Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

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May 2016

Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Independence

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Scenes from Region # 1 Flag Raising Ceremony

A section of the gathering at the flag raising ceremony in Mabaruma, Region One

Minister Dr. Karen Cummings and Regional officials take the salute from the ranks of Guyana Defence Force in Mabaruma

Cultural performance depicting the six peoples of Guyana

The Golden Arrowhead after it was hoisted

Fireworks to usher in the 50th Anniversary in Region One

Region # 2 Flag Raising Ceremony

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson prepares to take the salute at the flag raising ceremony in Region Two

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson among Region Two residents at the flag raising ceremony in the compound of the Anna Regina Fire Station

The CV Nunes Primary choir performing at the flag raising ceremony in Region Two

Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson and a regional official cut the Independence cake at the flag raising ceremony in Region Two

The Golden Arrowhead being raised in the compound of the Anna Regina Fire Station in commemoration of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary

2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Message from H.E. Brigadier David Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Guyana’s Independence Fellow Guyanese, Guyana gained its Independence from Great Britain on 26th May 1966 after more than three hundred and fifty years of Dutch and British rule. Guyana was first colonised by the Dutch and, eventually, was ceded to Great Britain in 1814. The three colonies – Demerara-Essequibo and Berbice were united as British Guiana 185 years ago.

Our forebears came from the continents of Africa, Asia and Europe and encountered the indigenous people of the continent of South America.

They laid the foundation for creating a unique, new nation on these shores.

They yearned for freedom.

Guyanese, today, pay homage to the contributions of our ancestors, whose rebellion reinforced their resolve to confront the greatest of adversities and overcome their most dangerous adversaries.

The struggle for freedom was long and hard and the achievement of Independence was a triumph of will and grit.

Independence was the culmination of centuries of resistance by generations of forebears.

The militancy of peasants in their villages, of labourers on the plantations, of workers in their unions and of ‘patriotic’ professionals in their councils, inspired the fight for selfdetermination and ‘nationhood’. The empowerment of the disenfranchised masses through the advocacy of mass-based organisations, the attainment of universal adult suffrage and the achievement of constitutional reforms combined to intensify the demand for self-determination and Independence.

Guyanese, today, pay tribute to the generations of men and women who were part of this historic and heroic struggle for self-determination.

We

can enjoy freedom today because of their consciousness, their courage and their commitment to the cause of freedom.

We pay homage to all those who were part of this process. We recall the martyrs of the Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo revolts during the dark era of enslavement. We recall the martyrs of the protests at Leonora, Devonshire Castle, Rose Hall, Ruimveldt and Enmore, during and after the era of indentureship. We recall the labours of Hubert Critchlow, Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham, Peter D’Aguiar and Stephen Campbell, which eventuated in national Independence.

Guyanese, today, honour our heads of state – David Rose, the first Guyanese Governor General, his successor Edward Luckhoo and Arthur Chung, our first President – for their civility and for the stability, which their office imparted to our young state.

Our people’s ardent aspiration and arduous struggle for political Independence moulded our national identity. Independence infused the qualities of audacity and tenacity in our people. It fortified our determination to be masters of our own destiny. It created new institutions on which to erect the pillars of the new nation.

Independence allowed us to adopt our own symbols of nationhood – our national anthem; our national awards; our national coinage and stamps; our national motto; our national festivals; our national flag; our national monuments and other national emblems.

Guyanese, today, are proud of these symbols, which define our identity and differentiate us from other nations. They exemplify our self esteem. They are revered and will forever remain

objects of national pride.

Independence created the need for new institutions to preserve our achievements, to promote the development of our nation and to protect our peoples’ rights.

We created our own Court of Appeal as our highest court.

We refashioned our public and police services to ensure a better quality of life and human safety. We established the Guyana Defence Force to stand guard over our country’s territory.

We improved access to education, electricity, health care, housing and potable water. We established massive agricultural, drainage and irrigation schemes, and industrial estates to put our people to work.

We created institutions to provide social protection such as the National Insurance Scheme. We created banking institutions to promote savings and provide credit for our people.

Guyana, in a relatively short period of time after Independence, improved our economy to provide a higher standard of living for our people. Successive administrations, throughout the past five decades, have continued to add to our national assets and extend our public infrastructure.

We are proud of our achievements over the past fifty years. We are proud of our efforts to deliver our people from dreary logies, shanties and tenement yards and to open the doors to their own family homes.

We are proud of having established a University of Guyana, a College of Education, multilateral schools and technical institutes that expanded access to education for our children throughout the ten administrative regions.

We achieved all of these things and more even as we faced threats to our territoriality and to internal national integrity. We re-

sisted threats to more than two-thirds of our territory

by Suriname and Venezuela for fifty years. We repelled an incursion into a large part of country claimed by Suriname. We suppressed an internal insurrection in the Rupununi. Our nation has faced tribulations.

Our people’s unity, our will and strength, enabled us to overcome these threats.

Guyanese, today, exult in their achievements and accomplishments of the past fifty years. We are proud of the men and women, who led us on our journey, thus far, as an independent nation. The excellence of their service brought honour to our nation.

Guyanese, today, pay homage to their heroes and honours their cultural, sporting and academic heritage on this fiftieth anniversary of Independence. The works of our artists, composers, dancers, dramatists and writers; the talents of our sportsmen and women; the brilliance of our scholars and the labours of our working people will never be forgotten.

These men and women inspired us to believe that no objective was unattainable. We became aware that we were capable of becoming champions on the international stage. Their achievements are a constant reminder that small size should not mean a dearth of talent.

Guyana, once independent, embarked on a progressive foreign policy to protect its vital national interests. It bestrode the international stage with a composure and posture, which belied economic wealth or military might.

Our leaders, however, had the vision to pioneer the formation of the Caribbean Free Trade Area, the Caribbean Community and the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of states and to play leading roles in the

Non-Aligned Movement and the United Nations.

Guyanese, today, recall their audacious and principled stance in support of the liberation of colonial territories and the termination of apartheid in South Africa. They took pride in these achievements, which were led by a corps of outstanding diplomats.

Guyanese, today, pay tribute to their leaders, who had the vision to have guided, and the endurance to have sustained the nation during these past fifty years.

We recognise the contributions of our eight Presidents − Arthur Chung, Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddi Jagan, Samuel Hinds, Janet Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo and Donald Ramotar − in leading this nation over these difficult years.

Guyana’s Golden Jubilee is an opportunity to plan ahead. We must create a country that will fulfil our obligation to our children and generations to come.

We look ahead to our next fifty years and to the challenge of realising the ‘good life’ for all of our citizens.

Independence is our birthright. Independence vested in us the duty to protect our nation and to pursue the best interests for all generations. Independence came with the responsibility to lay the building-blocks of sustained national human development. Independence imposed on us the duty to ensure that we bequeath to our children and grandchildren an even better country than the one which we inherited from our forebears.

The ‘good life’ means the absence of poverty. It means the presence of equality and the creation of an enlightened citizenry through education.

It means effective stewardship of our natural resources and the creation of employment for our people. Our mission for the

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President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, David Granger next fifty years must be to expand our economy, to ensure equality, to improve education, to protect the environment and to provide employment for all.

Guyana is not a resource poor country. Guyanese ought not to be a poor and dispossessed people.

Our country is endowed with bountiful resources – both human and natural – to banish poverty forever. We have always been known to possess the values of self-sacrifice and solidarity.

Guyana is committed to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which obligate us to end poverty in all its forms. We have pledged to eradicate extreme poverty and to halve all other forms of poverty by 2030.

Guyana, in order to achieve these goals, must realign its economy to generate the wealth that would allow for poverty reduction. We must improve and sustain higher economic growth in order to raise our entire population out of the depths of extreme poverty.

Guyana’s economy will be enriched by the discovery of petroleum. We look forward to preparing our people and the economy for the exploitation of this rich resource. We shall create a sovereign wealth fund to ensure that all generations benefit from the

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

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gains that are expected to flow from this discovery.

Our national economy must be reshaped to reduce our dependence on the six sisters – bauxite, fish, gold, rice, sugar, and timber. Guyana’s economic policy over the next four years will be determined by the transition to greater value-added production.

Independence engendered expectations that the inequalities, which characterised colonial society would be eradicated. We have made progress in ensuring greater opportunities for our people. We will continue to demolish class and geographic inequalities, especially between the hinterland and the coastland and between the urban and rural communities.

Guyana’s hinterland possesses its richest natural resources. The hinterland, despite this endowment, remains underdeveloped and plagued by poor infrastructure and environmental hazards. The disparities in development and in households between the hinterland and the coastland must be reduced if we are to become a more equal nation.

We will continue to work towards the development of an inclusive and integrated plan to close the

gap between hinterland and coastland. The plan will involve improved internal communication – aerodromes, bridges, causeways, highways, stellings and telecommunications − and public services such as education, health, human safety and social security.

We will also create stronger regions administered by ‘capital towns’ in order to develop hinterland and rural communities more rapidly. Three new capital towns − at Bartica, Mabaruma and Lethem − have already been created. A fourth will follow at Mahdia. Every region, in the end, will be administered and directed by a ‘capital town.’

