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The observance of the anniversary of emancipation stands as one of the most significant moments in Guyana’s national calendar. It commemorates the abolition of slavery in the British colonies on August 1, 1838, when thousands of enslaved Africans, after centuries of brutal exploitation and four years of forced apprenticeship, were finally granted their legal freedom. That historic achievement represented far more than the end of an oppressive labour system.
The institution of slavery has existed in different forms throughout history, but the transatlantic slave trade introduced one of the most systematic and inhumane manifestations of human exploitation ever recorded. Millions of Africans were forcibly removed from their homeland, transported across the Atlantic under horrific conditions, and reduced to chattel – treated as property rather than as human beings. Families were separated, cultures were disrupted, identities were stripped away, and generations endured unimaginable suffering in pursuit of economic gain for colonial empires.
The transatlantic slave trade also reshaped global perceptions of humanity in ways that continue to influence societies, centuries later. To justify the enslavement of Africans, colonial powers developed and promoted racial ideologies that assigned human value according to physical characteristics. These false doctrines were reinforced by sections of the political, religious, and intellectual establishments of the time, creating a framework that portrayed Africans as inherently inferior and legitimised their oppression.
Such ideas extended beyond slavery, and they evolved into elaborate racial hierarchies that influenced laws, education, religion, and public policy across the colonial world. Concepts of racial superiority and inferiority became deeply embedded in many societies, leaving legacies that persisted long after slavery was abolished. These beliefs fuelled discrimination, segregation and unequal treatment, while also encouraging many colonised peoples to internalise distorted perceptions of themselves and others.
Guyana’s own history bears the unmistakable imprint of these colonial policies. The plantation economy depended upon division as much as it depended upon labour. Following emancipation, many formerly enslaved Africans sought economic independence through village development, land ownership and entrepreneurship rather than continued plantation employment. In response, colonial authorities expanded the importation of indentured labourers from India, Portugal, China, and other regions to sustain plantation production. While each of these groups made invaluable contributions to Guyana’s development, the colonial administration often fostered separation rather than solidarity, ensuring that competition and mistrust served the interests of the ruling class.
The consequences of those policies did not disappear with independence. Historical divisions based upon ethnicity, economic opportunity, and political competition had continued to influence national life. Although Guyana has made considerable progress in building democratic institutions and promoting equal rights, remnants of colonial thinking can sometimes still surface in public discourse and social interactions.
Emancipation Day therefore carries significance far beyond the remembrance of slavery. It is a national occasion that calls for reflection on the enduring values of justice, equality, and human dignity. The courage displayed by enslaved Africans in resisting oppression and preserving their humanity laid an important foundation for the freedoms enjoyed today. Their struggles also serve as a reminder that liberty is never guaranteed by legislation alone. It must be protected through institutions that uphold fairness, equal opportunity, and respect for every citizen.
The observance also provides an opportunity to recognise the rich cultural heritage that Africans and their descendants have contributed to Guyana. Their influence is evident in language, religion, music, cuisine, literature, education, public service, and countless other aspects of national life. These contributions form an inseparable part of Guyana’s identity and deserve continued recognition and celebration.
The 188th anniversary of emancipation should therefore inspire both remembrance and resolve. Remembrance honours the sacrifices of those who endured one of history’s greatest injustices. Resolve commits the nation to rejecting the divisive ideologies inherited from colonialism and embracing a future founded on mutual respect, equality, and national unity.

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…oil cavalry?

