Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 26-02-2024

‘Pressure leaders to address trade barriers’

—President Ali urges Caribbean citizens — announces plans to eliminate malnutrition, hunger by 2030

Guyana charges ahead to become hub for digital services

- President Ali champions empowerment at ‘One Guyana Digital’ initiative launch

- over 2,000 persons to be trained, with special emphasis on women and Indigenous Peoples

Guyana, Canada sign agreement for CAN$120M sovereign loan

President Ali pledges US$2M from carbon-credit earnings to CARICOM

- to further provide support for vulnerable groups, respond to critical issues - to support regional climate adaptation efforts

Canada maintains support for Guyana’s territorial integrity

The National Cultural Centre came alive for the opening ceremony of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM (DPI and Delano Williams photos)

Guyana, Canada sign agreement for CAN$120M sovereign loan

- to further provide support for vulnerable groups, respond to critical issues

By Naomi Parris

GUYANA and Canada

on Sunday finalised an agreement for a CAN$120 million sovereign loan to further boost support for vulnerable groups.

The agreement was signed by Guyana’s Senior Minister within the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr.

Ashni Singh and Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, at the Canadian High Commissioner’s residence.

Hussen, who is visiting this country for the first time, in his address, said the two countries are strengthening bilateral ties with the loan agreement that has been tailored to the needs of Guyana.

He said: “Our goal is to

support Guyana in generating beneficial social, economic and environmental outcomes for the good of all your citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.”

Hussen emphasised the importance of cooperation between Guyana and Canada to achieve sustainable development goals, addressing issues such as gender-based violence, empowerment of people living

with disabilities, and support for victims of human trafficking.

“This loan is tailored towards the needs of Guyana. It will focus on our mutual priorities and interests. It's about protecting the most vulnerable populations. It's about making sure that as we grow our economies, we promote gender and power and we fight gender-based violence.

“It's about empowering people with disabilities and enabling them to participate fully in the economy and the society. It is about supporting victims of human trafficking. It's about strengthening the pension systems,” the Canadian official added.

Guyana is the first country in the Western Hemisphere to benefit from the sovereign loan programme which aims to generate beneficial social, economic and environmental outcomes by providing concessional financial support to eligible recipients.

The programme provides tailored support to the needs and priorities of eligible states, as it relates to poverty reduction and peace and security.

“The relationship between Canada and Guyana is going through now a new phase of affairs, rooted and grounded in economic and commercial ties that did not exist previously near anything near to the scale that we're seeing now,” Dr. Singh said during his remarks.

He added that as the country undergoes rapid development, the government remains ‘ever mindful’ of the need to provide improved support to vulnerable groups.

“We have retained at the highest level of our priorities, the objective

of ensuring that the most vulnerable in our society experience the physical and tangible [benefits], including and in particular in relation to the delivery of social services,” the senior minister said.

Dr. Singh added that the sovereign loan programme which is intermediated through the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), makes a substantial contribution to efforts already being made by the government through its Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

The loan programme also features a climate-resilient debt clause to access funds in the event that Guyana experiences a climate incident, a natural disaster, a pandemic or an epidemic.

This frees up critical resources required to respond immediately to a crisis

In brief remarks, Canada’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman said the loan agreement is merely just the beginning of continued partnerships between the countries.

Describing Sunday’s signing ceremony as ‘symbolic’, Berman said the loan agreement highlights Canada’s support to Guyana’s efforts in strengthening social services for its citizens, in particular the most vulnerable.

Canada’s Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen; Guyana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, along with a diplomatic representative during the signing of the sovereign loan agreement (Shaniece Bamfield photos)

‘Pressure leaders to address trade barriers’

By Naomi Parris

ALTHOUGH Caribbean leaders have been pursuing massive investments and programmes to achieve regional food-security goals, trade barriers among some Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states remain a hindrance to the movement of produce across the region.

In addressing this issue head on, Chairman of CARICOM and Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali on Sunday sounded a call for the people of the Caribbean to hold their respective leaders accountable and address the existing barriers.

“We are continuing work to address the removal of trade barriers within member states and the people of CARICOM must put pressure on the leaders of CARICOM to remove the trade barriers. It is of no use and purpose for this region,” Dr. Ali said, during his address at the opening ceremony of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government held at the National Cultural Centre, on Sunday.

Trade barriers include any regulation or policy that restricts trade, especially tariffs, quotas and licences, among other things.

—President Ali urges Caribbean citizens — announces plans to eliminate malnutrition, hunger by 2030

President, Dr Irfaan Ali during his address at the opening ceremony of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government held at the National Cultural Centre (Delano Williams photo)

The importance of addressing this issue is amplified by ongoing

President Ali pledges US$2M from carbon-credit earnings to CARICOM

- to support regional climate adaptation efforts

RECOGNISING that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is extremely vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, Chairman of CARICOM, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has announced a US$2 million financing towards the Regional Adaption Fund.

Speaking at an event to mark the opening of the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM Sunday afternoon, President Ali reiterated the country’s commitment to the Bridgetown Initiative.

The Bridgetown Initiative, piloted by Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Amort Motley calls for the overhaul of the current global financial system led by the IMF and the World Bank to enable mobilisation of more private financing for the climate transition and improved resilience in vulnerable countries.

According to the Head of State, Guyana strongly supports the initiative and will be taking responsibility on its own to invest in the region’s climate resilience.

“To this end, I want to say that to support these adaption

efforts of the region, Guyana is committing US$2 million out of our revenue earned from the sale of our Carbon Credits as part of our LCDS (Low Carbon Development Strategy) to the regional adaptation fund,” the Guyanese President announced at the National Culture Centre (NCC).

Additionally, oil giant ExxonMobil’s Global Trust Fund has committed another US$3 million for sustainable projects, to build resilience and improve productivity within the region, including food security.

“With this support, the Regional Adaptation Fund will have an investment of US$5 million to start with,” the CARICOM chair further disclosed.

The CARICOM Chair and Canada’s Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen have also agreed on the importance of ramping up access to climate financing at scale and using an efficient mechanism to accomplish the mission.

“And in saying this, I reminded the minister that there is a substantial commitment that was made to heads at the Canada-CARICOM summit

and we are now looking in the coming weeks to activate that commitment, to have those funds disbursed and ready to support the region’s adaption and resilience strategy,” he further stated.

The Carbon Credit Fund, the Guyanese President referred to, is the US$750 million monumental agreement with global energy giant –Hess Corporation – which will see the company purchasing 2.5 million carbon credits annually.

In 2023, Guyana received its first payment of US$150 million with 15 per cent (US$22.5M) disbursed to 242 Amerindian, riverine, and remote communities across Guyana, leading to the implementation of 811 economic and social projects.

Climate resilience is one of several pressing issues that will be discussed at the conference that will be hosted at the Guyana Marriott Hotel, in Kingston, Georgetown. Other critical areas include energy security, food security, regional transportation, regional security, including the situation in Haiti, and border issues, among others. (DPI)

also the entire region.

“People of this region, call upon your leaders to remove these barriers. Let them hear you loudly, these barriers need to go and must go urgently,” President Ali stressed.

that we can end hunger and malnutrition in this region,” Dr. Ali said.

efforts of the Caribbean leaders to slash the region’s exorbitant food-import bill by 25 per cent in the next year.

Guyana has been leading the charge for food security, with President Ali holding the responsibility for food security and agriculture, while the country’s Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha is the chairperson for CARICOM’s Ministerial Task Force on Agriculture.

Guyana has been steadily increasing its food production and expanding the cultivation of new crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat to meet the demands of not only its domestic market, but

Although these barriers exist, food trade among CARICOM nations have increased, with ongoing partnerships such as the black belly sheep project in Guyana, the expansion of shade houses in Barbados, and the further expansion of rice cultivation in Trinidad and Tobago, all aimed at assisting the region to meet its’25 by 25’ target.

A NEW TARGET: ELIMINATE MALNUTRITION, HUNGER BY 2030

While heavy focus is being placed on increasing the region’s food production, President Ali highlighted the need for a new target to be set within the realms of food security: this is eliminating the region’s malnutrition and hunger rates by 2030.

“We are proposing to bring together the human assets that this region nurtured into international pain to bring their goodwill together as ambassadors to mobilise international financing of support, so

According to statistics provided by the Head of State, roughly 57 per cent of the region’s population is affected by food insecurity.

In fact, these figures, according to President Ali, show “a significant rise” when compared to figures from February 2020

“This is an alarming number… [we] must now focus on ending hunger and malnutrition by 2030,” he added.

Over the next few days, leaders from all 15 member states will converge in Georgetown, Guyana, for crucial discussions.

According to CARICOM, there will be discussions on climate change and climate financing; regional security, including the situation in Haiti and border issues; regional transportation; financial matters, including replenishment of the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF); global and hemispheric issues, including developments in the Middle East; Reparations; and the 2024 ICC Men’s T-20 Cricket World Cup will be discussed over the next three days.

