President denies gov’t trying to control toshaos conference agenda

President Irfaan Ali delivering the feature address at the National Toshaos Conference. (Orlando Charles photo)

President Irfaan Ali has denied that the government is trying to take control of the National Toshaos Conference (NTC) agenda.

“We have no interest in taking over your agenda,” he told Toshaos at the opening of the NTC yesterday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

“Our only interest is in promoting your agenda, and that is why the government must be integrally involved here… We have to answer to you,” he said. He noted that the objective of the conference is to listen to Indigenous leaders and understand their perspective.