For years, your Eyewitness and John Public were informed that the US’s great strategic objective was Venezuela’s oil!! Forget democracy, forget geopolitics, forget all the lofty speeches. President Trump himself candidly admitted that removing Mad Maduro was about ensuring American control over the world’s largest proven petroleum reserves. Fair enough – at least his honesty is refreshing compared to dithering Joe Biden – and he must be complimented for this!!
But there’s just one tiny problem – where the heck are the oil companies that we’re told are pulling the strings of American foreign policy and prompted Mad Maduro’s extraction?? Six months have passed, and not a single convoy of hard-hatted petroleum engineers out of Texas has thundered triumphantly across the Orinoco!! No flotillas of drilling rigs appearing on the horizon across the Caribbean Sea!! Exxon, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and the rest of America’s oil aristocracy descended from the old Seven Sisters seem to’ve misplaced the memo announcing their imperial appointment!!
Your Eyewitness can just see the executives around a table in Houston staring nervously at spreadsheets in front of them: “Yes, Venezuela has enormous reserves…But can we actually get the oil out and make money to please our shareholders?” Numbing silence!! Turns out that conquering an oil field in political speeches is considerably easier than extracting heavy crude from ageing infrastructure after decades of underinvestment!! Oil – especially the tar-like Venezuelan kind – inconveniently refuses to respond to campaign rhetoric or agendas!!
Perhaps the oil honchos have discovered that reserves ain’t the same thing as production!! Those 300 billion barrels buried underground remain stubbornly unimpressed by press conferences!! Pipelines still need repairs; drilling rigs gotta be derusted, and wells still demand expensive infusions of mud!! Not to mention reimbursement for previous nationalised assets!! Geology, unlike politics, can’t be bullied into submission!!
The whole affair is beginning to resemble Texas Barons of yore buying the world’s largest cattle ranch only to discover that cows require feeding!! For years, Venezuela’s oil was portrayed as the glittering prize that would sustain American energy dominance into the next century! Instead, the promised petroleum bonanza has become a waiting game worthy of Godot – waiting for Big Oil!!
Perhaps the majors are simply waiting for another committee, another feasibility study, another investment guarantee, another liability waiver, another election, another Government, another excuse?? Or perhaps they know what experienced petroleum engineers have always known: owning oil on paper and producing it profitably are two entirely different propositions or enterprises! In the meantime, the world’s largest oil reserves continue to sit patiently beneath Venezuelan soil, apparently unaware that they’ve already been conquered in Washington!!
Unlike Devious Delcy, who’s busy kissing bambsies, the oil, it seems, hasn’t yet received the liberation memo!

…Emancipation?
One of the remarkable achievements of our ancestors after Emancipation in 1838 was their spontaneous foundation of villages where they could live out what they felt was the meaning of freedom!!  It’s important to note that they started out with building their own homes – away from the N****r Yards as Martin Carter reminded us:
“Leaping from the Oppressors’ hate and the scorn of myself; from the agony of the dark hut in the shadow and the hurt of things; from the long days of cruelty and the long nights of pain down to the wide streets of tomorrow, of the next day, leaping, I come; who cannot see will hear.”
Sadly, that great movement soon petered out under the onslaught of the colonial state, who were determined to make freedom an illusion, and they were pushed into the city. Carter continued, “So was I born again stubborn and fierce, screaming in a slum. It was a city and coffin space for home, a river running, prisons, hospitals, men drunk and dying, Judges full of scorn, and priests and parsons fooling Gods with words.”

…new hope?
But at long last we have the opportunity for a real emancipation – once again starting with villages made possible by the Government funding a hundred thousand homes!!

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The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) extends warm greetings to all Guyanese, particularly our Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters, as we commemorate the 188th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. This historic occasion reminds us of the immense sacrifices, resilience, and unwavering determination of the thousands of enslaved Africans who endured unimaginable suffering while never surrendering their hope for freedom, dignity, and justice. Their courage and resistance laid an enduring foundation for the values of equality and human rights that continue to shape our nation.
We pay tribute to our ancestors whose struggles and sacrifices paved the way for future generations and honour the invaluable contributions of Afro-Guyanese to Guyana’s political, economic, social, cultural, educational, and sporting development. Their achievements have enriched our national identity and remain an integral part of our country’s progress. The observance of Emancipation is not only a celebration of freedom but also a reminder of our collective responsibility to reject division, discrimination, and hatred in all their forms.
Together, we must continue to build a society founded on mutual respect, equality, and shared prosperity. On this 188th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, the People’s Progressive Party honours the legacy of our fore parents and calls on all Guyanese to draw inspiration from their courage as we work together to secure a brighter, more united, and prosperous future for generations to come.
Happy Emancipation Day!

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– as local operations drive strong Q2 performance
Operations in the prolific Stabroek Block offshore Guyana continue to play a major role in ExxonMobil’s global performance as the United States oil major eyes a brighter future here with new developments to come online.
“I think our view is we’re not done yet in Guyana, and we continue to see a really bright future there,” Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil Darren Woods declared during the company’s second-quarter 2026 Earnings Call on Friday.

