YOUR FREE COPY TO KEEP! - ISSUE 19
Nateram Ramnana: Giving Guyana The Juice It Deserves
GUYANA JOURNEYS TO BECOME A FULL-BLOWN YACHTING DESTINATION
Guyana Gears for Rapid Increase in Exports of Non-Traditional Agricultural Products
Guyana’s Political Leaders Committed to Occupational Health and Safety Practices
Prime Minister
Moses Nagamootoo A true Guyanese patriot and fearless politician
Have fun in
Countr
TABLE OF CONTENTS Founder and Publisher Teshawna Lall, BA, MBA Managing Director Frank Sanichara
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RAPID INCREASE IN EXPORTS OF NON-TRADITIONAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
30
Marketing Innovative Marketing & Publishing Inc. Design Innovative Marketing & Publishing Inc.
BIG SCREEN MOVIES
A Case For Immigration Reform..................06
08
PRIME MINISTER MOSES NAGAMOOTOO
Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo: A true Guyanese patriot and fearless politician......08
juice it deserves...............................................28
Guyana gears for rapid increase in exports of
Big Screen Movies Are Back With A
non-traditional agricultural products..........12
Bang..................................................................30
Providing a spark for business......................14
Robberies: Men Dressed As Women...........32
Ponder Before You Pawn...............................16
Guyana’s Cecil Cox is the region’s top CAPE
Guyana’s political leaders committed
student..............................................................34
to Occupational Safety and Health
Witnessing a Seizure: Do’s and Dont’s.........35
Practices...........................................................18 Guyana journeys to become a full-blown yachting destination.......................................20 What is Meant by the Rule of Law?..............22 Should we do trial hiring before permanent hiring?.............................................................24 Bottom House Records..................................26 Nateram Ramnanan: Giving Guyana the Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 4
Bullying & Suicide...........................................36 New Amsterdam Heritage Trail: About The Publication......................................................38 Deepavali: the triumph of light over darkness...........................................................40 Football takes new leap of faith with unveiling of Stag Elite League....................42
Editorial Contributions Ministry of Education, Department of Culture Ananda Devi Dhurjon, LLB, LLM (UWI), LLM (Lond) Dr. Zulficar Bux Leonard Gildarie Franklin Wilson Sharmain Grainger Brian Ramsey Kiana Wilburg Abena Rockliffe Saarah Gajraj Tammy Quail Keith Bernard
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A Case for Immigration Reform By Keith Bernard
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t should be proposed that Guyana reform its immigration laws to allow for, at least, 1,000,000 new citizens from around the world, i.e. people that have specific skills needed to increase economic growth and prosperity in Guyana. Contrary to some economic theories, an increase in population growth is linked to economic growth. However, certain factors, such as a strong job market and the availability of skilled workforce, will make the linkage complex. Guyana has never been able to reach a population of 1,000,000 citizens, except if you count those in the diaspora. According to the Central Intelligence Agency’s (CIA) World Factbook, in 2013 the country’s population was 799,600, including a workforce of 313,100. As shown in the table below, the population growth was 1.1% from 2005 to 2010. Moreover, according to the United Nations (UN), the population growth rate was 0.5% from 2010 to 2015. In 2013, Guyana’s gross domestic product (GDP) – a measure of productivity – was US$3 billion. In 2013, Wal-Mart employed 2,200,000 workers and generated an operating income of US$27.8 billion.
According the Multilateral Investment Fund, a member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), during 2014, US$438 million (up 5.5% year over year) were remitted to Guyana from overseas based Guyanese. This number represented 14% of total GDP. As result, per capita GDP of $6,700 was misleading as most Guyanese supplemented or depended on these remittances to meet their everyday need for products and services. According to an IMF Staff Report dated September 25, 2014, to address economic growth and poverty reduction, Guyana needs to modernize its traditional sectors, such as Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 6
agriculture, mining as well as divest into new industries to hedge its risk against volatility of world commodity prices. It is well publicized that the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has endured many years of billion dollar losses due in part to volatility in world sugar prices. On the other hand, Banks DIH Ltd. has enjoyed years of profitability of billions of dollars.
To implement large scale divestments, the country needs a large and meaningfully skilled work force, one that is far more in excess of the aforementioned 313,000. The solution is to open naturalization process to a million or more skilled labour from places with underutilized talent and expertise in Information Technology (IT), Logistics, Mining, Agriculture, Advance Food Processing and light industry manufacturing in addition to Infrastructure Building such as roads, bridges, and irrigation systems. Where will you find these people? Try India, Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Haiti, Brazil and Mexico. Why would people want to come to Guyana to live and work? Because, among other factors, the dollar is fairly stable against the US dollar. Moreover, inflation is low at 2.5%, a positive for purchasing power. In 2013, household consumption was 89% compared to government consumption of 11%. This will change with an increase in population because of an increase in domestic consumption that will see the Government’s coffer balloon as a result of increase in tax receipts both from personal income and businesses. According to the CIA World Factbook, in 2013, government’s expenditure was $US875 million versus $US732 million in revenues for a deficit of 4.5% of GDP. Taxes and revenues accounted for a mere 23% of GDP. For the same period, public debt was 57% of GDP. According to UN data, in 2012, exports were US$1.1 billion compared to imports of $1.9 billion – a balance of negative US$830 million. According to UN data, in 2012, Guyana’s main trading partners were: Imports – USA (26%), Trinidad (15%) and Curacao (11%) and Exports – USA (29%), Trinidad (15%), Venezuela (14%) and UK (12%). Surprisingly, where are Canada and Brazil or any major European, Middle East or Asian countries? These are potential major markets that could only be entered with a significant expansion in the labour force.
