By Francis Quamina Farrier
GUYANA has just celebrated its 52nd anniversary as a Republic in a very subdued way due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There was the traditional flag- raising ceremony at the forecourt of the Public Buildings on Brickdam in Georgetown, with those in attendance wearing masks, a global norm for over two years now. Nonetheless, the Disciplined Services ranks put on quite an impressive show. There were other official flag-raising ceremonies across the country, such as at New Amsterdam, Linden and Lethem.

In his address to the nation, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali stated that, “There have been many successes, challenges and threats” to the country. Many older Guyanese would recall that as a nation, Guyana has faced several challenges over the decades, such as the border claim by neighbouring Venezuela. They have seen Guyana become a haven for many Venezuelans who have been given a warm, neighbourly welcome as they flee their country, which has been experiencing many hardships for the past three years.

Older Guyanese can look back over the past half-century with pride as they identify the many physical developments around them, such as construction of the bridges across the Demerara and Berbice rivers. The construction of the Linden Highway and the many new roadways in and out of Georgetown over the decades. Some of those roads were constructed as recent as last year, 2021. In many of the major projects, the World Bank extended hands-up financial assistance to Guyana as the nation continued its ongoing development of much-needed infrastructure.

Construction projects such as docks and vehicle terminals were some of the other projects. The need for an improved air service to hinterland locations was also given consideration, improving the linkage of the coastland with many far-flung hinterland communities, some in the deep South Rupununi in Region Nine. While it is agreed that much has been done over the past 52 years since Guyana became a Republic, Guyanese feel proud of those achievements. Challenges such as the lack of cleanliness of the capital city of Georgetown and other towns need serious consideration and attention. There is the cry by more disciplined citizens for a cleaner environment in Guyana. The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Guyana very hard, with some 63,000 affected and 1,215 deaths at this time.

There was a dramatic peak after the 2021 Christmas and 2022 New Year holidays when it was obvious that many Guyanese became careless and were not maintaining the strict COVID-19 protocols of wearing a mask that covered the mouth and nose, as well as other strict protocols. Region Four has been identified as the most offending region, resulting in increasing cases and deaths. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has already done over 532,000 COVID-19 tests. The hope is that by the next Republic anniversary in 2023, the cases of COVID-19 will have declined dramatically and go on to zero.