President David Granger and Prime Minister designate Moses Nagamootoo acknowledge the large gathering outside Parliament
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Sunday May 17, 2015 – David Granger was yesterday sworn in as Guyana’s newest president, urging politicians and other citizens to put past rivalries behind them and “work in unity to banish poverty, ignorance, fear and hatred”.
Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary Carl Singh administered the oath to the former army general at Parliament buildings, following the official declaration by the Guyana Elections Commission in the morning that the coalition of A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) which he led won last Monday’s elections with 207,200 votes. The incumbent People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) got 202,694 votes.
Guyanese turned up in large numbers for the ceremony, converging on the outer fence of the compound to see and hear their 69-year-old leader.
“The elections are over. The Guyanese people have chosen their representatives. The Constitution has been respected. Our democracy has been fortified. Let us now put past rivalries behind us and work in unity to banish poverty, ignorance, fear and hatred,” Granger told those gathered.
“I shall be a good president for all the people. We, the Guyanese people, have chosen to inaugurate a government of national unity and to promote our multi-party, inclusionary partnership. We are convinced that this is the best way to overcome our historic divisions.”
Granger also extended a hand of friendship to his predecessor Donald Ramotar and his PPP/C administration as he called on them to participate in “inclusionary democracy”.
“Inclusionary democracy is the best way to overcome our divisions,” said the new president.
The call for unity was also a common thread in the congratulatory messages extended to President Granger following his swearing-in.
The United States Embassy in Georgetown expressed the hope that he would work to repair the divisions in Guyanese society that emerged during the election period, and “work to promote inclusive governance and national development in the best interests of all of the people of Guyana”.
“The United States of America pledges its willingness to work collaboratively with the new government in this regard,” it said in a statement.
Former US President Jimmy Carter also extended congratulations to President Granger.
“I have great expectations that the new government will reach out and promote healing and reconciliation in Guyana. It is now time for all Guyanese to unite and work together to realize the great potential of their country,” he said in a statement issued via the Carter Centre which sent a mission to monitor the elections.
The Private Sector Commission (PSC) described the occasion of the swearing in of the nation’s eighth executive president as “historic”.
“The Commission lauds the new president for a well fought campaign which focused on uniting the people of Guyana, and for the promise of an inclusionary government which ensures that the needs of all the people are met,” the PSC said, adding that it was confident that the new government would encourage private investment and support the private sector.
Other parties contesting the election, including The United Force (TUF) and the United Republican Party (URP) also offered congratulations.
Granger will be formally inaugurated at a ceremony at the National Stadium on May 26, the country’s 49th anniversary of Independence.
He has designated Moses Nagamootoo as prime minister.