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Politics is never self-serving and it is disheartening when I see others falling into that poisonous trap. For me, it is about making a real difference in the lives of my fellow Guyanese. One of my greatest accomplishments is being able to say ‘Yes, I contributed to the foundation that will enable the generation to survive and to do so successfully.’ And when you lead with honour and integrity, you also leave behind a great example for your young ones to follow and that is another important aspect of politics for me.”
PM Moses V. Nagamootoo
PRIME MINISTER MOSES NAGAMOOTOO: A true Guyanese patriot and fearless politician
“It is not about the next election, but the progression of our next generation.” This has always been the mantra of a determined young man who grew up in the bountiful lands of Whim Village, Corentyne Berbice. Today, Moses Veerasammy Nagamootoo stands as Guyana’s Prime Minister and the reality of his motto could not be more alive. During the 2015 General and Regional Election campaign, Nagamootoo travelled all across the nation, inspiring as many as he could to embrace a new era, a new time, a new breed of politicians. He invited the nation to welcome a new type of politics: the kind that despises self-aggrandizement and rewards those caught in corruption with deserving penalties. Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 8
Politics, for this feisty and well-respected orator, is not a one way ticket to wealth but a platform for transforming lives, making a real difference and fostering national unity. Nagamootoo has fought untiringly for the place he stands in today. And if one were to trace back to when he was 14, the time when he first entered politics, every decision he has made since then would prove that he was not only preparing for this post all his life but was perhaps, destined for it. Nagamootoo was born on November 30, 1947, to Gangama (Chunoo) and Nagamootoo Ramaswamy (Mootoo), both of whom are deceased. He recalled his parents to be amorous, humble and dedicated workers.
“I always found my mother’s name to be beautiful because it with the principal where it ended in a physical altercation. means, “Mother of the Sea.” She was a strong woman and always “Yes, I had to give him some lashes with a wild cane because supportive of my father. My parents were in the fishing business. he misappropriated school funds and that didn’t go down well My father had some fishing boats and the day’s catch was what in my book. Even from then I detested any form of corruption, my mother sold at her and I just couldn’t stay stall. My parents worked there anymore so I took really hard to ensure that the students to a Hindu we had food on the table temple and I taught them and clothes on our backs there. It was a private and while they exhibited a school and I called it great deal of contentment the Zeezight Secondary and happiness, they always School. It was good pushed me to dream big for some time but I left and to know that anything there after giving it a few is possible.” years,” the Prime Minister “Yes, we grew up poor stated. but they gave me rich Leaving the teaching lessons about life. I am career behind, grateful for the lessons they Nagamootoo in 1970 passed on to me especially made a few attempts to the importance of valuing join Guyana’s military the little things in life and force but this was not being humble no matter realized. what you do, or where you “I tried to join the army end up in life. They taught and they threw me out me the importance of the first day because I discipline and that it is key was a rebel. I had a smart to anything you want to be mouth I guess and in Mr. and Mrs. Nagamootoo accompanied by President David Granger and his wife successful in. If you don’t the army that was not have that, then regardless tolerated so I tried joining of how talented you are, your success if or when it comes would the police force and they told me twice that I was just too short. be short-lived because you need discipline to maintain it. So, They told me I was short by quarter inch so it was clear that that my mom and dad passed on some principles of life, which are path was not for me. It was really hard trying to make a living,” responsible for where I am today,” expressed the Prime Minister. said Nagamootoo. But the power of love would soon determine that it was time Leading a humble life back then, Nagamootoo’s parents enrolled him at Auchlyne Scots School, located in Corentyne, he tied the nuptial knot with his life partner, Sita and he did so on Berbice. It was there, that this aspiring politician first laid his May 23, 1971. Behind the scenes, the politician enjoys a rich and supportive marriage with his wife, Sita Nagamootoo, of over 40 eyes on his, “Juliet”. “Of course, I enjoyed my primary school days, for I love years, and the overwhelming love and appreciation from their learning new things each day, but boy was I awe-struck when I four children: Angela, Maria, Adela and Moses Ernesto and, of first saw this pretty, little girl –Sita. I remember just staring at course, their five grandchildren. Later, he was then requested by former President Janet her because she was so beautiful. I knew at that moment that Jagan, the late wife of she would have my heart former President Dr. forever. There was no doubt Cheddi Jagan, to join the about that. At that time I was Mirror Newspaper. There, perhaps 11-years old and she he enjoyed a rich career was nine. She didn’t live far in journalism but still from my village too. ” refined himself in various The young “Romeo” was academic fields. convinced that he had found During that time, the his soulmate but he hadn’t “Lover of Fine Art” became seen much of her after he had the founder of the National moved on to Rose Hall and Union of Students, and Corentyne Comprehensive functioned as the first High Schools. After high Organising Secretary. He school, Nagamootoo was also recognized as reconnected with Sita and the leading activist for even then, he was still honing restoration of democracy, his talents in the political press freedom and human sphere. rights. He was a member of He was also the student the Progressive Youth of the Accabre College of Organisation (PYO) and Mr. Nagamootoo in his younger days Social Sciences and even later joined the “big boys” became a student of the in the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) where he made sterling contributions. He did this Venezuela Spanish Language Institute. Given his exceptional journalistic skills and literary talents, he while juggling the demands of a teaching career from 1964 at the Corentyne Comprehensive High School. But he was fired in was invited to the Allen White School of Journalism, University 1967 for giving a lesson on Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. of Kansas in the United States of America (USA). There, he Nagamootoo decided to go on his own and co-founded worked as a visiting journalist and it was sponsored by US D’Edwards High in Rosignol but soon left after a disagreement Information Services. Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 9
Commenting on that period of his life the Prime Minister said, “I loved writing and I was a journalist at some of the news outlets we had in those days. Going to the USA as a visiting journalist was just an incredible experience. It was not a degree programme but it was part of a fellowship programme and it gave me the opportunity to learn how to write editorials and how to budget stories for the newspaper, that is to say you choose based on priority. It deepened my love for Literature and writing. Literature is the foundation of life and because of how much I care for journalism it is one of those programmes which I want to reintegrate into our system because it is very beneficial.” The First Vice President continued, “When I was there I worked with so many persons and wrote for so many newspapers, the top ones too. So I enjoyed my days as being a journalist because it not only sharpens your oral and writing skills but deepens your appreciation for the power of words. I knew that this would be extremely beneficial to me if I wanted to become a politician. You
