The Guyana Press Association (GPA) elected a new executive council on Sunday, during its General Members Meeting held at the Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown.
Journalist Iva Wharton was elected President, Editor Ariana Gordon as Vice President, and Journalist Svetlana Abrams and Editor Samantha Alleyne were chosen as Honourary Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, respectively.
Four-floor members were also elected: Editor Gordon Moseley, veteran journalist Miranda La Rose, journalist Royston Drakes, and journalist Shervin Belgrave.
In her remarks, Wharton urged media workers to actively engage in the association’s work.
“I want to make it clear; we are the GPA, not just this executive — all of us must be involved. I thank you for entrusting me with the leadership of this organisation, founded 80 years ago. It is a great responsibility, and I promise that with your support, we will continue our tradition of providing credible public information and awareness to the people of Guyana,” she said.
Wharton added that the new executive will prioritise amendments to the association’s constitution to broaden its membership, among other issues.
The meeting was attended by more than 60 members, with 61 full members casting their votes. The election process was overseen by Attorney-at-Law Dela Britton, who served as Returning Officer.
The election followed reports from Treasurer Abrams and outgoing President Nazima Raghubir. Abrams presented a financial report covering the past two years and announced that the GPA’s 2023 audited financial statement is now a public document, having been filed with the Deeds and Commercial Registry.
Representatives from the British High Commission, Canadian High Commission, and United States Embassy observed the meeting and elections.
