Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 06-12-2021

MONDAY 6th December, 2021

' No.106567

US$11M quarry for Essequibo –– at least 32 persons to gain employment

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President Dr Irfaan Ali in discussion with Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia. President Ali and First Lady Mrs Arya Ali hosted a State dinner for the visiting Vice-President at State House on Sunday. Dr Bawumia was accompanied by his delegation, which includes government officials and members of the West African country’s private sector. Prime Minister Brigadier (ret’d), Mark Phillips; Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and other high-level government ministers, along with members of the diplomatic community and the local private sector were also at the dinner. The four-day visit by Dr Bawumia is expected to strengthen bilateral relations between the two nations and will feature discussions on a range of topics with Guyana’s government and its private sector. (Office of the President)

President Ali invited 24 women entrepreneurs New primary school to address Harvard graduate from ‘Road to curriculum set for business forum 03 Growth’ programme 14 release in 2022 04 PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

US$11M quarry for Essequibo

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

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-at least 32 persons to gain employment

WITH the market for aggregate continuing to expand due to Guyana’s emerging oil and gas sector and booming construction industry, local businessman Lakeram S. Harridat will soon establish a $US11 million quarry on the bank of the Essequibo River.

Harridat is the latest Guyanese to position himself to benefit from local investment opportunities.

The proposed project site is approximately 92 kilometres southwest of the capital city of Georgetown and the closest town is Bartica, some 19 miles to the south.

According to the Institute of Quarrying, this activity involves the process of removing rock, sand, gravel, or other minerals from the ground, for use in the production of materials for construction or other purposes.

Quarrying is any such work on the surface of the earth where minerals are extracted. Quarries are also known by other names around the world, such as,

surface mine, pit, open pit, or open-cast mine.

The institute says that materials produced by quarrying are essential to everyday life, as they provide the construction materials needed to build roads and buildings, deliver vital minerals to agriculture and support the generation of electricity among other things.

The project is expected to produce 1,250 tonnes per day and 25,000 tonnes per month. The quarry will operate five days per week for single eight-hour shifts. The planned life of the Phase 1 project is five years with an additional five years for post-closure monitoring.

According to the company’s project summary, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) has been designed to manage and, to every extent possible, prevent or mitigate the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed project (Essequibo Quarry) to be conducted. The EMP applies specifically and exclusively

and plant operators.

There will also be housing facilities made from local wood products and aggregate material.

This construction will occur simultaneously with equipment mobilisation to the site. Local skills and labour will also be used for construction of the buildings.

A quarry operation to those activities conducted within the confines of the mining permit to further and characterise the extent of the stone resources contained within the project area. The plan covers only the first five years of the project and will be updated as needed.

The rock that will be quarried at Essequibo Quarry is dark medium-grained, massive gabbro.

The multibillion-dollar investment will employ a minimum of 32 persons inclusive of a site manager, engineer, safety professional,

MORE LOCALS INVESTING This multibillion-dollar investment is another instance of Guyanese investors taking up the opportunity to invest at home.

With Guyana positioned to become a hub for major investments, the government is keen on keeping its promise of allowing locals to benefit from the vast opportunities available here.

Reflective of this commitment is the fact that 65 per cent of the private investments made this year were from locals.

Speaking during a recent interview on Globe-

span, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest), Dr. Peter Ramsaroop said that even as the economy continues to grow, President Dr. Irfaan Ali, and, by extension, the government, is committed to having Guyanese benefit from the local investment opportunities that are available.

“So, when people think the foreigners are coming in and benefitting, I can say that 65 per cent of my signatures on investment opportunities this year through the Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, have been local businesses,” Dr. Ramsaroop said.

The GO-Invest CEO further said that the government has been implementing systems to provide incentives to all investors, whether large or small.

He reminded his audience that outlined in the government’s plans are opportunities for persons to become investors, and benefit from opportunities across several sectors.

President Ali invited to speak at Harvard Business School forum

By Richard Bhainie RECOGNISED for his exceptional leadership, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has been invited and is expected to deliver a keynote address at a Harvard Business School Microeconomics of Competitiveness (MOC) Faculty workshop, today.

The President was invited to deliver a 45-minute presentation with 15 additional minutes for answering questions.

The invitation was extended by distinguished American academic Michael Porter, the William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School by way of a letter, seen by this publication.

President Ali is expected to present to approximately 150 university professors from more than 120 institutions across more than 65 countries, including the University of Guyana. The institutions make up the Harvard Business School MOC Affiliate Network.

In the invite letter, Professor Porter hailed the Peo-

President Dr. Irfaan Ali ple’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, which assumed office on August 2, 2020, noting that the “government has started its tenure with a strong focus on real impact, and has pushed an ambitious array of policy initiatives toward execution”.

“We have been impressed by your leadership and the strong commitment to making

Guyana a global example in the sustainable use of natural resources and endowments to benefit the people of the country,” Professor Porter noted in the letter addressed to the President.

He highlighted that the MOC Affiliate Network provides an institutional setting to teach the MOC framework, generate new knowl-

edge through collaborative research, and influence policymakers and leaders in the world to improve competitiveness at all levels.

Importantly, Professor Porter noted that the MOC Affiliate Network has evolved beyond a platform for teaching and research to become a tool to influence and support economic development around the world.

“We believe that a great number of international faculty would benefit from learning about your vision for the country, ambitious goals, action agenda, and your path to achieving long-term prosperity that is both socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable,” Professor Porter wrote to President Ali. Further, he noted that the President’s keynote would be a “great opportunity to showcase Guyana to many professors and thought leaders from all over the world”.

The MOC Course at Harvard was created in 2002 by Professor Porter and the staff and affiliates of the Institute

for Strategy and Competitiveness and explores the determinants of competitiveness and successful economic development viewed from a bottom-up, microeconomic perspective.

The “historic discovery” of oil and gas in Guyana “have the potential to profoundly improve Guyana’s competitiveness and create sustainable and shared prosperity for its citizens, allowing the country to realise its ambitions of becoming a more prosperous nation,” Professor Porter opined.

Professor Porter has won many scholarly awards and honours including the Adam Smith Award of the National Association of Business Economists, the John Kenneth Galbraith Medal, the David A. Wells Prize in Economics from Harvard, and the Academy of Management’s highest award for scholarly contributions to management.

He is also an unprecedented seven-time winner of the McKinsey Award for the best Harvard Business Review

Professor Michael Porter article of the year.

He is the recipient of twenty-four honorary doctorates and several national and state honours. Professor Porter has also received the first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award from the US Department of Commerce for his contribution to economic development, and has been elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and other honorary societies.

Guyana with 18-member delegation

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

New primary school curriculum set for release in 2022 - to sign bilateral cooperation agreement with local stakeholders, engage in high-level discussions

OVER the next three days, an Cheddi Jagan International the Research Department of the topics of mutual concern.

18-member delegation from Airport (CJIA), on Saturday According to a press state- International Monetary Fund in the Republic of Ghana, led by afternoon. ment from the Ministry of For- Washington, DC, USA. that nation’s Vice-President After stepping out of an Between 1996 and 2000, eign Affairs and International Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, will American Airlines aircraft, Dr Cooperation, Dr Bawumia and Dr Bawumia served as an Asengage high-level Guyanese Bawumia made his way to a the 18-member delegation, sistant Professor of Economics stakeholders, sign a framepodium where he stood in the which includes WITH long-standing calls for curricu- the extenuating circumstances. In August, education to learners under varying dy- private sector at Hankamer School of Busiwork bilateral cooperation company of Prime Minister representatives, will be in Guy- ness, Baylor University, Texas, lum revision in Guyana’s education sys- the ministry had announced the imple- namics. agreement and further ad- Phillips and Permanent Secreana from December 4 to 7 to USA, where he also received tem, curriculum guidestary that focus mentation “The world speaks of inclusion and Guyana-Ghana the Young Researcher Award vancenew discussions on several at the Ministry of Foreignof consolidated curriculums, further intensify more on practical learning as opposed as schools reopened to physical learning accessibility.

Here inclusion has to be areas of mutual interest, all Affairs and International Coopin 1998. bilateral relations. to learners simply memorising theories in September. how do we reform to deliver education part of efforts to enhance the eration, Ambassador Elisabeth A s a r e s u l t o f D r.

More specifically, the entire to pass examinations of this difficult COVID period that is culturally relevant to those places, relationship between the is twoexpected Harper,totobe receive a“Out 21-gun delegation from Ghana will Bawumia’s commitment to rolled the from 2022 officers we have seen opportunities. The biggest so that we don’t import what we are doing nations.out at the beginning of salute of the engage in high-level bilateral excellence in teaching, he made school we have embarked on which is re- in central Georgetown in the Deep South.at both govern- the list of “Who is Who Among Theyear.

Vice-President was Guyana Defence thing Force (GDF). discussions greeted

by Prime Minister His visit Guyana here fol- is a review of this country’s How do we train teachers mental and private sector lev- America’s Teachers” in 1999.

The initial targets will be at least the to flected to respond Brigadier Mark lows a level, trip by Vice-President including first four(Ret’d) grades ofPhillips the primary curriculum,” she said. to their children’s needs in els, those local engagements Dr. Bawumia returned to Ghana and other high-level Guyanese of Guyana Dr Bharrat Jagdeo President according to Minister of Education Priya She added: “That’s not to say our work settings, even with a disabledwith child who Dr Irfaan Ali, in 2000 to work as an econoofficials upon his arrival at the to Ghana, for discussions on Primealone?”

Minister Phillips and mist at the Bank of Ghana.

Manickchand. will be watered down, that’s to say it will doesn’t have physical disabilities Vice-President of Ghana Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, He rose through the ranks Vice-President Jagdeo.

“Hopefully by September 2022, we be more relevant.

The by concentration of Minister she added. flanked Guyana’s Prime Brigadier (Ret’d) from Senior Economist to Head Vice-President Bawumia are going to be able to roll it out at least notes, and notes and notes and without the She noted thatMinistry better education, parMark Phillips Permanent Secretary at the will also meet with members of of Department, and subseat four grade levels in the primary school. involvement and of usage of any kind of,International ticularly at the lower level, is critical to Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ghanaian diaspora and pay quently as Special Assistant Grades One, Two, Three, and Four will or space for any kind of experiment, and the overall development ofa visit Guyana’s Elisabeth Harper, receives a 21-gun salute from to the University of Guy- to the Governor of the Bank. have entirely new curriculum which fo- practical touches and feels is not where economy. officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) upon his ana. Prior to departing Guyana, Former President of Ghana, cuses more on a practical understanding we need to be.”