But adoration for a new field, that being Law, would soon sprout, and of course, every academic area for Nagamootoo had to be refined. As such, he moved on to the University of Guyana (UG) to read for his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. Unfortunately, he did not have the funds to move immediately on to the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad for his Legal Education Certificate (LEC) so his aspirations in this area were placed on pause but only for a short while. The General and Regional Elections which were held in 1992 and would see the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic ousting the People’s National Congress (PNC). Although he was a successful journalist, Nagamootoo still maintained a firm grip on his political aspirations and had already proven by the 1970’s that he was a rising force to be reckoned with in the local world of politics. “In those days, the leaders of politics gave you a feeling that anything was possible, that it was an honour to serve your country and a privilege once given the position to do so. So,
Mr. Nagamootoo being sworn in as prime minister
cannot run from the fact that how you say something and what you say can inspire your fellow man to be better or make him work a little harder to be the best he can be. Those years were, perhaps my most enjoyable during my working life because it helped me to document the events of the day; it helped me to keep a critical and objective eye and most of all it taught me to see all sides of the coin before making a pronouncement.” So successful was he in this field that he was awarded the International Organisation of Journalists (IOJ) Scroll of Honour for Journalism from Vietnam and the Press Association of Jamaica (PAJ) Press Week Award. He was also recognized as a Harvard University Guest Author and Allen White University Fellow (USA). As a thriving journalist of his time, Nagamootoo held several posts which included: General Secretary of the Union of Guyanese Journalists (UGJ) between 1970 and 1992; Founder/ Executive Member of Caribbean Association of Media Workers from 1986 to 1992; Executive Member of the Federation of Latin American Journalists (FELAP); as well as Vice-President of the IOJ during the years 1990 and 1996. He said that his 20 years in journalism was truly an enriching part of his life. Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 10
in my teens, I was involved in politics and knew that that was where I belong, that is where I feel at home. Politics is never self-serving and it is disheartening when I see others falling into that poisonous trap. For me, it is about making a real difference in the lives of my fellow Guyanese. One of my greatest accomplishments is being able to say ‘Yes, I contributed to the foundation that will enable the generation to survive and to do so successfully.’ And when you lead with honour and integrity, you also leave behind a great example for your young ones to follow and that is another important aspect of politics for me,” intimated the Prime Minister. It came as no surprise that in 1992, Nagamootoo was called upon to serve as Senior Minister of Local Government and Regional Development with responsibilities for Information and Amerindian Affairs. To this, Nagamootoo said, “Politics is a rough and tumble world but in every way I was ready for it. I was ready for this since I was a teenager. As I have said before, this is my calling and I have no regrets about taking this path. Indeed, it is not always hugs and kisses among politicians. It can get heated and dirty but I’ve got the skin to deal with it. Mentally I was always ready and nothing was going to stop me from making my mark
in this arena.” He continued, “Politics is a life changing arena and it isn’t for the faint hearted. I knew that I had certain things to accomplish and I had something meaningful to bring to the table and I believed in myself and the policies I had. This has been a truly remarkable journey for me and I think that I could safely say that I have no regrets because every decision has led me to where I was destined to be and I am thankful all the opportunities which came my way.” Describing himself as a person who always finishes what he started, Nagamootoo said that he eventually saved up enough money and completed his legal studies. He graduated in 2002 and soon established himself as a true legal warrior in the courtroom. “Being able to practice law while dedicating myself fully to the world of politics was a great accomplishment for me. The two fields really married well: the skills I employed for Law enhanced my performance in the political arena and vice versa. Both were demanding fields but fulfilling in various ways. For me, it was the ultimate win-win situation because I was making a difference in the world of politics and also in the world of law where people often needed your help.” Nagamootoo served as a member of Cabinet under four Presidents of Guyana and as their Chief Speech Writer as well. For 11 years after, he was a Member of Parliament (MP) and there he served as a Member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitutional Reform from 1996 to 2001 and as Chairman of the Oversight Committee on Constitutional Reform from 1999 to 2001. From 2006 to 2009, Nagamootoo was a Member of the Foreign Relations, Standing Orders and Constitutional Reform Committees in addition to the Committees on AntiMoney Laundering and Financing of Terrorism Bill and Legal Practitioners Bill. Nagamootoo’s relationship with the PPP came to an end in 2011 as he left that camp for a robust and aggressive party, the Alliance For Change (AFC), with which he similarly served as Member of Parliament. The AFC then joined forces with a then five-party coalition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) in February 2015, in the lead up to the May 2015 General and Regional Elections where they returned victorious. Their win, which ended a 23-year rule by the PPP, saw Nagamootoo being sworn in as Prime Minister and First VicePresident on May 20, 2015 under the leadership of David Arthur Granger, the country’s eight Executive President. Reflecting on the lead up to their triumph, the Prime Minister admitted that the elections campaigns were indeed grueling. Even though he is known for the ‘blows’ he delivered, Nagamootoo confessed that he held back on some of his witty and ingenious slurs he could have shared. He noted that this was so because he had his harshest critic by his side: his faithful wife Sita who is known for the years she spent serving as an exceptional educator, moulding many young minds. “She has been my harshest critic on the campaign and it is because of her that I held back on the full force of my jabs during the elections time. But I am grateful for her: she is supportive and loving and has never once faltered. Throughout this turbulent journey she has been true. I am indebted to her for her unconditional love in every way,” the Prime Minister expressed. To date, Nagamootoo says he is proud of his literary accomplishments which include his two novels: Hendree’s Cure, published by the Peepal Tree Press in the United Kingdom, as well as Fragments from Memory which was published this year. The former book was a Nominee in 2001 for the Guyana Literature Prize for First Novel. Nagamotoo is also known for editing For the Fighting Front: An Anthology of Revolutionary Poems which was a Special Edition for the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) Festival Congress in 1794. His critically acclaimed publications include: Three Trials
