The Guyana Trades Union Congress

THE Guyana Trades Union Congress joins with all Guyana in celebrating freedom from the world’s most inhumane system and treatment of man towards man. As Guyanese mark  emancipation of Africans from chattel slavery, in a world where injustice to one poses a threat to justice for all, this day is not only a victory and progressive step in relations between the once enslaved and enslaver, but for all.
Freedom from bondage came with some measures of expected uncertainties, such as what would life be post-slavery and relationships between groups, where there existed a history of domination and subjugation, built on the unscientific notion of superiority and inferiority. In that Africans, having given of their labour for centuries, under brutal conditions that deprived them of fundamental rights and decency, were able to move off the plantations and set up progressive life independent of same, is no small feat.
Pooling the pennies acquired during the four years of amelioration (1834-1838) and being able from the get-go to use their meagre earnings to buy up plantations, converting them to villages, and establishing an indigenous system of government and economy are remarkable. These achievements speak of a people possessing intellect, though ignored as a justification to enslave them, and the spirit of camaraderie and determination to establish a life and succeed independent of a system that had told them they are incapable of.
Outside of laying the topography of coastland Guyana with their lives, blood, sweat and tears, Africans have laid the foundation of the indigenous system of government, which came to be known as Local Government, that laid the foundation for national and regional governments, and a village economy built on cooperative principles, which is a part of the nation’s tri-sectoral economy.
Africans have contributed to every facet of this nation’s growth and development, giving of the labour and talent in the various sectors, processes and areas of endeavour. These achievements and contributions must not only be recounted, but must see the redoubling of efforts to preserve and motivations to grow from strength to strength. For emancipation will mean nothing if Africans, who fought for and achieved this landmark moment in the world’s calendar, were to accept or participate in any action that would threaten or repeat the domination, marginalisation and oppression their forebears rightfully fought against.
Onward, upward, we must ever go!
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Georgetown Mayor and City Council
HAPPY Emancipation Day! Emancipation is a significant occasion when Guyanese reflect on the past, ponder on the future and contemplate on new and better ways to advance their development and that of the society. It is a time of great historic and ideological significance for the descendants of African slaves, who were transported across the Atlantic, in shackles and chains. Their lives were marred with treatments that were grossly inhumane. History is replete with examples of how the Africans suffered at the hand of rich plantocracy. More so, slavery can be described as the single most horrendous crime ever committed against humanity. No other act can be compared to the torture of the whip, de-culturalisation and de-humanisation experienced by the African people.
However, centuries of slavery could not break the indomitable spirit of the African. In the face of severe challenges they demonstrated resolve, tenacity and courage. More so, they were inspired to make sacrifices, defer gratification, to allow their descendants to enjoy the divine right of freedom. As we celebrate, it is imperative that we remember the struggles, the sacrifices, the pain, sweat, blood and tears of those who gave their lives so that we may experience liberty. Let us embrace the values of discipline, faith, family and community.
Further, it is important that we be emancipated for the negative environmental attitudes, neglect to civic obligations, disregard for the building codes and other social ills that would not promote the mission and vision of the capital city. Even as we pontificate about the rhetoric of slavery, we must make a firm commitment to work together to advance our respective communities and the city as a whole.
We at Council urge every citizen to take the opportunity to pledge a full commitment to adopt a more positive attitude towards our city. To keep their respective environment from those things that would pollute it. Let our celebrations go beyond shattered chains. But let it be reflected also in the way we treat the environment. Happy Emancipation Guyana!
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Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union

THE Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU), yet again joins in the national celebration marking the 178th anniversary of the emancipation of the forefathers of our African-Guyanese citizenry.

This has become a joyful tradition and one which holds great significance for us. Freedom from physical bondage which brought on unspeakable brutality and exploitation spawned by colonialism/capitalism was undoubtedly a step along the way to our independence, the breaking of the colonial relationships and the forging of a Guyanese nation.

It must be noted that freedom in 1838 was won and attained from the heroic and self-sacrificing struggles of the slaves. Today, we must not only give recognition to those struggles, but they should strengthen us as a people to jealously guard our independence and our general sovereignty in times when we are learning that renewed efforts are being made to re-establish colonial relations in the context of today’s conditions.

GAWU recognises the major contributions of the descendants of those freed African slaves in the continuous development of Guyana and in all areas of our country’s life – sport, culture, politics, security, Foreign Service. We are encouraged that so many have received deserving acclaim regionally and internationally too.

Not only our Afro-Guyanese citizens but, indeed, our country has come a far way in these past 178 years. We overcame many hurdles, many of which have been rooted in the intrigues of the colonialists and their local collaborators. In our celebration, therefore, we should take pride in the progress made against all odds and let our achievements motivate us all to reach yet greater heights and record other sparkling achievements for our individual lives, our families and in our society as a whole.

