Iva Wharton elected president of press association 

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) today elected a new Executive Council at its General Members Meeting held at the Theatre Guild in Kingston, Georgetown.

Journalist Iva Wharton was elected President, with Editor Ariana Gordon returned as Vice President. Journalist Svetlana Abrams was elected Treasurer, while Editor Oluatoyin Alleyne was named Assistant Treasurer. Elected as Floor Members were Editor Gordon Moseley, veteran journalist Miranda La Rose, journalist Royston Drakes, and journalist Shervin Belgrave.

In her address to members, President Wharton urged greater participation in the work of the association, emphasising that the GPA belongs to all its members. “I want to make it clear; we are the GPA—not just this executive—all of us must be involved,” she said. Wharton also committed to constitutional reform to broaden the association’s membership and address other key issues.

The elections followed presentations from outgoing President Nazima Raghubir and Treasurer Svetlana Abrams, who delivered the financial report for the past two years. Abrams noted that the association’s 2023 audited financial statement has been filed with the Deeds and Commercial Registry and is now a public document.

The election, which saw 61 full members casting votes, was overseen by Attorney-at-Law Dela Britton, who served as Returning Officer. Representatives of the British High Commission, Canadian High Commission, and United States Embassy were present to observe the proceedings.