THE Wakili Totem Pole in the National Park carved by Lokono Artist, Mr. Oswald Hussein (Ozzie) was officially commissioned last Thursday. The pole tells the ancient story of Man’s abiding respect for the forest and all it provides.

The delicate balance which exists between man and nature is captured in the hand-chiseled characters, animals and spirit guardians depicted on the 20-foot tall purpleheart pole.
The pole is but the first installation in the “Art in the Park” initiative, said Commissioner of the Protected Areas Commission, Mr. Damian Fernandes.
He also explained that the project is about encouraging an artistic renaissance in the Parks; essentially utilising the ‘Urban Green Spaces’ (Zoo, National Park, Joe Vieira Park and the Botanical Gardens) to serve as a blank canvas as it were to the artistic community.
Art in all its forms, whether theatre, painting, sculpture, poetry, photography, etc. could be brought into the park for the enjoyment of all visitors.
The initiative is part of a larger effort to rehabilitate and modernise the Zoo under the Three Parks Initiative which was launched by Natural Resources and Environment Minister Robert Persaud.
At the launch, Minister Persaud made several commitments, many of which have since come on stream.
Lights have been installed along the full cycle track, walkways have been upgraded, playfields raised, internal drainage canals restored and security has been enhanced at the National Park, Botanical Gardens and Zoological Park.
Several organisations including the World Wildlife Fund-Guianas have expressed interest in partnering with the PAC and local artists to produce installations, both permanent and temporary, within the Parks.
The Wakili Totem Pole was sponsored by the Guyana Telephone and Telegraph Company. Several other local businesses such as Jetoo’s Lumber Yard, Rambarrans, AH&L Kissoons, and Kingdom Apiaries’ supported the project.