Former President Janet Jagan on Monday celebrated her 88th birthday at a simple ceremony hosted at Freedom House among well-wishers and supporters.
A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said Mrs Jagan was lauded by government officials including President Bharrat Jagdeo, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Minister of Home Affairs Clement Rohee and PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar for her hard work and dedication to the Party and for her wisdom and guidance which allowed them many opportunities during their political career.
In their tributes Jagdeo, Hinds and Ramotar thanked the former president for her guidance. They also said that she was “a shining example of someone who has displayed true love for Guyana by giving up her citizenship of the United States of America.” Rohee also recalled that Mrs Jagan’s guidance during his teenage years as a PPP member. He also spoke of Mrs Jagan’s many achievements and her strength and endurance during her presidency.
According to GINA the ministers said Mrs Jagan and her husband, late President Dr Cheddi Jagan who founded the Party, demonstrated their love for the country by being at the forefront in their assisting the poor and in the struggle for democracy. Party members said they were grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to Mrs Jagan during her life as often persons wait until it is too late to express their appreciation. GINA said Mrs Jagan is still involved in guiding the Party and attends many of its meetings and other activities.
In response Mrs Jagan said she was grateful for the tributes and gifts. She also said though many persons do not “recall when Guyana was in the deplorable state it had been decades ago and how her Party changed the situation now and have been transforming the country into a modern State.” She also recalled her moments with now senior Party members during their youth and she reminded them of the struggles they had had to endure and their achievements.
Jagan served as President after the death of President Cheddi Jagan then after the PPP’s victory at the polls in the 1997 General Elections. She served as President for two years following which then Finance Minister Bharrat Jagdeo appointed President.
GINA said Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand, Minister of Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, Minister within the Minsitry of Finance Jennifer Webster, Minister of Public Service Dr Jennifer Westford and Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran also attended the ceremony.