Emancipation Day 2025: African-Guyanese made indelible contributions, laid foundation to shape Guyana’s future – Pres Ali

…as PM Phillips urges Afro-Guyanese to take advantage
of upliftment opportunities

President Irfaan Ali has said that African-Guyanese did not just seek freedom from bondage during the widely condemned transatlantic slave trade but also sought the power to define their own destinies and ensure a better life for the generations to come.

The Head of State expressed these sentiments in his message to commemorate today’s Emancipation Day observance – a day that, he says, allows for tribute to be paid for the courage, endurance, and unbreakable spirit of African ancestors.
According to Ali, while emancipation ended the system of African enslavement, it also marked the beginning of a new journey that was driven by a yearning for economic empowerment and self-determination.
“In the years since, African-Guyanese have made indelible contributions to the building of our nation. Through education, entrepreneurship, sport, arts, governance, the professions, and particularly the Village Movement, they laid the foundation for resilient communities that continue to shape the future of Guyana. The Village Movement itself stands as a symbol of collective agency and the pursuit of economic independence,” he noted.
Reflecting on the horrors of enslavement that they were subjected to, the president noted that these brave men and women never relinquished their dignity or humanity. In fact, he said their resistance to the inhumane transatlantic trade in captive Africans and the brutal plantation system of human enslavement remains one of the most profound stories of struggle and resilience in human history.
“The transatlantic slave trade has long been condemned by the international community as one of the gravest crimes against humanity. It tore millions from their homeland, inflicted unspeakable suffering, and attempted to erase the identity of an entire people. But the will to survive and the yearning for freedom proved far more powerful than the chains that bound them,” the Guyanese leader posited.

Inclusive advancements
As Guyana commemorates Emancipation this year, President Ali says this is being done with a clear-eyed commitment to building a Guyana in which every citizen, regardless of race, religion, or background, has a stake in the nation’s development and shares in its bounty.
“We recommit ourselves to the ideal of One Guyana – a society where opportunity is universal and advancement is possible for all,” he posited.
On this note, the Guyanese leader cautioned against efforts by some to thwart this inclusive agenda. “We must not allow anything to come between us and the achievement of this ideal. Let us reject, with firm resolve, the efforts of those who seek to manipulate race and ethnicity for narrow and selfish ends. These efforts serve no one. They do not uplift communities – they only divide them. They do not solve problems; they deepen wounds. And they do not build a future; they attempt to chain us to a past we have struggled so hard to overcome,” he noted.
Instead, President Ali encouraged citizens to reaffirm their faith in each other and deepen their commitment to equity, justice, and inclusion. He added that the true honour descendants can pay their ancestors is not only in remembrance but also in action, by working every day to create a society rooted in respect, equality, and shared prosperity.
To this end, the President said he remains unwavering in his pledge to ensure that no Guyanese is excluded from the ongoing national development.
“Whether in the hinterland or on the coast, in the villages or the urban centres, all must be able to benefit from the growth and progress of our nation. So, on this Emancipation Day 2025, let us stand together, proud of our past, confident in our future, and united in our purpose. Let us celebrate the strength of our African-Guyanese sisters and brothers and draw inspiration from their struggles and achievements. May their example continue to guide us. May their courage continue to fortify us. And may their legacy live on in the just and inclusive Guyana we are building together,” the president stated.

Opportunities for empowerment
Meanwhile, similar sentiments were expressed by Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips in his Emancipation Day message. The Prime Minister said this day is not only one of the defining moments in Guyana’s history but also represents a reaffirmation of the Afro-Guyanese identity, their rich culture, and the resolute spirit of a people who turned struggle into strength and legacy.
“Emancipation is both to be celebrated and a call to reflection. It marks a turning point in the journey of African descendants in Guyana. Theirs was a journey that took them from bondage and gross abuse to freedom and speaks of their resilience despite the adversity they faced,” he stated.
On this occasion to mark 400 years since the arrival of Africans in Guyana and the 187th anniversary of emancipation, PM Phillips took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on Buxton, an East Coast Demerara village built on the vision and unity of formerly enslaved Africans.
“That bold and unprecedented act is now an integral part of our history, known as the Village Movement, and it is also a significant part of our identity. Their co-operative purchase of land and formation of self-reliant communities were acts of power, and it reminds us that villages are a symbol of collective ownership, culture, and hope,” he noted.
According to Phillips, this day also celebrates the vibrant music, food, fashion, and faith of the African heritage, noting that these are expressions of pride and self-determination. He added that they also serve as essential teaching tools for Guyanese children, and they carry the values that will shape tomorrow’s Guyana.
To this end, the Prime Minister pointed out that the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government recognises the importance of these roots, and we are committed to investing in the lives of all African-Guyanese.
“We will continue creating national initiatives that allow African-Guyanese culture to thrive, heritage to be protected, and opportunities to be shared. We are committed to ensuring that the stories and successes of African-Guyanese people are recognised and integrated into our country’s future. That means more than marking a holiday – it means making real investments in culture, education, and community spaces where identity and history can flourish.”
“Therefore, I urge all African-Guyanese to take advantage of the many opportunities for self-development, economic empowerment, and social upliftment presented by the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic Government,” PM Phillips stated in his Emancipation Day message to the nation.