PAYING tribute to Guyana’s first Executive President and founder of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, O.E., S.C, on the occasion of his 31st death anniversary on Saturday, President David Granger said the late Forbes Burnham was the author of social cohesion and architect of national unity, who transformed Guyana from a divided colony to a more united and less unequal country.At a wreath-laying ceremony held at the Mausoleum at the Seven Ponds in the Botanical Gardens, where the former President was laid to rest, President Granger said, “He (Burnham) established order out of chaos and conciliation out of conflict…He fought against the marginalization and segregation of the colonial regime into which he was born, and sought to create a society of equality and inclusivity for posterity. It was through his visionary leadership and wise stewardship that the foundation of a just and cohesive society was laid.”

According to a release from the Ministry of the Presidency, the Head of State referred to a public broadcast made by Forbes Burnham in 1964 — after he was sworn in as President — during which he said: “this Government holds that all the people of this country are equally important, whether they belong to a large group or a small group. To us the Amerindians are important; to us the Chinese are important; to us the Portuguese are important; to us the Europeans are important; to us the mixed races are important; to us the Africans are important; to us the Indians are important. In short, all Guianese are important and valued members of our community, and we cherish them and consider that, as a Government, it is our duty and privilege to guard, protect and further the real interests of all.”

President Granger said the sentiments and precepts adumbrated in that statement by Mr. Burnham over 50 years ago are permanent and paramount today, as the APNU+AFC Administration proceeds along the path of national unity and social integration.

“It is our Government’s duty today, as it was fifty years ago, to protect the interests of all, and not of some. The people cannot be imprisoned in ethnic enclaves; the people are not the property of one or other political party. Forbes Burnham’s ideas were for all time and for all Guyanese… We recall Forbes Burnham’s wise counsel of cohesion today whenever the voices of divisiveness are raised; wherever the hand of hostility tries to hit and hurt our vulnerable citizens, and by whosoever peddles the propaganda of separateness among our people,” the President said.

He said Mr. Burnham was devoted to the task of rebuilding a society that was free of discrimination, distrust and disorder; and was determined to destroy the bastions of prejudice, social injustice and inequality, vices which sustained a stagnant colony; and Burnham was dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all citizens to enable them to develop their talents.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, who, in a brief comment, said Forbes Burnham always advanced the concepts of working together and of national unity.

She said that a good example of Burnham’s policy of inclusivity is the coalition he forged between the PNC and the United Force.

Minister Ally indicated that there is greater awareness across the country with regard to the need for social cohesion, and she credited this to the administration’s policy and the work of the Social Cohesion Ministry, which has embarked on a sensitisation campaign.

“They [Guyanese] have begun to see the importance of us working together. They have begun to see the importance of bridging the gaps so that we can foster social cohesion in our communities. They are seeing the benefits…” the minister said.

She informed that the Ministry of Social Cohesion is currently engaged in a number of projects, such as training programmes in the various regions. This Ministry is also working closely with religious organisations, youths, and non-governmental organisations with the aim of fostering a more cohesive Guyanese society.

Alistair Sonaram, an attendee at the wreath-laying ceremony, described the late President Burnham as a visionary, fighter, and true leader. He declared his strong belief that if Mr. Burnham were alive today, Guyanese would have been living in a more cohesive society, rather than being segregated on the basis of ethnicity.

He said citizens need to stop looking at the colour of each other’s skin and see themselves as one. “Colour should not matter in our nation. We have lost our way in that sense, and if we are to live together, we have to accept each other for who we are,” he declared.

Dakarai Griffith, a member of the Guyana Youth and Student Movement, said he had heard, whilst growing up, a lot about Forbes Burnham’s ideologies and strict method of leadership. “He was the foundation for Guyana, and made Guyana what it is today; and I believe that this Government will make Guyana the breadbasket of the Caribbean, which was Burnham’s vision,” he said.
Griffith said Guyana cannot afford to be divided, being a country with so many different ethnic groups. He said he is currently in the process of setting up a non-governmental organisation to educate the young generation on Forbes Burnham’s ideologies and legacy.

The late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham began serving Guyana as Prime Minister from 1964; and as President from 1980 until the time of his death in 1985, at the age of 62. He had been a lawyer, a politician, a fierce freedom fighter, and a father of six children.