“One Guyana” message stronger, more compelling today – Sir Shridath Ramphal

Distinguished Guyanese diplomat Sir Shridath Ramphal has said that the “One Guyana” message, an initiative led by President Dr Irfaan Ali to push unity among the local population, is stronger and more compelling today than ever in the country’s history.
In a statement on Sunday, Sir Shridath stated that Guyana’s Motto – One People, One Nation, One Destiny – must be the credo of every Guyanese. He posited that every true Guyanese heart should beat in tune with the tenor of the motto.
“The youthful instinct for a ‘One Guiana’, which drove that message 72 years ago, has only grown stronger and more compelling as Guyanese strive today to realise our national motto of ‘Oneness’,” Sir Shridath noted.
He clarified that his missive was not in response to current profanity (an apparent reference to the recent racist remarks made that caused widespread condemnation of a Guyanese politician).
As a matter of fact, the Caribbean and Commonwealth elder statesman was referring to his October 1951 letter to the editor of The Times, which he wrote as a student in London in wake of the Report of the Waddingon Commission.
At the time, Guyana was then known as British Guiana and was a British colony until the country gained independence in May 1966. The Waddingon Commission, a constitutional commission, was set up by the British Government to decide on the constitutional framework as the then Guiana was on its way to independence.
In fact, Sir Shridath had played a crucial role in drafting Guyana’s Independence Constitution of 1966 after the country was freed from colonial rule.
Sir Shridath’s letter to the editor had stated: “Responsible elements in all racial groups in Guianese society are devoting their energies toward crushing the evil influence of racialism wherever it rears its ugly head; and throughout the country men and women of diverse races are working together in all the fields of social and political activity, sublimating, in the process, conflicting racial loyalties to a comprehensive and overriding loyalty to Guiana. It is only the irresponsible and the political opportunist who attempts to retard and reverse this process and to divide the country into rabid racial camps.”
The 1951 letter went on to say, “As the Commission points out, ‘race is a patent difference and a powerful slogan ready to the hand of unscrupulous men who can use it as a stepping stone to political power’. It is the avowed policy of such agencies to divide; surely it is not the office of the Constitution to assist in their design. To propose a system of communal representation is to grant to the cause of racial separatism the argument of constitutional validity and to concede to such elements of social disorganisation a victory which few Guianese would be prepared to accept as inevitable.”
“To refuse to assist the force of an evil is not necessarily to ignore its potential danger; very often it is the surest method of ensuring its defeat. The Commission has faced the problem with courage and many generations of Guianese may well be grateful for the ‘optimism’ of their decision.”
Sir Shridath “Sonny” Ramphal has served as Secretary General of the Commonwealth (1975-1990), Foreign Minister and Minister of Justice of Guyana (1972-1975), Attorney General and Minister of State in the Guyana Foreign Ministry (1966-1972), Chancellor of the University of the West Indies, University of Guyana and the University of Warwick (concurrently), and Chairman of the West Indian Commission (1990-1992). He is a recipient of the Order of Excellence of Guyana, and the Order of the Caribbean Community of Caricom.
Sunday’s remarks by the renowned Guyanese diplomat on Guyana’s “oneness” comes on the heels of President Ali’s aggressive drive to promote greater inclusion at the legislative, political and social levels under this One Guyana initiative.
Back in February 2023, the Head of State had described One Guyana as a “social contract of inclusion” while addressing religious leaders from North America during a virtual engagement.
Later that month, Ali told the Guyanese Diaspora in The Bahamas that Guyana’s development story, which is unfolding globally, is not only predicated on oil and gas but rather, policies and programmes to build a resilient, sustainable and strong country under the umbrella of “One Guyana”.
“And that is what I’ve been working on; creating this One Guyana in which we build a system that delivers prosperity for every single Guyanese and every single Guyanese family.”
Aside from the major transformative projects, the Head of State pointed to the importance of shaping the right collective mindset.
“And this, for me, is the important project, changing the mindset, changing the way we relate to each other, community by community, household by household. And I assure you I will not rest until this country is unified.”
He added that this calls for the involvement and support of every Guyanese.
“It requires every single Guyanese changing from the inside. It requires every Guyanese making a special effort and a special commitment to being part of the positive transformation, to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”
He encouraged persons to join with his Government in building a country and a society that is stronger, more prosperous and one that delivers to the aspirations and ambitions of the people of Guyana.
“I stand committed to this…,” the Guyanese leader declared.
The President further reiterated the importance of engagements with the Diaspora, which he said provides an opportunity to connect with those who continue to contribute to the development of Guyana and facilitate the exchange of ideas. (G8)