National Assembly extends Emancipation greetings to the nation

Georgetown : Minister of State, Joseph Harmon called on Guyanese to reflect on the sufferings of their fore-parents and embrace social cohesion as an element of development in his Emancipation greetings to the nation.

The minister extended the greeting on behalf of the government  before the close of the 95th sitting of the National Assembly, last evening.

“I urge you, all Guyanese, to recognise and enjoy and celebrate Emancipation as it is not just emancipation from mental slavery; it is also an emancipation from the economic conditions under which we lived,” Minister Harmon said.

On August 1, Guyana will observe the 180th anniversary of the abolition of slavery. Minister Harmon noted slavery was abolished because of consistent periods of resistance that began in Africa, throughout the Middle Passage and in Guyana.

“Today, as we enjoy these freedoms, we have to look back upon the sufferings which our fore parents endured and we have to recognise as a people that that suffering which they endured was for the benefit of us all,” the minister said.