The Head of the Guyana Defence Force is now known as the Chief of Defence Staff. Previously, the Head of the Military was known as the Chief of Staff.
President Irfaan Ali announced the plan to change the title earlier this year, and on Friday, Prime Minister Mark Phillips presented an amendment to the Defence Act to effect the change.
In presenting the amendment, Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who is a retired Chief of Staff of the GDF, said the Head of the Military in most countries is known as the Chief of Defence Staff, and it is time for Guyana to move in that direction.
“The term Chief of Staff as Head of the Military is now virtually unused internationally, and has been relegated to an appointment of a subordinate unit to the Head of the Military. For most militaries, the Head is now called Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Defence or Commander of Defence Force. The name Chief of Defence Staff is now more recognised across the region and in the Commonwealth”, he explained.
With a number of CARICOM states already adopting the name change, Prime Minister Phillips said the change holds the potential to strengthen the defence structure of the nation.
“It is consistent and acceptable and equally applicable to the Guyana Defence Force…notably there has been frequent and constant clarification on the appointment of Chief of Staff at various forums attended by the Head, the current Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, since it referred to someone appointed to a subordinate unit…with such observation and in an attempt to align our military with what currently obtains, the decision to make our head of the military, the Chief of Defence Staff is recommended”, Prime Minister Philips said.
Prime Minister Phillips explained that all duties outlined for the Chief of Defence Staff remains the same and intact in keeping with the Defence Act.
The amendment was passed in the National Assembly with the support of the Opposition.
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