IN KEEPING with the theme for Mashramani, “Mixing and Mashing as One Guyana,” the Guyana Police Force has invited members of the general public to join their troupe for the road parade on February 23, 2023.

The Force is working assiduously with the participants of the public to ensure that their performance is flawless on Mash Day. While at the Police Sports Club Ground on Saturday, the Commissioner of Police (ag), Clifton Hicken, took it upon himself to instruct and direct the large troupe as they were practising and making the final touches and adjustments for the big day.

The Top Cop told the Sunday Chronicle that they have decided, as part of their partnership approach, to integrate members of the public into their troupe. According to him, it is important for the members of the force and the public to interact and build relations with each other.

“The police and the public will be interacting throughout the mash celebration and through a float, I believe that it will create cohesion between the police and the public,” said Hicken.

He also noted he was happy that the initiative will also help everyone, especially the youths, build a relationship with the officers. He noted that such will also allow them to showcase their individual and unique talents on a recognisable platform.

Roxanne (the only name given), a member of the public who is a part of the GPF troupe, said, “I am happy to be a part of the police mash band. I like that they put the regular people with the police officers. This is how we must live every day; we feel really good about it, and the welcome that they give us is really nice. We feel safe and comfortable and that is what is important.”

The energetic citizen said that she will be happy for all Guyanese to be a part of the road parade. “This is a different time in Guyana, this is a new and better Guyana, so come on out and bring the kids too,” said Roxanne.

The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports launched its official calendar for Mashramani 2023 in celebration of Guyana’s 53rd anniversary.

The much-anticipated event will be the country’s first since the COVID-19 pandemic.