“So that see better outcomes; so that is expected to J.A. Kufuor, who was still in arrival in Guyana on Saturday (DPIwe photo) Dr. Bawumia of concepts rather than a regurgitation of She pointed out that making the cur- we could develop more capableco-host children as conference with office at the time, appointed a press facts,” she said. riculums more practical also involves end products in the secondary sector; Dr. Bawumia Deputy Governor Jagdeo.so that Minister Manickchand noted that making them more adaptable and flexible the human capital of this country Dr is develBawumia was born on of the Bank of Ghana in June many of the changes have been largely to the different social and cultural en- oped, so that we can run our own October show.7,So1963, in Tama- 2006.

SKILLED to can the take late Alhaji Mumuni driven by the learning loss due to school vironments across Guyana, particularly that we have the resources here le that POLICY-MAKER former Chairman closures brought on by the COVID-19 as it pertains to the specific cultures of this country to the next level, butBawumia, that requires At the Bank of Ghana, Dr thetertiary.

Council of State (1992pandemic. The Ministry of Education hinterland and learners with disabilities. from nursery all the way throughof[to] Minister of Education Bawumia established himself 2000) and Hajia Mariama (MoE) over this past year has had to find She also pointed out the need for It is not and cannot be a one-level Priya Manickchand as a skilled policy-maker with Bawumia. ways to revise the curriculum to better fit teachers to be properly trained to deliver show.

He attended the Sakasaka a reputation for being a doer, Primary school in Tamale, and a hands-on technocrat, and a gained admission to Tamale professional with a remarkable ability to successfully handle Secondary School in 1975.

After graduating from Ta- complex issues.

Dr Bawumia was named male Secondary School, Dr Bawumia proceeded to the running mate to the New PaUnited Kingdom where he ob- triotic Party flagbearer, Nana tained the Chartered Institute of Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in the 2008 elections, when he Bankers Diploma (ACIB).

POPULAR Region Two with Santa Claus and sever- sised that the event was He then undertook under- was barely 45. businessman, Imam Bac- al elves. an opportunity to bring After the 2008 elections, graduate studies at Buckingham chus and Sons Limited, Additionally, many per- communities together as University (UK), obtaining a which the NPP and its presidenlit up a 25-foot Christmas sons received goodies from the region, the country, Degree (First-Class Honours) tial ticket lost by the narrowest in Economics in 1987. He later of margins, Dr Bawumia was tree at their Affiance loca- the Christmas corner set up as the world battles the obtained a Master’s Degree in engaged in several international tion on Saturday evening. in the supermarket.

COVID-19 pandemic.

Economics at Oxford Univer- assignments.

The light-up, which saw “It is a great initiative Further, Baksh said that He served as a consultant to sity (UK) in 1988 and a Ph.D. hundreds of persons in at- by the Bacchus family. It Imam Bacchus and Sons the UN Economic Commission in Economics in 1995 at the tendance, officially ushers brought many persons to- will continue to bring comof Africa between February Simon Fraser University in in the Christmas holiday gether,” one shopper said. munities together through and March 2009, during which Canada. season on the Essequibo The company’s Chief similar and other kinds of His areas of specialisa- period he prepared a paper on Coast.

Executive Officer (CEO), events. tion include Macroeconom- Africa’s position for the G20 This is the first year that Aadil Baksh, in brief reImam Bacchus and ics, International Economics, London Summit.

Imam Bacchus has invested marks said that the event Sons Limited was estabBetween April and October Development Economics and so much to decorate the was planned by his staff. lished in the 1950s and 2009, Dr Bawumia served as a Monetary Policy. company’s three branches He said that they came up currently employs 400 perFrom 1988 to 1990, Dr visiting scholar at the Univerand to erect the gigantic with the idea and he sup- sons.

Bawumia worked as a lecturer sity of British Columbia Liu in Monetary Economics, and Centre for Global Studies and Christmas tree. ported them.

The company has International Finance at the Fisheries Centre.

Scores of excited chilBaksh said that he is three supermarkets, two In October 2009, he was Emile Woolf College of Acdren attended Saturday’s proud of the team spir- schools, a poultry farm, appointed a Fellow of the countancy in London, England. light-up and many got the it displayed by the staff a play park, and a chowHe also served as an intern at Residents gathered around the lit Christmas tree TURN TO PAGE 5 opportunity to take pictures members and he empha- mein factory.

– first four grades to be targeted

Imam Bacchus & Sons Ltd lights up Christmas tree at Affiance

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

Day Two of Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr Bawumia’s visit to Guyana

ON the second day of his four-day official visit to Guyana, Ghana’s Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and his delegation visited the Kaieteur National

Park, Region Eight to view the majestic Kaieteur Falls.

The Ghanaian delegation was chaperoned by Senior Minister in the Office of the

President with responsible for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge Walrond.

Following the tour, the team rested and

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later attended a State Dinner hosted by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, at his State House official residence.

(DPI, Office of the President photos)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

Strategic Partnership

PRESIDENT Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has urged entrepreneurs and members of the business community to enter into partnerships in order to position themselves strategically to take advantage of growing opportunities.

This call could not have come at a better time when the country is experiencing a wave of new investment opportunities due in part to the oil and gas sector, but also due to the strategic and visionary thinking of the PPP/C’s leadership. Guyana is at a stage where there are unlimited opportunities for business to grow and flourish. It is now for the business community to seize the moment and take advantage of the opportunities available both in the oil and the non-oil sectors of the economy.

Guyana is ripe for doing business. The country has seen a significant increase in foreign direct investment (FDI), which grew 10-fold over the past five years, exceeding $US2billion. Over the past few years, the country has experienced rapid and unfettered growth and is now one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

Given such exponential levels of growth, the potential for new investments is boundless. There are still a number of untapped areas of investment opportunities, especially in fields such as agriculture and agro-processing, tourism, ICT, energy, mining,

forestry and in the growing service sector.

The government, for its part, is putting the necessary measures in place to make it easier to do business in the country. The country is on the cusp of unimaginable wealth and it is for the private sector to seek out new and creative ways to tap into this new wealth potential.

As pointed out by President Ali, there is a role for small businesses to take advantage of business opportunities, but they have to come up with new and creative ways of doing so. The government for its part is coming up with some bold, new initiatives to establish new growth poles. Only recently President Ali announced the establishment of a new secondary city, Silica City, on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Silica City is the brainchild of President Ali when he held the position of Minister of Housing and Water some years ago and speaks well of his forward-looking and visionary thinking.

It is that capacity to think big that will catapult this country of ours to higher levels of development. We have already graduated to middle-income status and with such strategic thinking as envisioned by our President, the sky is literally our limit.

The President, as indeed all Guyanese, is excited over this development which, in the words of the President, will provide opportunities that will be mind-blowing.

According to the President, the response by investors is tremendous and has reached a point of oversubscription insofar as investor interest is concerned. This bodes well for the future development of Guyana, especially in the area of job creation. The importance of moving farther away from the coastal region to higher ground has now become something of a national imperative, given the impact of climate change and its potential for rising sea levels. And while the development of a secondary town on the Linden Highway is a welcome development and may seem a bit down the road, it is not too early for investors to start strategising on how to seize the moment in this exciting stage of our development. This will be greatly facilitated with cheaper energy and the search for new markets for our exports.

Local investors have an opportunity to position themselves to benefit from this mind-blowing opportunity. Many of the new projects require an injection of capital which small businesses may have difficulty in sourcing at an individual level. By forming partnerships with other businesses, they could be better able to raise investment capital and take advantage of greater economies of scale, which would give them an edge in an increasingly competitive business environment.

The way to development is to turn sav-

ings into capital formation and investment.

The investment climate in the country has never been better. The local banking system is doing well as could be seen from their annual turnover and balance sheets. More people are taking advantage of the banking system, which is a good indicator of economic expansion.

The government is creating the environment for local manufacturers to benefit from all investment opportunities. The oil and gas sector has triggered a new wave of investments and the necessary framework has been put in place for the local business community to take maximum advantage by way of local content. Indeed, it is in the country’s best interest for locals to benefit optimally from the proceeds of oil and gas.

For this to happen, there is need for creative thinking on the part of the local business and to seek ways of developing strategic partnerships. There is need to move away from old ways of thinking to one that sees opportunities in working with each other, rather than working against each other.

President Ali has thrown out the challenge to the local business community to come up with new thinking on the way forward.

Guyana is at an exciting stage in its national development, thanks to visionary leadership of the PPP/C administration.

An explanation is needed from Vincent Alexander on this contradiction

Dear Editor,

IN a letter carried in the December 1st, 2021 edition of the Kaieteur News under the caption, “Hits and Jams socialises African youths to the worst of dancehall music,” Vincent Alexander wrote as follows: “The likes of Hits and Jams socialises the youths of African descent to the worst of dancehall music and the acquisition of loans

for clothing to attend Jam Zone and the likes, thus contributing to the potential denigration of the youths of African descent.”

In light of Alexander’s contention as alluded to above, I’m forced to ask the rationale behind the use by the APNU+AFC while in Government, of $50M of our taxpayers’ dollars to purchase tickets for the Buju Banton concert (See Kaieteur News August 11th, 2020 “Govt. paid $50M for Buju Banton tickets, not PNC/R”) which

were then distributed freely to its mostly Afro-Guyanese supporters. Buju Banton is a Reggae/Dancehall artiste who was convicted in the U.S. for drug trafficking and is known for his composition of several controversial songs, one of which has lyrics which advocate the killing of persons of a particular sexual persuasion. To top it off, while performing at the $50M concert in Guyana, he showered praises on an individual whom the APNU+AFC says is

responsible for the death of hundreds of Afro-Guyanese.

In light of his claims against Hits and Jams with respect to the denigration of Afro-Guyanese, can Vincent Alexander explain the obvious contradiction in the action of the APNU+AFC of which he is a part, and which purports to represent the interests of Afro-Guyanese?

Yours truly Adron Pires

Don’t isolate and punish countries with Omicron virus Dear Editor,

POOR countries should be rewarded for quickly disclosing their COVID cases, particularly the deadly Omicron (figures or studies are not readily available on how deadly) and Delta It will be recalled that China was severely criticised for not being forthcoming on the number of COVID-19 cases and its origin.

The virus outbreak was in November 2020, although some scientists feel it emerged earlier.

The virus has now become pandemic. When India was transparent and provided full access to its cases in April/May, it was severely criticised for giving away vaccines rather than saving them for its population to combat the virus. No one bothered to men-

tion the number of lives India saved globally by sharing vaccines. Yes, India should have saved vaccines for her population the same way the developed western countries did and forsake the rest of the world. Then what would the critics have said – India was selfish – their description of the wealthy countries. If India had not shared tens of millions of vaccines, then many, many more people would have died. Isolating countries is a punishment for their transparency. It will become a disincentive to report their cases or the presence of Omicron.

Omicron has been found in several other countries besides southern Africa. It was found in The Netherlands before it was found in South Africa. Germany and Belgium also found the virus before South Africa. The virus

was present in several countries. It may not have come from South Africa. The UK and the U.S. also have it, though we are not sure when it was discovered and there is limited information on contact tracing. This suggests that the virus developed independently of contact.

