President urges national pride as Guyana marks 56th Republic Anniversary

As Guyana celebrates its 56th Republic Anniversary today, President Irfaan Ali is urging citizens to showcase and demonstrate their national pride.

In an address to the nation at the Republic Flag Raising Ceremony last evening at the Parliament building, the president reminded that national pride is non-negotiable for every Guyanese.

“That weight of national pride is for all of us to carry equally, a pride grounded in shared prosperity, where growth is for all communities, where growth and development is for every segment of the Guyanese population, where every home, every village and every community can feel the impact of development, can have access to the services that the State offers in a way and manner that adds value to their life, to their families, and to their communities. A pride that blossoms in community harmony, where neighbourly love and national unity are the cornerstone of what makes us Guyanese, where our common heritage binds us, not blinds us, and where our shared protection of this land becomes a collective covenant”, the president noted.

He said at the heart of the society and the future being built stands a belief in something greater and deeper, which would be a republic grounded in faith or belief in God and the values that flow from it.

The president said on the foundation of faith and in the bosom of national pride, momentum must be built.

He said “let the farmer plant more, and the teacher inspire more. Let the nurse tend to the sick with renewed purpose. Let the police officer keep our streets safer, and the soldier defend our borders with strength. Let the housewife build her home with love and industry. Let the entrepreneur risk more, and the citizen care more. Together, we are the architects of this Republic, and together, we will build it higher than ever before with the grace of God.”

As the republic continues to be built, President Ali noted that it will be a portrait of its people, and that portrait remains unfinished until every face is painted with dignity.

“We are therefore empowering our Indigenous peoples so that they can claim their place in our nation. We are empowering our youth, the energy of this nation, to channel their creativity and passion into enterprises that will outlive us all. And we are empowering our women, the backbone of this nation, to break every ceiling, seize every opportunity, and lead us into a more secure future. This is our covenant: that no Guyanese—whether from the rivers of the interior, the classrooms of the coast, or the markets of our towns—will be left behind”, he said.

The president also noted that within the country’s borders, the republic is becoming safer. Noting a decline in serious crimes, he thanked the men and women in uniform who continue to ensure that communities across the republic are safer.

He said the government is building a security sector to secure, protect and prevent. President Ali also said the republic is putting its people to work to generate wealth, highlighting the creation of more than 100,000 jobs over the past few years.

The president said 56 years after Guyana severed the remaining vestiges of colonial monarchy, he is proud to report that the republic is thriving.