President David Granger and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Friday attended the Guyana Defence Force’s Base Camp Ayanganna Annual Soldiers Day, where he served lunch and spent time with the soldiers.
President Granger, in brief remarks, said that the day is set aside annually to honour the soldiers and the contributions they make to Guyana and the Guyanese people.
According to the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger noted that even the lowest serving soldier will be taking home at least $85,000 this month in retroactive payment in addition to their monthly salary.
He noted that when the Government assumed office in 2015, soldiers were taking home $54,400 a month. Now, soldiers are being paid $86,130, a raise of over $31,730 within the last four years.
“You deserve it. You have worked for it. This has been a good year for the Force,” he said.
Two women prisoners, who were serving sentences related to larceny and threatening language, have been granted pardons by President David Granger.
The women are Sherryann Marks, 19, and Simone Williams, 33. They were being held at the New Amsterdam prison.
The Ministry of Public Security announced that the pardons were granted by the President pursuant to his powers under article 188, 189 and 190 of the Constitution.
The Ministry said the President considered the women “fit and proper to receive such pardons.”
The pardons will be effective as of December 23, 2019, in time for Christmas.
“It is expected that this expression of compassion and humanity by His Excellency will result in families being re-united, and the pardoned offenders leading good and useful lives hereon,” the Ministry stated.
It has been customary for the President, since his assumption to office, to pardon prisoners for the Christmas holiday and the country’s Independence and Republic anniversaries.