The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany are not punished although their borders are largely closed. Other countries could also have the virus, but some of them lack the facilities to do sequencing. Greater monitoring, surveillance, and contact tracing are needed.

The developed countries should praise and reward South Africa, Botswana, and other southern African countries for their openness and transparency in quickly informing the world about their COVID cases and sharing the information on the makeup (genetic se-

quencing) of the Omicron variant, just as India did with the Delta virus. Instead of isolating these countries, the wealthy countries should provide them incentives – grants and development aid, testing kits, and sufficient vaccines to combat the spread of the virus.

The virus poses a global risk. A coordinated system is needed to prevent the spread of the virus – testing and vaccines. Meanwhile, the developed countries should help the poor countries.

They should donate more vaccines, especially to the poorer countries that have closed their borders in order to reduce the risk of more infections.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

A response to Ramharack’s anti-Jaganism Dear Editor, IT was with a great deal of sadness that I read Ramharack’s lengthy article in the “Stabroek News” of November 28, 2021, headlined “Re-imagining Cheddi Jagan: Cultural Moorings and Political Recklessness.” The author is a well-known anti-Jaganist, one of those middle-class Indians who hate Jagan’s pro-workingclass politics.

First of all, he, like so many anti-Jagan commentators, blamed Cheddi Jagan for the struggle he and the PPP leaders and members waged for the independence of this country.

He has repeated the old slogan of Jagan being “outmanoeuvred by the West and Forbes Burnham”.

The fact is, Jagan was not “outmanoeuvred.” It was the cause he and the PPP represented, the cause of freedom, and the broad masses of the Guyanese people who were betrayed by the PNC which was led

by Burnham.

Forbes Burnham, by collaborating and becoming the main man of imperialism, (he received money from the CIA until 1973 as revealed in documents released by the State Department of the U.S. and British Foreign Office) was as guilty as the British and CIA. Forbes Burnham chose the “easy” road by working with hostile foreign powers against the wishes of the Guyanese people.

There is nothing noble in that as far as I am concerned.

Cheddi Jagan is disliked by some of the middle-class Indian intellectuals such as Ramharack, because he refused to abandon the working people; because he refused to adopt racist politics to counter Burnham’s PNC racism in the 1960s; and because he stuck with his class approach to the issues in Guyana. These positions of Jagan and the PPP were never a secret. Jagan was always open and honest with the Guyanese people.

At a public meeting on June 17, 1964, Cheddi Jagan made his position clear on that matter. He dismissed the idea of making the PPP an Indian party. He said publicly that many persons approached him on that issue.

Here is a direct quote from that meeting “…I can understand their fears (Indians) and their feelings, but I have had to tell them that the PPP was not interested in putting Indians on top, but to see justice for all….” Dr. Jagan went on to say that “…the solution to the problems of this country lies in the unity of the working class.” That was the position he held to the day he died.

Cheddi Jagan made such empathic statements at a time when racially instigated violence was at its highest. It was just after the Wismar holocaust (using Burnham’s words) and violence raging on the coast.

Dr. Jagan toured the troubled spots on the East and West Coast and his message was the same, unity. Only PPP leaders of that period went out publicly with that message of uniting our people.

The real “fundamental” sin of Jagan for Ramharack and others like him who hate the PPPs politics, is due to the fact that Jagan refused to practise the politics of race.

Ramharack and his ilk cannot forgive Jagan because the masses of Indian Guyanese, workers, farmers, patriotic business people, agreed with and supported him and rejected the racist politics that some of Ramharack’s heroes wanted to pursue. They rejected those elements because the masses saw that they were insincere and Jagan’s way was the only viable route.

The Indian refugees from Wismar/Christianburg and Mackenzie chased Dr. Balwant Singh when he visited them in Ruimveldt and tried to instigate racism among them.

This is a strong indicator that PPP supporters accepted the party’s line and rejected racism.

Balramsingh Rai, whom Ramharack is trying to make into an Indian hero, was no defender of Indian Guyanese. He was simply trying to use the Indian Guyanese masses to fulfil the diabolical plans of the colonial masters to further promote racism in British Guiana. He had refused to join the PPP in 1953 and instead he joined the NDP, which was the political arm of the League of Coloured People, headed by John Carter. He lost his deposit, securing only 6.2 per cent of the votes cast in the Central Demerara constituency, his hometown.

In 1962, Rai was the Minister of Home Affairs when the riots started but did not lift a finger to push the police to stop the attacks on Indian Guyanese on the streets, or to prevent the arson of Indo-Guyanese-owned businesses in Georgetown.

It is true that Cheddi Jagan was a Marxist.

However, to call him “an inflexible Marxist” is an absolute misrepresentation of the man.

Throughout his life Jagan warned against dogmatism and sloganeering. Indeed, because of the great, creative work he was doing to advance the country, the British in the early 1960s was not in agreement with the U.S. to remove him. They pointed out to the U.S. how he was changing the country very rapidly for the better and they thought they could work with him. The British even told the Americans that the U.S. was mistaking Jagan’s nationalism for communism. That was because Jagan was promoting national democracy, improving the economy and the people’s welfare. It is in that period that many local businesses emerged and the size of the working class increased.

His government of that period represented the broad masses of people, which included all classes of patriotic Guyanese.

Under Jagan and the PPP leaders, British Guiana had one of the soundest economies of all the British colonies. In per capita income, British Guiana was one of the best of all the countries in the Commonwealth which were at similar stages of development.

In fact, even when the PPP Government came under intense pressure, including an economic blockade in 1963, the economy of British Guiana kept growing. This was due to the creativity of Cheddi Jagan and

his colleagues in the Cabinet and the PPP executives. Many of the PPP achievements in that period stand today as monuments to that generation of PPP leaders and members.

Let me now turn to this talk about culture. It appears that for Ramharack, culture is confined to Hinduism.

Well even here the PPP made its mark.

It was the PPP that removed the discrimination against non-Christian religions. Let me remind Ramharack that up to the late 1950s, a Hindu or Muslim could not hold a job in the Public Service, or in the teaching profession or as nurses. It was the PPP that put an end to that, so that those positions were no longer the preserve of only Christians. Marriages under Hindu and Muslim rites were not legal. Jagan and his colleagues changed that as well.

Moreover, Cheddi Jagan, the Marxist, attracted many religious leaders to his cause.

Those persons came to join the struggle from their moral religious and cultural convictions. It was Reverend Belgrave who was the Master of Ceremonies when Freedom House was opened in 1957. Reepu Daman Persaud was a towering leader of both the PPP and the Hindu community, so too was Boodram Mahadeo, a highly respected Pandit, a leader in the Rice Producers Association and a leader of the PPP. The leading Muslim Priest at that time was Yacoob Alli. He was head of the Guyana United Sad’r Islamic Anjuman and also a member of the Central Committee of the PPP. Does this sound as if Jagan was an “inflexible Marxist?”

All those persons were highly cultured, possibly far ahead of Ramharack.

No other movement promoted culture as the PPP, both in and out of government.

Recall that the best poems of Martin Carter, Rudy Luck and Sydney King were produced when they were members of the PPP engaged in the anti-colonial struggles.

It was in the PPP’s “Thunder” and “Mirror” that Wordsworth McAndrew and scores of local poets were first published and gained prominence. The conditions created by the PPP Government from 1957 to 1964 allowed the flowering of arts and culture in that era. I do not think we have another period that can compare to that time when Guyanese artists came into their own.

The PPP began as early as 1958 under Brindley Benn’s leadership, the History and Culture Week which sought to make Guyanese aware and proud of their multi-cultural heritage. The idea was to develop a unique Guyanese culture to make us all culturally richer.

The only opera about this country’s struggles was written during the PPP’s time in office between 1957 to 1964. It was performed in Germany and other European capitals.

From 1957 to 1964, we had a flourishing of literature as well. The Guyana prize for Literature had its beginnings under the PPP. National competition was promoted to bring out our best writers and our best painters. A

Premier’s Prize was put up by Cheddi Jagan for the best stories written by Guyanese.

Many really good books came out in that period by such giants like Jan Carew, Wilson Harris and Edgar Mittelholzer, among others. The PPP produced great artists that made it on the international scene. Ramjohn Holder known throughout the world as “Pork Pie” from the British Sitcom had his beginnings in the PPP. Cheddi did not have the habit to be quoting religious books nor was it necessary for him to be citing Shakespeare to demonstrate his depth. However, I have no doubt that he was one of the best read persons in our country. All you have to do is to read his works to realise what a powerful mind and towering man he was.

Ramharack cannot appreciate Jagan because Jagan’s PPP fought for working people and patriotic Guyanese of all races. Jagan was a principled man who refused to betray the aspirations of the Guyanese people for real independence and not neo-colonialism.

While Cheddi made compromises on many things during his lifetime, he refused to compromise the principles of freedom and sovereignty. The dislike of this group is in the first place a class bias. Ramharack represents that group of Indian middle-class intellectuals who wanted Jagan to betray the working class in the hope that that small group could live like lords or kings at the expense of the people.

It is sad that instead of condemning the betrayal by the colonial powers, Ramharack blames the victims, Jagan, the PPP and the working people who supported and sustained them.

It is this class position of Ramharack’s that leads him to admire those in Guyana who sold out and joined with the oppressors, so that they could benefit from high offices at the expense of the people. It is that position that makes Ramharack and others similar to him, opposed to Jagan.

Finally as the proverb goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. What were the achievements of those who sided with the colonialists and the CIA? What were they able to achieve for the Guyanese people? Those brilliant, cultured, sophisticated brown and black Englishmen, whom Ramharack seems to be in love with, show me what benefits their work brought to the ordinary man in Guyana.

Under that type of “smart”, “cultured” collaborationist leadership that Ramharack is so obsessed with, Guyana was reduced to a state of extreme backwardness and poverty.

Unfortunately, people of the mentality of Ramharack, across racial lines, have contributed to that.

Don’t blame the victims; examine yourself.

Yours sincerely, Donald Ramotar Former President of Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

JB’s Insight: The Political Economy, and Economic & Finance Issues

A Contextual Analysis of the Public Sector Wage Increase

Summary

* TYPICALLY, salary increases are incremental and is usually treated as a cost-of-living increase. * The call for a 20 per cent increase cannot be accommodated simply because total employment cost of above 30 per cent and in this case above 50 per cent is not financially and fiscally sustainable. * The notion of a 20 per cent wage increase for public servants could potentially result in 25 per cent inflation which would have effectively diminished the purchasing power of the currency by 25 per cent. * The private sector deposits in the banking sector to current revenue ratio is for the period 2007-2017 averaged1.72 or 172 per cent, which means for every dollar of taxes paid by the private sector, private sector firms had 1.72 or close to $2 remaining. While, for the period 2014-2019, this ratio averaged the lowest of 137 per cent, which means for every dollar of taxes paid by firms, they had $1.3 remaining, less than the $2 dollar in the period that experienced horizontal growth versus vertical growth. * The revenues earned from the oil resource ought not to be treated as the traditional, organic revenue of the state. * It should be appreciated that the reality is of such that–to pay better wages to public servants and to increase the overall wealth of the country-- it is critical to focus on private sector development, continue to incentivise the private sector and to attract new investments, both local and foreign direct investments (FDIs). * In so doing, the organic revenue of the government will grow in a more broad-based and sustainable manner (horizontal growth). Any other approach to growth (vertical growth) other than that which is the current philosophy, will be a recipe for bankruptcy and economic devastation in the long-term, not only for public servants, but for every household and private enterprise. * The analyses presented herein provide sufficient empirical evidence to support this view.

