PRESIDENT, Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali has described the late Ashton Chase, O.E, SC, as a national treasure and a pillar of democracy. Similar sentiments were expressed by Vice-President and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP,) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo during a night of reflection organized by the PPP at Freedom House.

In his remarks, Dr. Jagdeo described the late Ashton Chase as someone who played a central role in the fight for independence and again in the fight for democracy, and thereafter, to maintain that democracy.
And in paying tribute, President Ali described Chase as a legend, someone who never sought the limelight despite the enormous contributions he made which impacted on the lives of a countless number of Guyanese. According to the Guyanese President, “We are celebrating a man who had all the attributes of integrity, a man who constituted the social, political and economic development of our country…who has shaped the lives of many Guyanese, and has shaped it in a form in which today, we enjoy a free and democratic society.”

In the words of President Ali, “Ashton Chase leaves us with a history of service, selflessness and upliftment of Guyana and the Guyanese people. He is a national treasure.”
This is indeed a fitting tribute for someone who served at the leadership level of the PPP and was a founder member of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), the forerunner of the PPP. Following the victory of the PPP in the 1953 election, the first to be held under universal adult suffrage, Chase was appointed Minister of Labour during which he successfully piloted the Labour Relations Bill.

It was the passage of that legislation that ultimately led to the suspension of the Constitution and the removal of the PPP from the seat of government after a mere six months in office.
Much of what transpired during that period was documented in a publication by Chase ‘ 133 Days Towards Freedom in Guyana.’ He also authored ‘A History of Trade Unionism of Guyana,’ which remained until today one of the most authoritative books on trade unionism in Guyana.

Glowing tributes were made by Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, who described Chase as a Guyanese icon.
“This revolutionary personality, this man from the bowels of the people of Guyana, a socialist, a man who was dedicated to the poor and the working people, his partnership with Cheddi Jagan and the people in the People’s Progressive Party. Ashton Chase accomplished so much to uplift the working people and the peasantry. He has been an example to me.”

And in no less glowing terms, tributes were paid by other luminaries including Phillip Pierre, Prime Minister of St. Lucia; Carvil Duncan, General Secretary of the Guyana Labour Union; Ralph Ramkarran representing the Bar Association of Guyana; Manzoor Nadir, Speaker of the National Assembly and Nanda Gopaul, a long-time friend and fellow trade unionist. The eulogy was read by Dr. Ronald Chase, son of the late Ashton Chase.

The late Ashton Chase has left a rich legacy of service in the interest of the Guyanese people, especially the ordinary people. In this regard, he will be missed by the Guyanese people. Indeed, the whole of Guyana is poorer for his passing.
May his soul rest in peace!