– at Eccles annual Emancipation Day celebration
Presidential candidate of the People’s Progressive Party, and Presidential Advisor, Donald Ramotar, Monday evening joined hundreds of residents of East Bank Demerara in Eccles for Emancipation Day celebrations. Ramotar, while addressing residents, lauded the Eccles community group for keeping up its annual emancipation day tradition.
In expressing his delight to be a part of the ceremony, he urged residents to continue promoting their various cultures and rich heritage.
He also said that Africans, like every other ethnic group in Guyana, have contributed to nation building.
“Emancipation Day is taking place when we are also celebrating the Year of People of African Descent,” Ramotar said.
August 1 is one of the most important holidays on the calendar in Guyana, because “it was the first major breakthrough that we had towards genuine freedom and Independence in this country,” he said.  
“When you look around at the Western hemisphere. you will see the magnificent structures that they have; many of these buildings that they have are there because of the labour and hard work of the people of African descent  who were taken away from Africa and forced to work,” Ramotar said.
The abolition of slavery, he said, was achieved because of the struggles of slaves themselves.
Ramotar also said that the emancipation of slavery has provided an opportunity for African ancestors to build the foundation for past, present and future generations.
Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee, who was also present at the celebration, used the opportunity to give recognition to persons from the community who had contributed to nation building.
“The struggle of Emancipation has left a mark on our nation, so much so that around the country we have many monuments that are being established in various communities where these took the form of fist battles,” Minister Rohee said.  
In recognition of the contributions to the social and harmonious development and struggles for improvement of the lives of Guyanese, the Eccles community group presented special awards to Clinton Collymore, Member of Parliament; Shirley Edwards, Member of Parliament; Philomena Sahoye-Shury, Member of Parliament; and Roy Geddes, musician.
Hampers were also presented to elders of the Eccles, Bagotstown, Agricola and Mocha communities.      
The gathering was also thrilled by entertainment provided by youths and adults from the Eccles, Bagotstown, Agricola and Mocha communities, including cultural performances depicting the various aspects of African culture, fashion, food, music and language. (GINA)