BACKGROUND On the 18th November, 2021, the Government of Guyana announced the anxiously awaited wage increase for public servants. The wage increase at this time is seven per cent retroactive for the fiscal year 2021. Soon after the announcement was made, the government received harsh criticisms from members within the political opposition and other commentators alike.

In the given example illustrated above, a person earning $120k gross salary would take home $105,471 monthly, representing an increase of approximately $6k monthly from $99,762 before the seven per cent increase, and when annualised, amounting to approximately $68,508 more in disposable income. This annualised sum is sufficient to cover at least one month’s grocery bill for an average low-income family of two-three persons or transportation cost, assuming one incurs $1k a day in transportation, on average, or even utility bills. These are examples of cost-of-living expenses which the incremental increase is intended to help cushion.

In the same example above, which is more or less a real example given by the Hon Minister, should the employee who earns a gross of $120k benefit from an upward adjustment in salary scale to $190k, the employee will be taking home a net of $156,381, representing a monthly increase of approximately $51k or 49 per cent. In this case, when annualised, the employee who previously earned a net salary of $105k, will be taking home approximately $612k more in disposable income for the year. This sum can supply at least 10 months groceries for the average household or can be invested otherwise in any entrepreneurial endeavour, or to help secure the down payment for a new home for an average low–to moderate-income household. Hence, in this example, the remedying of the salary scale upward would ultimately result in the employee benefiting from a more tangible increase in disposable income.

It should be mentioned, too, that public servants also enjoy a number of other benefits such as: I. Vacation allowance II. Duty allowance III. Responsibility allowance IV. Acting allowance V. House allowance VI. Meal allowances for specific categories of employees VII. Duty free allowance for specific categories of employees VIII. Uniform allowance for specific categories of employees IX. Telephone allowance for specific categories of employees X. Entertainment allowance for specific categories of employees XI. Scholarships Public Servants Total Employment Cost per cent of Current Revenue

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS Typically, salary increases are incremental and is usually treated as a cost-of-living increase, which should be just above the rate of inflation. This is primarily to help cushion the impact of cost-of-living increases. Moreover, an incremental increase or cost-of-living increase should not be confused with a revision/increase in the salary scale or a promotion – both of which would result in the individual seeing a more tangible increase in their take-home pay.

Shortly after the announcement was made, the Hon Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance revealed that in the 2022 budget, provisions will be made to correct a number of anomalies regarding wages and salaries paid in the public service. To this end, the minister explained that there are some employees who hold a first degree, for example, and are paid $190k in one agency while another person with similar credentials earns $120k in another agency. According to the minister, there are many such anomalies within the system which will be remedied in budget 2022.

It is worthwhile to note that in remedying the above anomalies, which is a good move on the part of the government, would ultimately result in a relatively large number of public servants receiving more tangible increases in their net salaries in 2022.

Salary Increase Example: Seven per cent Incremental Increase and Salary Scale Adjustment Expected in Budget 2022

In order to ascertain whether an organisation or a government pays its employees a decent wage, one has to examine this question from a realistic, practical, and financially sustainable standpoint. To do so, one has to look at the total employment cost as a percentage of revenue.

Generally, there is a universal benchmark for this ratio in keeping with financial management best practices and that is: total employment cost should be in the region of 15 per cent-30 per cent of revenue. There are studies to substantiate this in the corporate world globally.

In the illustrations above, total employment cost for the Bank of Guyana represents 22.36 per cent of the bank’s revenue, in the case of GBTI, total employment cost represents 35 per cent, Republic Bank, total employment cost represents 26 per cent even though Republic Bank raked in almost $1 billion more in revenue compared to its main See page 9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

The contemporary role of agricultural heritage

THIS idea of ‘transforming’ our food systems for a modern world — one increasingly challenged by climate change and with an ever-growing population — is a hot topic.

But what does it really mean? Well, at the centre of this transformation, there needs to be a systemic change from largely unsustainable agrifood production systems which overexploit natural resources to a system that protects the environment, increases food security and nutrition and raises incomes for farmers and others in the value chain.

A lot can be learned from tried and trusted farming methods like those used in Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS). The GIAHS programme recognises agroecosystems where communities live in an intricate relationship with their territories.

These evolving agricultural systems are resilient and built on traditional knowledge and invaluable cultural values. Agrobiodiversity and landscapes at these sites are sustainably managed by farmers, herders, fisherfolk and forest people in ways that also contribute to their livelihoods and food security.

In the 10 years since its launch, here is how the GIAHS initiative has transformed agrifood systems in four countries: IFUGAO, PHILIPPINES

Noto peninsula is a microcosm of traditional rural Japan where agricultural systems are integrally linked to mountains, forests and the ocean (FAO photo) Ifugao is a 2, 000-yearold system of irrigated rice terraces in the Philippines’ Cordillera mountains. Carved by hand by the ancestors of the Tuwali indigenous peoples, these terraces follow the contours of the mountains and feature an elaborate irrigation system.

Built without the aid of modern tools, Ifugao is considered an engineering marvel of the old world. The Tuwali indigenous peoples are the primary caretakers of these terraces, which beautifully demonstrate how local communities adapt to their environments.

In 2016, five years after Ifaugao’s GIAHS designation, FAO and partners implemented a project to improve upon the system and balance conservation with sustainable use of the area’s agrobiodiversity. The project helped farmers cultivate high-value crops such as taro, yam, sweet potato, eggplant and ginger. With machineries and equipment provided by the project, farmers are now producing cookies, bars, wine, taro chips, ginger candy and herbal teas that are labelled with information about the GIAHS site.

This postharvest production has provided bet-

ter income and more livelihood opportunities for farmers.

NOTO PENINSULA, JAPAN The Noto peninsula is a microcosm of traditional rural Japan, where mountains, forests and coastal areas are all interlinked in one incredible agricultural system.

The peninsula is characterised by a mosaic of satoyama, terrestrial-aquatic ecosystems, and satoumi, marine-coastal ecosystems. Traditional methods of farming, fishing and managing forests and

water have sustainably maintained the area’s landscapes for centuries.

Since its GIAHS designation 10 years ago, the Noto peninsula has reinforced its management and protection of the area. There is now an executive committee of local cities, prefectures, commerce, industry, tourism organisations and cooperatives that work together to promote and preserve the area’s agricultural heritage.

The Ishikawa prefecture, in cooperation with financial institutions, has invested in promoting local food products and tourism.

It helped create a certification system to assure the origin of local products and promote agricultural products from the Noto region, increasing incomes for farmers.

AOHAN, CHINA Located in northern China, the Aohan Dryland Farming System combines farming, forestry and animal husbandry. Some of the region’s wide variety of crops date back to over 8,000 years ago.

As such, customs, skills and experience in unique, dryland farming have been passed down over the years.

Traditionally, different crops are interplanted, rotating between arable crops and soil-improving crops Ever since the Aohan system was recognised as a GIAHS, it has built a brand for the area’s most

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popular crop, millet, through TV announcements, advertisements and promotion from large companies, increasing sales significantly.

ANDES MOUNTAINS, PERU The 350-kilometre-long Cusco - Puno corridor in Peru’s Andean mountains is home to thousands of indigenous Quechua and Aymara farmers, who manage the land using traditional agricultural practices, knowledge and cultural rites passed down from their ancestors. The families in the area have established and maintained terraces, local irrigation systems and agricultural systems adapted to different altitudes.

Since this corridor’s GIAHS designation, the Peruvian Ministry of Agriculture has approved a decree that established ‘agrobiodiversity zones’ around the country to increase the value of agro-biodiversity and recognise the farming and indigenous communities who preserve native species and wild relatives of maize, potatoes, quinoa and beans, among others.

Currently, the FAO is implementing a GEF-funded project as a follow up to the GIAHS recognition, with the aim of aiding communities in preserving agrobiodiversity through sustainable management, marketing opportunities and conservation. (FAO)

A Contextual Analysis of the ...

From page 8

Public Servants Wage per cent of Current Revenue: Comparison between Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago

competitor; GBTI, and, in the case of the public service, total employment cost represents 33.21 per cent of central government’s current revenue.

Moreover, in comparing total employment cost relative to current revenue for Guyana and Trinidad & Tobago, it was found that for the period spanning 2011–2021 (10 years), total em-

ployment cost for Guyana in 2011 represented 26 per cent of current revenue which increased to 33.21 per cent in 2021. While in the case of Trinidad & Tobago (which is a more mature petroleum-producing country though now in a declining stage), and a country considered to be the most developed economy in the Caribbean, and in fact four times richer than Guyana in terms of GDP and per capita income, in 2011 total employment cost represented 15 per cent of current revenue which grew to reach 27 per cent by 2020– remaining below that of Guyana.

Within this perspective, it can be said that in the years when the Trinidad economy was doing much better on the back of its oil and gas resources, Guyana allocated more resources than Trinidad to pay public servants and it continues to do so above Trinidad in 2020–relative to the country’s level of current revenue.

Therefore, with these two examples, it can be said that public servants in Guyana are compensated decently, when compared to other organisations in Guyana, its regional counterpart, and benchmarked against financial management best practices globally. In other words, if total employment cost for the public sector represented just 15 per cent or less of current revenue, then this can be described as poor.

However, where employment cost represents 30 per cent or even slightly above, this is in line with the highest-paid wages organisations and governments can afford to pay its employees relative to the revenues generated.

Comparing the Size of the Public Sector Relative to the Population Looking at the size of the Public Service relative to population for a few countries.

In Guyana, the public service represents approximately 8.13 per cent of the population and about 12 per cent of the labour force.

In Trinidad & Tobago, the Public Service represents about 10 per cent of the population and in Canada 0.72 per cent of the population.

(To be continued)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

Understanding Autism in children

THERE are many grown-ups and children in Guyana who may be autistic but have never been diagnosed.

If you do not know the behaviour and signs that signify autism, it is impossible for you to make a judgement call or seek advice or help. When one has autism one is known as being on the spectrum because autism covers a range of neurodevelopmental conditions. If a family member has autism, only then do most people learn about the disorder and read up on the facts; but doctors have studied autism for over75 years; it is not a new disorder.