of Arnold Rampersaud; Towards a Peaceful Solution: a Commentary on the Guyana-Venezuela Border Issue; Fraud: a Synopsis of Guyana’s Rigged 1980 Elections; The State of the Free Press in Guyana (with former President Dr. Cheddi Jagan), Race, Class and Nationhood (with Dr. Cheddi Jagan) and Party Paramountcy over the Guyana Media. His prized manuscripts to this date remain; Caribbean Perspective of Suriname’s 1980 Coup, Origins of MassBased Parties in the Caribbean, the Grenada Grundnorm and Revolutionary Legality as well as NAFTA – Implications for the Caribbean. The First Vice President of Guyana is also the recipient of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Community Service Award from India, the PPP Meritorious Member Award and the Distinguished Service Plaque from the PPP/NY Support Group. “My life has indeed been a fulfilling one and I know that my party, the APNU+AFC will deliver on all its promises and even more for the people. I assure you that we will deliver the good life for the people.” “The important lesson I think to be learned from all that I have been through is to believe in yourself. Your circumstances do not define the destination. Look at where I started out and I didn’t allow the lack of resources to daunt my will power of getting to where I needed to be. And that is what I hope to continue to inspire the other young leaders of this nation to do and to understand. Once you have that discipline, the dedication and determination to achieve your goal, nothing, and I mean nothing is impossible.” This accomplished son of the soil said that he will continue to fearlessly pursue the enrichment and survival of the citizens of his dear land. For him, this remains an honour.
Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 11
Guyana gears for rapid increase in exports of non-traditional agricultural products
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or the year 2014 leading into the early part of this year, Guyana’s economy was marginally affected by some unstable economic challenges faced globally. This was further compounded by the rigours of the game-changing General and Regional Elections held in May 2015. As such, it is understandable that imports and exports contracted. There are, however, plans in the pipeline that will see rapid increase in exports of Guyana’s non-traditional agricultural products. According to Guyana’s Finance Minister Winston Jordan, the country is expected to see an increase in its exports of non-sugar and non-rice agricultural products by at least 25 percent over the next five years. He said that by 2020 there will be an increase in production of agro-processed goods by at least 50 percent, along with the reduction of imports of agroprocessed goods. Currently, the major non-sugar and non-rice commodities being exported are shrimp and fruits and vegetables. This, Jordan articulated, will place greater emphasis on large-scale private investment in farming, especially in the Intermediate Savannahs of the country. Some of the crops identified for diversification in the hinterland areas are corn, soybean, cassava and legumes. These will be combined with fish and poultry rearing in those communities. The Finance Minister noted that research will be intensified on the development of new crops such as carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, turmeric, ginger and
Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 12
black pepper so as to achieve import reduction. At the same time, crop diversification for export will focus on commodities such as coconuts, cassavas, plantains, pineapples, pepper, corn and soybean, with a view to strengthening food security along the coast and within the hinterland region. Jordan disclosed that the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition government intends to advance the development of the livestock subsector by ensuring quality breeding stock and rebuilding the herds of cattle and pigs, and flocks of sheep and goats. Jordan intimated that the government will also seek to enforce existing regulations for the slaughter of animals, and will improve animal health and food safety. He asserted that they will place the hinterland livestock industry on a scientific footing, with the aim of expanding domestic consumption and meeting international demand for organic beef. Further, the Finance Minister reminded that the National Budget of 2014 projected a growth rate of 5.6 percent. At that time, he said note was taken of potential adverse impacts on the domestic economy, due to the uncertainties prevailing in the global economy. Given the openness of Guyana’s economy, he said that the concern was with low global commodity prices, in addition to their immediate and direct effect on both the import and export sectors. The Finance Minister indicated that the half-year economic report for 2014 provided the first opportunity for a review of the economy and that the estimated
half-year growth of 3.2 percent represented a slippage relative to the 3.9 percent achieved for the half-year of 2013. He explained that this performance caused the projected growth rate for 2014 to be scaled down from 5.6 percent to 4.5 percent. Unfortunately, even that lower growth rate was not achieved, for the economy contracted to 3.8 percent. The Minister said that this was the first sign that the economy was slowing down, with the rapidly deteriorating political climate being identified as a significant contributory factor at that time. With that in mind, Jordan disclosed that export earnings contracted by 15.1 percent, to US$1.2 billion, largely on account of gold, sugar and bauxite. Gold export receipts declined by 27.6 percent to US$469.8 million, as a result of a combination of a 20.1 percent contraction in export volume to 385,683 ounces, and a 9.4 percent decline in average export prices to US$1,218 per ounce. Export earnings from bauxite contracted by 7.4 percent to US$124.7 million due to a 5.7 percent decline in export volume to 1,583,343 tonnes, coupled with a 1.8 percent decrease in the export prices to US$78.80 per tonne. Sugar export receipts fell by 22.9 percent to US$88 million. An 18.3 percent increase in export volume to
189,565 tonnes was insufficient to compensate for the 34.8 percent decline in prices to US$464.30 per tonne. On the other hand, Rice exports earned US$249.5 million, a 4 percent increase. This was due to a 26.9 percent increase in export volume to 501,209 tonnes. Timber exports earnings amounted to US$53.4 million, an increase of 38.8 percent. An important development for the export industry for Guyana is the amendment to the country’s Income Tax Act by substitution of the word “shrimp” with the word “Prawns”. This amendment is in keeping with representation by the fishing industry for shrimp to be made eligible for the export allowance granted to non-traditional exports. As for Guyana’s merchandise imports, this contracted by 4.4 percent to US$1,791.3 million, reflecting a contraction in all categories of imports. Imports of capital goods declined by 8.1 percent to US$387.5 million. This was mainly due to a decline in imports of industrial machinery. Non-fuel intermediate goods fell by 1.1 percent to US$405.7 million. Fuel and lubricants decreased by some 3.8 percent to US$573.4 million, while consumption goods declined by 5 percent, to US$415.7 million, reflecting lower imports of other nondurable foods for final consumption.