Inequality will also be reduced by catalysing greater economic opportunities, particularly at the community level. We will grant greater autonomy to the Regions and ensure equal opportunities for rural folk. The Constitution of Guyana states: “Equality includes the full and equal enjoyment of all rights and freedoms guaranteed by, or under, this Constitution or any other law.”

Guyana, therefore, will promote respect for equality before the law and equal protection of the law. This

includes the guaranteed rights of citizens, equality for women and the participation of citizens in the decision-making of the State, in accordance with the Constitution. We will achieve thesethrough the institution of an inclusive system of governance and the holding of regular, free and fair elections.

Education is the gateway to greater opportunities. It is the means to a more equal society. It is a pathway towards improved well-being. It offers an escape from poverty.

Guyana must ensure that the right to primary and secondary education at state-owned schools must be accorded to every school-aged child. The State will continue to offer our children the opportunities for a ‘good life’ through education.

Guyana has been a global leader in sustainable development and in the fight against the adverse impacts of climate change.

Guyana announced, at the 11th Meeting of Heads of Government of the Commonwealth of Nations held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 1989, its commitment to create the institution that eventually became known as the Iwokrama

International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.

Our country set aside 371,000 hectares of forest, constituting 1.6 percent of our landmass “… to develop, demonstrate and make available to our country and the international community systems, methods and techniques for the sustainable management and utilisation of the multiple resources of the tropical forest and the conservation of biological diversity”.

Guyana has advocated for action to be taken against the adverse effects of climate change. This includes consideration for mechanisms to compensate countries with standing forests for the ecological services, which these forests provide to humanity.

Our Constitution mandates: In the interests of the present and future generations, the State will protect and make rational use of its lands, mineral and water resources, as well as its fauna and flora, and will take all appropriate measures to ensure and improve the environment.

Independence imposed a moral responsibility to exercise accountable stewardship over our natural resource so that our children

and grandchildren may also benefit from their use.

Guyana will develop a multi-faceted ‘Green Development Plan’ so as ensure that sustainable development becomes the guiding principle of national development. That Plan, a comprehensive approach to our environment, incorporates clean energy supply; management of our coastal zone; management of solid waste; management of our protected areas; protection of our biodiversity; protection of our wildlife and the development of eco- tourism.

Guyana’s future is ‘green’. A green economy will protect us from the most adverse effects of climate change. It will ensure a clean environment and reduce pollution.

It will preserve our valuable biodiversity. It will ensure that all of our energy needs eventually will be met from sustainable sources. It will catalyse investments in eco-tourism.

Our people’s aspirations for a ‘good life’ cannot be met fully unless employment can be created and guaranteed for our working people. The ‘Independence Covenant’ cannot be fulfilled unless workers find remunerative and gain-

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pendent of British rule.

The principal architects of our independence are undeniably the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Cheddi Jagan, two formidable political figures in our political history.

Guyana’s destiny as an independent nation was being carefully shaped.

With independence, came an unsurpassed national consciousness manifested in unwavering patriotism. National songs were written and sung proudly

by Guyanese throughout the length and breadth of Guyana. National pride was at an all-time high as Guyanese embraced the socio-political and economic policies of that

era. Guyanese now own and control their destiny.

For the first time in over 20 years, Guyana held Local Government Elections. This APNU+AFC government recognises the importance of local democracy. We believe that at the community level you the people must manage your affairs and not central government. Such is our commitment to local democracy that within a year in office, four new towns were established, with Mabaruma being one.

Great things are in store for Region One, especially Mabaruma. Firstly and most importantly, Mabaruma will be having its first radio station. Radio Mabaruma will be commissioned shortly and you

the residents will be better informed through the delivery of a variety of programmes that will educate as well as entertain. You will be able to share farming tips, income generation ideas, promote healthy lifestyles, as well as explore ways to improve education.

In addition, this APNU+AFC government recognises that sustainable and efficient infrastructure development is a key component of national competitiveness. We understand that we must put systems in place that will ensure that we can connect and integrate towns to better serve their citizens. We believe that infrastructure should account for en-

ful employment in order to provide for their needs and that of their families.

Guyana, over the next fifty years, must be a nation at work, employing the talents and skills of all persons of working age. The provision of employment for our young people remains an economic priority.

Employment will be created through a raft of policy measures including encouraging investment in labour-intensive and ‘green’ jobs; cottage industries within communities; microcredit for small-and medium-sized industries and promoting entrepreneurship among young people.

Independence was won through the sacrifice and struggle of our ancestors.

Freedom was the aspiration of all generations. Every generation has the responsibility to move our country closer towards the common aspirations, which were ignited on 26th May 1966.

Our forebears suffered and sacrificed so that their children could have a better life than they had. This generation’s responsibility is to lay the foundation for the ‘good life’ for the next.

God save our beloved motherland!

God save Guyana!

Address by the Hon. Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings at Mabaruma, Region # 1

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ood evening ladies and gentlemen.

It is a pleasure and an honor to be in Mabaruma once again to speak with you on the observance of our independence as a nation. This time around, I am even more delighted to be here with you, because our beautiful nation celebrates 50 years of Independence, and in 2016, Mabaruma became a town!

Independence 50 years ago Exactly 50 years ago, Guyanese were finally able to wrest power from their colonial masters and chart a new course inde-

A work in progress Since the early days of Independence, Guyana has come a long way. Though there have been some areas of development in some sectors along with some notable national achievements, it cannot be denied that we have somewhat under achieved as a nation.

Much work still remains to be done and I can assure you that this new era of the APNU+AFC government will ensure that tangible progress is realised at all levels of our society.

Local Government Elections

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings hancing the quality of life of communities while allocating energy resources and considering the natural environment and climate change.

Understanding these factors is very impor-

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Address by Hon. David Patterson, Minister of Public Infrastructure at Anna Regina, Region # 2

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(Excerpts)

n less than 24 hours, Guyana will officially turn 50 years old. To mark this occasion, all 10 administrative regions across the nation are preparing to hoist the Golden Arrowhead to mark the attainment of our Golden Jubilee.

Even before Guyana attained independence in 1966, Essequibo always had a rich history. From the Dutch legacy to producing a large percentage of Guyana’s rice, Essequibo has left an indelible mark on our country’s history. This history persists and the region continues to be one that contributes meaningfully to Guyana’s development.

However, the Essequibo Coast has faced – and is still facing – its fair share of problems. Last year, when the new Government was elected by you, the people of Guyana, there were noted issues here in Region 2. For one, there was a shortage of well-developed infrastructure leading to increased production costs in a region where production is paramount. Unemployment was also noted as an issue and was particularly concerning since no one should be forced to struggle to maintain the wellbeing of his or her family.

Nonetheless, despite the challenges, the residents of Region 2 persevered and, for the most part, thrived.

This must be commended.

However, though the people have managed to take care of themselves, that does not mean that the Government should not help them in attaining even better lives.

As the Minister of Public Infrastructure, I understand how poor infrastructure can stymie growth.

Hence, last year, my ministry constructed, rehabilitated, and maintained roads across the country and, more specifically, here in Region 2; last year, just over 8,500 metres of roads were completed here, totalling about $146M. For this year, the residents of Region 2 will continue to see the development of their roads. In the 2016 budget, about $2.6B was allocated for road works and Region 2 will receive a slice of the pie.

For bridges, nearly $294M has been provided for rehabilitation and repairs.

Through improved roadways, the Government of Guyana will aim to expand efforts currently underway to improve farmto-market access. The focus will be on stimulating micro-farms and small scale

agro-processing initiatives to see Essequibo live up to the potential envisioned for it 50 years ago. Better roadways and bridges mean increased commercial activities, which in turn will lead to greater income and financial security for the people of this beautiful region.

An emphasis will be placed on reducing road fatalities seen along the Essequibo Coast through the installation of traffic lights, streetlights, and the placement of road markings and signs.

There will also be a focus on improving the connection between the Essequibo Coast and the riverain areas. Government recognises just how much inadequate river transport networks stymie the development of the coast and its people and a major part of the slated improvement is through the upgrade of the ageing fleet of vessels currently under Government control. These vessels are quickly approaching the end of their usefulness and Government is therefore working towards acquiring new river transport vessels. The complaints of the ferry services offered in Essequibo have not fallen on deaf ears.

Therefore, Government is also looking to-

wards upgrading stellings and wharves to facilitate the proposed new vessels.

Preparations are already in the works to not only upgrade but reconstruct facilities throughout the country and here in Region 2.

Within its 50 years, Guyana has not seen stateof-the-art waterfront facilities but that reality will soon change. As we celebrate our Golden Jubilee, plans are underway to create advanced facilities that will rival the best in the Caribbean. One of the proposed targeted development areas is Supenaam and the project will focus on boardwalks; modernised ramps for ferries and water taxis; a dockyard for yachts; and recreational areas.

What will be the benefits of such a project to the Essequibo Coast? The initiative will not only generate income through tourism but will also create opportunities for small business development. This initiative will also provide an outlet for the people of Essequibo to come out and mix and mingle in a clean, friendly, and safe environment.

Furthermore, all of these developments will create employment and major economic input. It is our Government’s commitment that the residents and

current users will be given first option to jobs and concessions. While generating income is important, when we look back 50 years from now we must be most proud of the successes made due to the development of our human resource.

