Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_10_05_2020

10th May, 2020

' No.105995

'Don't go live'

...PPP/C objects to disclosure of discrepancies during live broadcast

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Carter Center observers must comply Two more, at Palms, test positive for COVID-19 with COVID-19 measures - Harmon ...confirmed cases climb to 97

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'Deeply troubling' SEE STORY ON PAGE 17

-Top US Congressman blasts US gov’t, ambassador for interfering in Guyana’s elections

Attorney Ronald Burch- Smith assists his son Grayson in getting the perfect gift for Mother's Day

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SEE PAGE 03

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

Three new COVID-19 cases detected

-Two more persons transferred to ICU

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud

THERE continues to be a persistent cry from health authorities for Guyanese to act responsibly and carefully during their daily operations, especially given the fact that there continues to be a consistent increase in the number of confirmed novel coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, which has now moved to 97.

According to the latest statistics on the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases moved from 94 to 97 in 24 hours.

Health authorities have so far tested 852 persons and 755 of those persons tested negative for disease. Despite the large number of tests, which proved negative, the reality remains that 10 per-

sons have lost their lives to COVID-19, in Guyana.

Five persons are also battling for their lives in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU), while 52 persons are in isolation and three persons are in quarantine. There has also been some success stories, as 35 of the infected persons recovered after contracting the disease.

As the battle against COVID-19 continues, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, had reminded persons that Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) remains the epicentre of the disease, and there are a number of communities, outside of Georgetown, which have recorded cases.

Among communities on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) where cases were recorded are: Atlantic Gardens; Friendship; Golden Grove; Good Hope; Lusignan; Plaisance; and Strathsphey.

Among communities on the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) where there were cases are: Diamond; Grove; Land of Canaan; Providence; and Timehri.

Just recently, in an effort to improve the response to the pandemic, the Public Health Ministry had launched

its mobile unit at the East La Penitence Health Centre, as well as at the community COVID-19 facilities of Region Four at Herstelling, on the EBD, and at Paradise, on the ECD. Globally, there are over 3.7 million cases of COVID-19, with over 259,000 deaths. And with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease.

In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventative measures to contain the spread of the disease.

Dr. Persaud said the Ministry of Public Health continues to work with the residents in the bordering communities to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Additionally, the government has extended its emergency measures to combat the dreaded disease, with the imposition of a 12-hour curfew on citizens. These emergency measures were taken pursuant to Paragraphs (1) and (2) (b) of the directive issued by the President, in accordance with the Public Health Ordinance, Cap. 145,

and published in the Official Gazette, Legal Supplement B, on March 16, 2020. These measures have been extended to June 3, 2020.

As the country wages war against the deadly disease, President David Granger is on record as saying that the efforts of the country’s frontline workers, in particular those within the medical field, should not go unnoticed.

“I ask you… to think tenderly of our public health professionals and service providers; that is to say, our doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and all other supporting staff, medical and non-medical, who are providing the required care for those in distress,” President Granger said, adding: “Public health practitioners are on the frontline of protecting those stricken by the disease; they have been working tirelessly, through this very difficult situation, to provide quality healthcare to those who have been infected and afflicted. Everyone in the public health system has played a vital part in the fight against this disease.”

156 Ballot Boxes counted to date

-48 on Day 4

By Svetlana Marshall

A TOTAL of 156 ballot boxes have been counted to date as the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) supervised National Recount enters its fifth day.

On Day 4, a total of 48 ballot boxes from Region One (Barima-Waini), Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) and Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) were processed, GECOM’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Yolanda Ward disclosed.

In updating the press on the recount exercise on Saturday, on the outskirts of the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Ward detailed that of the 48 ballot boxes completed on Saturday – Day 4 – 14 were from Region One, 11 from Region Two, 12 from Region Three and another 11 from Region 4.

On Day One of the Recount, 25 ballot boxes were counted; on Day 2 another 40 and on Day 3– 43 while on Day 48.

There is a total of 2,339 ballot boxes, and with 156 ballot boxes completed, it means that 2,183 ballot boxes are left

GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward

TNM Representative, Joshua Kanhai

to be processed. The Elections Commission, in the Gazetted Order, had indicated that the National Recount would span for a period of 25 days but the duration is subject to review.

According to Ward, the timeframe will come up for review next week.

“As we progress, the Commission will probably have to revisit that timeline, and whatever strategy it will come up, with based on its deliberations, will inform how we move forward,” the GECOM PRO noted.

Ward noted that many of the teething problems experienced during the first two days of the recount, which commenced on Wednesday, May 6, have been resolved and the pace at which the ballot

boxes are being processed is increasing. However, she was keen on noting that the amount of ballots within a ballot box, and the discrepancies or queries by party agents are among factors that could affect the duration of the counting process within the 10 workstations established at the Conference Centre – the site for the National Recount.

The Elections Commission Public Relations Officer also noted that the tabulation process is progressing smoothly.

Chair of the Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh and her Commissioners had taken a decision to have the tabulation process conducted on a daily basis.

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‘Deeply troubling’

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

-Top US Congressman blasts US gov’t, ambassador for interfering in Guyana’s elections

TOP United States Congressman, Hakeem Jeffries, has expressed concern over Washington’s interference in Guyana’s electoral process, a development which he says is “deeply troubling“ to many in the US capital.

On Friday night, Jeffries, who is also Chairman of the Democratic Caucus of the US House of Representatives, said Guyanese should be free to decide who should be elected to lead the country.

US ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch, among several other western diplomats, has been accused of openly pandering support to the Opposition People’s Progressive Party /Civic (PPP/C).

Recently, a photograph surfaced online in which the US Ambassador, in the company of another Western diplomat, can be seen posing cozily with the PPP/C -aligned chair of the Private Sector Commission (PSC) Gerry Gouveia, while in the company of a businessman who is said to have ties to the Middle East terrorist group Hezbollah. That photograph was said to have been taken on Elections Day here.

On Friday night, Congressman Jeffries, in scorching responses to questions posed during an interview with Chair of the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), Rickford Burke, questioned why the US State Department has been interfering in Guyana’s electoral process.

The US needs to cut it out

Burke noted that after the March 2, 2020 polls, every entity which has been engaged by the US lobby firm,

States government needs to cut it out,” Congressman Jeffries said bluntly.

Chairman of the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy, Rickford Burke

Mercury -“including the State Department “- has come out in support of the PPP/C. That firm was hired by the PPP/C to control its elections campaign.

Burke noted that that Acting Assistant Secretary for U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Michael Kozak, made dismissive comments of the country’s electoral process, when matters regarding the counting of votes in Region Four were taken to the courts, after the March 2, 2020 polls.

Burke questioned whether this form of interference was appropriate.

“Not at all, and the United

INTERFERENCE IN A BROADER CONTEXT Jeffries said the issue needed to be put in a broader context. He made reference to the 2016 US elections which he said was done “in sweeping and systematic fashion; that was the conclusion of the Mueller report.”

He said that interference

by Russia was done in order for President Donald Trump to win the US Presidency, noting the Trump administration welcomed that move, which he noted was not consistent with the democratic process.

But that wasn’t enough, Jeffries said.

He added that, in 2019, President Trump solicited foreign interference to influence the 2020 US presidential

He said traditionally the US can monitor how democracy is playing out in different parts of the world. However,

US Congressman and Chairman of the Democratic Caucus of the US House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries

elections, by pressuring the Ukraine government to target presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden, during the latter’s campaign. “It was a stunning and corrupt abuse of power,” he said.

He said the Ukrainians, Chinese or Russians should not be interfering in the US elections.

Said Jeffries: ”If we are alarmed by foreign interference in our electoral process, why in the world is the United States government engaging in foreign interference in the affairs of an independent nation in Guyana, it is outrageous!”

in Guyana’s scenario, to interfere in such an “extraordinary way”, to favour the opposition, potentially to the detriment of the ruling party, is “deeply troubling to a lot of us in Washington DC.” Dining with alleged drug trafficker with ties to Hezbollah Burke raised the incident on Elections Day when it is alleged that Ambassador Lynch, in the company of another western diplomat and Gouveia, among others, were hosted to lunch by the businessman, the alleged drug trafficker and funder of Hezbollah.

156 Ballot Boxes counted to ...

“Of the total 156 boxes that we have completed as of today, they were able to complete tabulation for the General Elections – 129 of those Statements of Recount; and for the Regional Elections – 115 of those Statements of Recount,” Ward disclosed.

She noted that, on a daily basis, the Elections Commission has been meeting at the Conference Centre to resolve issues brought to its attention by representatives of the various political parties that contested the General and

Regional Elections.

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), in a verbal request, had asked the Elections Commission to furnish it with a list of issues and resolutions but a decision on that request is pending.

“The decisions of the Commission are what guides this process, not the decision of any political party, the decisions of the Commission.

And so while political parties would have requested such a document in writing, the Commission’s decision is

that, that information, whatever decisions are made, are to be filtered to the technical staff of the Secretariat and further transmitted to the workstation staff for implementation. That’s a decision of the Commission, so whether requests by parties to have a written document, the decision of the commission is what guides this process,” Ward explained.

In addition to the request made by the PPP/C, a number of the smaller parties, including the Liberty and

Justice Party (LJP), A New and United Guyana (ANUG), Citizenship Initiative and The New Movement (TNM) have written the Chair of GECOM, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh requesting a meeting of the Commission.

TNM Representative, Joshua Kanhai, told reporters that it is the intention of the small parties to raise four important issues, if the meeting with the Elections Commission is granted. Those issues include – a variance in instruction given to var-

Jeffries said that the Foreign Affairs Committee of the US House of Representatives which is led by Congressman Elliot Engel, who is chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, is closely monitoring all the developments in Guyana.

He said it is appropriate to broadly ensure that there is free and fair elections in Guyana and worldwide and carried out in a manner in which the United States does not try to sway the results. ”The people of Guyana should be able to decide who they see fit to lead them into the future,” he added, noting that the question surrounding US interference falls squarely within the House Foreign Affairs committee to ensure the US is conducting its business worldwide in a fair and appropriate manner.

Ever since the March 2, 2020, the US Embassy in Guyana’s Facebook page has been ‘littered’ with tweets from US government comments on this country’s electoral process.

The wait for the results of the elections has entered a third month, with an ongoing recount of the ballots cast in all ten administrative regions being the presumed final nail before a winner is officially declared, although declarations made by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) named the incumbent APNU+AFC coalition as the winner of what is termed the ‘mother of all’ elections in Guyana.

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ious counting stations; the streamlining of the counting process to meet a timely conclusion; clarification on the contents and information that are encompassed in a recount versus an election petition and the slothfulness of the tabulation process.

Notwithstanding these concerns, Kanhai concurred that the counting of the votes within the ballot boxes is progressing smoother than it did when the National Recount commenced on May 6. The re-

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count is being observed by the parties that contested the General and Regional Elections, in addition to local and international observers, including the Organisation for American States (OAS), the Canadian High Commission, the CARICOM Scrutinizing Team, the Private Sector Commission and CUFFY 250 among others. Notably, there are strict security and COVID-19 measures in place.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 10, 2020

‘Don’t go live!’ ... PPP/C objects to disclosure of discrepancies during live broadcast –– Commissioner Alexander calls for transparency to prevail

By Svetlana Marshall

WITH major discrepancies unearthed since the commencement of the national recount, the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) is now up in arms against the narration of the Observation Report during the live broadcast of the tabulation of the Statements of Recount (SORs) but Elections Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, said transparency is critical to the process.

Those discrepancies and irregularities, which include unsigned Oaths of Identity, excess ballots when compared to the actual number of persons marked as voted, ghost voters and missing Lists of Electors, form part of the Observation Report, attached to the Statement of Recount for each voting

block.

And though the PPP/C had fought long and hard for the entire national recount to be streamed live to the public, it is now objecting to the Observation Report being made public.

At a meeting of the Elections Commission at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on Saturday, a decision was taken to have the Observation Report read aloud during the tabulation process, even as it explores the possibility of having the information transmitted as well through sign language.

Hours after that meeting came to a close, PPP/C-nominated Elections Commissioner, Sase Gunraj, expressed major disagreement with the decision of the commission, though he forms part of it. “It is my respectful view that there are attempts to use

Sunday, May 10, 05:30HRS - 07:00HRS

Elections Commissioner, Vincent Alexander this Observation Report as a propaganda tool,” Gunraj told reporters, while adding that the Observation Report was meant to include anomalies at the opening of ballot boxes at the level of the workstations, and not during the tabulation process. Further, he contended that the anomalies included in the Observation Recount are unfounded, as he alluded to ghost voters and overseas-Guyanese voting, though not being in Guyana at the time of the General and Regional Elections on March 2.

According to Gunraj, the

Elections Commissioner, Sase Gunraj Observation Reports were never meant to be made public but the Elections Commission, chaired by Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, has moved from permitting the broadcast of those reports to the narration of the reports.

“We were told today that the differently abled were not able to access this information. So what they want now, they want the Observation Report to be read, and they want the Observation Report to be dictated in sign language.

Now I don’t know what they will come and ask for

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali tomorrow,” Gunraj told reporters, as he objected to the reports being narrated or transmitted via sign language. According to him, this is a deliberate attempt to frustrate the process.

PPP/C Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, also complained bitterly over the decision taken at the level of the commission with regards to the narration of the Observation Report. Ali contended that reading of the report will now result in further details. “The [Elections] Commission acceding to a request in having that Statement of Observation not only displayed to the public but also read to the public. That also is taking up time of the tabulation, it is reducing the tabulation time,” Ali said, while describing the commission’s decision as “strange”.

But Elections Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, in an interview with reporters outside of the Conference Centre, said that GECOM will do all in its powers to facilitate a transparent process, even if it means making public the Observation Reports.

While underscoring the importance of transparency, Alexander, in offering clarity on the commission’s decision, explained that though the tabulation of the SORs were being broadcast, the Observation Reports, that accompany the SORs, were not being transmitted properly. As such, in an attempt to have greater clarity, and to meet the information needs of persons living disabilities, a decision was taken to read the Observation Reports during the tabulation process.

“You said you want the

people to know, but aren’t blind people, people?” Alexander questioned.

He added: “If you don’t have sign language, how will deaf person know, and so we argued the case today and as a consequence of that argument, the process started with reading the narration of the observation.”

He said on one hand, there are calls for transparency and on the other hand, there is a reluctance to make public critical information generated out of the process.

Notwithstanding those objections, Alexander said the commission is exploring the possibility of transmitting the report via sign language.

