SEVERAL cultural organisations representing Afro-Guyanese communities across the country, on Friday, received funding to support Emancipation festivities.

The cheques were handed over by Minister Kwame McCoy, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, during a simple ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
During brief remarks, Minister McCoy emphasised the importance of celebrating African contributions and unity among Afro-Guyanese people.
The government, he noted, has always committed to inclusive growth, supporting Afro- Guyanese small businesses with targeted cash grants while ensuring that a greater number of Afro Guyanese groups have access to essential financial support.
These commitments, he further explained, are in keeping with the $100 million allocation, designated funds for Afro-Guyanese causes as part of the United Nations Decade of People of African Descent.
“These initiatives transcend mere financial support; they are about empowering Afro-Guyanese communities, to thrive and to excel in diverse fields such as education, agriculture, healthcare, sports, music, and the arts. Our government is committed to the holistic development of all Guyanese as evidenced by our policies designated to foster an environment where every individual, regardless of their background, can prosper and contribute meaningfully to the development of our country,” the Minister said.
The Minister highlighted that while there have been divisive attempts to undermine this unity through race-baiting and exclusionary policies, the government will continue to work collectively to build a future where all people can realise their full potential.
“We have been in the forefront of the global calls and we’ll continue to call for reparative justice and frameworks to be enacted by the colonial legacy countries to help overcome generations of exclusion and discrimination, recognising the region’s history and the legacies of enslavement.”

“Our government has been consistent in working with the legislature, civil society, and representative community groups, national organisations, state parties, and international bodies to apply efforts to address racism, intolerance, bigotry, and hatred, wherever they exist, and in whatever form to advance the cause of global freedom and justice for all our people,” he added.
Minister McCoy highlighted the government’s support for Afro-Guyanese communities through inclusive policies and targeted initiatives, while calling for continued unity and collective action to ensure full-potential realisation.
Meanwhile, in an invited comment to this newspaper Arch Bishop, Mark Hunt of a local Baptist church in Bagotstown expressed gratitude for the timely funding.
According to him: “It’s really a motivation, especially for the African churches.”

The Arch Bishop explained that he has a grand church celebration planned for this year’s Emancipation and the monetary funding will support the church’s efforts in keeping the traditional and religious values of the community alive.
Another recipient, Lawrence Havron of the number 53 village Emancipation group noted that the funding will support his communities’ festivities.
According to Havron, the group had benefitted from a similar grant programme previously. He is hoping that even more support will be given this year.
“I appreciate what the government has done with this emancipation. Our group will put our best foot forward to get the activity at a level to satisfy our people. If the funding is to the way that we expect it we will do our planning good,” Havron said.
Rondz McLennan, another recipient, disclosed that she intends to use the funds to support festivities that will target youths.

“Our aim is to every year enlighten the younger generation as to the history of their ancestors and we feel this grant is going to be able to assist us in doing that.”
McLennan, noted that her group has a two-day packed scheduled for the upcoming Emancipation Holiday.
“We have a two-day activity on the 31st of July. We are having a libation and a cook out and the 1st of August we are having a sports day and the evening we are having a cultural exhibition.”