Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, promoting social cohesion among residents of Region Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), has called on them to embrace each other, regardless of whatever differences there may be.
“We can only truly be united as a people if we understand and appreciate each other in all our diversity. True national unity has to be based on mutual respect, mutual trust and common understanding. At the basis of all this must be an appreciation of our respective histories, including our struggles as separate groups before our Independence,” he explained.
Addressing residents and officials at the Region Three flag raising ceremony to
Minister of State Joseph Harmon
commemorate Guyana’s 51st Independence anniversary on Thursday night, Harmon said he is convinced Guyanese will come together to build a cohesive society, and Government believes Guyana can only become a truly developed and prosperous nation on the basis of national unity.
“From the inception, it was recognised that national unity was indispensable to our success as a people. Throughout our 51 years of Independence, there has been a consistent clarion call — by all who would like to see Guyana foster true development — for national cohesion and for national unity. In our quest for social cohesion and national unity, we can deduce many lessons from the historical struggle of our people in their peculiar circumstances throughout our history. Our common struggles against the colonial masters have set the stage for the moulding of our nation. No matter how deep our differences seem to be, the ties that bind us and the values that unite us far outweigh those differences,” he adumbrated.
Harmon has pledged Government’s commitment to working towards making Guyana a unified nation, wherein everyone is able to meaningfully contribute to the development of the nation.
“We shall work towards a future that is culturally enriching, economically self-sustaining, and politically cooperative. We shall never rest from working to fulfil our promise of a good life for all Guyanese. As we celebrate, let us resolve to get to know each other better, and strive together to foster true development so that we can all enjoy the good life in our beautiful land — Guyana the free,” he appealed.
Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber echoed sentiments that were similar to Harmon’s, and noted that the future of any region or country depends on its people and their ability to unite and work together. He noted that, since Independence, steps have been taken in the country to ensure a unified, prosperous nation, but he said the citizens must now work together and each must do their part to ensure that these goals are achieved.
