“You can change the laws of man, but you can’t change the laws of God.”
— Queen Ifrica
As Queen Ifrica prepares to headline this year’s Emancipation Day celebrations at the National Park, these words remind us that justice, dignity, and freedom are principles greater than any human institution. They speak to the enduring struggle of humanity to uphold truth, equality, and respect for all.
On behalf of the Executive Council of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) warmest Emancipation Greetings are extended to all our members, and indeed to all Guyanese, at home and in the Diaspora, on this historical 188th Anniversary of the formal abolition of Slavery.
As we join the people of Guyana, the Caribbean, and the African diaspora in commemorating Emancipation Day 2026. We honour our African ancestors who endured the horrors of the Middle Passage, survived the cruelty of slavery, and preserved their dignity, culture, and humanity in the face of unimaginable suffering.
However, while we are commemorating the horrors of the Middle Passage, —honoring the countless ancestors swallowed by the Atlantic Ocean in their forced journey toward freedom—we find ourselves anchoring a new, profound grief in those very same waters.
At this time Guyana weeps for the 103 souls lost to the horrific sinking of the MV Barima.
There is a devastating, inescapable echo in this tragedy. The Atlantic has once again become a watery grave for our people, a painful reminder of historical trauma where bodies were crammed into dark hulls, stripped of safety, dignity, and agency. To see a colonial-era vessel, overburdened and neglected, claimed the lives of our brothers and sisters on the eve of Emancipation feels like a reopening of an ancestral wound.
The Middle Passage reminds us of the ultimate cost of human lives being treated as mere cargo. The tragedy of the MV Barima forces us to confront a modern failure of that very same duty of care.
We pray for the families enduring this unimaginable nightmare, and we honor the memories of those who did not return to shore. May we channel our national grief into an unyielding demand for justice, accountability, and the protection of every Guyanese life. We owe it to our ancestors, and we owe it to the 103 souls we mourn today, to ensure our waters never witness such negligence again.
May their souls rest in eternal peace.
The story of slavery is one of the darkest chapters in human history. Millions of Africans were violently torn from their homes, families, and communities, forced across the Atlantic Ocean under conditions of unimaginable cruelty, and subjected to a system that sought to deny their humanity. The slave trade was built upon violence, exploitation, and the belief that one human being could own another. Yet, even in the deepest darkness of bondage, the enslaved African spirit remained unbroken. Through resistance, survival, cultural preservation, and an unyielding desire for freedom, they challenged a system designed to erase them. Yet they rose to lay the foundational stones of modern Guyana through the village movement, communal farming, cooperatives and early labour organization.
The Abolition Act of 1834 was not a gift; it was a victory. It was the hard-earned outcome of generations of resistance, sacrifice, courage, and relentless struggle by enslaved Africans who refused to accept that bondage was their destiny. Freedom was not placed into their hands through kindness; it was carved from the pain of their suffering, the strength of their resistance, and their unwavering belief that every human being deserved liberty.
The freedom we enjoy today—the rights we exercise, the voices we raise, and the opportunities we pursue—stand upon the shoulders of those who endured what no human being should have been forced to endure. Even the rights that remain unfinished, the rights that are overlooked, and the freedoms that still require protection are connected to the sacrifices of those who came before us. Their struggle opened the doors through which we walk today.
Emancipation therefore is not merely a moment in history; it is a responsibility passed from one generation to the next. It calls upon us to protect the dignity of all people, challenge injustice, and continue the unfinished work of building a more equal society.
For public servants, this responsibility carries a special significance. The institutions of the State exist to protect the rights, freedoms, and dignity of the people. Public servants are therefore not merely employees of government; they are custodians of the Republic’s values and guardians of the freedoms secured through generations of struggle. We must remain vigilant against any attempt to weaken the principles of fairness, justice, accountability, and equality. The freedoms won through sacrifice must never be taken for granted, surrendered through silence, or diminished through neglect.
This year’s theme reminds us of the importance of African culture in connecting generations and building a world where all children are loved and protected. Culture is more than a celebration; it is an identity, a strength, knowledge, and healing. We must preserve our heritage while confronting systemic racism, discrimination, and the lingering effects of colonial injustice.
We now stand at the threshold of a new technological age. Artificial intelligence and innovation present opportunities to transform education, healthcare, public services, and economic advancement. But progress must be guided by fairness, inclusion, and humanity. Our people, especially our youth, must not only consume technology—they must be empowered to create, lead, and shape the future.
At the same time, we must confront the growing challenges affecting our young people, many of whom are being drawn toward crime, violence, substance abuse, and other anti-social lifestyles. We must respond not only with laws, but with love, mentorship, education, opportunity, and renewed investment in the potential of every child.
Guyana’s economic transformation has opened new possibilities, but true development must be measured by how it uplifts people. Prosperity must be reflected in decent work, fair wages, strong public services, quality education, and meaningful opportunities for all citizens. A nation’s greatness is not measured only by its wealth, but by the dignity it affords its people.
The GPSU remains committed to defending workers’ rights, strengthening public service, and advocating for a Guyana built on justice, equality, and inclusion.
As the drums of Emancipation echo across our land, let us remember the words of our National Anthem:
“Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore.”
These words are more than a verse; they are a memorial carved into the conscience of our nation. They remind us that Guyana was built upon the labour, sacrifice, and resilience of those whose lives shaped the foundation of this Republic. Their bones rest beneath this hallowed ground, but their spirit continues to live through every citizen who serves with honour and every worker who contributes to the advancement of our country.
The GPSU calls upon all public servants to continue serving efficiently with integrity, humility, and dedication. Let us put country before self, remembering that every act of honest service is another step in completing the journey that begun by our ancestors.
Let us use this Emancipation Season to strengthen our solidarity, reject divisiveness and recommit ourselves to building a nation anchored on the principles of fairness, equality and mutual respect. Together, as one formidable workforce, we will safeguard our rights and secure a prosperous future for generations.
Together, let us continue to labour upon the hallowed grounds of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana until we achieve the vision of that Great Land of Guyana—a nation where freedom is meaningful, justice is protected, dignity is respected, and hope belongs to all.
Happy Emancipation Day 2026.