Guyanese must reject anti-democratic forces threatening Guyana’s future

The following is the full text of a statement from the Association for Democracy and Human Rights (Guyana) Inc.:

“THE advocacy for rigged elections by Mr. Hamilton Green, a prominent figure associated with the People’s National Congress (PNC) and a former Prime Minister in Guyana, is a stark reminder of the threats that democracy still faces today.

“His remarks, sug -

gesting that electoral fraud is a viable means to combat political opposition, are not only alarming but [are] also an affront to the principles of democratic governance and the Rule of Law.

“Such statements recall a period in Guyanese history where [sic] democracy was subverted, and power was maintained through electoral deceit, casting a long shadow over the nation's efforts to build a transparent and accountable political system.

“It is imperative to take proactive steps to safeguard the electoral process, ensuring that the upcoming 2025 elections are conducted in a manner that is free, fair, and reflective of the will of the Guyanese people.

“The path forward for Guyana must be paved with a commitment to democracy, transparency, and ac -

countability.

“Let us stand united against any attempts to undermine the electoral process and work tirelessly to ensure that Guyana's democratic institutions are robust and resilient.

“The legacy of rigged elections must remain a relic of the past, as we strive to build a future where every citizen's voice is heard, and their vote counts.

“The collective action of all Guyanese can ensure that democracy triumphs over attempts to subvert it, securing a prosperous and democratic future for generations to come.

“Reject Anti-democratic Forces Now!”

Lead singer of Grammy Awardwinning reggae group Morgan Heritage dies

THE Grammy Award-winning reggae group, Morgan Heritage, announced the passing of their lead singer Peter Anthony Morgan, known professionally as Peetah Morgan.

The group, which includes the children of the late reggae elder statesman Denroy Morgan, shared the news on social media.

The statement expressed deep sorrow: "It is out of sincere love that we share that our beloved husband, father, son, brother, and lead singer of Morgan Heritage, Peter Anthony Morgan, has ascended today, February 25. Jah come and save us from ourselves because love is the only way."

The family did not disclose the cause of death and concluded the announcement with a request for privacy and support: "Our family thanks you in advance for your overwhelming love and support and we ask for your continued prayers as we go through this process. We also ask that you please respect our privacy during this time of healing."

Peter Anthony Morgan

Guyana charges ahead to become hub for digital services

- President Ali champions empowerment at ‘One Guyana Digital’ initiative launch

- over 2,000 persons to be trained, with special emphasis on women and Indigenous Peoples

By Clestine Juan

GUYANA is set to become a hub for digital services, with the inauguration of the ‘One Guyana Digital’ (1GD) initiative heralding a new era for the country’s youth to transform the nation’s digital landscape.

This landmark venture, a collaboration between the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and Toronto Metropolitan University, aims to bolster digital literacy and foster economic and social development.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali, during the launch at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, outlined the 1GD programme's objectives, aiming to train 2,000 Guyanese as full-stack developers, with a notable emphasis on including women and indigenous peoples.

He spotlighted 1GD’s role as a catalyst for empowerment, particularly highlighting the significant representation of women and Indigenous peoples among the attendees.

“These 2000 young people here, more than 60% of whom are women; this is living empowerment. This is practising empowerment…

“But much more important, 20% of all those who are registered are indigenous students,” President Ali stated, underscoring the initiative's dedication to fostering inclusive growth and development.

The President elaborated on the transformative potential of the 1GD initiative, viewing it as a cornerstone for both individual and collective advancement.

“This partnership goes beyond the margins, as we were able to negotiate a special rate for this program... the costs will be US$20 million or G$4 billion.

“This is the investment we are making; this is your investment,” he declared, illustrating the government's commitment to making digital education accessible to all.

Dr. Ali further delved into the broader impact of the initiative, emphasizing its significance against the backdrop of Guyana's economic evolution.

“We are moving towards digitization, towards a system of governance that will remove a lot of bureaucracy... This system must work, and that is what we are building,” he articulated, highlighting the initiative's alignment with the nation's developmental goals.

The President discussed at length the strategic importance of integrating digital literacy with the country's growth trajectory.

He envisioned a future where Guyanese youth are not just participants but leaders in the global digital economy.

“We are attaching these 2000 young people to jobs... ensuring that these multinationals offer us opportunities for their nearshoring and outsourcing jobs,” Dr. Ali stated, shedding light on the initiative's ambition

to make Guyana a hub for digital services.

Moreover, Dr. Ali highlighted the importance of cultural and educational shifts accompanying technological advancements.

“We took students who did not complete secondary education and put them into a re-discovery programme...

“These persons would have a certification from an international university,” he explained, signifying a holistic approach to empowerment through education.

In his feature address, President Ali reinforced the notion that the 1GD initiative is a me-

digital realm.

Minister Hussen elaborated on the significance of the initiative in promoting gender parity and inclusivity, a cornerstone of Canada's international collaboration efforts.

“In every country that Canada engages with on these kinds of projects, we emphasise inclusion... making sure that women and girls who are normally left behind are included” he stated, reinforcing the shared values of empowerment and equality.

The minister's address highlighted the transformative potential of the 1GD programme beyond mere digital literacy,

Some of the interested participants of 1DG

ticulously thought-out strategy, not a serendipitous occurrence.

“Programmes, ideas do not occur by accident... It takes vision to conceptualise a programme like this,” he affirmed, recognising the collective efforts and foresight involved in bringing the initiative to fruition.

President Ali addressed the cultural shift needed to embrace the new opportunities presented by the digital age, highlighting the importance of hard work and the physical environment conducive to productivity.

He stated: “What we want to do is to build beautiful buildings and have young people go to work in the buildings... because you still have to understand that the culture of hard work cannot be replaced. Even in technology, hard work remains a foundational pillar.”

Dr. Ali ended his address with a powerful call to action and reflection for the participants, as he stressed the importance of seizing this unprecedented opportunity and contributing positively to the nation's progress.

“Don't take this investment for granted. Take this seriously, as the cultural makeup of our country is applying to do this. There are certain jobs differently,” he urged, underscoring the need for dedication and hard work in translating this initiative into tangible results for the individual and national prosperity.

CANADA'S ROLE IN FOSTERING DIGITAL EXCELLENCE

Continuing with the momentum set by President Ali, Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen announced that Canada will be contributing CAN$9.5 million to the 1GD innovation.

This, he said, not only underscores his country’s investment in Guyana's future, but also its commitment to creating equitable opportunities in the

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of IGD, Mark Itwaru, provided the architectural blueprint of the initiative and outlined its objectives and anticipated impact.

Itwaru, a Canada-based Guyanese, brought a personal touch to the narrative, intertwining his professional experience with his cultural roots.

“One Guyana Digital is an initiative to bring world-class international institutions to Guyana to train the population to become qualified computer programmers, software developers, and technology experts,” Itwaru said, setting the stage for a transformative educational experience.

His vision of creating a near-sourcing industry in Guyana, potentially rivalling the nation's oil industry, painted a picture of a diversified and robust economy.

Highlighting the uniqueness of the initiative, Itwaru delved into the innovative curriculum developed in partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali (DPI photos)

market.

Itwaru’s explanation extended beyond education, touching on the comprehensive support system designed to ensure student success. From mentorship to in-person tutoring, the initiative promises a holistic approach to learning and professional development.

His detailed explanation not only shed light on the operational aspects of the 1GD programme, but also illustrated its potential to change lives and reshape the industry landscape in Guyana.

an initiative designed to harness the potential of Guyanese talent in the tech industry by providing an eight-month comprehensive training in front-end and backend technologies.

Open to individuals aged 18 years and above, the programme aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to develop fully functional websites and mobile applications using languages and tools like SQL, JavaScript, Git, GitHub, and Unix Shell.

envisaging it as a catalyst for long-term economic and social development in Guyana.

His words echoed the sentiment of mutual respect and shared goals, further solidifying the foundation for this ambitious project.

“This course will teach qualified applicants... cutting-edge programming languages such as Python used for artificial intelligence,” he stated, emphasising the strategic advantage this would provide Guyanese graduates with in the global job

Itwaru explained that as Guyana stands on the brink of a digital revolution, the 1GD programme represents more than just an educational initiative; it is a testament to the power of collective will, international partnership, and visionary leadership.

The 1GD Programme by the Government of Guyana is

The curriculum includes creating responsive web pages, designing dynamic databases, and embedding SQL in Python code.

Successful completion of the programme offers prospects of employment in big tech companies, offering participants a significant pathway to education and career opportunities in technology.

Guyana Stands Tall

GUYANA'S recent economic surge, as heralded by President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ilan Goldfajn, is indeed a cause for celebration and admiration.

