IDPADA-G’s Statement in Observance of International Day for People of African Descent
Today, across the African continent and throughout the global diaspora, we pause to honour the immeasurable contributions of people of African descent to human civilization. From the cradle of humanity in Africa to the struggles and triumphs that shaped the modern world, Africans have been central to every stage of human progress. No attempt at erasure can diminish this truth.
As African Guyanese, we join in this global commemoration with both pride and pain. Pride, because we are heirs to a legacy of resilience, creativity, and leadership that has transformed societies. Pain, because in our own land of Guyana, the rights and dignity of people of African descent continue to be undermined. While the United Nations has called upon all member states to ensure Recognition, Justice, and Development for people of African descent, our government has chosen to turn its back on these commitments.
The defunding of IDPADA-G – the very institution established to advance the objectives of the International Decade for People of African Descent – is not an accident. It reflects a pattern of policies and practices that marginalize and silence us. We have seen the denial of our rightful ownership of ancestral lands, the bulldozing of homes, farms, and livelihoods in communities like Mocha Arcadia, and the attempt to distort and diminish our proud history by referring to our national hero, Kofi (Cuffy) – leader of the 1763 Berbice Revolution, Governor of the Berbice Republic – as a “proud house slave.” These are not mere words or isolated incidents; they are deliberate acts of erasure and disrespect.
On this International Day of People of African Descent, we declare that we will not be erased. We will not allow our history to be rewritten nor our dignity denied. We will stand tall, shoulder to shoulder, in the spirit of Kofi and the countless ancestors who fought for freedom, justice, and dignity.
We call on every African Guyanese, all allies, and every institution of goodwill to join us by choosing a leader who will fight for:
- Recognition of the historical and ongoing contributions of African Guyanese to the building of this nation.
- Justice in dismantling systemic discrimination, racism, and the policies that perpetuate marginalization.
- Development that empowers our communities with resources, opportunities, and respect.
The struggle for true emancipation did not end in 1838 – it continues today. The future is ours to shape, but only if we stand united, vigilant, and unyielding in our demand for equity.
Let this International Day for People of African Descent remind us of who we are, what we have endured, and what we must achieve together. Now is the time to rise, to act, and to claim the justice and recognition that are rightfully ours.
