Region 2 celebrates Republic anniversary with hope of prosperity, unity

The Regional Democratic Council of Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) hosted its annual flag-raising ceremony in observance of Guyana’s 54th Republic Anniversary, which is being celebrated under the theme “Celebrate Our Peoples and Our Prosperity.”
The event saw Local Government and Regional Development Minister Sonia Parag; Member of Parliament Juliet Coonjah and senior officers from the Disciplined Services in attendance.
The event unfolded with a dazzling array of cultural performances featuring the singing of national songs, folk tunes, diverse dances representing the peoples of Guyana, and engaging poems on the spirit of Mashramani.
Minister Parag delved into the significance of Guyana’s 54 years as a Republic. She eloquently expressed the democratic essence of Republic Day, where the people choose their leaders and commit to caring for every individual, regardless of background or status.

Highlighting the Government’s commitment to education, Parag encouraged students to seize scholarship opportunities, sharing her journey from Anna Regina Primary School to President’s College. She emphasised the utilisation of resources to ensure sustainability, resilience, and a brighter future beyond 2030.
“Today we have to celebrate what is democracy and we have to celebrate with the people who chose us as government to lead. All categories of persons will be taken care of by the Government and we committed in 2020 that despite …where you come from, what status and background you come from, we are committed to taking care of you all and that you are taken care of,” she added.
Parag proudly announced the establishment of the first state-of-the-art hospital in Region Two, bringing advanced health services, training facilities, and job opportunities to the community.

She underscored the Government’s focus on equitable treatment for all ethnicities and commended President Dr Irfaan Ali for empowering women, noting her historic role as the first woman in Local Government and Regional Development leadership.
Parag further highlighted the tangible development across sectors, including the education sector where over 100 teachers achieved master’s degrees through Government-sponsored GOAL scholarships. Over 2000 individuals in Region Two benefited from innovative programmes, reflecting a commitment to inclusive progress.
In closing, she extended gratitude to students and teachers, emphasising the collective effort toward a united Guyana. As the celebration culminated, she wished the crowd a joyous Republic Day, embodying the spirit of hard work, freedom, and the privilege to choose leaders shaping a prosperous future for all Guyanese.
In his brief remarks, Regional Vice Chairman Humace Oodit emphasised the relevance of the chosen theme, highlighting its alignment with the Government’s efforts to foster economic and social prosperity.
Reflecting on the region’s transformational drive, Oodit praised President Ali for the substantial increase in budgetary allocations, enabling crucial infrastructure development and improvements across sectors.
“The theme illustrated every step and intention of the Government in fostering a country framework in building one Guyana for economic and social prosperity… observing Republic Day 2024 is to reflect on the region that attracts increased economic activity, a region that demonstrates real hospitality and a region that displays unity. We are witnessing the speed in the transformational drive in Region Two.”
Oodit urged unity and a collective approach to face challenges, commending the President and the Cabinet for their resilience and success in overcoming obstacles. The ongoing infrastructure projects in Region Two underscored the commitment to progress in all aspects of the region.