ACDA Leader: Emancipation Must Go Beyond Ceremony—Calls for Real Self-Determination
By Antonio Dey | HGP Nightly News
Georgetown, Guyana – As Guyanese across the country observe Emancipation Day, the African Cultural and Development Association (ACDA) is urging citizens to reflect not just on physical liberation, but on the unfinished struggle for mental, social, and economic emancipation.
Speaking passionately at a recent forum, Sister Pendiguann, executive member of ACDA and a representative of the 1823 Coalition Movement, said true freedom remains elusive for many Afro-Guyanese due to persistent disparities in education, economic access, and political respect.
“It is kind of disturbing when we realize that we have not really grown to the depth that I would have liked to have seen us—as far as self-determination is concerned,” she said.
Educational Gaps and Neglect
Pendiguann pointed to what she called a troubling academic void left by policies such as “No Child Left Behind,” which she argued has failed to serve many children in marginalized communities. She expressed concern that too many young Afro-Guyanese still leave school without basic literacy.
“You’ll be amazed how many of our young adults cannot even write their names,” she lamented. “And this is not a joke.”
Despite advancements in digital technology and infrastructure, she said functional illiteracy remains a serious barrier to economic mobility and political awareness for many in the African Guyanese population.
Political Awareness Urged Ahead of Elections
With general and regional elections scheduled for September 1, Pendiguann issued a stark warning to the Afro-Guyanese electorate: do not allow yourselves to be used as political pawns.
She criticized the current administration’s treatment of African heritage, referencing the government’s plan to erect pavilions near the sacred 1823 Monument—the site of a brutal suppression of African resistance against slavery.
“That is a clear sign of disrespect—not just to our ancestors, but to the youth and the living culture of our people,” she said.
Dignity and Accountability
Pendiguann urged the Afro-Guyanese community to maintain high self-esteem and hold elected leaders to a standard that respects the legacy of their foreparents.
“If you disrespect my foreparents, common sense tells me you’re disrespecting me,” she said. “So how can you disrespect me and still want me to support you?”
The veteran cultural activist closed her remarks with a call for critical engagement, especially as Emancipation Day is commemorated, not just as a festive occasion, but as a reminder of the unfinished work of liberation.
