In a move underscoring Guyana’s longstanding commitment to regional integration, President of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, formally handed over the new official residence of the CARICOM Secretary-General to Dr Carla Barnett in a ceremony held on Saturday in Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara.
The event was attended by key government officials, including Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; Guyana’s Ambassador to CARICOM, H.E. George Talbot; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Housing and Water, Bishram Kuppen; and representatives from the CARICOM Secretariat.
President Ali highlighted the significance of the occasion, stating, “Guyana is steadfast in its support of regional integration… we are proud of the work of the Caribbean Community.” He noted that the modern residence not only meets the standards expected for such an official dwelling but also supports the effective functioning of the Secretary-General’s office. “The residence would also bring the Secretary-General closer to the seat of the Secretariat itself,” he added.
Turning to Dr Barnett, President Ali offered his well wishes: “I wish you every success as you carry out your duties from your new residence. May the residence we hand over today serve not only as a place of rest, but as a quiet symbol of our shared journey and of the future we are building together.”
Accepting the keys to the new home, Secretary-General Dr Barnett thanked the Government of Guyana for fulfilling its commitment. “It really is a pleasant place to live and my family and I look forward to living here. I know my successors will enjoy living here also,” she said. Dr Barnett also shared plans to plant flowers and fruit trees on the property representing each CARICOM member state.
The ceremony concluded with the hoisting of the CARICOM flag for the first time at the residence, and President Ali signing the visitor’s book to commemorate the occasion.
The new residence replaces Colgrain House in Georgetown, which was purchased by the Government of Guyana in 1975 and housed the first six CARICOM Secretaries-General. Both Dr Barnett and her predecessor, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, were accommodated in rental properties while the new facility was under construction.