“We are looking at the possibility to go beyond reading to the use of sign language, so that those who are deaf can also benefit from having translated to them what is in the observation report,” Alexander explained.

GECOM’s Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, also confirmed the decision of the Elections Commission to have the Observation Reports read during the tabulation exercise. She explained that even persons sitting in the Tabulation Centre have been unable to discern the observations though projected, and as such, a decision was taken to have the Observation Reports read.

Added to that, the Elections Commission took a decision to extend the time for the Statements of Recount.

“The decision of the commission is that tabulation will not commence from 16:00hrs to 18:30hrs instead of the 17:00hrs that was initially communicated,” she detailed.

In addition to the narration of Observation Report, the Elections Commission ruled that ballot boxes shall not be extracted from a container at 17:00hrs – a decision which also did not find favor with the PPP/C and a number of small political parties. In arriving at this decision, Ward said the commission took into consideration that it may be difficult to complete a ballot box within a two hour timeframe due to the amount of ballots that may be in a box.

According to the gazetted order, the national recount of all votes cast at the March 2 General and Regional Elections shall be executed on a daily basis from 8:00hrs to 19:00hrs.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 10, 2020

‘We have nothing to hide’ –– Harmon says ‘Coalition watching’ recount process with an eagle’s eye

THE A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) coalition on Saturday made clear its position and agenda in the national recount.

Since the commencement of the recount on Wednesday the party has been accused of making irrelevant objections and causing a slothful course.

APNU+AFC executive Joseph Harmon said he has heard the allegations and can say that the recount is not a simple mathematical process, but rather, one that has to pay keen attention to identifying discrepancies to ensure credible results.

He said he can say confidently that his party has nothing to hide and they would like all anomalies to be exposed.

“The PPP continues to say all we have to do is see what is in the box and see who gets this and who gets that, and that is the end of it. Now if that were to be so simple, we wouldn’t need an entire CARICOM delegation team here to scrutinise all that is taking place. It is because there are some credibility issues that need to be addressed. And those issues cannot be addressed by just giving mathematical calculations. There are questions with respect to whether people who are dead, voted, and people who are not around, voted as well… What has happened to the will of the Guyanese people is the ultimate question. And this recount will decide the matter,” Harmon posited.

He said that when things are hurried, important things tend to be overlooked

Executive of the APNU+AFC, Joseph Harmon and that is what their party is trying to avoid.

“When you’re hurry you tend to overlook things that you should pay attention to. And this is what is happening here.

We’re are paying close attention to what is happening. We have sort of given a name to our operation here, Operation Eagle Eye. Because we are looking at what is happening here with an eagle’s eye. Our agents here have gone through an extensive period of training, so they know what to look for. So it is that eagle eye that they will bring into this process,” Harmon said.

Because of the wide stretch of polling places during the March 2 elections, he said the party representatives did not

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams get the same opportunity to watch the electoral process with an eagle’s eye.

However, due to the fact that the recount is being conducted under one roof, it has put them in a better position to ensure that the results are fair and credible.

Harmon noted too that he is aware that persons from opposing parties are criticising their information being published, deeming it false. However, he said that the APNU+AFC is confident about the information that they put out to the public via their Facebook page, since the information is coming from their agents who are overseeing the recount stations.

“Several persons are masquerading as media with a bias [sic] agenda and

are putting out info in favour of one or more political parties,” he said. But he reiterated that their information has no malicious intent, but is just keeping the public informed of their observations at the stations in the centre.

Speaking with reporters, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams echoed Harmon’s sentiments.

Williams said it ought to be noted that this recount process is two- fold: counting the ballots and credibility.

He said the existing laws of Guyana do not have anything to deal with a national recount and GECOM had to seek refuge in the constitution, and that enabled them to have this national recount, but GECOM is being guided by the rules of the order that was gazetted.

“GECOM has an order and it contains all that they intend to do. It is very clear.

The rules are in the order. And this has two folds, and that is credibility and to count the ballots. So let’s say there is 188 total voters on a particular list, and then there is 259 ballots in that box, what do you do? Would it be credible if you ignore? That is just an illustration to show that the national recount couldn’t contemplate just looking at the ballot as it comes out of the box… We have instance with 100 unmarked ballots. We’ll be wasting time bringing the CARICOM here to just count the ballots,” Williams said.

Stressing further that the main question remains credibility, and to ensure credibility, the process cannot be done in haste, he said.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

What the early days of the recount tell us THE much-anticipated recount of the votes of the March 2 general and regional elections finally got started this past week. and almost from the beginning,, two things became noticeably clear: first, that GECOM was correct in opting for an audit of the votes rather than a simple recount.

Secondly, it has become obvious by the hour why the PPP fought so hard not to have an audit and also to avoid counting the votes in all 10 regions. This publication has repeatedly taken the position that there appears to be much that the PPP wanted to hide from the scrutiny of an audit. Although it is too early to proclaim that we have been vindicated, we can say with much confidence that we were not wrong.

We had heard from polling agents and other poll watchers attached to the APNU+AFC and from some independent observers that there were instances of “over-voting” in selected areas where PPP supporters are in the

majority. In Regions Three and Six for example, it was reported that the coalition requests for recounts were denied by election officers attached to the PPP. Given what has been exposed in Region Three after just three days of auditing, we now have a sense of why those requests were declined and that those charges of over-voting were not figments of people’s imagination.

Region Three appears to have been a den for the PPP’s malpractice.

As Commissioner Alexander has reported, there is at least one instance where there were more affidavits in a box than the number assigned to the polling station in question. Further, in that very region, there is a box that contained more votes than the number of voters at that station. There have also been reports of votes of dead voters and others who have migrated finding themselves in ballot boxes.

Unlike the PPP which has brushed these aside as minor infractions, we believe that they represent serious tampering on the part of

the PPP. In a close election, they could make the difference between winning and losing.

It is too early to determine whether what has been uncovered thus far is the beginning of a trend.

But they should not be wished away as inconsequential. Before the recount got started, the PPP was emphatic that the elections was being rigged at the behest of the coalition. The PPP and their allies have said that the opposition party has clean hands and therefore has nothing to hide. How do they now explain these transgressions after an audit of just over 100 boxes?

Remember there is a grand total of 2,339 boxes to be audited.

Predictably, the PPP and its affiliates have made a lot of noise at the relatively slow pace of the process. Why do they want things to move at a faster pace? It is obvious that they are afraid of what a meticulous audit would reveal.

This publication has made our position clear. We do not favour a sacrifice of thoroughness for a

party’s desire to get their hands on power through the back door. It is highly improper to ask GECOM to facilitate such ugliness. It is not the length of time that is important, rather, it is transparency and credibility that matter.

It has also been reported by this publication that the PPP has resorted to tampering with its own Statements of Poll (SosP) which it once touted as unimpeachable. We now know that they have adjusted the numbers on those SOPs to reflect an addition of over 2000 votes for the coalition. Where did these numbers come from? Many observers have long questioned why the PPP’s SOPs are being used as the standard against which GECOM’s tabulation should be tested. Now even the PPP is admitting that its SOPs were rigged against the coalition. In any case, the authentic SOPs are the ones in GECOM’s possession.

We wonder what those who jumped out front and declared the PPP the winner must be thinking

as they observe the steady flow of fraud committed by the PPP? We hope that they have learnt the lesson that electoral fraud is multi-dimensional. It is difficult to arrive at a conclusion after looking at one stop sign along the way. The PPP are masters at rigging and they desperately try to cover their tracks. But in this instance, they did not anticipate an audit that looks beyond the mere votes in the boxes.

The key is to determine how those got there.

The PPP will no doubt try to invent new ways to frustrate the process and blame their opponents. They are confident that the overt and covert support from external and internal forces would be enough licence for them to keep bullying their way into office. We urge Guyanese to be vigilant at this most pivotal period in our history. In the end the country is bigger than the party.

GECOM must remain independent arbiter ; ensure completion of recount consistent with Order Dear Editor:

THE national recount makes it possible for this nation to resolve in a peaceful manner, whatever question exists about the electoral process . This is necessary in order for a peaceful outcome. The Order gazetted by the Guyana Elections Commission (GECO,M) on 4th May, 2020 to realise this exercise must be executed to the letter.

Refer to https://www.gecom.org.gy/ assets/docs/Press_Releases/2020/Gazetted_Order_Recount_5May2020.pdf www.gecom.org.gy Created Date: 5/4/2020 1:59:05 PM www.gecom.org.gy Any deviation from the Order could not only create legal challenges but chaos in the process and undermine the confidence the electorate vests in GECOM to bring closure to the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

It has not escaped attention, the efforts on the part of persons to seek to deviate from the Order. The commission, in part or whole,

cannot be caught seeking to compromise the process, irrespective of what may likely to be revealed now or in future. The same goes for the secretariat.

Observing from a distance it is not lost on me efforts by political forces, notably Anil Nandlall, wanting to dictate the direction GECOM should or should not go, inspite of an existing legal document that guides the present operation. Further, his insistence that the recount must only be about the ballots and not all the Order provides for should not be condoned.

The commission headed by Justice Claudette Singh and the secretariat by Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield must stand firmly. For singularly and together they will be held accountable by the people for ensuring strict compliance with the Order. It cannot be over emphasised that for democracy to stand GECOM cannot fail.

Friday evening when one watched Commissioner Sase Gunraj’s uncalled-for behaviour and disrespect to the media corps

when a member dared ask a question pertaining to the Order and whether compliance is being observed is troubling. What is the reason for him being this belligerent? Is it to give the impression that he is victim, fighting, angry, desperate or is part of an intimidatory tactic for anyone who dares to question? Is he saying, don’t ask any question, don’t challenge the accuracy of anything he says because he is the commissioner and lawyer and whatever he says should be accepted as gospel and reported as such?

The media have a right to question, particularly when they have access to information (as per gazetted order) and are being told something different. Their role is to bring us the information as the process unfolds, to interview persons and ask questions consistent with the events at hand. As society’s watchdog they must continue to discharge their duties fearlessly. These workers must continue to seek truth from members of the commission and secretariat, and all who present themselves to be interviewed.

GECOM doesn’t work for the political parties. GECOM works for all of us and we must all ensure that the agency does what’s right by us. GECOM must remain an independent arbiter on behalf of the people and ensure the completion of the present exercise consistent with the Order.

As an aside, it has been noticed that some persons while being interviewed are displaying disregard for COVID-19 safety precautions by removing their masks or not properly wearing them (covering the nose and mouth). They ought to know better. In this environment and risk associated with spread of this deadly virus this is not the time for vanity. It is also disrespecting to self and others to remove your mask for you not only heighten the chance of contracting and spreading the virus ,but putting at risk the lives of those who are obeying the safety precautions.

Regards Lincoln Lewis

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OP–ED

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

The recount will determine the outcome of the elections

By Adam Harris

THE past week has been rather hectic. Many things happened. I was threatened with legal action over my column published last week. I reported to the police to report a physical threat I received and subsequently paid three visits to Eve Leary.

I hasten to state that, contrary to a report in another newspaper, I never apologized for last week’s column. I don’t intend to. Then the recount of the March 2 ballots began. Indeed the process is slow because it is more than counting votes.

It is about examining the process, checking the list of electors in the box, looking at the polling stamp and all the things that went on during the actual voting.

Almost as soon as the recount started there was a problem. The poll book that records everything that went on in the district was missing. When approached, the returning officer said that he had quit the job. He declined to say when.

I then queried the impartiality of the media. Clair-

mont Mingo was vilified over his declaration of the District Four count. He was slandered and libelled. Had he done what this returning officer did I wonder if the dust would have settled.

Indeed the accusation spread far and wide. The entire Guyana Elections Commission, minus the opposition commissioners, was accused of rigging the elections in favour of the coalition government.

In the run up to the recount the political opposition, through its commissioners, then demanded that GECOM decline to use anyone who was accused of fraudulent activities during the elections.

No one has provided any evidence of such activities.

The recount is underway.

One opposition spokesperson, Anil Nandlall, now says that the elections were free and fair. He even quoted President David Granger.

But the very Nandlall has challenged these very free and fair elections.

His focus is on District Four which has the largest bloc of voters and which has always voted overwhelmingly for the coalition. He

Adam Harris

is challenging the figures being declared for District Four. The recount will reveal everything.

Of interest is the fact that none of the protesters was keen to pay attention to challenges made by the coalition in other districts.

There were reports of irregularities in District One, Two, Three, Five and Six. But every objector contended that there were no problems with these districts. Now that the recount is on we are finding problems.

And even as the recount is ongoing I hear some statements that the coalition made prior to the recount. When

the opposition was objecting to all manner of things, commissioners for the coalition said that such complaints should come by way of an elections petition.

This was ignored. The clamour was as loud as can be for a review of the District Four ballots. Now Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo, is objecting to some of the challenges that are surfacing during the recount.

There is a challenge to dead people voting, one to migrants who no longer live in Guyana casting a vote, and people’s names being written on the list of electors. There are claims of people voting at a particular polling station without the requisite letter.

Jagdeo is insisting that such challenges should come by way of an elections petition.

Each day some weird things happen and peculiar statements are made. I did not hear Jagdeo’s press conference but he is reported to have said that he would swear in Irfaan Ali. I smiled because I remembered the situation in Venezuela.

There is a president and the opposition also swore in

a president. The difference is that the opposition has no power. What was most interesting is the support that the opposition seems to be getting from the major powers among them the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

A similar situation was envisaged for Guyana. The reaction of these powers actually had an impact on the closure of the elections.

There were two declarations but with talk of sanctions and refusals to recognize a government elected under such conditions, President David Granger refused to be sworn in.

I do not want to believe that Irfaan Ali is so hungry to be president that he would be sworn in against all the electoral laws of Guyana. Then he has to worry about being arrested. Jagdeo would not be able to save him if he, Irfaan, goes about impersonating the head of state. Perhaps the plan is to allow him to do so in his own home.

Freedom House may be able to pay him and whoever he appoints as his Cabinet.

For sure, the money would not be coming from the pub-

lic treasury.

Actions like these only serve to split the country.

One group of people would become very angry at a time when there is no need for anger.

We saw what happened on East Coast Demerara and in West Berbice when the political opposition mounted a protest. Sadly, one person died. Policemen were beaten to within an inch of their lives.

Unlike what happened in 1963 and 1964, when violence in one part of the country sparked violence in another part and dozens of people died, there was no reaction from the other side. So, to further sow division can only be seen as trying to foment unrest.

At the same time Jagdeo is claiming victory. Both major political parties were warned about such claims.

There has been no warning to Jagdeo this time around from the observers and the diplomatic community.

