Georgetown: The Guyana Business Coalition on HIV/AIDs (GBCHA) celebrated five years as an independent organization, working to assist the private sector in its response to HIV/AIDS in the workplace and community. As part of the fifth anniversary observances the GBCHA held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and 2013 Annuals Awards for Business Excellence on recently at Cara Lodge.
The AGM saw the election of the GBCHA’s Board of Directors 2013-2014. Mrs. Tracey Lewis, General Manager of the Guyana Lottery Company was elected as the Chairperson of the GBCHA. Mrs. Lewis has served on the GBCHA board since 2009 and was previous elected as Chairperson for 2010-2011. The Chairperson will be supported by eight (8) other elected directors namely, Mr. Delmar Tobin, GraceKennedy Remittance Services (GKRS); Mr. Chaitnarine Brijnandan, Continental Group of Companies; Mrs. Ruth Autar, Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd; Mrs. Donna Roberts – Benjamin, John Fernandes Limited; Mr. David Bhola, Occupational, Health and Safety Manager, Neal & Massy Group of Companies; Mr. Andrew Astwood, Guyana National Shipping Company Limited (GNSC); Mr. Parvesh Bhola, National Milling Company of Guyana Inc (NAMILCO) and Ms. Yvette Fiedtkou, Sterling Products Limited.
Following the AGM was the Annual Awards for Business Excellence. The Annual Awards for Business Excellence is the signature event of the GBCHA which recognizes and highlights the best practices and commitment of the Private Sector in the national response to HIV/AIDS in the workplace and community. The awards are judged in the familiar five categories: Workplace Programme, Outstanding Peer Educator, Core Competency, Community Investment and Advocacy /Individual Leadership. This year a new category was added; Media Action because of the impact and reach of the media. It was meant to highlight a journalist who contributed to raising the awareness of HIV/AIDS through features in the print or electronic media. Though no entries were received in this category it will be promoted again next awards to demonstrate the resounding role the media plays – electronic, print, social – as an instrument of change.
The companies and individuals awarded this year were: WORKPLACE PROGRAMME – Guyana Revenue Authority; OUTSTANDING PEER EDUCATOR, Jaunelle Marks- Honourable Mention; OUTSTANDING PEER EDUCATOR AND ADVOCACY / INDIVIDUAL LEADERSHIP: Ms Rohini Ramkumar, Edward B Beharry & Co Ltd; CORE COMPETENCY – National Milling Company of Guyana Limited and COMMUNITY INVESTMENT – Scotiabank.
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