“True independence requires spiritual maturity, national unity & social responsibility” – Pres Ali

…attends Thanksgiving Service ahead of 60th Independence Anniversary

As Guyana gears up for its 60th Independence Anniversary, President Dr Irfaan Ali has emphasised the importance of spiritual maturity, national unity and social responsibility for the prosperity of the nation.

He made these remarks Sunday at the Better Hope Assembly of God Church, where he joined the congregation to celebrate Guyana’s 60th Independence Anniversary in prayer, thanksgiving, and unity. On Tuesday, Guyana will mark 60 years since it gained independence from British rule on May 26, 1966.

According to President Ali, this independence milestone cannot be celebrated without acknowledging the country’s trials and tribulations as well as its successes and progress over the past 60 years – something for which he says God must be praised.

“As Guyana celebrate 60 years of independence, it is only fitting that we pause to give thanks and praise for this long journey as a nation. Sixty years is evidence of endurance it is proof that through trials and triumphs, God has sustained this land and its people.”

He said that Guyana’s journey has not always been easy as there are moments of hardship, political division and strife, economic difficulties and social uncertainty.

“There were seasons when hope appeared distant and when many wondered what tomorrow would bring. There were times when our people struggled and times when our democracy itself was tested, but through every storm, God carried us,” he stated.

The Guyanese Leader added that Guyana must never be a country that enjoys prosperity without God, without gratitude and without giving thanks for guiding the nation through colonialism, attaining independence, political unrest, economic challenges, floods and tragedies, and even now when the nation stands at the place of unprecedented opportunities.

“We must remember that prosperity without gratitude can become arrogance, and success without God can become destruction… As our country grows and as the eyes of the world turn toward Guyana, we must never forget the stories of our blessing… Our nation must therefore remain grounded in humility, righteousness and gratitude.”

“Development alone cannot save a nation. Wealth alone cannot unite a people. Infrastructure alone cannot build a society. A nation must also possess moral strength, spiritual value and compassion…for one another. Independence is not merely political freedom. True independence also requires spiritual maturity, national unity and social responsibility. We must therefore strive to build a Guyana where justice prevails, where unity triumphs over division, and where love for country rises above selfishness and greed,” the president stated.

Foundation laid

Equally important to recongise during Guyana’s independence celebration, the Head of State emphasised, is the sacrifices made by previous generations to lay the foundation upon which the nation stands on today. He said gratitude must also be given to those who came and were tortured as slaves, those who came as indentured labourers, and those who toiled during the post-independence era.

According to President Ali, their sacrifices can be honoured by the current generation displaying true unity and togetherness.

“Guyana is blessed with many cultures, many traditions, many backgrounds and many faiths; yet, despite our differences our people, under one flag and under one God, celebrate together as one nation. Thanksgiving should therefore inspire not only gratitude toward God but also kindness towards one another. A grateful heart does not hate. A thankful spirit does not speak destruction. Gratitude teaches humility because it reminds us that all we possess ultimately comes from God.”

“As we celebrate 60 years of independence, let us therefore recommit ourselves to the ideals upon which nation building depends – faith, unity, sacrifice, love and gratitude. Let us remember the generations that came before us. Those who toiled in the fields; laboured in the factories; taught in the classroom, preached in churches, in the mosque, in the temples, and fought for freedom and dignity so that future generations could inherit a better Guyana,” he posited.

The Guyanese Leader further noted that Guyana’s future will not be secured merely by resources beneath the sea, or wealth within the economy but when God is placed at the centre of national life, family life, and personal life, and when citizens remain united.

“So today, let us give thanks for 60 years of nationhood. Let us give thanks for peace. Let us give thanks for survival. Let us give thanks for opportunities yet to come. Let us give thanks for families, churches, temples, mosques, communities, and for the resilience of the Guyanese people. But above all, let us give thanks to Almighty God, because without Him we are nothing.”

He noted that this should be the nation’s “declaration as we move forward into the future: that Guyana shall not be a nation consumed by division, arrogance, or despair, but a nation strengthened by faith, guided by wisdom, and anchored in gratitude to God… And may God bless our beloved Guyana. And may future generations look back upon us and say that in our time, we did not forget God, we did not abandon gratitude, we did not lose faith in the destiny of this great nation.”