Outside of my Ministry, Essequibo will see development through a focus on issues such as the youth; education; health; and the development of Information Communications Technology (ICT).

These efforts would be in conjunction with the necessary financial resources to allow farmers to gain access to markets for their produce and ultimately expand their businesses.

I am greatly honoured to be here today for this flag raising ceremony. I’m also grateful to see such a diverse group of people representing Essequibo. As His Excellency, President David Granger, has said, “independence offered us a new beginning, an opportunity for national unity”.

Of course, over the past 50 years, attaining national unity has not been easy. We have come a long way, but there is still further to go. We have broken down many of the walls surrounding race and class but we’ve still

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Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson to break down other walls, such as those surrounding simple geographic locations. At times, those in the hinterland regions feel as though they are in a completely different country from those in Georgetown.

You here today are the products of the challenges that have been surmounted over the past 50 years; you represent the resilience and dedication of those that have come before you. Despite, at times, feeling that you are forgotten or less than other areas, you have risen above the difficulties, put aside your differences, and emphasised that we are indeed one people of one nation with one destiny. As we progress through the next 50 years, I hope that your resolve to see our country flourish only strengthens.

Thank you.

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...Dr. Karen Cummings at Mabaruma, Region # 1 tant in determining how infrastructure can contribute positively to the community it is supposed to serve.

Therefore, as a government we will improve the availability, quality and efficiency of local infrastructure services for the population of our towns.

Mabaruma, this APNU+AFC government will ensure that stable and reliable electricity becomes part of your modern infrastructure. Mabaruma, this government will ensure that your roads are developed properly. And in order to ensure that your infrastructure matches that of a mod-

ern town, internet access will soon reach Mabaruma.

The way forward While we recognise that there is a need to increase the capacity of public institutions’ involvement in regional development and strengthen the cooperation between national, regional and local authorities in Guyana, it is essential that we ensure that there is a targeted distribution of available resources. I would like to see this quickly become a reality in Region One. Currently, there is an obvious need for the regional administration to

work collaboratively with the Ministry of Public Health to fix many of the issues affecting this Region in the area of public health. There is a recognisable disconnect between what is seen as priority by the regional administration and what in reality are the pressing public health matters that are in dire need of being addressed by the regional administration with a degree of urgency.

Conclusion As we celebrate and reflect on 50 years of Independence, I am confident moving into the future

that together we will find meaningful ways to effectively alleviate the many challenges that currently affect the smooth delivery of best quality health care.

Moving forward I would like to see an alignment of purpose between the Ministry of Public Health and the Regional administration of Region One, so that together we will be able to deliver the best quality health care services to the people living here.

The regional administration must make special efforts to work along with government to help provide the best qual-

ity health care and other services to the people of this beautiful region.

Guyana is poised to become a very prosperous country and it must be your unyielding determination to prosper with it. We have got a nation to build. We have got a Region to build.

Let us all come together and double our achievements in the next 50 years so that our children and their children can have a prosperous, modern, healthy and secure Guyana in which to live work and prosper. We must commit our ourselves to the effort that is required to build the kind of com-

munity and country that will be the envy of the Caribbean and further abroad.

I wish you every success in the continued building and development of Region One. Tonight, let us put aside our political differences and unite and celebrate our Golden Jubilee as Guyanese. And when our celebrations are over, let us remain a united people working together for the betterment of this Region and ultimately all of Guyana.

Long Live the People of Mabaruma! Long Live the People of Guyana!

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Address by Hon. Joseph Harmon, Minister of State at Flag Raising Ceremony at Leonora, Region # 3

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Excerpts

ifty years is a lifetime for many of us. Many people never live to see fifty years. I remember when I was a little boy and you heard that someone was forty- five years or fifty years, we used to call them old man. But now, I am way beyond that, and I still feel as if I am a youth. So age is really nothing (as some people say) but a number.

I want to say however that Independence was something that many fought and died for. Many shed their blood on this land for the sake of Independence; but if we were not to protect the gains of those persons who lived and died for our Independence, we would have been failing them and we would have been failing the generations to come. In 1966 when we became Independent, we became an independent nation in crisis. In 1966 when we became Independent we had a coalition government. In 2016 (fifty years later) we have a coalition government and therefore, there must be something good about coalitions. We have come full circle, and where we are today, is a result of the hard work done by all of the governments that we have had since Independence; I make no distinction here because we believe that everybody – every government, every politician, every individual had a role to play in making us who we are and allowing us to be here where we

are today. So today, I want to on behalf of the government to recognise the work done by all of the governments since 1966 – I am not going to go back into the past because other than telling us where we came from and what we need to do, it serves us very little purpose in determining where we have to go. Our coalition government is about where we are going to take Guyana in the next fifty years.

How do we inspire? How do we excite? How do we motivate our population to ensure that they understand that the good life for all Guyanese is something that we must work for?

In 1966 when we became Independent we were in a crisis; the British soldiers were here, we were in a state of emergency - in 2016 we are in a different type of crisis. In 1966 it required a certain type of political leadership; in 2016 it requires another type of political leadership – and what I want to say here this afternoon to all of you (boys and girls, men and women of Region 3) is that the quality of leadership that you are getting now from your government, from the APNU/AFC Government is the quality of leadership required for 2016, for 2020, for 2025 and beyond.

Comrades, as I stand here today, 2016 requires as I said, a certain quality of leadership. In 1966 the imperative of that time was that our people come together; we come together to deal with the issues

of colonialism. We come together to deal with the conditions under which our people lived in the logies and in the shacks; the poor roads, no lights, poor water supply – these were some of the conditions our political leaders met at the time of Independence. Some of these conditions persist into 2016 and these are some of the same conditions we as a government have to deal with. But we believe that we can only achieve this if we work together as a nation. We believe that National Unity is a priority! And in that regard we wish to acknowledged and understand that the words of the Leader of the Opposition only last night in the National Assembly sends a very powerful signal, and one which we accept; that if we work together as a country irrespective of what our political affiliations are, that we can move this country for the good of our people, and ultimately that is what we need to do. We have to ensure that whatever we do is for the benefit of the Guyanese people - that is our motto that is what we want to do. That is what our administration said it will do when we campaigned in 2015 – that we will create a good life for all Guyanese and this is what we meant, ALL GUYANESE. So irrespective of what your political affiliation is, irrespective of what your religious persuasions are, irrespective of what your racial background is we have to work together as

A section of the crowd at the flag raising ceremony in Region Three

Guyanese. We have an exciting nation – we have a mosaic that is so wonderful and so colourful that when you look at our flags, that when you look at our symbols of nationhood what you see is strength. When you look at the jaguar that is part of our symbol for the fifty years, you see strength, you see power, and this is what our nation is all about.

We are a strong people, we are a strong nation and if we work together our destiny will be a strong one.

I want to address a few words to the young people of this region, that yours is the future of this country.

The future of this country belongs to you. We are mere transients. We are just the holders of governmental power for your purpose – we are here to serve you as your government, and it is our responsibility, our duty as a government to ensure that when we hand over to you, we hand over a country that is safe, a country that is secure and a country that is united so National Unity has to be a priority. We want to say to the young people of this region that education is critical in what we want to do.

Education is something that moves a nation from ignorance, moves a nation from poverty into prosperity.

Our president – President David Granger has said (and it is part of our policy in government) that we are going to make this an education nation – that we no longer will have our graduates as soon as they leave

the university looking for a job in some island or looking for a job in the United States and Canada, and all those places. We are going to create the conditions in this country that will make you want to remain here.

We are going to create the conditions in this country that will make those of our citizens who have gone abroad want to come back here to live, to work and in some cases to have their final resting place.

When I was a little boy in 1966 I was told that Guyana is a place of tremendous potential, now I’m a grown man in 2016 and people still tell me that Guyana is a place of potential. We have to transform that potential into reality – we have to transform that potential into wealth that will benefit our people. And so for the next fifty years we look forward to a rich powerful nation. We look forward to the time when all of the persons in the diaspora, many of whom are coming back now, many who want to come back will consider Guyana to be the place to be. I want to now also welcome all our Guyanese brothers and sisters who have returned for these Independence celebrations – from wherever part of the world you are (people in the diaspora, people in Egypt, people in Israel, people in Asia, all over the world) people are sending texts, they are coming, they are sending us messages, I want to say to you that Guyana is ours!

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon This is where you ought to be, this is where you are going to make a good life – you can make money, you can have a good heath system etc., but that will never be your home. Guyana will always be your home.

And so my message on Independence to all our Guyanese citizens in whatever part of the world you are, Guyana is your home – welcome home. This is ours, this is our land. This land is my land; this land is your land from the Rupununi to the Corentyne, from the greenheart forest to the Atlantic waters this land was made for you and me.

Fifty years of Independence is something that we must celebrate. But as we celebrate let us ensure that we have an eye on the future. Let us ensure that we continue to excite and inspire the young ones and to let them understand that Guyana is ours. I thank you very much and a Happy Independence Anniversary to all of you!

