By Jean La Rose, Amerindian Peoples Association (APA)
Today, May 21, 2024, marks the first anniversary of one of the most tragic days in Guyana’s history. Last year, five days before Independence Day, the Mahdia dormitory fire claimed the lives of twenty children from El Paso, Chenapou, Micobie and Karisparu, Region 8.
As we reflect on this tragedy a year later, some could argue that so much, yet so little, has happened since that horrific day.
For one, a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) was ordered, and the official findings were presented to H.E. President Irfan Ali. For many of us who followed the CoI proceedings, it was no surprise that the findings absolved the government from any culpability.