– says economy must be reshaped to meet future goals

By Ravin Singh

WITH six distinct identities fused within one geographic space, Guyana’s ardent aspiration and arduous struggle for political Independence in 1966 moulded a national identity which has been preserved 50 years later.A recognised historian, President David Granger reflected on the fact that Independence on May 26, 1966, infused the qualities of audacity and tenacity in Guyanese, fortifying their determination to be masters of their destiny. Further, it created new institutions on which to erect the pillars of the new nation.

The Head of State pointed to the fact that independence allowed Guyana the opportunity to adopt its own symbols of nationhood, such as its own flag, anthem, national awards, national motto, festivals and monuments.

“They exemplify our self-esteem. They are revered and will forever remain objects of national pride,” he added.

The Head of State keenly noted that Guyanese, today, are proud of these national symbols, which define their identities and differentiate them from other nations.

However, political independence demanded more than just symbols and sentimental expressions, but also created the need for new institutions to preserve the country’s achievements, to promote the development of the nation and to protect the rights of the people.

As a result, the Court of Appeal, which is the highest court, locally, was established. Further, the public and police services were refashioned to ensure a better quality of life and human safety for Guyanese. And beyond the safety of civilians, he noted that the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) was established to stand guard over the country’s territorial boundaries.

He pointed out that in 50 years Guyana has improved access to education, electricity, health care, housing and potable water. Additionally, there has been the establishment of massive agricultural, drainage and irrigation schemes and industrial estates to put Guyanese to work. To support these developmental schemes, institutions to provide social protection such as the National Insurance Scheme were simultaneously developed. Banking institutions to promote savings and provide credit for Guyanese were also established.

“Guyana, in a relatively short period of time after Independence, improved our economy to provide a higher standard of living for our people. Successive administrations, throughout the past five decades, have continued to add to our national assets and extend our public infrastructure,” the Head of State boasted.

Proud are Guyanese of several other achievements over the last 50 years, the President said. These include efforts to deliver our people from dreary logies, shanties and tenement yards and to open the doors to their own family homes.

The establishment of the University of Guyana, multilateral schools and technical institutes expanded access to education for children throughout Guyana’s 10 administrative regions.

The President said that they were done as the country faced threats to its territoriality and to internal national integrity.

“Our people’s unity, our will and strength, enabled us to overcome these threats” the Head of State added.
While this was happening, Guyana also embarked on a progressive foreign policy to protect its vital national interests. According to the President, Guyana bestrode the international stage with a composure and posture which belied economic wealth or military might.

Reflective of this is the fact that the then leaders had the vision to pioneer the formation of the Caribbean Free Trade Area (CARIFTA), the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of states and to play leading roles in the Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations (UN).

And presently, Guyanese exult in their achievements and accomplishments of the past 50 years. He highlighted that Guyanese pay homage to their heroes and honour their cultural, sporting and academic heritage on this 50th anniversary of Independence. He pointed to the works of local artists, composers, dancers, dramatists and writers; the talents of sportsmen and women; the brilliance of scholars and the labours of working people will never be forgotten.

The “good life” slogan which has been touted by the Government since its assumption of office, the President said, translates to the absence of poverty in Guyana. Further, it means the presence of equality and the creation of an enlightened citizenry through education, effective stewardship of the country’s natural resources and the creation of employment for Guyanese.

Given this framework, the Head of State noted that the mission then, for the next 50 years must be to expand the country’s economy, ensure equality, improve education, protect the environment and provide employment for all Guyanese.

But this is not an unachievable, idealistic dream, given the fact that Guyana is not a resource-poor country.

“Guyanese ought not to be a poor and dispossessed people. Our country is endowed with bountiful resources – both human and natural – to banish poverty forever. We have always been known to possess the values of self-sacrifice and solidarity” the President said.

In order to achieve these goals, he suggested that the country must realign its economy to generate the wealth that would allow for poverty reduction. This, according to him, includes improved and sustained higher economic growth in order to raise the entire population out of the depths of extreme poverty.

Supportive of this, is the enrichment of Guyana’s economy through the discovery of petroleum. With reserves of oil already discovered offshore, President Granger noted that Guyana looks forward to preparing its people and the economy for the exploitation of this rich resource.

He charged that Guyana’s national economy must be reshaped to reduce dependence on the six sisters – bauxite, fish, gold, rice, sugar, and timber. As such, he noted that Guyana’s economic policy over the next four years will be determined by the transition to greater value-added production.

The Head of State also recommitted to the demolition of class and geographic inequalities, particularly between the hinterland and the coastland and between urban and rural communities.

Acknowledging that Guyana’s hinterland possesses its richest natural resources, the President noted that despite this endowment, those areas remain underdeveloped and plagued by poor infrastructure and environmental hazards. In this regard, he explained that the disparities in development and in households between the hinterland and the coastland must be reduced if Guyana is to become a more equal nation.

“We will continue to work towards the development of an inclusive and integrated plan to close the gap between hinterland and coastland. The plan will involve improved internal communication – aerodromes, bridges, causeways, highways, stellings and telecommunications ? and public services such as education, health, human safety and social security,” he committed.