Cultural dance being performed at the flag raising ceremony in Region Three

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Address by Hon. Basil Williams, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs at Flag Raising Ceremony at Triumph, Region # 4

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Excerpts

f we examine our journey over the last 50 years we can say that 2016 is truly Guyana’s year of Jubilee. We are now in our season of restoration, and the APNU+AFC coalition government, and hopefully together with the members of the opposition, will ensure that we restore the good life to each and every Guyanese.

Fifty years, even if we look in this region and in this district in which we now stand, we would remember the train that played a dominant role in the lives of people living on this East Coast. You know a lot of people used that train, and we used to believe that, people live a very far way, but look at it now 50 years later. You are very well developed; you’re only about minutes away from the city of Georgetown. You see development already and of course we are talking about those of us in our age group because we a have a plethora of young students here who would not know what we are talking about unless their grandparents told them.

Immediately, what comes to mind is the whole question of races that we have in Guyana. We have six races and immediately after gaining independence or just before the run-up to independence it is conjectured as to what caused the violence but there was racial strife which led to divisiveness through the years, and I am proud to

say that I have been associated with a party that really led the way in trying to unite the Guyanese people for decades now, and even right now we are a united government with at least six parties representing all the people of Guyana and I think that is something to be proud about today.

We want to continue the inclusiveness, we want to ensure that we are not divided by race, ethnicity and that we judge people as Guyanese and we see ourselves as Guyanese.

That’s our goal for the next 50 years and that’s why Brigadier David Granger, President of this great land of ours, he elevated this whole question of social cohesion to that of a ministry so we have a minister of social cohesion whose remit is to ensure the continued uniting of the peoples of Guyana. Whether its culture, whether its race, whether its religion.

You would recall during the last 50 years some people couldn’t practice their religion. In the case of the African Guyanese, there practice is called ‘cumfa’, it’s called obeah and all manner of things: you would get charged or convicted if you’re caught but thankfully that great leader appeared on the scene, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. He was also ably assisted by Dr. Cheddi Jagan, you know you have a lot of our founding fathers contributing. There was religious freedom, religious freedom was introduced and it was enshrined in our

A section of the gathering at the Region Four Flag Raising ceremony

constitution under Forbes Burnham when he was in government and it meant then everyone was free to worship according to their own religion without fear of being arrested, detained, charged and convicted.

So over the last 50 years we could be proud to say that we have arrived at this stage where there is freedom of worship by every Guyanese. We tried all kind of philosophies; you all know that, socialism, cooperatives. We were supposed to move to communism after taking over the commanding heights and things like that and so we have been through these experiences. I think we’re the stronger for them because at the end of the day what we understand and what we know that whatever system we want to introduce in this country.

It must be characterised by each and every Guyanese having an opportunity to share the patrimony and wealth of Guyana and to have a good life irrespective of what philosophy you call it. So, as I stand here 50 years later, we had several presidents and all of them in their own way contributed to the development of Guyana and you might think that its strange for me to say that but it is true and so if we recognise this and we could applaud presidents who were not elected by our parties it means then that the next 50 years look bright. In fact, I am reinforced in saying this because in parliament last night the leader of the

opposition himself, Mr. Bharat Jagdeo, also made a contribution in which he recognised the contributions of all Guyanese to the development of and present state of Guyana and pledge to continue to act out his efforts and the efforts of the party and Guyanese people for the betterment of all Guyanese.

Of course his message was preceded by the message by President David Granger, whose message was read by the Honourable Moses Nagamootoo, Prime Minister on the celebration of our 50th anniversary as a nation and in that message to Parliament, the President really identified the aspirations that he and his Government have for the welfare and wellbeing of a good life for the Guyanese people, so it behoves us to strive to be inclusive and work together.

Our neighbours were experiencing great difficulties, like Suriname, Venezuela, Brazil, buy Guyana stands like a beacon, strong.

Every week investors are coming in from those countries into Guyana to invest because the word is out that Guyana is the place to be if you want to do business and to develop. But that means that you cannot sit idly by and allow foreigners to take the fruits of what we have here in Guyana, not that we are against investors coming here in Guyana, investors can by all means come, but we want you to benefit first from any wealth that is to be produced in this beautiful lands ours. That

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams delivering the feature address at the Region Four Flag Raising ceremony

is why the young people have a very important role to play in this regard and they must recognise the importance of education. You have to be educated, education defeats poverty, poverty as you know moves to incessant crimes and we don’t want our young people languishing in jail so we have to educate our young people and make them foolproof from ignorance.

But look at the panoramic view of Guyana, we talking about a green economy and the environment, we talking about sustainable energy, renewable energy that an entirely new sector that is being develop in Guyana and hundreds of jobs will be created, you have to put yourself in a position to share in that, you have to educate yourself to share in that. Oil and gas. ExxonMobil, the colleagues visited the headquarters in Texas and they are excited about the finds they have made in Guyana.

I want to assure you that for the next 50 years you need to start gearing yourself to be in a position to take your proper place and rightful role in the productive sectors of Guyana as a people. We need the help, the technology and assistance but you have information technology and young people catch on to this quickly and so we need to develop that into all of the schools.

I was happy to vote for a contract that was awarded to rebuild a school in Golden Grove. As I said our President is an ‘educa-

tion’ president, he started with the three B’s bicycles, buses and boats and he has always felt that if the children don’t have the means to go to school they wouldn’t go to school and so he has been providing boats to children in the hinterland and bicycles and buses. He added breakfast because hungry children cannot learn and we have only recently unfolded a billion dollar programme for hot meals for the children and then he added books so the children are in order. And so once you invest in education there is no doubt that you will reap the benefit of such investment.

So 50 years, which bekons we could look in a very positive way to the future, we could realise so many things, I don’t think the future has ever been so bright other than the night when that Golden Arrowhead was being hoisted.

But even as it was hoisted in division we believe that we have come a long and we must avoid persons who may want to divide us, and so our message is one of unity because without unity there is no progress, without unity there’s no happiness, as they say a house divided in itself cannot stand, much less a country. So we must focus on the next fifty years on developing each and every Guyanese, allowing them to be free and feel free.

I trust that as we celebrate our 50th year that we would keep these thoughts in mind as we advance in building a better Guyana.

The Region Four regional choir performing at the 50th Independence Anniversary flag raising ceremony

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

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Address by Hon. Dr. George Norton, Minister of Public Health at Flag Raising ceremony at Fort Wellington, Region # 5

e are gathered here today to observe a significant milestone in our country’s history which warrants much reflection and celebration.

Tomorrow, Guyana will be celebrating 50 years as an independent nation. This is a milestone which could not have been possible if it were not for the struggles of those who came before us.

Because of the hard

work of leaders such as Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Forbes Burnham and Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, Guyana was lifted out of centuries of oppression which greatly affected its people.

Over the past 50 years, our country has made significant strides in all sectors and as Guyanese we must take pride in our achievements as a nation.

This is a time for reflection and renewed patriotism which has been evi-

dent to some extent over the past few months as Guyanese prepare to celebrate this auspicious occasion.

But patriotism is more than draping buildings with the colours of the Golden Arrowhead and singing our national songs.

Patriotism is love, devotion and support of one’s country and that is exactly what Guyanese at home and abroad should demonstrate all year round.

We must work together

to keep Guyana on this path of development in order to ensure that the struggles of those who have gone before us do not go in vain.

Guyana is a multiethnic, multi-cultural society and despite our differences as a people, we must not allow ourselves to become divided.

We must at all times live up to our motto of One People, One nation, One destiny and live in love and Unity.

Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton delivering remarks to those gathered at the compound of the Regional Democratic Council, Fort Wellington, Region Five for flag raising ceremony

A section of the gathering at the compound of the Regional Democratic Council, Fort Wellington Region Five for flag raising ceremony

Members of the disciplined services pay compliments as the Golden Arrowhead is being hoisted

It is only when we work together that we can see our country forward into greater equality and prosperity.

The APNU/AFC coalition Government is fully committed to working along with all of our partners, including those on the opposite side of the house, to realise the full potential of Guyana. Let us all work together for a better Guyana!

Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton

The Golden Arrowhead being hoisted outside the Regional Democratic Council’s office

Persons gathered to witness the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead outside the Regional Democratic Council’s office

Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton, Region Five Chairman Vickchand Ramphal, along with other senior regional officials and Members of Parliament at the flag raising ceremony

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Scenes from Region # 3 Flag Raising Ceremony

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Members of the Disciplined Forces and scouts standing at attention during the flag raising ceremony

Members of the Disciplined Forces marching at the flag raising ceremony

Minister of State Joseph Harmon and Region Three officials look on as the Members of the Disciplined Forces march

Minister of State Joseph Harmon greeting members of the audience

Scenes from Region # 4

The hoisting of the National Flag in Region Four

Members of the Guyana Police Force during the March Pass at the Region Four Flag raising ceremony

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams leading the march

The Region Four costume designed by Neilson Nurse

St. Cuthbert’s Mission students performing a dance

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

D’Urban Park comes alive

President David Granger greets members of the security forces upon his arrival at the flag raising ceremony at D’urban Park

Members of the Guyana Defence Force stand at attention moments before the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at D’urban Park on the eve of Independence

Soldiers prepare to hoist the giant Golden Arrowhead under the flashes and lens of the media

The President and Prime Minister being escorted to their seats at the flag raising celebration at D’urban Park

Over 1,000 young people were part of the cultural presentation at the flag raising ceremony in Georgetown

Every stand at D’urban Park was overflowing

The Golden Arrowhead flutters freely minutes after being hoisted. Fifty years ago, the flag was first hoisted as a declaration of Guyana’s freedom from British rule

A section of the mammoth crowd

Children of Guyana get in formation to commemorate the 50th Independence in one of the largest cultural presentation

Overhead view of the crowd at D’urban Park for the flag ceremony in honour of Guyana’s 50th Independence celebration

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

D’Urban Park comes alive

Officers of the GDF delighting the crowds with their presentation at the flag raising ceremony in Georgetown

The crowd spilled out of the stands to get a better view of the presentations at D’urban Park’s flag raising ceremony

Fireworks thrilled patrons after the hoisting of the flag at D’urban Park

The Flag Party

The Guyana Defence Force Band

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Minister within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry

The Golden Arrowhead flying high after being hoisted

Overhead view of D’Urban Park showing overflowing stands

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Scenes from Region # 5 Flag Raising Ceremony

Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton taking the salute from the disciplined services at Regional Democratic Council, Fort Wellington, Region Five for flag raising ceremony

A section of the planning committee for the flag raising ceremony take a photo opportunity with Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton

Nurses attached to the Fort Wellington Hospital take a photo opportunity with Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton

Primary school children drawn from varying schools in Region Five performing a national song at the Flag Raising Ceremony which was held in the compound of the Regional Democratic Council

Regional Chairman Region Five Vickchand Ramphal delivering remarks at the flag raising ceremony

African Drummers from New York performing for the audience

Ranks of the GDF during the Parade in Region Six

The New Amsterdam Secondary Choir on stage

Scenes from Region # 6 Flag Raising Ceremony

The Mexican Mariachi Band performing in Region Six

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Mrs. Nagamootoo share a dance on stage

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Address by Hon. Moses Nagamootoo, Prime Minister, and 1st Vice President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana at Flag Raising Ceremony at New Amsterdam, Berbice, Region # 6

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Excerpts

t is always a celebration of who we are; we are not simply Guyanese or Caribbean people, we share what is called a continental destiny with the rest of South America so when the Guyana ship would continue to sail after midnight tonight into a new 50-year cycle, we would want to conclude that cycle with all our new generation speaking English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and possibly Dutch.

Our navel string is buried in this continent, and we have a continental destiny so that is how we believe that we are going to be reborn great, it is not what we were in the past, it is what we hope to become, a world first-class nation, that must be our ambition – today as I speak with you, all the countries that surround us are in trouble.

The Brazilian president is facing impeachment, (she) was replaced by a tempo-

rary President, President (Nicolas) Maduro in Venezuela, his regime now is facing a meltdown, Suriname and Trinidad are also facing difficulties.

Recently the World Bank and the IMF (International Monetary Fund) recognised that Guyana is the only country in this part of the world that is standing solid, standing strong. And this must be our best tribute to our ancestors, the Amerindians - the Indigenous people, African slaves and freed Africans and Indentured labourers- Indian, Chinese, Portuguese. They came here as indentured labourers, West Indians and even freed blacks, they came as labourers and some Europeans to work on the estates and all their dream and hope had been to live in a country that one day can be free.

Sometime we take our freedom for granted and we do not think about the sacrifices and struggles that brought this free-

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and other officials on stage

dom from the days of the indigenous peoples who ran into the interior to free themselves and escaped from the colonial planters who came here looking for labour in order to take our wealth out. The African slaves many of whom would rather become what they call bush Negroes and maroons; they ran away into remote parts of the interior and to Suriname.

At midnight tonight when the rest of the world would be asleep, to recall the words of the great Nehru at the time of India’s independence in 1947, he said that India would awake to a new freedom and so tonight after 50 years of being free, Guyana will reawaken to a new cycle of freedom where you have learnt now to appreciate that freedom because in other countries there are people who live and once lived like in South Africa in a state of apartheid, in separate existence.

We are lucky that we in Guyana we can look

back and at what was and we can avoid becoming countries like those where freedom was nominal, freedom was only a word.

We have enjoyed the essence of freedom, and that was what was captured by the multicultural show you have witnessed here today, that we have brought with us the ancestral energy, the ancestral spirit and we have all been rejoicing that we could do this in our own country; can feel that we have an identity that is distinct and different from any other people in the world, we are the only Guyanese people in the world and we must feel blessed for that.

I wish now to bring you greetings from the President of our Republic David Granger and to repeat the words I read yesterday in the National Assembly when I conveyed his message to the Members of Parliament that our history has been one where many people, many forces combined to take

A section of the gathering on the lawns of New Amsterdam, State House

The New Amsterdam Tassa Drummers on stage

us forward. I recall in my own modest contribution, after the 1961 elections, I joined the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan in Berbice on a motorcade because we felt that independence would come after the 1961 elections and the British withheld the independence until 1966. I have walked that long journey since 1961 and for me personally the word freedom is sweeter than nectar, because I know the value of it, to be able to stand up and be counted as a Guyanese and there were other persons who walked that journey. I want to say even though politics then divided us, the leaders we had from Cheddi Jagan to Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Janet Jagan, Samuel Hinds, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar who all became President and before that Arthur Chung, they all played a role to bring us this far. We made mistakes yes, but these are not mistakes we cannot correct and therefore, I believe

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo that all our political leaders, all our political parties they must be commended for the role they played to bring us this far and if we are to move forward more than ever, we need every hand on deck. As I refer to the Guyana ship, we need all hands on the paddle, we have to be like the Guyana team, we have to bat for Guyana, bowl for Guyana, run for Guyana and above all we must win for Guyana so, Happy Jubilee to you.

Indigenous Students dancing to the Matapee song

Young Drummers from New Amsterdam performing for the audience

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Message from Hon. Moses Nagamootoo Prime Minister and 1st Vice President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence

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appy Jubilee to all Guyanese, wherever you may be.

I know that many Guyanese have returned from the diaspora to be with us as we celebrate 50 years of our independence, and for my brothers and sisters from the Rupununi to the Atlantic Ocean to Morawhanna to Moleson Creek, to all parts of our very huge and diverse country, I would like to convey the best wishes of our Government to you on this remarkable celebration of 50 years of independence of Guyana.

This celebration has brought to the fore the love of our people for Guyana, their patriotism, their commitment to go forward as a united country, as a free country, as a clean country, as a green country, as a beautiful country and that is why today, I feel so energised, I feel so elated because I have seen the genius of the Guyanese people that they could put all the difficulties behind them, and look forward to the future with renewed confidence, with a sense of pride, with a sense of commitment, new commitment.

As I look back on 50 years, I recall the night the flag, the Golden Arrowhead, our National Flag was hoisted at the National Park. I was glued like many persons in the Corentyne, would have done, or in Essequibo or in the Rupununi or other parts where

you didn’t have any television at that time and you heard the voice of Bobby Moore and Rafiek Khan and Victor Insanally as they recounted the events that would lead to the unfurling of our independence flag.

The independence of Guyana has been a very special part of my life and the struggle and the desire for it. I went to a motorcade up in Crabwood Creek in 1961 and I joined that motorcade where the intention was that after the 1961 elections Guyana would be independent. Cheddi Jagan was elected to office then and he led that motorcade, and it was from then that I never looked back, I never faltered and I felt that the greatest mission in one’s life is to be able to witness and fight for the freedom of one’s country.

It was for me an achievement when Guyana became independent in 1966.

I sat in my home village watching the parade, the march on the road, the procession of people celebrating independence, but as I noted on another occasion, for me it was not a happy time as our country was still under a state of emergency, and that there were people who were in jail, and therefore for me the occasion of independence was both painful, nostalgic, as well as euphoric, a moment that I should be overwhelmed with pride and joy.

Today, I look back at

Young dancers performing

those 50 years since 1966, and I look back at the long journey, the difficult path we have come through, and I am more convinced that looking back is not really what we should be doing at this time. We have to look ahead, we have to look to the future, we have to look to see where we are going, it’s good to know where we came from, but I can imagine in the next 50 years, a beautiful Guyana, my homeland, my mother land, where all our children are properly educated, where all our young people, qualified and trained can find gainful employment, where we would have no need to worry that our young people would migrate or they would leave the country with the training and skills, where we can look at our mothers and our elderly people, and make sure that their needs are satisfied, where we are able to have one of the best or the best health system in the region and nutrition is attended to.

Why do I say in the next 50 years we could do all of this? We live in the hope that we can become an oil and gas producing state, that we can have more revenues coming from the wealth of our country which is our natural resources, where we can manage our green untapped virgin forest and we could produce oxygen for the rest of the world and we can be compensated for our supply of oxygen to

save this planet, for having perhaps one of the world’s largest natural resort, forestry resort like Iwokrama, a bigger Iwokrama that we could use to do all kinds of laboratory testing of species that would be good for medicines and all manner of cures of people facing health issues.

I can look to our sugar workers being retrained, being retooled for the future so you don’t have to do the back-breaking work, where the sugar industry would be restructured, rehabilitated and diversified so we don’t have to carry sugar as a national burden.