Though our times are serious and challenging, we can draw strength and heed the lessons from our forefathers. Our hopes for a better life, society and world are realizable in our unity and principled struggles. Happy Emancipation Day!
Let us all celebrate this freedom!
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The People’s Progressive Party
THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) salutes our Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters on the occasion of Emancipation Day. This is indeed a fitting moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by our African ancestors who were brought to the shores of Guyana in chains in order to provide free labour to the sugar planters.

To say that our African ancestors suffered at the hands of the sugar planters would be an understatement. Indeed, they were stripped of their humanity and dignity and made to toil long hours to keep the wheels of the sugar mills turning and in the process churning out profits for the expatriate sugar barons. Many were tortured and brutally killed for standing up for their rights, but the spirit of resistance finally won the day and freedom was eventually won in August 1838. Several epic battles and rebellions took place during the long march to freedom, the most notable of which was the Berbice Slave Rebellion led by Cuffy.

Despite the hardships and cruelty of plantation life, the freed slaves were successful in forging a society after emancipation and by dint of hard work and thrift, purchased a number of villages where they eked out an independent existence despite attempts by the sugar planters to sabotage their newly won independence. There can be no doubt that the foundations of a modern society and economy were firmly laid by our African ancestors who peacefully co-existed with the indentured labourers after slavery was abolished and in several instances lent mutual support to each other when their interests and livelihoods came under threat by the planter class.

The strong bond of solidarity between Africans and indentured labourers, the vast majority of whom came from India, is testimony to the fact that race was never a barrier when it came to the defence and protection of fundamental human rights, including the right to work and to live in an environment of peace, prosperity and respect.

The PPP from its very inception as a political party has consistently embraced the principle of racial equality and a governance mechanism whereby each and every Guyanese regardless of race, colour or creed be given an equal opportunity to contribute to the good of society. The PPP wishes to reiterate this commitment to a  free, democratic and cohesive society, one in which their is no privileged race, but where all races work and live in unison to build a strong and prosperous Guyana.

The PPP is proud of the fact that it remains the largest multi-ethnic political party and will continue to welcome all Guyanese into its ranks from all races and ethnicities who, like our foreparents, share the vision of a society where the good life is enjoyed not by a privileged few, but by the society as a whole.

Once again, happy Emancipation greetings to all Guyanese, in particular our Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters.
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Cuffy250 Committee

THE Cuffy250 Committee joins the rest of Guyana in saluting our African-Guyanese brothers and sisters on this 178th anniversary of the abolition of chattel slavery in Guyana. These almost 18 decades have seen Guyana move from the demise of slavery to political independence. During that time, our people had to endure 138 years of colonial rule which ensured that the promise of full emancipation from plantationhood was further delayed. Emancipation, therefore, has been an ongoing process for the sons and daughters of the formerly enslaved. Although the physical chains were removed in 1838, the scars of bondage continued to haunt the African in Guyana and the rest of the African Diaspora.

In 2016, the African-Guyanese community still confronts structural barriers to full emancipation. These barriers are manifested in the challenges faced by African- Guyanese, particularly in the economic sphere. While the community has made strides in the face of these challenges, the inability to compete in the private economic sector has served to blunt those successes.
It is against this background that Cuffy250 calls on the African-Guyanese community to use this emancipation anniversary to initiate a movement towards the revival of the spirit of self-realization that was so pivotal to the struggle against slavery and colonialism and for the survival and advance of the community.

Cuffy250 intends to lead by example at its 4th annual “State of the African Guyanese Forum” on Sunday, August 7 at the Critchlow Labour College in Georgetown, beginning at 9am. The theme of this year’s Forum is “African Guyanese Self-Realization: Challenges for the next 50 years.”
The Forum brings together activists, scholars and professionals along with the wider African-Guyanese community for a day-long conversation on the challenges facing African-Guyanese and crafting an agenda for overcoming those challenges.

Among the topics to be discussed are The Restoration of the Village Economy; Reparations; African-Guyanese and Entrepreneurship; African-Guyanese and Social Cohesion; Education and African-Guyanese Empowerment; African- Guyanese Self-Activity; and Centering African-Guyanese in Guyana’s Socio-Economic Agenda.

President David Granger will deliver the keynote address .Other speakers are Dr. Grantley Walrond, Norwell Hinds, Estherene Adams Vincent Alexander, Floyd Haynes, Dr Simpson DaSilva, Eric Phillips, Elsie Harry, Dr. Norman Ng A Qui, Judy Semple-Joseph, and Dr David Hinds.

Registration is $300. For early registration please call 231 7888.