Dear Editor,
Galvanised by the commendable decision by the University of Guyana (UG) to award an honorary doctorate to Engineer Egbert ‘Bert’ Carter (among the illustrious awardees), a patriot who has worn many service hats including that of cultural heritage champion’, I am moved to express my concerns on the state of heritage affairs in Guyana. The sector has been overpowered by an appalling lack of vision and will to continue the good works of such stalwarts as the Honourable Gail Teixeira and Honourable Dr. Frank Anthony, former ministers of Culture, Youth and Sport. I saystalwarts’ when comparing their service with the abysmal lack of leadership staring Guyana in the face since the start of the tenure of the Ministry’s current head and team.
I say appalling and abysmal but there is more, much more. The glaring lack of vision, unfettered unwillingness to lead and collaborate, and flaunted ignorance of and apathy for heritage and, I dare say, the Culture Sector as a whole, is palpable. This barefaced abandonment of responsibility by those who currently oversee heritage matters and failure to timely attend to the promotion of all things historical and cultural in Guyana is no less than gross dereliction of duty. Gross and indefensible by all those who are complicit by their silence and inertia. It is abundantly clear that the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport thumbs its nose at the rest of Guyana to the detriment of Guyanese. While modern-day Philistines continue to denigrate the sector as rubbish, boring, and unworthy of attention, many others recognise the potential of heritage conservation to generate economic and other tangible benefits for fast-developing, small-nations such as Guyana.
Just recently, I read with mixed feelings of the initiative by the King’s Foundation (“Ministers meet Kings’ Foundation on plan for Georgetown”, Stabroek News November 20, 2025). Mixed-feelings as the consultations generated by this admirable effort to transform the capital city are proceeding apace, apparently without the involvement of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Under the umbrella of this key ministry rests the National Archives presumably holding records that should inform any Georgetown revival or redevelopment plan. The Archives, as the place of deposit for the storage and preservation of public archives, should hold records of when and how past revitalization plans were conceptualised and operationalised. What records will inform the new, potentially transformative actions? Has the Archives been asked to provide same? What of records once stored at the old Municipal (M&C&C) Archives in the Georgetown abattoir? Do we know if the original Stabroek Market was fabricated of wrought-iron, cast-iron, or steel? Those entrusted with its `repair’ should know exactly what old materials they will work with to avoid its collapse into a heap of old iron and replacement by yet another concrete monstrosity.
Key here, too, is the institutional memory and records of the lead agency entrusted with the preservation of Guyana’s monuments and historic features – many located in Georgetown– the National Trust of Guyana. By its Act of 1972, the Trust is empowered to `make provision for the preservation of monuments, sites, places and objects of historic interest or national importance.’ Read the Act here https://www.parliament.gov.gy/publications/acts-of-parliament/national-trust-act-1972[1]
Also, by its Act, which has not been repealed, its Board should comprise (a) The Commissioner of Lands; (b) The Town and Country Planning Officer; (c) the Archivist; and (d) six other persons appointed by the Minister. Understandably, subject ministers may not have working experience in cultural heritage matters and this is precisely why expert advice is mandated in the form of an advisory Board. The Board of the National Trust has not been appointed for nearly a decade. Why? Where are experts to advise the minister, team and staff on critical aspects of this sector? To what end are the authorities neglecting such vital inputs? Who gains when cultural heritage matters are avoided? Why stifle and stymie critical public agencies established to support development?
Guyana’s laudable initiatives enshrined in its Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 and plans to align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, signal that central government envisions doing its best for Guyana. Read the Strategy here https://lcds.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/LCDS-2030-Final-DRAFT-for-consultation-min.pdf[2]
The LCDS anticipates ‘preserving cultural assets such as the many heritage buildings to be found across the country’, prioritizing improvements to the aesthetics and cultural assets of all towns’, involving the National Trust and other cultural institutions. What is meant by preserving’ in Guyana’s context? What assets are to be preserved, why, and for whom? Again, LCDS anticipates an increased focus on Heritage Tourism. Are we talking Heritage Tourism but without Heritage? The characteristic historic timber buildings of Guyana are known and celebrated worldwide yet many are on the verge of ruin. Are some examples, public and private, to be included in the revival plans? Will neglected historic structures in Kingston, Cummingsburg, and on Main Street be properly assessed and remedial action funded and taken? What about the resources outside of Georgetown? Advances in preservation technologies abound. Digital site mapping using drones and Artificial Intelligence-aided photogrammetry distill usable 3D data on existing structures and features. Who will guide revitalisation, restoration and preservation, all distinct concepts and fields of activity? Many hands will be needed for this not-so-light work. UG, the Guyana Association of Professional Engineers (GAPE), Guyana Institute of Architects, the Guyana Heritage Society all possess a wealth of expertise and know the Guyana scenario intimately. Have they been invited to participate and partner? Significantly, building restoration refers to the processes of revealing the state of a historic building as it looked in the past and recovering same by various measures while respecting its heritage value. Then, there are the principles of conservation, and preservation. Which is it to be for Guyana? Who decides? His Excellency, President Ali is known to be justifiably proud of his residence, State House, and am sure Prime Minister Phillips is equally delighted to occupy the stately heritage building on Main Street reserved for such statespersons and their families. All are rejoicing at the ongoing works to carefully restore the landmark Georgetown City Hall, but do we know that it took almost half-a century to conceptualise, plan for and execute? Plans and works require inputs – people and their knowledge and expertise engaging in discussion and collaboration. Guyana will go nowhere unlessone hand knows what the other is doing’, and we can act in consort. Transformative development for Guyana will hinge on our patriots, not on partisan and piecemeal pretensions at `progress’.
Given the plans and initiatives, the anomalous dereliction of duty in the culture sector is unpardonable and requires immediate action. The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, now with two ministers in office, has also failed to appoint oversight committees for the National Archives, National Museums, and the National Gallery of Art (Castellani House). In the past, expert members (engineers, architects, planners, historians, curators, artists) have advised ministers, provided professional guidance and hands-on support for governmental and bilateral conservation projects free of charge, in many instances. Engineer Bert Carter and many others gave selfless and unstinting service to Guyana, hence my elation at his high honour from UG.
With respect, I say to those currently in charge of heritage: if it is not your forte, if cultural heritage matters are not your cup of tea, if culture doesn’t serve your purposes, then let it go. Let it go! Ask for Culture to be removed from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. Enough is Enough! There are other opportunities for service and for junior politicians to make their mark on Guyana.
I urge all those with a voice and platform to speak up, ensure action is taken to bring Culture and Heritage back into the fold of development in Guyana. If not, and as my Guyanese ‘Uncle’ would say: “All ah we gun holla like when Jackass get knack ah road!”.