Dear Editor,
The Independence/ Inauguration celebration held on May 26 provided Guyanese with the opportunity to unite around a common notion of freedom, liberty and nationalism. This was a step in the right direction. The vision of President Granger to begin restoring national pride was evident in the performance of the disciplined services. Notwithstanding this outcome, the government will need to improve the excellence and inclusivity for Guyana’s 50th Independence celebrations. This would require a constructive review of the recent event, a highly competent event planning and management committee and inclusion of the wider society as performers and attendees.
Immediately, the Independence/Inauguration committee should provide the Ministry of the Presidency with a comprehensive report highlighting achievements, lessons learned and key measures necessary for an excellent 50th Independence Celebration Committee.
Secondly, with a view towards transparency and benefiting from event managers the Ministry of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture should issue a Caribbean-wide call for proposals to manage the 50th anniversary celebrations. The request for proposals should be detailed and include as a core requirement illustrated big event management, creativity and financial accountability skills in Guyana, the Caribbean and diaspora. The big event management imperative should supersede claims of artistic acumen. We should dispense with the notion that cultural artists are suitable event managers. One of the most important skills sets required of a big event manager is the ability to absorb the vision for the event and execute with creativity and precision. At this stage of our development, we could benefit from expertise within Caricom including Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago that successfully executed state visits.
Thirdly and perhaps most importantly public officials tasked with culture and social cohesion portfolios should supervise the 50th Independence Celebration Committee. The state is obliged to make provision for citizens from all ten regions of Guyana to attend the events. A search process for talented citizens from the regional level to national level should provide an equal opportunity for young people to contribute to the celebrations.
Finally, a government committed to social cohesion and national unity would do well to uphold its responsibility to abhor any attempts at gatekeeping in the cultural industry and life of this nation. We would be best served by including all the creative geniuses and talents in arts, music, dance, literature, theatre, film and photography barring none at different levels from every ethnic group, cultural and political association towards the final event. This will require decentralized planning by a committee comprised of persons with ideas, resourcefulness and demonstrated performance.
Yours faithfully,
Roxanne Myers
Co-chair
Partners for Peace and Development
