NEXT month, I will achieve 36 years of being a columnist. In those three and a half decades I have advocated that history must recognise those who have made sterling contributions to this country.
In those 36 years, I have asked that Eddie Grant, Rohan Kanhai, Ron Robinson, Father Andrew Morrison, Desmond Hoyte, former American Ambassador, Sarah -Ann Lynch and dozens of others have something named after them. It can be a street, a building, a scholarship, a boat, a bridge, a square, a village, a market, a mall, a hospital, some structure, but name something after these people.

When I left Guyana to study in Canada, I saw how important Western culture pays to their icons. At Mc Master University and the University of Toronto where I was educated, they had libraries named after big names that made big contributions to those two universities.
History is never ending and when imprints are left five things are born: One- the great ones will be forever remembered; Two – younger people may seek to emulate the great ones when they find out why the street was named after the person; Three – the country fulfils its obligation to history. Four-the families and relatives of the great ones are mentally comforted that their icon has been recognised by the country he/she gave so much to. Five- historical knowledge is passed on from generation to generation.

Let me give you an example of number five which I am reproducing from two columns done long ago. Saint Roses School is one of the top educational institutions. It sits right next to where Georgetown originally got its usable water supply. Right next to St. Roses School is the Indian Monument Garden. On the very spot where the garden is was where Water Works (now known as GWI) was situated long, long ago.
I asked Yesu Persaud who at the time was the chair of the board for the garden, to put a billboard to inform St. Roses’ students when they look across to the garden that this was where Georgetown originally got its water. GWI should install that billboard.

Let us explore the imprinted argument in more depth. Alberttown sits right next to Queenstown. Alberttown has six streets that run parallel to each other. Each street is named from one to six. When those six streets cross over to Queenstown, they become historical implants. So Fourth Street in Alberttown becomes Lance Gibbs Street in Queenstown.

Now there is a touch of comicality, absurdity and asininity here. The six streets in Alberttown take on a historical role when they cross over into Queenstown. So who is Lance Gibbs, someone will ask 40 years from now. The enquirer will be told that he was the finest spin bowler West Indian cricket has produced and he was Guyanese.
What is the historical importance of Fourth Street in Alberttown? It has none. It was randomly named because it was the Fourth Street in the area after it was landscaped. Surely, if Fifth Street in Alberttown is named after a man named Forshaw when it goes through Queenstown, why can’t we name Fifth Street after some brilliant achiever in some area of life?

Finally, we are getting there. President Ali has announced that many public infrastructural sites will be named after Guyanese icons. I would go so far and say, foreign icons should be included. I can think of Steve Biko who was assassinated in South Africa during the apartheid era.
I still believe former American ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch needs to have her name emblazoned on something in Guyana. I once suggested that Young Street be renamed after her. That woman was relentless in her efforts to confront election rigging here in 2020. I am a deep admirer of Mikhail Gorbachev, who was one of the saviours of the 20th century, but I guess his name will evoke controversy.

The name Janet Jagan comes to mind. Mrs. Jagan came to this country and became part of the Guyanese existence. She gave up her American citizenship. Her dedication to Guyana was phenomenal.
She was a first-rate anti-dictatorship personality and one of the finest prominent Guyanese who remained phenomenally loyal to the working class of Guyana. Something must be named after Janet Jagan. I once recommended that North Road be given the title Desmond Hoyte Street. I did not agree with his style of governance but he opened the door to perestroika.

Do you know this country has a man who gave over 50 years to cycling in Guyana at all levels? His name is Hassan Mohamed. How many among our generation know that? Guyana needs to name something after him. When we honour our icons, we are respecting the past which we must always do.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.