How to proceed with national awards

Jan 17, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
Shortly after Guyana became a republic in February 1970, Forbes Burnham, the Head of Government removed British awards such as knighthood (Sir), OBE, CBE, MBE, etc and replaced them with local awards such as OE (Order of Excellence), OR (Order of Roraima),CCH (Cacique Crown of Honour) etc and he had been constantly announcing awards until his demise in 1985 and his successors continued it until 2002. There was a lull for nine years by the PPPC/administration,and thereafter a few awards were made in 2011.
Last year when Brigadier David Granger took over as Head of Government and State in his capacity as Chancellor of Honours awarded Honours to more than fifty nationals and announced that he will continue the Burnham trend to announce awards on an annual basis. I seem to recall that in the 1970s and 1980s the names of the proposed awardees were announced on February 23 – the anniversary of our republic and the presentations of the awards were done on May 26 – the independence anniversary.
If President Granger is to pattern himself on the first President, he and his advisors should start thinking of the names of possible nominees. Moreover they should hand out awards to persons who deserve them and not name persons because of their political affiliation.
There were a few critics in the 1970s that Guyana should have retained the English tradition dating back to the ancient Rome several centuries ago, and Barbados and Antigua and Barbuda, former British colonies award “Sirs” and “Dames” in their local awards thus in my view mislead some people that those awards originated from London. Cricketers like Clyde Walcott, Conrad Hunte, Wes Hall, and others were awarded the local knighthood as well as academics, Hilary Beckles, Keith Hunte, lawyer Richard Cheltenham et al were so honoured. I must mention that cricketers, Sir Frank Worrell, and Garfield Sobers were knighted by Her Majesty the Queen.
Over in Antigua and Barbuda, cricketers Andy Roberts, Richie Richardson, Curtley Ambrosewere “knighted” by the Antigua government and several years ago similar award was bestowedon former acting Chief Justice, Bryan Alleyne of Dominica, as well as brilliant Guyanese born lawyer Sir Fenton Ramsahoye. Ron Sanders was also awarded a local knighthood, but he also received the high honour from Her Majesty the Queen of England and Head of the Commonwealth.
Back in Guyana, President Granger should take time and consider carefully who he should nominate and do not allow political affiliations to cloud his judgment. I had advocated for Wordsworth Mc Andrew for more than a decade to be given recognition, but unfortunately it came after his demise. I also called for Hugh Cholomondeley, the man who placed Guyana on the broadcasting map for introducing “inserts” in new items, but he too has passed without being honoured. There are a few outstanding lawyers who should be awarded silk and be admitted to the inner
bar and I hope this will soon be addressed.
Oscar Ramjeet

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