Visits to the Guyana Consulate on 45th Street in Manhattan in June and July witnessed a large number of Guyanese seeking a variety of services; people streamed in and out. The staff has been very professional, helpful, co-operative, and efficient. It has delivered exceptional service.
The Consulate has been under intense pressure to deliver on services and it has done so wonderfully not only in the office but outside as well as in community outreaches. It not only delivers on mundane paper work matters that people seek but also organizes public commemorations, celebrations of national days, visits of government people from Guyana, and community interactions with Guyanese.
The Consulate, under the leadership of Ambassador Michael Brotherson, has been carrying out programs and activities compatible with the President of Guyana’s “One Guyana” policy. The Consulate treats all groups and individuals, regardless of background, with dignity. Despite a few detractors from Brooklyn criticizing Amb Brotherson, he remains very focused and pro-active, taking consular service to the people in communities all over the Northeast USA, in Brooklyn, Queens, Schenectady, New Jersey, among other places. The Consulate organized outreach making it easier for people to access service such as filing for birth certificates, Affidavits, Power of Attorney, Notaries, NIS, among other services.
The Consulate organized flag hoisting ceremonies as well as celebrations for Guyana Independence and Republic Days. It planned events in Brooklyn and Queens in which Ministers engaged the diaspora. It is operationalizing the Guyana diaspora job fair to be held at the LaGuardia Marriott on July 27. Local business people in Guyana have joined with government in sponsoring the fair with the intention of recruiting workers with competitive salaries in the skilled, technical, and professional fields to meet labor shortage in the country. The private Sector estimates that some 100K workers are needed to meet demand. The job fair is intended to attract and recruit Guyanese to return home.
The Consulate has also planned an Emancipation Day Remembrance ceremony on July 31 at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn. This is the third such annual remembrance ceremony. Emancipation is when slavery was abolished some 190 years ago. Slavery was a dehumanizing system of (free) labor. The public is invited to the event that will feature speakers on the subject.
Regrettably, detractors are questioning the motif and intention behind organizing the remembrance ceremony on the evils of slavery. But other groups are praising the consulate and Ambassador Brotherson for this worthy and overdue initiative. Clearly, the critics are wrong. Commemorating an anniversary of emancipation, and of indentureship, is welcomed. The Consulate is commended for this Emancipation event.
Amb Brotherson has a reputation of working well with all including critics and detractors and supporters of all political parties. He has shown a willingness and capacity to reach across and work with people of all backgrounds and political affiliations. Most importantly, he has shown himself to be humble, helpful, engaging, and going out of his way to assist Guyanese who face serious challenges when seeking government service from greater New York area.
The service provided by the Consulate is greatly appreciated.