In a world fraught with economic uncertainties, Guyana's prolonged period of growth stands as a beacon of hope, not only for its own citizens but for the entire Caribbean region.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali's proactive stance on

pressing issues such as climate change, energy, and food security exemplifies a leadership deeply attuned to the needs of its people and the broader global context.

By championing initiatives such as the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), Guyana not only demonstrates environmental responsibility, but also underscores its commitment to sustainable growth.

Goldfajn's emphasis on the Caribbean's piv -

otal role in shaping the global conversation on climate change resonates deeply. As a region disproportionately affected by environmental adversities, the Caribbean's resilience-building efforts are paramount. Guyana's leadership in this regard sets a commendable example for others to follow.

Moreover, the IDB's long-standing partnership with Guyana, highlighted by Senior Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, underscores

the invaluable role of international cooperation in fostering development. The trust and reliability demonstrated by the IDB over the years have undoubtedly contributed to Guyana's progress.

President Ali's vision for unprecedented transformation, rooted in a foundation laid long before the discovery of oil and gas, speaks to a leadership dedicated to inclusive and sustainable development. By prioritising the improvement

of citizens' lives and bolstering resilience across sectors, Guyana charts a course towards a more prosperous and equitable future.

However, amidst the accolades and achievements, challenges persist. Diversifying the economic base and enhancing competitiveness remain imperative for long-term stability and growth. Guyana's commitment to fiscal and environmental sustainability must be unwavering, especially in the face of

evolving global dynamics.

As Guyana navigates this era of transformation, it does so not in isolation, but as a beacon of hope for the entire Caribbean region.

The successes achieved thus far serve as a testament to the resilience, determination, and vision of its people and leadership. Let Guyana's journey inspire us all to strive for a brighter, more sustainable future for our nations and our planet.

The need for more robust analyses from Guyanese academics on issues of public policy and management

Dear Editor, REFERENCE is made to Dr. Thomas Singh’s letters published in the Stabroek News editions of February 14th and 24th, 2024, with the captions: “Guyana’s explosive growth appears to be more a result of us seeking short term gains,” and “That gov’t is making the decisions on allocation of oil wealth points to a deeper concern,” respectively.

The author intimated that (i) the government has its priorities mixed up and that citizens are not involved in the decision-making process thereof. In this regard, the author contends that the government is rapidly advancing infrastruc-

tural development projects, which he believes will derive short-term gains that will only benefit a few; and (ii) that equal focus on the education sector to develop the country’s human resources rapidly, is lacking. This (the undersigned) author strongly disagrees with the learned economist who is a senior economics lecturer attached to the University of Guyana. Unfortunately, it would appear that the author/economist is divorced from reality. One would expect a more robust analysis from an economist of Dr. Thomas Singh’s stature on matters of this nature―anchored in realism and pragmatism. Disappointingly, this was

profoundly lacking.

The notion that the priority of the government’s development agenda does not include inputs from the citizens of Guyana is mischievously and/or disingenuously false. Starting with the 1996 National Development Strategy (NDS), the priorities identified therein remain largely relevant today, in terms of the infrastructural and socio-economic development needs identified since then.

The development of this strategy involved the inputs of more than two hundred (200) Guyanese stakeholders including the private sector, civil society groups, academics, and professionals. The NDS

(1996) was followed by the Poverty Reduction Strategy (supported by the World Bank), the National Competitiveness Strategy, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (2009), followed by the updated and expanded version of the Low Carbon Development Strategy (2030).

All of the aforementioned strategies were developed with inputs from Guyanese stakeholders representing various segments of society.

Additionally, draft versions of these strategies were then subjected to public consultation, as is the case with almost every piece of new policy and Bills (legislations), that are

then tabled in the National Assembly. For example, the Petroleum Activities Bill, the new-model Production Sharing Agreements, the Local Content Legislation, among many other key pieces of legislation and public policies.

Furthermore, prior to being elected, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic would have campaigned on the basis of the party’s manifesto. The manifesto contained the priorities of the government, once the party was elected; thus, another demonstration of the priorities of government granted the approval by the electorate. More importantly, the government remains engaged with the

people at the community level across the country through its ongoing community outreaches. These community outreaches help to shape the priorities of the government as well.

This approach as illustrated above is contrary to the Green State Development Strategy put together under the APNU+AFC government, which was a “cut- and-paste” document assembled by an intern from the United Nations.

The insinuation that education is not a priority for the government is arguably another false notion. For the period 2020 to 2024 (budgets), the education budget increased by 160%

Can Irfaan Ali be the iconic post-West Indian Federation leader?

THE colonial Caribbean nations saw their future as being solidified in integration and so they formed the West Indian Federation which did not last too long.

After Independence they tried again under the name CARIFTA. This proved more successful and an expanding closeness eventually led to a more integrated entity which the world knows as the Caribbean Community – CARICOM.

Since CARIFTA, no West Indian leader has emerged as the definitive symbol of Caribbean oneness. Over the years, some big names emerged and looked likely to take the Caribbean towards a more meaningful closeness. Two of them stand out Forbes Burnham of Guyana and PJ Patterson of Jamaica.

Of the two, Burnham was way ahead. He was seen as the definitive Caribbean leader that could transform the West islands and Guyana into an enduring bond. The West Indian leaders saw this quality in Burnham and by consensus agreed to establish the CARIFTA head office in Guyana.

But the runner stumbles sometimes and Burnham not only stumbled but fell badly and twisted his psychology. He never became the Caribbean saviour that was expected of him.

The vision was there in Burnham but not the soul. It is through the soul the vision becomes reality. Burnham had no soul and his soul train was derailed because power intoxication damaged the train’s engine.

After Burnham, no one rose above the ordinary that the CARICOM region could look towards making integration a viable

project. PJ Patterson appeared as someone likely to do what Burnham could have done but for reasons we may never know, Patterson just walked away.

Then came Patrick Manning of Trinidad who birthed the Manning Initiative that sought closer integration between Guyana, Barbados and Trinidad. The Manning Initiative failed because the capitalist class felt that Trinidad did not need integration.

I wrote a column on February 20, 2022 titled, “President Ali must resurrect the Manning Initiative: CARICOM saved us many times.”

President Ali should kick start the Manning Initiative renaming it the Ali initiative, this time reaching out to four small states – St. Vincent, St. Lucia, Antigua and Grenada.

Two changes have occurred since the Manning Initiative. One is economic set back in Trinidad may bring about a more positive response from the Trinidadian bourgeoisie and secondly, the Barbadian Prime Minister is a reliable integrationist. The Ali Initiative will definitely see a positive response from the Barbadian Prime Minister.

In that article, I made three proposals which I reproduce here: Guyana should be the first CARICOM land to abolish visa for our neighbours. There have been too many CARICOM nationals languishing in the jails here because they overstayed their time. Secondly, I think UWI should be approached to take over UG’s Faculty of Agriculture.

It makes no sense for UWI to have a Faculty of Agriculture. The three

UWI countries constitute square miles that are just a small part of Guyana. There are no deep and extensive research possibilities in agriculture in those three countries than what obtains in Guyana.

Thirdly, have yearly exchanges of police officers and public servants from the three countries working in each other countries. The world is entering a terrible phase and the further integration of CARICOM will become a survival kit.

President Ali has seven more years. I cannot contemplate even for a fleeting moment that he will lose in 2025. I think he will win more seats. He has seven years to work on the Ali Initiative. The integration project will not come about in seven years. I hope it does but I doubt it. There are too many complexities. But President Ali should start the Ali Initiative as early as yesterday.

There has been no iconic Caribbean leader since CARIFTA succeeded the failed West Indian Federation. The world is becoming a more dangerous, selfish place. Leaders are becoming more parochial. The Caribbean needs to pull together in a hostile world where big power generosity is a thing of the past.

By 2028, this country will have a prodigious economy that will allow for Guyana to play a pivotal role in Caribbean integration. I think Mohammed Irfaan Ali is someone we did not expect to emerge as a different leader. Given our traditional political culture, we expected another PNC leader, another PPP leader.

I think Irfaan Ali has

broken that pattern. It is within this paradigmatic shift, I suggested that there should be an urgent meeting of the minds between the teachers’ union

and the president.

This could be done with the input from both the Education and Labour Ministers. As Dr. Ali takes over the

CARICOM chairmanship, he should make the next meeting of the CARICOM Heads to be the exception in the 46 that have gone by.

The need for more robust analyses from Guyanese...

from $52 Billion in 2020 to $135.2 Billion in 2024. The government is on target to deliver free tertiary education by 2025, with phase one starting this year.