Confirmation bias and the Guyana elections Dear Editor “THE greatest derangement of the mind is to believe in something because one wishes it to be so” – Louis Pasteur. But that is exactly how our minds work. We tend to take new information and try to fit them into pre-existing beliefs. Psychologists refer to this cognitive function as ‘confirmation bias.’

Political strategists and communication specialists understand the importance of confirmation bias, and they make full use of it.

The US-based public relations firm Mercury Public Affairs, which is advising the PPP likely understands how confirmation bias works and it appears that they successfully leveraged its power.

To understand how confirmation bias works, take as an example the allegations of sexual assault against Donald Trump during the 2016 US elections cycle. Many people were

offended and angry that Trump was able to continue his campaign even after so many women came forward. Many of those same people now completely brush aside allegations of sexual assault made against Joe Biden. Why? Because people were told that Trump disrespects women, and then the allegations of sexual assault began to surface.

So, the allegations began to fit the narrative, and people believed.

With Joe Biden, there was no such ‘preparatory’ work and so the allegations of sexual assault against him are unlikely to have any meaningful impact.

In preparing for the Guyana 2020 elections, The PPP through “Mercury” employed similar techniques used against Trump in 2016.

They prepared for their post-elections plans by making sure the western diplomats believe that David Granger, a PNC leader, would rig the 2020 elections. Then when the PPP presented their own Statements

of Poll, those diplomats naturally saw that as confirmation of what they already believed to be true.

The problem for APNU+AFC is that confirmation bias also causes people to ignore or disregard evidence that may contradict what they already believe to be true. This explains why the media in Guyana, the diplomatic community and all those who believe that Granger would rig the elections are now ignoring or playing down new evidence suggesting that it is the PPP who tried to rig the elections. The new evidence does not fit with what the mind believes.

Another challenge confronting the APNU+AFC coalition is how to win support for its concern that irregularities are being uncovered during the recount process. The PPP has already signalled its strategy – relying on what people were made to believe: that this exercise is a recount. Throughout the process, everyone, including President

Granger has referred to the exercise as a recount. That single word is what shaped the perception of this process in peoples’ minds.

As the election verification process continues, it is important that Guyanese voters and those international support groups are reminded that David Granger is seeking to ensure that democracy prevails in Guyana. They must be reminded that it was the APNU+AFC that made sure that local government elections were held on time, even though the coalition was completely unprepared and took a thrashing at the local polls. They must also be reminded that democracy cannot prevail if parties engage in election crimes such as vote-buying, ID sharing and any other means designed to steal an election. Democracy is not just a word to be uttered whenever it suits the moment.

Guyana’s democracy has a unique opportunity to solidify. After decades of questionable elections

and no local government elections, we now have for the first time a higher level of faith and confidence in the electoral process. But we can easily squander this opportunity if we allow electoral irregularities to pass without objections. And it is the media that can play the critical role of ensuring that does not happen.

Reading the three main newspapers in Guyana, one sees two of them completely ignoring or disregarding the reports that ballot boxes were found with what seems to be evidence of fraud.

Again, it is the confirmation bias at work. The evidence does not support the pre-conceived belief that the PNC would rig the elections, so it is disregarded. And since no one believes that the PPP would do such a horrible deed as to rig an election, then the evidence must be wrong.

Respectfully Max Mohamed

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

HIGH FIVE FOR FREEDOM!

TOMORROW, May 11, marks the fifth year since the election to office of the APNU+AFC Government.

May 11, 2015 will always be celebrated for several good reasons as a people’s victory. It brought to Guyana a new wave of an open, plural and inclusive democracy. For the first time ever, the people elected a coalition of six parties to form their government.

The coalition won those elections over its nearest rival by a single seat in the National Assembly. That one-seat majority closed the chapter of one-party rule in Guyana.

TREACHEROUS ATTEMPT These five years have not been easy. Three and a half years into its term, the Coalition was faced with a treacherous attempt at its removal from office. Though our democracy was wounded by betrayal, the elected government survived for its full term as a result of support from the people, the strength of our legal system and the efficacy of our constitutional processes.

Over these five years, the Coalition Government literally walked between the raindrops of promoting internal good governance with full freedom for all, and defending the nation’s sovereignty against an aggressive external threat.

That threat to our sovereignty came both externally and internally. Like a dagger at our throat was the false claim by Venezuela to two-thirds of Guyana’s

territory. And, like a knife stabbed in our back, was the appeasement by opposition, a former President, ceding Guyana’s patrimony by giving Venezuela a “channel out to the sea”. That channel potentially leads to all of our nation’s off-shore petroleum resources.

CAUTIOUS DIPLOMACY In this grave situation, the Granger Presidency pursued diligent diplomacy in the national interest. It worked successfully for the controversy to be referred by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a peaceful and final resolution under international law.

If the Coalition could be credited with any significant achievement over this period, it must be its prudent navigation of the integrity of our territorial sovereignty against a powerful and greedy neighbour.

SILENT REVOLUTION Over these five years, there has been what I described before as a silent revolution to restore integrity in public office. The slogan, “Make America Great” in our context was “Make Guyana Clean Again!”

Our Government dramatically improved the legislative architecture, the development landscape and the lives of our people. Only Thursday last, the European Commission “delisted” Guyana from high-risk countries that are not fully prepared to combat

the scourge of money-laundering.

Earlier, Transparency International in its report for 2019, disclosed that Guyana has risen by three points on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). This, according to Stabroek News, is its “best score ever”.

This is positive testimony that the Coalition Government has flattened the “pervasive corruption” curve that has tainted the former PPP/C government which had reduced Guyana almost to the status of a criminalised state.

The PPP/C was in bed with the drug lords, operators of the under-ground economy, tax dodgers, land speculators, and an assorted array of crooks who plundered the public’s purse. Several of these accused felons face criminal charges and are actually before the Guyana courts, for which the efforts of the Guyana Government in holding former public officials accountable have been lauded.

This has been the consistent approval rating of the Coalition Government in almost all aspects of public life, including improvements in respect for freedom of the press, combatting trafficking in persons, ensuring juvenile justice, fighting domestic violence and gender abuse, etc..

Freedom House, a US state-funded non-government organisation, in its 2018 Freedom in the World Report, noted that Guyana continues to be listed as “free” and as an “electoral democracy”. It urged the govern-

ment “to continue pressing forward with anti-corruption reforms”.

In 2015, immediately before the change of government, Guyana was listed as a country that was “rife with corruption”. Worst was the 2015 pronouncement by Freedom House that counter-narcotics efforts were undermined “by corruption that reaches high levels of the government”.

Freedom House in an earlier review, on the eve of the 2015 elections, stated that the “informal economy is driven primarily by drugs proceeds” and that the then (PPP/C) government was unwilling to implement or enforce anti-corruption laws.

Since then there has been a crackdown by the current government against illicit drugs, and the presence in Guyana of the US Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA), has helped to carry the fight against money-laundering.

This fight has not gone unnoticed. In 2017 the US State Department highlighted the progress made by Guyana which had exited all fol-

low-up sanctions by the monitoring agencies.

GUYANA SHINING Indeed, Guyana has been shining on all fronts. These range from the prudent management of the economy (actually growth for last year was revised to 5.3 per cent); suppression of criminal activities; improvement in salaries and living standards of working people and pensioners; expansion of internet connectivity and radio broadcasting; upgrades in delivery of education, health, housing, water, electricity; and better road, river and air transport facilities, etc., Everything, it had seemed, was set for the easy re-election of the incumbent APNU+AFC Coalition in accordance with the adage, “one good term deserves another”.

But for inexplicable reasons, a potpourri of gullible and opportunistic elements was rounded up as extras among a cast of corrupt, anti-national forces to fake an electoral victory to oust the people’s government.

It appears that they had miscalculated, as a recount of all ballots has not featured in the regime-change script.

Now, as their dirty undergarments begin to unravel, we see ghastly caricatures emerging from the boxes of dead persons voting, ghosts who voted but whose presence at the polling place was not recorded, phantoms voting whose names were not on the list of electors, and inaccurate tabulation of votes, etc..

All of this is generating interest abroad. The ill-advised campaign is bound to back-fire.

On Friday, Chairman of the Democratic Caucus of the US House of Representatives, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, is reported as condemning apparent interference in Guyana’s elections and threats of sanctions against government officials.

For now, if I could coin a slogan for the first term of the APNU+AFC in office, it would be “High Five for Freedom!”

We must have a combined clinical, epidemiological approach to COVID-19 Dear Editor, AS I begin to write, I am reminded of a Martin Carter piece in 1958, when he opined that ‘just as the man on the peak of a mountain sees a different world from the man in the valley, just so should we, from our particular context of being, see something more and something different from anybody else.’

I should mention that I do not reside in Guyana at the moment and the observations and con-

cerns I am sharing with you and your readers originate from a perspective influenced by my involvement with, and experience in advising on health issues in Guyana and many other countries in this hemisphere.

We now have at least 25 days to await the result of the national elections held on March 2, 2020.

I suggest that we use this interim period, and not be distracted by the importance of the recount, to reflect on an issue that may have potentially grave consequences for

the land of our birth.

The first reported case of COVID-19 in the USA was filed on January 21 in Washington State. This was followed by the first reported case in New York on March 1. The estimated incubation period, which is the time from exposure to the virus to presentation of symptoms, is between two to 14 days.

The first reported COVID-19 case and death in Guyana was on March 11, last. It was the unfortunate case of a lady who had trav-

elled to Guyana from New York a few days earlier. Reports suggest that she had not travelled out of the city, which means she had to have encountered an infected individual towards the end of February in New York. We can conclude, therefore, that the first person who got ill in New York was exposed to the virus as early as February 15, 2020, which was just a few days before our fellow Guyanese was infected. That illustrates how easily the virus is transmitted from one person to another, given the

over 327,000 cases now reported in New York.

On March 25, the deputy chief medical officer in Guyana announced that people exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 infection, and who had travelled abroad, would be tested. Those symptoms include a cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, headache, muscle pain, etc.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

Pandemics are temporary states, and their interests are eternal

WHILE confronting the worst crisis in our modern existence, optimism is a crucial survival mechanism. We are comforted with phrases such as ‘this too shall pass’, ‘we will get through this’, ‘be patient’ and ‘we shall overcome’. These cuddly words are important and they invoke much-needed hope but when it comes to the global good and equal protection of all states, these reassuring references are not apt. Despite these feelgood slogans, the dogged protection of the interests of states has been ever-present during this pandemic, and it has reinforced, nay crystalised the truism in the sentiments of the British Statesman, Prime Minister, Lord Palmerston (1784-1865). Expressed in the House of Commons on March 1, 1848, he stated: ‘We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.’

COVID-19 AND THE INTERESTS OF STATES On March 11, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a deadly pandemic. As it began to take its toll, nations immediately kowtowed to their survival and eschewed goodwill to all humans. African nations sought $US 44B debt relief to fight the virus with little success. Small island developing nations with small populations that can be wiped out by this disease have not received any significant ease of debt from big nations and multilateral institutions. Also, 203 countries began to wrestle with each other in a grand scramble for medical supplies and an ugly and naked display of self-regard unfolded.

The big nations began to flex their financial muscles.

The United States snatched medical supplies intended for Germany and France by outbidding those countries.

One German official called it an act of ‘modern piracy’.

It might have been, but it was just the plain old eternal pursuit of governmental stinginess, at the fatal expense of

other humans. So what was new? Nothing. Unconscionable trade restrictions prevented 3 million masks from being delivered to Canada.

The export of 20 ventilators were blocked from being shipped to little Barbados with a population of 286, 641. The interests of states are never jettisoned, even in a time of extreme suffering.

GUYANA 2020 ELECTIONS AND FOREIGN INTERESTS With the above in mind, a cursory glance at the developments throughout our ongoing regional and national elections, would reveal that foreign attentiveness has been unprecedented. Besides the fact that we are a nascent oil producing nation, there are other numerous factors driving this passion. There are numerous threads in this diplomatic tapestry. This column is not afforded the space to treat with all the complexities but suffice it to dabble in a few questions: what are the key factors fueling this attention? Is it some semblance of regime change

or the genuine advocacy of objectives tied to the promotion of democracy? Guided by the above, skepticism or trust issues over the latter are well placed, especially in light of the fact that the advancement of principles and high ideals is always dwarfed by the interests of states. By any historical measurement, this can be substantiated.

As such, viewing these developments with a critical eye is not only prudent, it is being realistic. In doing so, this inevitably leads to the consideration; if there is a need for regime change, how is this even possible? Why would nations that embrace democracy and human rights end up at the opposite end of this government? Often,

such is the world, the sage words of Lord Palmerston are timeless.

NO APOLOGIES With the signing of the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648, there was the formation of nation-states. Since that development, by any historical metric, there is an abundance of evidence that indicates pure selfishness.

As a consequence, in the grand scheme of unapologetic national self-interest, powerless people and powerless nations are specks.

We did not need COVID-19 to confirm this; it was abundantly clear pre-pandemic. The impotence of some multilateral institutions is a constant reminder of this

May is Mental Health Month

By Melina Harris

AMID the worst healthcare catastrophe in modern history, we celebrate world Mental Health Month this May. Since the rapid acceleration of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, health pandemic, we have been forced to confront many of the issues that have been festering beneath the surface of our societies, and, indeed, the entire global community. Those who have not been directly infected by the virus are nonetheless impacted by the indirect consequences of various containment measures introduced to combat the spread of the virus. As such, we have all been spending more time at home among spouses, partners, children and other family members. The disruption to our ‘normal’ way of life is marked and many of us are perhaps feeling more stressed out and drained as a result of everything happening in the world currently.

It is now against this backdrop that we are being confronted with many of the social issues that affect us all, directly and indirectly. Chief amongst those social issues is mental health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organisation, good mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community. Where individuals are unable to achieve this desired state

of wellbeing, it is often because of an undiagnosed mental health condition.

Unfortunately, the statistics for mental health make for difficult reading. However, it also shows that mental illness affects many more people than you might have suspected. According to WHO, there are 450 million people globally, currently suffering from a mental illness, this according to a recent report. This means roughly 1 in 4 people will deal with a mental health issue or neurological disorder during their lifespan. Sadly, the WHO estimates that two thirds of individuals suffering from mental illness choose to avoid seeking help for their condition. This choice is based on a number of factors including stigma, lack of education and expensive healthcare costs.

Further, the WHO estimates that approximately 40% of countries lack a mental health policy and 30% have no programme regarding mental health.