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n the wake of the 2015 elections that brought about a change in government, there were reports of a slowdown in business. The large business houses reported fewer visitors; auto dealers reported a slowdown in vehicle sales and importers reduced the extent of their imports. Indeed, such a pattern is natural in a country in which elections provide for a measure of uncertainty. In the not too distant past, elections were accompanied by violence and property destruction. The result is that the business community, in an effort to minimize the extent of losses, simply declined to maintain the rate of investment. To the casual observer, not much had changed from what operated prior to the elections. Those who had disposable income spent as usual; those who had smaller incomes, among them the public servants, did what they had grown accustomed to doing— spend sparingly. Perhaps the greatest For all the talk about indication of an allowing the private economic slowdown sector to promote development, the can be found in the government must inject housing sector. Many some money, if only as who were rushing a bait for the private to acquire turnkey sector development. homes found that their progress was stalled simply because the new administration began to examine the ongoing situation. But this should only be so at the governmental level. At the private developer level, the situation should be markedly different. There was a marked slowing down in construction
Providing a spark for business
Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 14
activity at the level of the private housing developers but this could not be attributed to economic activity at the larger scale. For one, there were people who complained that the construction was not as solid as it should be with the result that many people after taking possession of the home, had to embark on repairs and modifications almost immediately. Just this past month, the Minister with responsibility for housing visited some of the housing development estates and found a lot wanting. Many had not fulfilled the conditions that led to the acquisition of the land. Some had not even completed payment for the land. The reality is that they have been accused of speculating. The commercial banks, bursting at the seams with liquidity, are anxious to make sizeable investments in the housing sector. They have been granting low-interest loans to potential home owners who in turn are complaining that they are stalled. They have the money from the bank, some of which they have advanced to the housing developer but they are not seeing any advancement in the building process. For their part, the developer seems reluctant to use his own money, choosing instead to wait on the potential home owners’ money to undertake the construction. At the same time, the potential homeowner is not happy having to pay interest on their loans and not having the result of the loan. These factors help create the dramatic slowing down of the economy. Economists would say that a stimulus is needed and they are not wrong. For all, the talk about allowing the private sector to promote development the government must inject some money, if only as a bait for the private sector development. It may not be a bad idea if the government were to actually help with the housing construction. This would create employment for certain skilled people in the society. There would also be the housing expansion that would lead to the establishment of even more businesses. That was what the previous government had in mind when it shared out large tracts of land to private developers. It is unfortunate that many of these developers did not pursue the planned programme. Diamond Housing Scheme is an excellent example of private development. This was done at the individual level. What started as a means to allow for affordable homes led to the development of another city centre with a post office, commercial banks and a police station. An economic stimulus does that to communities and to the country. Increased public spending may not be the best thing at this time but it may be the only thing that could provide the spark the economy needs.
