ONLY recently, several activities were held to commemorate the contributions of our African foreparents to the economic and cultural development of Guyana. An activity, hosted by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, was held at State House which saw the attendance of scores of individuals from all walks of life, especially representatives from the Afro-Guyanese segment of the population.

There is no question that we are as a society richer for our cultural diversity. In his book ‘Culture Matters’, Sameul P Huttington made the point that it is cultural values that shaped human progress and it is culture that determines the success of a society.

According to sociologists, there is no such thing as a ‘backward’ culture. All cultures are relevant to the growth and development of the society in which they exist in terms of political, economic, technological and cultural development. Such is the extent to which culture is regarded, that social scientists are turning to cultural factors to explain concepts such as modernisation, political democratisation and inter-ethnic behaviour, among others.

It is in the above context that President Ali, during a visit to the Buxton community, emphasised the importance of history and culture in shaping an understanding that we are all part of one family, the family of humanity.

“I know how important it is for you and those young people.  I know how important history is. I know how important culture is. I know how important history is and history and culture should shape us to an understanding that we are part of a singular whole and that is the whole of humanity. Every culture, every system, every history points us to that singular whole that we are part of one family, the family of humanity.”

It is significant that the President made those remarks during a commemoration ceremony in Buxton in observance of the fourth anniversary of the Buxton-Friendship Museum, Archives and Cultural Centre. Buxton has a rich cultural heritage and is among the first villages to be established following the emancipation of slavery. It is also home to several prominent Guyanese.

Regrettably, there are a few who, mainly out of political opportunism, has been attempting to project Buxton as a ‘neglected’ community but good sense among the villagers has prevailed and these attempts have failed. And while there are some opposition elements who still seek to play on the ethnic sentiments of Buxtonians out of narrow partisan interests, the vast majority of the villagers peacefully go about their business in harmony and with a genuine sense of cordiality with other members of the community, regardless of political affiliation or ethnicity.

The fact is that Buxton, like all communities in Guyana, have benefitted from the PPP/Cs developmental programmes and policies. Much of that progress is attributable to the interventions by the PPP/C administration in terms of infrastructural works such as the upgrading of streets and the placement of street lights, rehabilitation of cultural facilities and agricultural development. More remains to be done, but President Ali has given assurance that he is going to ‘lead a battle that includes Buxton for the upliftment of every single person, and let me be clear, every single one of you, every single Guyanese is welcome onboard’.

These are indeed re-assuring words from a President who truly cares for the well-being of every single Guyanese regardless of political affiliation or ethnicity. His ‘One-Guyana’ vision has provided a framework for a prosperous and cohesive society, one in which no one will be left behind.

President Ali must be commended for the proactive role he is playing in bringing the people of Guyana together. His call for national unity has resonated well with Guyanese all across the political and ethnic spectrum.