The late legal stalwart, Ashton Chase SC was yesterday honoured with the launching by his family of a non-profit entity to promote his life’s work, a Department of Public Information (DPI) release said yesterday.
It noted that Chase made a lasting mark on the country’s political landscape, with strong ties to the trade unionism movement and will be remembered as a strong advocate for the working class, with a “dynamic and strategic outlook that influenced many revolutionary political interventions.”
His son Ronald Chase and daughter Pauline Chase spoke at the launching.
The not-for-profit aims to ensure that Chase’s legacy is immortalised, highlighting his many feats in various spheres, including law, politics, and trade unionism, the release explained.
During the ceremony which was held at Arthur Chung Conference Centre, Liliendaal, President Irfaan Ali said that Chase epitomised the meaning of true service, and set an exceptional standard for public service. Further, his connection with people coupled with the desire to ensure access to justice for all, drove his pursuits. “His ability to connect to the people of this country is what allowed him to be associated with the challenges of the country and led him to be part of the solution.”
According to DPI, Chase wore many hats throughout his life. He served as a president of the Guyana Bar Association, vice president of the Guyana Economic Society, as well as a member of the Public Service Commission, and the Council of Legal Education.
He was also the last surviving founding member of the People’s Progressive Party.
It was recalled that at an early age, Chase was elected to the National Assembly and became the Minister of Labour in the first PPP government in 1953.
“While Ashton Chase’s legacy remains perfectly intact, it is imperative that present and future generations actively benefit from the ideals he championed and the wealth of knowledge he left in his writings, legal submissions, and speeches,” President Ali declared.
He posited too, that Chase’s legacy should inspire future generations to make equally impactful contributions to the country’s prosperity.
“His ideals must be preserved and propagated, for within them lie the seeds for building a just, inclusive and democratic society. And this it’s important for us to ensure that the work of these extraordinary souls is told to our children, and for them to tell it to their children.”
As he spoke of Chase’s unwavering dedication to the rights of workers, President Ali also said that his government is committed to ensuring that workers enjoy dignified living and working conditions.
“I assure…that our commitment to One Guyana, and our commitment to the improvement of every Guyanese, our commitment to bridging any gap that exists within communities, among people, or within regions… is equal for every single Guyanese,” Ali asserted.
Ali’s government has been broadly criticized for denying collective bargaining to public sector workers. A strike by the Guyana Teachers’ Union this year has forced the government to enter collective bargaining.
Following its launch, Ashton Chase Inc will now seek to reprint Chase’s literary works and update editions where necessary.
Proceeds from the sale of these books and other monies raised by the not-for-profit entity will go towards funding scholarships in the field of labour law.
A domain name has also been acquired for the entity and the website will be used to educate those who wish to learn more about late distinguished lawyer’s legacy and life, the release added.
