President pledges support to Guyana Police Force Band
-in honour of its 160th anniversary
President David Granger yesterday pledged his support and that of the Government of Guyana, to the Guyana Police Force’s Military Band at a luncheon, which he hosted at the Baridi Benab, State House to celebrate the Band’s 160th anniversary.
In his brief remarks, Granger noted that the Police Force’s Band has become a national institution, which has served the Guyanese people well.
“The Force has built up a formidable reputation not only in Guyana but also in the Caribbean and even as far as the UK and it has produced a great number of talented musicians. The Band has had an important role in the development of Guyanese culture because it is the best band in the land. The fact that the Band has been awarded a National Award
signifies the seriousness with which the State has taken the role, which the band has performed,” he said, according to the Ministry of the Presidency.
The President voiced the hope that the Band can become decentralised, with a presence in all of the ten Administrative Regions.
“The Band doesn’t just have a proud past, it also has an important future. Youngsters who are interested in playing music in all of the villages and regions are encouraged to emulate the Guyana Police Force Military Band. It will be such a great thing to be able to go to a region and see that every region has a major police division and every police division has a band. Some of the members may be volunteers, young apprentices. I would like to feel that the Police Band as a national institution shouldn’t do so much travelling as it has to do now. It should be able to stimulate the growth of divisional bands throughout the Police Force. It is possible that young people can be encouraged. On the part of the Government of Guyana, I commit myself…This is a national institution and it deserves national support from a national president,” he stated.
Woman Superintendent, Charmaine Stuart, Director of Music and Culture at the Guyana Police Force Band, said the Band has planned activities in Linden, Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara in observance of its milestone.