As Guyana celebrates its 60^th Anniversary as an independent nation, President Irfaan Ali has stated what while 60 years is a great achievement, it should also be seen as just the beginning, and as the foundation for the future.

Speaking at the Independence Flag Raising Ceremony at Fort Island in the Essequibo, the President said sixty years of Independence calls the entire country towards a higher covenant to build a nation anchored in love, ennobled by honest labour, strengthened by unity, and guided by enduring faith.

“We are a nation that dared to dream, a nation that endured division and regression, and yet we are a nation that has emerged against all odds as one of the most remarkable stories of transformation this century has produced, and I ask you to put your hands together to all the men and women who toil every day to ensure this transformation, all our former leaders, our former presidents, our current leaders, and importantly the heads of services standing here on this stage, and all our men and women in uniform, we need to applaud them for their bravery, their continuous service, and their life of dedication to this country”, President Ali told the flag raising ceremony.

He said Guyana has come a long way since 1966 when it gained independence and the country’s journey remains a nation’s promise.

That promise, the President said, offers a pathway to a brighter future, noting that the work ahead belongs to every Guyanese.

He told young Guyanese that they are not responsible for the divisions of the past, but they hold responsibility for the unity of the future.

The President said at this stage of Guyana’s journey, no one should seek to divide Guyana in pursuit of power, adding that Government and opposition, private sector and labour, civil society and citizens, coastline and hinterland, must come together.

President Ali said they must come together and work in harmony, and must work hard, relentlessly, so that they can all build and pass on a Guyana that is strong, stable, and prosperous.

The ceremony featured a display of the Guyanese culture through song and dance and spoken word, but the hoisting of the flag was marred as the military men found it difficult to untangle the flag as it was simply not moving up on the flagstaff. It took more than 30 minutes for the flag to be hoisted forcing the live national broadcast to cut away to local music videos.

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