Dear Editor,
The first line of our National Pledge says “I pledge myself to honour always the flag of Guyana,” but this line is not adhered to by the department of government which is responsible for putting up our national flag on lamp-posts on special occasions. These flags I’m sure were paid for with taxpayers’ money but at the end of the various occasions they are not taken down; instead they are left to rot on the posts and eventually they are torn and left hanging like pieces of rag for all to see.
As I write this letter the flags of our country are hanging like old rags at the Houston junction and along several streets in Georgetown, including Main Street and Middle Street. I have written before on this subject and I do believe that there are people who do not know what their responsibilities are with regard to putting up and taking down our national flag.
The flag of any nation should be treated with respect. It is one of the symbols of nationhood and deserves to be treated with honour. I am kindly asking the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport to send a team around the capital city and along the East Bank of Demerara to take down those unsightly pieces of flag off the lamp-posts. I clearly remember that during the years that the PNC was in government there was a special team that put up flags, banners and buntings for special occasions, and at the end if it all these decorations and flags were taken down.
The Golden Arrowhead is the only flag we all call our own. Let us treat it with respect and let us honour it.
Yours faithfully,
Clive Fredericks
