councillors on the impact the training will have on their communities.

“When I came into the position of Toshao, this is one thing that I have seen lacking in the administration, not only in my community, but across the country in Amerindian communities,” Toshao of Pakuri Village, Region Four, Timothy Andrews said.

“So, I always have the belief that these are the initiatives that are needed, these are the programmes that are needed…so it’s something that we will all definitely benefit from as leaders and our treasurers and so on.”

Treasurer of the Great Falls Village Council, Linda Daniels commended the initiative.  “It’s going to benefit me and my community because the training about accountability and responsibility, at least you know we learn more about honesty and being honest in everything we do and make sure our records must be in order… we thank the government for this training, at least it’s an exposure for me.”

Meanwhile, Treasurer of Moraikobai, Lucia Andres relayed that she is satisfied that her community will benefit.

“It will benefit me and my community in a great deal because I believe it’s very essential for good governance and it will result very well in accounting, record keeping and throughout the community we wouldn’t have any breaches of the act or anything. We’ve learnt what we need to learn and we would try to practice it in our community,” Andres said.

Additionally, similar training sessions will be rolled out in Regions One, Seven, Eight, Nine and 10 over the next few weeks. It was disclosed that some 440 toshaos and treasurers will participate.