In its 2026 second-quarter report, the US-based oil giant described Guyana as a long-term growth engine with strong production gains recorded. Exxon on Friday reported earnings of US$14.5 billion as per the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), while adjusted earnings were recorded at US$14.7 billion.
The company said its upstream business, which includes crude oil and natural gas production, generated approximately US$7.9 billion, or adjusted earnings of US$9.19 billion, in the second quarter.
This represented the highest upstream production recorded in more than two decades, despite disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict – something which Exxon attributed to the operations in Guyana and the Permian Basin in the US.
According to CEO Woods, Guyana remains one of the clearest examples of the company’s advantaged growth.

“In the quarter, Guyana delivered gross production volumes of approximately 900,000 barrels per day… Delivering on tight schedules at industry-leading costs with strong reliability and optimised production has resulted in recovering our capital and costs nearly two years earlier than anticipated,” he stated during Friday’s earnings call.
ExxonMobil has already received the Guyana government’s approval to develop six projects – Liza Phase One and Two, Payara, Yellowtail, Uaru (2026), and Whiptail (2027) – in the oil-rich Stabroek Block.
Currently, the US oil giant is operating four Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessels – Liza Destiny, Liza Unity, Prosperity, and One Guyana – and is now gearing up for its fifth development project, Uaru. This project will utilise the Errea Wittu FPSO, which set sail for Guyana in June and remains on track for start-up by the end of this year, increasing capacity by 250,000 barrels per day.
According to Woods, the Longtail Project, which is the company’s eighth development here, is on the path toward a final investment decision, and Exxon is already evaluating the potential for a ninth FPSO.
“The success of this development has set a new standard for the industry and frankly has exceeded our own expectations,” the CEO emphasised. “It’s a real success story in what we’ve achieved in Guyana, delivering, frankly, the production units faster than we had originally anticipated at a lower cost, running those assets above the investment basis.”
Earlier this year, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), Alistair Routledge, disclosed that the Haimara gas field in the south eastern section of the Stabroek Block will be the anchor for Exxon’s ninth offshore project and that the company plans to approach the government for approval in early 2027.
But even as production continues to grow, the US oil major is equally confident about future explorations offshore Guyana. In fact, the Exxon CEO says the company is awaiting the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) ruling on the border controversy case between Guyana and neighbouring Venezuela to resume exploration in the Stabroek Block.
“We obviously have a large chunk of acreage, which is in force majeure, waiting for the ultimate ruling from the International Court of Justice… We feel there’s an opportunity then to start shooting seismic and understand what that acreage potentially holds. We’ve got more work to do in the acreage,” he asserted.
Already, ExxonMobil is using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to analyse oil fields in Guyana at a much faster rate. In fact, the company said an AI model built using Guyana’s offshore seismic data was able to identify about 90 percent of the oil fields that have already been discovered here.
“We’ve really put a lot of effort into artificial intelligence and training models based on what we’ve found already, all the drilling that we’ve done, and the characterisation of that subsurface and have unleashed that in the rest of the block and have four new discovery opportunities above and beyond what we thought were opportunities. We’re optimistic there. Obviously, a lot more work to do to confirm those.”
“I think longer-term, we’ve got more work to do… With some of the AI tools that we’ve trained with, what we’ve already found in the drilling we’ve done, we’ve seen some new opportunities to explore that we hadn’t previously identified. I would tell you the tape hasn’t run out on this play yet, and we’re going to continue to evaluate that and see what we can get from it. You can rest assured the organisation is very focused on maximising the value of that acreage,” CEO Woods stated.

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The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) joins Guyanese across the nation and throughout the diaspora in observing the 188th anniversary of the Emancipation of Africans from slavery, a defining milestone in our history that is both solemn in remembrance and inspiring in its enduring legacy. For generations, Africans were forcibly taken from their homeland, subjected to brutal and inhumane conditions, and deprived of their fundamental human rights. Yet their spirit endured. In the years that followed freedom, the formerly enslaved pooled their resources to purchase the very plantations on which they had laboured, founding the Village Movement and establishing communities that stand to this day. Their courage and endurance continue to inspire generations of Guyanese.
This day, August 1, is not only a celebration of freedom but also a call to reflect on the sacrifices, strength and resilience of our African ancestors. This year’s observance carries particular significance, as our nation marks sixty years of independence. The freedom won in 1838 laid the foundation for the sovereignty we celebrate in 2026, and the contributions of Guyanese of African descent remain woven into every part of our national life.
As part of its constitutional responsibility to foster harmony and good relations among Guyana’s ethnic groups, the Commission regards Emancipation Day as an important occasion for reflection, education and national unity. It reminds us that building a stronger nation requires a continued commitment to mutual respect, inclusion and appreciation of our diverse cultural heritage.
The Commission encourages all citizens to take part in Emancipation activities across the country and to embrace the occasion as a national opportunity for reflection, learning and togetherness. It is in the sharing of each other’s history and heritage that tolerance is nurtured and the bonds of our nationhood are strengthened.
Ethnic Relations Commission

