AS we observe our republican anniversary celebrations, it is important that we continue to focus on our national motto which speaks to our oneness: One People, One Nation and One Destiny.

This theme of oneness has now been given new impetus by the One Guyana vision as articulated by President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. This is indeed the way forward for Guyana and it is important that we embrace this vision which is something our foreparents once dreamt of but which over the decades proved elusive, not because as a society we did not want it, but because there were forces external to us that had a vested interest in sowing the seeds of division among the Guyanese people. We are all too familiar with the ‘divide and rule’ tactics employed by our colonial masters with the support of local reactionary elements to deny us our freedoms and our quest for a united and prosperous Guyana.

Sadly, there are elements both within and outside of the country who still seem bent on disrupting the peace and tranquility of our society by peddling all manner of lies and misinformation about governance in Guyana, ignoring the fact that we are a sovereign and law governed society, one in which there is full respect for the inalienable and fundamental rights of all segments of the population.

Only recently, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had cause to correct a piece of misinformation coming from a foreign reporter as it relates to the treatment of Amerindians in Guyana. As pointed out by the Vice-President, when it comes to the prosperity of our Indigenous Peoples, Guyana has a track record that outperforms many countries in the developed world.

It was under the PPP/C administration that a Ministry of Amerindian Affairs was established and an entire month, Amerindian Heritage was dedicated to lend focus on Amerindian development.

Take the issue of Amerindian land rights. Under the PPP/C administration land ownership moved from six per cent in 1992 to 14 per cent of total land mass and is expected to move to roughly 20 per cent later on, which is significant, taking into consideration that Amerindians comprise less than 10 per cent of the total population.

Land rights are not limited to the surface rights but also to sub-surface rights. In fact, Guyana is one of the few countries in the world that give sub-surface rights on titled lands.

Guyana’s Indigenous populations are protected by law. The Amerindian Act sets out specific conditions for the granting of titled lands and within a specified timeframe. This is ahead of several other countries including some of the more developed countries with indigenous populations.

According to Dr. Jagdeo, much has been done to ensure equal access to opportunities comparable to that on the coast. Thousands of Amerindians are working in the government sector as teachers, health workers, community development officers and a host of other occupations. Amerindians today are now mainstreamed in the national development process which is unlike what transpired under the previous PNC administration when teachers, nurses and other administrative staff had to be sent from the coast to work in Amerindian communities.

We have to ‘demystify’ some perceptions which seem to convey the impression that Amerindians are culturally opposed to the idea of becoming integrated in the broader national life. It was that perception that was responsible for the neglect of Amerindian communities under colonial and PNC rule.

This is not to suggest that the rich cultural life of our Amerindian people should not be preserved and enriched. Indeed, there is much to learn from our indigenous populations and their way of life. In fact, the very term ‘Mashramani’ is derived from an Amerindian word which means “celebration after hard work”.

We have every right to celebrate. Our country is moving in the right direction and we are well advanced on the road to prosperity. Guyanese from all ethnic groups and from all walks of life have contributed to this economic turnaround. The One Guyana vision is geared to ensure that all the cultural strands in our society are interwoven in a uniquely Guyanese fabric which we can all be proud of. We are not only one people, but we all have a common destiny. We owe it to this and future generations to make this a reality.