THE African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) yesterday received a $200,000 from Guyana Telephone & Telegraph (GT&T) Company as a contribution towards its upcoming Emancipation celebrations. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GT&T, Mr. Yoganand Mahadeo made the presentation to Headmistress of the Centre of Learning and Afro Centric Orientation (COLAACO), Ms. Loraine Welch at ACDA’s Thomas Lands, Georgetown headquarters.
On the occasion, Mahadeo, several ACDA executives and GuyEnterprise boss, Mr. Vic Insanally were entertained by children of the nursery and primary level of COLAACO, following the handing over.
Mahadeo announced that the utility will be conducting a ten-week long competition, from Independence to Emancipation, in the effort to highlight Guyanese of African descent who have distginguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour.
Each week, clues will be given, in the press, inviting customers to identify the celebrated hero by texting their answers and two persons will each win $20,000 for the correct answer.
The 20 winners will then be part of GT&T’s participation at ACDA’s Emancipation Day celebrations at the National Park and one of them will take away the cash jackpot of $200,000.
GT&T hopes the competition will stimulate interest in the contribution made by outstanding Guyanese of African descent.
Mahadeo remarked that there has been great dilution of culture in Guyana and that much more can be done, as a country, to bring people together and preserve cultures.
He thanked Insanally, whose business has been a strong partner of GT&T, for his bright idea of having the telephone company support ACDA.    
The United Nations has designated 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent. (Telesha Persaud)