The level of growth in the education sector’s budget for this period is more than six times the growth in non-oil GDP for the same period. And, for the same period, the total budget recorded a growth of 234% of which the social services sector budget grew by 321%. Of note, the social services sector budget accounted for 29.3% of the total budget (2024), of which the education sector accounted for 40.2% and 11.8% of the total budget. The total wages bill for the public sector increased by 70.6% from 2020 to 2024 (budget)―that is, from $71.8 Billion in 2020 to $122.6 Billion in 2024. Notably, the total wages bill accounts for 30% of non-oil revenue. As for the teachers, taking into account the upward adjustments for anomalies, the average increase that teachers benefited from for the period 2020-2023 is approximately 40%, which will increase further based on provisions for salary increases in budget 2024.

Turning now to the

short-term-gains argument in relation to the infrastructural development agenda, viz-á-viz, the increases in the capital budget. This is the most disappointing assertion coming from a seasoned economist. Hereunder is a demonstration with a few examples.

The gas-to-energy (GTE) project, based on this author’s analysis, will translate to an annual net (direct and indirect) benefit of $200 Billion. This includes, for example, the anticipated 50% reduction in energy cost at the household level, savings in energy cost for the manufacturing sector, cheaper energy would be a catalyst driving national competitiveness for the manufacturing sector, and savings of about a third of the country’s fuel-import bill. How could this be a short-term gain that would benefit only a few?

The housing sector: the budgetary allocation towards the housing sector increased from $5.8 Billion in FY 2020 to $100.3 Billion in FY 2024, representing a cumulative increase of 1627% or $95 Billion, giving rise to an average y-o-y increase of 325% annually. The total budgetary allocation for the period 2020-2024 amounts to

$238 Billion cumulatively, representing an estimated 5% of (2024) GDP(F). Considering that the cumulative sum of $238 billion injected into the housing sector for the period FY 2020- FY 2024; the outturn of these investments, coupled with the public policies, initiatives, and programmes together with the targets for FY 2024, are summarised hereunder:

· 63 housing areas with new infrastructural development completed since FY 2020 to FY 2023. Budget 2024 provided for another 21 housing areas, which will bring the total by the end of FY 2024 to 84;

· 49 housing areas consolidated through upgrades since FY 2020 to FY 2023, with another 27 targeted for FY 2024, bringing the total to 76 by the end of FY 2024;

· 2,409 homes were constructed since FY 2020 to FY 2023, reflecting an increase of 1259%, up from 100 in FY 2021, to 1,359 in FY 2023. Budget 2024 provides for the construction of another 1,000 homes, which will bring the total to 3,409 by the end of FY 2024;

· Seven recreational facilities upgraded since FY 2020 to FY 2023, with another two targeted for FY

2024, bringing the total to nine by the end of FY 2024;

· 7,238 land titles/transports distributed since FY 2020 to FY 2023, reflecting an increase of 253%, up from 899 in FY 2020, to 3,178 in FY 2023, while targeting another 5,000 in FY 2024, bringing the total to 12,328;

· 30,832 lots allocated since FY 2020 to FY 2023, reflecting an increase of 82%, up from 4,705 in FY 2020, to 8,578 in FY 2023, representing a twofold increase. Budget 2024 provides for another 10,000, giving rise to an estimated total of 40,832 house lots by end of FY 2024.

· 1,051 settlers regularised since FY 2020 to FY 2023, with another 350 targeted for FY 2024 bringing the total to 1,401 by the end of FY 2024. This amount represents an increase of 491% cumulative since FY 2020;

· 3,325 planning applications processed since FY 2020 to FY 2023. This amount reflects an increase of 248%, with another 1,000 targeted in FY 2024, the total by the end of 2024 would be 4,325.

More than 64,000 persons/households are/were direct beneficiaries of the aforementioned, represent-

ing 26% of households and 8.2% of the population. Is housing not important for teachers―and is it not an important method of wealth transfer to the people through subsidized housing at low-cost financing? How could this be short term gains that would benefit only a few?

Community Roads: The $100 Billion in budget 2024 for some 2,000 or 3,000+ community roads, which were the direct requests by those communities through the community outreaches by the Government, are those for short term gains for only a few? The people in those communities across the country, are they not citizens of Guyana involved in setting the priorities for their communities, that the government ultimately listens to and provides for accordingly?

The four-lane, modern high-span bridge across the Demerara River: According to the NDS (1996), this bridge should have been built since 2010. For the 100,000+ people residing in Region Three who depend on that bridge, the failure to build this bridge on time cost an entire generation of people to lose the equivalent of one year’s worth of productivity. This

can be interpretated as a loss of income for one year, loss of opportunity for one year, loss of value for an entire year. Let’s call it, “the opportunity cost”.

Bear in mind that 50% of the population are in the age groups of 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, 15-19, and 2024, equating to 372,000 persons according to the 2012 population census. Therefore, if the government chooses to listen to Dr. Thomas Singh; do not spend rapidly on building out the future productive capacity of the economy, economic diversification, and structural transformation of the economy from a primary-sector producer to a tertiary-sector driven economy, how will the government retain 50% of its youthful population (future generation/labour force/entrepreneurs/business and political leaders included)?

They will certainly be educated, but the economy will also certainly fail them, as it did nearly 60 years ago since post-independence, failing to provide adequate, decent opportunities in the future (medium- and longterm).

Yours respectfully,

Joel Bhagwandin

US grants, mentorship programmes fuel success for women entrepreneurs

By Feona Morrison

THE United States (US) acknowledges the significant worth and potential of businesses owned by women and has implemented multiple initiatives and policies to foster their growth and success.

Through grants and loans specifically aimed at women entrepreneurs, as well as mentorship programmes and networking opportunities, the United States has demonstrated its dedication to creating equal opportunities and providing necessary support for women-owned businesses to succeed.

Five women, including two migrants from Venezuela, who have taken part in various entrepreneurship programmes financed by the US government, expressed happiness during their recent meeting with two senior ambassadors from that North American nation.

On Sunday, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, and US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Linda Thomas-Greenfield met with Shaunda Yarde, the proprietress

of Golden Crunch Coconut Biscuits; Lorexi Wells, a Venezuelan immigrant who owns Creative Cakes; Shanique Grant of D&S Flavours, a family-owned business; Jacqueline Success of Jacqueline Catering Services and Seasonings; and Valenzuela Herrera Yurimar, a Venezuelan craftswoman living in Guyana.

The enterprising businesswomen had the chance to introduce themselves and their businesses to the ambassadors during a meet and greet at the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) head -

quarters on New Market Street in Georgetown.

Golden Crunch Coconut Biscuits specialises in the production and distribution of coconut biscuits made solely from natural ingredients. The recipe for this delightful treat was passed down to Yarde from her late grandmother.

At Creative Cakes, a home-based bakery, clients are presented with an extensive range of cake choices. At D&S Flavours, you can find homemade mango and lime achar along with pepper sauce.

Within their own kitchen, Jacqueline Ca-

tering Services and Seasonings creates an assortment of Guyanese cuisines such as garlic sauce, jerk seasoning, and bar-be-que sauce.

In contrast, Yurimar is known for her ability to create truly unique items and has devoted much of her life to the art of crafting.

The women are involved in the initiatives by the PADF, the Economic Development Accelerator (EDA), the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), and the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE). AWE provides women entre -

preneurs with the resources, connections, and training they need to start and grow profitable businesses. In order to help the people of Latin America, the Caribbean, Canada, and the United States reach their full economic potential, YLAI provides support to up-and-coming commercial and social entrepreneurs.

The establishment of the EDA programme aims to support economically viable agro-processors in preparing for the export market. Meanwhile, PADF focuses on addressing the needs of vulnerable individuals

throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

During her interactions with the entrepreneurs, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield complimented each of them on their entrepreneurial path and expressed her honour to celebrate them.

She wished them well in growing their businesses.

According to interviews conducted by the Guyana Chronicle, the participants indicated that acquiring diverse skills from the various programmes has facilitated the progression of their enterprises.

US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Linda Thomas-Greenfield (at the back) with the women who have participated in various entrepreneurship programmes financed by the US

US Ambassador to the United Nations (UN), Linda Thomas-Greenfield chats with Shanique Grant of D & S Flavours as US Ambassdor to Guyana Nicole Theriot looks on

Caribbean small in size but a ‘big player’ in many crucial areas

THE Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) held its XII Annual Consultation with the Governors of IDB Caribbean member countries on February 23-24 in Georgetown, Guyana.

The gathering was part of preparations for the IDB and IDB Invest Annual Meetings, which will take place on March 6-10 in The Dominican Republic.

This high-level dialogue included representatives from The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, and a representative from the Caribbean Development Bank, a long-standing partner of the IDB, which facilitates support to Eastern Caribbean nation-states.

During his first visit to Guyana as IDB President, Ilan Goldfajn acknowledged the bank's collaboration with the Caribbean region over more than 55 years.

