Statecraft & Independence
Distinguished
Forbes Burnham
1923 – 1985
Prime minister at independence and later president
Distinguished is level 3 of 4 in the Guyana Hall of Fame: sustained excellence over a career, widely honoured at home. See how the levels work.
Why they are here
A lawyer who led the People's National Congress, took British Guiana to independence in 1966 and governed until his death in 1985.
Burnham declared Guyana a 'co-operative republic' in 1970, nationalised the bauxite and sugar industries and was a leader of the non-aligned movement.
Elections under his rule were widely regarded as rigged, opponents were harassed, and the economy declined sharply. He is included for his place in history, not as an example.
Elections under his rule were widely regarded as rigged, opponents were harassed, and the economy declined sharply. He is included for his place in history, not as an example.
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