President Dr. Irfaan Ali has called upon elected officials in New York to assess the negative impact caused by the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) against Afro-Guyanese businesses.
This request comes in response to a statement from CGID, led by Rickford Burke, advocating for a boycott of Afro-Guyanese businesses that engaged with President Ali during his recent visit to Brooklyn.
President Ali emphasized that no agenda, whether at home or in the diaspora, aimed at separating Guyanese communities will succeed.
He defended Guyanese diaspora members who interacted with him during his visit to Queens and Brooklyn, stating that they shared ideas for Guyana’s development.
In challenging CGID’s call for a boycott, Dr. Ali questioned the organization’s motives and highlighted the potential harm and division caused by such actions within the diaspora.
Furthermore, the President urged CGID executives to reconsider their approach, emphasizing the detrimental impact on US-based Guyanese, particularly those of African descent.
He reiterated his commitment to the principle of One Guyana and announced plans to return to the USA in the summer to engage and celebrate with the diaspora.