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Guyanese Celebrate Independence in Miami

Miami – Representatives of Guyanese civic organizations and business enterprises from across Florida gathered recently at the residence of Guyana’s Honorary Consul Ramzan Roshanali and Mrs. Roshanali to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the country’s Independence.

It was the first time that such a gathering of Guyanese community and business leaders from various cities around the State took place and this provided an opportunity for them to get to know one another and exchange information about their activities.

The event which took the form of a cocktail reception, dinner and dance was attended by a number of special guests including Guyana’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Irfaan Ali, former Guyana President Bharat Jagdeo and the Mayor of the City of Miramar, Florida, Mrs. Lori Moseley.

Among the organizations taking part were the Guyanese Cultural Network of Tampa Bay, the Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida, the Guyana Nurses Association of Florida, the South Florida Guyanese Association, the Bishops’ High School Alumni Association Florida Chapter, the Task Force for Guyana’s Youth, GT Lime, the Ex-Guyana Defence Force Officers Association, the Guyana Relief Council, the Lady Jags National Women’s Football team and the Guyanese Community of Florida.

The business enterprises represented were Demerara Distillers Limited, Banks DIH, Laparkan Shipping, Hab International, Trans Caribbean Shipping, Caribbean Airlines, Dipcon Engineering Services Ltd., Hibiscus Restaurant, Collision Kingdom, The Highland Agency, Inc., and CanMark Printing, Singh’s Roti Shop and Roberts & Roberts Management of Central Florida.

The gathering heard a message from President Donald Ramotar and short speeches from Minister Ali and former President Jagdeo.

Two civic organizations-Bishops High School Alumni Association Florida Chapter and the Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida received awards from the Guyana Consulate in Miami for their work in the Community. Bishops’ in recognition of its ongoing commitment to education and to the academic development of young people in Florida and Guyana and the GACACF in recognition of its contribution to the preservation and promotion of Guyanese culture in Central Florida and to charitable causes in Guyana.

Two businesses -Demerara Distillers Limited and Laparkan Shipping were also honored. DDL received an award for their ongoing support of the promotion of Guyana’s positive public image in Florida and Laparkan for their longstanding commitment and invaluable contribution to the activities of the Guyana and Caribbean Diaspora in Florida in preserving and advancing their communities and charitable work. The awards were presented by Honorary Consul Ramzan Roshanali.

Also receiving an award from the Consulate was Mr. Wesley Kirton, in recognition of his resolute support and service to the Guyanese Diaspora in Florida. That award was presented by former President Jagdeo.

Speaking on behalf of the organizations represented, Dr. Kofi Dalrymple of the Guyanese Cultural Network of Tampa Bay thanked the Consulate for taking the initiative to bring together the Guyanese community leaders, business leaders and local and Guyana government officials. It was an especially good evening for Dr. Dalrymple and Minister Ali who recognized each other as old schoolmates at St. Stanislaus College and members of the school’s winning debating team.

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