The Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) extends warm greetings to all Guyanese, at home and abroad, as we commemorate 59 years as an Independent Nation, a journey defined by the unrelenting will of a people determined to govern themselves with dignity, justice, and self-determination.
The GPSU embraces the National Theme, “Guyana: A Future of Unity and Progress,” as both an aspiration and a responsibility. We must recognize that without genuine national unity, grounded in respect, justice, and inclusion, all that we have achieved, positively since Independence in 1966 can be undermined. Our internal division weakens collective resolve at a time when Guyana’s sovereignty is threatened. Guyana’s firm stance against Venezuela’s unfounded claim to a large portion of our country’s resources and, by extension, its people demands that we stand together. Unity is not optional, it is essential to defending our borders, our dignity, and our future.
On May 26, 1966, Guyana proudly raised its Golden Arrowhead and stepped onto the world stage as an independent nation. More than a flag, the Golden Arrowhead embodies the essence of who we are. Its bold colors represent our vast forests, mineral wealth, mighty rivers, and the courage, endurance, and perseverance of our people. It is not merely a national emblem; it is a promise to future generations and a pledge to protect the values for which our fore-parents fought.
The road to Independence was neither short nor easy. It was paved by the unwavering leadership of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Cheddi Berret Jagan, along with the invaluable contributions of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the Father of Trade Unionism in Guyana, and many other Trade Unionists. Though they came from different racial and ideological backgrounds, they shared a common vision for a free, just, and united Guyana.
Supporting that vision were thousands of Public Servants, nurses, doctors, engineers, surveyors, teachers, clerks, technicians, law enforcement officers, and revenue workers, who kept the machinery of the colonial state functioning, even as they were denied justice. In the shadow of the empire, they laid the groundwork for nationhood…
As one of the oldest and most resilient institutions in Guyana, the GPSU reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that progress is people-centered, that workers’ rights are protected, and that public service remains a cornerstone of democracy and national development. We believe that true progress must be anchored in justice, equity, strong institutions, and unwavering respect for the contributions of public servants and workers across this nation…
As Guyana enters a new chapter, fueled by a growing oil and gas economy—serious challenges emerge. The very vision that united us at Independence is now tested… To truly honor our Independence, we must rekindle the spirit of purpose and solidarity that brought us this far…
Let us restore trust and confidence, rebuild unity, and shape a national identity rooted in equal opportunity and shared prosperity for every citizen, regardless of background or ethnicity…
As we continue to modernize and develop our beloved country, let us honor and safeguard the gains of our Independence by promoting quality public service, justice, and the dignity for all workers. We must remain resolute in our pursuit of national unity and steadfast in our demand for full adherence to our Constitution, the Rule of Law, and the International Conventions of the United Nations (UN) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) ratified by the Parliament of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
To every Public Servant and Worker, from hospitals to schools, courtrooms to borders, mining fields to administrative offices, factories, farms, and urban or rural centers, we recognize your hard work and contributions, and we salute you. Your labor is the light that never went out, not during colonialism, not during crisis, and not during division. You are the enduring stewards of Guyana’s democracy.
Let this 59th Independence Anniversary inspire us to reflect deeply, act boldly, and live with integrity, in full alignment with this year’s theme: “Guyana: A Future of Unity and Progress” and our national motto: “One People. One Nation. One Destiny.”
Happy 59th Independence Anniversary, Guyana.
