– as Regions 7,10 host mini Flag Raising Ceremonies

JOINING the celebration of Guyana’s 54th Independence Anniversary was the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10 with a simple Flag Raising ceremony and an Independence Award Ceremony, while, upholding social distancing protocols.

On Tuesday, the ceremony, which was held at the Regional Democratic Council, saw the attendance of only the region’s officials, including the Regional Chairman, Renis Morian; Regional Vice-Chairman, Elroy Adolph; and Regional Executive Officer (REO), Orrin Gordon.
The celebration commenced with the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead by a police officer of Region 10.

The Flag Raising Ceremony was followed by an Independence Award Ceremony with the presentation of awards to some of the region’s leading officials and citizens for their years of service in the areas of regional service, education, agriculture, sports, health, volunteerism and communications among others.

Notably, Minister within the Ministry of Agriculture, Valarie Yearwood, was presented with an award for her longstanding service to development of Region 10.

The other awardees were Stanley Collins, Charles Sampson, Denise Belgrave, Renis Morian, Simone Johnson, Maylene Stephen, Mayfil Greene, Pastor Selwyn Sills, Lanna Albert, Dr. Pansy Armstrong, Dr. Joseph Armstrong, Victor Fernandes, Gloria Britton, Stanley Smith, Deryck Collins, Vivienne Munroe, Vernon Todd, Moses Pantlitz, Joseph Gravesande, Cleveland Thomas, Farouk Riyasat, Elroy Adolph, Mortimer Mingo and Orrin Gordon.

Meanwhile, in the town of Bartica, Region Seven, the Golden Arrowhead was also hoisted at the Bartica Stelling Square to mark Guyana’s 54th Independence Anniversary.
The event, which took place on Monday evening right before the 18:00hrs curfew, saw minimum involvement of persons in respect of the social distancing measures.

Those in attendance were: Regional Chairman of Region Seven, Gordon Bradford; Regional Executive Officer, Kerwin Ward; Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall; Commander of the Police Regional Division Seven, Linden Lord; Officer-in-Charge of the Bartica Police Station, Kevin London; and Station Sergeant, Kirk Crawford.

In giving brief remarks, Mayor of Bartica, Gifford Marshall, said he is proud of Guyana and the progress it has made through resilience, innovation and sustainability.
“Guyana is at a crucial stage in our history, we await our election results as we battle the deadly virus, COVID-19. I believe like many of you that Guyana will emerge the winner at the end of these challenges,” he noted.

Marshall prayed for peace, racial harmony and prosperity in Guyana. “We pray for His Excellency David Arthur Granger, may God grant him wisdom, knowledge and understanding to lead this nation through this crisis,” he prayed.
The Mayor added that Guyanese should not be distracted during the time but remain focused and work together to continue building the nation.

In 1966, Guyana gained independence from Great Britain which led to the traditional hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead along with a splendid celebration becoming a highly-anticipated event on May 26. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decision was made to reduce the participation at this year’s celebration.