Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 31-07-2024

SPECIALProsecutorDarshanRamdhani,KC,has saidheis“veryconcerned” aboutwhathedescribedas the“strangeandobstructivetactics”usedbythe defenceinthehigh-profile trialconcerningthecontroversial2020General andRegionalElections.

Thetrial,presidedover byMagistrateLeronDalyat theGeorgetownMagistrates’ Court,involveshigh-ranking formerofficials,including formerChiefElectionOfficerKeithLowenfieldand formerHealthMinisterVoldaLawrence.

Oneofthekeywitnesses, LocalGovernmentMinister SoniaParag,tooktothe standonTuesdaytocontinue testifyingaboutthedisputedelectionprocess,which lastedfivemonthsandhad initiallyfalselydeclaredthe APartnershipforNational Unity+AllianceForChange (APNU+AFC)asthewinningparty.

Atthetime,Paragwas arepresentativeofthe then-oppositionPeople’s ProgressiveParty/Civic (PPP/C).

Ramdhani,who’draised hisconcernsaboutTuesday’s proceedingswiththemedia, criticisedthedefencefor itsfrequentobjectionsand interruptionsthathebelieves weredeliberatelyslowing downthetrial.

“Thedefenceiscontinuingtoobject,andcontinuing tostanduptoaskquestions…Thisisatrial,nota trialofstatements;atrialof

theevidencegivenincourt,” Ramdhanistressed,pointing outthatboththedefenceand theMagistratehaveaccess tothewitnesses’statements.

Hearguedthatthedefence’srepeatedqueries aboutwhethercertaindetails wereincludedinthewritten statementswereunnecessaryandburdensome,and shouldbeaddressedduring cross-examination.

“Amagistrateshould nothavetobeanswering thedefencelawyersevery timeaboutthatmaterial, whichiscontainedinthe witnessstatement,”Ramdhaniasserted,highlightingthatsuchtacticswere prolongingtheproceedings unnecessarily.

TheProsecutorwasparticularlytakenabackbythe court’srulingthatParag couldnotnameindividuals shesawatthescene,despitethisinformationbeing includedinherstatementto thepolice.

“Thisisstartlingtome;

Ihaveurgedthecourtto reconsidersomeofthese rulings,”hesaid,addingthat heisparticularlyconcerned thatthisrestrictioncould hinderthewitness’ability toprovideafullaccountof theevents.

“Isayit’sstrangebecauseI’manattorney-at-law for27-plusyearsofpractice. Ihaverepeatedlyseennot onlycourtrulesbutthelaw report;theofficialreportsof theworldwherewitnesses areallowedtotestify…I’m concernedthatthisisnotat allsomethingthatshould happen;I’mveryconcerned aboutit,”headded.

Thetrial,whichbeganonMonday,hasbeen markedbyaseriesofmotionsfromthedefence.

Attorney-at-LawEusi Andersonhasmademultiple requests,includingforthe originalStatementsofPoll (SoPs)andadditionalsecuritymeasuresforthenine defendants.

Andersonalsosought permissiontopayavisitto thesiteoftheformerGuyanaElectionsCommission (GECOM)’sCommandCentre,claimingthatthesesteps arevitalforafairtrial.

“Thisattorney-at-law, mylearnedfriendoftheoppositeside,waiteduntilthis morning,the29thofJuly, 2024tospeakofanoccasion thatoccurredin2020.This issimplyaruse!Thisis simplysomethinghewants tospeakabouttodistract!” hetoldtheMagistrateon Monday.

MagistrateDalyhas ruledthattheoriginalSoPs willbeproducedonlywhen deemednecessary,andany decisiononasitevisitwill dependontheevidencepresented.

Theprosecutioniscontendingthatthedefendants manipulatedtheelection resultsinRegionFour(Demerara-Mahaica),thecountry’slargestvotingdistrict, tofavourtheAPNU+AFC coalition.

Theofficialrecount, conductedunderthesupervisionofahigh-levelCaribbeanCommunity(CARICOM)team,confirmedthat thePPP/Chadindeedwon theelectionbyasignificant margin.

Thetrial,originallyset tobegininearly2024,had facednumerousdelays, primarilyduetoobjections andapplicationsfromthe defence.

However,Ramdhani counteredthatthesemotions appearedtobeattempts tomanipulatethetrial’s timeline,andpossiblygain mediaattention.

‘Resilienceandsustainability astrongfocus’

ByNaomiParris

FOCUSonacceleratingprogrammesandprojectsinthe region,particularlyinthe housingsector,willtakecentre stageastheCaribbeanCommunity(CARICOM)looks tomustersupportfortherebuildingofhousingstocksin statesthathavebeenravaged byHurricaneBeryl.

Ataclosingpressconferenceforthe47thRegularMeetingoftheConferenceofHeads ofGovernmentoftheCaribbean CommunityinSt.George’s,GrenadaonTuesday,Guyana’sPresidentDr.IrfaanAlidisclosedthat leadershavealreadyengaged withCanada’sMinisterofInternationalDevelopmentAhmed Hussen,whowasinattendance atthethree-dayconference.

“Wewereindiscussion,for anumberofmonths,onways inwhichCanadacanaccelerate programmesandprojectsforthe region,andcandeployashorter timeframesupport,especially supportafterBeryl,focusingespeciallyonhousing,digitisation, upskilling,skillsdevelopment andinvestmentintransformation ofoureconomies,”Dr.Alitold journalists.

Hepointedoutthatarequest

—asCaribbeanleaderslooktorebuildhousingstockpostHurricaneBeryl —PresidentAlisaysleadersengaginginternationalpartners

inGrenada,andwreckingnearby islands.

St.VincentandtheGrenadines,Jamaica,Barbados,and St.Luciawereamongsomeof theCaribbeanStatesthatwere affectedduringBeryl’spassage acrosstheregion.

Thousandsofpeopleacross GrenadaandSt.Vincentand theGrenadineswerelefthomelessbythestorm,whichkilled atleastsevenpeople,anddestroyedschools,businessesand crops.

Meanwhile,Grenada’s PrimeMinisterandnewCARICOMchair,DickonMitchell hasemphasisedtheimportance of‘buildingbackbetter’inthe aftermathofthestorm.

DebrisaroundthefoundationofadestroyedhouseontheislandofCarriacou,Grenada,onJuly 3,afterHurricaneBeryl.BishopClydeHarvey,ofSt.George's,inGrenada,travelledbyboatto visittheislandofCarriacouonJuly12(OSVNews/Reuters/ArthurDaniel)

for‘strongfocusonresilience andsustainability’wasmade tosupporttherebuildingofthe housingsectorintheregion.

WhileCanadawasamenable totheidea,Dr.Alifurtherhighlightedthatregionaleffortswere alsoongoinginthisregard.

AShedeliveredremarks attheNationalInsurance Scheme(NIS)’sgraduationceremonyforTrainee Inspectors,SeniorMinisterintheOfficeofthe PresidentwithResponsibilityforFinanceandthe PublicServiceDr.Ashni Singh,whileacknowledgingthe18,000casesthat wereinbacklogorotherwisestuckintheNIS system,notedthatthe governmentandtheNIS havemanagedtoclearup fromAugust2020topresent,indicatedthat‘weare notwhereweneedtobe’.

“Fartoomanypeople attaintheageofretirement andthenencounterdifficultiestogettheirpension,and therearestillfartoomany peoplewhohavegonepast theirretirementagewhoare stillunabletoaccesstheir benefitsfromtheScheme,” theMinisteremphasised.

Hepointedoutthatoftentimestheresponsibility isnotthatoftheScheme butratherasaresultofa numberofemployers,who, despiteitbeinglawfully requiredforthemtopay overtheiremployees’contributionstotheScheme, donotdoso,andtherefore, upontheageofretirement, personsthendiscoverthat thiswasnotbeingdoneor thatthereweregapsinthe payments.

“Matteroffact,inallof theseareas,we’reputtingtogetheraregionaleffortsothatwecan pursuetheseinitiatives.Many countriesarealreadyworking directlyinanumberofthese areas,butwewantedtohavea regionaleffortinpursuingthe opportunitiesandresourcesthat maybeavailabletoaccelerate therebuildingefforts,”President Alisaid.

“Formanyofourcitizens, particularlyintheGrenadine Islands,itisgoingtobealong, slow,painfulanddifficultclimb outofaverydeep,darkplace. Thedevastationhasbeentremendous.Thepsychological, emotional,andmentalimpact hasbeendevastating.Thephysicalimpacthasbeendevastating,”PMMitchellsaid.

Berylsetarecordasthe first-everCategory4stormin JuneintheAtlantic,making landfallonJuly1onCarriacou,

Hepositedthatthereisa needforacomprehensiveapproachinvolvingnewtechnologiesandregionalinstitutions workingwithgovernmentsand populations.

“Weintendtopursuearobustandvigorousapproachto raisingthenecessaryfinancing tohelpallmemberstatesbuild backandbuildbackbetter.We appreciatethattherehastobe,in someinstances,aparadigmshift inhowweaddresstheissueof resilienceandsustainability.Not perhapsjuststickingtotheconventionalapproachestohowyou buildorrestoreforacategory fourcategory,fivehurricanes,” headded.

InarecentjointpressconferencefacilitatedbytheUnited Nations,St.Vincentandthe Grenadines’PrimeMinister, Dr.RalphGonsalves,andGrenada’sPrimeMinisterMitchell hadvoicedacollectivecall, highlightingtheimportanceof fundingtoaddresstheclimate crisisandrebuildingefforts.

Ideally,leadersarehoping tomusteratleast$9millionin assistancefromtheinternational community.

Inanefforttoassist43,000 people,theUnitedNations joinedthecallforassistance, statingthat$5millionofthe $9millionbeingsoughtwillgo toGrenada,andtheremaining amounttoSt.Vincentandthe Grenadines.

Gov’tclears18,000NISbackloggedcases —butmoreworkneeded,saysFinanceMinister —notesemployers’non-compliancewithNISpaymentwillnotbetolerated SeniorMinisterintheOfficeofthePresidentwithResponsibilityforFinanceandthePublic ServiceDr.AshniSingh,centre,flankedbythegraduandswhomhechargedtoapproachtheir jobsinastrictlyprofessionalmannerandtobeproactiveanddiligent

“Thatisnotacceptable!”theMinistersaid,as henotedthatasaresultof atargetedanddedicatedeffortbyGovernmentandthe NationalInsuranceScheme (NIS)withafocusonthe securitysector,Government andNIS,overthelastthree

weekstoamonth,were abletogetseveralprivate securitycompaniestopay contributionsformorethan 2,100securityguardsfor whichtheywerepreviously notpaying.

“ThisGovernment’spositionisthatwehavezero

toleranceforemployersfailingtopayoverNIScontributionstotheScheme,Dr. Singhsaid,ashecharged theNIStoimmediately rampupeffortstoensure thatemployersarepaying overNISdeductionstothe Schemeforalloftheir(the employers’)employees.

“Thisisnotadiscretionarymatter;thelawrequires youtodeducttheemployeesNIScontributionsand foryourself(theEmployers contribution)andtopayit overtotheNISinatimely manner…andIamsaying toemployersouttheretodaythatGovernmentwill nottoleratethefailureto payoverorremitinatimely mannerNIScontributions onbehalfofemployees, notonlycurrentemployeesbutifyouhaveany backlogpleasemakesure thatyoucomeinpromptly totheSchemeandpayoff thatbacklog,“theMinister urged.

Dr.Singhalsousedthe opportunityofTuesday’s forumtoappealtocitizens tocheckontheirrecords

andcontributionsingood timeandnotwaituntilthey reachtheageof60.He urgedself-employedpersonsaswelltocontribute totheSchemeandnotwait untiltheyareintheirfifties orsixtieswhentheywill notbeabletobenefitorbe abletoachieve750contributions.

TheMinistercongratulatedthegraduandsand chargedthemasnewinspectorstoapproachtheir jobsinastrictlyprofessionalmannerandtobeproactiveanddiligent.

ThirtypersonsTuesdaygraduatedduringa simpleceremonyheldat theArthurChungConferenceCentrewhichwas attendedbyseveralofficialsoftheNISincluding itsGeneralManagerMs. HollyGreavesandmembersoftheNISBoard. Theceremonyprovidedforthegraduationof twentynewInspectors, fourCustomerService Representatives,twoInternalAuditors,andfour NursesforSickVisitors.

DemeraraDairytocreate220jobs withnew$3Bdairyfarminvestment

THEgovernment,on Tuesday,signedaninvestmentagreementwith DemeraraDairyInc(DDI) fortheestablishmentofa $3Bstate-of-the-artdairy farmandmilkprocessing facility.

Whencompleted,the establishmentisexpected tocreate70directjobs andanother150jobsindirectly.