Even in the more developed nations with better healthcare facilities, there is still abundant evidence emerging that mental illnesses are on the rise. Approximately, 1 in 4 Americans living in the United States of America suffer from at least one mental illness and nearly 10 million adults live with a serious mental illness. Approximately 10.2 million adults have co-occurring mental health and addiction disorders. Around 9.5% of US citizens over 18 years old encounters a depressive illness every year; other statistics put this figure closer to

25%, according to the National Council for Behavioral Health. Similarly, in the UK, 1 in 5 teenagers suffers from a mental illness. By the time teenagers reach university, approximately 1 in 3 students would have dealt with a serious psychological issue. More than 37,500 UK students from a total of 140 universities suffer from a mental illness, this according to data gathered in the University Student Mental Health Survey 2018. Research from the National Council for Behavioral Health indicates that one-half of all chronic mental illness begins by the age of 14 and three-quarters by the age of 24.

In Guyana, we need more statistics and research on the issue of mental illness. However, statistics from the Ministry of Public Health estimate that there are approximately 150,000 people in Guyana who have some form of mental illness.

And with young people making up 70% of the total population, we can surmise that this group would be heavily affected by this statistic.

We are also painfully aware of the high suicide rate in Guyana.

Unfortunately, this country tallies approximately 30 suicides per 100,000 deaths, a number only surpassed by Lithuania and Russia.

About 70% of these suicides occur in rural areas. Unfortunately, suicide is particularly high among our East Indian brothers and sisters with this group of people accounting for 80% of recorded suicides between 2010 and 2013.

Since the introduction of the National Suicide Prevention Plan in

2015, Guyana’s suicide rate has dropped from 44.2% to 30% by 2019, a staggering and notable decline. The National Suicide Prevention Plan also aims to increase the number of trained mental healthcare workers, and, up to 2019, we had approximately 120 medical doctors who have received training for depression and suicide prevention. They are now scattered across the country. Similarly, the number of psychologists and psychiatrists now stands at approximately 30 persons, a massive increase from the 7 we had in 2014.

There has also been an increase in the number of non-governmental organisations seeking to bridge the gap between what the public and private sectors have to offer those seeking help with a mental illness.

The Guyana Foundation is one of those NGOs that have been making steady progress in supporting those with mental illnesses. Their Sunrise centres offer a variety of skills training courses, wellness programmes and counseling by trained professionals. The first centre was launched in June 2016 and opened to the public in October 2016 in Zorg-En-Vlygt, Essequibo Coast. The Foundation aims to set up sunrise centres in ParFaite Harmonie, Charity and other areas.

Although there have been improvements in the availability of mental health services in Guyana, there is still a severe shortage of

sad state of affairs. Guided by parochial foreign policy cloaked in fine language such as ‘Principled realism’ and ‘Putting America first’, the foundation of international camaraderie was rocked when the President of the United States, with no apologies, announced the suspension of funding for the World Health Organization (WTO) in the headwind of the worst modern public health crisis. Why was everyone transfixed by this action? Nations don’t have friends, they have interests and those interests are not suspended during a pandemic.

trained mental health professionals and access to treatment facilities is limited. Furthermore, there is still much more work to be done in dispelling the negative stigma attached to mental health and mental illness.

Poverty and lack of education also continue to hamper progress, and coupled with substance and alcohol abuse, contribute to risk factors negatively influencing good mental health.

However, the failure to recognise the warning signs and seek treatment generally leads to a worsening of symptoms and a considerably lower quality of life for those who are affected, according to the statistics. According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 80% of people suffering from a schizophrenic disorder can reduce symptoms and the possibility of relapses with medical help, therapy and family assistance. Similarly, antidepressants, coupled with psychotherapy, can help 60% of people suffering from a depressive disorder to recover.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

Understanding Energy

Long-term demand for oil will remain strong, despite pandemic slump WITH a frightening slump in oil prices raising questions about the oil wealth that Guyana can expect from the rest of our 2020 lifts, it’s important to take a step back and view the current crisis from a long-term perspective.

The COVID-19 pandemic is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It has undeniably crippled oil demand globally on an unprecedented scale, driving prices to their lowest levels in decades and compounding the problems of an already-saturated oil market. But as dire a situation as that might seem, oil development projects are always a bet on the next few decades, not the next few months.

Oil is a highly cyclical commodity at the best of times. We find ourselves in a down cycle driven by an extraordinary but fundamentally temporary event. Just as the rest of the world is already looking forward to a COVID-free world, so too can Guyana’s oil industry.

Once economies and businesses reopen and populations are freed from restrictions on their movement, demand will gradually push

prices back up. Additionally, a downturn this steep has already seen some supply coming off the market and will likely force some indebted or low-margin producers out of business, further decreasing supply over time and raising prices long-term. This will leave Guyana with more room to sell its oil.

Obviously, we are not going to see $100 oil anytime soon. Demand will not bounce back to pre-pandemic levels overnight and it will take a while to work off the supply glut that has led to very high global storage levels. But prices will stabilize. Analysts at energy consultancy, Wood Mackenzie, recently predicted that demand would push oil prices back up above $40 per barrel later this year.

Though some may wonder why Guyana would continue to produce oil given current market conditions, commentators like the University of Houston’s Tom Mitro warned that Guyana would be unwise to panic and halt production in light of a temporary crisis. As Mitro noted, halting production or development now would leave Guyana in a worse

place when prices rise again. Complex deep water wells cannot be shut on and off like a faucet – doing so is a time-consuming and expensive process. Comments from Mark Bynoe, Director of the Department of Energy, have confirmed that Guyana has no plans to slow or cap its production.

These decisions are driven by a belief that the global demand for oil will not look particularly different after this pandemic than it did before. Influential analysts at Wood Mackenzie and the International Energy Agency predict that oil demand will remain high at least throughout the first half of the 21st century.

That’s not what some anti-oil activists would like to see, but so far global oil use has continued to rise steadily, year after year, even as once-niche technologies like electric cars become more mainstream amidst a global effort towards carbon transition. The American Petroleum Institute, which analyses demand and supply in the industry, forecasts that oil demand will continue to closely track global gross domestic product (GDP) growth af-

ter the pandemic.

Historically, oil demand increases at about half the rate of GDP, so a 3 per cent global growth rate would mean 1.5 per cent higher global oil demand.

That’s because even as much of the developed world is moving gradually towards more electric cars and greater fuel efficiency, the developing world—particularly Asia—produces tens of millions of new drivers every year. That is a major factor behind predictions that demand for oil will continue rising relatively steadily at least over the next couple decades.

Even if the demand for cars somehow declines, the demands for shipping, air travel and non-transportation uses of oil are all still increasing rapidly, year after year, although 2020 will likely prove to be an exception.

Beyond their uses as liquid fuels, oil and natural gas are vital building blocks for everything from ink to plastic to medicine. Strong, lightweight plastics, in particular, are very important materials for building more efficient vehicles and

will be critical for building electric cars and, eventually, planes. This kind of industrial demand for fossil fuels has accounted for an increasing share of the overall global need for oil.

This long-term demand puts Guyana in a relatively strong position, despite concerns about the current downturn. Our oil is relatively cheap to produce, especially for an offshore deposit. The near-term development plans for the Stabroek Block are still on track and Guyana is still set to be a major oil producer within a few years, even though future developments like Payara will suffer delays from the prolonged political uncertainty of this election and related delays in the approval process.

There will be numerous challenges the next government will have to navigate and, in the shortterm, navigating this turbulent economic and oil-market situation will be one of them. But it’s important to remember that a temporary crisis is unlikely to permanently shift the world’s need for oil.

CARICOM must recommit to the ideals of its founders

Dear Editor

In recent times, we have witnessed and experienced in our country, unimaginable partisan activities and deliberate direct support for one political party during the election, exhibit by foreign envoys. I am alluding to the brazen, presumptuous and deliberate display and disregard for Guyana’s sovereignty and Rule of Law by the ABC countries.

The PPC unmatched and unprecedented level of wickedness and dangerous desperation campaign to regained power has redefined the famous phrase “by any means necessary.”

Since the recount has commenced the world is witnessing firsthand the paramouncy of corruption and fraud committed by known agents and elements of the

opposition People’s Progressive Party (PPPC). A political party which the ABC countries have been seen with frequently.

ABC countries, by their actions and inactions have violated international norms, when the openly supported (in action and in words) the PPPC, when they storm the chairman of GECOM’s Office and continue to incite into Guyana’s internal affairs. Some of our own Caribbean colleagues and other foreign power were also compromised. Investigation revealed that they were working in conjunction with the PPPC to rig the elections.

Former Prime Minister who led a delegation of observer to Guyana during the election, is one of such person, and also the Russians who were caught in the hotel with the hacking devices in their possession.

It is a wide consensus that if

the ABC countries are serious about continuing and advancing international diplomatic relations with Guyana, they must take swift actions and recall those ambassadors and to make amend verbally public and a written apology to the people-led by the government of Guyana. This position should be back solidly by Caricom Member State.

On the 12th December, 1965 at on overseas press club luncheon held in New York, one of Caricom founder, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham said “………….and we hope that eventually, most if not all of the Caribbean territories would accede to this new free trade area. We feel that, it is time for us to develop more positively, a Caribbean realism and to best we start it at the economic level: and we feel that the first stage is the establishment of a free trade area

which we expect to be followed in time by a customs union and later by an economic committee which will permit us to rationalize our development and allow for specialization to our mutual advantage in the area, and I should imagine, if I should live long enough that, if we achieve that, we will eventually achieve some sort of political union in the Caribbean.

A number of our countries in the Caribbean recently, have been achieving independence: but independence to small territories can be meaningless unless there is a larger grouping. I feel that when the bigger nations are thinking about organizing themselves into groups,{ABC, EU etc} the least we can do in the Caribbean is to learn that lesson if no other. The lesson of the necessity to organize into larger groups, so as to be able to develop your economy

properly and to rationalize your resources….”

The frustrating attempts which is perpetrated by the PPPC and some of our so-called friends, to prevent the swearing in of David Granger, have given rise for Caricom member state to unite as one voice and to condemn any external interference in our domestic affairs.

I, like the majority of other Guyanese both home and in the diaspora know that President David Granger will emerge as the winner once again. The slow advance of a veteran in better than the mad rush of a recruit.

Long live the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, Long Live HE Brigadier David A. Granger.

Regards Michael Hercules

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

Screening expanded to detect asymptomatic COVID-19 cases -PAHO urges focus on frontline workers, flu-like conditions, pneumonia THE Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease, which has been labelled the “silent killer,” has proven to be more ‘silent’ than expected, as persons are contracting the disease, but remain asymptomatic- meaning they show no sign or symptom of the disease.

Considering the trend of asymptomatic cases, the Ministry of Public Health has ramped up its screening efforts in order to detect persons, who are asymptomatic.

Director of Regional and Clinical Services (RHS), Dr. Kay Shako, said the ministry has “cast its net” wider in order to catch symptomless patients, who are carriers of the highly-infectious and deadly COVID-19 disease.

Public health authorities had estimated that about 40 per cent of Guyanese COVID-19 patients are asymptomatic.

“Since we have that high number of asymptomatic persons in our communities, we have expanded our screening to know all those persons who are COVID-19 positive,”

said Dr. Shako.

The rationale for broadening the groups of persons to be tested for the pandemic emerged out of growing concern that the previous guideline focused too narrowly on those persons, who show physical signs and symptoms of the ailment and others, who were in close physical proximity to them.

Contact tracing is the jargon used by public health specialists to track persons, who were physically close to COVID-19 positive patients. By tuning out asymptomatic persons, the country ran the “real danger” of the deadly virus spreading rapidly nationwide.

To diversify the range of persons to be tested, Resident Pan American Health Organisation/ World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) Representative, Dr. William Adu-Krow, counselled local public health officials to also set their sight on frontline healthcare workers, persons with influenza-like conditions and those with pneumonia.

As a consequence, “our figures

will definitely rise,” Shako said explaining one of the outcomes of the MoPH’s expanded vision. To date, 852 persons have been tested for the disease, with 97 declared positive.

Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in Friday’s COVID-19 Update live broadcast, said 49 new persons were tested; deaths remained at 10 and that children constitute 5.4 per cent, adults 82 per cent and the elderly 12.6 per cent of all positive cases so far.

CMO Persaud also complimented the 35 persons who fully recovered from the deadly virus and the 692 who tested negative.

He said in Friday’s edition of the update that three patients are still hospitalised in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the tertiary level care Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), while a further three are in “our institutional quarantine and 49 in isolation”.

Outside of Demerara/Mahaica (Region Four), the per cent of readiness and preparedness to combat

COVID-19 is calculated at 87 per cent, Shako said.

She said isolation and quarantine units in the outlying regions are almost completed thus helping public health decision-makers to zero in more intently on the 21 elderly homes scattered around the country because the occupants are extremely vulnerable to contracting COVID-19, 15 of which are managed by the government.

Dr. Melissa De Haarte, Coordinator of Elderly Health at the Public Health Ministry, confirmed on Saturday that there are currently no new admissions in elderly homes.

“All homes are on lockdown…an elderly person needing to be admitted…must be screened and cleared before,” DeHaarte, who holds a MBBS and MPH-Gerontology, said.

The State is upgrading all 15 of the 21 elderly homes under its care in the COVID-19 fight Dr. Shako said. She said the remaining six NGO-operated homes will be closely monitored to ensure compliance

We must have a combined clinical,...

On March 31, the Mayor of Georgetown stated that he would not be implementing lockdowns or curfews, in contrast to neighboring cities. A few days later, on April 2, a national curfew was announced by the President, with the closure of bars, restaurants, places of entertainment etc. between 6pm and 6am daily.

By April 8, there were 29 cases diagnosed positive in Guyana, including a report that Mr. John Lewis had been diagnosed post-mortem with the disease. His wife had died 12 days earlier, which in all probability was also a result of the virus.

The number of tests done increased to 464 on April 27, and almost doubled to 714 with 93 cases on May 6, a 13% positivity. We also need to look closer at the 10 deaths among the 93 positive cases, which in epidemiology is known as the lethality rate, and is 10%. These rates in Guyana are very troubling as they are much higher than that of the USA where the lethality rate is approximately six per cent and for that matter, our 10% rate is the highest in the Caribbean and is higher than in many other countries in the world.

Deaths from COVID-19 lag infections, the estimate is that there

are approximately five to 10 persons with undetected infections for every confirmed case. In other words, the estimate is that there are many more infected people, whoh despite the curfew, are circulating and transmitting the disease.

