BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – FOLLOWING his multi-ethnic coalition opposition party’s (A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance for Change) victory at the recent General and Regional Elections in Guyana, retired Army Brigadier General David Arthur Granger was sworn in yesterday (May 16) as the South American country’s eighth Executive President.
Information reaching this publication stated that amidst pomp and ceremony mixed with a display of love and support by thousands of Guyanese, Granger was sworn in on the Parliament’s balcony with the First Lady, Sandra, by his side.
Speaking to those present (most of whom were clad in party colours of yellow and green) and the hundreds of thousands viewing the event on national television and listening on the radios, the 69-year-old President pledged to end the racial division that marked politics in the 83,000-square mile Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
According to Kaieteur News, traditionally, the Swearing-In Ceremony takes place at State House, but Granger chose the new venue to demonstrate respect for the Parliament and for democracy.
The media house also reported that on arrival at the venue, Granger stepped out of his car elegantly clad in a black suit with a Guyana emblem pinned to his left chest and then made his way to the balcony of the Parliament building, amidst loud cheers and the waving of palm branches and the coalition party’s flag.
“The short programme was chaired by former broadcaster Margaret Lawrence who invited local songbird, Lisa Punch, to sing the National Anthem. And she did so beautifully.
“After the National Motto was recited, there were prayers by representatives of the three major religious groups in Guyana.
The Proclamation was read by Dr. Steve Surujbally then Granger took the Oath of Office which was administered by the Chancellor of the Judiciary (Ag) Carl Singh.”
In taking the Oath, Granger swore that he would bear true faith and allegiance to the people of Guyana and vowed to faithfully execute the Office of President without fear or favour, affection or ill will.
In his opening address as the new President, Granger said: “It is written, this is the day which the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in his name.”
He continued: “The Elections are over; the Guyanese people have chosen their representatives. The Constitution has been respected. Our democracy has been fortified. Let us now put past rivalries behind us and work in unity to banish poverty, ignorance, fear and hatred.”
The Head of State, who is also a historian, said that there is good reason to celebrate then, not only because of the election results but, more importantly, for the restoration of democracy.
He then expressed his heartfelt thanks to those who voted for the six-member coalition.
“We congratulate the successful candidates of all parties who will soon be elected to serve in the Eleventh Parliament, a parliament I will not prorogue. I encourage them to be faithful to their office.
“Let us now put the past behind us and live in unity and banish poverty, ignorance, fear and hatred. We are here to witness not the swearing in of the party leader, but the President of all the people. I shall be a good President for all the people.”
Granger opined that he believes the inauguration of a government of national unity is the best way to overcome the nation’s historic divisions, noting that for 23 years the citizenry witnessed the denial of democracy, the prorogation of Parliament, the high crime rate, the squandering of state resources and youth unemployment.
He appealed to the citizens that the damage to the nation should not push them to allow hate to fester within their hearts, but rather serve as another driving force for all to be more determined to refashion the country.
President Granger declared that as soon as Parliament convenes, Moses Nagamootoo would be sworn in as Prime Minister and Leader of the House, and that the outgoing Administration, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has agreed to collaborate with the new Government for putting together a transition team to facilitate the transfer of assets and information needed to ensure the continuation of the country.
He also declared that APNU’s General Secretary, Joseph Harmon would serve temporarily as the Head of the Presidential Secretariat to head the coalition team in that regard.
Kaieteur News also reported that though his party has been very critical of the PPP/C Administration over the years, Granger still extended an olive branch to former President Donald Ramotar to join the unity movement.
Granger further said that it is time to look to the future and he invited all to his Inauguration Ceremony, which will be held at the National Stadium on May 26 when Guyana will be celebrating Independence Day.
To end the Swearing-In Ceremony, President Granger urged all Guyanese to live in peace and embrace each other regardless of race, class or political persuasion, and invited all those present at the venue to hold the hand of the person beside them and join him in singing the national song – ‘Let Us Co-operate’.