Theagreementwas handedoverbyGuyana’s ChiefInvestmentOfficer andAgencyHeadofthe GuyanaOfficeforInvestment,DrPeterRamsaroop totheChairmanandChief ExecutiveOfficerofDemeraraDistillersLimited (DDL)KomalSamaroo.

“Milkisaveryinternationallycompetitivecommodityandsowehave designedadairyfarmwith updatedtechnologyinthe worldsothatthemilkthat weproduceinthefarmin Guyanacancompetein theregionalmarketagainst milkimportedfromother

partsoftheworld,”SamarootoldtheDepartmentof PublicInformation(DPI).

ThefarmwillbelocatedatMoblissa.Itwill seethecultivationof250 hectaresoffieldcrops,the constructionofa22-tonne perdayanimalfeedcentre, anda13.7tonnesperday rawmilkdairyfarm.

Theprocessingplant willbeatDiamond,East BankDemerara.

Thefirstphasewill seetheutilisationofsome 925animals(500milking cows,and415heifers).

Eachcowisestimatedto produce10,000litresof milkannually.TheprocessingplantatDiamond willbecapableofproducingsome19.2tonnesor 18,600litresofpremium milkproducts.

“Weexpecttohavethe firstmilkproducedinthe thirdquarterofnextyear. Thisinvestmentagreement heretodaywillallowus toinstallthenecessary equipmenttoprocessand

—over270jobstobecreated

packagethatmilktoan internationallyacceptable standardforthedomestic andexportmarket,”Samaroosaid.

HenotedthattheDDL isonamajorexpansion

programme,building brandsonacompetitive basisashementionedthe launchoftheSavannah MilkBrandafewyears ago. “Thereisanexport

ribbeanimportsmorethan abillion(USD)worthof powderedandboxmilk fromNewZealandand Australia.

“ToseeGuyanastep intotheproductionfacility, wehadanearlierinvestor Amayathatistakingmilk fromRegionFive,and bottlingit.Thisisnow movingtoahigherlevel. It’sinRegionTen,significantjobopportunitieswill beavailableforRegion Tenresidents,”DrRamsaroopstated.

Henotedthatthisfits intoPresidentDrMohamedIrfaanAli’svision andthevisionofCARICOMreducingthefood importbillby25percent by2025andtheeffortsto brandGuyanaasamajor producerinagriculture.

opportunityandthereis thereductionofimport. So,onallsidesoftheeconomicspectrum,thereare benefitsthatwillaccrueto Guyana,”hesaid.

Meanwhile,DrRamsaroopnotedthatthiswill revolutionisethelocal dairyindustryandreduce dependencyonsuchimports.

HenotedthattheCa-

Theinvestmentisa jointventurebetween TropicalOrchardProductsCompanyLimited, asubsidiaryofDemerara DistillersLimitedand LGGroup,anIsraeli company.TheGuyana OfficeforInvestment playedanactiverolein facilitatingthisinvestment.(DPI)

Haitiontracktohold electionsbyendof2025

—CARICOMtoprovidehumanitarianaid —Bloc’sEPGdelegationtobedeployedin10daystoassessstateofaffairsinHaiti

ByShamarMeusa

WITHaTransitional Councilinplacetaking chargeofHaitiforsome monthsnow,thecountry isnowontracktohold anelectionbytheendof 2025.

Thisisaccordingto EdgardLeblanc,thehead ofthecouncilandformer HaitiSenatePresidentwho madethisdisclosureatthe closingpressconference forthe47thRegularMeetingoftheHeadsofGovernmentofCARICOM heldinGrenada.

Overthepastfewdays, discussionsamongthe headsofgovernmentand delegationsincludedsteps tomoveHaitiaheadin itsquesttoreturntonormalcy.

Leblanctoldtheclosingconferencethatsince thecreationofthetransitionalcouncil,theyare workingtoimplementa transitionalelectoralprocessorsystemwhichwill allowfortheholdingof generalelectionsattheend of2025.

Further,hestatedthat theyhavealsolaunched aconferencethatwillreviewtheconstitutionto furtherredefinetherelationshipbetweenthestate andpopulationandsetthe toneforthenewstateof operations.

Beingparticularly markedbygunviolence takingplaceinthecountry’scapitalandothervillages,hesaidthroughan interpreter,“Itisouraim toremoveHaitifromthis situation.”

Assuch,followingdiscussionswiththeregional headsofgovernment,LeblancdisclosedthatHaiti willreceivewithin10days amissionfromthebloc’s EminentPersonsGroup whichwasappointedlast yeartocatertoissuessurroundingHaitiwillparticipateindiscussions.

“Wewillsoonreceive within10daysinHaiti,a missionfromtheEPGin

HeadofHaiti’sTransitionalCouncil,EdgardLeblanc(Officeof thePrimeMinisterofGrenadaphotos)

CARICOMthatwillparticipateinthediscussions betweenthestateandthe oppositiongroupstocreate thenewmandatethatwill consistofvariousterms ofthetransitionalgovernment,”hesaidamong otherthings.

Meanwhile,thenewly appointedChairmanof CARICOM,PrimeMinisterofGrenada,Dickon Mitchellsaidthatoverthe lasttwodays,theregional bodyalsoheardanddiscussedthehumanitarian situationinHaiti,whichis oneofgraveconcern.

“Therearehundredsof thousandsofpersonswho aredisplacedthereare hundredsofthousandsof personswhodonothave adequateaccesstofood andsoCARICOMhas agreedthatwewillalso seektoprovidehumanitarianaidtothepeopleof Haiti,”Mitchellaffirmed.

Againstthisbackdrop, heindicatedthatthisis somethingthatthebloc willcontinuetodoand ensurethatthereissupport forthepeopleofHaiti.

Furthertothis,hehighlightedtheworkofthe EminentPersonsGroup whichismadeupofformerPrimeMinistersofSt

Lucia,TheBahamasand Jamaicawhichhenoted havebeensupportingthe

variousgroupsandsectors inHaititocreatetheirown homegrownsolutionsto

thechallengesfaced. Additionally,thePrime Ministerextendedanin-

vitationtovisitHaitiin Augusttogainfirsthand experienceandengage withdiversegroupsand sectors.Thisvisitaimsto provideacomprehensive reporttoCARICOMon thecurrentsituationin Haitiandexplorewaysin whichthebloccanoffer continuedassistance.

Mitchellexpressed, “Theyaresmallstepsbut theyareimportantsteps andwethinkitisCaricom’sdutygiventhat Haitiisamemberof CARICOMtocontinue supportingandshowing solidaritytothepeopleof Haiti.”

InApril,members ofatransitionalcouncil werenamedinHaitiand weresettotakepoweras formerPrimeMinister ArielHenryresignedin March.

CARICOMChairmanandPrimeMinisterofGrenada,Dickon Mitchell

StrengtheningRegionalSecurity

INrecentdiscussionssurroundingtheCaribbean’s securitylandscape,itis clearthattheregionis grapplingwithsignificant challengesrelatedtotransnationalcrime.

Attheheartofthisissue liesthesmugglingofguns anddrugs,whichcontinuestounderminethesafety andstabilityofCaribbean nations.Therecentaddress byGuyana’sPresident,Dr. IrfaanAli,atthe47thRegularMeetingofCARICOM’s HeadsofGovernmentunderscoresapivotalpoint: Whileprogresshasbeen made,thefightagainstsuch crimesrequiressustainedinter-agencycollaborationand robustinternationalsupport.

Dr.Ali’scallforenhancedbordersecurityand investmentinportprotection reflectsagrowingrecog-

nitionthattheCaribbean's securitywoesarenotisolatedbutinterconnected. Transnationalcrimeinthe region,particularlytheillicit traffickingoffirearmsand narcotics,posesaserious threatnotjusttoindividual nationsbuttoregionalstability.

Therecentachievements indrugseizuresbyGuyana’s CustomsAnti-NarcoticUnit (CANU)highlightthesuccessesthatcanbeachieved throughdiligent,co-ordinatedefforts.However, thesesuccessesalsoreveal thescaleoftheongoing challenge,necessitatinga broaderandmorecohesive approach.

Theemphasisoninter-agencycollaborationis critical.Therecentco-ordinationbetweenvarious agencieswithinGuyana,

suchastheGuyanaPolice ForceandtheCustomsAnti-NarcoticUnit,hasdemonstratedtheeffectivenessofa unitedfrontagainstcrime. Thiscollaboration,which hasledtosignificantdrug seizuresandthedisruption oftraffickingnetworks, shouldserveasamodel fortheentireregion.Yet, theeffectivenessofthese effortsisinherentlylimited bytheresourcesandsupport available.

Thisiswhereinternationalassistancebecomes indispensable.Thecallfor greatersupportfromthe UnitedStates,asarticulatedbyVice-PresidentDr. BharratJagdeo,pointstoa crucialaspectofthefight againsttransnationalcrime.

TheU.S.hasapivotalroletoplay,giventhat manyofthefirearmsenter-

ingtheCaribbeanoriginate fromAmericansources.Enhancedco-operationwiththe U.S.isnotmerelyarequest foraidbutastrategicnecessityforaddressingtheflow ofillegalweapons.Thesame logicappliestootherinternationalpartners,including theUnitedKingdom,France andBrazil,whosesupportin termsofresources,training, andintelligence-sharingis vital.

Moreover,thecollaborativeeffortswithCARICOM IMPACS,theBrazilianFederalPolice,andtheColombiantaskforce,among others,areindicativeofthe benefitsofregionalandinternationalco-operation. Thesepartnershipshave alreadyyieldedimpressive results,includingtherecent seizuresofsignificantquantitiesofcocaineandmar-

ijuana.However,theneed forcontinuedandexpanded collaborationisevident.The fightagainsttransnational crimeisongoingandevolving,andsotoomustbethe strategiestocounterit.

Inlightofthesedevelopments,itiscrucialfor regionalleaderstonotonly committobolsteringtheir nationalsecuritysystemsbut alsotoactivelyseekandengageinternationalpartners. TheCaribbean’ssecurity challengesarecomplexand multifaceted,requiringa co-ordinatedresponsethat extendsbeyondborders.

Strengtheningborder andportsecurity,investing intechnologicaladvancements,andadheringtointernationalstandardsareall necessarysteps.Yet,these effortsmustbeunderpinned byasupportiveinternational

frameworkthatfacilitates effectiveactionagainstthe transnationalnetworksthat plaguetheregion.

TheCaribbeanstands atacriticaljunctureinits fightagainsttransnational crime.Theprogressmade thusfariscommendable, butitmustbecomplementedbyincreasedinter-agencycollaboration andinternationalsupport. Asregionalleaders,includingDr.Ali,continuetoadvocateforthese measures,itisimperative thattheglobalcommunity respondswiththenecessaryresourcesandcommitment.Onlythrougha unitedandmultifaceted approachcantheCaribbeanhopetosecureits bordersandensureasafer futureforitscitizens.

AnotheraspectofthediasporaengagementwastheNewYorkJobFair

DearEditor,

“THEeventwasasuccess andisaclearmanifestation oftheGoG(Governmentof Guyana)’sinterestandcommitmenttoensuringthat theDiasporaisintegrally involvedisthedevelopment ofGuyanaandbenefitting fromthenation'sprosperity.”

Theforegoingstatement byHon.MichaelBrotherson, Guyana’sConsul-Generalto NewYorkencapsulatedtheessenceoftheobjectivesofthe JobFairheldattheLaGuardia MarriottHotelinQueens, NewYorkonSaturday,July 27,2024.

Thestatedobjectivesof thejointly-sponsoredJobFair (GoGandPrivateSector) wereto(i)learnmoreabout thejobopportunitiesinGuyana,(ii)toallowGuyaneseto networkwithbusinessleaders; (iii)toofferGuyanesethe

opportunitytolearnmore aboutsmallandmediumsized businesses,(iv)toprovide informationonremigration; and(v)tolearnhowGuyanesecouldcontributetothe country’srapiddevelopment. TheGuyanaConsulatesays that300Guyaneseregistered asparticipantsattheJobFair, while17businesses,including ExxonMobil,wereexhibitors. Inattendancewerethe Mr.RobertPersaud(Foreign Secretary);Mr.AnnandPersaud(MinisterintheMinistryofLocalGovernment andRegionalDevelopment); Hon.SamHinds(Guyana’s AmbassadortoWashington); Dr.PeterRamsaroop(CEO Go-Invest);RosalindRasul (HeadoftheDiasporaUnit attheMinistryofForeignAffairs);Mr.FazalYussuf(DiasporaandInvestmentOfficerat theNewYorkConsulate);Mr. ShyamNokta(formerChair oftheLocalConetPaneland

currentlyManagingDirector ofEnvironmentalManagementConsultants);theHon. MichaelBrotherson(Consul-GeneralinNewYork);and hisentireconsulatestaff.