So now we come to the case, reported recently in the news, of a 63-year-old male patient at the Palms Geriatric Home on Brickdam, who died at the Georgetown Public Hospital on May 1. Assuming that he may have been infected two or three weeks before being admitted to the Georgetown Hospital, he had to have been infected while at the Palms sometime in mid-April, after the national curfew was put in place on April 2, and I assume, a restriction of visitors was imposed at the home.

This now begs the question, how was he infected at the Palms?

He had to have been be infected by either a doctor, nurse, maid, porter or someone with whom he was in contact at the Palms, who may or may not have been asymptomatic.

I doubt it would have been another patient, but on the other hand, if he was not isolated whilst he was in the Palms and at the Georgetown Hospital, he could have infected other patients, doctors, nurses, maids,

porters etc. who are now incubating the disease and will soon become symptomatic.

Crises such as these are national emergencies, and necessitate discussions among clinicians, laboratory staff and epidemiologists who can make evidence-based decisions on where and whom to test. From the numbers reported, there are not enough tests being done among asymptomatic patients of the at-risk population (here we can think of maids, porters, doctors, nurses and contacts of patients).

We need to congratulate all health workers who provide attention during this period and those working in the Intensive Care Units, while bearing in mind the additional focus on other prevalent diseases, especially among those working in the interior of the country.

But they need personal protective equipment to both protect themselves and provide the care everyone deserves. There is an urgent need for the private sector to step in and provide materials and equipment such as masks and other supplies before we are again distracted in another 25 days with what could be the final count of the national elections held over two months ago.

Given the domination of COVID-19 in the news with the severity of the spread of the disease in other parts of the world, one must raise the question of the kind of preparations put in place and, particularly, what contact-tracing was and is being carried out after the first case was detected in Guyana. If so, one must question the efficiency and effectiveness of the effort, given the continuation of the spread of the disease.

Indeed, it would be useful if we could see the plans and guidelines for testing, and quarantining of all persons positive in the environs of the outbreaks of cases, as well as for isolation and testing of contacts.

We have seen efforts to make everyone aware, limiting the number of people associating, use of masks and maintaining distance among strangers, but still observe on a daily basis, the pleas of the chief medical officer for attention to the messages.

We need the community to be aware of and ensure the curfew and restrictions are adhered to, if need be, with the assistance of the police. People are away from work and school to maintain distance from each other, and not because someone, somewhere decided they

with newly-establish protocols to help stem the spread of the mutating virus.

In addition, the Public Health Ministry is also paying special attention to pregnant women throughout the country and is putting special facilities in place to cater for them. This move has enabled one COVID-19 positive mother to be begin receiving treatment, Dr. Shako said.

She said Regional authorities in Mahaica/Berbice (Region Five) and East Berbice/Corentyne (Region Six) have established check points at strategic locations to ensure all persons entering those areas are screened to help prevent any infected person spreading the disease in those two predominantly agricultural areas, Shako explained.

Since the broader net has been cast, three persons were sent to the New Amsterdam Hospital “for further evaluation,” the RHS Director disclosed.

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08

deserve a long holiday.

We must have a combined clinical and epidemiological approach, taking into account people’s behaviour, to address the ongoing epidemic and prevent an even greater health tragedy occurring in Guyana.

In closing, can we be made aware of the number of tests available in the public and private health systems, and the estimated need for test kits and supplies to deal with Covid-19? What of mobilisation of persons who have sewing machines to make face-masks, financing and support from the private sector, inter alia the cloth stores, rum, timber, shipping and oil companies, as well as the steps being taken by the Ministry of Finance to address the identified shortfalls, including food for those who now receive no pay?

Our time is limited, we have only three weeks before we are back to the discussion on vote-counting.

I assume the dicates of March 25 have been superseded and we are no longer ‘Waiting for Aunty to Cough’ (Samuel Selvon, Trinidad, 1923-1994), before we do a test for Covid-19.

Sincerely, Keith H. Carter

12

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

Two more, at Palms, test positive for COVID-19 -Social services director says staff being trained to swab persons

By Navendra Seoraj CONCERNS continue to grow at the Palms Geriatric Home, as two persons, said to be staff of the facility, have tested positive for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) disease over the past 24 hours.

The two new cases took the total to four confirmed cases coming out of the facility, which houses over 190 elderly persons, who are classified as high-risk for the disease.

An official of the Ministry of Public Health confirmed that two persons from the Palms were among the three new COVID-19 cases, which were recorded nationally, on Saturday.

The additional cases were confirmed just days after the COVID-19 disease claimed the life of a 64-year-old male resident of the Palms Geriatric Home.

Director of Social Services at the Ministry of Social Protection, Wentworth Tanner, had said on Thursday, that once it was found that the 64-year-old man was positive, the Health Emergency Operating Centre (HEOC) deployed a team to commence contact tracing. And, as a result, 12 persons, who were in contact with the 64-year-old man, were placed in quarantine.

All 12 of the individuals were persons, who were caring for the elderly man, and did not include other residents of the facility, said Tanner.

“The gentleman, who was bedridden for a while, became ill sometime last week, however, the GPHC (Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation) was contacted and he was taken there, but before he passed on May 1, a test was administered,” said Tanner.

When asked about the new cases on Saturday, the director told this publication that he had spoken to officials of the HEOC early in the day, but there was no such information. He, however, did not deny that it could be true, and instead said the results could have been recorded later in the evening.

To the best of his knowledge, he believes that everyone in quarantine were already tested, but the results have been trickling in. Tanner, however, said the Department of Social Services does not plan to sit

around and wait.

“We have already taken all measures we can take… we are working closely with HEOC and staff are receiving additional training in swabbing and decontamination,” said Tanner.

Swabbing is a sample-taking procedure, which is done on patients in order to do a Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for COVID-19.

While training in this area and the implementation of preventative measures remain important in the fight against COVID-19, Tanner said his department’s biggest challenge right now is the fact that there are persons who are asymptomatic, meaning they do not show signs and symptoms of the disease.

Director of Social Services at the Ministry of Social Protection, Wentworth Tanner

“So even if we screen and there are no symptoms, you could miss persons who are infected…we are doing everything we can, based on guidelines from the Min-

istry of Public Health… they have been providing immeasurable support,” said the director.

When asked what measures were in place prior to the initial incident, Tanner had said visitations were suspended since March 30 and all staff members are screened before they enter the facility. Workers are also mandated to wear protective gear while administering care.

As it is now, the HEOC is still conducting investigations into how the 64-yearold resident became infected, given that he was bedridden.

“The investigations are still ongoing, but we have not received any information to this effect…the priority right now is to do contract tracing and ensure that if

there is anybody else, we isolate those persons and make sure the Palms is as safe as possible for residents and staff,” said Tanner.

From the inception, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had said that older persons and those with underlying medical problems, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer, are more likely to develop the serious forms of COVID-19.

Testimony to this was the death of not just the resident of the Palms, but also OSA Collins, a 78-year-old resident of New Amsterdam; 77-year-old, Colonel John Percy Leon Lewis; and a diabetic patient, 67-year-old, Samuel Morris.

Persons over the age of

65 years account for just about 6.4 per cent of the local population. And, with the Palms being a facility which houses about 190 persons, who form part of this section of the population, there is cause for concern, especially since the death of the 64-year-old resident.

With the reality being that elderly persons are indeed vulnerable to the disease, Tanner advised this section of the population to take extra precautions and practise social distancing, sanitise and eat healthy.

Persons caring for the elderly were also advised to observe the necessary protocols because they interact directly with those who are vulnerable.

Book review:

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

Review of David Granger’s 'Food security in Guyana: Enough food for everyone' A V I D Granger’s Food security in Guyana: enough food for everyone is an exposition of the relationship between economic resilience, food security and regional development. It reflects the thinking of a national leader who is cognisant of the peculiarities, prospects and potential of each of his country’s 10 administrative regions.

The book consists of addresses delivered by the President at events, mainly to commemorate World Food Day and to launch Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibitions held in various administrative regions.

Each administrative region is different from the next.

The development of a food security programme for the country, therefore, has to take account of the strengths and challenges of each region.

Food security in Guyana: enough food for everyone achieves this objective. David Granger’s plans for food security are tailored to match each region’s conditions, circumstances and capabilities.

The President, addressing residents of * Barima-Waini, envisaged it contributing to making this country and the Eastern Caribbean food-secure. * Demerara-Mahaica, encouraged it to become a bellwether for the economic transformation of other regions; * Essequibo Islands-West Demerara, explained his government’s plans for agricultural expansion; * Mahaica-Berbice, emphasised the role of agricultural diversification in creating employment; * Upper Demerara-Upper-Berbice, challenged the region to become a “farmyard for agricultural production and a workshop for agro-industrialisation”; and, * Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo, identified it as the next agricultural frontier.

The President is on record, also, of having delivered similarly pertinent addresses to public agro-industrial events in

the Cuyuni-Mazaruni, East Berbice-Corentyne, Pomeroon-Supenaam and Potaro-Siparuni regions, which are not included in this collection. He founded a series entitled Regional Agricultural and Commercial Exhibitions – RACE – through which he encouraged each region to conduct an annual fair to foster agro-processing and the emergence of smalland micro-enterprises. The President declared the first Saturday in October, every year, as ‘National Tree Day’ to promote the planting and preservation of trees, particularly fruit and food-bearing trees as well as for environmental protection.

The book is a rich resource on research into food security – a term of art that implies the availability of food in sufficient quantities, accessibility by everyone and is acceptable in terms of dietary, nutritional and health needs.

Hinterland regions, in particular, have been known to suffer from occasional food shortages, especially during times of drought and floods. The remoteness of some communities and high transportation costs can also affect local food-supply chains.

David Granger approaches the question of food security from an economic and social perspective. Food security, he argues, must be concerned not merely with eradicating hunger and reducing poverty, but must also form the basis of strong regional economies. He envisages a country of economically strong regions with food production forming the

backbone of regional economies. He ascribes to food security the role of ensuring

country’s history. President Granger, however, is hedging his country’s future not

greater economic security.

Food production, he argues, will not only satisfy the nutritional needs of residents but will also strengthen the regional economies and allow them to become agro-processors and food exporters – two of the major incentives for increasing food production.

This emphasis on food security may come as a surprise. Guyana, after all, is already a petroleum-producing state, the discovery representing the most transformative development in the

on petroleum but on food production. He envisages Guyana as a food basket with the potential to export food to the Caribbean and beyond.

Guyana is food secure in six food groups – foods from animals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, fats and oils and staples. It may appear paradoxical, therefore, that the President would devote eight addresses, over a period of five years to examining this issue. Guyana is already a m a j o r food exporter.

Its food exports, consisting mainly of unprocessed commodities, however, are subject to the vagaries of international commodity markets. This has made the country highly vulnerable to exogenous shocks. Granger’s vision is for the building of greater economic resilience by diversifying production and moving it higher up the value chain through agro-processing and marketing.

The President attracted ill-informed ridicule for his emphasis on small-scale, food- processing initiatives.

His encouragement of smallscale food processing has been parodied as aiming for a ‘plantain-chips’ economy.

His critics, however, missed the valuable linkages of small-scale food-processing to income security, poverty-alleviation and employment, particularly for young people, poor households and women.

Food security in Guyana: enough food for everyone is a timely publication. A global crisis is unfolding. The world, at present, is fighting a deadly pandemic which has disrupted the global economy and which will have far-reaching economic consequences. The demand for food is expected to increase by 70 per cent by the year 2050. Food crises, invariably, accompany economic crises. The global financial crisis in 2008, for example, was followed by a food crisis which witnessed the prices of certain food commodities increasing, placing severe strain on countries with high food-import bills.

The President’s vision

and the emphasis which he has laid on food production will cushion his country from future stresses occasioned by global food shortages.

Guyana stands to benefit, also, by increasing its food production, given the projected demand for more food.

The United Nations World Food Programme projects that the number of persons who are food-insecure will almost double in 2020 owing to international conflicts and the COVID-19 pandemic. Increasing food production makes good economic sense in this context. Guyana, which is blessed with large tracts of arable lands, skilled agricultural workers and comparative advantages in certain foods, stands to benefit from increasing food production.

President David Granger has set the country on the right path. His policies will help to secure it from threats to food insecurity, while catalyzing the economic potential of agriculture.

Food security in Guyana: enough food for everyone presents invigorating perspectives which challenge traditional approaches to the subject. Its special appeal is its emphasis on the often understated and underrated role of food production as an instrument for economic empowerment. The book is emblematic of the President’s drive to ensure that no person goes to bed hungry, that everyone enjoys opportunities for income-generation and that the country at large will have no reason to fear future global food crises. Food security is not an ephemeral phenomenon. The world will always need food. The growth of the world’s population will increase, continuously, the demand for food.

Not every state, however, will be food-secure.

President Granger, through the policies which he enunciated in this book has laid the foundation for Guyana’s emergence as a major regional food producer. He has cemented his reputation as a visionary and provident statesman, with this publication.

14

SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 10, 2020

Celebration of mothers not hindered by semi-lockdown

By Jared Liddell ALTHOUGH the country is locked down because of the COVID-19 epidemic, the usual Mother’s Day gift hunting could be seen throughout Regent Street as children rush to purchase gifts and food items to celebrate their moms.

THE Guyana Chronicle spoke with several persons who made their way to Nesha’s Flowerland to purchase fresh bouquets of their mothers’ favorite flowers, mixing and making special bouquets to bring smiles to their mothers’ faces.

Ronald Burchsmith, along with his five-year-old son Grayson, was among the customers making a special purchase to celebrate this special day today.

Asked what plans he had for the big day, Burchsmith said, “Well since we can’t go out we will make it special at home, my son and I will prepare all the meals for the day and we will just spend the day together.”

Several other shoppers told the Guyana Chronicle that this Mother’s Day they will be having lunch or breakfast with their moms and spending quality time with their families.

A shopper at the Bounty Supermarket said she came out to purchase supplies for the meal she will be preparing for her mother.

She further stated that she and her sister have planned that one would prepare the meal and one would take care of presents; they will then meet at their mother’s home and celebrate the day together with her and her grandchildren.

A mother, Jacqueline Forrester, said although she would not be able to go out this year because of the COVID-19 lockdown, she will nevertheless enjoy the intimate family moments she will be able to have and added that she was excited at the prospect of spending the day with her children and grandchildren.

