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Guyana - Presidential Flag

image by Željko Heimer, 27 October 2001

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Guyana

I came across an old news story about the personal standard of the late President of Guyana. The story appeared in "Stabroek News", and was added to the last internet update of that paper on 28. May 1997.
The story is quoted in full below. For those who want to look at the photo that went with the story, the URL was<http://maranatha.mit.edu/tnt/news/express/970528/stabroektop.htm> (defunct). I am not sure what to make of the article. Has the presidential standard of Guyana changed or is the article about a projected 'persoflag' for the late Dr. Jagane:

Source: Stabroek News (online)

Date: 28. May 1997 (online version)

[ photo ]

Prime Minister Janet Jagan presenting the late President Jagan's Standard to Chief-of-Staff Joe Singh yesterday.
Looking on are Ministers Bisnauth and Fung-On.

Late President's Standard for GDF museum
By DESIREE JODAH

The presention of the Standard of the late President Cheddi Jagan to Head of the joint services Brigadair Joe Singh was described as the "last of the series of acts that concluded the stewardship of the late President".
The Standard of the President which was handed over by his wife, who is also Prime Minister of Guyana, Mrs Janet Jagan, will be placed in the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) museum.
Brigadier Singh in receiving the Standard said that he did so with honour. He then handed it to Major Enoch Gaskin of GDF with an order to ensure that it was placed in the museum.

The Standard, a personal flag of the President, has an emblem comprising a representation of a Harpy Eagle with wings spread, standing over plantains, two eddoes, and two roots of cassava which in turn are flanked on the right by a sheaf of rice and on the left by a stalk of sugar cane. Superimposed on the eagle's centre is a mechanical gear-wheel with twelve teeth, which envelops a factory and its four chimneys spouting smoke with the rising sun in the background.

The background comprises five horizonal panels, the outermost of which is gold in colour, the central one red and the others green. This Standard replaced the previous one by the command of President Samuel Hinds on behalf of the late President Jagan.

Mrs Jagan explaining the symbolism of the Standard, said the Harpy Eagle which dominates the Standard, represented strength and reliability, qualities associated with the late President. She noted that Guyana is one of the main areas in this region that is home to this endangered species.

The produce and chimneys represented the late President's emphasis on a strong agricultural base, and the importance he attached to industry and technology.

The rising sun in the background symbolized the dawning of a new era which he had made possible, while the three colours, red, green and gold, represented the national flag of Guyana of which President Jagan had always been extremely proud.

The Prime Minister disclosed that although the late President had not been involved in the finer details of design, the Standard had, nevertheless, been prepared under his guidance. She said that the Standard which was designed by local artist Jimmy Simmons should have been presented to the late President a couple of months before he died; however, a few setbacks prevented this.

The 27-year-old artist who is a graphic designer said that he was honoured to design the Standard for the late President, although he was sad that it had not been completed before the Dr Jagan died.
The Standard is to be displayed in the GDF museum, however if Dr. Jagan was alive the Standard would have been flown wherever the President was present.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon told the small gathering which included the son and daughter of the late President Nadira Jagan-Brancier, Dr Cheddi Jagan Jnr, Head of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) Laurie Lewis, Head of the Prison Service Cecil Kilkenny, Director of the Guyana National Service Colonel Clifford Klass and Head of the Guyana Fire Service Tulsi John and several Minister of the Government that had Dr Jagan been alive the presentation of the Standard would have been a more ceremonial occasion.
Jan Oskar Engene, 18 March 1998

According to Album 2000 [pay00] - President of the Republic (1:1) - Square banner of arms. Colouring is based on [smi82]. However, the bird does look quite simplified here.
Željko Heimer, 27 October 2001

see also: Guyana - Coat of Arms