Independence Day Messages

May 26, 2015 News

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On the 26th of May 1966, Guyana became an independent country. Today marks the 49th observance of our Independence.

Below are some messages that were issued to commemorate this Independence Anniversary.

People’s Progressive Party (PPP)
The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) salutes the people of Guyana on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the attainment of independence from Great Britain.
The PPP is proud of the role it has played in the struggle for a free and independent Guyana. Indeed, it was the PPP that led the struggle for a free and independent Guyana under the charismatic and dynamic leadership of Dr. Cheddi Jagan.
Regrettably, the celebrations are taking place in an environment in which the democratic rights of the Guyanese people to elect a government of their choice are once again trampled upon by the defacto Granger-led APNU+AFC regime which has been foisted on this nation by way of electoral fraud.
The PPP is also concerned over the attempts that are being made to divert the true meaning and significance of independence by meaningless fanfare and extravaganza in order to lend legitimacy to the fraud which took place on May 11. This day will be remembered with shame down the corridors of time.
The PPP takes this opportunity to reiterate its unwavering determination to protect our hard won democracy and the democratic and constitutional gains scored by the Party over the decades.
The right to vote which we all take for granted today was fought for and won by the PPP in the early 1950’s. Its remains a lasting scar on our national psyche that this right was stolen by the PNC for 28 years (from 1968 to 1992) and has once again reared its head in the recent elections which coincides with our independence day celebrations.
To add salt to the injury, David Granger is now using Independence Day to inaugurate himself as President with great pomp and fanfare at taxpayers’ expenses.
Be that as it may, the PPP extends best wishes to the Guyanese people on this important milestone. The PPP takes this opportunity to call on all Guyanese to intensify the struggle to protect our democracy which is under threat.

The United Force (TUF)
As our Nation continues to recover and heal from the most divisive Election, our party would like to see its citizens co-operate with each other and live together in a manner that reinforces our motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” TUF has noted with disgust that supporters of other parties have used racial slurs and ridicule against each other. This element of division within its people does not reflect positively on our beautiful Guyana. This is an issue that TUF wishes to work with all political parties, religious organisations, members of Civil Society, Youth Groups, NGO’s and other stake holders to overcome. It is our wish to see our people co-operate to build Guyana as we strive to take our Country forward. TUF therefore, wishes to take this opportunity of our Independence Anniversary to encourage our citizens to appreciate, co-operate and accept each other regardless of race, religion, region or gender. It was the vision of our Founder Father, Mr. Peter D’Aiguar to develop Guyana into a People’s Enterprise Economy. TUF has been advocating for the better quality of life for our citizens since the Party’s formation in the 1960’s and also contributed towards the fight for our Country’s Independence. Therefore, as we, the younger leaders of The United Force move forward, we will endeavor to realize the dreams of our party’s founder fathers. We call on all Guyanese to reflect on the struggles of our fore fathers and to work together to build this great Nation. Happy Independence Day Guyana!

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 all Guyanese to celebrate this exciting and landmark 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 other chains with which we were then wrapped. Independence brought us and we joyfully welcomed our new status as citizens of Guyana, no longer colonial subjects tied to a “mother” country. It also brought heavy responsibilities for a free and prosperous future. The onus was now ours to chart our own course and it was recognized, it needed to be strengthened by economic independence and social justice. Those objectives had to be attained and sustained.
GAWU feels certain that the attainment of Independence, which we fought for, made us proud as a people. Since independence we have moved forward. There are successes in several fields nationally and at the international level, our country has earned recognition and respect. Our democratic culture which resurfaced over twenty (20) years ago, still, today faces new challenges and threats. Notwithstanding, the trials and setbacks the nation experienced and, will face, there are also very many significant achievements as we overcome the negative legacy of colonialism.
The GAWU is aware that several key objectives are yet to be reached. 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 today’s world.
The prospects for our country to grow and develop remain encouraging and we need to tackle the various tasks before us in a collective and united spirit. In this respect, our people, especially our working people needs to be encouraged and become involved in the decision-making levels of our society.
As we celebrate this historic anniversary, GAWU urges that we all recognize that we have a responsibility to let our democratic culture prevail. It is one of the strong strands that binds our nation and makes it united and free.
Happy Independence Anniversary to all Guyanese!

GTUC congratulates nation on independence and new leadership
As Guyana celebrates its 49th anniversary of independence from colonial rule, the spirit of freedom and cooperation that hallmarked our original struggles, feelings of joy and liberation have once again been properly reignited. Independence for Guyana also speaks to several significant developments in our nation’s history apart from the symbolic date when it was granted. It speaks to a period of united struggles against a colonial master. It also speaks to a fractured period of our political history, when those who were united became divided by different ideological perspective for nation building that led to a separation and colonial preference of one over another.
The struggle for independence, while arduous, does not come anywhere close in comparison to the task that followed after independence was granted. This then became the prime responsibility of the Forbes Burnham led PNC government. For they were the ones entrusted by the colonial masters with the stewardship of the newly independent British colony. Theirs was the task to mould a nation, to lay the building blocks, the foundation upon which our nation would grow and develop socially, economically, culturally and politically.
And it is with this recognition that our motto One People, One Nation, One Destiny becomes relevant. A young nation with six peoples of diverse heritage, values and culture influenced by experiences of slavery, indenture-ship, the entrepreneurs of human cargo  had to find common ground upon which they could unite, peacefully, co-exist and work in harmony to build a nation, where all can enjoy fundamental liberties of freedom, justice and democracy.
While independence is a landmark, the gains of independence are best preserved in the advancement of our political maturation and democratic growth. The independence gained on 26th May 1966 is best protected by advancement of socio-economic and political structures and cultures in our environment to safeguard and further develop our freedoms. Independence requires good governance- accountability, inclusion, cohesion, people being able to work together to advance national interest, preserve and create laws that would protect the people of this nation.
In retrospect the elections could not have occurred at a better time. The initial response of the people to this newly elected government says it all. Freedom, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last. GTUC congratulates the nation on independence and the new government that was elected on May 11th.  The GTUC looks forward to ushering a period of deepening our democracy and nation building and in this regard, is prepared to offer strategic support and continue its impartial and critical review of the management of the nation’s affairs. May the spirit and freedom of this period transcend our growth and development as One People, One Nation, One Destiny.

Al-Mustafa Islamic Trust (AMIT)
Although it has been more than a week since His Excellency President David A. Granger has sat on the presidency’s seat, heartiest congratulations from Al-Mustafa Islamic Trust (AMIT) still pours in. AMIT, a Shia Muslim Trust based in Guyana that serves to promote a peaceful, harmonious yet religious society, acknowledges that President Granger is a principled yet honourable President for the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and that they expect humble goodness resulting in the indiscriminate benefit of all the communities nationwide. Gracious happy wishes also blush from AMIT to the country’s population as they celebrate their 49th Independence Anniversary. They sincerely acknowledge that it was indeed a great relief to take breaths of our own hard work resulting in our own benefit and to escort ourselves from the ‘British Oppression’ to the whole nation. They hoped and prayed that Almighty Allah would grant His Excellency and all the hardworking individuals in his Government to achieve great success and a leading role in the world.

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