Representingtheprivate sectorwasMr.KomalSingh, chairofthePrivateSector Commission.Hewasthere withhisfamily.Mr.Singh saidthattheprivatesectorwas pleasedtobeapartofthisinitiativethatisthebrainchildof PresidentDr.IrfaanAli.

Ms.Rasulpresenteda videothatdepictedsomeof Guyana’smajorinfrastructuredevelopmentprojectsfor thebenefitsofparticipants. Shealsodiscusseddutyfree concessionsforGuyanese re-migrants.

Dr.PeterRamsaroophad abusydaydiscussingthe investmentpossibilitiesand relatedtaxincentives.Wood Direct’sManagingDirector, Mr.RafeekKhan,whoalso

servesasChairoftheGuyana ManufacturingandServices Association(GMSA),was alsobusyexplaininghiscompany’sroleintheconstruction andhousingsector.

Criticallabourshortages inthehousing,construction, transport,oil,andothersectorswouldhindertherateof thecountry’sdevelopment.

TheGoGhas,therefore, embarkeduponanaggressivecampaigntorecruitand trainparticularlyskilledand semi-skilledlabour.Pending arevisionofthecountry’s immigrationlawstoaccommodatemigrantlabourwithin theeconomy,theGoGhas acceleratedtheskills-training programmes(BITandTVET) toexpandlocalcapacity.

Theprivatesectoralso conductsskillstrainingprogrammes,butquantitative dataonscopeandlevelarenot available.

Fortheperiod2020-2025,

over11,000Guyanesewere trainedbytheBoardofIndustrialTraining(BIT)invarious skillsandsemi-skilledareas, andanestimated80%ofthem aregainfullyemployed.

AttheTVET(Technical andVocationalEducation Training),another18,000 Guyanesehavebeentrained duringthesameperiod,and anestimated75%ofthem (BITandTVET)areingainful employment.Butthislevel oftrainingwouldonlycover asmallpartofthelabour shortage.

Somebusinesseshave alreadyimportedskilledlabour,whileothersmightsoon moveinthatdirection,ifthe labourcouldnotbesourcedin Guyana.Forexample,GAICO ConstructionandGeneralServices,Inc.saysthattheyare thinkingofsourcingmigrant labourtofill139existingvacanciesinvariouscategories withintheirestablishment.

Thecountry’srapideconomicdevelopment,including technologicalchanges,has causedtheGovernmentof Guyanatoacceleratetheir skills-trainingprogrammesto expandlocalcapacity. Notwithstanding,arecent studysuggeststhatGuyana mayneedtoimportabout 89,000workersby2030tofill existingvacanciesinvarious sectors.By2028,ExxonMobilwouldneedanadditional 5,000workers. Itistooearlytosayhow manyofthe300registrants attheNewYorkJobFair wouldfollowthroughwith theirinterest(whethervia jobs,investment,etc)in contributingtoGuyana’s development.TheJobFar alsohelpedtoupdateGuyaneseondevelopmentstaking placeinGuyana.

Gov’tsteadfastinitscommitmenttothecultural, economic,socialempowermentofallAfrican-Guyanese

DearEditor,

IAMcompelledtorespond toMr.EricPhillips'recentepistleintheStabroek NewsofJuly29,2024,concerningthedispensation offundsforEmancipation Daycelebrations,andthe associatedceremonialactivities.

Attheoutset,itisnecessarytoreaffirmtheunwaveringcommitmentofthe GovernmentofGuyanato supportEmancipationcelebrationsthroughoutthecountry,andthiscommitmentis notameresymbolicgesture.

Infact,itembodiesour profounddedicationtothe preservationandpromotion oftherichculturalheritageofAfrican-Guyanese, throughaninclusiveapproach,asisevidentinthe

allocationoffundstoadiversearrayoforganisations, includingtheAfricanCulturalandDevelopmentAssociation(ACDA).

Mr.Phillipsgrosslymisinterpretsthegovernment's intentions,viewingapluralisticanddecentralisedapproachasindicativeofalack ofrespectorcommitmentto thecommunity.

Itisparamounttounderstandthatthegovernment's strategydoesnotinvolve thecentralisationofcultural expressionwithinasingular organisation,butratheraims todiversifysupportacrossa broadspectrumofentities.

Thisapproach,which mightbemisconstruedas fragmentationbypersons seekingtoperpetuatedivisiveness,actuallyservesto ensurethatthehistoryand

celebrationofEmancipation resonateacrossvariouscommunities,therebyenriching thecollectiveculturalidentityofAfrican-Guyanese people.

Thesuggestionthatthe governmentshouldchannel allresourcesthroughasingle entityisbothreductive,and failstoappreciatethevibrant pluralityanddiversityinherentinAfrican-Guyanese culturalexpression.

Tocharacterisethesefinancialcontributionsas"pettycash",asMr.Phillipsdoes, notonlymisrepresentsthe natureofthegovernment's support,butalsoundermines thesignificanceandintent behindtheseallocations.

Furthermore,theceremonialaspectsassociatedwith thereceiptoffunds,such asthewearingoftraditional

attire,arecelebratoryacts ofculturalhomage.These practicesservenotonlyasa tributetoourancestors,but alsoasareaffirmationofour culturalidentity.

Thecomparisondrawn to"ZoosinBelgiumand France",whereinMr.Phillipsinsinuatesaparallelto degradingexhibitions,isanothergrossmisrepresentation thatunjustlydiscreditsthe hardworkanddedicationof therecipientsofthefunds.

Thecomparisonmade byMr.Phillipsbetweenthe supportextendedtoAfrican-Guyanesecommunities andthataffordedtoAmerindiancommunitiesreveals agravemisunderstandingof thenuancedandtailoredapproachthatthegovernment adoptstowardsthecultural andeconomicdevelopment

ofdifferentgroups.

Eachcommunity'sunique historicalexperiencesand currentsocio-economic needsinformthebespoke strategiesweemploy.This approachisnotanactofmarginalization,butaconsidered efforttoupliftallethnic groupswithinGuyana,ensuringequitabledevelopment andculturalpreservation.

Moreover,thegovernment'ssupportforEmancipationcelebrationsisfirmly alignedwiththeprinciples espousedbytheUnitedNationsGeneralAssembly’s 'DecadeforPeopleofAfricanDescent',aninitiative aimedatprovidingrecognition,justice,anddevelopmentforpeopleofAfrican descentglobally.

Ouradministrationremainssteadfastinitscom-

mitmenttothecultural,economic,andsocialempowermentofallAfrican-Guyanese.

Weencourageallorganisationsandindividuals withinthecommunityto embracethediversityofperspectives,andtocollaborate incelebratingourshared heritage.Thegovernment willcontinuetoprovideunwaveringsupporttothose genuinelycommittedtothis noblecause,ensuringthatthe legacyofEmancipationand thememoryofourancestors arehonouredinamanner thatisbefittingoftheirprofoundhistoricalandcultural significance.

Yourstruly, BrigadierRetiredMark Phillips, PrimeMinister

Parliamentmeetingoneveofvariousholidayshasnever underminedtheimportanceofthosedays

DearEditor,

IAMcompelledtorespond toMs.BeverlyAlert'srecentletterconcerningthe schedulingofaparliamentarysittingontheeveof EmancipationDay2024.

Herassertionthatthe timingofthissittingisadeliberateattempttodisrespect ourhistoryorAfricanancestorsismisguided.Itdetracts fromtheessentialbusinessof thepeoplewhileattempting tostirthepotofracialsentiments,asignaturetacticof theopposition.

Firstly,itisimportantto recognisethatthebusiness ofthepeopleshouldnotbe contingentuponnational holidays.TheParliament ofGuyanahasahistoryof meetingontheeveofsignificantholidayswithoutany accusationsofdisrespector underminingtheimportance ofthosedays.

Forinstance,theParliamentconvenedonFebruary22,2024,theeveof ourRepublicanniversary. Additionally,sittingstook placeonMay4,2016,the

eveofArrivalDay,andApril 14,2017,theeveofGood Friday.Ontheseoccasions, Ms.Alertdidnotraiseany concerns.

Theseexamplesclearly demonstratethatscheduling parliamentarysittingsonthe eveofsignificantholidaysis notunprecedented,anddoes not,inanyway,diminishthe respectandobservanceof theseimportantoccasions.

Thesuggestionthatholdingaparliamentarysittingon July31diminishesthesignificanceofEmancipationDay, ordisrespectsourAfrican ancestorsisunfounded.

EmancipationDayisa dayofprofoundhistorical importanceandnational pride,anditisessentialto honouritthroughmeaningful observanceandparticipation inceremonies.However,itis equallyimportanttoensure thattheworkofParliament, whichultimatelyservesthe PeopleofGuyana,continues uninterrupted.

TheLibationCeremony andothercommemorative eventsarevital,andMembersofParliament,likeall

citizens,shouldstrivetoparticipateinandhonourthese traditions.Yet,postponing parliamentarysittingsevery timetheycoincidewiththe eveofaholidaywouldseta precedentthatcouldhamper theefficiencyandcontinuity ofparliamentaryduties.

WhileMs.Alert'ssentimentsmaybeunderstandable atfacevalue,itisessential tomaintainabalancedperspective.

TheParliamenthashistoricallymetontheeveof varioussignificantholidays, andthispracticehasnot underminedtheimportance ofthosedays.Emancipation Daydeservesfullrespectand observance,butthebusiness ofthepeoplemustproceed withoutunnecessaryinterruptions.

Letusworktowards honouringourancestors andhistorywhileensuringthattheParliamentary responsibilitiesofelected officialsaremetdiligently.

Yourstruly, BrianAzore

Saulshouldusehispentoaddressthe corruption,mismanagementatM&CC

DearEditor,

IAMwritinginresponse toCityCouncillorLeon Saul’srecentletter,which isrepletewithemptyrhetoric,falsenarratives,and misguidedassertionsabout PresidentIrfaanAliandhis administration.

CouncillorSaul'sdepictionofPresidentAli'spublic engagementsasmeretheatricsisbothmisleadingand unfair.

Itiscommonforleaders toengagewiththepopulaceinarelatablemanner. PresidentAli’sinteractions symbolisehisapproachable leadershipstyleandefforts toconnectwithcitizensona personallevel.

ContrarytoSaul’sclaims,

the"OneGuyana"initiative isfarfromahollowslogan. Itisacomprehensivevision aimedatfosteringunity,inclusivity,andequitabledevelopmentacrossthenation.

Thedistributionofdevelopmentalbenefitsunder PresidentAli’sadministration hasbeenmorebalancedand inclusivethaneverbefore, withsignificantinvestments ininfrastructure,healthcare, education,andhousingthat benefitallGuyanese,regardlessofpoliticalaffiliation.

Saul’sportrayalofa strainedrelationshipbetween theCentralGovernmentand theGeorgetownmunicipality isaone-sidednarrativethat overlooksthegenuineefforts madebytheCentralGovernmenttocollaborateonurban

developmentprojects.

Ifthereareissuesofinefficiencyandmismanagement withinthemunicipality,it istheresponsibilityoflocal leadershiptoaddressthem, nottodeflectblameontothe CentralGovernment.

Moreover,Councillor Saul’scriticismofthePresident'sengagementwith StabroekMarketvendors highlightsafundamental misunderstandingofleadership.ThePresident’sdirectinteractionwithcitizens toaddresstheirconcerns demonstratesacommitment toresponsivegovernance, somethingthatshouldbe applaudedratherthancondemned.

InsteadofusinghisplatformtounderminetheCen-

tralGovernment,Councillor Saulshouldfocusonaddressingtherealissuesplaguing Georgetown.

Thecitycontinuesto strugglewithgarbagepileups,financialmismanagement,andpoorservicedelivery.Despitereceivingbillions intaxesandsubventions,the cityremainsbankrupt.Why aretheresidentsofGeorgetownnotreceivingthequality ofservicestheydeserve?

CouncillorSaulshould holdhisPNC-Rcolleagues accountablefortheirmismanagementandtheinept performanceofthecouncil. HeshouldcommendPresidentAli’sgovernmentfor steppingintosavethepeople ofGeorgetownbyinvestingincriticalinfrastructure, somethingtheM&CChas failedtodo.

PresidentAli’sadministrationhasacommendable trackrecord:increasingpublicservants'pay,raisingold agepensions,distributing over35,000houselots,and reinstatingthe"BecauseWe Care"cashgrantforschool children—agrantSaul’s partydiscontinuedin2015, claimingitwasawasteof resources.

Dr.Ali’sgovernmenthas madesignificantstridesin everyaspectofGuyana’sdevelopment,includingagriculturaldiversification,effective managementofoilrevenues, energysecurity,environmentalsustainability,andpublic diplomacy,allcontributing toGuyana’simprovedglobal imageandeconomictransformation.Thefactofthe matteris,Dr.Aliisaglobal leaderwithacommontouch,

aqualitymanyleaderslack.

