GAWU’s Republic Anniversary Message 2009: Decades of Challenge and Achievement

On this thirty-ninth anniversary of Guyana’s attainment of Constitutional and Political Republican status, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union (GAWU) joins with the rest of the country in observing this national milestone.

As the nation enters its fortieth year as a Republic within the Commonwealth – that grouping and forum of former British colonies – Guyanese have so much for sober reflection. What has some forty years of republicanism brought us? Were not many aspects of colonialism better for us as a people – even after political Independence in 1966? There are more questions than answers, we might conclude, but in fact, honest assessment by honest and patriotic Guyanese would provide answers. However, disturbing and negative the truth reveals.

GAWU likes to recall that even though one cunning political leader deceived and prehaps outmaneuvered another who really had the people’s support, before and after Independence, there was actually national and political CONSENSUS with respect to wanting Republican status. The major representation of the Guyanese people needed to complete the political, constitutional, spiritual and patriotic transformation, which Independence promised. So besides the new symbol and images, Guyana took control of its independence, its final Court of Law, its economic management, its national Constitution, its State institutions and installed its own Guyanese Head of State, replacing an inappropriate foreign monarchy.

Many would argue that, in theory that was all that Republicanism brought us. In practice, political circumstances, national disunity, the denial of the people’s will and choice, corruption, economic mismanagement, internal social dislocation and migration – all conspired to make the Republic, a stagnant economically challenged and under-developed State.

GAWU, however, still finds reasons and occasion for hope at this stage. Despite man-made and natural disasters, the last decade has witnessed material gains. We have seen local and foreign investments in oil explorations, bauxite and gold production, telecommunications and information technology expansion; unprecedented infrastructural development through new roads, bridges, schools, clinics, and water sector facilities. Amidst internal shortfalls and external protectionist challenges over the past three years, the last decade saw us making significant strides in the health sector as we faced down the HIV-AIDS pandemic and other diseases, provision of improved primary health care as well as high-tech surgeries; improved water supplies and other social services. On the security front, in the face of organized crime with foreign influences, our protective services stood tall in their on-going battle to make society safe.

So, we, as a diverse people still peacefully living, working and playing together, have a lot to be thankful for, even as the Republic’s challenges at all levels, confront us daily. GAWU, incidentally, regrets the plummeting of our sugar production over the past few years especially last year when the production declined to 226,267 tonnes, the lowest in seventeen (17) years. But GAWU’s members know of the conspiracy of events – the questionable Booker-Tate management of the sugar industry over the past few years, the delays in the commissioning of the Skeldon factory, the subversive weather patterns, industrial mis-treatment and thus the withdrawal of labour – which all resulted in the production shortfall, making the current importation of sugar necessary. We need to honour our export commitments in the European Union if the industry’s foundation is to remain intact. While we regret the importation of sugar for domestic use we note other states also resort to importation of homegrown products when it makes economic sense.

GAWU knows that tough decisions and shrewd scientific management of scarce resources are needed to keep the Republic viable. The union intends to honour its responsibility to safeguard its members’ welfare and the Republic’s gains – however modest they may be in this hostile world.

From the challenges of Climate Change and Economic Partnership Agreements to the realities of the country’s current environmental and weather patterns, GAWU will stand steadfast with those who offer solutions in the fortieth year of the Republic.

A reflective Republic’s Anniversary and a Happy Mashramani 2009 to all citizens.