A shopper picking out the perfect Mother’s Day bouquet (Delano Williams photo)

A teen finding her mother the perfect present (Delano Williams photo)

Jacqueline Forrester, (left) taking advantage of a Mother’s Day deal (Delano Williams photo)

GTT recognises frontliners who are moms –– company donates hampers to single mothers through Help and Shelter

FOR Mothers’ Day this year, GTT applauds mothers who are also frontline workers – and have provided the platform for a few special moms to share their stories that speak to the impact of this pandemic on their families. The company also gave good vouchers to single mothers, as identified through Help and Shelter.

“Mothers are already selfless, which makes mothers who are essential workers very special at this time – not only are they catering to the needs of their children, they are risking their lives to care for the public also,” said PR Manager of GTT, Jasmin Harris. “Whether they are working in a supermarket, hospital, a pharmacy, or any other essential service, these mothers are our true heroes during these uncertain and anxious times,” Harris added.

Dr. Kittindie Pearson-Boyle, one of the mothers recognized by GTT, indicated that she has not seen her daughter since the beginning of the pandemic and encouraged the public to do what is necessary to help to ‘flatten the curve’, so that she would be able to see her daughter sooner.

Harris in relating this commented that, “…these are very real stories; mothers being unable to see their children in an effort to protect them because of the job they do.”

GTT also recognized and saluted Nazima Ragubir (Journalist); Conika Marks-Wilson, (Nurse) and Amanda Greene (Medical Administrative Assistant) - all of whom expressed that their children were a source of motivation as they executed their essential duties daily.

“Mothers’ Day will be very different this year, given the global pandemic of COVID-19. Our lives have been disrupted with no idea when we will return to normalcy. We at GTT considered it a privilege to highlight the sacrifices being made, especially by mothers on the frontlines,” said GTT’s PR Manager.

Essential workers provide vital services during the COVID-19 pandemic and are the persons who risk their lives every day for the needs of others.

GTT’s donation of food vouchers to single mothers was well received. The Board of Directors, Staff and Volunteers of Help & Shelter, expressed their gratitude to GTT for its continued support to the organization. Accepting the donation on behalf of the organization was Ms. Danuta Radzik who indicated the vouchers were timely.

She expressed that “we are grateful to GTT for lending support to Help and Shelter and remembering single mothers, especially at this time and on Mothers’ Day.”

THAG congratulates new GTA director THE executive of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG), along with its members, has congratulated Carla James on her appointment to the post of director of the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

On more than one occasion, Carla has been an integral part of tourism partnership initiatives and is the go-to person when addressing information needs. Her knowledge of the Guyana Tourism Authority, its work, and the industry will be an

asset to her new position, THAG said in a statement.

THAG envisions that Carla and her team will continue to be instrumental in the development of key programmes benefitting community-based tourism, promotion of Birding in

Guyana, Guyana Restaurant Week, and marketing Guyana at international trade events.

“We take this opportunity to thank Mr. Brian Mullis, the outgoing director for his contributions to the improvement of Guyana as

a premiere destination. He has redefined our approach to sustainable tourism and actions that will bolster community and niche tourism.

We wish him the best in his future endeavours. Our organisation looks forward to working closely with Ms.

James during these tentative times and support our industry members as they face the challenges of today.

We want to prepare and ready ourselves to greet our visitors, tomorrow,” the release concluded.

15

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

Over 40 persons arrested, charged for breaching curfew proceed home immediately.

If persons continue to breach the curfew they will be prosecuted,” he underscored.

It was highlighted that the traffic taskforce works during the day to ensure minibuses and taxis follow the 50 per cent passenger

These officers enforcing the 6pm curfew (DPI photo)

By Isaiah Braithwaite The Guyana Police Force has arrested over 40 persons for breaching the 6pm to 6am curfew implemented by the Public Health Ministry to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus This was disclosed by Regional Deputy Commander for Region Four, Senior

COVID-19 restrictions in place at the courts. Currently the courts operate three days per week which allows for just five such cases per week.

The commander pointed out that, before an arrest is made, citizens are given a warning. If that warning is ignored then an arrest is made. However, he pointed out that most persons are

A police officer keeps a close eye on a shop as the 6pm curfew approaches (DPI photo)

Superintendent, Phillip Azore, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

“Over 40 were arrested and charged; they are currently being placed before the court. So far, five persons have been placed before the court where they were made to pay fines and receive other punishment that the court has awarded,” Azore stated.

He said the slow rate of penalisation is due to the

complying with the measures.

Commander Azore also highlighted that, to further enforce the curfew, several strategically placed roadblocks have been setup.

“The reason for the roadblocks is to stop those persons driving on the road [after the curfew] and ascertain if there is any legitimate reason for them being on the road. If there is no valid reason, we ask that they

rate. If they are found to have breached the measures, they are warned before an arrest is made.

“It is not a case where you commit an offence for the first time and we charge you. You are warned, but if you continue then there is

strict enforcement and we have you placed before the court,” Azore stated.

The Guyana Police Force continues to call on persons and businesses to adhere to the emergency measures. The police are also reminding the public

that any person who fails to comply with any of the measures is committing an offence, under Section 152 of the Public Health Ordinance, and is liable, on summary conviction, to the penalty provided under that section.

16

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

Guyana off European Commission’s money laundering list GUYANA has been delisted from the European Commission’s money laundering list, joining countries like Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Sri Lanka and Tunisia, as those countries work to table legislation to guard against money laundering and terrorist financing.

This is according to the European Commission, in a new comprehensive plan to further strengthen its fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.

The delisting of countries will enter into force in 20 days after the official publication of the plan.

The commission amended the list in the form of a

Delegated Regulation. It will now be submitted to the European Parliament and Council for approval within one month (with a possible one-month extension), given the coronavirus crisis, the commission stated.

In the meantime, countries found with strategic deficiencies in their regime regarding anti-money laun-

dering and countering terrorist financing include; The Bahamas, Barbados, Botswana, Cambodia, Ghana, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Panama and Zimbabwe.

In May 2017, the European Commission had proposed that Guyana be removed from the money-laundering blacklist,

however, it was not until 2019 that the country was not included on the strategic deficiencies list.

Along with its updated list, the commission has published an ambitious and multifaceted action plan, which sets out concrete measures that the commission will implement over the next 12 months to better enforce, supervise and coordinate the EU's rules on combating money laundering and terrorist financing.

The aim is to have a more comprehensive approach and to shut down any remaining loopholes and remove any weak links in the EU's rules, the commission stated.

Under the Coalition administration, Guyana has made significant progress on the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) front; the Ministry of Legal Affairs has conducted Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) outreaches and sensitisation seminars throughout the country.

It has also placed much focus on co-ops, charities and developing the Special Organisation Crime Unit (SOCU) and other agencies critical to the fight against Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism.

Narcotics-eradication exercise successful

RANKS of the Guyana Police Force, under the command of a Senior Officer, were able to intercept and destroy $21M cannabis farms at Ebini and Bartica Village, Upper Berbice River.

On Friday, after an eighthour narcotics-eradication operation, several acres of cannabis cultivation, with more than two thousand plants, as well as approximately ten thousand kilograms of dried cannabis and a camp, were destroyed

The current street value of the narcotics destroyed is $21,022,800.00 Guyana currency.

Within the last three weeks, the Police have destroyed over 100,000 marijuana plants and have seized over 2,000 kilograms of cannabis during eradication operations in Berbice.

Ebini Village, Gatetroy Village, Bartica Village, Morgunston village were key locations where the police carried out their eradication exercise.

Labourer and reputed wife arrested for drug possession

A LABOURER and his reputed wife are in police custody after a parcel of cannabis was found in their Ankerville, Corentyne, Berbice home.

According to the police, acting on information received on Friday, around 05:15hrs, the police went to the couple’s home and conducted a search.

In one of the bedrooms, the ranks found a bulky parcel and one hundred and seventy-four small-sized ziplock bags, all containing suspected cannabis that amounted to two hundred and thirty grams.

The couple was arrested and is being prepared for court.

17

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

GECOM’s decision guided by gazetted order -- says recount is commission-supervised

AS the national recount of the March 2, 2020 elections picks up steam at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) is faced with many allegations that are being disseminated to the public through specific media houses.

These allegations published in some newspaper articles are purporting a narrative to the public that the recount process is being deliberately delayed and that a ‘Lowenfield Secretariat’ is making decisions.

This narrative, in essence, questions the credibility of the legal body that governs Guyana’s elections.

On Saturday, GECOM Public Relations Officer Yolanda Warde brought clarity to the media on this issue, saying that it is important that the Order for this recount be understood,

and that the public is aware of the legal operations and how their actions are governed.

“These decisions of the Commission, GECOM has to be guided by what is in the workplan, and, of course, what is in the Order that has been gazetted,” Warde said, adding: “And so, some of these things that are coming up as issues by party agents were already decided on by the Commission. So when the Commission now has to go back and revisit some of those things being brought to the fore, it requires some amount of patience in the deliberation to ensure the matters are ventilated at the level of the Commission, and they’re able to provide the necessary guidance going forward.”

Speaking specifically to the Order, Warde said: “There are some key things outlined in the Order, and

I think that a lot of persons, even persons who are

newspaper articles that refer to a whole aspect in it as

GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Warde

integrally involved in the process, are missing those key details in the Order.

Particularly, I read some

the ‘Lowenfield Secretariat’ making decisions. I want to say, particularly, that this recount is what is termed

a Commission-supervised recount, and therefore what is in the workplan, though prepared by the Secretariat, was properly ventilated at the level of the Commission.

The Order that was prepared and signed by the Chair, was properly ventilated at the level of Commission, and the necessary approval went forward. The process is outlined in the Order that any deviation from that process requires a revisit by the Commission. And so, what the Secretariat is implementing by the respective workstation, is basically a guide from that workplan approved by the Commission, and that Order was also signed by the Chair of the Commission and gazette.”

Based on the aforementioned, she highlighted that there is nothing sinister to be accusing the Secretariat of trying to delay or derail a process, “because we have to

be guided by what is included in that gazetted Order”.

In addition to that, she noted that Day Four went through without any major issues being raised.

“We haven’t had any major issues for today. We still have some questions coming to the fore, such as the validity of a ballot and those things; nothing that can really cause a long delay. Only recently we had an issue where the vote was valid, but when we looked at the back, the person’s signature was there. And once you can identify an elector, the ballot cannot be accepted. So those types of minor issues we have coming up at the stations, but we were quickly able to resolve those issues,” Warde said.

Carter Center observers must comply with COVID-19 measures - Harmon - PM Nagamootoo looking into the return of Komal Chand’s remains from Cuba THE door is still open for the Carter Center Observer Group to re-apply to enter Guyana to observe the national recount of the March 2 General and Regional Elections votes, but it must comply with the COVID-19 measures implemented, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) Secretariat, Joseph Harmon, said on Saturday.

“I believe so; I think that they can apply to come if they go through the correct procedure,” Harmon told reporters when asked if the Carter Center can reapply to enter Guyana in light of the closure of the airports.

He noted, however, that the centre’s observers must comply with the established regulations.

“First of all if you are coming from

overseas you have to be tested there, you have to have a certificate that is valid for at least seven days or so; if you do not have that, and get permission and you come here, you have to be quarantine for 14 days,” the NCTF Secretariat CEO explained on the sideline of his visit to the Arthur Chung Conference Centre – where the national recount is taking place.

Days before the national recount commenced, the Carter Center had sought permission from the authorities to fly one of its representatives from the United States to Guyana to observe the national recount. It was hoping to have at least one of its observers return to Guyana on an Eastern Airlines flight destined to Guyana from Miami on May 4.

“When the application was

made, the application was made for an aircraft to come, and then at the last minute we were advised that the Carter Center team will be on the aircraft, we didn’t say take them off, we didn’t say that they should come,” Harmon said while noting that the National Task Force subsequently learnt that the observer(s) was not on the flight when it arrived in Guyana.

He made it clear, however, that the authorities here had granted approval for the Eastern Airlines flight to come to Guyana, in addition to the crew. The pilot and flight attendants, however, were mandated to comply with COVID-19 measures.

“COVID-19 conditions are not things that you should take lightly, you have to ensure that people, when they come here, they are

properly tested and all of that,” the NCTF Secretariat CEO said while making it pellucid that the Guyanese Government has nothing against the Carter Centre.

Permission to enter and depart Guyana is needed in light of emergency measures instituted by the government to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). The country’s international airports – Cheddi Jagan International Airport and the Eugene F. Correia International Airport – have been closed to regional and international travel since March 18, 2020.

The NCTF Secretariat CEO noted that while President David Granger and Leader of the Opposition, Bharrat Jagdeo, had agreed to a CARICOM high-level team securitising the national recount,

the three-member delegation was mandated to comply with Guyana’s COVID-19 measures.

The CARICOM officials were mandated to undergo the World Health Organisation (WHO) approved polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests for COVID-19 before arriving in Guyana. It was only after the tests were conducted that the officials arrived in Guyana.

On another issue, Harmon noted that Chairman of the NCTF, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo is looking into the request for the body of Veteran Trade Unionist, Komal Chand, to be flown to Guyana from Cuba.

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Medical Council warns practitioners against being partisan in their duties THE Medical Council of Guyana offered its congratulations to all medical practitioners on the stellar services rendered to the Guyanese people during the Covid-19 Pandemic, but warned against their being partisan in the delivery of their care in what is a tense political period following elections in March.

In a press release on Saturday, the Council said that the provision of medical services during this difficult period required tremendous sacrifice and courage and has exposed medical practitioners to severe personal risks.

“Medical Practitioners have, nonetheless, eagerly embraced the challenges and represented the profession with distinction. The Council stands ready and able to lend assistance during this period and wishes to encourage Practitioners to continue to serve our people diligently, competently and with the highest professional rectitude,” the Council said.

The release said the Council called on all Practitioners to take all precautions necessary to safeguard themselves and their loved ones. “The Council also takes this opportunity to

remind all medical practitioners that the medical pandemic with which we are confronted, unfortunately, coincides with a heightened political atmosphere within our society. We, therefore, advise medical practitioners not to allow partisan politics to affect the discharge of their professional functions and duties…” the Council said.

It reminded practitioners that any such breach can place them in violation of not only the ethics of the medical profession but also the principles which underpin their licence to practice.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, May 10, 2020

GPSU urges, on mothers’ Day, an end to violence against women THE Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has extended Happy Mothers’ Day greetings to all mothers in Guyana, and the world over, on the day set aside to honour and celebrate motherhood, and has urged an end to violence against women and girls.

“It must be noted that mothers are selfless and loving humans, who, over time, have sacrificed many of their desires for that of their children and many others, towards the develop-

ment, achievement and/or improvement of livelihoods within communities, countries and the world,” said the GPSU in a press release.

