06/08/2026
๐๐จ๐ง๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐๐ง ๐
๐จ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ฌ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐ง๐
PRESS STATEMENT
Today, the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) joins the people of Guyana and Guyanese across the diaspora in solemn remembrance of our Founder Leader, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, O.E., S.C., on the occasion of the 41st Anniversary of his passing.
Forty-one years after his death, the vision, leadership, patriotism, and enduring contributions of Forbes Burnham continue to shape the foundations of the modern Guyanese State. His life's work was dedicated to the pursuit of national unity, social justice, economic independence, and the empowerment of every Guyanese regardless of race, class, or creed.
As Premier and later Prime Minister, Burnham guided Guyana through some of the most defining moments in our history. He led the nation to Independence on May 26, 1966, bringing an end to colonial rule and ushering Guyana into the community of sovereign nations. He subsequently led Guyana to become a Republic on February 23, 1970, severing the final constitutional ties with the British Crown and establishing Guyana as a fully sovereign republic.
As Guyana's First Executive President, Burnham pursued a bold programme of nation-building aimed at ensuring that Guyanese controlled the commanding heights of their economy and destiny. His administration invested heavily in education, health care, housing, infrastructure, agriculture, and industrial development. Thousands of Guyanese benefited from expanded access to free education, the construction of schools across the country, teacher training, technical and vocational education, and opportunities for higher learning.
President Burnham firmly believed that education was the pathway to national development. His Government introduced free education from nursery to university, opening the doors of opportunity to generations of Guyanese who otherwise could not have afforded it. This transformative policy remains one of the greatest social investments in our nation's history.
His Government expanded health services throughout Guyana by establishing hospitals, health centres, and clinics while improving access to medical care in rural and hinterland communities.
Burnham also championed housing development and land distribution, enabling thousands of Guyanese families to become homeowners. New communities were established while infrastructure including roads, bridges, sea defences, electricity, and water supply, was expanded to support national development.
His commitment to self-reliance led to the development of state enterprises, agro-industrial projects, and local manufacturing. While history continues to debate aspects of these policies, there is little dispute that Burnham sought to create an economy capable of serving the interests of the Guyanese people rather than external interests.
Beyond economic development, Burnham was a visionary in environmental stewardship. Long before climate change became a global concern, he championed conservation, declaring Guyana's vast forests a national treasure and laying the foundation for sustainable environmental management.
Internationally, Forbes Burnham emerged as one of the Caribbean's most respected statesmen. He was a founding architect of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and worked tirelessly to deepen regional integration and cooperation. He was an influential voice within the Non-Aligned Movement, advocating for the rights of developing nations and supporting the global struggle against colonialism, apartheid, and racial oppression.
His unwavering support for the liberation movements of Southern Africa and his advocacy for justice and human dignity earned him international recognition and respect.
At home, Burnham consistently promoted the ideals of "One People, One Nation, One Destiny," believing that Guyana's diversity should be its greatest strength. He encouraged national pride through investments in culture, sport, youth development, and the arts while fostering a distinct Guyanese identity.
The PNCR acknowledges that history invites both praise and criticism of all national leaders. However, no honest assessment of Guyana's development can ignore the immense contributions made by Forbes Burnham in building the institutions, infrastructure, and national consciousness that continue to serve our country today.
As we commemorate this anniversary, we call upon all Guyanese, especially our young people, to study his life, understand his vision, and draw inspiration from his commitment to national service, resilience, self-determination, and patriotism.
The greatest tribute we can pay to Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham is to continue working towards a Guyana founded on unity, democracy, justice, equal opportunity, and sustainable national development.
May his legacy continue to inspire generations yet unborn.
Lest We Forget.
