Kato hosts third expo
GINA, GUYANA, Monday, November 28, 2016
Region Eight recently held its third expo in the community of Kato. The expo sought to promote tourism in the indigenous community and at the same time, afford residents the opportunity to display their culture.
A group performing a traditional indigenous dance during the Expo in Kato, Region Eight
Highlights of the event included dances, songs, poetry and skits. A football competition saw residents of Kato and surrounding villages competing for bragging rights, and $150,000.
Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock was present at the expo, as well as Deputy Permanent Secretary to the Ministry, Samantha Fedee, Member of Parliament, Audwin Rutherford and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (technical), Ministry of Education, Patrick Chinedu Onwuzirke.
Minister Allicock said was happy that Kato residents could enjoy and participate in an event that was well organised by themselves. Before declaring the expo open, the Minister urged the residents to continue in the same effort of coming together, to accomplish their goals.
According to Minister Allicock, working together can only mean betterment for the community. “We must come together if we are to be a strong community,” the Minister urged.
The Minister also pointed out that he is aware that over the years, politics has been used as a tool to divide the people. However, Minister
A section of the gathering at the Expo in Kato, Region Eight
Allicock noted that there is the positive side in that politics can be used as an instrument to re-unite people. “We have seen what politics can do; divide, but politics can also be used to unite people,” the Minister explained.
Residents of the community were informed of the government’s efforts to link the coast to the hinterland. The Minister noted that over 80 percent of the people in Guyana live on the coast and have not yet experienced the beauty of the hinterland.
The Minister emphasised that once there is the right link, education, health, infrastructure and eco-tourism can be developed. The link is being done through the establishment of radio stations and access to the internet.
“As long as a people have information or communication, we will have knowledge, and knowledge is power,” Minister Allicock explained.
Kato’s Toshao, Clifton Pereira said he was happy that residents were given the opportunity to practice their traditional cultures and beliefs. The Toshao also touted the need for residents to work together for their community’s development. Perreira is hopeful that the next expo can be bigger and better.
By: Isaiah Braithwaite