Ramotar slams decision to use Red House as Centre for all Presidents

Former President Donald Ramotar

Attempts to take over Red House 

“Find somewhere else for the others” – he insisted

Former President Donald Ramotar has wholly criticised the decision taken by Government to transform the historical Cheddi Jagan Research Centre (Red House) into a research facility for all past Presidents.

Cheddi Jagan Research Centre

During a media conference on Wednesday, Attorney General/Legal Affairs Minister Basil Williams declared: “The building ought not to be used only for the late President Cheddi Jagan. We have other past presidents and all the past presidents should really be dealt with in that building. That is our position.”

Williams disclosed that discussions are underway for Government to regain control of the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre and if that happens, indicated that the A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Administration will attempt to turn the ancient structure into a research centre for all past presidents.

However, in an invited comment former President Donald Ramotar expressed that Government’s intention is a clear reflection of its “arrogance and vindictiveness”.

He insisted that Red House was the former home of “Guyana’s most prestigious President” and therefore concluded that it would be a blatant dishonour to share the building with the country’s other presidents.

“Dr Jagan lived in that house, it is the perfect memorial for him,” Ramotar stated.

Nevertheless Ramotar said, if Government truly wants to establish similar facilities for all of Guyana’s past presidents then it should pursue the option of utilising other buildings.

“There are many other buildings that Government can use to set up similar centres for past presidents. I am completely against this decision,” he emphasised and suggested Castellani House or the University of Guyana (UG) as prime locations for such a facility.

Only three months after taking office, the APNU/AFC coalition had indicated its interest in controlling Red House.

Minister of State Joseph Harmon had announced that the State Asset Recovery Unit was looking to control the building.

The Red House is located on High Street, Kingston, Georgetown. It was once the official residence of the Colonial Secretaries and prior to that was occupied and owned by Sir Eustace Woolford, a former speaker of the Legislature. Dr Cheddi Jagan lived there whilst he was the Premier of British Guiana from 1961-1964.

The Cheddi Jagan Research Centre was officially established in 1999. Its intention was to promote research into and publish materials on the life, work and ideas of Dr Jagan – this will also promote research into the history of Guyana’s struggle for Independence and social justice, the history of Guyana as a whole from the early 1940s to the late 1990s.

Dr Jagan was well known around the world as an incorruptible freedom fighter and revolutionary who dedicated his life to the poor and powerless in Guyanese society.