We have to carry the agriculture sector, both sugar and rice as potential for the diversification of our economy, as the potential for value added products.

We would concentrate on manufacturing rather than raw materials’ extraction, where our young people will put their skills in factories that would produce high quality products from sugar, rice and other agricultural products from which our country is richly endowed so we can once again become the bread basket of the Caribbean, the bread basket of the Western Hemisphere.

So I look to the future with optimism, I look the future with hope, I look to the next 50 years with a sense of accomplishment that I have been here on the long journey in the first 50 years, and I that I have done

Regional Chairman, David Armogan, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and New Amsterdam’s Mayor, Kirt Wynter as the Flag is hoisted

all I could and you also, all of you, all of us would have to say that we have done all we could to make Guyana viable for the next 50 years, to make Guyana a model of the country we call our homeland, our paradise. We can bask in the sunlight, we can enjoy the breeze, we can enjoy the scent and the fume of a clean environment, where you can breathe healthy, stay healthy and live healthy, so this is my vision as I bring you these greetings, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of our independence.

I want to wish you and your families all the best, and I wish to assure you that our Government will continue on this path that we have started to make sure that we provide alternative energy, that we become a green economy, where we do not utilise so much of our resources on fossil fuel, that we could have solar energy, wind energy, water energy, so more Guyanese can have more disposable incomes in their pockets, that we are able to gear our economy and our industries and productive sector to receiving energy from renewable sources and that will place us as an envy in the world.

And, that is why I believe that you also share that confidence that Guyana could bounce back in the next few years ahead to a bountiful country, selfsufficient in the things we

need to consume, laying a viable, solid, unbreakable foundation for better health care, better education, better transportation and overall to be able to provide housing, recreational facilities and those leisure parks, that people would need to know that they don’t only work in Guyana, but they can enjoy moments of leisure.

I want also to let you know that in one year, we have been in Government we have chosen quite deliberately to focus all we can, and divert as much resources as we can afford to celebrate with you the Golden Jubilee because we recognise that the Golden Jubilee has brought out something in all of us, that we could celebrate together, we could sing, we could laugh, we could dance, we could enjoy each other’s company not as six different races, but as one, Guyanese, one Guyanese nation with one obsession, one passion and that is, we should all be reunited and all consider ourselves as citizens of our common homeland.

But also I would ask that in your silent moment that you consider that we have much more to achieve; we have just begun this new journey, we are on the door step of a new exciting step for Guyana, so once again, happy Golden Jubilee, enjoy being in Guyana, enjoy being Guyanese.

Thank you.

Ranks of the GDF unfurling the Golden Arrowhead on the lawns of State House, New Amsterdam

2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Address by Hon. Annette Ferguson Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructure at Bartica, Region # 7

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artica! I am happy to be here this evening in another capacity; to give my presentation on behalf of the Government and to celebrate with you my fellow Guyanese at this flag raising ceremony to commemorate Guyana’s independence. This year is so special to our nation, as it marks the fiftieth (50th) year of Guyana’s independence from colonial rulership.

As Government and a nation, we are celebrating this historic milestone and Golden Jubilee under the theme, “Reflect, Celebrate, Inspire”.

Putting independence in context, according to the writings of His Excellency Brigadier David Arthur Granger “Independence has been described as a decolonisation, the reform, reversal or removal of attitudes that prevailed in the old economy and society.

It also implied ‘Guyanisation’, that is the education and employment of Guyanese to help them attain their full potential”.

May 26 is a special day for Guyanese. Independence means a lot to us as Guyanese. Fifty years ago on May 26, 1966, the Union Jack was lowered and the five coloured Golden Arrowhead flag was hoisted to demonstrate to na-

tions and the people of our country that we are competent and ready to handle the affairs of our dear land.

On that very night, the late Cheddi Jagan and the late Linden Forbes Burnham embraced each other and many people shed tears of joy; symbolic that a great victory has been won and the struggle for ndependence was over.

The birth of a new nation has arrived. No longer the British Guiana but Guyana.

Fellow Guyanese, let us remember that the struggle for independence was fought putting nation above political parties and selfinterest. Guyanese were united in a common cause.

Tonight I consider it a blessing, to witness Guyana’s 50th independence anniversary. There were many freedom fighters who would have struggled for independence, shed blood and tears and did not get a chance to glimpse the lowering of the Union Jack and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead.

Tonight we pay homage to our fallen heroes, who fought for our independence. We remember Guyana’s First Executive President, the late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Late President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, the Late Peter D’Aguiar and the Late Stephen Campbell.

They all had their respec-

Minister Annette Ferguson waiting to take the salute

tive roles and purposes during Guyana’s preparations for independence.

Fellow Guyanese, gaining independence meant that we had the right to decide the economic, social, cultural and political direction of our beloved country. We determine the rise and fall of our country- we are responsible for all the consequences of our decisions and actions.

Bartica! In reflecting where we were, we can simply say that under the British rule, our leaders and fore-parents, endured having non-Guyanese manning affairs and holding key positions within governance system.

Today, tonight we can celebrate, as governance positions are held by Guyanese; Tonight we can celebrate our own national motto: One People, One Nation, One Destiny, Tonight we celebrate our own national Pledge, Anthem and National Songs; Tonight we celebrate our democracy in election of a Government of our choice.

Fellow Guyanese, these, among others are things for us to celebrate. Not only do we celebrate them, but we are also inspired!

Fellow Guyanese, after 50 years of Independence there’s still work to be done.

Many challenges have set us back as a nation. Prior to May 11, 2015, there was the practice of divisive politics but when you elected the APNU+AFC, as a Government of national unity, you sent a strong message no more race politics or in the words of HE Brigadier David Arthur Granger no more “ethnic arithmetic”, which has stymied our development as a nation.

Guyana belongs to all. Our Government has undertaken to unify our people.

His Excellency has set up Ministry of Social Cohesion specifically to promote ‘oneness’, as our motto declares “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. The younger generation must not experience the divisive past we have experienced.

This is the only way our nation can move forward.

Bartica! I can continue to focus nationally, but allow me to turn my attention to Region Seven.

Like many other regions, you have suffered years of neglect. In this year of Jubilee, you have many things to celebrate. During our lead up to the May 11, 2015 elections, the APNU+AFC made a promise with you the people of Bartica that once elected to government, Bartica will become a town, since you have the potential.

On May 7, 2016 our Government fulfilled that

A section of the crowd in Bartica

promise and granted township status to Bartica and Bartica, you have elected one of your own among others to serve you as Mayor and Councillors of this city. And in the words of Mayor Gifford Marshall and I quote “we are going to be Guyana’s first model town because we are going down the road of greening our entire township….and Bartica is united and is a town where look out for each other, we love each other and we want to set anexample for the rest of Guyana”.

Bartica! You have the right spirit for nation building; I commend and applaud your desire for development of a model city in unity. For united we stand divided we fall.

CONCLUSION Let us as Guyanese demonstrate oneness, so that we can join hands, hearts and heads together to propel this beautiful nation of ours to be the model country for the rest of the world.

Let us rise above the ideologies of narrow minded people who seek to divide us as Guyanese.

Let us pride ourselves in our rich cultural heritage and diversity and embrace oneness as can be seen in all our national symbols, anthem, pledge, songs, national poems and mot-

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Minister within the Ministry of Public Infrastructrue, Annette Ferguson to. Let us not get tired of working and fighting for the betterment of Guyana.

On behalf of HE Brigadier David Arthur Granger, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Ministers of Government, I extend Happy Independence greetings to you the people of Bartica.

May God continue to bless our nation and grant us peace! Long live the people of Bartica, Long live HE Brigadier David Arthur Granger, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, Long live Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Ministers of Government and Long live the people of Guyana!

God bless you all!

Thank you!

The Bartica Secondary School’s Steel Orchestra

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Address by Hon. Ronald Bulkan, Minister of Communities at Flag Raising in Mahdia, Region # 8

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Excerpts

am happy to be here among you to celebrate Guyana’s 50th anniversary of becoming an independent nation. I am happy to be in Potaro-Siparuni which lies at the heart of Guyana, and which for too long has been an aching heart. This administration however is committed to seeing this great region become the heartbeat of Guyana.

My friends, 50 years ago the Union Jack was lowered and the Golden Arrowhead was hoisted for the first time.

On that historic day our country was born. On that day Guyanese were given the opportunity to work together as one people, building one nation, and charting our own destiny. On that day of political independence, we were handed the responsibility to shape our own future and make our country what we want it to be.

Thirty-six (36) years ago, our country was demarcated into 10 administrative regions, and with it the system of regional administration was introduced.

Apart from independence itself, this may have been one of the most significant developments in our country’s history.

Our country has come a long way from the days of colonialism. However, we still have a lot of work to do. For too long our peoples have been divided. For too long we have argued one with the other, about things that don’t matter, instead of extending the hand of friendship and fellowship to our fellow Guyanese. For our country to develop, this has to change.

We recall what conditions were like under the previous regime: for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014, a total of $80 million was allocated to repair roads in the whole of Region 8. That situation changed with the election of the current administration.

In 2015, $600 million was allocated to construct concrete roads in Mahdia alone.