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…as scaled-down MV Barima recovery operation continues

Two weeks after the MV Barima tragedy, President Dr Irfaan Ali has established an audit team to undertake a comprehensive review of the safety and compliance standards governing marine vessels operating in Guyana.
In a statement on Friday, the head of state explained that this move is part of the Government’s continuing response measures to strengthen maritime safety and prevent future tragedies.
The audit team will comprise former Director-General of the Maritime Administration Department (MARAD), Dr Ivor English; Colonel Julius Skeete of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF); and Marine Officer and Surveyor of Ships Captain Joseph Lewis.
According to Ali, they all bring a wealth of technical expertise, practical experience and knowledge in marine administration, maritime operations and the inspection and surveying of ships.

“The team will examine compliance with applicable maritime safety requirements and make recommendations to strengthen oversight, improve enforcement and ensure that our vessels, operators and regulatory systems meet the highest practicable standards of safety and accountability,” the President noted.
The MV Barima departed the Georgetown stelling at about 15:00h on Saturday, July 18, on its scheduled voyage to Port Kaituma, Region One (Barima-Waini), carrying 179 persons, including 18 crew members and cargo.
According to officials, the vessel encountered rough sea conditions off the Essequibo Coast near the mouth of the Pomeroon River, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), late that night. Survivors have recalled that the ferry began tilting to one side before capsizing, throwing passengers into the water in less than a minute. A distress signal transmitted at approximately 23:01h was received by aviation authorities, triggering a large-scale multi-agency emergency response that still continues and has since evolved.
While at least 76 persons survived the horrific boat accident, 73 have been confirmed dead, and another 30 are still missing. Of the bodies recovered, five remain unidentified.

Scaled down
On Friday, the Guyana Government said that the coordinated search and recovery operations remain ongoing, with no new developments.
Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, who is leading the national response operation, subsequently told the Guyana Times on Friday that the 18 assets, both sea and air, previously deployed have been reduced. However, he noted that the surveillance activities still continue.
“We still have boats out there patrolling the area, and we have aircraft flying over from time to time. But the assets have been scaled down,” PM Phillips stated.
At a press conference earlier this week, the PM had indicated that the diving operations were suspended.
According to Phillips during a telephone interview with this newspaper, the team of divers from the French Guiana Army, along with those from the Brazilian Navy and the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard, which had deployed maritime assets and personnel to support the local operations, have since departed Guyana.
“They already concluded their work [here] and went home… So, no diving is taking place now. We already identified the wreck, and that location is marked. So, anytime we get to go in the area, we don’t have to search. We know the location,” the PM indicated to this publication.
Since arriving in Guyana on Monday, July 20, the team of French divers has executed approximately 15 diving operations to the sunken ferry, which is lying on the seabed some nine miles off the Essequibo Coast. They have reported that the weather and the environmental conditions are making it dangerous for them to get into the ferry.
Initially, there were efforts to right the vessel into a floating position and get it closer to shore in order to gain better access inside, but those attempts to reposition the ship were futile.
PM Phillips had previously explained that as the days go by, the vessel is “sinking deeper and deeper into the mud”, making recovery efforts more difficult.

