Belize marked the annual commemoration of its founding father, the Right Honourable George Cadle Price, with a solemn ceremony at Independence Hall in Belize City on January 15th. The event transcended political formalities to celebrate the philosophical foundations Price instilled in the nation’s consciousness.
Henry Charles Usher, Price’s great-grandnephew and a prominent political figure, articulated the deeper significance of the day during his address. “When we speak about George Price, we are not only speaking about independence and politics. We are speaking about a mindset,” Usher stated, emphasizing his great-granduncle’s core tenets: leadership as service, the primacy of the people, and democracy as a daily practice rather than a mere decoration. He framed the day as a vital reminder that the nation was forged through “faith, patience, and a steady commitment to unity.”
Prime Minister John Briceño echoed this sentiment, recalling Price’s personal counsel that public service represents the highest calling for any Belizean, demanding seriousness of purpose but not self-importance. This philosophy of humble service was a recurring theme, with Usher adding that for Price, leadership was never about “portfolios or positions” but fundamentally about “people” and executing the work they entrusted to their leaders.
However, the report by Shane Williams for News Five presents a contrasting public perception. For many citizens and the business community, George Price Day is often viewed pragmatically as another costly public holiday that halts economic activity without delivering tangible benefits—a perspective met with some ire from commercial sectors.
In response to this critique, Usher proposed a transformative vision for the holiday’s future. Advocating for a rebranding of January 15th as a ‘National Education Day,’ he urged Belizeans to honor Price’s legacy by dedicating the time to self-improvement and learning. “I am hoping that January fifteenth can evolve… A day when Belizeans take some time to learn something new,” Usher suggested, encouraging activities like reading or acquiring new skills to make informed decisions for home and country. This, he argued, would align with Price’s own advocacy for using leisure time productively for personal and national advancement.