As Guyana prepares to celebrate Emancipation 2021, the Government of Guyana on Friday handed over financial support to at least 34 groups and organisations to assist them in participating in the festivities.
At a simple ceremony held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister, Charles Ramson along with Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond and Minister Kwame McCoy handed over the monetary donation.
In his remarks, Ramson commended the groups for organising themselves and taking up the leadership roles in keeping the African culture alive throughout their various communities. Leadership, he stated, is multifaceted and multidimensional.
He further highlighted that the issuance of funds was not a decision made by his Ministry, but rather one by President Dr Irfaan Ali and the Cabinet.
“This is the decision of the President and the entire Cabinet… and we are – in this effect, in this capacity – the Government of Guyana, this is a decision that we made after the requests would have come in to the Ministry.”
He pointed out that “we believe that groups of all Guyanese deserve support.”
The Minister reminded the small gathering that Emancipation is the day that one thing is celebrated. That one thing being freedom.
He noted that Emancipation is a celebration that will be observed by all Guyanese for years to come, with future generations inheriting a strong united country, where Guyanese are able to celebrate each other.
“It is an internal struggle, and out of it you get a beautiful strong tapestry of a fabric that is similar to the ones you are wearing… all that beautiful colours that are just strings and threads that have been combined to create that beautiful colours and the strength of that material… that fabric is our society.”
Minister Ramson stated that it is his Ministry’s intention to have regional celebrations all across the country and that the Government will continue to support and be a part of the Emancipation celebrations.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Emancipation celebrations that are usually held at the National Park will now see a broadcast version of the celebrations being aired on Sunday.