Injustfouryears,PresidentAlihasspentmoretime engagingwiththecitizensof Georgetown,listeningtotheir concerns,andaddressing theirneedsthanthePNCR councillorshaveinthepast twodecades.Itiseasyto criticise,butonemustensure thatcriticismisbasedon facts,notfigmentsofone’s imagination.

IurgeCouncillorSaul todedicatemoreofhistime tofulfillinghisresponsibilities,providingbasic servicestothepeopleof thecityinsteadofhiding behindhispentomake baselesscriticismsofthe President,amanwhohas walkedthewalk.

Yourssincerely, EdwardLayne

Asanation,doweallowthis ignorancetogounanswered?

HEREarethewordsof MelindaJanki:“When Guyana’spoliticians embracedthedelusion ofoilwealth,Ramon Gaskinlookedtheoil curseinthefaceand spatatit.”Awoman whoistrainedasalawyercouldutterthisignorance.AsforRamon Gaskin,Iwillfollowup onmyNovember1993 StabroekNewscolumn onhimverysoon.

Jankihasgivenoff oneofthemostignorant statementsahumaninthe post-colonialworldcould utter,andinthecomingdaysandweeksand months,therewillbeno attemptbytheintellectualspheresofthiscountry toeducatetheveryyoung populationofGuyana onwhyJanki’soutlook isnotonlyignorant,but containsalltheevilseeds ofcolonialindoctrinationthat,after60years ofIndependence,still plaguethemindsofthose psychologicallyunableto seethelightofday.

Letusattempttobring someknowledgetoour youngpopulation,sothat theycouldunderstandthe remnantsofthecolonial mentalitythatmillions diedfightingagainst sinceslavery,rightupto theviolentoverthrowof Europeanimperialsubjugationaftertheendof

WorldWarII.Wewill breakdownJanki’ssordidmentalgymnastics intoseveralparts,and lookattheasininityof eachdimension.Westart withtheword“delusion”. Jankireferstothe“delusionofoilwealth”. Anyprimaryschoolchild knowsthatdelusionis notreality,andexistsin imaginativeform.Adelusionisahopethatlies inthewombofimpossibility.Wecanrefertothe delusionofaBermuda SummerOlympics;it willneverhappen,becausetheSummerOlympicstakesbillionsof Americandollarstohold, andthelandmasstoaccommodatethegames havetobemuchmore thatthefewsquaremiles thatBermudaconsists of.Itisthenurturingofa delusiontothinkAntigua orBarbadosorFijior Singaporecanholdthe SummerOlympics. Howcanonerefer

totheexportsectorofa countryasthedelusion ofwealthwhenitbrings inincomeforthecountry?IsSiliconeValley intheUSadelusionof wealth?Theansweris no,becauseSiliconeValleyisatopearnerinthe worldfortheUS.Isthere thedelusionofwealth forthesoftwareindustry ofIndia?Theansweris no,becauseIndiaisthe world’slargestsoftware exporter.

Istherethedelusion ofwealthinChina’sexportofrareearthelements(REEs)?REEs are17elementsthatare indispensableinhightechindustries.TheUS isheavilydependenton REEs.Chinaisresponsiblefor58percentof REEsmining,andisthe world’slargestproducer,withothercountries cominginapoorsecond. China’smainsupplieris theUnitedStates.Can onespeakofthedelusion

ofREEswealth?

Guyanahaslargedepositsofoil,thebulk ofwhichisyettobe touched.Itexportsthis materialthathasmade someMiddleEastcountriestherichestnations intheworld.WithgiantslikeIndiaandChina, whichhavesuccessfullychallengedEuropean andAmericandominance intheglobaleconomy, Guyana’soilisneededin additiontoourtraditional buyer:TheUS.

Sincethesuccessful productionofoil,the economyofGuyanahas literallytakenoff.The

transferofoilwealthinto thepublicspherehas beenphenomenal.The GeorgetownPublicHospitalisunrivaledinthe Caribbean.Veryexpensivetreatments,surgical operations,andpharmaceuticalsareavailable atthathospitalforfree. Twelvenewhospitalsare intheprocessofbeing constructed.Newschools locatedinareasthatwere notfinanciallypossible beforeGuyanahadanoil economyarebeingbuilt. Effortsareunderwayto makestudiesatUGfree.

Thebulkofmoney behindtheseprojectsdid notcomefromsugaror agricultureorseafood export;itcamefromoil. Howthenitispossible tospeakofthedelusion (thefiction;theimagination)ofoilwealthwhen Guyanaisgettingthat wealthwhichwillpeak fantasticallyfrom2028 onwards.

Itisanattractivesociologicalargumentto

discusshowoilwealth willbedistributedina country,buttospeak aboutthedelusionofoil wealthisunadulterated ignoranceandunprecedentedasininity.IfGaskinspatattheoilcurse, hewasperhapsspitting atthecursehealways harbouredinhispsychesinceIknewhim54 yearsago.

Ms.Jankisaidthepoliticianshaveembraced thedelusionofwealth. Theentirecountryof Guyanahaswelcomed theoilindustry.Itisnot thepoliticians,butthe Guyanesenationasa whole.MaybeJankidid animaginarypollthat showedGuyaneseseeoil asacurse.

DISCLAIMER:The viewsandopinionsexpressedinthiscolumn aresolelythoseofthe authoranddonotnecessarilyreflecttheofficialpolicyorposition oftheGuyanaNational NewspapersLimited.

Mingocontinuedusingspreadsheetstocount votesinviolationofChiefJustice’sorders

Shethenrecalledthat aFixedDateApplication

ByFeonaMorrison

MINISTERofLocalGovernmentandRegionalDevelopment,SoniaParag resumedgivingtestimony onTuesday,revealingmore detailsofallegedfraud duringthe2020General andRegionalElections.

Parag’stestimonyhighlightedthecontinuoususe ofspreadsheetsforvotetabulationbyClairmontMingo, DistrictFour(DemeraraMahaica),despitetheexplicitordersofChiefJustice RoxaneGeorgetoadhere strictlytoStatementsofPoll (SoPs).

Thehigh-profiletrial, whichhasgrippedthenation’sattention,commenced attheGeorgetownMagistrates’CourtsonMonday undertheconductofSenior MagistrateLeronDaly.

ThedefendantsarePeople’sNationalCongress/Reform(PNC/R)activistCarol Smith-Joseph;formerHealth MinisterundertheAPartnershipforNationalUnity +AllianceforChange(APNU+AFC)governmentVoldaLawrence;formerChief theGuyanaElectionsCommission(GECOM)Keith CEORoxanneMyers;Mingo;andGECOMstaffers

Livan,DeniseBabb-Cummings,andMichelleMiller. Theyarecollectively facing19conspiracycharges relatedtoallegedelectoral fraud.

Itisallegedthatbetween March2,2020andAugust andMingo,whileinGeorgetown,conspiredwiththeothersixdefendantsandothers todefraudtheelectorateof Guyanabydeclaringafalse accountofthevotescast

atthehighly-contentious elections.

MinisterParagcontinued withhertestimony,stating thatonMarch5,2020,at around09:00hours,she wentbacktotheGECOM CommandCentre,located intheAshminsBuildingat theintersectionofHighandtownGeorgetown,tocontinuethetabulationprocessfor DistrictFour.

aninjunctionthatwould preventthedeclaration untilallofthevoteshad beentallied.

ORDERED”

whenMingowasinthe

Singh,theChairperson ofGECOM,enteredand inquiredastothenature oftheproblem.

Peoplethenbroughtup theissueofMingo’sreluctancetocomplywiththe ChiefJustice’sorders,accordingtoher.

ShereportedseeingLawrenceaboutnoon,followed byMingo,whowasholding apieceofpaper.

Thewitnessaddedthat sincethetabulationexercisewashaltedonMarch 3,2020duetothethen-Reoffatigue,shehadnotseen himbefore.

MinisterParagstated thatinaccordancewith Section84oftheRepresentationofthePeopleAct andotherelectionagents, aswellaslocalandinternationalobservers,suchas thosefromtheCarterCenter,UnitedStatesEmbassy,sion,andtheEuropean Union,thathehadadecla-

rationtomakeregarding theListofCandidates.

Essentially,Section84 mandatesthattheReturningOfficerdeterminethe totalnumberofvotescast insupportofeachlist,in accordancewiththeStatementsofPoll.

“Immediately,Igot up.Iwasfrustratedand Iobjectedstrenuouslyto whatMr.Mingosaid.“I said,‘Youcan’tdothis;the countforRegionFouris notcompleted’,”thegov-

ShecontinuedbystatingthatMingo’sdeclarationwasmetwithoppositionfromotherpeople, andthattheoutcrywasso loudthatitdrownedouthis voice.

Shementionedthat LawrenceandanotherAPNU+AFCpartyagent(name withheld)werepresent,but inresponsetoMingo’sactions.

MinisterParagsaidthat Mingothenlefttheroom andwentuptheescalator aftermayhemandshouting brokeout,“butIdidn’tsee himafterthatforaperiod oftime”.Sherecalledthat otherswereusingtheircellphonestotakepicturesand videosofthesituation.

“IsawMr.Mingoonthe heappearedtobereading fromsomething.Themoment thatIheardthat,Iheardpeoplesaying,‘Thief,thief,thief!’ Isawhimdisappearfrom thebalcony.WhenIlooked aroundme,IsawVoldaLawrenceheadinguptheescalator. Everyonecontinuedtoshout,” MinisterParagsaid,asshe detailedthetenseatmosphere attheCommandCentre.

ShetestifiedthatLawrencewasgesticulatingand shoutingatthepersons,and thattherehadbeenanaggressiveverbalconfrontationbetweenLawrenceand

Thewitnessfurtherstatedthatshediscovereda Form24publishedwith twosignatures,statingthe totalnumberofvotescast inDistrictFour,whenshe visitedGECOM’swebsite laterthatday.

MinisterParagpointedoutthatonMarch11, ruled,grantinganinjunctionrestrainingMingoor theDeputyChiefElectionsidvotescastinDistrict

Fouruntilthereiscompliancewithsection84of RoPA.

Shesaidanotherinjunctionwasgrantedtorestrain fromdeclaringvotesuntil therehadbeencompliance withsection84ofRoPA.

Accordingtoher,Justice Georgealsoruledthattheplywithsection84ofRoPA intabulatingthevotesfor DistrcitFourby11:00hrson March12,2020.

Theministerstatedthat eventhoughshewaswearingherbadge,shewasnot allowedtoenterthefacilitywhenshereturnedto theCommandCentreon theabove-mentioneddate. Sheaddedthatatapproximatelymidday,Mingoannouncedthatheintended tocontinuethetabulation procedurewithspreadsheets, butshestronglyobjected.

“Thatisnotwhatthe ChiefJusticeordered,”MinisterParagsaidsheprotested. Lawrencewasthere,too,she added,butshedidnotseeher voiceanycomplaints.

Thewitnesscontinued bystatingthatMingohad lefttheroomafterpromisingtoobtaintheSoPsbut hadcomebackanddeclaredhewouldutilisethe spreadsheetsfortallying thevotes.

VERYQUICKLY

Shetestifiedthat

AccordingtoParag,she wenttotheGECOMSecretariatinKingston,GeorgetownonMarch13,2020, tocontinuethetabulation process.Whenshearrived, shereportedseeingtwo GECOMemployeeswork-

RoxanneMyers

turnscountingthevotes.

“Theyweregoingata fastrate,”shestated,noting thatshewasunabletomake acomparisonbetweenthe andthenumbersthatthe employeeswerecallingout.

Thiswitnesssaidthat becauseshecouldnotsee whatwasbeingshownon theprojectedscreen,she hadtoraiseanotherobjection,butherconcernswent unanswered.

Followinghisnon-compliancewithcourtinstructions,MinisterParagstated thatshewasinformedthat Mingowasfacingcontempt ofcourtproceedings.

ishedataround19:00hours, sheadded.

statedthatshetookpartina recountofallthevotescast intheelectionsonMarch2, 2020,ashertestimonycame toanendforlunch.

At13:15hours,MinisterParagbegantestifying again.Shedescribedhow, onAugust26,2020,she andMingohadaconfrontationattheCriminalInvestigationDepartment(CID) Georgetown,andthatMingo chosenottocomment.

Followingherevidence-in-chief,theminister facedbriefcrossexamination

ClairmontMingo

CarolSmith-Joseph

VoldaLawrence

Fatalaccidentclaims

lifeofBuxtonresident

POLICEareinvestigatingatragicaccidentthat occurredTuesdaymorningatapproximately09:57 hoursonthepublicroadatMontrose,EastCoast Demerara.

