185th Emancipation Anniversary: Govt remains committed to continued Afro-Guyanese development – Pres Ali

…urges citizens to continue rejecting attempts to divide

Assuring that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government remains committed to reparations and continued development of Afro-Guyanese, President Dr Irfaan Ali in his Emancipation Day message lauded the contributions of African-Guyanese and urged persons to reject all who seek to stoke divisions.
In his Emancipation Day message, President Ali referenced recent meetings such as the European Union – Community of Latin American and Caribbean (EU-CELAC), where progress has been made in getting recognition for the fight for reparations.
“My Government remains committed to the struggle for reparation for the crime of African enslavement. We demand that those who were complicit in and profited from the trade in captive Africans and African enslavement pay just reparations.”
“It is heartening to note that the recent EU-CELAC summit took a significant step forward by acknowledging slavery as a crime against humanity. Such acknowledgement is crucial to further pressing our demands for reparations,” the President said.
President Ali also referenced the Caribbean Community (Caricom), which he noted has been at the forefront of demanding reparations for the descendants of enslaved Africans. According to the President, there has been a concerted effort within the Region to seek both an acknowledgement of and redress for slavery… the effects of which he noted did not end with emancipation in 1838.
“Emancipation in 1838 did not end oppression. Freed Africans continued to face tremendous challenges which they confronted with admirable resolve and resourcefulness. As such, Emancipation Day also heralds the significant contributions of African Guyanese, which include the development of the peasantry, the emergence of the village movement and the pioneering role of Africans in Local Government and education. African achievements have touched all spheres of life.”
“The greatest tribute we can pay to the struggles and sacrifices of African Guyanese is to build a free, prosperous and more inclusive nation. In this regard, I want to assure all African Guyanese that my Government is wholeheartedly committed to ensuring that they will never be politically or economically marginalised,” the President further said.

Slice of the pie
According to President Ali, African Guyanese will share in the benefits that will flow from Guyana’s transformative development, both now and in the future. He further assured that they will have a stake in national development and governance. However, he also warned of forces both within and outside of Guyana, seeking to stoke divisions.
“I am mindful that there are forces inside and outside our country who, for selfish reasons, continue to stoke division and engender fear, mistrust and suspicion. As I have done in the past, I want to encourage Guyanese to continue to reject these attempts and expose the agitators of disunity and fearmongering who threaten our nation’s cohesion and progress.”
“Emancipation Day was a milestone in our country’s history. As we celebrate the anniversary of this historic day, let us recommit to working to create a brighter future where resilience and achievements resonate in every corner of Guyana, inspiring generations, present and future, to unite in building a nation that embodies the spirit of freedom, prosperity and inclusivity,” the President added.

Prime Minister
Prime Minister, Retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, meanwhile extended Emancipation greetings in his message. He noted the importance of the day and its status as a pivotal moment in history to signify the end of an era of oppression, inequality and injustice.
“It represents the resilience of the human spirit as our forebears emerged victorious, breaking free from the ominous spirit of captivity and paving the way towards enforcing the need for equal rights and respect t as freed people.”
“So, every year on this day, we pay homage to the struggles and sacrifices of those who fought for the liberation of Africans while internalising the profound lessons of resilience, courage and unity,” the Prime Minister said.
Making reference to the village movement, Phillips noted the important role that emancipation played and continues to play in Guyana, from the introduction of the ‘village movement’ to the important values handed down of saving, cooperation and independence.
“Our Guyana reflects the values of those lessons when we consider the essential contributions of Afro-Guyanese to our country. Therefore, your Government remains committed to promoting these and other important lessons and values of our people from both the past and present.”
“I wish to encourage our Afro-Guyanese community to continue to make your invaluable mark in the development and transformation of our beloved country,” he said, urging all to remember the importance of their cultural identity while working towards unity, justice and equality for all.

PNCR
Meanwhile, the People’s National Congress Reform in its message called on Guyanese to reflect “on the deep implications of Emancipation Day. In particular, we must recognise that Emancipation was not granted for enslaved Africans as an act of mercy so that they can enjoy freedom for the first time. We must recognise that liberty and autonomy were already birth rights of many Africans in Africa, but were taken away from them. We must also recognise that enslaved Africans fought to regain their stolen emancipation over centuries with immeasurable endurance, fortitude, and sacrifice. The formal abolition of slavery in 1838 therefore must be properly and justifiably recognised as acknowledging and restoring their lost freedom.” (G3)