Pres. Granger urges Mocha Arcadia residents to invest in their lands
– Mocha Arcadia celebrates 125 years as a village
By Isaiah Braithwaite
DPI, Guyana, Friday, May 24, 2019
On the 125th anniversary of Mocha Arcadia, residents were urged by President David Granger to invest in their lands like the once enslaved Africans did after they were emancipated.
In his address to the large crowd at the Mocha Arcadia Primary, President Granger said the anniversary is a landmark and a memorable milestone for the more than 4,000 who occupy the village.
Mocha Arcadia, one of the many villages bought by the once enslaved Africans, was built upon homes, churches, schools and the farm, according to His Excellency.
With this in mind, he called on the villagers to feed themselves with foods they produce, by heading back to the farms.
“Vibrant economies are essential to eliminating inequality and poverty and to generating employment, particularly self-employment in this village… it is my belief that this economy – the country’s economy, could be revitalised by village production” President Granger underscored.
He said that investment is the lifeblood of the economy, adding that the government is lending its support in that area through the provision of cottage and micro enterprises. Nevertheless, he said that there must be a willingness on the part of the villagers to get up off their chairs and head back to the farms.
“You have to be willing to get off of that white plastic chair and produce the guavas to make the guava jam and guava jelly, to produce the cassava to make cassava bread, to produce the plantains to make the plantain chips. You have to be prepared to help yourselves, and we will help you!”
He further said, “there must be investment and that investment can come from saving money, and it can come from the diaspora, it can come from a trust between you and Mocha residents who have gone overseas. They can come back and help to revitalise the economy by triggering investment into farming and other enterprises.”
In addition, the Head of State said that his decision to appoint a senior official responsible for manufacturing and marketing and a Minister of Rural Affairs was strategic in developing villages like Mocha Arcadia.
“I know what I am doing, and I am very confident that these initiatives will help to make these rural communities more prosperous.”
He said that the government would continue to work for the development of Guyana so that every village can move forward and enjoy the good life.
Recently appointed Director-General, Joseph Harmon, along with several senior government officials, were also present at the celebration. Additionally, several individuals and organisations were honoured for their contributions to the development of the village.
Images: Marceano Narine.