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David Patterson, Member of Parliament and Chairman of the Alliance For Change (AFC), provided an update on the party’s recent “Listening and Grounding” tour to the United States, calling it a “very successful” engagement with members of the Guyanese diaspora. During a press conference on October 18, 2024, Patterson outlined key outcomes from the 10-day tour, which included meetings in New York, Washington, and Florida.
“We had meetings, of course, with the State Department and other individuals who are all interested in the developments happening in Guyana. Not all were Guyanese,” Patterson stated, emphasizing that the focus of the discussions was to listen to the concerns of the diaspora and to seek their expertise as the AFC prepares for the 2025 elections.
Patterson expressed gratitude for the support received from skilled professionals overseas, noting that their assistance is already yielding results. “We have a lot of very talented persons overseas who have access to a lot of information and skills, and they have readily agreed to assist the party. We’re grateful for that,” he said. According to Patterson, the help provided by the diaspora has already started “paying great dividends.”
Looking ahead, Patterson announced plans to continue the diaspora engagement, with upcoming visits to Brooklyn, Atlanta, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the Caribbean, pending weather conditions. The AFC aims to both hear the concerns of overseas Guyanese and clarify the party’s position on key issues, including the upcoming elections and other matters related to governance in Guyana.
Patterson also touched on the challenge of addressing misconceptions among diaspora members, many of whom, he said, receive their information from media dominated by the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP). “We were able to sway certain misconceptions,” Patterson remarked, underscoring the importance of the AFC’s outreach efforts.
In addition to the international engagements, the AFC will continue its grounding and listening sessions within Guyana. Patterson announced that the party would be holding a session in New Amsterdam, Region 6, on October 19, as part of its ongoing efforts to connect with local communities.
The press conference, moderated by MP Cathy Hughes, also featured contributions from other AFC members, including Vice Chairman Michael Carrington, former EPA head Dr. Vincent Adams, and the party’s Advisor on Indigenous Affairs Laura George.