Theaccidentresulted inthedeathof31-yearoldAkeemLewis,a self-employedresident ofBuxton,EastCoast Demerara.

Theaccidentinvolvedamotorcarwith registrationPAF9125, drivenbyLewis,anda minibus,withregistrationBAH1874,driven bya57-year-oldresident ofAiryHall,Mahaicony, EastCoastDemerara.

Accordingtoinitial inquiries,Lewiswasdrivinghiscarwestwardinthe northernlaneofthesoutherncarriagewayofMontrose publicroadatahighspeedwhenhelostcontrol.The carswervedsouthwestandcollidedwiththerearleft sideoftheminibus,whichwastravellinginthesame direction.Theimpactcausedthecartocrashintothe southernfootpathandoverturnmultipletimesbefore comingtoastop.

EmergencyMedicalTechnicians(EMTs)arrivedat thesceneandfoundLewisinaconsciousstate.Hewas transportedbyambulancetotheGeorgetownPublic Hospital,wherehewasexaminedandadmittedwith multipleinjuries.Sadly,Lewissuccumbedtohisinjuries ataround15:05hoursTuesdayafternoon.

Thedriveroftheminibusiscurrentlyinpolice custody,assistingwiththeinvestigationintothe accident.

Mingocontinuedusing spreadsheetsto...

Frompage10

fromthedefence.

ThesecondwitnesstotakethestandwasHeadof InternationalCooperation,RosalindaRasul.Shetoldthe courtthatshewasanelectionobserverfortheAmerican ChamberofCommerce(AMCHAM)Guyana.

Heraccountprovidedadetailednarrativeofthealleged misconductandfraudulentactivitiesthattranspiredatthe GECOMCommandCentre.Rasulwillcontinuetestifying todayfrom09:30hours.

ThecasefortheprosecutionisbeingledbyKing’s CounselRamdhaniwhilethedefenceattorneysinclude NigelHughes,RonaldDaniels,EusiAndersonandDarren Wade.

TheAPNU+AFCCoalitionreceived171,825votes, whilethePPP/Creceived166,343votes,accordingtocountprocess,whichwassupervisedbyGECOManda high-levelCaribbeanCommunity(CARICOM)teamthat thecoalitionhadreceived217,920votes,whilethePPP/C hadreceived233,336votes,whichwasenoughtowin.

InordertohelptheAPNU+AFCcaretakeradministrationstayinpower,Mingoandtheotherdefendants, processalsorevealed.

InAugust2021,GECOMmadethedecisiontosack inlate2020,therehadbeenmultipledelaysinthestartof thetrial,primarilyduetorequestsfromthedefence.

Fivemonthsafterthepollsclosed,onAugust2, 2020elections.

Guyanasupportscallsfortransparent

THEfollowingisthe fulltextofastatement fromtheGovernment ofGuyana: “Electionsareabout peopleexercisingtheir constitutionalrightto electagovernmentof theirchoiceinafree, fairandtransparent process.

Itbehoovesallto ensuretheintegrityof thatprocessthroughthe higheststandardsofaccountability,transparency,andstrictadherence totheruleoflaw,includingtherulesgoverning elections,toguarantee respectforthewillofthe people.

Venezuela’ssecurityforcesclashedwithlargecrowdsofprotesterswhotook tothestreetstodenouncethere-electionofPresidentMaduroasfraudulent (Reutersphoto)

Guyanatherefore, supportsthecallfora transparentprocessof theVenezuelanpeople, asexercisedonJuly28,

2024.ThepeopleofVenezueladeservenothing less.”

Dead:AkeemLewis

GDFrankscharged withtrafficking narcotics

TWOmembersoftheGuyanaDefenceForce(GDF) wereformallychargedwith possessionofnarcoticsfor thepurposeoftrafficking followingtheirarreston Saturday.

Thechargescomeasa resultofasuccessfulintelligence-ledpoliceoperation.

EdwardMcCalmont,40, ofKaneville,EastBankDemerara,andJohnJohnson, 24,ofTimehriDocks,East BankDemerara,wereapprehendedonJuly27,2024with 316poundsofnarcotics.

Bothmenfacedcharges

onTuesdayunderSection 5(1)(a)(i)oftheNarcotic DrugandPsychotropicSubstanceControlAct,Chapter 10:10.

ThedefendantsappearedbeforePrincipal MagistrateMs.Judy LatchmanattheGeorgetownMagistrates’Court, wheretheywerereadthe charges.BothMcCalmont andJohnsonpleadednot guilty,andwereremanded toprison.Theirnextcourt appearanceisscheduledfor Monday,August19,2024.

JohnJohnson

EdwardMcCalmont

Gov’tsignsUS$8.6McontractforNational ControlCentreinGas-to-EnergyProject

DanShen,ChiefrepresentativeofPowerChina Caribbean(left)andAlfredKing,PermanentSec-

ByTrinaWilliams

THEgovernment’s ongoingeffortsinthe gas-to-energyprojectsig-

sationofamorecost-efelectricityinfrastructure inGuyana.

OnTuesday,duringa simpleceremony,thegovernmentsignedaUS$8.6 millioncontractforthe establishmentofanational controlcentre,whichis akeycomponentofthe project.

PowerChinaCaribbeanhasbeenawardedthe contract,andthecompletionoftheCentreisanticipatedwithin384days.

Theagreementwas officiallysignedattheRepresentativeDanShen signingonbehalfofPowerChinaCaribbean,andtaryAlfredKingsigning onbehalfofthegovernment.

KeshNandlall,who holdsthepositionofHeadagementCommitteeat GuyanaPowerandLight signing.

Theequipmentforthe SupervisoryControland DataAcquisition/Energy

ished.

ofPublicWorks,Deodat Indar,theawardingofthe contractwasdonethrough anopenandcompetitive tenderingprocess.

Indarrecalled:“The totalityandthesoundeffectofallofthisworkisto giveasinglepromisethat wemadeasaPPPgovernmentwhenwewereinopposition.Wecampaigned toreduceelectricitycosts by50percent.Thisentire [load]ofworkistodeliver onthissinglepromise.”

toldrepresentativesfrom sideandPowerChina thattheinitiativesbeing ProgressiveParty/Civic not“guesswork”butitis “painstakingandcrafted” hardwork.

stressedtheimportanceof thecontractorsfollowing anditstimeline.

“Iwanttoimploreon thecontractortokeepon timeline,”hesaid.

howthegas-to-energyprojectwilltransformGuyana invariousways,suchas

DanShen,ChiefrepresentativeofPowerChinaCaribbean(left);AlfredKing,PermanentSecretaryatthe(DelanoWilliamsPhotos)

Gov’tsignsUS$8.6M contractforNational ControlCentre...

thecostofmanufacturing forcompaniesbyutilising itsnaturalgasresources.

Hestated:“ThisisdesignedtohelpGuyanese people.”

However,despitethis projectbeingagame-changer forthenation,theMinister didnotethattherearedetractorsofdevelopmentwhoare theproject.

Additionally,PrimeMinisterBrigadier(Ret’d)Mark Phillipsemphasisedthatin 2025,thePPP/Cwilldeliver onitsmanifestopromiseand theGuyanesepeoplewillbe andcheapelectricity.

Hestated:“Itwillbereliableandasmentionedby MinisterIndarthecostswill godown.Wepromisethe peoplethatwe[will]reduce thecostofelectricityby50 percentandwewilldeliver onthatpromise.”

Speakingtothecontractors,thePrimeMinistersaid: “Welookforwardonsigning ofthiscontracttoseework startimmediatelyandprogresstothecompletionofthis project,sothatweareready todelivertothepeoplethe promiseelectricityandthe

necessarycomfortthatcomes withthat.”

TogetherwithCNOOC andHess,itsco-venturepartnersontheStabroekBlock, ExxonMobilisworkingwith theGovernmentofGuyana toadvancethegas-to-energy project.

Thegas-to-energyproject willseea200-km,12-inch diameterpipelinechanneling naturalgasfromtheLiza PhaseOneandLizaPhase TwoFloating,Production, Storage,andOffloading (FPSO)vesselstoapowerplantNaturalGasLiquids (NGL)facilitythatwillbe builtinWales,WestBank Demerara(WBD).

Thatpipelinewillbe landingontheWestCoast Demerara(WCD)shoreand continueapproximately25 kilometrestotheNGLand powerplantfacilities.

Ithasanestimatedtotal costofUS$1.8billionandis costrecoverable.ThepowerplantandNGLfacilities willbefundedbythegovernment.

InDecember2022,the governmentandUS-based integratedenergysolutions group–LINDSAYCA–inpartnershipwithalocal

From page13

aUS$759millioncontract fortheconstructionofthe facilities.

TheconversionofnaturalgasfromExxonMobil’stricityisakeycomponentof thegovernment’sobjective tolowerenergycostsbyat least50percentthroughan energymixwhichincorporatesgas,solar,wind,and hydropower.

Asmajorgroundwork continuesfortheproject, itisexpectedtobeupand runningbythefirsthalf of2025andhasa25-year lifespan.

HeadofGPL’sExecutiveManagementCommitteeKeshNandlall(right)anda boththeGovernmentandthecompany

ANearly-morningpolice operationledtothediscoveryofanunlicensed ontheAlbionPublicRoad infrontoftheAlbionPoliceStation.

Theoperation,conductedatapproximately06:28 hrsonTuesday,resultedin thearrestoftwoindividuals.

Policestoppedand searchedaToyotaPremio motorcar,registrationnumberHD2128,drivenby SelwyneGray,ataxidriver fromLeedsVillage,Corentyne,Berbice.

Thelonepassengerin

thevehiclewasOtisVictor, afarmerfromNurneyVillage,Corentyne,Berbice.cersfoundablackplastic bagintheright-sidedriver’s door.Insidethebagwasa .38revolverandsevenlive matchingroundsofammunition.

Bothsuspectswereimmediatelytakenintocustodyandtransportedtothe AlbionPoliceStation.The firearmandammunition werelodged,andthevehiclewasimpounded.

Policearecontinuing theirinvestigationsinto thematter.

BITtrainingprogrammesseehigh certificationratescountrywide

-over4,500Guyanesecertifiedintechnicalskills

THEGovernmentofGuyanaismakingsignificant investmentsinthedevelopmentofthenation’shuman resourcecapitalandlabour forcethroughextensive technicalandvocationaltrainingprogrammes acrossthecountry.These initiativesaimtoequip Guyanesecitizenswiththe skillsnecessarytoembark onvariousentrepreneurshipopportunitiesanden-

hancetheirmarketability intoday'sevolvingeconomy.

Uponcompletingthese programmes,graduatesare encouragedtoutilisethe servicesprovidedbythe CentralManpowerandRecruitmentAgency(CRMA). Thesetrainingprogrammes havealsocontributedtothe economicstrengtheningof numerouscommunities.

From2023todate,over

4,500Guyanesehavebeen certifiedinvarioustechnicalandvocationalskills throughtheMinistryof Labour-BoardofIndustrialTraining(BIT).In2023 alone,4,371individualswere trained,with157trainedso farin2024.Thebreakdown ofcertificationsbyregionin 2023isasfollows:Region One:187;RegionTwo:617; RegionThree:320;Region Four:1,187;RegionFive:

254;RegionSix:697;RegionSeven:265;Region Eight:113;RegionNine: 190;andRegionTen:543.

Thisyear,thegovernmenthasallocated$500 milliontoexpandskilltrainingprogrammes,benefitting 7,890individuals.Sofarin 2024,45heavy-dutyequipmentoperatorshavebeen certified,and112individuals havebeentrainedinvarious disciplines,includingfloral designsandeventsdécor,informationtechnology,office administration,commercial foodpreparation,elementary sewing,cosmetology,and automotiveelectricalskills. Oneoftheprogramme graduates,JonathanGarnett fromKitty,highlightedhow thetrainingenrichedhis skillsetandprospects.Now licensed,Garnettlooksforwardtoemploymentopportunitiesinhisfieldandplans topursueonlinecourses offeredthroughacollaborationbetweenCoursera andtheMinistryofLabour. Anothergraduate,Remona WilliamsfromLaParfaite Harmonie,sharedherexperienceofbreakingtraditional gendernormsbypursuing typicallymale-dominated programmes.Sheexpressed, “Itisanoverwhelmingfeelingbecauseatfirstwhen Istarted,Iwasscaredof gettingontothemachineand doingthebasicstuff.Now,I wasabletoovercomethat feeling…Andtheycannot getmeoutofthemachine.”

