Happy 48th Anniversary of National Independence

May 26, 2014 News

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A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)

A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) greets all Guyanese at home and in the Diaspora in celebrating our 48th Anniversary of National Independence on 26th May 2014.
The majority of the Guyanese people are poor. They are aware of the damage that has been wrought on the nation under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration for nearly 22 years. They must now contemplate the celebration of our 50th anniversary of Independence two years from now in May 2016. They must be able to  look forward to a ‘good life’ under a new Government.
The majority of the elected representatives in the National Assembly continue to work assiduously to re-assert the autonomy and authority of the Legislative Branch, to enforce the accountability of the Executive Branch to the nation and to re-affirm the integrity and independence of our institutions, especially the Judiciary.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) renews its pledge to work towards making Guyana a nation in which we can build a truly, inclusionary democracy. We shall continue to create the conditions in which all our people are allowed to play a meaningful role in fostering national unity and forging a robust national economy.
The observance of our 48thAnniversary of National Independence reminds us all of the work that we have to do as a maturing nation-state. We need especially to rebuild the education system for future generations and to develop the economy in order for Guyana to progress and for its people to prosper.
We shall work towards a future that is culturally enriching, economically self-sustaining and politically inclusionary. We shall never rest from working to fulfill our promise of “A Good Life for All Guyanese.”

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Alliance For Change (AFC)

Today, Guyana celebrates the 48th beginning of the journey of self-governance. Across all ten Administrative Regions and in the Diaspora we will pay homage to the fortitude of those who bravely struggled to realize this dream. The Golden Arrowhead will be raised with pride and in remembrance of that first poignant moment when for the first time it unfurled over our new nation.This year as our symbol of Independence is hoisted; it is well for us to remember the dreams of 1966 and the vision of that young nation. Let May 26th be our solemn duty to ensure Guyana lives up to its promise. Forty-Eight years after achieving our independence we find ourselves in a struggle to preserve the very foundation of that independence – our Constitution. The fundamental human rights of many of our citizens are being eroded as reports of abuse by the police continue to increase. Our democracy is threatened and the right of citizens to be involved in the task of managing their communities has been denied. These are things  we must struggle against in our 49th. Long live Guyana! Long live the fortitude of the Guyanese people!

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PYO: WE SHALL OVERCOME

The Progressive Youth Organization of Guyana extends best wishes to all Guyanese on the occasion of the 48th anniversary of Independence.
The PYO believes that Guyana is in a far better place today than it was back in 1966 as a result of the achievements of hard-working Guyanese who endured countless struggles to develop and modernize our great land.
For the Progressive Youth Organization, Independence was not an end in itself, but an important stage along the road to national and social liberation, which the party had set as its objectives from its inception.
We are respectful of the work done by the founders of the People’s Progressive Party Civic which led to the creation of a society of striving for equality, human rights and social justice. The PYO recalls the endless hardships faced by its members and senior PPP Comrades in the fight to achieve sovereignty and independence over the last 48 years.
Even in the post-Independence period, the people of Guyana had to wage a relentless struggle for the restoration of democracy which was brutally snatched away by several rigged elections and other infringements on human rights.
We issue a call for all youth to understand the importance of safeguarding our independence and the democratic gains made since 1992. Our young people must strengthen their resolve to become catalysts in Information Communication Technology, New Media, and the fight against Climate Change while understanding the need to continue the pursuit of a new Human Global Order.
The PYO strongly believes that the new threat to Guyana’s forward movement since attaining independence is a brutish and cruel opposition which is willing to sacrifice the bright future of our youth and people at the altar of political expediency.
This Opposition which has a combined one seat majority in the National Assembly continues to hold the Executive to ransom. However, the Opposition’s unconstitutional efforts will continue to be resisted and in the end will prove to be futile.
The PYO wishes to advise that just as the struggle for independence was won through patience and unity, the youth of Guyana will continue to advocate support for critical projects and initiatives that will define the future of this great land.
The PYO is refreshed by the positive sentiments in our society and the zeal of our young people and their willingness to be part of the decision making of this great land.