“Despite its relatively small size, the Caribbean is a big player in matters such as climate change, education and digital transformation. The region's experience, expertise, resilience and leading role in climate preparedness is an example for the world,” he said.

The meeting is a space for dialogue with the region’s ministers about which priorities should guide the development agenda in upcoming years and how the IDB can deepen its support to the countries through financing,

knowledge and technical assistance.

The IDB's new institutional strategy and the “One Caribbean” programme were also presented as crucial components of the development agenda and direct responses to the needs of the region.

ONE CARIBBEAN

“One Caribbean,” a new regional flagship programme that aims to promote the sustainable development of the Caribbean with a sharpened focus on high-impact initiatives was also discussed at the meeting.

The programme focuses on four pillars: climate adaptation, disaster risk management and resilience; citizen-security; private-sector engagement; and food security, as well as two cross-cutting areas, strengthening institutions and facilitating digital transformation. This programme is a result of the dialogue between President Goldfajn and the Caribbean governors in 2023.

SIGNINGS

The annual consultation was also the occasion for new signings with the Governments of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname facilitating investments to support development needs in the areas of education, digital transformation, and transportation.

Additionally, IDB Invest, the private-sector arm of the group, signed three operations with companies

in Guyana for financing in the logistics sector, tertiary education and sustainable tourism.

In 2023, the IDB’s support to the region has impacted more than 11,000 people with disabilities in Suriname, over 1,800 farmers in Guyana, led to the provision of tele-monitoring services which will provide extended support for persons suffering from chronic illnesses in Jamaica, and nearly 1,400 micro, small and medium enterprises (MS MEs) have already benefited from business-advisory services in The Bahamas.

Approximately 18,680 residential customers in Barbados have been able to benefit from the Barbados Power Plant Project designed to provide firm and clean electricity to Barbados’s grid.

To strengthen private-sector capacity across the Caribbean, IDB Invest has been supporting port infrastructure for fostering regional integration, facilitating foreign trade, and contributing to food security.

Additionally, IDB Lab has been accelerating digital transformation, supporting the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, addressing climate-change mitigation and resilience, procuring basic infrastructural services, and fostering innovation in the health sector.

The Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Group) held its XII Annual Consultation with the Governors of IDB Caribbean member countries on February 23-24 in Georgetown, Guyana

- IDB President says, as Governors of Caribbean member countries wrap up successful consultation in Guyana

‘Bright future’ for GuyanaSuriname relations

- President Santokhi affirms

By Trina Williams

GUYANA and Suriname’s relationship is anticipated to grow stronger, as Suriname's President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, has underscored that there is great potential for co-operation in many areas between the two nations.

With Guyana and Suriname both being leaders in biodiversity and other areas, President Santokhi, during the launch of the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce at the Pegasus Corporate Centre on Saturday, called for the level of interest and investments to be taken to the next level.

The Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce Inc., in particular, is a notable representation of the bilateral business relationships between Suriname and Guyana.

Its goals are to promote investment opportunities, foster strong partnerships, and facilitate collaboration in order to strengthen investment relationships, drive economic growth, and advance the prosperity of Suriname and Guyana.

During his feature address, the Surinamese President said: “There are great opportunities for intensive and increased collaborations between the business communities in Suriname and Guyana.”

Speaking more on the Chamber of Commerce itself, which was long overdue, the Surinamese Head of State related that it is a platform that will aid in facilitating the ease of doing business between the two neighbours.

Although enhancing trade and connectivity between Guyana and Surina-

me, through the construction of a bridge across the Corentyne River, has been an idea since 2010, plans to actualise this vision are far ahead today than ever before.

According to President Santokhi, he is excited to “set the first building block” for the Corentyne River Bridge with President, Dr Irfaan Ali, who he referred to as his “brother.”

Notably, during Guyana’s Ministry of Public Works’ 2023 end-of-year press conference, Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, said that the evaluation of bids for the construction of the Corentyne River Bridge has been completed.

A joint executive decision on modality and financing is being examined by the governments of Guyana and Suriname, which include the respective foreign affairs, finance, and public works ministers.

“Once that evaluation report would have been agreed, and the way forward declared by that joint team, the two presidents would then announce the start of the work on the Corentyne River Bridge,” Minister Edghill had related.

The Corentyne River Bridge will facilitate the movement of goods to Suriname, allowing farmers to transport their produce with ease.

The proposed bridge will stretch 1,100 metres, with 22 spans each measuring 50 metres in length.

It will be constructed through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, and according to the Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Maintain

model (DBFOM). Under this model, the successful contractor or joint venture will be responsible for the final design, construction, financing, operation, and maintenance of the bridge.

MORE PARTNERSHIPS

While underscoring how deep the relationship between Guyana and Suriname transcends, Guyana’s Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh, during the launch, while delivering remarks, lauded the growing partnerships being explored.

“The reality is that businesspeople, entrepreneurs on both sides of the Corentyne River have been pursuing business opportunities where they exist and converting them into real opportunities to do business. But perhaps it is timing now not to leave this to grow organically. Perhaps it is timely now, given where over two countries are economically...,” he said, adding that the time is ripe to now put in place a formal mechanism like the chamber to facilitate expanded and diverse business and commercial opportunities.

The Minister then went on to say: “But we want, equally, this close bilateral relationship that we enjoy from the official level is close geographic proximity that we enjoy that is so evident and obvious, we want those relationships to be translated into real and demonstrated business and commercial relations, and this chamber serves for perpetually that very important objective.”

President of Guyana, Dr Irfaan Ali and Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi

Canada maintains support for Guyana’s territorial integrity

By Naomi Parris

CANADA’S Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen, has called for a “peaceful, diplomatic” resolution to the ongoing Guyana-Venezuela border controversy.

Hussen, who is visiting Guyana for the first time, made those remarks during a ceremony for the signing of a sovereign loan agreement between the two countries at the official residence of the High Commission of Guyana, on Sunday.

“The Canadian Government is concerned with the ongoing tensions between Guyana and Venezuela, we stand with the Guyanese people, we stand with the government and we call for the respect of international law,” Hussen said.

In December 2023, during a period of high tensions, the Canadian Government had issued a statement signaling

its support for Guyana after a consultative referendum on the country’s Essequibo region took place in Venezuela.

“Please rest assured that Canada supports Guyana’s territorial integrity and in any dispute we hope for a peaceful diplomatic settlement in this matter,” Hussen added.

Just last week, Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali,

during an interview with six-time Emmy Award-winning Television Producer, Arick Wierson, for Newsweek Magazine, in the United States of America (USA), maintained that the government’s primary concern remains the safety and security of its citizens and its economic zone.

Dr Ali had said that the

- visiting Minister of International Development calls for ‘peaceful, diplomatic’ resolution to existing border controversy with Venezuela

country continues to foster relationships with its regional and international partners.

“[We] are pursuing a path in which we have asked Venezuela to be [a] partner and upholder of international law and to respect the ICJ [International Court of Justice] and the outcome of the ICJ,” he said, when asked about recent satellite images showing the expansion of Venezuelan troops near the country’s border.

“Our primary concern is the safety and security of our citizens, our investment and everything that is our territorial space; our sovereign space and our exclusive economic zone and that is why we believe we are pursuing a path of diplomacy,” he added.

Guyana, Dr Ali said, has been working with both its regional and international partners to maintain a peaceful region. These include the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the United

Kingdom, France, Brazil, and the United States of America (USA).

Through these partnerships, Guyana has been working to build a robust mechanism of co-operation and integrated approach and joint commitment to ensuring the region remains peaceful.

Last month, Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd, led a delegation to Brazil where a meeting was held with Venezuelan officials.

President Ali had said that the continued conversations between the two nations will set the stage for another scheduled meeting with himself and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, in keeping with the Argyle Declaration, an 11-point agreement that outlines a pledge from both countries to refrain from escalating the decades-old border controversy among the two states.

In December, the two

Heads of States met in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. The meeting was facilitated by the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, and observed by Brazil, CARICOM, and a UN Under-Secretary-General.

This historic meeting culminated in what is now known as the “Argyle Declaration,” an 11-point agreement that addresses matters consequential to the border controversy, including the fact that Guyana stands firm in its position that the substantial case is before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

According to a recent press release from Guyana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the country remains fully committed to the principles of the Argyle Declaration, in particular the maintenance of peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Canada’s Minister of International Development, Ahmed Hussen

Commonwealth Secretary-General joins Caribbean leaders for regional meeting in Guyana

A TEAM from the Commonwealth Secretariat, led by the Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, is in Guyana for the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government.

According to a press release, this is part of a series of regional meetings that she is attending in preparation for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting later this year.

Among the issues to be discussed at the four-day CARICOM meeting are climate resilience, regional security, energy, as well as nutrition and food security. In Guyana, the Secretary-General will engage with Caribbean leaders directly and as a group. The Commonwealth Secretariat’s team will also update the leaders on upcoming ministerial meet -

ings, special Commonwealth events and possible areas of assistance and collaboration.

