President Ali announces ‘One Guyana Commission’ to be led by PM Phillips
– To update Amerindian Act through consultation
His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali today announced the establishment of a “One Guyana Commission” which will be spearheaded by Prime Minister Hon. Brigadier Mark Phillips.
President Ali made the disclosure during his inaugural address to the 12th Parliament on Thursday.
The Head of State said the creed of his Government is nation building with the key word being “oneness.”
“An essential part of my Government is inclusion. Stop being defined by race; stop being defined by politics. Start being defined by our one nationality and by our common love for our one country, let us lift it up together and by doing so, let us lift each other and ourselves, one people, one nation, one destiny,” President Ali said.
“I propose to give meaning to my call for one Guyana by requesting the leader of Government business in the National Assembly, Prime Minister Brigadier, Hon. Mark Phillips to introduce the adoption of an Act of Parliament establishing a One Guyana Commission which he will head,” Dr. Ali stated.
President Ali said the work of the Commission will be undertaken countrywide to encapsulate the free expressions of all voices, respecting the diversity “from which our oneness springs.”
The Commission will also address education concerning Guyana’s history, religion, ensuring equal opportunity, employment and entrepreneurship and institutional strengthening of the Ethnic Relations Commission.
“We must move our nation building from abstraction to action and lose not one more moment in doing it. Let us stand up for our one nation, our one Guyana, let us stand up for what we know in our hearts and in our minds to be right. Let us stand up for one identity, the Guyanese identity,” he said.
Meanwhile, the President said the Amerindian people occupy a special place in Guyana as they deserve the respect of all for their indigenous knowledge and practices that contribute to Guyana’s sustainable development. He added that the Government is determined to develop the lives of Amerindians through a range of measures over the next five years.
“These include updating the Amerindian Act after consultation with every Amerindian community as well as improving education, health facilities, housing and infrastructure development in the areas in which they live,” the President said.
He said the culture of Amerindians is a golden thread in the rich history of our civilisation. President Ali said Government will do all in its power to strengthen their status and contribution by not only enhancing their communities but the one nation to which each group is integral.