Latest update November 4th, 2024 1:00 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

What’s New? Masquerading African Guyanese!

Jul 28, 2024 Letters

Dear Editor,

For years now, across the different political regimes (PNC and PPP), it has been the policy and practice to provide grants to the African Guyanese communities for the purpose of hosting activities or undertaking community projects in commemoration of the 1833 proclamation of the emancipation of the enslaved people of African descent and the abolition of enslavement, in the colony, in 1834.

The People’s Progressive Party’s government has added a new dimension and criterion to this tradition, in the form of a ceremony, a public optic moment, a mandatory attendance when those grants are being handed-out. The grants were previously, routinely, disbursed through the African Museum, which maintains the register of the communities/organizations which are entitled to the grants.

This new feature is but a charade and public masquerading of the recipients of those grants, in the Government’s ongoing propaganda campaign, to present itself as a caring government for all Guyanese, even as it refuses to recognize and consult with the elected representatives of the people of African descent at the national, local and civil society levels.

Worse yet, as the global community observes the United Nation’s (UN) declared decade for the people of African descent, the Government of Guyana, a signatory to the UN’s resolution, which declared the decade, has sought to destroy the International Decade for the People of African Descent Assembly-Guyana (IDPADA-G), an African Guyanese umbrella organization established by the African Guyanese community for the observance, and achievement, of the goals of the decade, by defunding and denigrating IDPADA-G, while establishing and funding alternate organizations. In doing so, the Government has also articulated its  disagreement with, and inapplicability, to Guyana, of, the resolve clauses of UN Declaration which  acknowledges “the efforts  and initiatives undertaken by States to prohibit discrimination and segregation and to engender the full enjoyment of economic, social and cultural as well as civil and political rights”, but emphasizes “that despite efforts in this regard, millions of human beings continue to be victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance, including their contemporary manifestations, some of which take violent forms.”

The Government has also reneged on the adherence to the objectives of the Decade, namely: “(a) To strengthen national, regional and international action and cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civic and political rights by people of African descent and their full participation in all aspects of society; (b) To promote a greater knowledge of and respect for the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies;” and “(c) To adopt and strengthen national, regional, and international legal frameworks in accordance with the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms  of Racial Discrimination, and to ensure their full and effective implementation.”

Herein lies the challenges that have to be overcome. The masquerading of the people of African descent, in the name of caring for them, is despicable. Redressing the historical wrongs that still affect the people of African descent can only be realized if those wrongs are acknowledged and the required institutional and legal changes effected along with the required equitable policies, programmes and projects.

Yours sincerely,

Vincent Alexander

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | September. 30th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

October 1st turn off your lights to bring about a change!

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Williams and Wharton register hat-tricks as Round 2 of Republic Bank U18 League heats up

Williams and Wharton register hat-tricks as Round 2 of Republic Bank...

Nov 04, 2024

– Chase, Waramuri also with victories Kaieteur Sports – The Republic Bank Schools Under-18 Football League kicked off its second round with a thrilling display of skill and grit yesterday...
Read More
Richards’ unbeaten half-century helps Pride steal 1-wicket win over GHE

Richards’ unbeaten half-century helps Pride...

Nov 04, 2024

Sammy lauds Hope’s heroics but urges stronger bowling effort ahead of ODI decider

Sammy lauds Hope’s heroics but urges stronger...

Nov 04, 2024

Deonandan spearheads RHT Farfan and Mendes Ltd into semis

Deonandan spearheads RHT Farfan and Mendes Ltd...

Nov 04, 2024

RHTYSC hails its eight GCB and CWI-contracted players

RHTYSC hails its eight GCB and CWI-contracted...

Nov 04, 2024

Hamilton Green KO Football C/ship now shifted to November 8 start

Hamilton Green KO Football C/ship now shifted to...

Nov 04, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]