Followingthelaunchof severalmoretechnicalprogrammescountrywide,over 300individualsarecurrently undergoingvariouscourses. TheBITprogrammesand theirrespectivebeneficiaries byregionareasfollows: RegionOne:SmallEngine Repairs(20beneficiaries); RegionTwo:Cosmetology (45beneficiaries);Region Three:HeavyDutyEquipmentOperation(30beneficiaries);RegionFour: HeavyDutyEquipmentOperation,Plumbing,Welding andFabrication,Electrical Installation(82beneficiaries);RegionFive:Welding andFabrication,Electrical Installation,Commercial FoodPreparation(30beneficiaries);RegionNine:GeneralBuildingConstruction, WeldingandFabrication (30beneficiaries);Region Ten:HeavyDutyEquipment

Operation,ElectricalInstallation,CommercialFood Preparation,A/CServicing andRepairs(83beneficiaries).

ToensureGuyanese haveaccesstothenecessary facilitiesfortheirtraining sessions,severaltechnical trainingcentresareunder constructioninOronoquein PortKaitumainRegionOne, andinCorrivertonandNew AmsterdaminRegionSix. Thesemoderntrainingcentresarebeingconstructedin accordancewiththeCaribbeanVocationalQualifications (CVQ)standards.

AsGuyana'seconomic landscapecontinuestoaccelerate,thegovernment remainscommittedtoinvestingineducationalopportunitiesforitscitizens, recognisingthatsuchinvestmentsarekeytothe nation'sdevelopment.

LabourMinistryteaminspectsoffshore drillshiptoensureworkersafety,rights

INaproactiveeffort tosecurethewell-beingandrightsof workersintheoiland-gasindustry,a teamfromtheMinistryofLabourconductedaninspection

Mondayonthe752ft OffshoreDrillship, NobelBobDouglas.

Theinspectionteam, comprisingofOccupationalSafetyand HealthOfficer(OSH) Ms.NazmoonJafarallyPrittipaul,andLabourOfficerMr.MartinMurray,carriedout athoroughphysical inspectiontoensure thedrillship’scompliancewiththeOSHAct 99:06,international safetystandards,and thelabourlawsofGuyana.

Duringtheirrecent visit,theteamevaluatedseveralkeyaspects

oftheLabourLaws,includingthecompany's Health,Safety,Security,andEnvironment (HSSE)policy,workers'trainingandcompetence,emergency responsesystems,risk assessments,andthe maintenanceofreports andrecords.Discussionsalsocoveredimportanttopicssuchas theNationalMinimum WageOrder,working conditions,overtime regulations,termination ofemployment,probationaryperiods,notice periodsfortermination, andleavewithpay.

Inadditiontothe inspection,theteam engagedwithboththe managementandemployeesonboardthe drillship,aswellasrepresentativesfromEldoradoOffshore.These interactionswereaimed

ateducatingtheworkersabouttheirrights undertheLabourAct andinformingthem abouttheservicesbeing offeredbytheMinistry ofLabour.

Thevisitispartofa seriesofinitiativesby theLabourMinistry’s OSHDepartmentto protecttherightsand well-beingofworkers acrossvarioussectors, withaparticularfocusontheoil-and-gas sector.Throughthese initiatives,theMinistryseekstoensure thatworkersoperate insafeenvironments, andarefullyawareof theirlegalrightsand protections.

MinisterCroal thankspublicforits patienceasRedRoad constructionprogresses

ByCindyParkinson

MINISTERofHousing andWaterCollinCroal hasexpressedgratitude

tothepublicfortheirpatienceandunderstanding duringtheconstruction ofthefour-laneinterconnection(RedRoad)be-

tweentheEastBankPublicRoadandtheHeroes Highway.

Inanexclusiveinterview withtheGuyanaChronicle, MinisterCroalemphasised thesignificantscaleofthe development,highlighting thatsuchprojectscannotbe completedovernight.

MinisterCroalacknowledgedthehighexpectations ofthepublic,butstressed thatthegovernment'sprimarygoalistoenhance thelivesofallGuyanese throughrobustandenduring infrastructure.

“Eventhoughweare workingtoensurethatwe giveourpeoplebetterroads andinfrastructure,weare verywatchfulinmakingsure thattheseroadsarebuiltto withstandtheweightand pressurethatwillbeonthem onadailybasis,"hestated.

Qualityremainsatop priorityforthegovernment, asMinisterCroalpointed out.Heemphasisedtheimportanceofensuringthatthe infrastructurecanendure weatherconditionsandthe constantusebyheavy-dutymachineryandtrucks. "Whilewearelookingat thecontractorstocomplete theworkintheallottedtime thatisagreedupon,wehave toalsolookatthequalityof workthatisbeingdone.It isnotfairtousasagovernmentandforthepeopleto dealwithsubstandardwork afterhugeinvestments,"he explained.

Therapidgrowthof Guyanahasmotivatedthe People’sProgressiveParty/ Civic(PPP/C)government tocontinueitsmissionof wideningroadstosupport nationaldevelopmentand internationaltrade.Minister Croalhighlightedthatthe temporaryinconveniences causedbyroadconstruction areanecessarypartofimprovingtheoverallquality

oflife.

"Nottryingtojustify anythinghere,butwehave toberealwithourselves, anywhereintheworld.As longasthereisinfrastructuraldevelopmentofthis volume,peoplearegoingto beinconvenienced.However,thebrightsidetothatis knowingthatwhenallofthe workiscompleted,hundreds ofthousandsofpeoplewill benefitfromimprovedand enhancedaccesstothese roadnetworks,"hesaid.

MinisterCroalalsonoted theinterconnectednatureof theroadprojects,mentioning thatthenewroadsarelinked withthedevelopmentofthe overpassfortheDemerara HarbourBridge.Theseaccesspointswillfacilitate smootherconnectionstothe EastCoastofDemerara.

Despitethegovernment's strictoversight,Minister Croalpraisedthededication ofcontractorsandtheircollaborativeeffortswithutility companies.Theroad-wideningprojectrequiredtherelocationofGuyanaWaterInc. (GWI)pipelinesandutility cables,amongotherchallenges."Thesetypesofwork requireskills;itisnotjust aboutdiggingupthesides oftheroads.AndImustsay thatwearealsoconcreting thedrains,whichwillalso bringeasetotheresidents, aswellasthebusinessesin thearea,"headded.

Thecompletionofthe RedRoadprojectpromisestobringsignificant improvementstoGuyana's infrastructure,interms ofenhancingconnectivity andsupportingthecountry'scontinuedgrowth. MinisterCroal'smessage tothepublicisclear:The benefitsofthesedevelopmentswillfaroutweighthe temporaryinconveniences, therebyleadingtoabetter qualityoflifeforall.

MMGhostssuccessfuldeveloperwebinar onitse-commerceplatform

MOBILEMoneyGuyana(MMG),aleadin innovativee-commerce solutions,recentlyannouncedthelaunchof theirnewE-Commerce API.

Thiscutting-edgeAPI willenhancee-commerce inGuyanabyproviding shopperswithaconvenientwaytopayonline forgoodsandservices usingMMGandgiving localbusinessesaboostin theirshoppingexperience offered.

MMGrecentlyhosted anexclusivewebinarfor developersonFriday,July 26at16:00hrs,recognisingdevelopersaskey playerswhowillbethe bridgetoprovidesupport tolocalbusinessestointegratetheironlineplatforms successfullywithMMG.

"Wearethrilledtooffer thisAPItothedeveloper community,"saidElizabethTimal-Tatkan,DirectorofMerchantServices atMMG.

Sheadded:"Ourgoalis

tendees,publicfiguresand well-knowndevelopers suchasRowenWillabus andCarlHandyalsojoined aspanelistsinpartnership withMMGtoshowsupportforthisinitiative.

“KudostotheMMG team...wereallyappreciateyouandthankyoufor creatingawarmspacefor us[developers],”Rowen Willabussaid.

Thisinitiativewasthe firstofitskindinGuyana anditwaspositivelyreceivedbyallattendeesof thewebinar.Effortswill becontinuedbytheMMG teamtoremaincloseto thedevelopercommunitytofurtherenhancethe e-commercelandscape inGuyanathroughfuture collaborations.

toempowerdevelopersto createexceptionale-commerceexperiencesthat drivegrowthandcustomer satisfaction."

MMGteamwithsomeofthedevelopers

Thewebinarfeatureda livedemonstrationofthe e-commerceAPI,extensivelyshowcasingitsfunctionalityandbenefitsto

businessesandconsumers. Attendeesalsohadtheopportunitytoparticipateina Q&AsessionwithMMG's teamofexperts,which

includedDesonAlleyne, SystemsAdministratorat MMGwhoconductedthe presentation. Ofover100virtualat-

ElizabethTimal-Tatkanalsoencouragedthe developerstotargetlocalbusinessestoprovidethemwiththetools andtalenttohelpthem digitalisetheirpayment options.

AgricultureMinistryrefutesclaimsonPoultryDiseaseManagement

THEMinistryofAgriculture hasstronglyrefutedallegationsmadebyVinceroyJordaninarecentStabroekNews articleregardingthemanagementofInclusionBody Hepatitis(IBH)inGuyana's poultryindustry.

Jordanemphasisedthese-

vereeconomicandhealthimpactsofthediseasebutfailed toacknowledgetheproactive measurestakenbythePeople's ProgressiveParty/Civic(PPP/C) administrationtocombatit.

IBH,firstdetectedinGuyanain2005andconfirmed in2006attheDIDCOfarm, hassignificantlythreatenedthe poultrysector,leadingtosubstantialeconomiclossesandthe closureoftheDIDCOfacility. TheMinistryswiftlyresponded byrecruitingregionalpoultry pathologistsandinitiatinga nationalIBHcontrolplan,which haseffectivelyreducedthedisease'sincidenceovertheyears.

TheAgricultureMinistry notedthattheresurgenceof IBHin2015,particularlyinthe Berbiceregion,highlightedthe persistentthreatofthedisease. TheCOVID-19pandemicin 2020andhistoricfloodingfurtherexacerbatedthesituation, challengingexistingvaccination Programmes.

Inresponse,theMinistry implementedseveralcritical interventions:Sourcingand ProcurementofVaccines:Aninvestmentof29millionGYDhas beenmadetosecurevaccines forcombatingIBH;RecruitmentofInternationalExperts: TheMinistryhashiredpoultry pathologists,virologists,and nutritioniststoenhancedisease managementcapabilities.;LegislativeSupport:Keylegislation hasbeenpassedtosupportstaff activitiesandensurehatchery compliance;VirusIsolation andTyping:Effortshavebeen madetoisolateandtypethe virus,providingvaluableinsightsfortargetedinterventions; DevelopmentofanAutogenous Vaccine:In2021,anautogenous vaccinewasdevelopedforthe firsttimeinGuyana;Sourcingof HatchingEggsfromVaccinated Flocks:Thisstrategyaimsto improvechickimmunityfrom theoutset,reducingdisease transmission;andBroilerBreederProgramme:A20million GYDinvestmenthasbeenmade toestablishabroilerbreeder Programme,ensuringnational self-sufficiencyandenhancing poultryimmunity.

WhilemanycountriescontinuetobattlediseaseslikeNewcastleandBirdFlu,Guyanahas managedtokeepthesethreats atbaythroughtheMinistry's strategicinterventions.Thissuccesshighlightstheeffectiveness ofthenationaldiseasecontrol strategiesandthededicationof theagriculturalsector.

UnderthePPP/Cgovern-

ment,theMinistrynotedthat thepoultrysectoristhriving, bolsteredbysupportfromthe oilandgassectorandextensive researchonhepatitis.Incontrast,

duringtheAPNU+AFCadministrationfrom2015-2020,poultryfarmersreceivedminimal support,leavingthemtofendfor themselves.Itwasonlywiththe

returnofthePPP/Ctoofficethat significantactionsweretakento addressthesechallenges. Inconclusion,whileIBH remainsasignificantchal-

lenge,theMinistryofAgriculture'scomprehensive andproactiveapproachhas significantlymitigateditsimpact.Continuedvigilance,

investment,andinnovation willbecrucialinsafeguarding Guyana'spoultryindustryand ensuringitsresilienceagainst futurethreats.

GPHCpartnerswith SmileTrainGuyanafor intensivecleftpalate speechtherapytraining

LASTweek,fromJuly21 to26,theGeorgetownPublicHospitalCorporation (GPHC),incollaboration withSmileTrainGuyana successfullyhostedanintensiveCleftPalateSpeech TherapyTrainingforlocal speechtherapistsandRehabilitationAssistants.

Thisinitiativeaimedto enhancetheskillsofprofessionalsindiagnosingand treatingcleftpalatespeech disordersacrossGuyana.

YorkCity,toGuyana.

Dr.Crowley,whoisalso amemberofSmileTrain's GlobalMedicalAdvisory Board,ledthetrainingsessions,providinginvaluable expertiseandguidance.