Engagements ongoing
However, with at least 30 people still unaccounted for, the Guyanese Government is contemplating whether to salvage the sunken vessel or preserve the site as a memorial – a decision it says that will have to be guided by the wishes of the families of those missing persons.
The PM said on Friday that those engagements with the grieving families are ongoing.
In fact, only this week President Dr Irfaan Ali travelled to Mabaruma on Tuesday to meet one-on-one with survivors and families of the victims from this tragedy. A similar engagement was held in Georgetown the following day.
The Head of State assured that the Government will remain closely engaged with every family impacted by this tragedy, ensuring they receive the care, support, and assistance they need – not only in the immediate aftermath but throughout their journey toward healing and recovery.
Already, a Commission of Inquiry (CoI) has been established to probe the deadly boat accident, and the members – Chairman Justice Godfrey Phillip Smith of Belize and four Commissioners: Captain Hamada Fouda, Attorney-at-Law Nyree Dawn Alfonso, Dr Andrzej Jasionowski of Poland, and Rear Admiral (Retired) Hayden Pritchard – were sworn in on Thursday.
The Commission is preparing to conduct its independent investigation into the circumstances of the incident and present its findings, observations and recommendations upon completion of its work.
The Guyana Government has formally launched the HEART Initiative – Hope, Empathy, Aid, Resilience and Trust – a national framework to provide sustained support to the survivors and bereaved families of the MV Barima tragedy through humanitarian assistance, psychosocial and trauma counselling, social services, spiritual guidance and other forms of support for those affected. This assistance is not intended as compensation but as an expression of the nation’s enduring commitment to stand beside survivors and bereaved families for as long as necessary.

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– as 150 hydrants across 4 regions non-operational

Some 35 of the 200 new fire hydrants acquired by the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) have been installed across the country as authorities move ahead with efforts to strengthen the country’s firefighting capabilities and improve emergency response. The GFS plans to install 200 new hydrants by the end of 2026 as part of an ongoing restoration programme aimed at repairing existing inoperable units.
Already, new hydrants are being installed in Georgetown as well as along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD), East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and along the West Bank and West Coast of Demerara (WCD). In addition, existing hydrants are continuously being serviced to ensure they remain operational. This was revealed by Senior Fire Officer Rovin Thomas during a recent interview with this publication at the side-lines of the demonstrative showcasing of the operational response of firefighters during active fire incidents.

“Currently, there is an installation process ongoing. We have over 35 hydrants being planted. We are having specific focus not only on Georgetown but also on the East Bank, East Coast, West Bank, and West Coast. Of recent, we’ve had 32 hydrants installed in the Mahaica area. So, these hydrants are indeed installed. They have been procured, and the team is out there working to have more hydrants installed.”
Thomas added that the GFS is not only focused on installing new hydrants but is also ensuring that existing hydrants are properly serviced. “The hydrants that are already planted – those hydrants are constantly serviced to ensure that they are in operable and good working condition.” He explained that priority is being given to vulnerable and high-risk areas, including locations with major installations.
“We have vulnerable areas, and we have those key points – fixed installations; major installations like bulk fuel storage, large supermarkets, Government buildings, schools, gas stations, areas that would normally house large amounts of persons like malls and so forth. But there is a specific emphasis on Government buildings, high-rise buildings, and high-risk areas.” Meanwhile, Thomas noted that there are approximately 1000 fire hydrants across Georgetown.

Despite the high number of hydrants in Region Four, the GFS has identified 150 hydrants across Regions Three, Four, Five, and Six that are currently non-functional. Thomas attributed these failures to a combination of accidental damage caused by vehicles and ageing infrastructure inherited from the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) system.
“We have over 1000 hydrants in Georgetown alone, and we can access water from canals and so forth. So, water is not a big issue for the fire service. Even if there is a clogged drain and there is no hydrant in a particular area, we have our bowsers that normally respond to these calls. We have two appliances, and in some instances, two bowsers to support those appliances. Now, the bowsers, for those who don’t know, are the fire trucks that have the long carriage or the long tanker. Those bowsers carry 14,000 litres of water.” Thomas also explained the water capacity of the regular fire appliances used by the GFS.
“Our regular fire appliance carries 450 gallons. This is similar to your black tank, and in some instances, we have some with 500 gallons of water. Added to that, we have a foam capacity of 250 gallons. The foam is used specifically to deal with vehicle fires, fires involving oils, grease, and other similar incidents.”

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A fire at Lamaha Street, Newtown, Kitty, Georgetown, on Thursday evening has claimed the life of a 65-year-old man who was reportedly recovering from a stroke. The deceased man has been identified as Vernal Duncan. The fire reportedly started just after 21:00h in one of the three buildings that was later completely gutted. The Guyana Fire Service (GFS) stated that firefighters from the Campbellville and Eccles Fire Stations responded to the report of a fire, and upon arriving at the scene, they observed three buildings engulfed in flames.
Through their coordinated efforts, firefighters successfully contained the blaze, preventing it from spreading further. However, two of the homes were completely destroyed, while a third sustained partial damage. During the emergency response, it was reported that one occupant was unaccounted for. Following the successful suppression of the fire, firefighters conducted a thorough search of the premises and discovered the charred remains of the missing occupant.
Senior Fire Officer Rovin Thomas related on Friday, “Two other buildings were affected as a result of the fire and radiated heat. The firefighters did an excellent job, though in some instances it can be challenging based on control and so forth, but the firefighters did an excellent job.” At the scene, a resident, Sylvia Grey, who lives next door to the house that was destroyed by the fire, recounted that she was asleep when her son alerted her that he smelled smoke.