It said that even though mothers were celebrated in many parts of the world in different ways, modern day Mothers' Day was first celebrated in 1908, when Anna Maria Jarvis of the USA celebrated her mother, a peace activist who cared for wounded soldiers on both sides of the Civil War. She established Mothers'

Day Work Clubs to address public health issues,” the release said.

“Throughout history, and in many societies and cultures today, a mother is seen as a pillar of strength and an authority who always extends a helping hand, a listening ear and finds ways and means to ensure that no one is left out or left behind.

Motherhood is defined by the individual qualities and practices each woman brings to her role as a mother,” said the GPSU.

It noted that the current realities in these unprecedented times as families are forced to hunker down, means mothers are assuming even more roles of fulltime teachers, tutors, playmates, workout instructors, counsellors and maybe more, and that this has put many mothers in an emotionally distressing state.

“Many households are lacking resources and an adequate environment to continue providing for their family’s needs and require-

ments at this time. Women and girls may be at higher risk of violence and other different forms of domestic abuse caused by other members of the family, due to confined environments at home for a prolonged period of time, restrictions of movement, and heightened stress and tensions in the household”, the release said.

The union noted that, as mothers continue to transform and transition themselves into these new

roles, everyone in the home should recognize that, they too, can assume more responsibility to ease the burden and alleviate some of the stress. “The GPSU, on this Mothers’ Day, wishes to discourage acts of domestic and other forms of violence/abuse against women and is in support of all positive action to protect the health and safety of all women, at all times,” said the release.

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Hemnarine Chattergoon still holds ...

From page 25

HACC clobbered their opponents by 136 to reach the final, which they duly won.

Chattergoon’s wife, Lena, and their lone daughter have been his most ardent and vocal supporters and are present at all of his games.

While Chattergoon went on to play for Canada, he still fancies the century, at what is regarded as the mecca of cricket in the Caribbean, as his most memorable moment in the sunshine game. “I thoroughly enjoyed playing cricket but scoring a hundred for the West Indies Under-19 team, especially when we were asked to follow-on, is still fresh in my memory,” he asserted.

Chattergoon, who still plies his trade mainly in the softball arena, and is regarded as one of the best players in the grassroot game, has won several accolades representing Dant and Sunshine in the Ontario Softball Cricket League and Our Own in the Ontario Masters Softball Cricket Clubs (OMSCC), among other teams in and out of Toronto.

His participation also includes international tournaments in Canada, Guyana, New York and Florida.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 10, 2020

Football to allow five substitutes during post-virus fixture backlog LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AFP)— Football teams will be allowed to use five substitutes when play resumes after the coronavirus pandemic, the sport’s law-making body announced yesterday.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB) said in as statement that it had agreed to a proposal by world governing

before extra time.

In competitions that allow an another replacement in extra time, teams will have an additional substitution opportunity.

The previous limit on outfield substitutes for top-level competitions has been three in regulation time.

The IFAB said the change had been made “as matches may be played in

The temporary change to the laws of the game is designed to safeguard players. (Getty) body Fifa for a temporary change to the rules “to protect player welfare”.

Teams face likely fixture congestion in a packed calendar as they attempt to make up for lost time when play can resume.

The lay off is expected to have an impact on player fitness levels too.

It also said that competitions which were using video assistant referee (VAR) would be allowed to drop it for the time being.

The change will apply to competitions scheduled to be completed by December 31 of this year, although Fifa and IFAB left open the possibility that the period could be extended.

While teams will be able to make five substitutions, “to avoid disruption to the game, each team will only have three opportunities to make substitutions” as well as at half-time or

a condensed period in different weather conditions, both of which could have impacts on player welfare.”

It added that “the decision on whether to apply this temporary amendment will remain at the discre-

tion of each individual competition organiser.”

It said that, together with Fifa, it “will determine at a later stage whether this temporary amendment would need to be extended further”.

That means the measure could be maintained for the whole of the 2020-21 season and right through to the next European Championship, which was postponed by a year until June and July 2021 because of the pandemic.

It remains to be seen if the measure could be left in place permanently, but doing so may play into the hands of the wealthiest clubs with the largest squads and greatest strength in depth.

The announcement comes a day after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) said it had proposed allowing teams in Spain to make five substitutions if matches resumed in the country.

Thursday’s statement said that it was the RFEF who raised the possibility of introducing the measure to Fifa “more than a month ago”.

The statement also said that La Liga chief Javier Tebas had shown support for the move, which takes a similar format to IFAB’s.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Sunday May 10, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK – STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel-683-9500) & CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Andy Blignaut (vs BANG, Harare, 2003-04) (2) Alf Valentine-139 wickets (36 Tests)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which ZIM wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals against the WI in Tests to date?

(2) Which WI wicketkeeper has effected most dismissals against ZIM in Tests to date?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 10, 2020

Hemnarine Chattergoon still holds unique Under-19 record … was highly touted as the most naturally talented Chattergoon

By Frederick Halley IN 1996, Hemnarine Chattergoon became the first Guyanese batsman to register centuries in his first two innings of a Regional Under-19 tournament, a record that still stands to this day. The opponents were Barbados and the Windward Islands.

Regarded by many as the most naturally talented of the Chattergoon brothers, Hemnarine was destined to represent Guyana at the First Class level with the likelihood of donning West Indies colours.

Following a successful 1996 regional tournament, played in Jamaica, Hemnarine

was awarded a place in the West Indies youth team to oppose Pakistan, and justified his place with a magnificent even-hundred at the Kensington Oval, Barbados against the likes of Abdul Razaq and Shahid Afridi. As fate would have it, the right-handed batsman migrated to Canada shortly after, thereby ending whatever chances he had of playing for Guyana and the West Indies senior teams.

Incidentally, the West Indies Youth team also included former Guyana and West Indies batsman, Ramnaresh Sarwan, who stroked 102 in the first innings, batting at number six; former Guyana

Chattergoon, following his epic 217 in the 2016 SCA Elite League semi-final versus Bawa-- rare moment

opener Azeemul Haniff who scored 100 in the second innings after 51 in the first; wicket-keeper Vishal Nagamootoo and leg-spinner Andy Chinsammy.

Emanating from the Albion, Berbice family of cricketers, siblings Sewnarine went on to represent West Indies in four Tests and 18 One-Day Internationals and Ramnarine played at the regional oneday level for the Combined Campuses and Colleges, while Harrinarine captained the Guyana Under-15 team and also represented his homeland at the Under-19 level.

The eldest of the Chattergoon brothers, Hemnarine never enjoyed the kind of success he was anticipating following his migration to Canada and, according to him, several factors were responsible for this, including work-related issues and the inability to put in enough practice. His only First Class match for Canada was against the United Arab Emirates at the Maple Leaf ground, King City, in 2007 which saw him scoring a mere 10 runs.

In 2009, at the age of 31, Chattergoon was appointed to lead Vikings in the Elite division of the Toronto & District Association (T&DCA) tournament. The strong Vikings team included former Guyana and West Indies youth player, Zamal Khan; former Guyana captain, Damodar Daesrath; former Guyana First-Class pacer, Jeremy Gordon; former Guyana Under-19 left-arm pacer, Naresh Roopnarine; ex-Guyana and West Indies B team keeper, Kenneth Wong, and former National youth players, Abdel Fudadin and Kevin Murray. The side was also managed by another Guyanese in Michael Khan.

Chattergoon returned to the Canadian side for the in-

augural Caribbean Twenty/20 tournament in the West Indies which saw the top performing domestic team qualifying for the Champions League Twenty/20 tournament. It was later replaced by the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), whose first season began in July 2013.

Guyana were the eventual winners, defeating Barbados by one wicket with one ball to spare in a pulsating final with Jonhatan Foo claiming the man-of-the-match award.

The tournament was also the first opportunity for Hemnarine to play alongside his brother, Sewnarine, who was part of the Guyana squad and who had already played Test cricket for the West Indies.

The now 41-year-old Chattergoon also had the unique distinction of leading Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) to four of their six consecutive championship victories in the Premiere League of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA)

Hemnarine Chattergoon poses with one of his several accolades tournaments before retiring at the end of the 2016 season.

He was fittingly honoured when the club held its annual presentation, dinner and dance at the end of the season.

Long-standing president of HACC, Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan, paid glowing tribute to Chattergoon for his out-

Hemnarine (left) with brother Sewnarine as the former is presented with a plaque in recognition of his services to HACC by sponsor Vishal Mohan, nephew of president Narchand “Archie” Mohan

standing contributions over the years as a batsman and an astute leader and, while acknowledging his decision to call it quits, reminded him that “the door is always open to him once he has a change of heart”.

The stocky right-hander was rewarded with a plaque, compliments of Trophy Stall Guyana. It read: “For your outstanding dedication, commitment and contribution as a player and leader of Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club”.

In an invited comment, Chattergoon described his joining of HACC in 2010 as a “political move” after he was specially invited to the club’s presentation. He was subsequently named captain two years later.

Reflecting on his decision to join HACC, Chattergoon disclosed that he had no regrets but insisted that he had played his last game when the 2016 inaugural Elite season ended, citing work and family commitments as his main reason.

In the 2014 Premiere League semi-final, Chattergoon was at his imperious best, slamming a scintillating unbeaten 217 versus Bawa XI, leading from the front as See page 23

Holyfield makes comeback at 57 for COVID-19 charity NEW YORK, United States (AFP) —Four-time heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield says he is making a ring comeback for charity at age 57, hoping to help first responders and children combat the coronavirus pandemic.

And it could set the stage for a third fight against Mike Tyson more than 20 years after the originals.

Holyfield said he would fight in exhibition matches to raise support for Unite4OurFight, which helps learning and emotional development projects aimed at children whose schooling was disrupted by the deadly virus outbreak.

“Are you ready? The moment you've all been waiting for... The Champ is back!” Holyfield post-

ed on Twitter. “I'd like to announce that I will be making a comeback to the ring. I will be fighting in exhibition matches for a great cause.”

Holyfield's move comes after Tyson, 53, was shown training and saying he wanted to make a charity comeback in exhibition bouts.

Holyfield has not fought since stopping Danish fight-

er Brian Nielsen in the 10th round at Copenhagen in 2011, improving his record to 44-10 with two drawn.

He last owned one of the three major heavyweight crowns in early 2001 after beating John Ruiz for the World Boxing Association (WBA) title in August 2000.

Holyfield stopped Mike Tyson in the 11th round in 1996 to win the

WBA title and then won a 1997 rematch when Tyson was disqualified for biting.

Two of Holyfield's other biggest fights came in 1999 when he fought a controversial draw with Lennox Lewis in New York for the undisputed heavyweight crown, then lost to the British star by unanimous decision eight months later in Las Vegas.

Four-time heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 10, 2020

Overlooked Ramdin still the Restarting game should region’s best: gloveman-Gray not compromise its PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Trinidad and Tobago’s chief selector, Tony Gray, believes Denesh Ramdin remains the best gloveman in the region, despite the rise of several other wicketkeepers in recent years.

The 35-year-old Ramdin’s 217 Test dismissals from 74 have left him third on the all-time list of West Indies wicketkeepers, only behind Jeff Dujon (270) and Ridley Jacobs (219).

However, the Trinidadian has not played a single Test nor One-day International in four years and after being overlooked for recent T20 series against Ireland and Sri Lanka, his international career appears all but over.

His snub this week by his native Trinbago Knight Riders for the upcoming Caribbean Premier League campaign also raised eyebrows but Gray said Ramdin’s skills behind the stumps remain unmatched even if he was no longer the best wicketkeeper/batsman available.

“I think Ramdin is still a very good player, a good all-round player,” the former West Indies all-rounder told the NewsDay here.

“It is not easy all of the time to be motivated but once he can be motivated – and perhaps a novelty item playing somewhere else will help – I think he could still contribute immensely to any franchise once the motivation levels are there.”

He added: “I think he is still the best gloveman. I am not sure that he is the best wicketkeeper/batsman, but I think that he is still the best gloveman in the Caribbean.”

Ramdin also lies third on the all-time West Indies list for ODI dismissals with 188, again only behind Dujon and Jacobs.

In recent times, Barbadian Shai Hope has sewn up the spot as the Caribbean side’s first choice wicketkeeper in ODIs, notching 93 dismissals from 78 matches.

More importantly though, Hope is one of

quality, says Joe Root

Denesh Ramdin still the region’s best gloveman, says Gray the world’s leading ODI batsmen, averaging 52 and already scoring nine hundreds.

And with the in-form Nicholas Pooran having taking over duties in the T20 International format, there has been no place for Ramdin in the Kieron Pollard-led unit.

However, Gray said Ramdin’s departure from TKR should not be viewed as anything other than the usual transfer activity ahead of a new season but warned that replacing his experience could prove difficult.

“That is the nature of franchise cricket.

You see it all over the world … sometimes a player has a better deal in another franchise,” he explained.

“When you looking at organising and structuring a team you have to look at the best fit and sometimes you have to look at the balance of the team.”

He added: “I think [it could be difficult] to a certain degree … it depends on the wicketkeeper that you get.

“If you’re playing Amir Jangoo, he is very young in the business still and the intensity level of a T20 game would mean that he will have to improve very quickly.”

LONDON (Reuters) - England Test captain Joe Root is keen to play international cricket this summer but not by compromising on quality of the game or its intensity, the 29-year-old has said.

With professional cricket suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is considering playing the series against West Indies and Pakistan behind closed doors.

“If the game is compromised, it shouldn’t be going ahead,” Root told Sky Sports.

“The game itself, the intensity it is played at - if you can’t play Test cricket at its absolute best we shouldn’t play it. It’s not a fair reflection of the sport.”

England’s home series against West Indies scheduled for June has been postponed while the inaugural ‘The Hundred’, which was to begin in July, has been moved to next year.

Root, like any professional cricketer, longed for international cricket but stressed public health was paramount.

“The guys are all missing playing and desperate to get back out there but safety is paramount for everyone involved. As soon as that is compromised, this can’t happen,” he said.

According to a Guardian report here ECB’s plans to play in ‘bio-secure’ venues could keep the players away from their families for up to nine weeks.

England Test captain Joe Root Fast bowler Mark Wood said most players were fine with the idea after their chat with director of cricket Ashley Giles and the chief medical officer Nick Pierce.

“We trust what Ashley and the doctor are saying and if an environment is set up where it works then I think most players would trust that,” Wood said in a video conference.

“We are all willing as long as the environment and everybody - people working at the ground, management, cameramen - is safe.