CONSUMER TIP
PONDER BEFORE YOU PAWN
CONSUMER TIP
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oping to get the true worth of your jewellery at the nearest pawnshop, without a basic understanding of all the legally registered competitors and the market, is too much of a big risk. Every consumer should never lose sight of the fact that business knows no sentiment. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are equipped with enough data to make the most informed decision. Over the years, pawnshops have served many as a convenient means of getting a quick loan without the hassle of filling too many forms. One’s credit history does not even come into question. But the unpredictable fluctuation in the price of gold is just another reason to ensure that you are very informed so that you can receive the best price for your jewelry, even in a financial crunch. The pawnbrokers are not the only ones that are affected by the falling prices. A wide cross-section of the commercial industry has complained about the economic strain falling gold prices have placed on some businesses to maintain its profitability, while they struggle to avoid huge losses. Julian Jessup, head of commodities research at Capital Economics in London, England said that he expects that gold prices would stabilize soon. Jessup said, “Our gut feeling is that gold probably will find a floor fairly soon. A lot of the factors that have undermined it recently are probably a bit overdone. But, equally, we don’t expect it to return to anywhere near the highs where it has been over the past few years because that was very much pricing in the prospect of a worst case with a global hyperinflation or the possibility of a complete breakdown of the financial system and I think those fears have passed, too.” With those thoughts in mind, before you hurry to pawn, here are a few things you should ponder. ⁻⁻ Worth: Sadly, most people do not know what their gold is worth. In this case, it is advised that before you carry your jewelry to a nearby pawnshop in a hurry, get it weighed at a reputable jewelry store to ascertain its karat and the value. This gives you an idea of what you can take from the pawnshop of your choice. ⁻⁻ Hesitate to settle: If you have the time, check with other pawnshops. Rarely will you find pawnshops offering the same price. So ensure you take some time to find the best possible offers for your jewelry. ⁻⁻ Interest rate and hidden fees: Even though you may have secured
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a good price for your valuable jewelry, you must also be wary of high interest rates and hidden fees. Consumers often complain of facing this situation. In some cases, the interest rate might be low, but there are hidden fees for storage. So ensure you ask before falling prey to the guise of a flashy price for your jewelry. ⁻⁻ History: Don’t be afraid to ask these businesses how long they have been in the industry and if they have other locations. It is important to ensure you are not being swindled by a fly-by-night entity. If they suddenly close shop, it would be almost impossible to retrieve your jewelry. It is advised that you pawn your prized possessions with reputable businesses that have been established for several years and have a relationship with people in the community. If possible, seek a company that has multiple locations as this is often an indication of financial stability. ⁻⁻ Insurance: It is important to ensure that whichever pawnshop you select is insured. This protects your jewelry in the case of burglary, fire, or if it simply goes missing. Only a fullyi n s u r e d pawnshop guarantees a patron the ability to receive payment for an item if something happens to it. A written statement of the p a w n s h o p ’s insurance policy should appear on the paperwork you’re given when you sign. ⁻⁻ Paperwork: Although pawnshop laws vary in several ways, it is almost standard for all to require some form of identification.
If a shop doesn’t ask you for identification or request that you fill out the proper paperwork, these are red flags that the shop might not be reputable. You’re supposed to get a copy of all the documentation they require, as well as a detailed description of the items you pawned and their value. ⁻⁻ Maximum value: Be wary of a shop that is trying to encourage you to take out the maximum you need. If you only need $20,000, but the pawnbroker is pushing you to take out $50,000, then all he/she wants is to collect additional interest payments from you. If you take out more than you need, it’s easier to default. Some pawnshops are looking to bury you in debt so you can’t come back to retrieve your item. If possible, look for a pawnshop that keeps up with current gold and silver prices. ⁻⁻ Notifications: It is understandable that some people forget payment due dates. It happens to the best of us. So find out if your pawnshop extends the courtesy of calling to remind you of your deadline.
WORK RELATED LAWS
Guyana’s political leaders committed to
Occupational Safety and Health Practices
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uyana’s political leaders are adamant about making the working environment a safe and healthy place for employees. After all, a government’s sustainability is dependent on a strong and well-maintained force of public servants. The government has taken a number of measures to demonstrate their commitment to this cause. In 2012, for example, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) that held office at the time, ensured that its Ministry of Labor partnered with the International Labor Organization (ILO) to promote a better understanding of the methods, rules and regulations governing health and safety practices at workplaces. This was facilitated through several successful workshops. They highlighted the former administration’s efforts to support occupational safety by enacting several pieces of legislation to ensure better treatment of workers by their employers. The legislation also ensures improved health practices in their working environment. Some of these include the “Holidays with Pay” and the “Occupational Safety and Health” acts, which have shown Guyana’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of employees. Guyana also signed on to the I55 Occupational Safety and Health convention. The country’s laws are within the ambit of that convention. There has also been an increase in the number of safety inspectors. They are responsible for going out into the fields, since more emphasis is placed on mining and quarrying. This is because the interior locations continue to attract an influx of investments which pull hundreds of people. Laws have been implemented to ensure that workers’ rights are not trampled upon, and to ultimately ensure their safety. Workers were always encouraged to seek assistance from the then Labor Ministry to ensure an accident-free workplace. Additionally, Dr. Yuka Ujita of the ILO stressed that while the mining sector is important to an economy and a nation’s development, there must be safe workplaces for that development to continue. He encourages workers to make use of the relevant legislation to safeguard their rights. This would later see the announcement of a new 40-hour work-week. Former Labor Minister Dr. Nanda Gopaul had
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disclosed that there is to be a national five-day working week and employees were expected to work eight hours per day. He believed that such a move was necessary and would benefit over 30,000 workers countrywide. Coming from this new feature enacted in 2013, there would be certain leave entitlements in accordance with the other laws already in place. There was also an agreement to ratify Convention 189 of the ILO and auxiliary legislations to protect domestic workers. Since Guyana signed on to the Convention, the then Labor Ministry, in collaboration with the then Natural Resources and the Environment Ministry, pursued regulations for the mining sector and has since made moves for its implementation. It subsequently saw the installation of regulations for the forestry sector as governed by the occupational health and safety guidelines. Political leaders strongly believe that with continued support from the trade union movement in creating an atmosphere of security for workers, it could positively lead to the conduction of a series of exercises with employees and shop owners annually. They believe that this is vital to apprise employers about their roles and responsibilities as it relates to the regulations that will come into being on the new minimum wage. Many of them also hold the view that once the groundwork is laid and the parameters are set, employers will fall in line. Guyana’s leaders have committed to ensuring that employers are in strict compliance and that they understand their obligations as it relates to the regulations and labor laws in the country. It is for this reason the former Labor Ministry conducted training with foreign employers by providing them with the relevant information and translating the labor laws into Portuguese and Chinese. The current administration, A Partnership for National Unity plus Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) has taken the mantle from its predecessors, the PPP/C and has promised that it will continue to work with the social partners in this development drive, and reiterated its commitment to the promotion of decent work for all, a healthy environment and better working conditions.
