-DR Jagdeo calls out politicisation of Emancipation Day, affirms gov’t has always financially, morally supported ACDA
THE attempts to politicise Emancipation Day have been shunned by People’s Progressive Party (PPP) General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, who reiterated that the government remains steadfast in the cultural, economic and social empowerment of Afro-Guyanese.
For the past few days, the opposition and organisations aligned to it have been rampant in rolling out rhetoric claiming that the government is trying to “sabotage” the Emancipation celebration which is hosted by the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) on August 1, at the National Park.
During a press conference on Wednesday at the party’s headquarters, the PPP General Secretary passionately stated that Emancipation Day shines the spotlight on rich, African culture and it stands as a platform for the nation to reflect on the great contributions made by Afro-Guyanese and how it molded Guyana and the country’s development.
Emancipation Day is celebrated on August 1 and it is a commemoration of the liberation of Africans, a day of remembrance, and an opportunity to reflect on the courageous efforts and sacrifices of enslaved men and women in the fight for freedom.
Dr Jagdeo, in his message which called for unity, said that “we” should start celebrating our culture as one and not in isolation.
He said: “Our entire history, the good parts and the bad parts belongs to all of us…And it can only make us stronger if we understand and celebrate all of this. And so this is why sometimes we have to reach out and do much more.”
As he continued to highlight the impacts that persons from various races can make in persons’ lives, he cautioned for activities such as the Emancipation celebration not to be used to “divide.”
Dr Jagdeo, who also serves as Guyana’s Vice President, said: “Now I’ve seen some public comments from the opposition and from some other organisations about many new celebrations across our country and about the government supporting them and this is portrayed in the public domain as an attempt to divide.
“This is not an attempt to divide. We support a full expression, a decentralised expression and a broad-based expression of our culture.”
Furthermore, the Vice President stated that the government has always supported both financially and morally, ACDA’s activities at the National Park.
“We continue to support ACDA,” he said, while explaining that a number of government officials will be present at the National Park today.
In its effort to support initiatives undertaken by other Guyanese, a number of officials will also be present at other celebrations that will be held around the country today.
However, this is not an attempt to undermine ACDA, Dr Jagdeo said and he even wished that 1000s of Guyanese will support the festivities that will be held at the National Park today.
“I’d hope that for one day at least they would stop trying to be divisive on this matter,” the Vice President said, while explaining that some of these activities are manipulated into a political forum and this makes persons who are proud of their rich heritage, uncomfortable.