Thetrainingnotonlyfocusedonbuildingthecapacityoflocalprofessionalsto diagnoseandtreatcleftpalate speechdisorders,butalso aimedtoempowerthesenewlytrainedtherapiststofurther trainothersinregionsthat

fromtheexpertiseofthe newlytrainedtherapistsand assistants.

Speechtherapyiscrucial forpatientswithcleftpalate repairstohelpthemutilise theirnewpalatetoproduce correctsoundsandovercome habitualerrorscausedbythe previouscondition.

Dr.Crowleyemphasised theimportanceofspeech therapyfollowingsurgicalinterventions,stating, "Whilethesurgicalrepairs

Thetrainingsawparticipationfromrepresentatives oftheDavidRoseSchool fortheHandicapped,Palm’s RehabilitationClinic,DiamondSpecialNeedSpeech TherapyandAudiologyCentre,MinistryofEducation DiagnosticCentre,Ptolemy ReidCentre,FortWellingtonHospital,andLethem RegionalHospital.

Atotalofninetherapists andfourRehabilitationAssistantsweretrained,including oneRehabilitationAssistantandtwoSpeechLanguageTherapistsbasedatthe SpeechTherapyDepartment, GPHC.

InMarch2024,fourrepresentativesfromGuyana attendedasimilartraining inBarbados.Inspiredbythis experience,theideawasconceivedtoinviteDr.Catherine Crowley,SpeechLanguage PathologistandProfessorof PracticeatTeachersCollege, ColumbiaUniversity,New

couldnotattendthesession.

RehabilitationAssistants, strategicallyplacedatvarioushealthfacilitiesacross alltenregionsofGuyana, performessentialphysical, occupational,andspeech therapyservices.Currently, RegionsFour,Five,and10 havededicatedspeechlanguagetherapists.

Duringthetraining,ten patientswhohadpreviously undergonecleftpalatesurgeries,alongwiththeirparents, participatedandreceivedtwo dailytherapysessions,each lasting45minutes.Remarkably,twopatientsweredischargedafterdemonstrating significantcompetencyin theirtherapysessions.

Theimpactofthistrainingextendsbeyondchildren whohavebenefittedfrom cleftpalatesurgeries.Adults whohavelostspeechcapacityduetoconditionssuchas tracheostomyorswallowing disorderswillalsobenefit

arelife-changing,patients needsupporttousetheirnew palateeffectively,whichis wherespeechtherapyplaysa vitalrole."

Duringthetraining,Dr. Crowleywassupportedby tengraduatestudentsfrom ColumbiaUniversity,who volunteeredtoassistwiththe sessions.

Ideally,patientswho haveundergonecleftrepairs shouldreceivequalityspeech therapyfor12weekstoayear toachieveoptimalspeech improvement.

ThiscollaborativeeffortbetweenSmileTrain GuyanaandGeorgetown PublicHospitalCorporationunderscoresashared commitmenttoimproving thelivesofindividualswith cleftpalateconditionsand ensuringthatbothchildren andadultsinGuyanareceivethenecessarysupport toenhancetheirspeechand overallqualityoflife.

AMERICANRACING TIPS

SARATOGA Race1ZarakTheBrave Race2SquireCreek Race3IrishTenor Race4BobJohnRay Race5Cara'sDreamweaver Race6Linda'sJewel

SOUTHAFRICARACINGTIPS GREYVILLE

08:25hrsCanfordQueen 09:00hrsAllaroundtheworld

09:35hrsKhanyisaIndlela 10:10hrsImaginable 10:45hrsVisionOfWill

ENGLISHRACINGTIPS GOODWOOD

08:50hrsLordOfLove 09:25hrsJabaara 10:00hrsFrancisco'sPiece 10:35hrsHenryLongfellow 11:10hrsPowerOfDestiny 11:45hrsCotoDeCaza 12:20hrsMetaverse REDCAR

09:05hrsArabianAngel 09:40hrsCognisance 10:15hrsElementalEye 10:50hrsRedPixie 11:25hrsGunnerside 12:00hrsBayDreamBeliever

SANDOWN

12:45hrsDebora'sDream 13:20hrsAdrestia 13:55hrsStarzintheireyes 14:25hrsLiamSwagger 14:55hrsDancingwithmyself 15:30hrsHelloCotai

IRISHRACINGTIPS GALWAY

11:50hrsMyGreatMate 12:25hrsSoTheyTellMe 13:00hrsEnfranchise

13:40hrsRedwoodQueen

14:10hrsInExcelsisDeo 14:45hrsThor'sHammer 15:15hrsHallowedStar

GCBsalutesSirCliveonOrderof TheCaribbeanCommunityaward

FORMERWestIndiescaptainSirCliveLloydhas beendescribedasastatesmanbycurrentpresidentof theGuyanaCricketBoard BissoondyalSinghwho congratulatedthe‘supercat’beingconferredwith theOrderoftheCaribbean Community(OCC),the Region’sexclusiveaward.

AccordingtotheGCB President,“Thequintessentialstatesmancontinuesto receiveoutstandingawards andaccoladesfromaround theworld39yearsafterthe curtainfellonhisillustrious playingcareer.”

Theawardhasbeende-

scribedasa“celebration ofexcellenceamongthe peoplesoftheRegion.Honoureesrepresenttheinterest oftheirNationStatesand theRegioninthewiderinternationalarenaandbytheir servicecraftanicheforthe Caribbeanintheinternationalcommunity.SirCliveisthe secondGuyaneseafterSir ShridathRamphal(1992)to beawardedtheOCCandalso thefourthcricketerafterSir GarfieldSobers(1998),Mr. BrianCharlesLara(2008) andSirVivRichards(2022). SirClivehasaddedhisname toaselectgroupofdistinguishedWestIndianswho

GuyanaCup2024…

havecontributedoutstandinglytoregionaldevelopment.”

ThePresident,ExecutivesandMembersofthe GCBjointhenationincongratulatingSirCliveLloyd onbeingtherecipientof thisprestigiousaccordat therecently-held47thRegularMeetingoftheHeadsof GovernmentofCARICOM. Themodestandsoft-spoken nationalherohasonceagain addedtohisexpandinghonourrollwhichincludeshis KnighthoodinJanuary2022 fromtheDukeofCambridge PrinceWilliamatWindsor Castleandhisinductioninto

theICCHallofFamein 2019.

Inhisinternationalplayingdays,SirCliveLloyd blazedatrailofoutstanding achievementsfrom1966to 1985duringwhichtimehe played110tests,wascaptain for74andwon36ofthose matchesmakinghimthe mostsuccessfulcaptainin WestIndiesCricket.

Thisincludedasequence of26testswithoutaloss including11consecutive victories.

Hishighestscoreof242 notoutwasamonghis19test centuries.

SirClive’scrowning momentwasonJune21, 1975whenascaptainheheld aloftthePresidentialTrophy presentedtohimbyPrince PhillipofEnglandafterWest IndieshaddefeatedAustralia by17runsatLord’stowin theinauguralOne-DayWorld Cup(60overs)inwhatwas describedasthelongestday incricket.

SirClivealsoplayedand madeanindeliblemarkfor 20seasonswithLancashire inEnglishCountyCricket andwascaptainfor5of thoseseasons.Hewasalso outstandingforGuyanain RegionalFirst-ClassCricket

andwascaptainwhenGuyanain1983becamethefirst territorytowinboththefourdayandtheone-daytitlesin aRegionalSeason.

Afterhisplayingdays, SirCliveservedasanICC MatchRefereeandin2008 wasappointedChairmanof theICCCricketCommittee.

TheGCBisonceagain proudofyetanother achievementbyourlegendarycricketheroonhis conferraloftheOCCand takestheopportunityto congratulatehimandwish himtheverybest.

Seventhoroughbredsimportedfortheevent

LoyalCompany

INanunprecedentedandthrillingdevelopmentforthehorse racingcommunityinGuyana, seventop-tierthoroughbreds fromaroundtheglobehave toucheddownonGuyanese soilinpreparationforthehighly-anticipated16thrunningof theprestigiousGuyanaCup, settotakeplaceonAugust11 attherenownedRisingSun TurfClubinBerbice.

Thishistoriceventmarks thefirsttimesucheliteequine athleteshavegracedthetracks ofGuyanaorthewiderCaribbeanregion,promisingan unforgettablespectacleforall racingenthusiasts.

Amongthedistinguished lineupofequinestarsaresome ofthefinestgradedstakeswinnersandstakes-placedhorses, eachboastinganillustrious pedigreeandatrackrecordof remarkableachievementson prestigiousracetracksworldwide.

LeadingthechargeisStat, afive-year-oldchestnutgeldinghailingfromFlorida,USA.

Bredwithexceptionallineageasthegrandsonofthe

legendaryUnbridled'sSong withimpressivecareerearningsexceedingG$260million ininternationalcompetitions. SiredbytheacclaimedWill TakeCharge,whohimself hasgarneredoverG$800millioninwinnings,Stathas triumphedin7outofhis23 careerstarts,includingaremarkablevictoryintheSoldier'sDancerStakesatGulfstreamPark,Florida.Witha totalearningssurpassingG$65 million,StatarrivesinGuyana asaformidablecontender poisedforsuccess.

JoiningStatisNovoSol,a seven-year-oldbaycoltoriginallybredinBrazil,South America.Withalineagegoing backtotheesteemedSunday SilenceandtheprolificAgnes Gold,whohasearnedover G$1Billionoverseas,Novo Solbringsawealthofracing experiencetotheGuyanaCup, havingcompetedin32races andsecured7victoriestotaling overG$48millioninearnings. Havingpreviouslyracedinthe USA,andshowcasedhistalent ingradedstakesevents,Novo

Sol'sarrivalinGuyanasignals anewchapterinhisillustrious career.

ThelineupfurtherincludesLoyalCompany,afouryear-oldbaygeldingbredin Kentucky,USA,underthe prestigiousGodolphinstable, ownedbySheikhMohammed binRashidAlMaktoumof Dubai.AcquiredbyaGuyanesethroughanauctionin lateJuly2024fromtherenownedGodolphinStables, LoyalCompanyinheritshis exceptionalpedigreefrom thelikesofTapitandFrosted, withcareerearningsexceedingG$140million.Withonly 13startstohisname,Loyal Companyhasalreadyclinched 2victories,andamassedover G$36million,showcasinghis potentialforgreatnessonthe Guyaneseturf.

AlsoonboardoutthequartetisStormyEntry,apromisingfour-year-oldbaygelding originatingfromKentucky, andboastingalineagetiedto thesuccessfulPointOfEntry, withacareerearningsrecord exceedingG$500million.

StormyEntrybringsablend oftalentandpotentialtothe upcomingGuyanaCup,having commencedhisracingjourney inIrelandbeforereturningto theUSA.With2winsinjust 6careerstarts,StormyEntry's arrivalinGuyanasignalsa newchapterinhisquestfor racingglory.

Addingtothestellarlineup ofelitethoroughbredhorses settogracethetracksofGuyanaforthehistoricGuyana CupisStormyVictory,afiveyear-oldKentucky-bredcolt. DescendedfromtheillustriousStormCat,renownedfor hisexceptionalprogenyand earningsexceedingG$100 million,StormyVictorycarries thelegacyofgreatnessinhis bloodline.SonofStormyAtlantic,StormyVictorybrings awealthofexperiencetothe racingscene,with21career startsand2victoriesunderhis belt.Withapedigreesteeped inexcellence,andaproven trackrecordofcompetitiveness,StormyVictoryispoised tomakehismarkontheGuyaneseturf,andvieforvictory

intheupcomingprestigious event. Intheesteemedlineup ofThoroughbredcontenders settocompeteinthehighly anticipatedGuyanaCup,the sixthhorsetomakeagrand entranceisMorningColors, aseven-year-oldNewYorkbredmarepoisedtoshowcase hertalentontheracetrack. Anotherdescendantofthe illustriousUnbridled'sSong, MorningColorsaddsatouch ofeleganceandpowertothe competition.Asthesecond femalecontendertojointhe GuyanaCupalongsideBosalina,MorningColorsbrings auniqueblendofspeedand determinationtotheracing scene.DaughterofMidshipman,arespectedsireknown forproducingtop-tierperformers,MorningColorsboastsan impressiveresumewith29 careerstarts,5victories,and earningsexceedingGYD$20 million.Withaproventrack recordofsuccessandalineage steepedinexcellence,Morning Colorsissettocaptivateaudiencesandvieforvictoryinthe

prestigiousevent. Lastly,theseventhhorse togracetheGuyanaCup withhispresenceisthe youngestcompetitorinthe lineup,OyVey,athreeyear-oldKentucky-bredbay colt.Anothergrandsonof theesteemedTapit,OyVey carriesthelegacyofgreatnessinhisbloodline.Son ofConstitution,asirewith careerearningsexceeding GYD$200million,OyVey representsthenewgenerationoftalentintheworld ofThoroughbredracing. Despitehisyoungageand limitedracingexperience, withonly8careerstartsand onevictorytohisname,Oy Veybringspromise,potential,andafreshperspective totheGuyanaCup.Asthe youngestentrantinthefield, OyVey'sparticipationadds anelementofexcitement andanticipationtothecompetition,asheseekstomake hismarkandshowcasehis burgeoningtalentonthe grandstageoftheGuyana Cup.