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GUYANA JOURNEYS TO BECOME A FULL-BLOWN YACHTING DESTINATION -Marina and Boatyard underway
Yachts anchored at Hurakabra Resort
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uyana is well on its way to becoming a fullblown yachting destination. Just recently, some 10 vessels that were a part of Nereid’s International Yacht Rally were anchored at the Hurakabra River Resort in the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region Seven). The response given by yachtsmen and yachtswomen as to the wonderful time they had which left them yearning for longer stays, coupled with government’s commitment to yachting tourism, presents a conclusion that there is no stopping Guyana now in this regard. Guyana is regarded as a safe haven for small cruisers and yachts mainly because the country is located outside of the hurricane belt and usually has light to moderate trade winds. Hazards in its rivers include floating logs and debris but can be avoided with a good lookout. Guyana is also considered an ideal destination since it boasts some of the most wonderful sites in the world
including the Majestic Kaieteur Falls. The country also has more than 800 species of birds, 6,000 plant species and is referred to as the ‘Land of the Giants’ of South America. The area designated for yachting is about 40 miles up the Mighty Essequibo River. It is an area with ideal anchorage for yachts that is central to Bartica, a small, vibrant community which stands at the junction of the Essequibo and Mazaruni rivers. The Essequibo river comprises of many islands, some too small to be inhabited while some are very populated and used for agricultural purposes. Yachtsmen and yachtswomen will notice large tracts of rainforest teeming with wildlife and birds. Yachting tourism in Guyana will appeal to those adventurous souls who wish to visit somewhere really off the beaten track. The Ministry of Tourism and Hurakabra River Resort held an official welcome reception on Thursday September 12, 2015 at the resort in the Essequibo River. This was done for the 10 yachts, all participants in the Nereid’s International Yacht Rally, which had begun to arrive in Guyana since September 7, 2015 from Trinidad and Tobago. Three yachts scheduled to participate, owing to last minute repairs, were unfortunately unable to make the sail. At the official welcoming reception, Minister of Tourism Cathy Hughes said “Our country and this event really is a wonderful melting pot for people from
all over the world.” For years, Guyana has been in talks of developing a marina at a prime location in the Essequibo where yachters can dock their sailboats and venture off on the shores to explore all the wonders of this small South American country. Acknowledging the great successes of the rallies throughout the years, the Minister pledged her commitment and determination towards finally realizing a yachting marina in the Essequibo.
Nereid’s Rally at The Hurakabra River Resort
“We definitely see that a marina in Guyana is an incredible place to have the possibility where yachters can come and have their boats docked and any basic mechanical or maintenance done right here in Guyana. And, of course, it is a tremendous opportunity for us to provide jobs for our people that live in this area,” she stated. The yachters rally through the Caribbean and the grand sailing will come to an end in Saint Laurent, French Guiana. Nonetheless, many of the yachtsmen and yachtswomen expressed their desire to return to Guyana to continue their adventures of discovering more of this beautiful land. Also at the reception, owner of the Hurakabra River Resort Kit Nascimento, and his wife Gem Nascimento, extended a warm welcome to the yachters. Welcoming remarks were also delivered by Regional Chairman of the Cuyuni-Mazaruni (Region 7) Gordon Bradford. David Matelicani, the man who came up with the concept of the rally, also delivered brief remarks. He indicated that he ventured to Guyana by accident and,
had it not been for that “misfortune”, Guyana would have never realized its potential of unlocking that tourism aspect. Matelicani was actually sailing along the border of Venezuela when a storm struck and his yacht floated all the way into Guyana’s shores. There, he and the Nascimentos got to talking and the Nereid’s Rally was born. Matelicani disclosed that he was committed and had begun negotiations with the government to build a Marina and Boatyard with all haul-out facilities. If all goes well, it should begin operations early in 2016 or possibly before. The yachtsman acknowledged the fact that Guyana is outside of the hurricane belt and that makes it an ideal yachting destination for vessels from both the Caribbean and those crossing the Atlantic to South America on their way up to the Caribbean. He said he looks forward with anticipation, in the not too distant future, to the Essequibo River becoming a major yachting destination in comparison to any in the Caribbean. He pointed out that yachting tourism is a multi-million dollar business creating substantial employment for skilled labour in yachting maintenance and repairs; and is a major foreign exchange earner for countries. Many Guyanese, who attended the Hurakabra Beach party, got an opportunity to visit and enjoy the hospitality of the yachts or experience a sail on one of them. For many, it was their first time on board such a vessel and they deemed it as ‘thrilling’ or ‘educational’, seeing the lifestyle of yachtsmen. A number of the yachters immensely enjoyed a visit to the majestic Kaieteur Falls which they described as ‘magnificently unspoilt and natural’. The rally left Guyana on Thursday September 18, 2015 headed to Suriname and then to French Guiana. Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 21
Ananda Devi Dhurjon, LLB, LLM (UWI), LLM (Lond) Principal Parliamentary Counsel
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What is Meant by the Rule of Law
e often hear politicians and commentators speak of the ‘Rule of Law’. Its phraseology breeds a variety of interpretations, yet everyone agrees this must be a good thing. But this is no hollow cliché; indeed our Constitution gives it pride of place in its preamble that we “forge a system of governance…to develop a viable economy and a harmonious community based on democratic values…and the rule of law.” What is it? The meaning and significance of the term has evolved much since its genesis in 1885 when Professor Albert Vinn Dicey coined the term. To understand the meaning of the ‘Rule of Law’, I would rather start by saying that it is a short phrase out of which many ideas spring forth. It requires that fundamental rights should be enshrined, that the law must be clear, that public officials’ decisions must have good bases. It requires that there must be universal entitlement to the law and universal accountability to it too. It encompasses concepts that are indispensable to a democracy such as the separation of powers, natural justice, procedural and substantive fairness. The rule of law is a compendium of these principles. The following are some of the core values that I prefer to now explain: Fundamental Rights he Constitution asserts a large variety of fundamental rights such as the protection of the right to life, the right to work, freedom from discrimination, freedom of expression, and so forth. Too few Guyanese know that one of the finest innovations of the Constitutional Reform Commission of 2001 was to constitutionally provide that six international rights conventions have force of law in Guyana – take for instance, the Convention on the Rights of the Child. What’s more, our Constitution provides for four Rights Commissions to “strengthen social justice and the rule of law” to review human rights’ policies and investigate complaints, among other things. These are the Human Rights Commission, the Women and Gender Equality Commission, the Indigenous Peoples’ Commission and the Rights of the Child Commission. In enshrining these rights constitutionally, we thereby removed the possibility of
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A constitution’s preamble animates its provisions, and in some circumstances, one can have regard to it when interpreting its articles. The preambles of the Constitutions of Dominica, Trinidad, Belize and Barbados all state that their respective peoples recognize “that men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and the rule of law”.
