Vision of Burnham remains relevant -PNCR General Secretary as 60th anniversary celebrations launched

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) recently launched its Diamond Jubilee programme of activities for its 60th Anniversary in the Hall of Heroes at the Party’s Secretariat, Congress Place, Sophia.

Main speakers at the event on Friday, May 19, 2017, were General Secretary of the Party, Mr. Oscar Clarke, CCH, Chairperson and Coordinator of the 60th Anniversary Committee, Annette Ferguson, MP, and Chairman of the Party, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams.

The Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated under the theme, “United and Strong: 60 Years On”, which signifies the strength of the Party, and unity that exists within the ranks of its membership and supporters, a statement from the PNCR said.

The General Secretary of the Party referred to the ideological and political beliefs of the Founder Leader, Forbes Burnham, and affirmed that “they are relevant to what is happening in this country now.”

He said that the vision of Burnham was relevant in the early days of the Party and remains so now. These things, he said, must be recognised, noting that the ideas that he (Forbes Burnham) has bequeathed to the Party have been a guide to successive leaders, including its current leader, Brigadier David Arthur Granger.

Ferguson conducted a power point presentation on the activities that will be held to celebrate the Party’s milestone from May until December 2017. She listed events which will take place in all ten administrative regions.

Chairman of the Party, Basil Williams, delivered the featured address listing many of the Party’s achievements in every sector since it was founded in 1957, especially in the areas of Women’s’ rights, youth and its programme for national unity and religious equality.

This event was attended by past and current leaders of the Party, including former General Secretary of the Party, Mr. Hamilton Green; Minister of State, Hon. Joseph Harmon; Treasurer of the Party and Minister of Communities, Hon. Ronald Bulkan; Minister of Citizenship, Hon. Winston Felix; Assistant General Secretary of the Party and Minister of Social Protection, Hon. Amna Ally; Minister Keith Scott; Minister Jaipaul Sharma; Ms. Yvonne Harewood Benn; Mr. Allan Munroe, the Mayors of Georgetown, Bartica, Linden, New Amsterdam and Lethem, among many others. The cultural programme was of the highest quality and featured songs by Victoria Regia Quartet and G. Money whose theme song for the 60th Anniversary celebrations was an instant hit.