By Frederick Halley
MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Madanlall Ramraj, has urged Guyanese in the diaspora to return home to share their expertise in support of nation building efforts, pointing out that their contributions, through investment, knowledge, culture, and advocacy, continue to shape the nation’s development.
“You are the true ambassadors of Guyana’s excellence and your achievements bring us all great pride. Guyana is not just growing, it is transforming. And in that transformation, we have a place for you.”
Delivering remarks at the 60th Independence gala, organised by the Guyana Independence Celebrations Committee, under the auspices of the Guyana Consulate in Toronto, on Saturday night, and held at the Grand Cinnamon Banquet Hall in Scarborough, Toronto, Minister Ramraj told the appreciative audience that “the government of Guyana recognises the importance and magnitude of the support that the diaspora brings to the development of our country and our people back home. We recognise even further however that there continues to be scope and opportunities for you to play an even greater role in our burgeoning national development efforts.”
According to the minister, “as we reflect on the 60 years of Independence, we honour the journey, but we also look ahead. If we have achieved this much in sixty years, imagine what lies ahead. Imagine a Guyana that is fully modernised; a Guyana that is globally competitive; a Guyana that is innovative and inclusive; a Guyana where every citizen has the opportunity to succeed. That future is within reach, that future is being built right now.
“And it will belong to the next generation. Because no matter where they are born, your children carry something powerful within them. They have the blood of Guyana running through their veins. They have a legacy of strength. A legacy of resilience.”
Minister Ramraj urged the overseas-based Guyanese to continue to partner with the government “to invest, to innovate, and to help build a stronger, more prosperous and resilient Guyana for future generations. I am here to remind you that the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation remains at your disposal in helping you navigate this process.”
Minister Ramraj pointed out that since Independence, Guyana has demonstrated remarkable resilience and has pursued the revitalisation of its economy through the promotion of investment and trade. “More recently following the discovery offshore of massive oil reserves, and with the attendant increased interest from investors all across the globe, Guyana has established a very viable framework for attracting investment to the oil and gas sector of our emerging petroleum State.
“These opportunities are however not limited to the oil and gas industry solely, as our country has also been actively pursuing growth in our non- oil sectors including renewable energy, natural gas, agriculture (in support of food security), and tourism. Our government has in this regard focused its efforts on creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investment.
“This is not abstract progress. This is development you can see. Development you can feel. Development that is transforming lives every single day.”
Minister Ramraj reminded the audience that “the Government has been pursuing an upward national development trajectory by guaranteeing the economic and social advancement of all Guyanese. Our national motto of ‘one people, one nation, one destiny continues to be a reflective charge across the diverse cultural milieu of our six ethnic groups, all striving in unison, like a quilt of many fabrics, for the national prosperity of Guyana.
“It is this diversity that strengthens us. It is this unity that defines us. Let us use this opportunity to recommit ourselves to the ideals that have inspired our independence; the ideals of Freedom, Equality, National pride and Collective progress.
“I bring you warmest greetings from H.E. Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, the Government, and people of Guyana, as we take this time, as Guyanese both at home and in the diaspora, to recognise and commemorate this momentous occasion.”
According to the minister, the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Guyana will include a grand flag raising ceremony and will be further distinguished through a nationwide programme of activities, including inter-faith services, cultural, culinary, and community-based events, scheduled for May 2026.
Among those in attendance at Saturday night’s gala were Guyana’s High Commissioner (ag) at the High Commission in Ottawa, Cindy Sauers, Consul Mani Singh of the Guyana Consulate in Toronto, Ms Bibi Shariman Ali, mother of Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Shiv Persaud, Chairman of the Guyana Independence Festival Committee. The latter also chaired the night’s proceedings.
Also in attendance were Councillor Neethan Shan, Councillor for Scarborough–Rouge Park in the City of Toronto; Hon. Raymond Cho, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough North and Minister for Seniors and Accessibility; Hon. Vijay Thanigasalam, Member of Provincial Parliament for Scarborough–Rouge Park and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions; Grenada’s Consul General Gerry Hopkin.
