Ministry of Education Launches Emancipation 2017

While the Slave society was built on violence, division, exploitation, inequality and conflict, a system that still has lasting effects almost 180 years after Emancipation. As the process of true emancipation – economic, spiritual, environmental emancipation Hon. Minister Nicolette Henry is urging all Guyanese to be resilient in their efforts for a better and safer society.

“We must all join in the fight against crime and violence, economic underperformance, carnage on our roads, social exclusion and intolerance. Let us use this opportunity to reflect on our history and to draw strength and inspiration from the legacy left us by our ancestors. We all have to endeavour to, quoting once again our National Anthem, “make us to be more worthy our heritage, land of the free.”

As a prelude to Guyana observing Emancipation Day, the 179th Anniversary of the full emancipation of the former enslaved on August 1, 1838, the Ministry of Education Department of Culture Youth and Sport compound was a hive of Cultural showcases as the Ministry marked yet another Emancipation Launch.

Hon. Nicolette Henry and Permanent Secretary Melissa Tucker along with staff from the various departments donned Afro-influenced garb and converged on the Ministry for the Official launch of the Emancipation Celebration in Guyana. The show emceed by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer Mr Mondale Smith, tantalised with eclectic drumming, spoken word and dance and an in house fashion display put on by members of the Ministry’s staff. However, it was the Whal Sisters with their voices of gold that added much spice to an already enthralling event as they sang a medley of Afrikaans songs including the Famous ‘ Pata Pata (Click) Song. But as a prelude water and wine Libations were poured to set the tone while honouring the African ancestors by Bishop Andrew Andrew Irving of the Ifa House of Santeria. Homage was paid to the Ancestors including LFS Burnham, Cheddie Jagan and the many past Education Ministers and Leaders of Guyana. While honouring those past present and looking to the future with a focus on the almighty and the Education System Minister Henry brought greetings in the celebration of the day. Categorical, Minister Henry encouraged those present to remember that “we are celebrating not simply freedom but triumph, the triumph of the indomitable spirit over the atrocious and brutal system of the enslavement of Africans.”

Further, the Minister noted that the history of slavery was not only one of oppression, but of the one who relentlessly stood up and raised their voices for justice.

Guyanese were reminded of the boldness of Cuffy; the fortitude of Accra, and the moral fierceness of Damon which Minister Henry said “must illuminate our path as we tread the road to full emancipation of all Guyanese.”

The patrons dubbed the beneficiaries of the legacy of their sacrifice, struggle and ultimate victory for justice as captured in the National Anthem.

“We are born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains”

Those were gathered were advised to “draw on the rich reservoir of our history to drive our actions today but more importantly they were reminded that the back of slavery must still remain broken. “ We are emancipated from the physical shackles of chattel slavery, but there are still some mental chains that hold us back.”

Explaining her premise the Hon. Minister advised that true emancipation in this age of ideas will mean striving for critical thinking and innovation as well as economic emancipation.

“Our ancestors rejected the idea that there was some divine will to their poverty and enslavement. Today, we have to similarly reject any suggestion that we, as a nation, are destined to remain poor. We have a right to prosperity. We are capable of it. We are deserving of it,” the minister made clear.

Noting the many destructions of slavery one of the precious things that the Minister was adamant to addressing with reference to that evil system of slavery was family life. “The family is the most important unit in any society. As a tool for subjugation, the slave masters sought to destroy our family bond. Today we must work on building and be sustaining strong families as the basic unit of community and of country.”

Minister Henry encouraged all Guyanese to “Use our freedom to foster healthy, nurturing families which are at the foundation of building a healthy and prosperous society. To all Guyanese I say, let us, as we celebrate Emancipation Day 2017, ensure that we are worthy torch bearers of the invaluable legacy that has been handed down to us by our ancestors.”