Georgetown: Despite the inclement weather, thousands of people travelled to the Guyana National Stadium at Providence where they filled the facility to witness the Inauguration Ceremony for President David Granger.
The stadium was filled to capacity on Tuesday some two hours before the official start of the programme, and thousands more were unable to attend due to the heavy traffic which was backed up on the East Bank Highway.
The president and his entourage arrived just after 5 pm, to a twenty- one gun salute, and after inspecting the Guard of Honour, he took his seat to loud cheers from those gathered.
President David Granger inspecting the honor guard during his formal inauguration ceremony
Following a universal prayer by Bishops’ High School student Masud Lewis and a performance by the Woodside and Joint Schools' Choir, about 400 youths under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport showcased their dance and cultural skills in a presentation set to various popular songs.
Addressing the audience during the preliminary speeches was Sir Shridath Ramphal, who recalled being present 49 years ago at the Independence Inauguration Ceremony on May 26, 1966. He noted that 49 years later “Guyana was on the cusp of a great future if the country could put political bickering behind and live the national motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.” Sir Shridath was Guyana’s first foreign minister after the country gained independence on May EF, 1966.
Youths doing a cultural display during the formal inauguration ceremony for President David Granger
He added that the challenges and issues of local politics should not be allowed to lessen the country’s unity. “We must not let the vicissitudes of politics and the discord inherent in the democratic process diminish our oneness. At moments of transition like this, it is the duty of all of us to work hard at destroying the myth of otherness and cultivating by conscious effort a reality of oneness that is our historical birthright.”
Congratulations were also offered by the elderly statesman to the new government for what he described as, “its courageous first stop in pursuit of the endless journey of national unity." He added that such unity needed to be the credo and ethic of governance”.
Delivering blessings on behalf of the nation’s First People was Minister within the Ministry of Communities Dawn Hastings.
A section of the crowd at the formal inauguration ceremony for President David Granger at the National Stadium, Providence
President Granger during his address spoke of his desire for national unity and reconstruction following the conclusion of elections. “Let now put our rivalries and our antipathies behind us. Let us look forward to making this big, beautiful and bountiful land the best place in the entire Western Hemisphere to live”.
The president also announced his pardoning of 60 criminals convicted of non-violent crimes, saying that the nation’s young people should not be in jail but in school. He also reiterated his administration’s intention to reach out and engage other political parties, trade unions, private sector and civil society to arrive at a national consensus programme which will, “move our beloved Guyana forward.” He added that those organisations which have been undermined over the previous years will have their integrity and viability restored by the APNU/AFC administration.
After the conclusion of the president’s address, the list of National Awardees was read out by Chief Protocol Officer, Eshwar .V. Persaud. The event then came to an end with a well appreciated display by the Joint Services bands and fireworks.
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