Community Development Officers benefit from the Skills Training Program
A section of the Community Development Officers at the training exercise
Kaieteur News – Twenty-three Community Development Officers (CDOs), from various villages and communities across the country received a boost in their capabilities following a two-day CDO Skills Training Program facilitated by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.
The training exercise, held February 11 to February 12, 2021 in the Hinterland Scholarship Room, included workshops in the following areas: reporting format; project monitoring and evaluation; writing project proposals; The Amerindia Act; Roles and Functions of the Village and Toshao Council; and Village Council Elections.
CDOs are the vital link between the Ministry and village councils and aim to coordinate the Ministry’s programs in Amerindian communities and provide feedback between MOAA and the Village councils.
MOAA’s Head of Governance Division, Chief Regional Development Officer (PRDO) Mr Anil Roberts underlined, “the training is central to the CDOs, our ministry and our communities, because we are looking to get our field officers to optimum service in 2021 and years to come. Our Minister and Ministry, which enhances the capability of our staff, is just the beginning. “
When asked how the training has benefited him so far, CDO for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), Joel Barnes stated “I have learned a lot as a new CDO, I have learned a great deal about the law Amerindians and the legalities as it relates to elections, I think that what we have learned from the training has better equipped us on how to operate effectively as it relates to service delivery. ‘ r the best quality for our Amerindian people. “
Meanwhile, Manley Thomas, CDO of South Rupununi Villages, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) shared his experience of the training.
“I would have gained a broad knowledge of understanding the functions of a CDO and how the Amerindian law plays a vital role in fulfilling the duties of the Amerindian Ministry of Affairs. More so, interpret the Act and clarify key points on different sections of it. In terms of Traditional Knowledge, the ways of our great fathers should be passed on and must be respected by our Government and other stakeholders. This also has to be implemented in legislation, ”said Thomas.
Mentors in the training included: Attorney-in-law Miriam Andrew-Ming, PRDO Anil Roberts, Management Development Officers (John Ramsingh, Alexi La Rose, Orlando Shuman and Eliza Bascome), Sean Mendonca of the Environmental Protection Agency, and Mr. Bissasar Chantamani of Triple Consultancy ‘C’.