PPP/C: Moving forward with an agenda for transformation

THE People’s Progressive Party/C (PPP/C) extends to all Guyanese, at home and abroad, greetings on Guyana’s 56th independence anniversary.
On June 5, 1958, founder of the PPP/C and former president, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, posed an important question to the Legislative Council – What do the people of this country want in this phase of our history?

Today, 56 years following independence, this question has contemporary applicability, particularly, given the current global challenges that impact our nation, from the global COVID-19 pandemic to climate change.
The people of the country answered this question at the March 2020 polls by endorsing the PPP/C’s “Plan for Prosperity.”

Under successive PPP/C administrations, the foundation for transformative change was laid and, in 2020, this agenda was broadened to include more ambitious targets in all sectors, specifically in education, healthcare and agriculture.

Our nation is moving forward with an agenda for transformation, bolstered by the success of our burgeoning oil and gas sector, which will benefit all our people by: increasing their ability to create wealth, improving their standard of living and wellbeing, and advancing their ability to pursue self-development through education among a plethora of other interventions.

From direct support to farmers and school-aged children, to building the infrastructure for future advancement, the PPP/C developmental agenda creates space for all of our people to benefit, participate and lead.
The PPP/C uses this occasion to not only celebrate our gains, but to also recommit itself to the service of all Guyanese in a transparent and accountable manner.

As we reflect on the struggles of the pre-independence era, Guyanese are encouraged to reflect on the gains we have made, bearing in mind that our collective will and effort are demanded to move our great nation forward and sustain our progress.

Looking ahead, in light of the prevailing challenges, our immediate task is to ensure that our democracy is bolstered. A democratic nation, where the will of our people can be freely expressed, is quintessential to ensuring our continued development, peace and progress.

Democracy has been, and remains, a pillar of our development. As our people demonstrated during the March 2020 period, the fight to protect our democratic gains is a perpetual effort.
This phase of Guyana’s history promises to be an exciting time for positive change and progress, even as our nation, under the PPP/C administration, reclaims its place as a regional and global leader on issues of food, security, climate change and more.

In 1958 freedom was the answer to the question – What do the people of this country want in this phase of our history? – and, this notion remains a poignant reminder of how far we have come and how far we have yet to go as a people.

More recently, PPP/C General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo, during country-wide outreaches, reiterated the importance of democracy to our freedoms and development and to the implementation of the party’s transformative agenda.

We are also reminded that the freedom that independence brings is not merely parochial; it comes with a responsibility for all patriotic-minded Guyanese to reject ploys that seek to divide our people for selfish gain; it comes with a responsibility for our people to hold all leaders accountable; and it comes with a responsibility for each of us to play our part in the prosperity of Guyana that we share as “One People, One Nation, with One Destiny.”

The PPP/C, again, extends best wishes to all our people on this momentous occasion.
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Opposition Leader: Let us together climb to a better Guyana

My fellow Guyanese, Happy Independence Day.
On the occasion of this the 56th anniversary of our Independence, I wish, on behalf of the Opposition and on my own behalf, to congratulate the people of Guyana for achieving another milestone.

As we contemplate where we are today as a nation, I find it appropriate to recall one of the solemn pledges we, the Guyanese people, have enshrined in the preamble of our constitution.
We have pledged to: “Forge a system of governance that promotes concerted effort and broad-based participation in national decision-making in order to develop a viable economy and a harmonious community based on democratic values, social justice, fundamental human rights, and the rule of law.”

Our nation has simply not lived up to the aspirations in our constitution. We can and must do better. We owe that much to the generation who fought for our Independence. Even more, we owe it to ourselves, to our children, and to the generations to come.

What do I mean when I say “we can and must do better”? How does our nation get there? First, as a people, we must believe in ourselves. We must believe in our creativity to envision a great nation. We must believe in our abilities to reach those great heights, in our strengths to overcome inevitable obstacles. And we must believe in our resolve and resilience to forge ahead relentlessly.

Second, we must build an unshakeable and shared understanding that Guyana and its riches belong to all Guyanese. No ethnicity, no group, no class, no citizen is superior to any other. All must be treated equally and respected. And all must share fairly and equitably in the national patrimony.

Third, we must strive for good governance as our fundamental human right. Accountability to the people is achievable and a must. Inclusivity in national decision-making is achievable and a must. Transparency is not a government bonus but a necessity and the people’s right, and so is the rule of law. So too is the effective management of the nation’s resources.

Fourth, to do better, the social and economic rights enshrined in our constitution and in the international conventions to which Guyana is a signatory must be seen not as merely aspirational, but as rights to be actually fulfilled and enjoyed by citizens.

Our constitutional rights, for example, to be free from want, hunger, and ignorance; and our right to work, to leisure, to good health, and to a safe environment must no longer exist only in words, they must be actually guaranteed fully—and urgently.

Fifth, we must move beyond lip service and give substance to building racial harmony in Guyana. We can and must take tangible steps to eliminate racial discrimination, to guarantee equality of opportunity for all, and to establish healthy inter-ethnic understandings and interactions.

Sixth, we can and must do better as a people to entrench our shared values, strengthen our sense of “One Destiny”, and rejuvenate our national pride.
My fellow Guyanese, despite the decades of challenges, the fact that we, as a nation, have travelled this far together is an achievement in itself. Fifty-six years is not a short journey.