We are disappointed the project has not progressed as it should have done, even though the contracts were awarded in December 2015. This was as a result of the contractor who was supposed to supply stone failing to do so. The contract will therefore be awarded to another contractor.

Four-and-a-half years ago, Guyanese took determined action to remedy our divisions. Guyanese from all walks of life em-

braced the idea of inclusive governance.

They did this by giving one political party the right to form a government, but not a majority in the National Assembly. Regrettably, that opportunity was not grasped.

One year ago on May 15, 2015, the electorate chose a six-party coalition – the APNU+AFC – over a one-party candidate, to lead our country for the period 2015-2020.

Ladies and gentlemen, that event marked a new beginning – the possibility of a fresh start – the opportunity of creating inclusive governance as stipulated in Article 13 of the Constitution, and a better life to which all Guyanese can look forward.

The road ahead will not be easy; it will require dedication and hard work, but with our combined efforts we will achieve our aim of providing a good life for Guyanese, in whichever part of the country we live.

Your government knows of the issues which the people of this region face on a daily basis: You need a better water supply, you need reliable continuous and, most importantly, affordable electricity, proper healthcare, you need a commercial bank; you need all-weather roads, all-weather airstrips. My friends, we know of those needs, and we are working to meet those needs. We know that you need mining lands; the Minister of Natural Resources has recently announced that 120 blocks are soon to be made available to small miners in this region.

President Granger is committed to developing a green economy; one fuelled by renewable energy. Here in sub-region 2 of the Potaro-Siparuni region, in the very near future we will ensure that the Tumatumari Hydroelectricity Plant is rehabilitated to provide the supply of electricity, mentioned.

AGRICULTURE In the area of agriculture, the region’s initiatives are geared to provide food security. The programme, recently started, and will supply inputs to the schoolfeeding programme and will provide many more sustainable jobs in the region.

The RDC has developed a framework to stimulate economic ventures; this includes absolute ownership of the crops grown, processed, packaged and marketed.

The region is also embarking on introducing shade house agriculture at Kopinang, Kato and Mahdia

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan with students of Mahdia Secondary

to grow crops such as lettuce, tomatoes, and strawberries, to name a few.

Currently, there are three acres of rice growing at Monkey Mountain and four acres at Kopinang prepared for mixed farming and cultivation, including ground provisions, beans, etc.

As it relates to capital purchases, the RDC will be purchasing $13 million in agricultural equipment for irrigation, land preparation, and a smaller percentage for chemicals to control acoushi ants and other pests and diseases in the farms.

EDUCATION Every day, the administration is mindful that your schools need better equipment and more staff. Our children are our future. That is why the administration is committed to improving the schools across this region and throughout our country.

NATIONAL UNITY My friends, Guyanese chose to elect into office a new administration, an administration which promised transparency, accountability, democracy and regional autonomy. As part and parcel of regional autonomy, the administration is committed to the decentralisation of decisionmaking power from central government to regional administrators. Ladies and gentlemen, Guyana is a large and diverse country; our various regions have a variety of human and natural resources. Our various regions each have diverse geographic features. Given these facts, how can one expect that our country could be governed from an office in Georgetown? It is only logical therefore; that each region be given the power and authority to chart their own courses and plan their own destinies.

His Excellency President Granger has charged each region with developing and fashioning a plan for their own development. This plan will take into account the current economic conditions of the regions, the regions’ available natural resources, the regions’ available human resources, and the needs of the regions’ residents. This plan is called the Plan of Action for Regional Development or PARD. We are all aware that Guyanese usually refer to their regions by a number instead of by their names. Residents of Potaro-Siparuni it is clear that the reason for this is that the

A section of the gathering at the ceremony

Minister of communities, Ronald Bulkan names of the regions are too long and often difficult to remember. However, how can anyone form an emotional bond with a number? We need to call our regions by their names. The administration therefore, has taken a decision to send teams into the regions to consult with residents and administrators regarding the flags as well as the simplification of the name of each region.

TOWNSHIP My friends you would be aware that the administration had planned to make Mahdia a township, unfortunately this did not happen. The reason for this delay is due to technical challenges involving the demarcation of constituencies within Mahdia, however, this matter is now engaging our attention and we intend that Mahdia will be a town within one year from today.

My friends, making Mahdia a town is the logical thing to do since Mahdia is already the administrative center of Potaro-Siparuni. Making Mahdia a township is part and parcel of the strategic direction of this administration that each region must have a capital town which will provide all essential governmental services such as driver’s licences, passports, NIS, pensions, GRA services, disability payments, land titling, business registration, marriage certificates, and so on.

I close by wishing you once again a happy 50th anniversary. Let us work together to develop our country from strength to strength. Let us work together to create a better life for ourselves and our children.

Let us put aside our petty disagreements and embrace our neighbours. We have a future to build. Let us get on with the work at hand.

Happy Independence!

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan and wife Sattie Bulkan enjoying the flag raising ceremony

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Address by Hon. Sydney Allicock, 4th Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs at Lethem, Region # 9

F

Excerpts

ifty years ago we became an independent nation. Energies were released. We fashioned a way of ensuring ethnic harmony. We built roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, Amerindian hostels and the like. We hosted CARIFESTA for the first time in 1972; we built the Umana Yana for the first time also in 1972.

CARIFESTA was the first event at which the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana were able to show off our culture and traditional way of life. Today, the Umana Yana remains a means by which we the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana say to the world, in a tangible way, that we have the capacity and the capability to contribute to our country’s richness and developmental thrust.

Successive Governments of Guyana have continued to work towards an ever improving education system and health care delivery service. Successive Governments have worked towards the general improvement of the lives of Indigenous Peoples. That process started well before Independence with Stephen Campbell, our first Indigenous legislator. He

was joined later by our very own, the then very youthful Phillip Duncan, the first Indigenous Guyanese to become a minister of Government. Guyana was to be graced by several Indigenous ministers of government thereafter: Vibert De Souza, Carolyn Rodrigues, Pauline Sukhai, Desrey Fox, George Norton, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, Dawn Hastings-Williams and Sydney Allicock. Carolyn Rodrigues later became the first Indigenous person to be appointed to the office of Minister of Foreign Affairs. Dr. George Norton is the first Indigenous Minister of Health – a product of our scholarship programme. I am honoured to be the first Indigenous Vice President of my country.

There are countless Indigenous Guyanese who have contributed to the development of this young country by dint of their hard work, commitment, sacrifices and patriotism. They can boast of accomplishments in education, health, aviation, general public service, military service and countless other areas. These are our National heroes and we must celebrate them.

As I have said in other places, the Indigenous Peoples of Guyana have

A group of dancers entertaining the audience at the flag rising ceremony in Lethem

served humanity well. We have from time immemorial been the keepers of the earth’s lungs. We have kept civilisation going by ensuring sustainable use of the natural environment. We are the reason that Guyana can earn real money for its standing forests.

Guyana has made significant strides since May 26, 1966. There have been many challenges. Some we have managed to overcome; others still linger. I believe that, were we all to fully understand Independence and the responsibilities which go with it, our challenges will be significantly reduced.

In moving forward on the next leg of our journey as an Independent Nation, we who are elected to lead must of necessity, see ourselves as servants of our people.

Let us recognise that every Guyanese has a role to play in the future of our country. It cannot be “we versus them”. It has to be about UNITY. Together we must sit and formulate sensible policies; design meaningful and workable programmes; engage people who are possessed of the requisite skills and experience to help with taking these programmes forward.

Those of us who see

the need to frustrate efforts aimed at real development are hurting all of us; our children and future generations. Those of us who see the need to ignore brilliant ideas aimed at real development because of their source are doing no different. We must resist the temptations to engage in these useless and harmful exercises.

We have come a long way. Lethem is now a Town. Lethem is now officially the capital of Region Nine. We are embarking on the decentralising of government services. This set of actions is geared to ensure that the difficulties associated with journeying to the capital city to do basic things come to an end.

Region Nine residents are entitled to the unhindered access to the full enjoyment of all government services right here. You will get no less. Your government intends to bring technical and vocational training, agricultural training, improved education delivery and health care service to you here in Region Nine.

We shall continue to improve the physical infrastructure of the Region.

We shall improve the justice system here, as well.

To our young people desirous of studying at the

A section of the gathering at the flag rising ceremony in Lethem

tertiary level, and who have difficulty finding a place to live in the city I have good news. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs has already embarked upon the process of planning and costing with respect to a new dormitory specific to your needs. The construction of this facility will commence soon after this year.

We have removed the political tentacles from the National Toshaos’ Council. They are now truly independent of political direction.

Government facilitated the holding of Guyana’s first ever Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Resources Conference held last August. Government continues to support Indigenous Villages and Communities through interventions aimed at improving Village economies and equipping youths with skill sets necessary to contribute meaningfully to sustainable development.

As we celebrate tonight the 50th anniversary of our Independence, let us do so ever mindful of our many National achievements; let us celebrate the people who made it possible. Our leaders - Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, Cheddi Jagan, Peter d’Aguiar may have had differences on many matters. How-

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Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock ever, they were united on one thing: the need for British Guiana to become Independent Guyana.

At midnight on May 26, 2016 we start a new journey.

