INDEPENDENCE,
AN IMPORTANT EVENT IN
GUYANA’S HISTORY
BY PREM MISIR, Ph.D.
Reasons
for the Independence struggle
Sustaining
the gains
The
PPP/C Government established good governance
All
are involved
This viewpoint will focus on Independence as an important
event in this country’s history, and to show the meaningfulness
of the past in understanding current phenomena as well as
the future.
"We should not look back, but should go forward."
This statement is in vogue, as it is presented as a politically
correct line. But from a serious analytical point of view,
it is far from being correct. In order to go forward, we
need to know where we are and from whence we came. Minister
Teixeira puts it beautifully as, “Sometimes we become
so occupied with the ‘here and now’ that we
forget that in the past there is the embryo of the future,
that in the present we are making history.” Indeed,
this ‘present’ in the making of history eventually
will become our past. The baseline which implies utilizing
data from the past, is critical in determining the success
of our movement, for assessment and evaluation of our current
status without the baseline, will be unreliable and invalid.
We can and must go forward, but in so doing, we must not
block out and resist the past.
Reasons
for the Independence struggle
Independence is one of the most significant days in this
country's history, a moment in our history that must never
be erased. And, indeed, today, Guyana celebrates its 37th
Independence anniversary. To even understand this day's
significance, we have to indulge and engage ourselves into
the past to feel the experiences of previous generations,
to understand the reasons for the Independence struggle,
and to sustain the gains accrued since 1966. Former President
Cheddi Jagan asserted that the reasons for the Independence
struggle were "...Because life was hard and conditions
were abominable. Sugar was 'King', and British Guiana was
called Booker's Guiana, in reference to an expatriate firm
which monopolized the political, economic, social and cultural
life of the country...Material hardships were linked with
the denial of civil and political rights...There was apartheid
in the sugar estates, the bauxite town, Mackenzie and on
the bauxite river boat R.H. Carr...Our Independence struggle
was hard and was complicated by the Cold War. We were clobbered,
jailed, detained and restricted. Some of our comrades were
tried on treason charges. We were removed from government
through force and chicanery on two occasions, 1953 and 1964...As
for me, I have no bitterness, no recrimination. "
Sustaining
the gains
At the Independence talks in London in 1960, while the People's
Progressive Party (PPP) advocated for immediate Independence,
the People's National Congress (PNC), at that time, showed
little support for severing the bonds with Great Britain.
In 1962, to further delay Independence, the PNC conditioned
the bestowal of Independence with a change in the electoral
system. Despite these initial difficulties, Great Britain
granted Independence to Guyana on May 26, 1966.
The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), in a
media release of May 23, 2003, defines Independence as:
1. creating multiracialism, the basis for sustaining equality
of opportunity
2. upholding the rule of law, an important foundation for
providing security, and
3. enhancing people’s quality of life.
The PNCR noted that without these, Independence represents
nothingness.
In addressing these assertions and those of other critics,
let’s examine what Guyana has been and is like under
the PPP/C Administration over the last decade.
1. The joint Army/Police operations will
continue with greater intensity in an effort to impact the
crime wave.
2. PPP/C’s Guyana is free, i.e., with political rights
and civil liberties, according to the US-based Freedom House
Survey.
3. The PPP/C Administration administers Guyana as a parliamentary
democracy.
4. Creating a strong macroeconomic environment to facilitate
market and economic growth. The economic growth is projected
to be 1.2% for 2003. This projected growth rate may not
be enough, but it compares well with the CARICOM region
and the slow growth in the world economy.
5. Expanding the social services sector to reach all Guyanese.
Keep in mind that in 1992 under the PNC regime, eight (8)
% of the Budget was allocated to social services compared
to budgetary allocations for education which was 17.2% and
eight (8)% for Health in 2002.
6. Over 50,000 house lots allocated over the last ten years,
and 65 squatter settlements have been regularized. About
10,000 house lots are expected to be allocated this year.
7. Inflation is projected at a mere 5% for 2003.
8. This year’s budget will address poverty reduction.
Among the areas include the following: SIMAP III and Basic
Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) V will generate $5.7 million for
community-based projects, as roads, health, education, drainage
and irrigation, etc.; the Amerindian Development Fund of
$50 million will be used for agriculture; there will be
a $310 million for a textbook program for primary and secondary
schools and a $100 million for the school-feeding program;
and a youth Choice Initiative Program of $50 million.
The
PPP/C Government established good governance to Guyana through
following:
1. The PPP/C Government initiated constitutional
reforms to the 1980 Constitution.
The PPP/C Government reduced the powers of the Presidency
granted by the 1980 Constitution through constitutional
reforms.
2. The PPP/C Government encourages and promotes the principles
and practices of a multi-party state.
3. Administering free, fair, and transparent National Elections
in1997 and 2001, as determined by international observers.
4. Holding Local Government election in 1995, keeping in
mind that it was last administered in 1970.
5. Achieving accountability through the Office of the Auditor-General;
the Government’s accounts are audited annually.
6. Establishing the Integrity Commission.
7. Using the dialog and constructive engagement with the
Opposition PNCR to promote inclusive governance.
8. Appointing seven new Standing Committees, enabling the
Opposition to meaningfully input the legislative process.
9. Reviewing the demarcation and extension of Amerindian
Lands.
10. Establishing the Constitutional Commissions, including
the Ethnic Relations Commission.
All
are involved
The PPP/C’s democratic thrust and gains over the preceding
decade has given significance to the word ‘Independence’,
and these gains must be consolidated and sustained to benefit
all Guyanese.
May 26 is a day of reflection for all Guyanese, at home
and abroad. On this occasion, Independence Day is celebrated
at a time when Guyana is filled with many difficult challenges.
However, we feel assured that the PPP/C Administration is
capable of meeting every test by virtue of the Government’s
belief that an evolving national unity in a multiethnic
society as Guyana, is born out of an ethnic diversity, guided
by dialog and constructive engagement in the body politic.
On this most important day in Guyana’s history, we
need to understand that good governance that is a prerequisite
for development, requires the contribution of all Guyanese.
This approach necessitates the ‘all are involved’
paradigm. We also need to terminate extremism of all kinds
and show with pride and dignity our movement toward progressive
nation building amid the equal coexistence of all cultures.
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