–-if only there can be national unity

By Clifford Stanley

THE Regional Democratic Council of Region 5 (Mahaica/Berbice) held its 50th Independence flag-raising ceremony Wednesday, with speaker after speaker stressing the importance of national unity in ensuring a bright future for Guyana.The ceremony, held at the RDC compound, Fort Wellington, West Coast Berbice, began at 09:00 hrs, and the gathering included  Members of Parliament Harry Gill and Jennifer Wade, Regional

Chairman, Vickchand Ramphal, Regional Vice-Chairman, Rion Peters, and senior officials of the Regional Administration, Councillors of the RDC, schoolchildren, and members of the public. Guest Speaker was Minister of Public Health, Dr George Norton.

The programme included cultural renditions, prayers by leaders of the three main religions,  a march-past by officers and ranks of the Disciplined Services, supported by the Bishop Drummers of No. 30 Village, West Coast Berbice,  and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead by Sergeant Alexis Gordon of the Second Infantry Reserve of the Guyana Defence Force.

Both Ministers Norton and Ramphal, who were the main speakers,  stressed that the divisions which exists within the society must be bridged by all Guyanese, who consider themselves true patriots.

“We must believe in the deepest part of our hearts that we are indeed one people, one nation with one destiny and this belief must  inform all our actions in everyday life,” Dr Norton said.

And according to Ramphal, “National unity is a key prerequisite for the desires of all the people of Region 5, and Guyana as a whole. Without unity, we shall neither progress nor stand.”

Minister Norton later visited the Fort Wellington Hospital, where he donated a hamper to a ‘Jubilee’ baby girl born to Yasheena  Persaud of Cotton Tree Village, West Coast Berbice.