Our survival speaks not only to our strong spirit and will power, it also speaks to our capacity to keep travelling forward. But we have arrived at a critical crossroad in our history where we are required not only to travel forward, but also to travel upward.

Upward towards a society and an economy in which we can end poverty, lift and expand the middle class, and ensure all citizens can live decently and comfortably. Upward where being classified as one of the world’s richest countries could translate into a better quality of life for the people of Guyana. Let us together climb to a better Guyana.

These are the thoughts that we need to ponder on this the 56th anniversary of that historic day in May 1966.
Once again, Happy Independence Day!
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CARICOM Secretary-General: President Ali has propelled agriculture into an exciting new era
On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I extend congratulations to the Government and People of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana on the occasion of the country’s 56th Anniversary of Independence.

An original signatory to the Treaty of Chaguaramas, Guyana also serves as host country to the headquarters of the Caribbean Community Secretariat; this is an indication of its long-standing and firm commitment to Regional Integration.

Mr. President [President Dr. Irfaan Ali], as the Head of Government with responsibility for Agriculture and Food Security in the community’s Quasi-Cabinet, your leadership has propelled the sector into an exciting new era. The successful recent Agri-Investment Forum and Expo in Guyana is just one example of the dynamism injected into the sector.

Excellency, the Caribbean Community reiterates its support to the Government and People of Guyana, and joins in celebrating this auspicious occasion.
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Indian High Commissioner to Guyana: The Government of India will support in all possible ways
Namaste to my dear brothers and sisters of Guyana.
On behalf of the people and Government of India, the High Commission of India in Georgetown and my own behalf, I extend my felicitations and heartfelt greetings to the friendly people and the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on the joyous occasion of the 56th anniversary of independence.

India cherishes its strong partnership and historical ties with Guyana which are buttressed by our commitment towards more people-to-people ties, and convergence of views on important issues at bilateral, multilateral and international fora including the CARICOM and the UN.

The fast-paced Guyanese development and progress will have India joining as its valuable partner in various sectors, including education, agriculture, MSME, healthcare, infrastructure, oil and gas, among other things.

The Government of India will support Guyana in all possible ways to assist in its requirements and continued growth. We continue to encourage Indian companies to invest in Guyana and work actively with Guyanese companies, especially in technology support and knowledge sharing. India is very proud to offer training and capacity building in civilian, defence, security, media and other sectors for nation building.

I would like to reiterate that the Government of India led by Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi is working to ensure special partnership with countries like Guyana.

Friends, I take this opportunity to once again wish all the dear brothers and sisters of Guyana continued success, prosperity and progress in the coming years.
Long live Guyana. Long live India-Guyana friendship
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GAWU: Let us chart a future of inclusivity and prosperity for our people
The attainment of political independence represented the culmination of years of struggles of our people to extract themselves from the yoke of colonialism.

Indeed, it was widely felt that the chains of the colonial master served as a major restraint eroding fundamental freedoms and our ability to chart our own destiny. In the 56 years of independence, we believe we have come a long way and scored several impressive gains.

Those years though have not been without challenge. In the period, we faced up and overcame natural disasters, economic turmoil, divisiveness, and undemocratic rule. It is a testimony to our people and nation that we have come so far despite the adversities in our way. It also is a fitting tribute to those who led and participated in the independence struggle that gave way to independent Guyana.

It is against that background that the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) extends to all Guyanese best wishes on the occasion of Independence Day 2022.
As we observe yet another anniversary of the milestone achievement, we of the GAWU, as a patriotic organisation, take pride in our successes as we urge that our setbacks serve as abiding lessons in charting the future.

As we look towards the horizon on this Independence Day, we recognise that the country, like no other period in its history, is on the cusp of massive advancement. Today, our natural wealth which belongs to us all is yielding significant sums which are being channelled into all-round development which is intended to improve the lives of all Guyanese.

Today, as we celebrate our freedom to chart our course, we cannot ignore lingering concerns. Currently, we recognise challenges to our people’s well-being and welfare remain ever present. Rising living costs remain a foremost concern of our working-people and their families. We recognise the effort of the government to offer relief.

This is laudable and welcomed though concerns are harboured about whether such reliefs are reaching our peoples. The need for sustained direct interventions should be considered and in this vein we reiterate our call for the long-outstanding improvement in the National Minimum Wage.

The occasion of Independence also allows us the opportunity to examine our economic trajectory.
Though we have recorded substantial growth in recent times, and this is expected to be sustained in the coming years, we remain concerned about whether these developments are reaching our peoples equally.

These issues can well grow sharper in the coming times and there is a need to ensure that proper mechanisms are in place to safeguard against such real concerns. We also should not lose focus on the necessity to maximise our national wealth whether natural or human towards ensuring that our people remain foremost beneficiaries.

Indeed, our Independence Anniversary affords us the opportunity to reflect on our journey. It gives us the opportunity to chart a future where we seek to obtain our objectives of “One Guyana” and where we can build a stronger Guyana together.

On this Independence Day, our desire is to see a future of inclusivity and prosperity for our people. In this regard, as we draw closer to our objectives of building a modern, prosperous country, the GAWU, again, extends best wishes on this 56th Anniversary of Independence.