TODAY, a new government serves Guyana, thanks in no small part to the representation made by former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Arthur, who supported the fight to ensure democracy prevailed in Guyana after a long and hard battle.
These were the sentiments expressed by Prime Minister (rt’d), Mark Phillips at the Memorial Service of former Prime Minister of Barbados, Owen Seymour Arthur, on Thursday.

The service for the state funeral of former Prime Minister, Owen Seymour Arthur, will be held on Friday, August 14 at 14:00 hrs at St Peter’s Parish Church, Speightstown, St Peter.

In his remarks, the prime minister said Owen Arthur believed that the greatest legacy a man can leave behind is his ideas and he was undoubtedly a man of excellent ideas, passion and political vigour.

Behind him, Phillips said he has left his family and an entire country to mourn, but he has paved ahead an immeasurable example for others to emulate; that of a true Caribbean leader and visionary.

Across the Caribbean, the prime minister said that the contributions of Owen Arthur are well known by all.
“From his fight to reduce unemployment in Barbados and his work in the island’s economic reform, to his instrumental participation in the establishment of the CARICOM single market — Owen Arthur served with fervour, insight, wisdom and might,” the Prime Minister Phillips said.

He said Arthur brought with him a sense of duty and breadth of knowledge informed by many years of experience, appreciation for history and continued love for learning.
“These traits would lead to Mr. Arthur becoming worthwhile counsel for many in the Caribbean to seek out and to follow. Moreover, Mr. Arthur’s love of country, and his unrelenting efforts to build his nation for the betterment of his people, are lessons that politicians can carve into their own pathways along their political journeys. Indeed, today, we honour a man whose work and worth will never be forgotten,” the prime minister noted.

Underscoring that Guyana owes a great debt to this stalwart, he said before his passing, Arthur ingrained himself in the hearts of the people of Guyana, serving as chairman of the Commonwealth Observer Group during the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Arthur stood up in defence of democracy when the results of the elections were delayed for several months and Guyana’s democracy was being threatened.
In his inauguration speech on August 8, 2020, President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, praised Arthur, thanking him for his steadfast determination in ensuring that democracy did not die in Guyana.

President Ali deemed Mr. Arthur “a true friend of Guyana; a man committed to justice and rights of the people”.
“I echo President Ali’s statements, as it is in your greatest time of need that those who come to our aid are those who are revealed as persons of true honour and worth. As we bid farewell to this eminent political patriarch, let us remember his ideas. Let us reflect on his strong beliefs, staunch commitment, and inspirational prowess,” Prime Minister Phillips said.