Autism may be mild, moderate or severe but always involves an inflexibility of thought and behaviour therefore autistic people DO need help. The help should come mostly from those with whom they live. It is important that parents, siblings and members of the community understand how the person feels living with autism. If they could put themselves in his/her shoes for the day they would see the world in a different light.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder that has no cure; if someone is autistic he/she will be for the rest of his/ her life. However, once autism has been diagnosed, a specialist doctor or psychologist can teach parents and autistic children how best to get by in life. As the autistic child grows, with understanding and help, aspects of the disorder may improve. However, they may be replaced by other difficulties that arise, especially during adolescence and sometimes in adulthood.

Everyday people are known as neuro-typical; they go about their lives talking, laughing, interacting with others, concentrating, working, feeling emotional, happy, sad, angry, etc. They partake in communication naturally. They use body language, gestures, facial expressions and eye contact without a second thought.

An autistic person is known as being neuro-diverse, which means he/she understands and experiences the world in a different way to others; You could say his/her brains are wired differently.

Some of them avoid eye contact which could be mistaken for disinterest. Autistic people may find certain smells, textures, materials and certain foods, colours, noises and patterns distressing if they are hypersensitive, or, on the other hand, if they are hyposensitive; they may seek them out because they need to touch, see, smell or hear them; they need their senses fulfilled.

This does not mean they cannot function alongside neuro-typical people.

Assistance and allowances may have to be made for them to perform in mainstream establishments once the autism is diagnosed; while others with severe autism (and related disorders) may need a special school and re-occurring visits to doctors or specialists.

Autism is not a single condition; e.g. like deafness, or asthma, or diabetes. It is a range of related conditions with shared symptoms. All children with autism will have trouble with communication, behaviour, and lack social skills. This will make it harder for some of them to

learn in the same way as everyone else, as learning is mostly achieved through communication.

Autistic children have difficulty processing (understanding) other people’s emotions, thoughts, facial expressions, gestures and body language. Because they cannot process these communicative traits, they cannot learn, mimic, or display the same and often come across as unfriendly, rude, or lacking in empathy because they do not fit into social norms.

Some parents are criticised by others for their child’s behaviour being ‘out of hand’ or ‘strange’. Unbeknown to the critique that the child is autistic and the ‘behaviour’ is a form of communication.

Autistic children can communicate their distress, pain or dislike for something that affects them using unconventional behaviour. This can be by a child covering his ears and screaming at the sound of a passing siren, or the extreme, where a child repeatedly bangs his head against the wall for the same reason. Each autistic child has different symptoms, behaviours and reactions, to what he/she perceives through his/her 5 senses. That is why being on the autistic spectrum cannot be decisive.

Autism is easier to detect in boys than it is in girls and harder to detect in babies under one year old. Some early signs could be: the baby does not make facial expressions, such as smiling or frowning; the baby does not make eye contact, or follow the parent with his eyes, around the room; the child does not initiate in-

teraction, e.g. hugs or kisses.

Autistic people may appear quirky or odd; they may do things in a repetitive manner or seem unemotional or distant and content in their own company. They find it hard to make friends, or keep up with conversations. This does not mean they want to be alone or have no wish to make friends; it means they cannot process the code of behaviour or social cues and apply them to their advantage, (though this can be taught over time).

Some autistic people have a high IQ, they achieve great notoriety in artistry, mathematics, science and other fields.

On a chosen topic an autistic person may speak for hours intellectually, but cannot hold a two-way conversation for one minute. Some autistic people have amazing memory and problem-solving skills.

Although some adjustments and considerations will have to be made for the individuals’ care and safety, those with mild to moderate autism need time, space, understanding and tolerance from their families and society for them to get by.

Step by Step Guyana is a school for children with autism. You can find out more, along with other information about autism online.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

Outstanding students in Diamond/Grove NDC honoured THE Grove/Diamond Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) on Saturday hosted an award ceremony in recognition of top performers from both the public and private schools in the district.

The awards were presented to the students for their excellent performances at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), National Grade Nine Assessment (NGNA) and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. The award ceremony was held at the Diamond/Grove community centre, East Bank Demerara.

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, commended the

Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy, handing over a trophy to one of the top performers (DPI photo) NDC for its efforts in sup- and support in their purporting children’s educa- suits, educationally and tion. otherwise.”

The community, he Minister McCoy furstated, remains an import- ther stated that it is the ant stakeholder in ensur- duty of community leaders ing “that our children can to examine what more can receive the best guidance be done to better educate

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

Some of the students who received trophies (DPI photo) and support children in the education sector, as they will be the ones to build their communities and the country at large.

“I want to ensure that we from the community level do nothing to fail those ambitions; that we from the community level do nothing to deprive you from the lofty goal, from that dream you have…

“And it means that we have to examine as community leaders, what more and how much more we can do for our children, because for us it must be key to building our community and automatically building our country,” the minister related.

The Public Affairs Minister also encouraged the students leaving secondary schools to get enrolled in tertiary institutions to further their studies as the government continues to put measures in place to support students, as well as to further develop the education sector.

“Those of you in the

secondary, moving on from the secondary level this is the time to move in a direction of furthering your education, and it has great possibilities for you because the government of Guyana, as you might have noticed by now, during our elections campaign, we did say that we want to be able to support our children to move up to the highest possible education level.”

Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, urged students across the country to take advantage of the many educational opportunities presented to them.

“I wish to appeal to all of our children, to all of our students throughout Guyana, take advantage of what education has to offer, you are the next generation so unleash that full potential of the wonderful opportunities Guyana have [sic] to offer,” Minister Persaud related. (DPI)

Homeless man found dead at La Parfaite Harmonie

A 61-year-old homeless man, identified as Visham Dial, and also known as “Fishup”, was found dead at the Westminster Housing Scheme in La Parfaite Harmonie, West Bank of Demerara, with marks of violence on the head.

According to Police Headquarters, Dial, who, normally sleeps under the bottom house of a fruit vendor at the said location, was seen arguing with a female of the neighbourhood on December 3, 2021 at around 21:30hrs. The following day at around 17:00hrs, his body was discovered lying motionless at the same location.

Upon investigations, ranks of the Parfaite Harmony Police Station discovered marks of violence on Dial’s forehead and blood stains were found on his face and head, respectively.

The body was escorted to the West Demerara Regional Hospital where it was pronounced dead on arrival and further escorted to Ezekiel Funeral Parlour awaiting a post-mortem and further investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

24 women entrepreneurs graduate from ‘Road to Growth’ programme

TWENTY-FOUR women entrepreneurs on Saturday graduated from the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women – Road to Growth programme, aimed at enhancing the capacity and marketability of women-led businesses in Guyana.

This seven-week programme was made possi-

ble through a collaborative effort by the Cherie Blair Foundation, ExxonMobil Foundation and Action Invest Caribbean Incorporated, among others. It covered topics such as Knowing Your Market, Digital Marketing, Knowing Your Business, Understanding Financing, Managing Financial Relationships and

Applying for Financing and Confidence-building.

Guyana Women Leadership Institute’s (GWLI), Senior Training Officer Sanjay Pooran said the purpose of this programme goes ‘hand in glove’ with the Human Services Ministry’s Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN).

As a brainchild of Min-

ister Vindhya Persaud, WIIN has been helping hundreds of women by empowering them with the necessary skills and knowledge to become financially independent. So far, the ministry has trained about 1,400 women, with the intention of training 3,000 in 2022.

“That is why we are

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Caroline Miller here to help you acquire a better position at work or find a better job or even start a new business so we are excited for this collaboration, this opportunity to work with partners such as Action Coach so that we can impact the lives of women and girls across the country,” he said.

British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Caroline Miller thanked the

amongst peers.

Miller advised the graduates to, “develop tools that will help you grow, learn from all of your failures and lastly, find yourself a mentor (to help you along the way to success).”

Action Invest Caribbean Incorporated’s Chairman, Vishnu Doerga said that while there were minor setbacks to conduct this programme amid the pan-

Action Invest Caribbean Incorporated’s Chairman, Vishnu Doerga graduates for recognising the need to advance their existing businesses by participating in the programme geared to boost women entrepreneurs.

She stated that the foundation’s vision to provide such opportunities to women is in the hopes that they can reach their full potential and thus, closing the global gender gap in entrepreneurship.

As such, she hopes that they cannot only use the knowledge given to expand their businesses to new heights, but to also share that knowledge to others in need and in keeping with the foundation’s philosophy to encourage mentorship

demic, systems were put in place to do so.

“It was a real pleasure for the team to be serving all of the participants in the road programme which is taking place in five countries.

We did end up starting the programme towards the tail end of COVID, where in many countries they have already gone fully online and we had to negotiate for this, but it was worth it.”

Road to Growth-Guyana follows the successful roll-out of the foundation’s flagship training programme for women entrepreneurs in Mexico, Nigeria, Kenya, Vietnam and Indonesia.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, December 6, 2021

Crack cocaine and its effects

By Vanessa Cort

LIKE the ripple effect of a stone dropped in a pond, drug abuse does not only negatively affect the user but also family, friends and society as a whole.

Years ago, while browsing in a local store, I came across a poem on the subject of crack cocaine, written by a Guyanese man who had obviously been a user.

Those lines, some of which have stayed in my mind until now, give a sharp glimpse into the harsh reality of crack abuse. The poem begins: “My name is cocaine, call me coke for short.

I came into this country without a passport…” and goes on to say, “I turn millionaires into paupers…” This line alludes to the ‘craving’ experienced by crack smokers, who often think about nothing more than getting another ‘hit’, spending all their money to get more and more of it, because of the highly addictive nature of the drug.

When the money runs out, some resort to selling their belongings, including household items, jewellery and even their cars and houses, borrowing from friends and family with no plan to pay back and even stealing from those around them.

One man told a tale of ruin. “I retired a successful corporate exec, who had put two daugh-

ters through college and earned my retirement.

My retirement party was, however, the beginning of five years of hell. That was when I was introduced to crack cocaine for the first time.

Over the next five years, I would lose my home, my wife, all of my financial resources, my health and almost my life. I also spent two years in prison.”

However, because crack was intended for use by those who could not afford the more expensive powdered form of cocaine, it found a ‘home’ in the ghettos of the United States and areas around the world where poor folk dwell.

Here ‘crack heads’ or ‘junkies’, as they are usually referred to, take on menial work, which they may not have previously considered, and resort to petty crime and prostitution to support their ‘habit’.

The ‘call’ of the drug is so strong that use is difficult to conceal as addicts take regular breaks – every 15-20 minutes – to smoke.

The Addiction Centre in the US observes: “The mental obsession associated with Crack Cocaine can be so severe that many cannot hold a regular conversation.”

They also find it virtually impossible to hold a job because of their shortened attention span.

