–as President Ali commits gov’t support during engagement with cultural organisations
PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali met with several African cultural organisations on Friday morning, during which he outlined a comprehensive approach to promoting and commercialising African culture in Guyana.
The discussions focused on elevating African heritage from solely symbolic expressions to more structured, economically viable initiatives.
As part of his broader vision, President Ali revealed plans to establish systems that support the sustainable advancement of African culture at a commercial level.
This would include the potential formation of consortiums among arts and cultural groups to foster collaboration, innovation, and economic growth within the sector.
“Whether it’s music, whether it’s clothing, whether it’s jewellery…. we have to work on together,” the President said, adding: “How do we build consortium among all of the groups that will create investment, economic, cultural, arts, national, and historical perspective.”

He committed to having further discussions with the groups in October to further examine potential avenues for growth.
In addition to this, the President proposed transforming the annual Emancipation Day observance currently celebrated on a single day into a full week of national activities.
The expanded celebration is expected to provide greater visibility and opportunities for engagement in African cultural traditions, while also offering avenues for economic participation through festivals, exhibitions, and other cultural showcases.
He said: “I want us to have a deep conversation and to develop [a] roadmap as to what are the main events, what are the main opportunities, and while we celebrate Emancipation at the national level, how do we attract global attention. How do we use this day, not only today, but as a week of opportunity.”
He opined that this would more greatly reflect the ancestors and their sacrifices that have led to Guyana’s evolution.
In addition, the President committed to working directly with stakeholders to create the necessary infrastructure that will underpin and sustain these prospects.