by Francis Quamina Farrier
It was a dark and cold December night in 2010, as Brigadier David Granger walked into a building on Georgia Avenue in Washington, DC, the Capital of the United States of America. He was at the time, on the campaign trail for the leadership on the People’s National Congress/Reform, back in his homeland, Guyana. Many Washington, DC/Maryland-based Guyanese were on hand to welcome him. The Guest of Honour was dressed in suit and tie and looked more Corporate than Military. The majority of those who were at that Town Hall meeting were also well-dressed. Seated at the beautifully decorated head table, and flanked by members of the Washington, DC Chapter of the PNC/R, David Granger looked relaxed, friendly, and ready to state his case, and to respond to queries by members of the audience.
The questions were many and varied. The concerns for the state of affairs in Guyana, at that time, were expressed by quite a number of those in attendance; especially the crime situation and the alleged rampant corruption in high places. One middle-age lady, with trembling voice, related a harrowing experience she had, at the hands of bandits, when she last visited the country of her birth. David Granger answered every question that was put to him, with details of how he will solve whatever the challenges will be, should he become Leader of the PNC/R and President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. What was very interesting, was Granger telling the audience that he plans to establish a Department for the Diaspora, should he become the Head of State of Guyana. That proposed Department, will be established in order to help those in the Diaspora, expedite their business with much more ease.
Five years later, David Arthur Granger did become President of Guyana. At his swearing-in-ceremony on Saturday May 16, 2015, which was held on the balcony of the Public Buildings on Brickdam in Georgetown, he again spoke of the importance of The Diaspora. More recently, I asked the President about his plans for the Diaspora, and he responded that it was very much in his current and future plans.
“We have embraced and engaged the Diaspora”, the President told me.
The President has promoted the idea of, as he puts it, “The two Guyana’s; the one in North America and the one in South America”, and proposes that there will be established an “Official Bridge”, between Guyanese at home and Guyanese abroad. The Guyana Diaspora has played and continues to play a very important role in the development of Guyana, over the decades. The present David Granger administration seems ready to recognize and put things in place to make it even more vibrant. However, what is very necessary is respect and understanding between the two groups of Guyanese. There is a measure by some, on both sides of the Atlantic, of mistrust, and in some cases, even disrespect.
Speaking at a seminar some years ago, at the York College in Queens, New York, Guyanese-born, Bronx-based professor and social activist, Chuck Mohan, emphasized the need for respect by both Guyanese at home and those in the Diaspora.
For while there are many who do show respect and accountability, in both locations, there are just too many who do not. “There are some in the Diaspora who go down to Guyana and try to tell the people down there what to do, and there are those in Guyana who refuse to accept any suggestions from the Diaspora, no matter how valid”, according to Chuck Mohan.
Over the decades, many groups and individuals in the Diaspora, have been dispatching a range of assistance to Guyana; individuals have been sending financial assistance to relatives, friends and organizations. Village and educational associations and alumni have been sending lots of assistance, over the decades. Medical groups have also been coming down to Guyana and giving free medical attention to those in need, and who are unable to pay for it, or get to public hospitals and clinics.
The selfless services of these individuals and groups should never be taken for granted. There is the Catholic Community in New York, which, for the past 26 years, has been holding an Annual Guyana Mass, at which the offerings taken, are dispatched to Guyana for specific projects. The Soup Kitchen at the Brickdam Presbytery, which supplies warm meals on a daily basis, to both Catholics and non-Catholics alike, is one Charity, which has benefited over the years.
Guyana is swiftly approaching the period when the country will be swarmed with hundreds of members from the Diaspora. Some of them have not set foot on the motherland for decades. They would be expecting only the best, as they join us in celebrating Guyana’s fiftieth Independence anniversary. The Cheddi Jagan International Airport at Timehri, is tiny in comparison to all of the airports from where those Guyanese would have flown; and it would be the very first reality of returning to a small country; albeit, the country of their birth. Some will be coming with young children and relatives, as well as friends, and I am sure that they will receive a real Guyanese welcome at the CJ International Airport.
Over the years, the exterior of the CJ Airport has been well maintained. Unfortunately, the interior, especially the washrooms, leaves a lot to be desired. That and other interior sections need attention as soon as possible.
In more recent months, the service by the Immigration and Customs, has been improving. That will have to continue for the mass arrivals of those from the diaspora, in May, for the Jubilee Year celebrations.
In my regular departures and arrivals at the CJ International Airport, I have experienced improved service at these two important government agencies.
The hope, too, is that there will be a wide variety of activities for the visitors, especially organized tours to hinterland areas, such as Mabaruma, Moruca, Kamarang, Mahdia, Kaieteur Falls, Annai, Orinduk Falls, Lethem, and even as far south as Aishalton in the deep South Rupununi, as well as to the historic Fort Nassau on the upper Berbice river.
The restaurants and the “watering holes” no doubt, are already well prepared for the influx of visitors. The tourist industry, especially the tourist resorts, will be going the extra mile, to make their guests enjoy a most pleasant and memorable visit.
My understanding is that the entertainment industry will also be well prepared. So the ultimate hope is that the up-coming Jubilee Year celebrations will be another opportunity for the diaspora, and those of us at home, to continue to build stronger bridges of friendship and cooperation, as Guyana continues its journey to its centenary.
President David Arthur Granger will also get the opportunity to showcase what he has achieved, so far, in building that firm bridge of understanding and cooperation between the Guyanese at home, and those in the Diaspora.
While on the balcony of the Public Buildings just after his inauguration, President Granger invited the massive crowd to join hands and sing that popular Billy Pilgrim composition, “Let Us Cooperate for Guyana” and that is what we need to experience as we celebrate our 50th Jubilee year together.