As Guyana celebrates its forty-ninth (49th) anniversary as a Republic our citizens have another opportunity to assess what and where that Constitutional status has brought us.
We became a Republic in February, 1970 but remained within the Commonwealth of Nations – that grouping of former British colonies. This was a major step, following Independence in 1966, and one which was intended to be in the furtherance of our independent status and forging of our nationhood. With this step a President, now elected, became our Head of State and this, with other Constitutional reforms, solidified our independent status.
The Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) salutes our nation on this important anniversary of Republicanism but takes a sober look at where the Republic stands nearly half a century on. No doubt we made strides in various socio-economic aspects during this time but, we contend, that the economic transformation whereby the masses of Guyanese could experience fully the results of development is still to be achieved. To this day, the economic struggle for a reasonable standard of living continues. Too many of our skilled, qualified citizens have opted for migration in pursuit of a better life. As we have noted before the “Good Life” here is still out of grasp of the working-people.
Also, GAWU recognizes that disunity is still among our several vexing realities and, we believe, impacts our society and contribute to a slowing down of our country’s progress. We urge our leaders, at this time, to recognize this deficit in our society and to consider in a matured, responsible way the need to forge unity which is generally recognized as desirable.
Even as we celebrate our Republican status, we feel constrained to point out that thousands have joined the breadline with no structured programmes to mitigate the massive redundancy that have so callously descended upon them. This is a blemish on our national leadership and is an act that surely will not ease social tensions nor aid, in any way, our economic growth.
At this time too, we cannot ignore the dark shadows being cast on our democracy as we see what appears to be naked disrespect of the Constitution incidentally by those who have sworn to uphold it. The likelihood of a Constitutional crisis is becoming clearer by the day and the journey into the unknown is not something that is in the interest of our people and our country. We urge that good sense prevail and those in the breach get their act together.
None-the-less, GAWU calls on Guyanese not to abandon hope and unite and struggle for genuine progressive change. As the Anniversary’s Mashramani events take centre-stage, let us celebrate but, bear in mind our responsibilities as citizens of our Republic to bring about enduring prosperity and all-round progress benefitting every Guyanese.
A happy, peaceful Republic Anniversary and Mashramani 2019 to all!