The writer of the poem put it this way: “I make preachers for-

get how to preach and teachers forget how to teach.”

What makes the drug so addictive is its ability to force the excessive release of dopamine – the neurotransmitter that helps the brain’s pleasure a reward centres.

So from the first smoke the brain begins ‘rewiring’ itself because the ‘high’ is so pleasurable. However, this is immediately followed by feelings of depression, edginess, paranoia in some and a craving for more.

As someone who has battled abuse of this drug for several years and overcome it, I can attest to its devastating effect and the fact that it is not necessarily immediately addictive, but can become a ‘go to’ and a ‘prop’ for other emotional problems, building dependency over time. It can also lead to suicidal thoughts and has led many to take their own lives.

“The only thing on my mind was crack cocaine,” one smoker confessed, “And if somebody offers you any of it, you’ll jump at it and take it. It’s like offering a starving man a loaf of bread…” Another recalled his despair: “Things came to a head for me when I’d been smoking constantly for a couple of weeks. One day I just decided I’d had enough – I couldn’t live like this anymore. And I tried to commit suicide.”

The health risks are

Home of 70-year-old allegedly burglarised THE home of a 70-year-old male of Tuschen North, East Bank Essequibo was allegedly burglarised after he secured his premises and left for work, leaving him with some $120,000 in losses.

According to Police Headquarters, on Saturday, the victim secured his home, leaving everything intact and went to work; upon his return he saw the eastern wall of his house

prised open, and his room ransacked.

After making checks, the pensioner observed that one gold ring valued $50,000, one Samsung J7 mobile phone valued $40,000 and $30,000 in cash, were missing.

The matter was reported to the police and investigations are in progress. Police reported that there are currently no known suspects.

many and varied, from sleep loss and lack of appetite - which weakens the immune system – to heart spasms, convulsions, respiratory failure and organ damage.

People with substance

abuse disorders (SUD) are desperately in need of positive interventions from family and friends, in the same way as anyone with a mental health issue.

While forcing someone into a rehabilita-

tion programme is not the solution and rarely succeeds, with care and concern one may be encouraged to relinquish the drug of one’s own accord and seek professional help.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE

Monday December 6, 2021

Outstanding Seales unable to prevent Kings defeat COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, (CMC) – Gifted fast bowler Jayden Seales made an excellent start to life in the Lanka Premier League with an incisive three-wicket haul but the performance came in a losing cause as his Jaffna Kings suffered a heavy 54-run loss to Galle Gladiators.

In the opening match of the Twenty20 championship here Sunday, the 20-year-old Trinidadian put the disappointment of West Indies’ heavy series defeat behind him to claim three for 23 from four miserly overs and restrict Gladiators to 164 for seven at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Captain Bhanuka Rajapaksa top-scored with 56 from 31 deliveries, striking half-dozen fours and three fours to inspire a 52-run, third wicket stand with Ben Dunk (17), and a further 40 for the fourth wicket with Samit Patel whose 42 came from 31 deliveries and included six fours.

Seales conceded only 19 runs from his first three overs in two separate spells, before snatching two wickets

in the last over while giving up only four runs.

In reply, Kings were dismissed cheaply for 110 in the 19th over, only Wahab Riaz with 27 off 20 balls showing any resistance after

eighth wicket stand with Suranga Lakmal (10), which represented the most productive partnership of the innings.

Kings were undermined by the left-arm spin of Samit

and leg-spinner Pulina Tharanga (2-13) finished with two wickets apiece.

Seales, who made his international debut as a teenager earlier this year, has played four Tests but

West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales celebrates one of his wickets against Galle Gladiators on Sunday arriving at number eight.

He slammed two fours and two sixes in a 33-run

who snared three for 23 while Pakistan off-spinner Mohammad Hafeez (2-11)

took no part in the twoTest series in Galle when West Indies lost both Tests.

New GCB treasurer...

From page 24 million.Outside of sponsorship and ticket sales from International cricket, revenue streams for the GCB mainly lie with Cricket West Indies Currently, the board receives US$25,000 in monthly subventions which go towards administrative costs of the GCB, and there is another income of US$17,500 which mainly goes toward the Academy players.

It was explained at the press briefing that regarding the latter figure, they have not been able to access

such account as yet, since Cricket Guyana Inc., which managed the affairs of the Guyana Jaguars, is a private entity.

The ongoing legal proceeding to gain access to the accounts is also linked to the rebranding of the Warriors to Guyana Amazon Jaguars, which is now managed by the GCB. “We did an analysis and there were a couple of things that were not in keeping with financial best practices…we found that no transaction, and we talking here about financial transactions,

were posted from the middle of December 2020 to March of 2021 and there was no evidence of Bank reconciliation for that period, the treasurer, who is a certified Accountant explained.

The Treasurer indicated that the GCB was audited up to November 30, 2020.

Given the assessment which discovered irregularities with the accounts, he was questioned on the likelihood of an investigation being launched.

“We are currently considering options; ideally, we would want to advance

some form of investigation and I think the public may very well be demanding that but they are currently some bars we need to jump before we can move in that direction, and I rather suspect that would be forthcoming very soon.”

Meanwhile, GCB president Bissoondyal Singh voiced that given the financial situation they encountered when they took office, the Executives pooled their resources to meet the demands of the board until they were able to access some accounts.

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Monday December 6, 2021

New Zealand left gasping even as Ajaz Patel registers best-ever figures

INDIA wrested complete control on the third day of the Mumbai Test with another dominant show with both bat and ball. By the end of the day, New Zealand were adrift by 399 runs with only five wickets remaining.

India's dominance through the day first began with the bat, even as Ajaz Patel registered the best-ever match haul of 14/225 in Tests against India.

Starting the day with an overall lead of 332, both Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara raced away at the start of the day hitting as many as five boundaries in the first four overs. Pujara was happy to whip Ajaz through midwicket while Mayank preferred to drive or loft him over cover.

Mayank survived an LBW call against Tim Southee with the help of a review and soon got to a fifty in the following over with a neat six off Ajaz.

The 100-run partnership soon followed, with both batters now looking to up the ante further.

In the process of taking on Ajaz, Mayank offered a sharp return catch which was put down. But he offered another soon after while trying to repeat a lofted four on the offside, and ended up presenting an easy catch to long-off, falling for 62. Pujara survived an LBW shout through a review but fell to Ajaz soon after, nicking to slip three short of a half-century.

Shubman Gill survived a few nervous moments against the pacers' round-the-wicket short ball strategy, and along with Virat Kohli, who also survived a review for LBW began India's attack against New Zealand after the Lunch break.

Kohli and Gill built India's lead with a 72-run stand to keep New Zealand on the mat. The duo found success in hitting Will Somerville's offspin in the midwicket area, setting the tone for what was to follow.

Gill, though, fell three short of his fifty, becoming the first wicket in Test cricket of Rachin Ravindra. It was also the first in the match by a New Zealand bowler other than Ajaz Patel.

That didn't deter India's approach though, as all of the batters that followed came out with the intent of attacking, with Somerville bearing the brunt once again. Kohli chopped one on after getting 36 but Shreyas Iyer hit a couple of sixes and Axar Patel smacked

four later as India pressed the lead past 500 despite losing quick wickets in the process.

They eventually declared

when Jayant Yadav became Ajaz's 14th victim of the match.

And in the short period before Tea, which was called ahead

Ravi Ashwin bagged three wickets as New Zealand slipped to 140 for five.

Score Board

INDIA 1st innings 325 New Zealand 1st innings 62 India 2nd innings o/n 69 for no wkt Mayank Agarwal c Will Young b Ajaz Patel 62 Cheteshwar Pujara c Ross Taylor b Ajaz Patel 47 Shubman Gill c Tom Latham b Rachin Ravindra 47 Virat Kohli b Rachin Ravindra 36 Shreyas Iyer st Tom Blundell b Ajaz Patel 14 Wriddhiman Saha c Kyle Jamieson b Rachin Ravindra 13 Axar Patel Not Out 41 Jayant Yadav c&b Ajaz Patel 6 Extras 6b 3lb 1nb 0pen 0w 10 Total(70.0 overs) 276decl Fall of Wickets : 1-107 Agarwal, 2-115 Pujara, 3-197 Gill, 4-211 Iyer, 5-217 Kohli, 6-238 Saha, 7-276 Yadav Did Not Bat : Ashwin, Yadav, Siraj Bowling:Tim Southee 13 - 2 - 31 - 0, Ajaz Patel 26 - 3 - 106 - 4, Kyle Jamieson 8 - 2 - 15 - 0, William Somerville 10 - 0 - 59- 0,Rachin Ravindra 13 - 2 - 56 - 3 (1nb)

NEW ZEALAND 2nd innings Tom Latham lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 6 Will Young c (Sub) b Ravichandran Ashwin 20 Daryl Mitchell c Jayant Yadav b Axar Patel 60 Ross Taylor c Cheteshwar Pujara b Ravichandran Ashwin 6 Henry Nicholls Not Out 36 Tom Blundell Run Out (Sub) 0 Rachin Ravindra Not Out 2 Extras 8b 1lb 1nb 0pen 0w 10 Total: (45.0 overs) 140-5 Fall of Wickets : 1-13 Latham, 2-45 Young, 3-55 Taylor, 4-128 Mitchell, 5-129 Blundell To Bat : Jamieson, Southee, Somerville, Patel Bowling : Mohammed Siraj 5 - 2 - 13 - 0, Ravichandran Ashwin 17 - 7 - 27 - 3, Axar Patel 10 - 2 - 42 - 1, Jayant Yadav 8 - 2 - 30 - 0 (1nb), Umesh Yadav 5 - 1 - 19 - 0.

of schedule because of the malfunctioning Spider-Cam, R Ashwin trapped Tom Latham plumb in front.

On a day dominated by India once again, New Zealand's lone show of resistance finally came through Daryl Mitchell, who scored an enterprising

60. With confidence in lofting the spinners, Mitchell saved the visitors a few blushes for a while.

But R Ashwin led India's charge once again getting Will Young caught at short leg while Ross Taylor, who attacked everything without

success in his 8-ball stay, ended up giving a simple catch.

Mitchell fell trying to loft Axar twice in an over, holing out in the deep. And was soon followed by Tom Blundell who ran himself out, as India tightened their grip over the match, and series.(Cricbuzz)

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Monday December 6, 2021

Winning start for Ralf Rangnick at Manchester United

INTERIM manager Ralf Rangnick enjoyed a winning start to his tenure at Old Trafford as Manchester United claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

Brazil midfielder Fred scored the only goal of the game in the 78th minute, curling a superb 20-yard shot beyond Palace goalkeeper Vicente Guaita in front of the Stretford End. The visitors were left to rue a glaring miss from Jordan Ayew just two minutes before Fred’s goal, the Ghanaian side-footing wide from just two yards out after the ball fell to him from a corner.

