IDPADA-G: Emancipation Must Be a Catalyst for Justice, Not Just Celebration
By Alethea Grant | HGP Nightly News
Georgetown, Guyana – In a strongly worded Emancipation Day statement, the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly – Guyana (IDPADA-G) has called for urgent national action to address longstanding ethnic disparities that continue to affect African Guyanese communities nearly two centuries after slavery was abolished.
The organization stated that despite the sacrifices and foundational contributions of African Guyanese in nation-building, these communities remain structurally excluded and face unequal access to economic opportunities.
“Emancipation brought no reparation, no land, and no protection from the inequalities that followed,” IDPADA-G stated. “That legacy of denial still haunts our communities today.”
A Push for Policy Change
As part of its effort to translate words into action, IDPADA-G confirmed that it has submitted a concept note to the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). The proposal calls for a national ethnic disparity audit and the development of an equity action plan.
The proposed audit aims to collect disaggregated data by ethnicity to uncover systemic gaps and guide policy reforms that would promote equity in public life. IDPADA-G maintains that this is not a radical request, but one that aligns with:
- The United Nations Decade for People of African Descent
- The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
- The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Emancipation as a Turning Point
The organization’s statement emphasized that Emancipation Day must go beyond cultural performances and traditional attire.
“We call on the ERC, the government, political parties, and all Guyanese of conscience to back this effort so that Emancipation Day can be a turning point,” the statement continued.
“Let truth lead. Let justice speak. Let equity prevail.”
A Message That Resonates
For many across the country, the message reflects a deep-seated desire for systemic change. While African Guyanese continue to celebrate Emancipation with pride, strength, and cultural identity, the call for measurable reforms serves as a powerful reminder that freedom without fairness remains an unfinished struggle.
