Golden Arrowhead hoisted at Parliament Buildings- as Guyana observes 44th Republic anniversary

Guyana’s symbol of nationhood, the Golden Arrowhead, was this morning hoisted in the fore court of Parliament Buildings in the presence of the Commander-in-Chief, President Donald Ramotar and the military top brass to celebrate Guyana’s 44th Republic anniversary.

President Donald Ramotar inspecting honour guard at Republic

Day Flag Raising ceremony at Parliament Buildings

The Golden Arrowhead was raised by a Flag Ensign and accompanied the ceremonial 21-gun salute as members of the Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps and the public observed the somber tradition.

President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds

and heads of the Joint Services reciting the National Pledge

at Republic Day Flag Raising ceremony

Preceding the flag raising was the arrival of Prime Minister, Samuel Hinds, who was given the general salute, followed by the President’s arrival, the Presidential salute and the inspection of the Guard of Honour. There were four guards on parade: Number One was commanded by Lieutenant Akeem Curtain, the second guard comprising GDF female ranks was commanded by Lieutenant Texine Daw, The third guard, comprising GPF females, commanded by Cadet Officer Joel Hales and the male guard of the GPF, commanded by Assistant Superintendent Manny Bacchus.

One hundred and four ranks, along with six officers, led by Parade Commander Dale De Mendonca, drawn from the joint services, formed the honour guard for the proceedings.

Sub-Lieutenant Rondell Douglas was the National Flag Ensign. GDF Lieutenant Lionel Beckford was the State Colour Ensign. The Force Colour Ensign was Lieutenant Rickford Warden. Escorts to the Force Colours were Warrant Officer Class 2 Rawl Rodney, Sergeant Jerriton Osborne and Sergeant Jermain Fraser were the Colour escorts and the Parade Warrant officer, Class 1 William Richmond.

The hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead at the Republic Day

Flag Raising ceremony at Parliament Buildings

Pandit Jagmohan Persaud, Imam Shaik Zakir Khan and Pastor Wendell Jeffrey offered prayers on behalf of the Hindu, Christian and Muslim communities. The GPF band corps and choir, directed by Major Robert Burns led those gathered in renditions of National Songs and the National Anthem, after which the parade marched on, bringing an end to the morning’s proceedings.

Guyana gained Republican status on February 23, 1970, close to four years after it achieved Independence.

Pride and respect returned to Guyana’s Republic celebration - Local Gov’t Minister tells Region Eight residents

Guyana is now a full fledged democracy that has witnessed monumental social and economical changes, and it’s people can celebrate Republic anniversaries because pride and dignity have returned to the celebrations, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Norman Whittaker, said on Saturday evening on the eve of  Republic anniversary to residents of Kopinang, Region Eight.

The Minister and the Regional Executive Officer Ronald Harsawack joined the residents in commemorating the country’s Republic anniversary at the community centre. Speaking of the difficult years prior to the PPPC government taking over, he said now, ” we celebrate because pride and respect have returned to us.”

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development

Norman Whittaker and Regional Executive Officer Ronald

Harsawack at the flag raising ceremony at Kopinang,

Region Eight on the eve of Guyana’s 44th Republic

Anniversary

The Minister spoke of the role played by the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in “moving us from where we were in the gutters” and in advancing the country and rights of all the people including the Amerindians. “Let us celebrate tonight (Saturday) the fact that the indigenous people in this country are now in a position where they can make decisions for themselves, without unnecessary interference at the level of government,” he said.

Guyana has come a long way since its first republic anniversary including a period of being an undemocratic state; under a dictatorial government with suppressed people. Significant strides were made since those days following the restoration of democracy in 1992, under the ruler ship of the PPPC, with the ground work set by the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan. This has since been built on by each successive PPP President and Government.

“What we are saying is that when you look at where we were in 1970, when those people said that we were a Republic to where we are now, in those times they had nothing to celebrate, because we had achieved nothing. But today, 44 years later we have a lot to celebrate,” Minister Whittaker noted.

From 1992 to present, the PPP Government has not only improved the rights of the people, but has maintained a stable macro-economic environment conducive to creating employment and economic growth, and has modernised and built critical infrastructure. Minister Whittaker noted that Amerindians too are part of this success story, and have been catapulted as a result.

“We have today Amerindians who are doctors, Amerindians who are engineers, Amerindians who are education officers and Amerindians who are Ministers. You too have something to celebrate, our achievements in the social services…and though we may not be doing well enough in terms of the village economy, I say to you that Rome was not built in a day and we cannot achieve everything one time, but we will work together with you to ensure more improvements as we go along,” he said.

The Golden Arrowhead being hoisted at Kopinang, Region Eight on the eve of Guyana’s 44th Republic Anniversary

The PPP Government has worked since the advent of its ascension to office to ensure all the races of Guyana have an equal share in the country’s resources. “We have always delivered on all our promises set out in our manifestos,” Minister Whittaker noted. He told the resident that Government will continue to work and will do all of the things that the Opposition is seeking to block or cut and bring progress in education, health, infrastructure, roads, transportation and water.

Harsawack spoke of  government’s tangible support and contribution to the development of the residents of Region Eight. “Last year we saw the completion of miles of roads, new bridges, culverts, schools and health centers… education delivery through our increase budgetary allocation saw pass rates significantly increasing in the areas of Maths, Science, English and Arts.”

He said that upgrades and renovation were done to school buildings, sanitary facilities, teachers quarters’ and dormitory facilities throughout the region whilst the health services improved with the expansion of new services and training of key and critical medical personnel.

Residents of Kopinang, Region Eight at the flag raising

ceremony at the community sports ground

Harsawack said for Kopinang in 2013, Government delivered on its commitment to rehabilitate the nursery and primary school, the community health centre, and supply  school furniture and solar panels among others.