Road to Independence and its significance
By Tota Mangar
Guyana Chronicle
May 30, 2004
MAY 26, 2004 marks the 38th anniversary of our country's attainment of independence from Great Britain. On this historic day in 1966, a new nation, Guyana, the only English-speaking one on the South American continent, achieved national sovereignty to become the 24th member of the then British Commonwealth of nations, thus bringing to an end decades of British colonial rule.
Guyana's road to political independence was rather turbulent. For a brief period into the early 1950s, its nationalist movement, the original People's Progressive Party (PPP) under the leadership of the late President and Founder Fathers, Dr. Cheddi B. Jagan and Mr. Linden F. S. Burnham enjoyed overwhelming support from the working class and masses in general as they pursued the noble objective of working class solidarity and national unity. Their resounding victory at the 1953 general elections under the banner of the PPP astounded many. including local reactionaries the Colonial Office, and moreso, the U.S State Department.
The mass-based party's tenure in office was only short lived (133 days) as Great Britain, under considerable American pressure, suspended the Constitution and overthrew the legally elected government under the guise of a 'communist threat'. The ironical thing about this sordid affair was that an interim government was then imposed on the people and it comprised many individuals who themselves had suffered humiliating defeat at the hands of the toppled nationalists candidates.
As if that was not enough the nationalist movement itself became seriously fractured in 1955. This unfortunate development paved the way for both the emergence of the People's National Congress in 1957 and the subsequent intense political rivalry between our two foremost leaders, Dr. Jagan and Mr. Burnham.
Subsequent events such as grave political and social instability including strikes and disturbances which erupted as a result of the Kaldor Budget and the Labour Relations Bill in the 1962-1963 periods clearly illustrated the very turbulent waters that our nation had to endure on its path to independence.
Loss of several lives, the wanton destruction of properties to the tune of millions of dollars and acute dislocation of people were the sad reality of life during this dark period of our country's history.
Under a new Duncan Sandys imposed electoral system of proportional representation in 1964, Mr. Burnham headed a PNC-UF coalition government. As Prime Minister he shouldered the responsibilities of leading the country to independence while his former colleague and by then bitter rival, Dr. Jagan, served as Opposition Leader.
Political independence was achieved on May 26, 1966. With independence came the termination of more than a century and a half of British colonial administrative rule and the colony of British Guiana giving way to Guyana. At midnight of 25th May, 1966 thousands of Guyanese from all walks of life stood proudly and cheered as the Union Jack was lowered and the National Flag went up to herald the birth of a new and independent Guyana.
Among those who witnessed the highly historic, significant and unique ceremony were the Duke and Duchess of Kent; Sir Richard Luyt, the first governor general of Guyana; former Conservative Colonial Secretary, Mr. Duncan Sandys and Colonial Secretary, Mr. Anthony Greenwood and 62 delegates from 47 countries worldwide.
Of added significance and to the tumultuous applause of all who thronged Independence Square was the comforting bear-hug embrace between Jagan and Burnham, the architects of Guyana's freedom only minutes before the attainment of nationhood. That emotionally charged happening promised much but in the final analysis realised very little in the post-independence era.
As part of independence was the emergence of our new Coast of Arms. On it is seen the pride of our fauna life, two jaguars holding a pickaxe and stems of rice and sugar cane and facing each other proudly across a painted shield on top of which rests a visored helmet topped by the feathered crown of an Amerindian chieftain. Beneath a scroll-like banner boldly proclaims the Nation's Motto `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 strength of unity and sense of purpose.
Independence brought with it our National Flag, a slender arrowhead set proudly on a background of green and red and stands as a striking symbol of Guyana's journey into the future. The lush green colour symbolises the fields and forests of Guyana's assets of which the country is richly endowed. The red triangle represents the zeal and dynamic nature of nation building that lies before the young and independent nation while the deep black border stands for the endurance that will sustain the forward thrust of its people. Finally, white symbolises our rivers, waterfalls and our hydroelectric potential of this `Land of Water'.
Our new National Anthem is a popular aspect of our Independence. Reverend Archibald Luker wrote the words of `Green Land of Green' in response to the nation-wide competition sponsored by the then National History and Arts Council while our distinguished Guyanese educationist and musician, the late RCG Potter composed the music. The title of our National Anthem is appropriate and expressive of colour and vitality and of land fertility.
On the morning of the 26th May, 1966, the National Assembly witnessed all the pomp and pageantry and ceremonial aspects of Westminster. In the historic Public Buildings, the Duke of Kent handed over to the country's first Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes Burnham, the Constitutional Instruments conceding to us the dignity and pride of Independence Nationhood on behalf of the Queen.
Undoubtedly, the expectations of all Guyanese were very high at that point in time and they had every right to be so. Our then Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes Burnham expressed optimism when he said: "Thus our journeyings to Independence have ended. We face, however, the harder but more emotionally satisfying and definitely more self-respecting task of making Guyana great among the nations - the tasked of building a free and just society."
What can we honestly say 38 years after gaining independence? We certainly share the joy, pride and dignity of being an independent nation. Our expectation was that with political independence we would have enjoyed political stability, national unity and greater economic progress. Unfortunately, the stark reality is that today our nation is plagued with numerous problems and challenges despite the best efforts of many.
Political stability and national unity are as elusive as ever. While we have made some progress on the social and economic fronts, there is still a lot to be achieved. Foreign debts continue to stifle us and we experience depressed world markets and prices for our exports. We are still to accelerate our production and productivity drives. Increased criminal activity is cause for grave concern. We continue to suffer from migration and the consequential 'brain drain' and capital flight.
As we reflect on independence, let us show a greater sense of purpose and maturity and greater mutual respect, tolerance and understanding of all Guyanese if we are to survive as nation. Let us put nation first at this critical juncture of our country's history and in the face of an increasingly harsh and oppressive world environment.
A very happy 38th Independence anniversary to one and all! Long Live independent Guyana!