There are three significant Commonwealth milestones this year. On March 11, 2024, Commonwealth Day will be celebrated, while in April, the Secretariat will start the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the London Declaration that gave birth to the modern Commonwealth. In October, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in Samoa. It will be the first time that the[ sic] CHOGM will be held in a Pacific small island developing state.

Reflecting on the close relationship with CARICOM, the Commonwealth Secretary-General said: “As a Caribbean person, every one of these meetings are [sic] like coming home to family. In particular, I am happy to be back in Guyana to attend

this important summit. I look forward to rich discussions, hearing about areas of concern, and learning about recent successes. For us at the Secretariat, CARICOM is a strong and treasured partner.”

She also thanked Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, Guyana's President, and the CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett, for the opportunity to attend the meeting.

The Commonwealth Sec-

retary-General added that it was an essential part of her role to be cognisant of the issues of the member states and to maintain close ties in order to fully support the work done on behalf of countries. Commenting on the upcoming Commonwealth summit in Samoa, she said: “In October, we go to CHOGM as a united and committed collective. As we represent the views and carry out the directives of our member states, we are bound to listen to their concerns and visions for the future.”

The CARICOM meeting will begin on Sunday, 25 February, 2024 and close on the 28th. Twelve of the CARICOM member states are part of the 56 member countries of the Commonwealth. Earlier in February, she also participated in the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU).

Immediately following the CARICOM meeting, the Secretary-General will travel to Zanzibar for the biennial Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM), from 4 to 8 March 2024. Hosted by the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the meeting will focus on the theme ‘Technology and Innovation: How digitalisation paves the way for the development of people-centred access to justice’.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General will also be in the Caribbean in April for the 35th Caribbean Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors’ (CARAIFA) conference in her home country of Dominica and the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) in Antigua and Barbuda in May.

Secretary-General of The Commonwealth, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC

GTA to host tour-guide training in Berbice

BERBICE residents will have an opportunity to participate in free tour-guide training on February 27 and 28, through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

The training will be held at the Leisure Inn Hotel in New

Coast.

Those beneficiaries were engaged in sessions aimed at introducing them to critical areas to provide exceptional hospitality and tourism services during their day-to-day activities.

“This training was not only informative, but also fostered a sense

Berbice residents will have an opportunity to participate in free tour-guide training on February 27 and 28, through the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce’s Guyana Tourism Authority

Amsterdam and will cover areas including leadership, effective communication, use of visual aids and voice, tour management, and understanding guests’ needs.

The GTA continues to provide training for persons who are interested in pursuing a career in the tourism industry.

Training in various aspects of the tourism sector has been prioritised, as the industry expands and the country receives more visitors.

Recently, the agency supported a tourism ambassador training for about 20 taxi drivers along the Essequibo

of pride and responsibility among taxi drivers to represent their region, and by extension Guyana, with excellence,” the GTA said on its Facebook platform.

In addition, the agency also facilitated a Business Development Toolkit training session with 16 participants.

“This session, led by Marlon George, a master trainer attached to the GTA, guided participants through strategic areas of business development and how they can implement these areas in the daily operations of their businesses,” the GTA stated. (DPI)

Liverpool...

Liverpool lifted the EFL Cup for a second time under Jurgen Klopp

FROM PAGE 23

seeking his first trophy in England.

Reds rise above adversity

The odds on Liverpool securing another Wembley win lengthened when the teamsheet landed and the names of Salah and Nunez were added to other high-profile absentees Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jota and keeper Alisson.

And yet, once more, Liverpool overcame this handicap, Klopp trusting Liverpool's emerging youngsters in a major final as three rookies were sent into the Wembley fray as substitutes in the shape of 19-year-old duo Bobby Clark and James McConnell, along with 18-year-

old Danns.

All three showed remarkable composure in the heat of battle, offering further evidence of Liverpool's bright future after Klopp departs in the summer.

At the heart of it all was the imperious Van Dijk along with keeper Kelleher, who once again decorated Wembley with an outstanding, calm performance, coming to Liverpool's rescue when required, as he was on several occasions.

It was a victory against all odds and will inject even further confidence into a Liverpool side seemingly on a mission to give Klopp a very special goodbye to Anfield. (BBC Sport)

RACING TIPS

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

AYR

10:05 hrs Travail Dorfevre

10:35 hrs Bleu Denfer

11:05 hrs Taprain Law

11:35 hrs Eire Street

12:10 hrs Two Auld Pals

12:45 hrs Fiveafterfour

13:20 hrs Frisby

WOLVERHAMPTON

12:55 hrs Asgard's Captain

13:30 hrs Harbour Vision

14:00 hrs Siobhanbrogan

14:30 hrs Sennockian

15:00 hrs Doctor Vuby

15:30 hrs Gustav Greaves

16:00 hrs Subaltern

16:30 hrs Lawmaker PLUMPTON

10:20 hrs Winter Reprise

10:50 hrs Callin.Baton Rouge

11:20 hrs Sublime Heights

11:55 hrs Weaver Answer

12:30 hrs Clandaw Robin

13:05 hrs Only Fools

AMERICAN RACING TIPS

MAHONING VALKEY

Race 1 Lots Of Mischief Race 2 Splash Of Tonic Race 3 Francipants

Race 4 Time The Avenger Race 5 Max Foster Race 6 John's Rock

Australia’s batting might gives them series sweep and 100th T20I win

…Australia were 118 for 4 in 10.4 overs before rain ended their innings and they kept NZ to 98 for 3

AUSTRALIA completed a clean sweep of New Zealand in an ominous warning ahead of the T20 World Cup after a comfortable victory in a truncated series-finale at a gloomy Eden Park.

After being sent in amid overcast conditions, Australia made 67 for 2 in the

up their preparations.

Fiery Johnson grabs his chance

With Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood given a breather, left-arm quick Spencer Johnson grabbed his opportunity by bowling with fire to end the threeover powerplay.

Bowling at speeds over

order could never get going against Australia's miserly attack and they weren't helped by continually picking out fielders in the deep as the scoreboard pressure mounted.

Much like in game two, New Zealand's hopes rested with Philipps who whacked 40 off 24 balls but

powerplay before showers interrupted play on several occasions as their innings ended at 118 for 4 from 10.4 overs. Australia's disciplined pace bowlers then relished the seaming conditions as New Zealand fell well short of their amended target of 126 from 10 overs.

Both teams took a cautious approach ahead of their Test series starting on Thursday with a number of players resting.

Australia won their 100th T20I and celebrated lifting the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy having dominated the three-match series, which has been vital preparation for both teams as they look to settle on squads for the World Cup.

It was Australia's final hit-out ahead of the tournament in June, while New Zealand are set to travel to Pakistan in April for a fivematch T20I series to wrap

140 kmh, Johnson bowled a nasty short of a length before accounting for the recalled Tim Seifert with a vicious delivery. He then produced an even better delivery that cut back sharply into Glenn Phillips and flew past stand-in captain Matthew Wade behind the stumps.

Johnson backed up in his second over with a menacing mix of short and full deliveries, while fringe quick Nathan Ellis also performed well with tight bowling to underline Australia's bulging pace stocks.

New Zealand were missing several key batters with opener Devon Conway ruled out due to a thumb injury sustained in game two. But their batting fell off over the past two games played in Auckland.

Batting was not easy on a lively surface as the hosts never really threatened in the chase. Their top

he lacked support.

Smith misses out again, Short provides cameo

Steven Smith does not appear to have a place in Australia's first-choice starting XI stacked with power-hitters. He made just 11 off seven balls in game two in a brief innings marked by inventive strokes on almost every delivery he faced.

Smith had another opportunity at the top of the order when David Warner was ruled out with an adductor injury and he started with a first-ball boundary after whacking a bouncer from Adam Milne.

But Smith fell two deliveries later when he nicked off a brute of a delivery that spat off the surface. With skipper Mitchell Marsh resting, batting allrounder Matthew Short was given an opportunity at No. 3.

Fighting for a spot in

Australia's T20 World Cup squad, Short unfurled the type of belligerent batting that has seen him dominate the BBL in recent seasons. He clubbed Trent Boult for a second-ball six before consecutive mighty blows off Milne landed in the crowd in the fifth over.

Short's whirlwind 27 off 11 balls ended when he was undone by a slower delivery from quick Ben Sears.

New Zealand's sloppy

fielding rears

New Zealand will want to brush up on their fielding after dropping three catches in Australia's truncated innings. Travis Head was reprieved by Josh Clarkson at backward point and Ish Sodhi at short fine leg in relatively straightforward chances.

New Zealand's misery was compounded by Mark Chapman failing to hang on to a tougher chance at the

long-off boundary to give Glenn Maxwell a life on his first ball.

