–flurry of activities planned for Guyana’s 52nd Republic Anniversary in New York

THOUGH restricted to some extent by the pervasive COVID-19 pandemic, Guyanese at home and abroad are enthusiastic to celebrate Guyana’s 52nd Republic Anniversary.

With a gradual shift to some level of normalcy after two years of “confinement” due to the pandemic, persons have found innovative ways to celebrate the country’s milestone.

As an impetus for those living abroad to join the celebrations and feel closer to home, Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, has led a team to New York, where there will be a series of diaspora engagement activities.

Accompanying Prime Minister Phillips are Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag and Foreign Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, Robert Persaud.

Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States of America, Samuel Hinds, will also be joining local officials at the planned events.

“The PM and team are expected to participate in a series of diaspora engagement activities as part of a commitment of the PPP/C [People’s Progressive Party/Civic] government to aggressively include the diaspora in national development,” the Office of the Prime Minister posted on its Facebook Page.

While in New York, the team will be engaging Guyanese in the diaspora on various aspects of Guyana’s development, and how they could actively contribute. This is in keeping with a promise by the government to be inclusive and accommodating to the diaspora community which has an important role to play in the advancement of its homeland.

The team attended its first event, an evening of culture, at the Jamaica Performing Arts Center in Queens, New York, on Tuesday.