“Well, I was sleeping. Normally, I sleep upstairs in the second room, but yesterday, after my son went [out], I said I was going to sleep in the room and watch TV. So, I ended up watching an African movie, and I went into a doze. But then I heard my son screaming, ‘Mommy, I’m smelling smoke!’ So I got up and started looking to see where the smoke was coming from. When I came by the door, I saw a big blaze, so right away I ran upstairs and turned on the pipe. I went to the bathroom and sink and started pulling water. I was looking for a small bucket but couldn’t find one. So I turned and started throwing water over the wall.”
She added that the fire quickly intensified, forcing her and her young daughter to flee.
“But after I started throwing water, the blaze started coming over towards me. The smoke started suffocating my nose, so I couldn’t take it. I had my little seven-year-old daughter with me, so I ended up running down the steps with my daughter. When I reached downstairs, I couldn’t come out because the heat was preventing me from passing. Then the firefighters came and realised that I couldn’t get through, so they started breaking through the area with water. That’s how my daughter and my son got out, and I came out too,” she stated, recounting the last frantic moments during the catastrophe.

The resident explained that after leaving her home for a short while, she returned to find the fire rapidly spreading to the neighbouring houses. Residents said the occupant had previously complained about electrical issues at the house, leading some to believe the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault. However, the exact cause of the blaze remains under investigation.
“The fire started in the middle house and then scorched the left and right. I saw the other house catching after this one started. The fire blazed up the middle house mostly, and then it started taking over this one here. His wife told me that something with the wiring of the house was catching or something like that. She said they called GPL and they came and fixed it.” Residents explained that the victim had poor eyesight and had previously suffered a stroke and injuries from an accident, which left him physically impaired.
Meanwhile, a pensioner, Desiree Mahon, was also left homeless after her house was completely destroyed in the blaze.

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As the country observes Emancipation Day 2026, President Dr Irfaan Ali says that the contributions made by African Guyanese over the decades are the very pillars upon which modern Guyana now stands. The head of state made these remarks in his Emancipation Day message. He said this day calls for homage to be paid to the resistance, resolve, resourcefulness and resilience of African ancestors in the face of the most abominable system ever known to mankind – the transatlantic trade in captive Africans and the brutal machinery of slavery.
According to Ali, though subjected to the horrors of enslavement, those African ancestors never relinquished their dignity, their humanity, or their quest for liberation. Noting that those long nights of bondage gave way to the dawn of freedom, the President pointed out that instead of greeting that morning with bitterness in their hearts, the forebears instead fixed their gaze steadily upon the future. They sought to create, from their freedom, a better world for themselves and for the generations yet unborn.

“That very first Emancipation Day marked the dawn of a new journey, one driven by an unquenchable yearning for economic empowerment and self-determination. In the decades that followed, African Guyanese rose with extraordinary purpose. They transformed their circumstances in remarkable ways,” the Guyanese leader stated. Key among those transformations is the Village Movement, which saw the freed men and women pooling their resources to purchase lands and establish villages. According to Ali, these villages became the bedrock of resilience, the crucibles of culture, the seedbeds of nationhood.
Through education, he added, they sharpened minds while building enterprises through entrepreneurship. Through their farms, they also provided food for homes and markets; through mining, they brought forth gold, bauxite, and diamonds that would fuel the nation’s progress; through sport, arts, politics and the professions, they enriched every facet of national life.
“Their contributions are the very pillars upon which modern Guyana stands. Our African ancestors erected these pillars for every generation that would follow so that we might stand taller, reach further, and dream broader,” the Head of State emphasised. To this end, he urged that Guyanese continue to learn from their example, including in the face of adversity. “They did not allow tragedy to harden their hearts into hatred. Instead, they transformed their sorrow into solidarity and their pain into purpose. They wept together, prayed together and rebuilt together. In celebrating the achievements of our African ancestors, let us reaffirm our faith in one another. Let us refuse the seduction of suspicion and the poison of enmity. The greatest honour we can pay to them is in the work we do to create a society rooted in mutual respect, genuine equality and shared prosperity. It is in the bridges we build across every divide,” President Ali posited.
He went on to implore Guyanese to work together to build a nation that is truly free, truly prosperous, and just for every man, woman, and child. The Guyanese leader added, “May the spirit of our African ancestors guide us. May their resilience inspire us. And may their dream of a united, dignified, and sovereign people live on in our hearts and hands today and always. My best wishes to all on this Emancipation Day 2026.”