It capped a sluggish series in the field for New Zealand, who also dropped numerous chances in the opening two games. They particularly rued two missed opportunities in game one to dismiss Marsh, who anchored Australia's tense last-ball win with an unbeaten 72.

Matthew Short chipped in with a wicket after his 27 off 11 • (AFP/Getty Images)

Jurel, Ashwin and Kuldeep put India in command against England

ENGLAND’S hopes of forcing a series decider faded dramatically in the face of a stirring India fightback on day three of the fourth Test in Ranchi.

With dogged lower-order resistance and spin bowling of the highest quality, India turned the match on its head. From beginning Sunday 134 behind with only three first-innings wickets in hand, the hosts ended 40-0 in pursuit of 192 to take an unassailable 3-1 lead.

They were dragged to 307 by Dhruv Jurel’s 90. The wicketkeeper, crucially dropped on 59 by Ollie Robinson, added 76 with Kuldeep Yadav and another 40 with number 10 Akash Deep.

Off-spinner Shoaib Bashir ended with 5-119, at 20 years and 135 days the second-youngest England

bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

England’s lead was a precious 46, every run of which seemed vital as India’s spinners conjured tricks from the surface on a riveting, ten-

sion-filled afternoon.

Zak Crawley’s attractive 60 and Jonny Bairstow’s counter-punching 30 were invaluable. No-one else passed 17 in England’s 145, Ravichandran Ashwin magnifi -

cent for 5-51 and Kuldeep unerring in his 4-22.

India were given 25 minutes to bat before the close and used them to great effect, scoring at five an over. Captain Rohit Sharma has 24 and

Yashasvi Jaiswal 16. Somehow, England need an instant rally on the fourth morning to keep the series alive.

Series on the line after super Sunday

This was a compelling day of Test cricket, in keeping with what would be most expected of the game in this country: an attritional first innings followed by a rush to the conclusion as the spinners wreak havoc in the second.

For as well as England’s Bashir and Tom Hartley have bowled, India’s slow trio were able to extract so much from the surface.

To the delight of the biggest and noisiest crowd of the Test so far, every ball was an event.

For once, there is an argument to make that England were not aggressive enough. Ben Duckett, Ben

Stokes and Bairstow were all victims of tame dismissals. In mitigation, these were the most difficult batting conditions of the tour.

England’s run-rate of 2.69 was comfortably their slowest since Stokes became captain. All except three of the 53.5 overs in their second innings were bowled by India’s spinners, who revelled in the sharp turn and untrustworthy bounce.

England opened with the spin of Joe Root and Hartley, the latter struggling with his line and four times clipped to the boundary by Rohit.

India will start today as favourites to wrap up the series, but England will hope they can use the pitch to turn the fifth Test in Dharamsala into a decider. (BBC Sport)

Cotton Tree crowned AJM Mash It Up T20 champions

A PACKED Bush Lot Sports Complex Ground witnessed the Cotton Tree Die Hard team stormed to a championship win in the AJM Mash It Up T20 tournament.

Cotton Tree defeated Achievers ‘A’ in the final by 113 runs. Waqar Hassan claimed 5-14 from four overs while Kevon Jawahir’s allround heroics of 52 and 4-18 and Fawaz Gaffoor’s blazing 79 set up a crushing victory for Cotton Tree.

In the tall chase of 223 runs, Achievers never got going despite Leon Andrews pulling Leon Swamy out of the ground, first ball of the chase.

Wickets fell at regular intervals as Achievers folded for 109 all out from 20 overs. Shamal Angel made 31 but he lacked support throughout. The left-arm spin of Hassan and the leg-spin of Jawahir combined to take nine wickets for Cotton Tree.

Earlier, in the grand final which was played under lights, Cotton Tree won the toss and opted to bat first. Nick Ramsaroop was dismissed early caught at the wicket. Swamy and Fawaz Gaffoor capitalised on the poor fielding and made mer-

ry, scoring 64-1 in the power play.

Swamy held out to deep point for 31 to give Shamal Angel his first wicket, at 762. The runs kept flowing off the bat of Gaffoor as he went past 50.

The right-hander, Gaffoor ended his superb innings on 79, an innings laced with seven fours and six sixes.

Gaffoor featured in a 71-run second wicket stand with Jawahir.

Jawahir was innovative in his strokeplay as he smashed 52, a crafty innings decorated with six fours and three sixes.

Cotton Tree went past 200 and the packed Bush Lot Ground was rocking away. The defending champions, Cotton Tree ended on 222-5 from 20 overs. Abdul Subhan made an entertaining 27. Pacer Derick McCalmont had 2-40 for Achievers.

The West Berbice-based side, Cotton Tree walked away with trophies, a cash prize of one million dollars for the one-day event.

In match one, Achievers ‘A’ defeated Bush Lot Sports Club by six wickets. Bush Lot were restricted to 100 all out in 19.4 overs. Brian

Nurse was the pick of the bowlers with 3-18 from 3.4

overs. He was supported by Kwesi Mickle who had 3-32.

In reply, Achievers reached their target of 101 in 18.4 overs. Opener Leon Andrews led the charge with his 38, while Quacey McPherson made 24 to send Bush Lot packing.

In match two Cotton Tree defeated D’ Edwards by ten runs in a thriller. Swamy stole the show with his powerful unbeaten 87. He struck six four and six sixes to propel

In response, D’ Edwards managed 166-9 from their allotted 20 overs. Javed Karim top-scored for D’ Edwards with 42 in a losing cause. Nashed Gaffur was the most successful of the Cotton Tree bowlers with 3-37 from four overs in match two.

AJM Enterprise aims to develop cricket in the West Berbice area and provide

quality entertainment to the cricket-loving population.

The tournament was filled with a lot of side attractions, including cheerleaders, big screen view, live streaming and a lucky fan walked away with $G50,000 for a onehand catch.

This event was sponsored by AJM Enterprise and Jumbo Jet and is powered by Banks DIH Limited.

According to the sponsors, plans are already in

place to make this tournament a country-wide event.

Brief scores of AJM T20 final: Cotton Tree 222-5 from 20 overs. Fawaz Gaffoor 79, Kevin Jawahir 52, Leon Swamy 31, Abdul Subhan 27. Derick McCalmont 2-40.

Achievers ‘A’ 109 all out from 20 overs. Shamal Angel 31. Waqar Hassan 5-14, Kevin Jawahir 4-18, Arif Khan 1-23. Cotton Tree won by 113 runs.

Cotton Tree to 176-5 from 20 overs. Cotton Tree innings featured three run outs.

Cotton Tree were crowned AJM champions again!

Ben Stokes was one of Kuldeep Yadav’s four victims

Tributes flow after track and field analyst, and broadcaster Hubert Lawrence dies

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Tributes have poured in for outstanding track and field analyst and broadcaster, Hubert Lawrence, who passed away here Friday.

Lawrence, 64, who made a name for himself over several decades with his deep knowledge and incisive analysis of the sport, was found unresponsive at his home in the southeastern parish of St Catherine, media reports here said.

And Prime Minister Andrew Holness led tributes to Jamaican Lawrence, hailing his “profound knowledge and passion for the sport.”

“With a career spanning over three decades, Hubert played a crucial role in television coverage of prestigious athletic events such as the Olympics and World

Championships, as well as local meets,” Holness said.

“His contributions as a columnist for the Daily Gleaner showcased his profound knowledge and passion for the sport.

“May his outstanding legacy continue to inspire future

generations.”

Sports Minister Olivia Grange, said Lawrence’s passing would leave “a huge void” in the profession.

“Easily among the best authorities on the sport in the world,” Grange said.

“His passing at only 64

years old has left me in shock and will leave a huge void in commentary and analysis on the sport.”

The Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association, in a release, described Lawrence as “extraordinary”.

“The JAAA is deeply saddened by the passing of extraordinary track and field analyst and journalist Hubert Lawrence,” the JAAA said.

“He dedicated his life to the sport we love. Sincere condolences to his many friends and his family. May his soul rest in peace.”

The Sports Development Foundation, an independent body which aids in funding of national associations, said Lawrence had “[inspired] generations with his passion and knowledge.”

“Hubert Lawrence was a veteran sports journalist,

analyst, author, and commentator known for his incisive commentary, insightful interviews, and unwavering dedication to local sports,” the foundation said.

“He was a true champion for athletes and sports development in Jamaica, inspiring generations with his passion and knowledge.

“He was well known as well for his balanced and insightful commentaries and interviews and further not only to local sports but also in the region and internationally.”

Lawrence became synonymous with the Caribbean’s coverage of the Olympic Games, World Championships and CARIFTA meets, and was also an author and co-author of books on track and field.

