PRESIDENT Donald Ramotar yesterday, for the first time as Head of State, witnessed the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at Parliament Buildings to mark yet another anniversary of the country’s Republic status. Guyana’s Golden Arrowhead was hoisted at around 07:30 hrs after which the national pledge was recited and the four stanzas of the National Anthem sung.
Among the highlights of the ceremony was the march on performed by the Guard of Honour, inspection by their Commander- in- Chief, and prayers by the different religious denominations.
As is customary, the flag was hoisted with the President, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, and members of the disciplined services in attendance.
In the other administrative regions, Cabinet members were there to witness the flag raising ceremonies as well.
Guyana became a Republic on February 23, 1970, four years after gaining sovereignty from the British.
The Independence Constitution included a clause for the country to become a Republic by a resolution of the National Parliament to be passed after a period of five years.
It was one of the central features of the constitution that broke new ground in the Commonwealth. Never before had a commonwealth country achieved independence on the basis of a Constitution which had an enabling provision for it to become a Republic.