Tottenham moved up to fifth in the table with a comfortable 3-0 win over Norwich, who remain bottom of the league on goal difference.

Antonio Conte’s side went ahead in the 10th minute as Lucas Moura played a one-two with Son Heung-min, turned his marker and then thundered an unstoppable drive into the top corner from 20 yards.

Davinson Sanchez doubled the lead midway through the second half when he smashed home a loose ball from a corner and Son made absolutely certain of the points as he fired into the bottom

corner following good work from Ben Davies and Oliver Skipp Patrick Bamford scored a stoppage-time equaliser on his return from injury as Leeds snatched a 2-2 draw with Brentford at Elland Road.

Tyler Roberts had given Leeds a 26th-minute lead when he slid on to Raphinha’s cross from the left to stab the ball home, but the visitors equalised through Shandon Baptiste in the 54th minute and Sergi Canos fired them ahead just seven minutes later.

That looked like being enough for Thomas Frank’s side to claim a fifth win of the season

until Luke Ayling – also back from injury – flicked on a corner for Bamford to score from close range In the day’s final game, Ezri Konsa scored twice as Aston Villa came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 and return to winning ways under new boss Steven Gerrard.

A cool finish from Harvey Barnes gave Leicester the lead in the 14th minute, but Konsa touched home Emi Buendia’s header to equalise almost immediately and nodded home a deep second-half corner to make it three wins from four since Gerrard took charge. (PA Sport)

MIDDLE-order batter Travis Head and left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc have been named in Australia's team for the first Ashes Test against England in Brisbane, which starts on Wednesday.

Head averages 39.8 runs per innings in Tests and has seen off competition from Usman Khawaja to bat at five.

Starc, the 31-year-old fast

bowler who has 255 Test wickets at an average of 27.6, is in ahead of Jhye Richardson.

As expected, Alex Carey will make his Test debut behind the stumps.

Australia team for first Test: David Warner, Marcus Harris, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazle-

wood.

Coach Justin Langer had said Australia would not name their team before the first day of the match, but new captain Pat Cummins revealed the team at a pre-series media launch in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time.

Most of the line-up was as expected with Marcus Harris opening alongside David Warner after Will Pucovski failed to recover from

concussion, while Carey replaces Tim Paine, who dropped out of the squad after resigning from the captaincy over a historical investigation into sexually explicit texts sent to a female colleague.

The two main calls were whether Head or Khawaja would bat at five and if Starc would keep his place, with Australia great Shane Warne among those calling for him to be dropped.

Head has scored 394 runs at 49.25 in the Sheffield Shield this season with two centuries, including one in his last match against Queensland, while Khawaja has scored 460 runs at 65.71 with two hundreds.

Left-hander Khawaja only averages 29 in 12 Tests against England, leaving the selectors to opt for Head, who was dropped in Australia's series defeat by India last winter.

Cummins, who takes over the captaincy from Paine, said: "It was

Ralf Rangnick spent most of the match standing at the edge of his technical area.

Australia name Head and Starc in team for first Ashes Test

Batsman Travis Head (left) and pacer Mitchell Starc a tight one. They are both really good options. Experience is great from Ussie and we feel really lucky to have that in the squad, but Trav's been playing a lot for us the last couple of years.

"He's gone away and he's churned out runs in England, here in Australia, and we feel like he's really ready to go."

Starc, who has only taken three

wickets at an average of 96.66 in two Tests in 2021 so far, saw off competition from Richardson, who took 15 wickets in his past two Sheffield Shield matches - including eight at the Gabba last month.

Cummins, who will become the first fast bowler to lead Australia since the 1950s, added that he probably will not take the new ball in this series. (BBC Sport)

Babar and Azhar bolster Pakistan on rain-truncated second day RAIN, which got heavier in the afternoon, allowed only thirty minutes of play on the second day of the Dhaka Test. With no respite in sight, play was called off at 3pm.

Azhar Ali found enough time in the 6.2 overs bowled on day two to reach his 34th Test half-century, as Pakistan moved ahead by 27 runs without any further damages since the first morning.

Babar Azam, unbeaten on 71, tucked the first delivery of the day for four, after Khaled

Ahmed bowled it down the leg-side. Azhar soon brought up the 100-run stand before he struck two fours off Ebadot Hossain to reach his fifty, off 126 balls. The pair have so far added 118 runs for the unbroken third-wicket stand.

Rain brought day two to a halt at 1:20pm, exactly 30 minutes after play had begun.

It was a day of light to heavy showers, which started around half an hour before the scheduled start of play. At any rate, the second day kicked off after a delay. The first time the

umpires announced the possibility of a start to the day's proceedings was at 11:20am, but five minutes before play was to get underway, rain returned, forcing the players back into the dressing room.

The weather lived up to the original forecast of a downpour on Sunday, and it is likely to continue into the third and fourth days. This is due to the deep depression that caused by the cyclone Jawad on the west-central Bay of Bengal.

(Cricinfo)

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Monday December 6, 2021

Root aware that Ashes will define his captaincy ENGLAND captain Joe Root has said that he's well aware of how the upcoming Ashes series in Australia will go on to define his captaincy.

Root was also the captain when England lost 4-0 Down Under in 2017-18, but feels England have the right mix of experience and youth in the squad to push Australia hard in their backyard.

"Of course it will define my captaincy, I'm not naive enough to think it won't," Root said ahead of the opening Test match in Brisbane, scheduled from Wednesday.

"If you look how hard it's been for English captains and English teams [to win in Australia] over the years, it has been something which doesn't happen very often.

"But what a great opportunity. I'm very excited about it and can't wait for the series to get going. You look at some of the players, some of the individuals, some of the performances guys have put in. The senior guys have done it time and time again and the junior guys have shown glimpses of what they can do and their potential.

"What better stage to really grab a series and make an announcement on the international stage. I'm an Ashes player and I want to live in the history of this great rivalry. That carrot is there for everyone."

Root said India's recent series win in Australia, and especially their win at the Gabba, gives them hope.

Australia's loss to India in Brisbane was their first at the venue since 1988.

Joe Root's rivalry with Pat Cummins will be a crucial factor in the Ashes. (Getty Imaages) "A lot of teams have struggled in the past to get results here. So of course we'll take confidence from that," Root said of India's 2-1 win. "Credit to India they played exceptionally

DeRozan inspires Bulls to win over Brooklyn Nets DeMar DeRozan scored 13 of his 29 points in the final quarter as the Chicago Bulls edged to a 111-107 win over the Brooklyn Nets.

In the battle of the Eastern Conference's top two sides, the Bulls' Zach LaVine top-scored with 31 points.

But it was team-mate DeRozan who inspired the Bulls to their second win over the Nets this season, making six of 11 shots in the

fourth period.

He has now scored a league-leading 178 points in final quarters this season.

Kevin Durant led conference leaders the Nets with 28 points and 10 rebounds to move up to 24th - past Hall of Famer Ray Allen - on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Elsewhere, Western Conference leaders the Golden State Warriors lost 112-107 to the San Antonio Spurs,

who extended their winning streak to a season-best four games.

Derrick White scored a late three-pointer and three free throws to help the Spurs hold off the Warriors, who after facing a nine-point deficit at halftime, clawed their way back into the game with a third quarter flurry inspired

by Stephen Curry.(BBC Sport)

well throughout that whole series. In many ways, they set a good example for any touring team to come here and play.

"We'll try and lean on a few learnings through-

out that series - but we've also got to play to our own strengths and make sure that we're doing things our way. Grabbing those big moments within the series, I think, is going to be key for us. Trying to get on the right side of those big swings."

One of the players that Root is excited about is the "fantastic" Ollie Robinson who has been one of the standout performers for England with the ball this year.

Robinson himself is excited to play at the Gabba, having first watched a Test match here as a 13-year-old and is ready to "get under the skins" of the opposition.

In his sights is Steve Smith, the Australia vice-captain.

"I'm definitely going to be trying to get under their skins and try and sort of unsettle them as it were, batters and bowlers really.

If I can get them off their rhythm then we're winning, so it's something you'll definitely see and hopefully we will come out on top.

"He (Smith) plays a lot of balls from deep in his crease, his contact points are a lot deeper than other batters. So my lengths might have to be slightly different to him. If you start to starve him of his scoring areas, he seems to want to score. He's not someone that will just sit there and block all day. Hopefully, he'll make the mistake or if the ball is moving I can get him lbw or nick off.

"Out here it's a bit harder with the ball not moving as much but I've looked at him and Marnus Labuschagne quite in depth and hopefully have a plan for both," said Robinson. (Cricbuzz).

Haney defeats Diaz, retains WBC lightweight title WBC lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (270, 15 KOs) of Las Vegas scored a twelve-round unanimous decision over Joseph “JoJo” Diaz (32-2-1, 15 KOs) of South El

getting inside getting rough.

Diaz began to attack downstairs in round three, Haney continued to show hand speed outworking Diaz but the challenger appeared to be gaining ground

seventh round but Diaz connected with some hard lefts. Fighting strategically in the eighth, Haney and Diaz worked the jab as Diaz stalked attempting to work his way in.

Devin Haney (right) on the attack against opponent Joseph “Jojo” Diaz.

DeMar DeRozan leads the NBA with 178 points in fourth quarters this season

Monte, California, on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.

Haney’s speed and reach won the early rounds. JoJo came on in round four and had some good moments after that, but Haney was mostly in control. Scores were 117-111, 117-111, 116-112.

Haney came out flashy, displaying the hand speed as Diaz had slow start pawing and working the jab in the opening round. In the second, Haney kept letting his hands go with Diaz working his way in leading with the jab and

inside. It got rough in the fourth as Diaz attempted to connect to the body shoved Haney to the ground, moments later Diaz connected with a solid straight left that got the champ’s attention.

Referee Russell Mora issued his second warning to Haney for a low blow, Diaz connected on the inside but Haney continued to display the hand speed. At the halfway point in the sixth, Diaz stood close as Haney jabbed and fought off his backfoot . Haney connected with a snapping uppercut early in the

Once again referee Russell Mora warned Haney for low blows a third time, Diaz attacked to begin the ninth round, Diaz took it Haney during the exchanges inside. Diaz took his foot off the gas pedal in the tenth as Haney pressed and landed solidly.

The championship rounds saw Diaz pressing as Haney boxed and appeared to be more active. The twelfth and final round, a hard left by Diaz got Haney’s attention. Diaz appeared to be tired as Haney pressed. (Fightnews)

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Football fraternity mourns passing of versatile George Green THE Guyana football fraternity is in mourning following the passing of former football stalwart, George Green, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 84.

Green played for then British Guiana with distinction from 1958 to 1966 without missing a match, captaining the national team during that period.

The multi-talented Green also represented Malteenoes Sports Club at the Case Cup level from 1953 to 1971 and also captained the club. He later went on to represent Demerara at the Inter-county level. Green was also an excellent table tennis player.