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Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU)

As Guyana nears half a century as an independent state, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) is pleased to join with our people and Government to celebrate this exciting anniversary in our history.
We need to recall at this time that there was near absolute consensus amongst our then leaders that we needed to shed the Constitutional and Governmental chains which were still wrapped around us as a post-colonial objective. We welcomed then the new status as citizens as against former colonial subjects. The onus, therefore, was upon us to chart our own course. Political independence was a great and significant beginning but we had move on to economic independence and social justice. Those objectives had to be earned and sustained.
Whatever our current politics, as a people GAWU feels certain that the attainment of Independence brought us pride. It solidifies us as a nation even as it placed heavy responsibilities on us as a people. Since independence we have moved forward. There are successes in several fields nationally and we have become more assertive in international fora. Democracy, despite the prolonged and unfortunate lapse, is now a sustained value of our reality. Parliamentary impasses, at times puerile, notwithstanding, we are clearly maturing as a nation and overcoming the negative legacy of colonialism.
The GAWU is also aware that several key objectives are yet to be attained. It is time to focus on these. One of these is our economic sovereignty which we see as crucial to safeguard our political independence especially in the context and circumstances that we see unfolding in the world.
The prospects for our country to strive and develop remain encouraging. We need to tackle the many and various tasks before us in a collective and united spirit. Our people, especially our working people still do not enjoy the prosperity and benefits that our country is quite capable of offering. This needs to be addressed in a consistent way. Our independence anniversary can serve as a springboard to take on these challenges afresh.
As we celebrate this historic anniversary, GAWU urges that we recognize our achievements. It should also be an occasion for our greater efforts to give depth and greater meaning to our cherished independence.

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Guyana Trades Union Congress

Guyanese mark another milestone in our political independence.  This should be a major landmark in removing the shackles of domination in our pursuit for self-determination. A nation initially formed through the subjugation of some of its peoples, we must take seriously our quest to forge a nation’s might soul, construct a nation’s frame, where freedom remains our everlasting goal, courage and truth our aim.
GTUC urges the people of this nation to remain unyielding in our quest for peace, like ancient heroes brave, to strive and strive and never cease, with strength beyond the slave. To remember that peace forms the foundation for equality, justice and fair play.
In 2014 and onwards, independence must not only be marked by merrymaking, flowery speeches or regrets, but more importantly a recommitment to renew the conviction of our ability to hold high the torch bequeathed us.
Ours is a nation to build, pregnant with hope and possibilities. Nation building can only be realised when every Guyanese is allowed unfettered access to explore, embrace and unearth this nation’s bounty.
Efforts at re-colonisation, whatever form it takes, be it foreign interest allowed to disrespect the laws of the land or given preferential access to the nation’s resources, the people’s indomitable spirit must rise. Any move to deny the deepening and strengthening of the process of self-determination, be it the right to elect our local representatives, or any threat to fundamental rights and freedoms, must be met with the appropriate response.
On our 48th anniversary the GTUC urges all Guyanese to remember freedom isn’t free. Freedom can only be retained with eternal vigilance, which is its price. For this nation’s political independence to have true meaning, we, the people, must be prepared to pay the price.
A sustained independence to all!
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The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG)

The Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) represents the bulk of the nation’s workers still fortunate to be registered with trade unions.
FITUG congratulates Guyana on attaining the forty-eighth (48th) year of political independence  wherein, post May 1966, saw a people, who has just experienced divisive national trauma, determined to unite for a citizenship of statehood characterized by co-existence. Our practical unity also witnessed democratic norms, though too many elections, suffered from electoral mal-practices. Nevertheless, democracy triumphed as Guyanese avoided the conflicts of separation which troubled other parts of the globe.
One political party saw us through twenty-six (26) years of Independence, the other administered for twenty-two (22) years. Whilst political commentators, scientists and scholars analyse their stewardship, the workers assess their status, their quality of life after forty-eight (48) years.
FITUG must indict our leaders, those elected to represent our interests whilst managing our natural resources and economic life. Those citizens still living within the Republic’s borders share a sense of unfinished business. We should and could have been better off in a national sense. The distribution of our wealth has not been near equal.
The rich who gained by hard creative, risky work must not be envied or despised. But systems and policies must be devised, by government, parliament, local governance, to enable the trickling down of the wealth for those who create from the bottom.
From legislative compromise to political will, FITUG sees our salvation in the hands of leaders who must endeavour to abandon selfish agendas.
Give us something practical to celebrate!

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