Dear Editor,
A few days ago I went to visit the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology situated at 61 Main Street, Georgetown to do some research. There I discovered to my chagrin that the colours of the Golden Arrowhead – the national flag were boldly displayed in an inappropriate manner on a signboard in front of the building. It was upside – down. See attached photograph. The colours were arranged in this descending order: black, red, yellow, green and white while the protocol dictates that the arrangements must be thus: red, black, yellow, white and green. I aborted going into the building as I opined that if things were not reliable on the outside then there would be confusion in the inside.
I understand that there are several other locations in Guyana including the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall at Homestretch Avenue and the Ministry of Housing and Water building at Brickdam where the colours of our flag are exhibited in a wrong manner on the front of both buildings. These are totally disrespectful acts which are contrary to Article 7 of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana which states, “It is the duty of every citizen of Guyana wherever he or she may be and every person in Guyana to respect the national flag, the court of arms, the national anthem, the national pledge, and the Constitution of Guyana and to treat them with due and proper solemnity on all occasions.”
It is alarming to note that as Guyana celebrated its 58th year of Independence some citizens including those in high offices could not accurately arrange or caused to be displayed our national colours in the correct order.
The flag is one of our symbols of nationhood.
Editor, let us be reminded that our symbols of nationhood are, the national anthem, the pledge, the golden arrowhead, the coat of arms and the constitution. These symbols of nationhood must be respected with due and proper solemnity at all times by everyone.
May God help Guyana.
Yours sincerely,
Clinton Conway
Assistant Commissioner of Police
(Retired)