Dear Editor,
As we continue the discussion on African Guyanese ancestral lands as a key driver for their economic and social development and stability, I would like to raise another important point. As I continue my research on African Guyanese ancestral lands in the context of the social policy in Guyana, it is becoming evident that something is fundamentally wrong with the economic and social policy of the government and the country, that creates an economic environment for foreign and local businesses, to almost easily establish economic ventures over a period of five or six years, from the less complicated, such as supermarkets, restaurants, hardware stores, possibly by the hundreds, to the more complicated economic ventures such as mining operations, oil and gas operations, construction, transport, marine operations, etc., by the dozens, while African Guyanese who own ancestral lands for over sixty, one hundred, one hundred and fifty years, one hundred and seventy years, etc., are finding it extremely difficult to organize their ancestral lands for their social and economic development in Guyana.
Finding solutions to African Guyanese organizing and modernizing their ancestral lands must become a priority at both the local government and central government levels. Sure, there is a huge legal aspect, but also important to the process of finding a solution is the role of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDCs), the Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs), the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, the way the Guyana Polic Force deals with private matters, for e.g. land matters, as well as the role of other public sector institutions and agencies.
African Guyanese, families and organisations also have a responsibility to organize themselves and mobilise support at the local and international levels for more advantageous and structured economic and social policies for organizing ancestral lands and organizing and modernizing ancestral villages. African Guyanese have to advocate for this matter to be a higher priority for the government and the international community.
Over the coming weeks, I will be writing to the international community – The United States Ambassador, Canadian High Commissioner, British High Commissioner, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Guyana and the United Nations Resident Coordinator to bring the matter to their attention and for opportunities to engage them on African Guyanese ancestral land issues in Guyana and advocate for their support for the broadening of economic and social policies that would transform ancestral lands into a key driver for the sustainable development – economic and social development for African Guyanese. More specifically, the communication would request support from the international community for 1) The development of a process and plan (Legal, social, economic, etc.) for updating title holders in relation to ancestral lands; 2) Development of a process and plan for increasing the collateral value of African Guyanese ancestral lands; 3) Development of a plan for modernising African Guyanese ancestral lands and villages; 4) Development of a strategy/plan for integrating African Guyanese ancestral lands and as a key driver for sustainable development – economic and social stability in villages and families; and 5) Support to advocate to the government for legal, political, social space for African Guyanese to organise their ancestral lands in short, medium and long-term and organize and modernse their ancestral lands and villages. These are some points for a framework upon which a programme can be built.
This initiative has the potential to nurture a more economically inclusive society in accordance with Article 13 of the Guyana Constitution which states that ‘The principal objective of the political system of the State is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being’.
If you or your organization would like to be a part of this initiative, please contact me at Email: thomogy@yahoo.com or Telephone No.: 694-5585.
Yours sincerely,
Audreyanna Thomas
Coordinator
Building Our Dream Guyana Movement
