Burnham hailed as nat’l hero, ‘father of the nation’ at commemoration of 30th death anniversary

Aug 07, 2015 News

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By Sunita Samaroo
Outstanding 20th century leader, visionary, innovator, builder, educator and women rights advocate were just a few of the words voiced to describe the nation’s First Executive President and Founder Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham during the commemoration of his 30th death anniversary yesterday.

At a late-afternoon ceremony held by the National Congress of Women (NCW), the unique political and philosophical beliefs of the nation’s former leader were brought into focus. Burnham, some renowned figures said, was not fully appreciated for the contributions he made in his time and the vision he had for the nation was grossly misunderstood.
Among those who gathered to pay tribute to the late leader were members of the party that he founded, Ministers of Government, longstanding city Mayor, Hamilton Green, members of his family and representatives of the NCW.
In brief remarks, Minister of Social Cohesion, Amna Ally, hailed Burnham as the father of the nation. She said even as an academic and Attorney-at-Law, politics was in Burnham’s blood.
Ally reflected that the nation’s former leader propelled the nation’s growth as he was an indefatigable foe of apartheid, a visionary, an advocate for women’s rights. He was also

concerned for youth development.
“He served the nation well and eventually earned the Order of Excellence,” remarked Ally. Burnham, she reflected, was a great international leader who served his country, the Caribbean and the world at large with distinction.
Vice Chairperson of the National Congress of Women (NCW) and Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence told the gathering that the former President, who died in 1985, was born in Kitty, earned a British Guiana Scholarship and read for his Law Degree at the University of London.
The gathering was told that Burnham, who later became a Senior Counsel, was involved in the local government and once held the post of Mayor. Lawrence added that Burnham, a trade unionist, was once the President of the Guyana Labour Union.
The NCW Chairperson divulged that the former President played a vital role in shaping the economical, social and political spheres of the country. His contributions and achievements as President, she related, were many to Guyana, the Caribbean and the world.
To party members, she said Burnham was more than a founding leader and nation builder. He was a father figure and role model.
“I can go on and on about his clairvoyance, how he lived ahead of his time, his dedication and his enduring legacy, spirit of independence and self-determination. Today, had he been alive he

would have been 92 years and as we commemorate the anniversary of his death, let us remember him for what he is: one of the most outstanding leaders of the 20th century,” Lawrence said to a resounding round of applause.
The NCW Chairperson urged those who gathered to remember the Burnham legacy and honour his memory.
“This man was a complex and intriguing personality. We owe him for his commitment to nation building and the foundation that he laid for the cultural and economic liberation of this country. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham was a man who devoted his life to serve and his vision is still current today,” Lawrence posited.
Guyanese icon, Eddy Grant filled the audience’s ears with memories of Burnham. He emphasised that the former leader was “all about inclusiveness.” Defending his friend, Grant said “When all is said and done, he (Burnham) is the single greatest visionary this region has produced.”
He said that the former President foresaw what others couldn’t at the time and problems arose because the population was not prepared. The former President, the gathering heard, gave much thought to the beauty of his country and the resources it has, but was under-appreciated.
“He told us about our wood, gold, our women,” said Grant who added that the former leader went as far as to educate the Caribbean and the rest of the world. Grant expressed that the population was blinded to how special the former leader was.
“He was a special character with all the gifts of a leader…Guyana has suffered as a result of the loss of Forbes Burnham,” the Guyanese icon reflected. Burnham, in his eyes too, was an inclusive leader, “a man who thought great things of small people.”
Grant said he has planted thirty palms in his memory.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the PNC, Oscar Clarke spoke of their 1964 Manifesto, The New Road, where Burnham said Guyana was struggling to survive as a nation, torn by decision and impoverished as a result of partisanship and incompetence.
“It needs a new breath of life, it needs unity and purpose. It cries out for leadership that is national, not sectional; leadership inspired with the ideal of building a free, prosperous and democratic nation where fear is banished and a man is a man,” Clarke recited.
Burnham, he said, believed that it was only through unity of purpose and action that a nation, free, democratic and prosperous would have been built.
The founding leader’s goals, Clarke said, is also being reflected by the David Granger-led administration.
The ceremony was done at the NCW Headquarters which also houses a monument of the former leader. Wreaths were laid at the moment by various figures. Among those who partook in the wreath-laying included, the former President’s son-in-law, Dr. Richard Van West Charles, Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan, PNC Member, Sharma Solomon and Eddy Grant.

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