Guyana’s constitutional Independence was the product of a movement of the Caribbean people. It was largely the result of the workers’ struggle against the British Empire during the post-War depression of 1918 and 1945.
The Caribbean ‘Labour Rebellion’ in the 1930s witnessed the killing and injuring of workers. Labour Union agitation in the factories and waterfronts; the solidarity of farmers and villagers and the agitation of patriotic professionals contributed to the struggle for self-determination. The ‘movement’ was propelled by the attainment of universal adult suffrage and constitutional reforms and the advocacy of mass-based organisations.
These opinions were expressed by former President David Granger on his weekly programme – The Public Interest. He felt that Independence should have brought change but did not immediately reverse the condition of dependency. Powerful and prestigious positions – Governor-General; Governor of the Central Bank; Chief of Staff of the Defence Force; Commissioner of Police; Vice-Chancellor of the University; Bishops of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches and CEOs of bauxite and sugar industries and the banks – were all still held by foreigners at Independence.
Mr. Granger recalled that Guyana attained Independence under a ‘state of emergency’ with the British Army still deployed. The new state was challenged to ensure citizens’ safety and the security of the national borders after the British Army’s withdrawal and to rebalance the economy still dominated by commodity production which exposed the country to international market volatility.
The pressing need was to repair society that had been damaged by disunity and division during the PPP-GAWU’s ‘Hurricane of protest’ campaign in 1964 known as ‘the Disturbances.’ Venezuela’s seizure of Guyana’s portion of Ankoko Island, and its instigation of a secessionist rebellion in the Rupununi also had to be overcome.
The former President feels that the country still faces challenges to social cohesion and economic expansion. It needs now to focus on the future. He recommends APNU’s project – Decade of Development: 2020-2029 – as a strategic plan to transform the country through expediting economic growth; enhancing universal access to education and healthcare; expanding employment opportunities for young people; ensuring equality of opportunity for everyone and protecting our patrimony by preserving the environment for future generations.
Guyanese need to discard the ‘divisive and degenerate winner-takes-all model’ of governance and embrace an ‘inclusionary democracy’ to ensure that everyone can be assured of a ‘good life’, Mr. Granger said.
