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Former President David Granger on Friday urged Guyanese to emancipate themselves from mental slavery and become the drivers for change in their communities and the country.
During his weekly programme, “The Public Interest,” Mr. Granger said that, as the nation prepares to celebrate the 183rd anniversary of Emancipation, that historical event is still relevant to everyday life. He explained that Emancipation set the foundation for political, economic and social changes that transformed the plantations into a nation.
Mr. Granger cited the words of Bob Marley’s famous ‘Redemption Song’ – Emancipate yourself from mental slavery none but ourselves can free our minds – which best express the Emancipation spirit and still resonate forty years after the song was written.
According to the PNC Leader, Emancipation Day and Indigenous Heritage Month were supplemented by the designation of Chinese, Indian and Portuguese ‘Arrival Days’ as official observances in the national calendar during his Presidency. Those observances were aimed at fostering social cohesion through remembrance, recognition and respect for one another.
Addressing matters relating to his Party directly, Mr. Granger said the disagreements which exist are not antagonistic and there is no ‘rift’ in the PNC. Members are assured that the PNC’s institutions are strong. The Central Executive Committee is committed to ensuring a safe congress. The Former President lamented the circumstances in which Emancipation Day is being observed. The PPP administration has set a bad record over the past year by the hundreds of public servants who were dismissed, the hundreds of deaths caused by the mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread distress resulting from mishandling the ongoing flood – Guyana’s worst natural disaster.