Stat

NovalSol

ASthecountdowntothe secondKaresOneGuyana T10TapeballBlastnears anend,DigitalTechnology hasgottenonboardasakey partnerinenhancingthe qualityofthe2024tournament.

DigitalTechnologyisa professionalengineeringand consultingfirmthatoffers Technology,CloudComputing,SoftwareDevelopment, ProjectManagement,and ManagedITServices.

AttheirDiamondPublic Road,EastBankDemerara location,PublicRelations ConsultantJanellePersaud underscoredthatthepartnershipisaboutbringing awarenessofthecompany’sservices,usingthemost evolvingTapeballtournamentintheregion.

Thesecondinstallment

ofthepulsatingtournament bowlsoffonAugust3atthe PoliceSportsClub,Lusignan CommunityCentreGround, andQueen’sCollegeGround, wherethebest32Tapeball teamsinGuyanawillbeon showinastraightknock-out contest.

Othermatchdayswill betheRound-of-16onAugust4atthePoliceSports ClubandLusignan,while thequarter-finalsreturntothe EnmoreCommunityCentre GroundonAugust11.

Thecompetitionpromises tobefierce,andalargerprize poolwillenticethe32participatingteams.ThechampionswillreceiveG$1.5 million,whiletherunners-up willreceiveG$500,000.

MatchesonAugust3: MS-13All-StarsvTeam Corruption–QCPitch1at

09:30h;UpsettersvGPLInc –QCPitchthreeat09:30h; MontraJaguarsvFalcons XI–PSCat09:30h;Street BallerzvVillageRams–Lusignanat09:30h;ECExpressvMahdia–Lusignan at11:30h;SoesdykeXIv AirportXI–QCpitchoneat 11:30h;RenegadesCricket ClubvTarmacTitans–PSC at11:30h;EcclesAll-Stars vEastsyde–QCpitchthree at11:30h;TitansAll-Starsv StriplingWarriors–PSCat 13:30h;PREMIERInsurance vMin.Housing–QCpitch oneat13:30h;MorucaSuperGiantsvLilRams–QC pitchthreeat13:30h;The GuardsvMahaicaSuper Strikers–13:30hatLusignan;GreenScorpionsvAvinashAll-Stars–QCpitchone at15:30h;BrooklynYouth StrikersvCottonTreeDie

FlamesmeetRaiders, RoyalsclashwithJets

ToprankedVictoryValley RoyalswilltakeonAmelia’s WardJetswhiletheBlock22 FlamesfaceRetrieveRaiders assemi-finalactioninthe Kevin‘2Feet’Joseph/Team 13Under23getsgoingtomorrow(Thursday)eveningatthe Amelia’sWardHardCourt.

TheRoyalsremainedunbeatenastheygaineda69-55 winoverCentralMackenzie KingslastSaturdaynightinthe finalgameoftheroundrobin playofthetournament,while RetrieveRaidersdefeatedthe

RACINGenthusiastscan beginpurchasingtheirticketsforthisweekend’sDrag Wars3InternationalDrag RacingeventfromToday. TicketsinGeorgetown willbesoldattheGuyana MotorRacingandSports Club(GMR&SC)officefrom 10:00hoursuntil16:00hours dailyuntilFriday. AccordingtotheGMR&SC,thisinitiativewas takenwiththeaimofensuringeaseofaccessforspectatorstogetintothevenue early.

Amelia’sWardJets,59-51, earlierthatevening.

InthatwinfortheRoyals KobeTappinnetted24points andthenextbestscorerwas GodwynGeorgewithnine pointswhileJoeWarnerhada topscoreof11pointsforthe Kings.

ShemarSavourywith26 gamehighpointsemergedas thebestplayerfortheRaiders asteammateDamianVincente addednine.

ForthejetsJoelBenjamin with14pointsandStephan

“ThePre-sellingofticketsbytheClubwastaken becausewehaveseenhow manydragracingfanstend tomisstheactionwhenthey havetopaytocomein.In thisregard,wedecidedthat iftheygettheirticketsearly, theycanmovethroughthe securitycheckpointsfaster andnotmissanyoftheaction,”aclubofficialsaid.

Shortenedstrip Meanwhileatarecent competitorbriefing,thedecisionwastakentoshorten

George12weretheirbestplayers.

Inthefirstsemifinalat 18.30hourstheFlameswill meetRetrieveRaidersinwhat shouldbeaninterestingaffair seeingthatFlameswonvia walkoverinthepreliminary round.

Theothersemifinalat 20.30hours.willseeRoyals aftergaininga42-39winover Jets,seekingtohaveasimilar winningresultagainstthe hometeamcometomorrow night.(JoeChapman).

theracingdistancefromthe fullquartermile(1320ft)to 1000ft,owingtoongoing upgradesatthetrack.

TheGMR&SCwashopingtocompleteanew,flat surfacefordragracingrunningintheoppositedirectionsbutinclementweather hadstalledanyfurtherprogressinthatregard.

Accordingtotheclub,the areaunderconstructionposes noimminentthreattodrag racingbutessentiallymeans thatthebrakingdistanceof thecarsafterthequartermile

Hard–PSCat15:30h;DiamondGunnersvTGTitans –Lusignanat15:30h;The UnitedCrewvBarticaBulls –QCpitchthreeat15:30h.

Thecompetitionpromises tobefierce,andalargerprize poolwillenticethe32participatingteams.ThechampionswillreceiveG$1.5 million,whiletherunners-up willreceiveG$500,000.

Thelosingsemi-finalists eachgetG$250,000.

Playerswillvieforthe titlesofMostRuns,Most Wickets,andPlayeroftheFinal.Eachwinnerwillreceive aSmartTVanda$75,000 cashprize,allcompliments ofRegalStationery.

AssuriaInsuranceisnot holdingbackeither,offering amotorbikeand$85,000to theMostValuablePlayer.

TheKaresOneGuyana

T10BlastenjoysthesupportofKaresEngineering,BanksDIHLimited, StarRentals,Ministryof Culture,YouthandSport, MontraRestaurantand Lounge,SuperBet,DemeraraMutual,ETS,Metro OfficeandComputerSupplies,Jacobs’Jewellery, FirstChangeBuildersInc, KFCGuyana,Building

Expo2024,GiftlandOfficeMax,Sankar’sAutoWorks, ENet,AvinashContracting andScrapMetalInc.,TrophyStall,ANSAMcALDistribution,Camille’sAcademy,MinistryofHuman ServicesandSocialSecurity,RS53RestoBarand Lounge,GeneralMarine, SamarooInvestments,and Coel’sBoutique.

ActionintheKevin‘2feet’ Joseph/Team13U-23 BasketballTournament

hasbeenshortenedbyclose to600ft.

Thismeansthatthefastercarswhileundernormal circumstanceswouldbeable tostopbeforetheconstructionarea,anymalfunction inequipment(parachuteor brakes)wouldnothavethe buffertostopbeforethearea underconstruction.

Internationalcompetition Meanwhiletheclubhas alsoconfirmedthattheyare intheprocessofgarnering internationalcompetitionfor thelocals,withaTrinidadian

teamalreadyen-routeto Guyana.

Theteamwillbeledby SheldonBissessarandhis railcaralongreturningcrowd favorite‘TheFishVan’.

Surinamehasalsoindicatedthatateamwillbethere torepresenttheirinterestson aweekendwheremorethan 100competitorsareexpected onshow.

TheGMR&SChad reachedouttoBarbados whichhadconfirmeduntil hurricaneBerylhittheisland,thosecompetitorsnot

beingabletodoanyworkto theircarsandthusmissedthe shippingdate TicketsfortheAugust4 eventaresetat3000dollars foradultsand2000dollars forKidsandwillbepre-sold fromnextweek. Patronsdesirousofenteringthevenueontheday areaskedtousetheAirport route. Aftertheevent,spectatorswillbeallowedtomeet andgreetthedrivers.

JohnRamsinghofFLSport(left)andJenifer PersaudofDigitalTechnology

Persaudmissespodium finishin100mfreestyleheat

Guyana’sOlympicswimmer AlekaPersaudwasoffher bestinthe100mfreestyleas actioncontinuedinthe2024 ParisOlympicgames.

Assuch,theGuyanese missedoutonatriptothe semifinals.

The18-year-old,twotimeOlympianAlekaPersaudmissedthemarkon Tuesdayinthe50mpool.

Alekagoingintothe race,aimingtobethefirst Guyanesewomantobreak theminutebarrierwitha personalbest1:00.67sec-

onds,finishedin1:01.29 secondsforfourth.

PaigeVanDerWesthuizenofZimbabwewas firstin58.19secondswith Grenada’sTillyCollymore secondin58.84secondsand

MaxineEgnerthirdin58.98 seconds

SwedenSarahSjoestroemwasthefastestqualifier intothesemifinalwitha timeof52.99seconds

OlympiccoachSean Bakshsaystheywereon targetatthehalfwaystage.

“Itwasnotagoodtime,

shewasontargetatthe50, becausethatwaswhatthe calculationwere28toget throughthe50andcome backin28to31butshe didn’tdothat.It’swhatit is,wearedone,”Thecoach said.

AtthelastOlympic Games,shebecamethe youngestathletetorepresent Guyanaattheageof15.

AttheTokyogamesshe coppedsecondplaceinher heatbutdidn’tadvancewith athennationalrecordof 27.76secondinthe50free-

stylewhichshehassince loweredto27.42seconds.

Theotherremaining athletescompetingatthe gamesaretwo-timeOlympianEmanuelArchibaldinthe men’s100metresonAugust 3andthree-timeOlympian AliyahAbramsturningout inthewomen400metres, ontheAugust5. Tabletennisplayer ChelseaEdghilland400m freestyleswimmerRaekwonNoelwereeliminatedafterdecentperformancesintheirevents.

EDFAMen’sseniorleaguekicksoff

AiryHallStars,out ofMahaicony,defeatedGoldenStarsfrom GoldenGrovebya2-1 margin.

THEEastDemerara FootballAssociation (EDFA)onSunday launcheditsSenior Men'sLeaguewithan openingceremonyat theNationalTraining Centre(NTC)onthe EastBankDemerara.

Theeventbegan withavibrantmarch passbytheparticipatingclubs,followedby anaddressfromGuyanaFootballFederation(GFF)President, WayneForde. Intheopeninggame,

THEGuyanaMixed MartialArtsKarateAssociation(GMMAKA) proudlycommendedits athletesfortheiroutstandingperformances attherecenttournament heldinTrinidadonJuly 27,and28,2024.

Adedicatedteamof 11studentsparticipated, demonstratingexceptional sportsmanshipandskill.

TheGMMAKAreportedthattheathletes achievedremarkable successacrossvarious events,securingatotalof 49medals:23first-place, 12second-place,and14 third-place.

AccordingtotheGM-

MAKA,theimpressive accomplishmentisatestamenttotheirhardwork anddedication.

Despitethesesuccesses,theorganisationhas beentirelesslyadvocatingforfinancialsupport fromtheMinistryofCulture,Youth,andSportsto enableouryoungkarate ambassadorstorepresent Guyanaatvariousinternationaltournaments.

“Unfortunately,despitenumerouslettersand attemptstosecureappointments,ourpleashave goneunanswered,leaving ourathleteswithoutthe necessaryaid,”arelease fromthebodysaid.

“OurAssociationhas aproudhistoryofparticipatinginbothlocal andinternationalkarate tournaments,consistentlybringinghomemedals andhonoursforGuyana.Thisyearalone,our membershavecompeted inprestigioustournamentsintheUSAand Trinidad,andweareset toparticipateinanother tournamentinSurinameinthecomingdays. Theseachievements highlightthededication andtalentofourmartial artists,whocontinueto elevateGuyana’sreputationontheglobalstage,” thereleaseadded.

EltonAmsterdam foundthenetforAiry Hallinthe7thminute,afterwhichJoshua Harperrespondedfor GoldenStarsinthe30th minute.

However,Daniel Blairscoredthewinner

fortheMahaiconyboys inthe84thminute. TheleaguewillcontinueonFridayevening atBuxtonGroundwith adoubleheader. From19:00hours, BVTriumphUnited willclashwithMahaicaDeterminators, whilehometeamBuxtonStarswillclash withGoldenStars.

AlekaPersaudinthe OlympicpoolinParis