THE People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends Mashramani greetings to all Guyanese on the occasion of 44 years of Republican status.

Mashramani is an Amerindian word which means celebration after a hard day’s work. As Guyanese we have every reason to celebrate. We have worked hard to overcome the numerous challenges that stood in our way. The Guyana we live in today is vastly different from the Guyana which obtained during the time of independence and the attainment of Republican status.

Indeed, it would be an understatement to say that the country has made progress since the granting of Republican status. What we are celebrating today is a new Guyana in which there is democratic rule, respect for the rule of law, an independent judiciary, economic and social justice and cultural pluralism.

The PPP is proud of the fact that it has been successful in laying the foundations for the flourishing of the artistic and creative potential of the Guyanese society in a manner few multi-ethnic societies have managed to do. In this regard, all Guyanese should take pride in the cultural fabric that has been woven over the years by our individual and collective efforts.

The PPP wishes to take this opportunity to call on all Guyanese to put aside whatever differences they may have and become a part of this exciting task of nation building. The Party is convinced that there is room for each and every Guyanese to contribute to the national good regardless of ethnic or political affiliation.

Let us use this occasion to reflect on the difficult road we have traversed over the decades and the challenges that are before us as we strive to build a peaceful, progressive and prosperous society in which we can all be proud of.

The PPP salutes all Guyanese on this significant milestone and extends a special welcome to all those overseas Guyanese who have graced the occasion by their presence in Guyana at this time.

A happy Mashramani to one and all!
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Mashramani a time for reflection – PNCR
THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is pleased to extend greetings and good wishes to all of the people of Guyana as we celebrate the 44th Anniversary of our Republican status.

The anniversary of the Republic, apart from the national celebration of Mashramani, is an occasion for reflection and assessment of the state of our nation, 44 years after Guyana was declared a Republic. In that regard, it must be evident to all that we, as Guyanese, need to undertake a frank and honest evaluation of whether our nation is headed in the direction that would bring us all, particularly our young people, progress and prosperity.

Our Party has joined our partners in APNU to declare and dedicate our energies to making 2014 the Year for Workers. However, we are conscious that, as a nation, we are challenged to remove the threats posed by the scourge of criminality and violence; corruption; the continued lawlessness in high places; the intolerance of views, other than those expressed by the Administration; all of which contribute to infusing a sense of despair and the feeling of hopelessness that is currently afflicting the young people of this nation.

Accordingly, the PNCR wishes all of the Guyanese people a Happy Republic holiday, and a joyous celebration of Mashramani, as we pray that the spirit of peace, love and unity will dwell among us on the 44th Anniversary of our Republic.
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Becoming a Republic represented final step to full independence – PYO
FEBRUARY 23, 2014 marks forty-four (44) years since Guyana’s attainment of Republican status. Becoming a Republic represented the final step in our nation’s journey to full independence and nationhood.

This is a very significant achievement in our history as it meant that our Head of State is no longer a representative of the British Monarch but instead is an elected citizen of Guyana. That is, supreme power is now vested in the people of Guyana and is exercised at free elections.

On February 23, 1970, Dr Jagan, while addressing the National Assembly noted that, “our beloved country is retrogressing instead of progressing. All that independence and republicanism stand for are being violated in Guyana.” Reflecting on the post 2011 operations of the legislative arm of Government, one gets the feeling that the meaning of being a Republic is once more being violated. We have witnessed many instances where our unalienable rights as a republic have been violated by legislative infringements. The lack of cooperation that currently exists, that allowed the political opposition to reject many transformation projects in Guyana, is once again leading to that retrogression that Dr Jagan spoke of 44 years ago.

We wish to call on the opposition political parties to work together with our Government in peace, dignity and harmony for the good of the Guyanese nation. Acting otherwise is a total disregard for the struggles of our leaders who courageously fought for our freedom.

As we engage in cultural folklore at age 44, the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) wishes to extend Masharami greetings to ALL GUYANA.
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Let us celebrate in the true spirit of Mashramani – AFC
THE Alliance For Change (AFC joins with all Guyanese in observing our 44th Republic Anniversary. It has been a year of hard work and in the true spirit of ‘Mashramani’ let us celebrate!
But even as we celebrate, let us be reminded that this Republic Anniversary comes at a time when we find ourselves struggling to preserve one of our symbols of nationhood, and some may argue our most important – our Constitution. This Supreme Law, which sets out our identity as a nation and as a people is under threat.
Sections of this national charter are today being subjugated by leaders’ intent on imposing partisan party doctrines above the Articles of our Constitution and in the process undermining the democratic progress we have made over the years.
Through strong and continuous advocacy we have seen the Office of the Ombudsman being filled. Many other Constitutional Offices remain either vacant or filled by persons in an acting capacity. This is against both the dictate and spirit of our Constitution and must not be allowed to continue.
The Alliance For Change is committed to upholding the rule of law starting with our Constitution and calls on all Guyanese to lift their voices for the promotion and protection of this – the Supreme Law of our Country.
Let this be our resolve as a nation as we enter another year as a Republic and recommit to forging a democracy that offers all citizen of Guyana a place we are proud to call home.
Happy Mashramani Guyana!
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GAWU’s urges sober reflection and wise peaceful counsel
THE start and run-up to the culmination of the Mashramani “Season” sometimes tend to submerge the main event which is really the annual observances of Guyana’s Republican status.

The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) has nothing against the fun, frolic and creativity surrounding the Mashramani component of this national anniversary.
However, as a major representative of the country’s labour movement and the bargaining agent for thousands of workers from various vital sectors of the economy, GAWU is obliged to attempt to assess just what 44 years as a Republic has delivered for the working-class.
Workers, especially the humble, hardworking labourers, factory-workers, agricultural harvesters, heavy duty drivers, the hundreds of ladies in the sea-food and the commercial sectors, among others, represent the base and foundation of any economy. GAWU will never disrespect the role of academics, teachers, nurses, lawyers, architects, engineers and other professionals. All are needed to manifest levels of production largely left to the toils of the lower levels. Obviously there must be collaboration at all levels for productivity and economic progress to be sustained.
Guyana’s two major political parties provided the governments between the Republic Year of 1970 to 1992, twenty-two years; then 1992 to the present, another twenty-two years. What then has been the socio-economic legacy after the past forty-four (44) years?
To be fair the PPP/C governments have provided an enabling environment through worker-friendly legislation, for effective worker representation. Whether today’s trade unions are properly organised, structured and funded to be effective is another story. From GAWU’s perspective the most negative occurrence in the recent history of the Republic is the real, clear and present danger to Guyana’s sugar industry which employs thousands of our members. The blame game can never restore the fortunes of this life line economic industry. A revamped GuySuCo board and management skill sets; motivation for harvesters and factory workers to return to the fields and ancillary projects, among other things, all must combine to bring sugar back.
Elsewhere in the Republic, GAWU sees the need for political dialogue at the highest levels to resolve differences affecting the productive management of the state, its resources and governance. Selfish “victories” should not prevent brilliant minds from both sides of the aisle, to bargain agreements to overcome parliamentary, budgetary, legislative or even judicial challenges. The 2011 electorate expects nothing less from our parliamentary legislators and political representatives.
GAWU, therefore, urges sober reflection and wise, peaceful counsel amongst all citizens during and after the joyous celebration of Republic Day 2014.