Dear Editor,
The Golden Arrowhead needs to be redesigned. Guyana’s landscape has changed considerably since independence, hence, the flag which reflected Guyana’s environment at that time should be changed accordingly. Currently, green which represents agriculture and forests and holds 50% of the portion of the flag should be decreased to approximately 40% corresponding to the amount of forest lost due to mining and logging. White, which represents rivers and water, and holds 6% should be increased to approximately 16% given the amount of rivers and waterfalls. Gold, representing mineral wealth and holding 24% should be increased to 40%. This is justifiable with the discovery of oil and gas.
Black which symbolizes strength and endurance represents 4% of the flag should be reduced to 2% because Guyanese have presented themselves to be a weak people. I say this because they have allowed the governments of their time and the oil companies to cart off and misuse their mineral wealth in vast proportions while they sit back with their hands in pocket and as if their feet are in shackles. Red which symbolizes zeal and dynamism and holds 16% should also be reduced to 2%. Imagine a government standing up for the oil companies while forsaking the interest of the citizenry. There is no zeal in our leaders to defend their country and its citizens.
It is disheartening to know that Guyana, which has more natural resources than all its Caribbean neighbours, is not able to afford its citizens a better quality of life than most of the Caribbean. This is proven in the fact that many Guyanese leave Guyana’s shore to these Caribbean islands and are often able to acquire better pay and higher standard of living. To this extent, many do not wish to return to Guyana to take up residence.
Sincerely,
S. Persaud
