THE Government of Guyana has said that it will announce shortly, national symbols to celebrate the lives and works of former Presidents of Guyana–Raymond Arthur Chung, OE; and Dr Cheddi Jagan, OE, within the context of set criteria for honouring eminent Guyanese. This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the births of both former Presidents.

In a release, the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP) stated that President David Granger said that Cabinet has taken a decision that commemorative stamps, which are national symbols, must adhere to national criteria. He added that such symbols must not be used for private, partisan or political messages, but ought to be used for national purposes. The Head-of-State made these comments in light of press statements issued by the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (CJRC) and former Chairman of the Guyana Post Office Corporation, Mr Juan Edghill, regarding the printing of commemorative stamps to honour Dr Jagan as proposed by the People’s Progressive Party/Civic. According to the MoTP, President Granger said that there is no objection to honouring the life and legacy of Dr Jagan, whom he

described as “one of the founders of the Guyanese nation”, but added that Cabinet is of the view that there should be equity in the printing of such commemorative stamps, which are national symbols.