By Francis Quamina Farrier

TODAY, July 4, 2021, is the 244th independence anniversary of the United States of America. That event is being observed and celebrated, not only in the United States and its overseas territories, but in many countries around the world, including the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

From its own independence over 55 years ago, Guyana has had diplomatic relations with the USA and has shared many bilateral projects for the mutual benefit of both countries. The Transport Development Project is one of them.

Since its independence in 1966, Guyana has hosted 22 American Ambassadors, and from my perspective, I would list the three most popular as Delmar R. Carlson (the very first), Roland W. Bullen (who was born in Carriacou in the Caribbean) and David Brenthardt of the State of Wisconsin. While all those ambassadors possessed that American diplomatic professionalism, there was that special charm about those three ambassadors which I have just named, which from where I stand, really did “Win friends and influence People” in a big way. Those three American ambassadors to Guyana, more than others, also went that extra mile with a range of projects for the benefit of the Guyanese People. They were also extremely interactive with youths and the Guyanese working-class people. They were American diplomats who really won the hearts of the Guyanese people.

The St. Francis Youth Club at Port Morant on the Corentyne Coast in Region Six was the recipient especially in funding projects. Ambassador Roland Bullen once paid a visit to the club, where he saw at first-hand some of the projects being carried out by the members; young adults who possess a strong patriotic fervour for doing all in their power to make Guyana a successful nation-state. The dynamic leader of the club, Alex Farley, proved that the club was worthy of positive attention by American diplomats who were keen on giving a ‘hands up to the organised youths of Guyana.

On one particular occasion, I was invited by the St. Francis Youth Club to cover a special visit by Ambassador Roland Bullen. His time spent with those young adults was special for them. And for the ambassador, getting to know more about the ambitions and desires of a section of the youths of the country who lived on the Corentyne Coast, in Region Six. My video recordings of that special visit were included in an edition of the VCT Evening News on Channel 28.

The current American Ambassador to Guyana, Her Excellency Sarah-Ann Lynch, is the second female to hold that post. The first being the likeable and charming Theresa Ann Tull, who never displayed any patrician tendencies of the Guyanese people. The tour of duty of Ambassador Tull was from 1987 to 1990 and there were never any issues of controversy in which she was involved. She conducted her activities with a professional balance; and with a special “Woman’s Touch,” as expressed in song in the American musical movie, “Calamity Jane.” For Ambassador Theresa Ann Tull, all Guyanese were worthy of positive American attention. Like a good mother, Ambassador Tull had no favourites.

The second female Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, is still on her tour of duty and as such, it would not be appropriate to publish any adjudication of her ongoing work with a final assessment. What could be mentioned, however, is that Sarah-Ann Lynch became extremely popular with the Guyanese working-class people when she did that walkabout around the Bourda Market area shortly after her arrival in the country. That diplomatic action of hers was the talk of the town for weeks, especially among women, who felt that the then new American ambassador was someone who cared, not only for the upper-class, but also for the ordinary working-class people, and desired to know how she can work to make their lives better, as they face so many challenges, especially with finances. And what better way than to go shopping at one of the city’s municipal markets and blend in with the regular housewives of Georgetown. As a playwright, I view that as excellent material for a play; maybe with the title, “Taste and buy, Madam Ambassador.” No doubt, Ambassador Lynch continues to taste and savour the substance of the Guyanese people.

While Guyana is so often classified as “The poorest country in South America,” there are those Guyanese who firmly object to such a label, and that was before the discovery of oil and gas within Guyana’s territorial waters. ExxonMobil is a powerful American company that does not enjoy the best relations with the people of many countries in which it is functioning. It is the hope of the Guyanese people that Guyana will be treated more fairly as that American company does its extraction of those two costly natural resources – oil and gas. It is well-known that many other small countries with oil reserves are still relatively poor. Guyana has many natural resources including gold, diamonds, bauxite, manganese etc, yet Guyana continues to remain ‘poor’ and their people destitute. With all its oil-and-gas extractions, there are still many destitute Guyanese; many pavement dwellers who sleep on the pavements around the Bourda Market, the General Post Office, and even on the pavements around the country’s Parliament.

As the American Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch could be, I guess, very influential in how that powerful American Oil company, EXXONMOBIL, treats Guyana and the Guyanese people. High-ranking operatives have, in fact, made statements that Guyana will be treated fairly. However, that remains somewhat controversial and like a raisin in the sun.

When ambassadors and high commissioners from time to time go and interact with the ordinary people, it is usually productive and a means to bring another level of diplomatic benefits. As a little boy growing up in British Guiana, I heard of the Governor of British Guiana, Scotsman Sir Gordon Lethem, moving around the city incognito and learning at first hand what were the principal concerns, desires and needs of the people. Lethem in Region Nine was named to his honour and memory. Pioneering American aviators in British Guiana Art Williams and Harry Wendt have been memorialised with their names at the Eugene Correia International Airport at Ogle on the East Coast of Demerara. As America’s 244th independence anniversary is being celebrated, Guyanese recall the friendly relations between the two countries over the decades. Happy 4th of July to Ambassador Sarah Ann Lynch and all Americans now in Guyana.