‘A nationalist, dedicated & fearless’- Not-for-profit launched to honour life of Ashton Chase

A trade unionist, lawyer, educator, author and politician are among the many hats the late Ashton Chase wore.

Brave, selfless, fearless, humble, and dedicated is how he is remembered. But as fancy as it sounds, he known as a man of simplicity and was never about the accolades.

Ashton Chase believed that if there was something you could do to make a difference, then do it without making any noise.

Chase was a founding member of the governing People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). He died on July 10, 2023, days before his 97 birthday.

So to promote his life, work, and ideas, his family on Thursday launched Ashton Chase Inc. – a not-for-profit organization.

Through the organization, Chase’s family will embark on printing eight books that he penned but were never printed. They will also be updating the editions, where necessary, particularly those that are law-related.

And all of the proceeds from the sales of the books as well as other income from the organization will go towards funding scholarships in the field of labour law – an area which Chase was passionate about and is often undermined.

President Dr Irfaan Ali and several government ministers as well as members of the legal fraternity and the diplomatic corps were among those who attended the launch on Thursday at the Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal on Thursday.

“A man who was larger than life, a man who did so much with his life, operated in different spares, all at the highest levels with unparalleled excellence”

“A life so well spent cannot wither away with death,” Chase’s daughter, Pauline Chase shared.

According to Pauline, the idea to launch the organization was birthed following the consideration of a national trust and a foundation, both of which were seen as insufficient to reflect the life of Ashton Chase.

“Ashton Chase was an institution within himself and it is only fitting that the name of the body in his memory reflected that,” Pauline said.

During his lifetime, Chase held many key positions such as Minister of Labour, a trade unionist and President of the Guyana Bar Association. He started his legal profession in the 1940s and during his career, he had a prominent role in a series of important cases.

In honour of his service and dedication, he was bestowed with the Order of Excellence, the country’s highest national award.

Reflecting on his contribution to the country, President Ali described Chase as a nationalist, who was fearless, selfless, brilliant but yet humble.

“He was always having this global outlook, refined through regional thinking but always with a national purpose… Importantly he shaped the fabric of what makes us the Guyanese society and he was deeply connected with the people of our country.

“It was not fear, power, or connection that drove him. It was his connection with people and his desire to ensure that people were treated equally, fairly and people had access to justice,” President Ali highlighted.

And for the mark he has imprinted, President Ali said Ashton Chase’s legacy is not only cemented in Guyana but in the Caribbean region.

“It is one thing to have the legal brains, to have the charm and all that is required to advance an argument but when you advance that argument with actually working in the trenches, working alongside the workers, being there with them in the plight for justice and freedom, you are at a completely different level,” President Ali noted.

Aside from the organization, a domain was also established for those interested in the history of Chase.

And eventually, other activities, which encompass his life and work are expected to be rolled out.