“Everyone is desperate to get going and it would be good to get out there but the bigger picture is what is going on on the front line,” added the 30-year-old.

Panday believes prolonged ––Covid-19 lockdown Insurance mogul says world of could affect athletes form business, sports sharing similar pains

By Clifton Ross

DIRECTOR of P&P Insurance Brokers, one of Guyana’s major corporate sponsors of sports, Vikash Panday, said he’s doing his part in the fight against covid-19, adding that he hopes the local athletes are doing their part in staying fit and safe.

A long-serving contributor to the local sports fraternity, P&P Insurance has been doing its part annually with regards to throwing financial aid behind the sport of cricket, football, pistol/rifle shooting, horse racing and others.

Panday, a former national youth table tennis player, said he was aware of the downside of the lockdown, which now sees athletes globally having to train and practice from home or with specified contact with others.

With no outdoor action, Panday believes that technology could be the wrench in the wheel, as athletes need to train and play more than being housed in.

“In my opinion, sports is not as heavily pushed as it was in my day. There’s too much electronic stuff and activities for these kids to get involved in apart from sport, so I think with this Covid-19, things will get from bad to worse because the kids need to play sports”.

Said Panday.

The young entrepreneur told Chronicle Sport, yesterday, that the current state of things due to the covid-19 outbreak, which has forced the country into quarantine, has both a negative and positive effect on sponsors and the sports industry alike.

“In terms of how Covid-19 has affected me businesswise, the hours are reduced, I have to take extra care with staff, with myself and family, while limiting interactions with the public”.

“Business has slowed down all over, the economy has slowed down globally. In terms of sports, anyone who is an avid sportsman will not be able to train unless you have adequate indoor facilities, so you still have to

P&P Insurance Brokers is one of the main sponsors of Sport Shooting in Guyana among other games keep fit, keep active and keep sharp”. Panday added.

He further explained that the current situation has also curtailed a number of developmental plans for both his business and the various sports beats he is currently working along with regards to sponsorship and activities.

Also, in wake of public acts of benevolence by a number of individuals as well as business entities and companies who continue to aid in combating the pandemic, Panday said he has done a few acts of good charity to date and will continue to provide help as Guyanese seek to defeat the deadly virus.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE May 10, 2020

Root backs radical proposals for Windies series LONDON, (CMC) – England Test captain Joe Root has thrown his support behind the radical proposal aimed at ensuring the Test series against West Indies comes off in July, arguing fans were “desperate for some live sport” and players were frustrated by the lack of playing time.

West Indies were scheduled to tour England for three Tests next month but Cricket West Indies and the England Cricket Board postponed the series with the hope of staging it during the July to September window.

If the tour comes off amidst the chaos of the coronavirus pandemic, the current proposal would see the enforcement of strict quarantine, isolation and testing protocols for players and officials and equally austere social distancing measures.

“I’m optimistic about it. It would be a real shame if it doesn’t happen. The public are desperate for some live sport and the guys are missing it,” said Root.

“The players would be sectioned off in one part of the hotel and would be in isolation together. There would be no interaction with the media, the TV crews or even the opposition when off the pitch.

We would have separate lunchrooms.

It would have a different feel to it but it’s probably manageable. Hopefully that is the case.”

Captains Joe Root(left) and Jason Holder The three Tests would also be played quarantined prior to the start of the series behind closed doors at “bio-secure” and once it wraps up, to mitigate against the venues like Manchester, Southampton risk of transmission. and Headingley which boast hotels on The United Kingdom has been one of location. the hardest hit by the deadly COVID-19, Further, players and officials will be recording 211 000 infections and over 31

000 deaths.

Root, whose England side surrendered the coveted Wisden Trophy last year after holding it for a decade, said reaching a decision to stage the series could be complicated as it would be up to CWI to agree to the conditions.

“We have just tried to present the likely environment to see if it’s a possibility for them‚” Root stressed.

“There are so many moving parts in all this.”

Root’s opposite number, Jason Holder, said recently it was imperative that safety was not compromised for the sake of ensuring the series was played.

“This thing has been really, really serious as we all know and has claimed quite a few lives throughout the world and that’s the last thing any of us would really want,” the world’s number one Test all-rounder said.

“I think we’ve got to play the safety card first before we can even think about resuming our normal lives.”

CWI chief executive, Johnny Grave, said the two boards were still mulling over the situation.

“We are working closely with the ECB to understand their plans to play the tour behind closed doors in bio-secure venues,” he said earlier this week.

Sir Viv never chased Gabriel off the field LEGENDARY former West Indies captain Sir Vivian “Viv” Richards says he never chased former T&T opening batsman Richard Gabriel off the field during a Benson and Hedges Limited Overs match in Australia in 1984.

The “Master Blaster” has been maligned, cursed and abused by local cricket fans who saw the incident as an attack on their own.

The episode occurred at Perth in a tied encounter between West Indies and Australia. Clive Lloyd was the captain but Richards was holding on for him when the incident occurred.

Larry Gomes, the Trinidadian parttime off-spinner, was operating at the time and bowled a short delivery outside offstump to Kepler Wessels who was cut down to deep point. Gabriel gingerly running around close to the boundary failed to pick up the ball and it cannoned into the fence.

“I never sent Gabriel off the field because I wanted to discipline him as the commentators said at the point in time,” recalls Richards.

“Gabriel indicated that he had a hamstring problem so I point that he could go off the field after that effort.

“I think Gabriel has finally been able to come clean with the incident and tell people what really happened on that occasion.”

The match was the second game of the World Series finals and ended in a tie. Television replays of the incident show Gabriel pointing to his right hamstring after recovering the ball. Gus Logie, his fellow Trinidadian, replaced him on the field for the remainder of the match.

After the incident, fans at the Queen’s Park Oval in St Clair, Port-of-Spain, refused to give Richards a good reception until they consumed their choice beverage and the Antiguan was murdering the bowling of the opposition.

There will always be “talk” of Viv not liking Trinidadians and this did not go down well with the batting genius as he showed otherwise on many occasions.

My own interaction with Viv showed his true colours.

Back in 2016 while covering the West Indies versus Pakistan Test series in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Viv would insist that I take a ride back to my hotel with the transport that was provided for him by the television company he was working for, during the series.

We spent close to a month in the UAE and grew very close as I was able to get to know the man better and understand his thinking and methods.

One night after play had ended in the day/night Test between West Indies and Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium, I told him that I would see him the next day, as I was about to call a taxi. He called me into his van as he had been doing every day of the Test match.

On that evening, another Trinidadian journalist Fazeer Mohammed and part of the television crew had stayed back to complete his assignments so he did not leave with the other van as he usually had done, together with former Pakistan opening batsman Rameez Raja.

I didn’t go to Viv’s van because it

was filled, as daily, it was occupied by the driver, Viv, Ian Bishop and former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis.

Viv told me: “Get into the van.” To which, I mentioned to him that the vehicle was filled to capacity. He told the driver to open the back of the vehicle and commented: “I will not leave my Caribbean brother alone.”

Viv said he would sit in the booth of the Landcruiser just to accommodate me. When the driver opened the back, we realised there was a pull-down seat in the vehicle. However, Mohammed volunteered to sit in the back as he was smaller in-built and off we went.

This showed his love for his Caribbean brother, a Trinidadian at that, and he was very much willing to assist me.

On that tour, we sat together and spoke a lot about politics. We watched clips of his masterful batting and he openly shared his feelings towards his Caribbean people and the deep passion with which he views the region.

It was on this tour, he revealed the incident with Gabriel and it was obvious that the entire episode had affected him because the truth was not spoken.

On the international scene, Viv is one of the few former West Indies cricketers that will make sure you are comfortable when far away from home. He always says that “when we are far away from home we must stick together as Caribbean people and ensure that we make life easy for each other.”

Viv has always been a voice for the voice-

Legendary former West Indies captain Sir Vivian Richards less. He was the one who came out openly and suggested to Yorkshire County Cricket Club back in the day that they look at some of the young Asians who were very talented in the Headingley area.

He was told by an official that they couldn’t handle the smell of all that curry in the dressing room. Viv hated this comment so much that when the official passed on, he refused to even attend his funeral.

The legend Viv has sat with Kings, presidents, prime ministers, and top celebrities, exuding a class that is equal or even above them. Long live, the “King of the Caribbean”.(Reprinted from T&T Guardian)

GABF’s Youth and Women’s Leader, Sileena Arjune, will participate at the FIBA Adelante - Women in Basketball Programme

GABF selects Sileena Arjune for FIBA’s Adelante –– Women in Basketball Programme THE Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) announced, yesterday, that it had selected their Youth and Women’s Leader, Sileena Arjune, to participate at the FIBA Adelante - Women in Basketball Programme.

The programme, which runs for six weeks, virtually, each Monday beginning May 11, is geared toward strength-

ening and growing the capacity of each Federation.

Sessions will be approximately two hours long. There will be an in-person meeting in Miami in the summer of 2021.

“I am of the belief that the ADELANTE programme would equip me with the requisite knowledge, skills and guidance needed to create and implement plans

to culminate active male and female participation in basketball at all levels in my country.

More so, I am an avid lover of sports and I’m open-minded and interested in partaking in opportunities which can enable me to better equip myself with skills which can transcend into everyday life and projects for betterment of one’s self and

Thomas, Paul, Powell the focus of CPL-produced films

From left: Oshane Thomas, Rovman Powell and Keemo Paul EMERGING West Indies stars Keemo Paul, Rovman Powell and Oshane Thomas will be featured in a series of films developed in part by the Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

The Hero CPL has worked with Trombone Productions and Sunset+Vine to create films that tell the stories of these most exciting of Caribbean cricketers.

In each film, these talented young men travel back to their home towns to meet the people who helped them become the cricketers they are today.

“We also hear from some of the superstar cricketers who they have played with in their career, with the likes of Chris Gayle, Andre Russell and Shoaib Malik giving us their thoughts on these players,” CPL said.

Oshane Thomas visits the site of his brother’s murder, talks about how this impacted on his life and how he overcame this to become an international cricketer.

Keemo Paul grew up in a tiny fishing village on the Essequibo River. His house had no running water and no electricity. It is more than 30 miles from the nearest road. This is where he first learned to play cricket, and the film takes

viewers back to visit the community that made him the man he is today, and somewhere he still calls home.

Rovman Powell takes the cameras to meet his mother who raised him and his sister on her own, sometimes working three jobs to give him the start he needed to excel at cricket.

“When documenting sports people it is their on-field talent that is usually the focus, but behind every successful athlete is a story of where they came from, the people who made their careers possible and the defining moments in their lives that give them the drive and focus to become the best in the world at what they do,” said CPL’s Head of Production, Paul Pritchett-Brown.

“It was a privilege to be able to go to where these impressive young men came from and to tell their stories.”

You can watch the first of these films featuring Oshane Thomas via https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=915x1fBODE0.

All three films will be available on the Caribbean Premier League YouTube and Facebook pages. They will be premiered on the following dates: Keemo Paul – May 22, 2020, Rovman Powell – June 5, 2020. (Sportsmax).

community,” Arjune said in an invited comment.

Arjune further noted that “It has been an absolute pleasure to have been selected into this programme and I intend to utilize all opportunities presented to implement my project whilst garnering much needed guidance and skills to complete the programme successfully to

implore the upcoming female leaders in Guyana to follow same to ensure the proliferation of male and female participation in Basketball at all levels.”

GABF’s General Secretary, Patrick Haynes, said he was pleased “to have nominated Sileena for the FIBA’s Adelante Program and the GABF has committed to support her throughout the duration of the programme as she will be our champion in promoting and growing women’s basketball for the next five years.

Sileena has been a consistent advocate for women’s development, diversity and inclusion from her early high school years. She will add value to any forum and is an excellent contributor, communicator and leader.”Topics have been selected based on the quality of speakers and a series of ‘How To’s’ that will create a solid foundation for all participants.

FIBA Americas noted that the first year will be via Zoom Meetings which provides flexibility to have elite keynote speakers.

The first speaker for this series will be New Zealand’s first female Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley. She will be speaking and highlighting how to identify true allies, using real-life problems, and how to come out of these situations successfully.

Together, with the GABF, Sileena has been identified a special project for completion during Adelante. In addition to personal education from international keynote speak-

ers, participants will learn skills and ideas for implementing the project.

There will be quarterly phone calls and an on-going mentorship programme, with plans to have a culminating experience during the week of the 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Sydney, Australia (September - October 2, 2022) for successful participants.

Participants will spread their knowledge to future female leaders in their National Federation and the basketball community in their country.

Arjune’s project will be the incorporation of 3x3 and 5x5 basketball into the Secondary Schools’ Physical Education Curriculum, with provisions for coaches and mentors to liaison with the school’s educators to provide guidance on drills and skills and hosting of competitions by volunteering their services as officials.

With the engagement of players at a young age, this enables participation at grassroot level and can foster development throughout the high school years, allowing students to have the game of basketball transcends into their lives after school with the opportunity to play for a club, or pursue a sportsbased scholarship. With the advent of basketball being actively played at all levels, this can increase the interest of sponsors and the establishment of a female league. (Rawle Toney)

Kerry Packer shakes up things with World Series Cricket- May 9, 1977 KERRY Packer, an Australian business tycoon, initially just wanted to secure the rights of cricket in Australia for his Channel 9 network.

But, when his proposal was rejected by the Australian Cricket Board due to their existing and rather comfortable deal with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Packer decided to have his own cricket!

He signed Tony Greg, the then England captain and Ian Chappell, the former Australian captain. The two set about to recruit more local players from Australia and England.

The idea was to conduct matches between the Australian XI and the Word XI but as the tournament gained steam, several other players from West Indies and South Africa were also signed. Only India and New Zealand remained unaffected.

Apart from Derek Underwood, Alan Knott and John Snow, who joined early, leading world players such as Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, Andy Roberts, Imran Khan, Barry Richards and Mike Procter also came under the Packer umbrella.

Packer did a great job at concealing the secret while signing the big shot players. When he officially announced World Series Cricket on May 9, 1977, there was a huge uproar in the cricketing word.

At that time, Australia were preparing for their Ashes series in England and before the board could realise, 13 of the 17 players in

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Australian business tycoon Kerry Packer the Australian squad were gone. England also suffered some losses as their board removed Greig from captaincy but the English team was still quite stronger and beat Australia by 3-0.

At the same time, World Series Cricket started to attract more and more attention and at its peak, it had signed 70 players.

Pacer pumped a lot of money in marketing and signed big names to push the tournament.

It did not take a lot of time for people to buy into the idea.(Cricket World) SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2020