Guyana’s first President

Guyana’s first President

Arthur Chung January 10, 1918 – June 23, 2008 was the first President of Guyana from 1970 to 1980. He was the longest serving president of the country and was the first ethnic Chinese head of state in a non-Asian country. During his time as President of Guyana, the office was that of a ceremonial head of state, with real power in the hands of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham. He was awarded Guyana's highest national award, the Order of Excellence O.E.

Chung was born at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara in Guyana; he was the youngest of Joseph and Lucy Chung's eight children.He was educated at Windsor Forest, Blankenburg and Modern High School.