And Christopher Samuda, president of the Jamaica Olympic Association, praised Lawrence’s contribution to the Olympic movement, noting his analysis gave “context” to statistics.

“He gave statistics context in his written and spoken word, so that players could understand the culture of the sport more, their role and responsibility, and be guided by the principles of Olympicism, which is pen-inked in personalising successive Olympic Games,” he said.

“The Olympic family mourns his mortality, but is assured and assures his family that his soul now rests eternally.”

Lawrence had been scheduled to be part of the television coverage of the 2024 Gibson McCook Relays on Saturday.

Persaud and George emerge winners at YBG Guyana Challenge Series and skills competition

STEPHON George was the top 3-points shooter and Tavishti Persaud claimed the best free throw shooter on Sunday when Youth Basketball Guyana (YBG) officially tipped off their year of activities with their challenge series and skills competition featuring schools from around the country.

The skills competition involved 3 pointing, free throw and skills combined contest with the latter being won by Simeon Sinclair.

YBG Director Chris Bowman told Chronicle Sport that the pre-season tournament achieved its objective of really giving schools nationwide an opportunity to get off the court rustiness with a quick pace format. He added that it gives

coaching staff a chance to evaluate their players in competition game situation to better access who are their best player as they begin to intensify training for their respective regional championship next month.

Meanwhile the team’s competition segment saw several categories contested included boys under 21, 14, and 16 and under 18.

The girls only played under 18 with all games lasting for 10 minutes divided two halves of five minutes with team allowed, no substitutes, with schools allowed to field as much teams as possible to give all their player necessary court time.

This year saw 50 teams drawn from 22 schools from regions' 3, 4, 6, 7 and

10 with Bishops’ High Secondary entering the 9 teams and Kwakwani secondary field 7 teams the most for the competition.

The two day event which bounced off on Saturday was designed to promote the fundamentals of the game by testing student athletes skills in shooting, passing, dribbling as student begin preparation for the regionals basketball championship which leads into to the National School Basketball Festival later this year.

The regional championship is set to get started on March 15th around the country. YBG is sponsored National Sport Commission, G-boat Guyana and Edward B Beharry Group of companies.

Liverpool win EFL Cup with Van Dijk extra-time header

VAN Dijk had seen a header contentiously ruled out for offside on the hour but there was no reprieve for Chelsea when he glanced home another from Kostas Tsimikas' corner in the 118th minute.

Liverpool's 10th triumph in the competition was achieved without a host of injured star names, including forward trio Mohamed Salah, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota, also losing Ryan

Gravenberch when he was taken off on a stretcher after Moises Caicedo's first-half challenge. It means Jurgen Klopp's side have achieved the first part of a potential quadruple in the manager's farewell season, but it was a bitter blow to Chelsea and manager Mauricio Pochettino. They have now lost six successive Wembley finals, including three against Liverpool, and wasted a host of opportunities

here.

Liverpool were indebted to goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher who produced another outstanding Wembley performance after being the hero when Chelsea were beaten on penalties in the 2022 EFL Cup final.

In a tight first half, he blocked brilliantly from Cole Palmer while Liverpool's Cody Gakpo saw a header bounce back off the post. Chelsea's Ra-

heem Sterling also saw a closerange effort ruled out for offside against Nicolas Jackson.

As the chances came thick and fast after the break, Van Dijk thought he had headed Liverpool in front on the hour only for the goal to be contentiously ruled out for offside against Wataru Endo following a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervention as the Japan midfielder blocked off Chelsea defender

Levi Colwill.

Conor Gallagher was also denied by the woodwork, then once more by the defiant Kelleher as he looked poised to make the breakthrough, Liverpool's keeper darting off his line to save while Chelsea somehow failed to score in a desperate goalmouth scramble in the closing moments of normal time.

Kelleher's Chelsea counterpart Djordje Petrovic was called

into action in extra time, turning over a header from Liverpool's teenage substitute Jayden Danns while Harvey Elliott shot into the side-netting from a good position, also seeing a header miraculously kept out by the keeper.

And then came that final twist to give Liverpool another Wembley victory over Chelsea and leave Pochettino still

Track and field broadcaster

Hubert Lawrence

Tavishti Persaud free throw skills winner collecting the trophy from Chris Bowman

Stephon George 3 points shooting champion collecting his trophy from Chris Bowman

Gayle backs Windies to win third ICC Men’s Twenty 20 World Cup title

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Two-time winner Chris Gayle said West Indies can win the ICC Men’s Twenty20 World Cup for the third time this year despite their failures in the past two editions of the tournament.

The 44-year-old, self-proclaimed “Universe Boss” played a huge role in revolutionising the format with his big hitting and played a major part in the Caribbean side winning the title in 2012 and 2016.

He said recent results from the current side under the guidance of head coach Daren Sammy, the captain of the two champion sides, and the leadership of fellow Jamaican Rovman Powell were encouraging.

“We have a good team,

a good all-round team, and I believe we can do it again and make it three World Cup victories for the West Indies,” he said during a promotional event this past week in Barbados.

“I like what I see in the team. I would like to see them go all the way like we did against Sri Lanka in 2012 in Sri Lanka and 2016 against England in India.”

West Indies managed only one win in the 2021 T20 World Cup in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, which marked the end of Gayle’s distinguished international career, and failed to qualify for the main draw at the 2022 tournament in Australia.

But they have found a spark over the past 12 months –winning series against South

Africa on the road, and India and England on home soil – and Gayle felt it was a sign of bigger things to come in the global showpiece in June.

“We have some brilliant players in the team, and I was really impressed with the way they beat England on home soil last year,” he said. “You could see the chemistry and true self-belief, and you could also see togetherness and readiness from a team point of view.

“Even though we didn’t win (the series) in Australia recently, we played a good brand of cricket – we scored over 200 runs every time we batted.”

Gayle, the leading scorer for West Indies in the T20I format, said he expected former white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran and globe-trotting

all-rounder Andre Russell to be pivotal to the Caribbean side’s chances of winning the tournament.

“I’m a fan of Nicholas Pooran, and I believe he will be ‘our batsman’ for the tournament,” he said. “It’s also good to see Andre Russell back in the team – he’s a two-time World

Two-time winner

Cup winner and he brings great skills and loads of experience to this team.”

Gayle was speaking during a promotional event to make the countdown to 100 days to go to the tournament, which will be played from June 1 to 29 in six countries in the Caribbean and three cities in the United States.

He was specially invited to the event, which was staged at Freedom Park in Golden Square in the heart of the Barbados capital of Bridgetown, and he was a full participant, dancing with costumed revellers, signing autographs, taking photos, and playing dominoes.

Bishun’s 6-for helps hosts MSC beat TSC by innings and 118 runs

By Sean Devers

MLATEENOES Sports

Club (MSC) beat neighbours Transport Sports Club (TSC) by an innings and 118 runs yesterday on the final day of their GCIS Star Party Rentals & Trophy Stall two-day first division game at the MSC ground on Thomas Road, Thomas Lands.

TSC resumed at their overnight score of 88-4, trailing the home team by 265 runs.

But despite a classy 59 from Jadon Campbell, who hit eight fours and a six from 116 balls and 29 from Riyad Latif, TSC fell for 155 as

they added 67 runs to their first day total.

Overnight batters Campbell, unbeaten on 29, and Latif on five, defied the MSC bowlers for close to an hour.

The in-form Campbell followed up his 161 in the previous round with stubborn half-century while Latif added 24 to his overnight score as the pair added 79 runs before both departed with the score on 149.

Their demise triggered a colossal collapse as six wickets tumbled for six runs as slow bowlers Marcus Watkins (3-13) and Shemroy Barrington (3-5) ripped through the lower order.

Asked to follow-on, Ga-

brial Rookhum (15) and Ryan Latif (8) added 24 for the first wicket.

The right-handed Latif was dragged out his crease missed an arm ball from Watkins and clearly out of his ground when the Keeper stumped him on the second attempt.

However, with only one official Umpire officiating at both ends, the Umpire at Square-leg from the batting side adjudged Latif not out which caused a hold up of play for nearly 20 minutes.

This again exposed the lack of adherence to a number of rules in the GCA playing conditions. These issues are getting worse and

devaluing the standard of the tournament which is already low.

This verdict, however did to affect to outcome of the game as only Rookhum, Jerimiah Hohenkirk (19) and Campbell (12) reached double figures. TSC were bowled for 80 as Skipper Kevin Ross opted not to bat as Totaram Bishu made an auspicious return the GCA cricket for the first time in four years.

The former DCC and Guyana U-19 left-arm unorthodox spinner, in his first game for his new club, grabbed 6-22 to befuddle the batters. He got support from Watkins who had 2-5.

Totaram Bishun made an auspicious return to GCA cricket for the first time in four years with 6-22 at the MS C ground yesterday

Chris Gayle