We start the march towards the next 50 years as an Independent Nation. For us to succeed, we need to be united around a common idea.

May I suggest that we unite around the solid belief that as a Nation, we shall attain true economic independence. By 2066, when our grandchildren come here to celebrate, they should be celebrating Lethem, the most developed Town in Guyana. They should be celebrating Guyana, the most developed country in CARICOM. Let us get to work. “We have a nation to build; we have a destiny to mould.”

These young ladies showcasing the costumes which were used at the float parade on Independence Day 2016

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Address by Hon. Valerie Adams-Patterson, Minister within the Ministry of Communities at Flag Raising in Linden, Region # 10 Excerpts My fellow Guyanese, the development of a human being could be likened to that of a nation, and more particularly, to our nation, Guyana, aspiring for nationhood.

For about 350 years, Guyana was controlled by the European powers – Dutch, French and British – with the latter fully occupying Guyana from the early 19th Century.

Guyana’s road to political independence was indeed turbulent. For a brief period in the early 1950s, its nationalist movement, the original People’s Progressive Party, under the leadership of the Late Presidents, Dr. Cheddi B, Jagan, and Mr. Forbes Burnham, enjoyed overwhelming support from the working class and the masses in general, as they pursued the noble objectives of national unity and internal self-government. Their resounding victory at the 1953 general elections astounded many, including local reactionaries, the Colonial Office, and more so the US State Department.

With independence came the termination of more than a century and a half of British colonial administrative rule.

As part of independence we saw the emergence of our new Guyana Coat of Arms. Beneath a scroll-like banner, the Nation’s Motto is proudly proclaimed: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”, while on the shield itself are found three barrulets of azure blue symbolising Guyana’s watery nature and its water potential. This Coat of Arms justifiably accords pride of place in our national minds and reminds us of our unity and sense of purpose as an independent nation.

There was the selection of the Canje Pheasant

as the national bird. The flag and national anthem, the design and colours of the new flag – “The Golden Arrowhead,” had already been chosen. The winning entry for the national anthem, “Green Land of Guyana,” was written by Reverend Archibald Luker, and the words were set to music

by Cyril G. Potter, a prominent Guyanese educator and musician.

Guyana became an independent nation on Thursday, May 26, 1966, but the independence celebrations began four days before and continued until May 29. On the evening of May 25, a grand cultural performance took place at the Queen Elizabeth Park (later to be renamed the National Park).

Similar activities were also scheduled to be held in other parts of the country with major ceremonies in Essequibo, [here in] McKenzie/ Wismar/ Christianburg (now Linden) and New Amsterdam. Adrian Thompson and team also raised a flag at Mount Ayanganna.

Then at midnight, the Union Jack, the symbol of British colonial rule for 163 years, was lowered and the new flag of Guyana, the Golden Arrowhead, was raised to the top of the mast. Just before the flag raising ceremony before a huge crowd, Prime Minister Forbes Burnham and Opposition Leader Cheddi Jagan publicly embraced each other, indicating their satisfaction that Guyana had finally won its political independence.

That was 50 years ago!

My fellow Guyanese there are some valuable lessons that should take note of as we assemble here, on the eve of our Jubilee anniversary.

Independence was a collective effort It was a “we thing” and

it required effort. It wasn’t given on a platter. We had to fight for it. As H.E. President David Granger points out: “Political Independence was neither the work of one person nor one party nor was it a sudden event. It was a process that took place over a long period of several decades.”

That’s why as a government, we hold that: “Perhaps nothing is more important to APNU+AFC than being a change agent for healing and reconciliation in our beloved Guyana. Since the beginning of our recorded history, we have known conflict and strife, most notably in the deliberate manipulation of the races by our colonial rulers to ensure that, until today, we remain distrustful, disrespectful and disdainful of each other.

President Granger (in his May 12th address to the National Assembly) reiterated his call for social cohesion: “Stating that social cohesion was key to this country’s moving forward.

President Granger told the Parliament that Guyana’s future depends heavily on “deeper social cohesion” and stressed that the current generation has an obligation “to repair past damage, to restore trust and to rebuild the bases of a ‘moral community’.”

Fellow Guyanese, just as we, together worked to gain Independence, we have to work together to build the nation. It calls for collective effort.

Independence was a promise for the future Independence was just the start. It was just the beginning. It was the birth of a living organism with the potential to grow and develop but political independence is just one component of being independent.

Since coming into office, H.E. President Grang-

er has been championing this theme of economic independence. Taking his message of economic independence across the nation, the President observed that: “East Berbice-Corentyne (Region Six) can lead the economic recovery of the entire country. It can influence the economic development of the Caribbean community through the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME),” adding, that “[the] Region comprises 96 communities. It is the only Region with three towns.

Guyana needs strong Regions… We need economically robust Regions…”

Fellow Guyanese, as we contemplate the future and we consolidate and celebrate our political independence, part of our contribution to building this “free and just society” must be to work for full independence, including economic independence. The future beckons. We must work to fulfill the promise that independence brought us.

Independence opened the door of opportunity Independence gave us the opportunity to create the life (country) we want. We didn’t have to wait on another to build it for us. Independence gave us an opportunity to establish ourselves in the world, which means getting ahead, educating our people, establishing relationships and competing for a place in society.

Some of you may be too young to know this.

When we gained independence, it took approximately eight hours to travel from McKenzie to Georgetown.

Within two years, that was reduced to less than three hours, with the completion of the Linden/Soesdyke Highway. And there were many more such examples, including “the MMA

Scheme, the expansion of the Black Bush Polder and the Tapacuma Drainage and Irrigation Schemes; the Demerara Harbour Bridge and the Canje Bridge; the entire network of coastal roads from Corentyne to Essequibo; and, the National Cultural Center.

Independence gave us Responsibility Social Responsibility One of our Historians writes: Our expectation was that with political independence we would have enjoyed political stability, national unity and social and economic progress.

Unfortunately, the stark reality is that today our nation is still struggling to achieve these desired goals.

President Granger is of the view that the country cannot move forward as a nation with sections of society preaching disunity. With that in mind, the President said, “We need to reinforce the political party system in which all Guyanese can sit at the table and resolve their problems in an inclusionary manner. That is why I have been advocating shared governance and inclusionary democracy.”

Territorial Responsibility Our President reminds us of this responsibility: “Independent statehood vested us with the responsibility of being guardians of our territory, custodians of our national patrimony and masters of our own destiny. Our new status imposed an obligation to improve our citizens’ access to public services... It engendered hopes of a ‘good life’ for all.”

Environmental Responsibility It is now our duty to protect and care our portion of the earth and its attending environs. It is our duty to understand that

Minister within the Ministry of Communities, Valerie Adams-Patterson our choices and our actions will contribute to the well-being of the environment or its deterioration.

Independence brought with it accountability It is said that with responsibility comes accountability. So you may ask, “To whom are we accountable?” We are accountable to our collective selves.

We are also accountable to the next generation. We will be judged by the next generation as either being responsible or being reckless with that which was bequeathed to us – what we did with it and what we, in turn, bequeath to them.

We are proud of our accomplishments since achieving political Independence over the past fifty years. We now look forward to the achievement of economic independence over the next fifty. We shall be prouder when we employ our energies and efforts in this special year of our ‘national renaissance’ to remove the remaining obstacles that still keep us disunited, and to chart a course that will bring happiness to our people. It is now time to set forth on a new pathway to progress.”

On behalf of the Government of Guyana, I wish you and your family a blessed 50th Independence Anniversary!

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2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

Scenes from Region # 7 Flag Raising Ceremony

Mazaruni prison inmates performing folk songs

Flag Party marches on

Parade marches on

Golden Arrowhead being hoisted

Gift for Bartica’s first Jubilee baby

Scenes from Region # 8

Students of the Mahdia Secondary singing and dancing folk songs

The Golden Arrowhead is hoisted at Mahdia

Residents of Mahdia watching fireworks

Fireworks display in Mahdia

Minister of Communities Ronald Bulkan among residents looking at the fireworks

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Tel #: 592-225-4255, 226 8843, Fax: 226 4003 Email: ginagovgy@gmail.com Website: www.gina.gov.gy Youtube: gina.guyana

May 2016

Scenes from Region 9 & 10 Flag Raising Ceremony

Vice President and Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock delivering the feature address at the flag rising ceremony in Lethem, Region Nine

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers conducting their march pass before the hoisting of the flag, Region Nine

Guyana Defence Force (GDF) soldiers standing at seize as the Golden Arrowhead is hoisted in Region Nine

Fireworks light up the sky as the Golden Arrowhead flies at full mast in Region Nine

Members of the Police Force’s Band leading Joint Services ranks marching at the Region Ten, Flag Raising Ceremony in Linden

Scouts participating in the Region Ten, Flag Raising Ceremony

The Regional Democratic Council Building, site of the Flag Raising Ceremony in Linden, Region Ten

Minister of Housing Valerie-Sharpe Patterson and Member of Parliament Jermaine Figueira cutting an Independence Cake at the Region Ten Flag Raising Ceremony

A section of the crowd at Region Ten Flag Raising Ceremony in Linden

For more information please visit: www.gina.gov.gy 2016. Hoisting the Golden Arrowhead

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