As our nation pauses and reflects as we observe half a century of Republican status, we of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) take this opportunity to extend greetings to the Guyanese people on this significant anniversary. This anniversary gives us – the Guyanese people – yet another opportunity to assess what and where that Constitutional status has brought us.

As we salute our nation on this important anniversary of Republicanism, we must take a sober look at where the Republic stands nearly half a century on. No doubt we made strides in various socio-economic aspects during this time but, we contend, that the economic transformation whereby the masses of Guyanese could experience fully the results of development is still to be achieved. To this day, the economic struggle for a reasonable standard of living continues. Too many of our skilled, qualified citizens have opted for migration in pursuit of a better life. As we have noted before the “Good Life” here is still out of grasp of the working-people.

When we consider our times of today, we recognise that several issues still linger on. In fact our ‘now-a-day’ circumstances, very much mimic the situation on our attainment of republican status. Dr. Cheddi Jagan, speaking in the National Assembly on February 23, 1970, said “…we have a widening gap between the rich and the poor. Foreign vested interests have become more entrenched, more exploitive and more ruthless. For their support of these bureaucratic capitalist elite, they receive more and more concessions. Meanwhile, unemployment and underemployment soar and crime, delinquency and prostitution increase.” Dr. Jagan went on saying, “[they] [the government] have betrayed a trust. They have sold out the people. While serving imperialism and building a retinue of hangers-on and yes-men, they are feeding the people with half-truths, slogans and gimmicks.” He, at that time, urged the then administration to “…cut out their Daimler-style living, abandon Duvalier methods, follow in the footsteps of Julius Nyerere and Fidel Castro and serve the people….”

None-the-less, GAWU calls on Guyanese not to abandon hope, and unite and struggle for genuine progressive change. As the Anniversary’s Mashramani events take centre-stage, let us celebrate but, bear in mind our responsibilities as citizens of our Republic to bring about enduring prosperity and all-round progress benefitting every Guyanese.
A happy, peaceful Republic Anniversary and Mashramani 2020 to all!