PNCR’s 19th Biennial Convention of the National Congress of Women held at Congress place

The 19th Biennial Convention of the National Congress of Women (NCW) was held today, Monday, August 29, 2016, at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) Headquarters, Congress Place, Sophia,  under the theme, “PNCR Vanguard of a Green Economy.”

Volda Lawrence, MP, First Vice Chairperson of the NCW and Minister of Social Protection in her opening remarks, gave a brief history of the party’s women arm and noted that the PNC was built through the sacrifice and hard work of the women of the party.

Minister Lawrence said that the NCW must engage in enterprise so that they can be economically sound. “We must train our women so that they can be employed and we must teach them how to be employers,” she urged.

Delegates and Observers were challenged to significantly increase its membership over the biennium and return to the next convention more vibrant and economically sound.

Life membership was conferred on Ms. Cheryl Sampson, Ms. Shirley Klass and Ms. Mabel Joan Baveghems for long service of an exceptionally high standard to the NCW.

The feature address was delivered by First Lady, Her Excellency Mrs. Sandra Granger.

The following persons were duly elected to serve as officers of the NCW over the next two years:

• Chairperson – Ms. Volda Lawrence
• First Vice Chairperson – Ms. Carol Smith-Joseph
• Second Vice Chairperson – Ms. Alshazie Baksh Ramlakhan
• Assistant National Secretary – Ms. Yonette Fortune
• Treasurer – Ms. Hazel Pinder
• Assistant Secretary/ Treasurer – Ms. Ramwattie Jagdeo

Nineteen persons competed for the positions on the Central Committee of the NCW where only fifteen of those persons were elected.

The Installation and Charge was given by Party Leader and President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency, Brigadier David Granger.

He challenged the NCW to lead in the planning and preparations for the Diamond Jubilee of the PNCR. Brigadier Granger congratulated the newly elected executive and charged them to show leadership, stewardship, fellowship and statesmanship.

The National Congress of Women (NCW) is the women’s arm of the People’s National Congress Reform.

It was founded in October 1957 as the People’s National Congress Women Auxiliary (PNCWA). The organisation will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee next year, 2017.