Emancipation 2022 celebrations: “We must not minimise the sacrifice of our forefathers” – Pres Ali

…as celebrations return to National Park

On Monday, Guyana along with other countries around the world celebrated 184 years of emancipation, a historic event that paved the way to freeing over 800,000 enslaved Africans and their descendants in parts of the Caribbean, Africa, Canada, and South America.
President Dr Irfaan Ali, while addressing a crowd in New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), on Monday as persons went out to celebrate, said that we must not minimise the sacrifice of our African ancestors – who he noted have made significant contributions to the Guyanese culture.
“Today (Monday), I’m humbled by the sacrifices of our ancestors,” the President said. “I’m humbled by the many African brothers and sisters who shaped my life, who helped in shaping who I am today. Humbled and honoured by the sacrifice that they made. Sacrifice that must not be minimised.”
He said that the sacrifice did not only bring freedom, but “brought dignity, honour, pride, and glory.”

President Ali said that with such a sacrifice by our African ancestors, there must come responsibility – responsibility not only to this generation but the generations to come, to honour that sacrifice.
“But, with that sacrifice must come responsibility. It is the responsibility of all of us in this generation and the generations to come to honour that sacrifice. To honour that sacrifice by embracing the fullness of what the sacrifice was,” the Guyanese Head of State stated.
Ali remarked that through his “One Guyana” initiative, the Government will work tirelessly on uplifting and promoting Afro-Guyana. He said that even now, many Afro-Guyanese are making valuable and meaningful contributions to Guyana’s development, whether it be in the political, public service, security, or medical field.
“[We are] working in a country where we uplift each other, where we promote each other.”

The Guyanese leader told the younger audience in New Amsterdam that he is ready to embrace them, work with them, to lead with them side by side.
“Young people, I want to tell you that I am ready to embrace all of you. I am ready to work with you. I am ready to lead with you side by side in uplifting each other so that the prosperity comes to all of us. This is what we must aspire [to],” he said.

National Park
Meanwhile, after two years of not being able to celebrate Emancipation at the National Park due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Guyanese were excited to be out once again.

This year’s National Park Emancipation celebration was one for the books. Excitement flared in the air like never before, and Guyanese of all ages out in their African-inspired clothing was truly a sight to behold.
“This is wonderful, you know? Coming out, seeing all the colours, seeing the people in harmony, this is good. I mean, the culture, the crafts explain it. It’s lovely,” Aggrey Halley told Guyana Times.

Business owner, Oslo Roberson said that he was happy to be out at the National Park, after being away for two years due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
“Well, I am very happy to be here. Very happy,” Roberson said.
Going hand in hand with the artistically fashionable clothing that matched the occasion, the mouth-watering aroma of fine African cuisine filled the air. From the popular cook-up, to cassava pone, conkie, metemgee and foo-foo, persons were waiting in line to please their appetite.
This year’s Emancipation celebration at the National Park might be the most culturally diverse one yet, as persons from at least five ethnic races participated in the celebrations.
“Well, I’m very excited about that. Sitting here, watching around, yes, I’ve noticed persons of different descents would’ve been hanging around, coming around, viewing our African cuisine and everything and I’m very happy about that. And that is one thing, that is a good thing of coming together. As they said, “One Guyana,” Marlin Henry said. (G2)