Significance of Emancipation
Meanwhile, Prime Minister (PM) Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, in his Emancipation Day message, said the spirit and significance of Emancipation highlight the continued legacy that African ancestors left behind in every aspect of Guyanese life and culture today.
“Cultural experience allows history to be felt and understood. As we participate in these cultural practices, whether it be through drumming or fashion or food, we show appreciation for their memory, and it helps us to understand the people behind the history and the choices that allowed their heritage to survive,” he stated.
According to Phillips, Guyanese do not have to share the same ancestry to appreciate another community’s music, learn its history, or participate respectfully in its celebrations. He noted that the coexistence of Guyana’s many traditions remains important in the country where differences have sometimes been used to create distance between us. This unity among the diverse, he added, is especially critical during a period in which many Guyanese are carrying grief and confronting difficult emotions.
“While we acknowledge that cultural gatherings cannot erase sorrow, they can offer comfort and remind us that no community should have to face hardship alone. The African-Guyanese experience teaches us much about endurance, communal responsibility, and rebuilding after profound loss. Those lessons belong within our wider Guyanese understanding,” the PM stated. He further added that today’s Emancipation Day celebration calls for reflection on the country’s development, where the enduring value of the lessons passed down by African ancestors can be seen in the prosperous and inclusive Guyana being built.
“The history of African-Guyanese people is inseparable from the history of our nation. Across generations, African-Guyanese have made essential contributions to agriculture, education, public service, law, business, politics, the creative industries, sport, national security, and the skilled trades. They have served as teachers, nurses, public servants, farmers, entrepreneurs, artisans, members of the disciplined services, and leaders within their communities. Their work has helped to develop our villages, strengthen our institutions and expand Guyana’s cultural and economic life.
African culture has also profoundly shaped our national identity. The values of collective responsibility, resilience, self-reliance, and community upliftment that sustained African-Guyanese communities after Emancipation remain relevant to Guyana’s development today. They remind us that national progress is strongest when it is built through shared effort, equal opportunity, and respect for the dignity and contribution of every citizen. So, on the occasion of Emancipation 2026, let us honour the African-Guyanese community for its immense contribution to Guyana’s progress and character,” PM Phillips stated.

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On August 1, 1838, the chains of chattel slavery in the British colonies were finally broken. That victory did not come through the goodwill of the slave masters or the colonial establishment. It was won through generations of resistance, sacrifice, rebellion, and the unwavering determination of enslaved Africans who refused to surrender their humanity.
Emancipation remains one of history’s greatest declarations that no government, institution, or individual has the right to dominate, exploit, or deny another person their dignity and freedom.
The Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) reminds the nation that emancipation is more than a cultural observance. It is a call to defend freedom against every attempt to diminish it.
The enslaved fought against a system that stole their labour, separated families, denied them education, stripped them of their identity, and reduced them to property. They resisted so future generations would never have to plead for equality or fear those entrusted with governing them.
The GTUC believes that equality before the law cannot depend on race, political affiliation, or social standing. National development cannot be measured solely by economic growth and oil wealth while many citizens believe they are denied equal treatment, opportunity, and representation.
The GTUC reminds us that governments are elected to serve the nation – not to reward supporters, punish critics, or treat constitutional rights as privileges to be granted or withheld. Human rights, justice, and equality are not political concessions; they are fundamental obligations of democratic governance.
As we honour our ancestors this Emancipation Day, let us remember that they fought not only to break chains but also to establish justice. Their sacrifice calls on every generation to resist oppression in all its forms and to defend the freedoms they secured with courage and blood.
The GTUC remains steadfast in that mission. We will continue to stand with workers, defend the rights of every citizen, and demand a Guyana where freedom is not simply celebrated on August 1 but protected every day of the year.
Happy Emancipation Day.

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