Youths raise Golden Arrowhead to celebrate Guyana’s 53rd Independence anniversary

This year’s flag raising celebration for Guyana’s Independence anniversary was focused primarily on youths and ensuring they take up various leading roles in the programme. The programme was chaired by Natoya Da Silva, a fifth form student of St. Joseph’s High School.

The Durban Park in the capital city of Georgetown on Sunday came alive in a kaleidoscope of colours as over 5,000 students from across the country began a series of spectacular dance routines in the presence of President David Granger and First Lady Sandra Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and his wife Sita Nagamootoo and other Ministers of Government, members of the Diplomatic Corps and other onlookers.

The colours of the National Flag –Red, Black, Gold, White and Green – were predominantly represented at the venue.

The most anticipated part of the programme – the parade and the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead – were for the first time performed by youths.

Students from the Queenstown, Brickdam, Tutorial, East Ruimveldt, Central High School, North Georgetown, Richard Ishmael, Christ Church and North Ruimveldt Secondary Schools, the St. Mary’s High School along with the Guyana National Cadet Corps schools, Scouts from the Master Guides, Girl Guides and Pathfinders participated in the parade.

Two students, Malacai Flemming of McKenzie High School and Demari Grant of Bishop’s High School hoisted the Golden Arrowhead.

The task is usually conducted by the Guyana Defence Force which this year took on the role of leading the various groups of the parade and training the youngsters to take over this great responsibility.

The flag was mechanically hoisted on the country’s tallest flagpole which measures 180ft located in the center of the Durban Park.

The flag measures 65 × 35 foot –the largest one ever created – in 2016 to observe Guyana’s 46th Republic anniversary.

The Golden Arrowhead was designed in 1961 by American Vexillologist, Dr. Whitney Smith who died on November 18, 2016 at 76 years old.

This unique emblem marked the nation becoming an Independent state when the British Union Jack was lowered and the Golden Arrow Head hoisted at midnight on May 25, 1966.

The design of the flag was approved by the Guyana House of Assembly on January 26, 1966 in a motion moved by then Minister of Education, Mrs. Winifred Gaskin.