Dear Editor,
ON behalf of the executives and members of the Queens PNCR group, we embrace the honour of extending to the Honourable President David Arthur Granger, the government, and people of Guyana warm and sincere greetings on achieving the coveted milestone of 54 years as an independent nation. It was with great joy and pride that on May 26, 1966, at the National Park, we witnessed the lowering of the Union Jack for the last time, and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead for the first time.

This act effectively brought an end to British colonial rule in Guyana, while at the same time it propelled Guyana and Guyanese to determine their own destiny. That day, Guyanese all over were jubilant, happy, and proud of welcoming independence to Guyana. As we reflect on that historic and momentous day, the big question was, What were our dreams and aspirations then?  What Guyana would look like at 54 years of independence?

Guyana gained independence on May 26, 1966 under the astute leadership of the Honourable Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Founder Leader of the PNC.  In welcoming independence, then Prime Minister Burnham, in an appeal to Guyanese nationalism, declared: “The days ahead are going to be difficult. Tomorrow, no doubt, we as Guyanese will indulge in the usual political conflicts and differences in ideology.

But today, to my mind, is above such petty matters. For today, Guyana is free.”  The festivities included the singing of the National Anthem, ‘Dear Land of Guyana’, and other patriotic songs, carnival-style parties, exhibitions, float parades, fireworks burst across the sky in various parts of the country, and a military parade accompanied by much pomp and pageantry.

Independent Guyana was faced with many challenges, including Venezuela’s seizure of the Guyanese half of Ankoko Island, in the Cuyuni River, and two years later claiming a strip of sea along Guyana’s western coast; the Rupununi Rebellion in January 1969, where white settlers and Amerindians rebelled against the Central Government; Venezuela’s renewed claims to all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River, rejecting the 1899 Arbitral Award that settled the boundaries between Guyana and Venezuela; the energy crisis of the 70s that took a heavy toll on Guyana’s economy; and the heightened racial tensions and violence that accompanied most elections in Guyana.

In the early 2000’s, Guyanese lived in fear for their lives in a so-called troubled period when marauding gangs and the Phantom Squad carried out extra-judicial killings of hundreds of Afro-Guyanese. But at every step of the way, Guyana faced the adversities with resilience, fortitude, and wisdom.

More recently, Guyana is faced with the March 2, 2020 elections recounts, COVID-19, and a serious threat to our independence by internal and external forces. This comes at a time when Guyana now ranks as the latest oil-producing country in the world. Noting the Coalition Government’s five-year track record of sound leadership and progress, we have no doubt that Guyana will overcome these challenges once again.

As the Granger-led administration embarks on another five years of governance, we, as a group in the diaspora, call on the government to give urgent priority to two considerations: (a) Real constitutional changes that are designed to mandate Guyanese to live, work, play, and progress together as one. Since Guyana in its present formation does not allow for any political party to garner the majority of popular votes, it is imperative for a new Constitution or Amendments to set parameters compelling political parties to play a meaningful role in the governance of Guyana; and (b) the government should, on a sustained basis, pursue policies that would foster racial integration, and not only racial comity. Power must reside in the people as a lasting solution.

Even though power-sharing, national front, unity government, inclusive government, and the likes are important, they are, by and large, only temporary fixes, but racial integration is permanent. As a nation, we just cannot afford the insane luxury of racial cleavages to fester and grow in any quarter of the Guyanese society.
We pray for the well-being of the leaders and people of Guyana!

Happy Birthday Guyana!
Respectfully,
Derrick Arjune, Chair
Penelope Lambert, Vice-Chair
Eunice Beckles, Secretary
Charwyn Thom, Treasurer
Joseph Heyliger, Executive Adviser