Toshaos conference opens today

Toshaos conference opens today
Guyana Chronicle, 21 October 2007
Training and governance issues will be the main highlights of the
Toshaos conference opening today at the Guyana International Conference
Centre, Liliendaal.

Toshaos and Senior Councillors from more than 100 Amerindian
communities will deliberate on several topics and engage in training
sessions to ensure they have the necessary skills to effectively
execute their duties.

Toshaos will be trained to conduct the duties of Rural Constables and
Justices of the Peace, while the Toshaos’ Representative to the
Indigenous Peoples Commission will be nominated.

Another pertinent issue to be addressed is the formulation of village
rules with respect to identity, land, culture, development and
taxation.

With the established rules, Amerindian village leaders can decide who
will be a member of the community, who can vote in the village and
occupy lands to undertake activities such as farming, fishing and
hunting.

Under the new Amerindian Act, Village councils have the power to
collect taxes in their community to further its development.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs Toshaos’ conference titled “Building
Capacity for Good Governance” is in keeping with the Government’s
commitment to developing Amerindian communities and in particular to
enhancing the skills of the communities’ leaders to improve governance
and over-all development.

The conference ends Friday. (GINA)