George Arlington Green started his outstanding football career in 1957. He played senior football for Victoria Football Club, at right half, now called midfield. He played for his club from 1957 to 1961 and was captain from 1957 to 1961. In those days Victoria was one of the better football clubs in the Country.

While playing for Victoria, he was selected to represent the then British Guiana in 1958 against Suriname. He was also a member of the Continental Football Club which played in the Soft Shoe League.

In 1959, he was selected

to tour England with the first West Indies Football Team and at the age of 21 years he was the youngest player of that Elite Team. The team comprised players from Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados and Jamaica. In the selection of the West Indies team, a regional tournament was held in Trinidad & Tobago. After the tournament, a squad of players was selected for two trial matches.

Green was selected in a squad which comprised Trinidadians and, after the match he was approached by the press and asked how he was able to adjust to the style and system of the Trinidadians. He told them that in Guyana he used to play for a Soft Shoe Team name Continental Football Club and they have already adapted the modern system similar to what is played in Trinidad & Tobago.

After the first trial match, Reggie Haynes, the Barbadian Football captain told him that his performance has assured him of a place in the team.

Being the modest person he is, George wasn't impressed; he knew that was not possible because there were many more established players in the trials than him. The press also praised him as he had

The multi-talented George dead at 84. only started his career two years earlier. The eventual team comprised nine (9) Trinidadians, six (6) Jamaicans, four (4) Guyanese and one (1) Barbadian In 1961 he left Victoria Football Club and played for Sandbach Parker Football Club where he was employed. He continued playing the same position. In 1962, he was elected as captain of the team which consisted of several National Players. Under his captaincy,

the Club won all the senior trophies at stake that year. This club was senior football champions between 1961 & 1966.

He was the neatest footballer ever seen on a football field in Guyana; his shirt was always neatly tucked in his shorts, both of his socks were always the same level and one wonders if he used to fix same constantly during his playing of the game. His hair was well groomed and his posture was always immaculate. He could

be termed as a Football Icon which all players should try to emulate.

George was multi talented. He also played cricket.

He represented Malteenoes Sports Club at Case Cup Level from 1953 to 1971. He was also captain of the club which included players such as Glendon Gibbs, Rex Collymore and Patrick Legall.

In 1956, he represented Demerara in the Inter County Level. He was an outstanding batsman scoring many First Class centuries and a competent leg-spinner. His outstanding performance enabled him to be called to senior National trials. He was also an excellent Table Tennis player, scoring victories over many of the country’s top players.

Because of a knee injury, he stopped playing football in 1966 and was immediately appointed as the coach of the Senior National team. He was coach from 1966 to 1980. In 1976, the Guyana Football Association sent him to East Germany on a three-month coaching scholarship which was sponsored by the International Olympic Committee.

He was also the first National Football coach to coach a World Cup squad; this was done in 1976 when Guyana

participated in a qualifier against Suriname. Guyana won that game two-nil at home.

This team was encamped at Kimbia for two months. For the return game in Suriname he was unavailable due to him having to leave for East Germany and the team was coached by an Englishman by the name of Mr Mc Sephney; the rest is now history.

He also coached two (2) Caribbean teams against Hull City Football Club of England and Kwang Tong Province of China. These games were played in Guyana.

In 1992, the Guyana National Trading Corporation, where he worked, was divested and he was immediately employed at the Department of Youth & Sports. Since 1992, until his resignation in 2005 he was the co-ordinator for the Annual national Coca Cola Secondary Schools U-19 football competition which was organised by the National Sports Commission. He was also co-ordinator of the Inter Guiana Games.

George is fortunate to be highlighted in FIFA's 1000 Anniversary Book after the GFF recommended him for inclusion in this prestigious historical book. A commendation he deserved.

CWI thanks Tony Harford for his Hope, Pooran to lead outstanding service to Caribbean sports after Pollard ruled out ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) today paid tribute to Anthony “Tony” Harford, who passed away on Friday.

Harford was a long-standing highly-respected sports administrator and sportscaster, who also played a major role in development cricket at all levels. Mr Harford was a leading figure in marketing and promotion of sports, including working with the Trinidad & Tobago football team to the 2006 FIFA World Cup. In the 1990s he worked with the then West Indies Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) in the marketing and sponsorship of the West Indies team, and accompanied the players on tour. Tony’s work in cricket also included the development of age group cricket tournaments and grassroots cricket.

He was the lead coordinator and fund raiser for the first

ever West Indies U17 tour to Australia and established an annual “windball” (tennis ball) tournament for amateur players from across the Caribbean.

“Tony was a loyal son and self-less servant of West Indies and Trinidad cricket. He had a tremendous love of sports, and profound knowledge of the ins and outs of all sports.

His service to youth cricket in the Windward Islands was especially innovative and impactful.

In the 1990’s he literally relocated the annual Windwards youth tournaments to Trinidad where he found adequate sponsorships to keep the age tournaments alive at a period when the Windwards cricket board was financially strapped.

He loved young people and was dedicated to seeing the growth of the sporting industry as well as and the development of

Tony Harford was a leading figure in marketing and promotion of sports individual sportspersons,” CWI Vice President Dr. Kishore Shallow said.

“On behalf of CWI’s President, Directors and staff, I would like to extend condolences to the Harford family and loved ones, as well as the sporting fraternity in Trinidad & Tobago.” (CWI)

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Shai Hope will lead West Indies for the first time after Kieron Pollard was ruled out of the tour of Pakistan starting next week.

While the 28-year-old Hope will preside over the three One-Day Internationals, the 26-year-old Nicholas Pooran will lead in the three-match Twenty20 International series following on from his stint in the Caribbean earlier this year.

Pollard, appointed two years ago, oversaw West Indies’ wretched campaign at the recent T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates but picked up a hamstring injury from which he has failed to recover in time for the Pakistan series starting December 13.

“Pollard will undergo rehabilitation work in Trin-

idad, under the supervision of CWI’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Israel Dowlat, and will be reassessed in a few weeks ahead of the upcoming home tours against Ireland and England in January 2022,” Cricket West Indies said in a website statement.

Devon Thomas, a 32-year-old right-hander who played the last of his 21 ODIs eight years ago, has been added to the 50over squad while all-rounder Rovman Powell has been called up to the T20 side.

While Pooran led West Indies when West Indies beat Australia 4-1 in the Caribbean last July, Hope will be enjoying his first taste of captaincy.

He is West Indies’ leading ODI batsman, averaging nearly 53 from 83 matches with 10 hundreds

Barbados batsman Shai Hope will lead West Indies in the three ODIs against Pakistan – the last four of which have come inside the last two years.

The Pakistan series gets underway with the T20 Internationals, the first of which bowls off at 6:00 pm local time (9:00 am Eastern Caribbean time)

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Hamilton wins crazy, twice-halted Saudi GP to go equal on points with Verstappen (REUTERS)-Lewis Hamilton won a crazy, twice-halted Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday to send the Formula One world championship into a winnertakes-all final showdown with the Mercedes driver and Red Bull's Max Verstappen level on points.

There were crashes, safety cars, red flags, claims of dirty driving after Hamilton hit the back of Verstappen's suddenly slowing car, penalties, collisions and extraordinary exchanges between race director Michael Masi and the top two teams.

Seven-times world champion Hamilton took the bonus point for fastest lap to level with Verstappen on 369.5 points after 21 races.

The final round of the season is at Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina next weekend.

Verstappen, who finished second with Valtteri Bottas third for Mercedes, leads 9-8 on wins, however - meaning that the Dutch 24-year-old will be champion if neither score another point.

"I tried to be as tough as I could be out there but also sensible and with all my race experience over the years, just keeping the car on track and staying clean," said Hamilton after his 103rd career win.

The Briton started on pole but twice lost out to Verstappen at standing re-starts. The Dutch driver was eventually ordered to hand back the lead, after going wide as Hamilton tried to pass, but when he slowed Hamilton ran into the back of him - accusing his rival of 'brake-testing' him.

Red Bull boss Christian Horner defended his driver:

"I don't know why he ran into the back of you like that, it made no sense," he said over the radio.

Stewards handed Verstappen a five second time penalty but Hamilton rendered that irrelevant by overtaking seven laps from the end. Mercedes were angry with Masi, saying they had not been given time to inform Hamilton that Verstappen had been told to give the place back, and Verstappen was also furious.

"What happened today is unbelievable and this sport is more about penalties than racing. For me, this is not Formula One," said the Dutchman, who was awarded Driver of the Day in a fan vote.

"That was spectacular but not a good race," said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrate on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on December 05, 2021 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

New GCB treasurer claims board inherited $900 in cash THE new Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Executive, which took office in March 2021, held its first official press conference on Saturday at Grand Coastal, East Coast Demerara.

The over two-hour long

media engagement unveiled the Board’s policies and vision, and also the current finances.

Brian Sukhai, who took office in June after the passing of elected Treasurer, Prittipaul Jaigobin, in April, described the financial practices of the previ-

ous body as being “not good”, and made stunning revelation that there was only $900 in cash on the premises when they took office.

“The cash in hand, I understand it was G$900 and I need to be clear here, this is cash we

had on the premises. We had to jump through some hoops to get the administrative aspect of accessing those accounts.”

Sukhai further stated that the sum in the three accounts at the bank was approximately G$1.5 Turn to page 18

New President of tUDFA Wainwright Bethune sitting at centre with Secretary Ms Dawn McCammon Barker at left and Treasurer Kevin Dejonge at right.

Standing at left is GFF representative Lyndon France and GFF General Secretary Ian Alves.

Bethune elected unopposed as new UDFA president

Treasurer of the Guyana Cricket Board, Brian Sukhai

DEPUTY Mayor of Linden, Mr Wainwright Bethune, was elected unopposed as the new president of the Upper Demerara Football Association(UDFA) when that body held its Annual General Meeting and Elections on Sunday.

Bethune's slate of names was nominated and accepted as there was no other slate submitted on time to challenge for the

various positions.

As such, the first vice-president is Sean Adans; second vice-president, Patrick Dey; third vice-president, Olston Thorman, secretary returned is Ms Dawn McCammon Barker; Treasurer, Kevin Dejong; Public Relations Officer, Ms Reycia Nedd; assistant secretary/ Treasurer, Kellon Josiah; with the three committee members being

Mark Richards, Dexter Harris and Damian Forrester.

Outgoing president Terrence Mitchell was present but did not seek re-election. The returning officer was Guyana Football Federation (GFF) representative, Lyndon France, while the Guyana Football Federation General Secretary, Ian Alves, witnessed the election process.

Football fraternity mourns passing of versatile George Green Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limi ted, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 2 2 6- 3243-9 (General); Editorial: 2 2 7- 5204, 2 2 7- 5216. Fax:2 2 7- 5208

Monday December 6, 2021

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