President Bharrat Jagdeo on Wednesday officially launched Guyana’s year-long activities for the United Nations-designated International Year for the People of African Descent (IYPAD) and to work to ensure that kids have a brighter future.
Jagdeo told the gathering at the Guyana International Conference Centre, which included a large number of Rastafarians, “I can’t promise you to legalise marijuana,” refusing a call from the president of the Guyana Rastafari Council, Ras Leon Saul, for the government to do so, since he (Saul) said marijuana is the “Blessed Sacrament.”
Saul, who is also the chairman of the All African Guyanese Council, said, “When it comes to our sacrament, it is indeed a serious consideration to be made to free I and I up, free up the Rasta man.”
He identified self-reliance, self determination and self governance as key ingredients in becoming genuine and better human beings.
Apparently referring to a call made by opposition leader, Robert Corbin, for African-Guyanese organisations to boycott the launching ceremony, Saul, a former journalist, appealed for unity rather than division.
“We have to stop divisiveness and stop the talk of boycotting ourselves,” he said.
The Rastafarian head spoke about the condition of the African-Guyanese, which prompted Jagdeo to pledge to assist in the best possible way.
Several activities have been planned for the year, including seminars, workshops, exhibitions, exchange visits, etc.