their unreasonable encroachment and established an irreducible minimum of dignity for all citizens, otherwise the rule of law would be undermined. Certainty in the Law Laws must be clear – clearly drafted if it is to be legislation, and clearly articulated if it is to be judge-made principle. What tyranny would there be if one could break a law without anyone reasonably knowing of its existence? In fact, vague laws are likely to be struck down by the Courts for unconstitutionality. One should be able to foresee the consequences of his actions. At the same time, once the law is clear, as the maxim goes, ignorance of the law is no excuse. Part of the requirement for clarity is the need for there to be consistency in the law’s principles as set out by Courts; the law must be predictable. This is why courts’ are guided by their previous decisions – this is the principle of stare decisis – but must yet set new precedent when justice wills it. Equality Before the Law & Equal Entitlement to the Law The requirement that justice must be evenhanded is a sine qua non of the rule of law. The rights under the law must accrue to all. The obligations and liabilities of the law, generally speaking, must apply generally. These issues are not trite or dead when problems such as human trafficking, racial discrimination and gender inequality pervade; the sanctity of equal entitlement to the law must be upheld. Even convicted murderers awaiting execution must be allowed a reasonable time for their petitions to an international body to be heard and for the ensuing reports to be considered by the Privy Council before their execution (A.G. v Joseph and Boyce (2006)). Conversely,
from the impoverished robber to the President or his Ministers, all must be held liable for their illegalities. Reasonableness For good governance, governmental authorities are commonly given wide powers under statute. This does not mean that they can make an irrational, emotional or prejudiced decision. Such a decision would be beyond their power or ultra vires and can be quashed by the High Court. All decisions by public authorities affecting public rights must take only relevant matters into consideration and eschew all irrelevant matters. Defined limits on State power are vital to the rule of law. The rule of law requires that decisions by authorities are disciplined and reasonable, otherwise we would be staring oppression in the face. In fact our Judicial Review Act, Chapter 3:06, which, although law awaits being brought into force, would give affected persons the right to apply to an authority for the reasons for its decision. For that provision and others too many to mention, the activation of the Judicial Review Act would be momentous for the rule of law. Conclusion We must activate, maintain and strengthen the architecture for the rule of law as highlighted; without spirited enforcement of such Guyana cannot tap into the true potential of those benefits that accrue from the rule of law. For public consumption, what I have attempted to do is to condense some of the mass of writing on the topic. I trust that, for some, I helped a better appreciation for the rule of law, its meaning and significance. I suggest that interested readers can delve into their own exploration as there is much that I have left unsaid.
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Should we do trial hiring before permanent hiring? “One bad seed can really have an impact on your culture.” - Mona Bijoor: Founder and Chief Executive of Joor (New York)
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iring and retaining employees is a struggle for all sorts of companies, but for smaller ones, the stakes can be especially high. Many consultants to small business owners believe that trial employment/ trial hiring periods can be quite useful to both entrepreneurs hoping to get a start-up off the ground and established small business owners seeking to maintain or increase their current level of success. As countless small business owners and researchers will attest, the quality of a small company’s workforce can mean the difference between success and failure. Indeed, personnel costs (wages, benefits, training, etc.) are among the most expensive elements of business operations; this cost becomes multiplied if a business is saddled with poor workers. It’s hard to really know from an interview whether someone is a good fit for a company. Résumés are fairly useless and interviews are far from perfect. As such, a better way to screen potential, permanent hires is through trial employment or trial hiring. Trial employment is pretty much what it sounds like: this period allows an employer to evaluate a new employee after hiring him or her, essentially without legal, moral or ethical commitment. The trial hiring allows employers to take chances on candidates who might not interview well, and weed out people who make a good first impression but can’t back it up. In many cases, trial hiring was found to be successful in the sense that, Mona Bijoor, Chief Executive of Joor, said, “Employee trial periods cut attrition to less than 10% from about 60% a year.” (Chester Higgins Jr., The New York Times.) Some are often surprised when they hear about this,
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but to companies it makes a lot of sense. It’s hard to tell from a few hours of conversation what someone is really like, or how good he/she will be at their job. It’s also hard for a candidate to tell what it’s really like to work with a company. Everyone preaches culture, but few really have a great one. Companies are thus looking for people who intend to stick around for several years – and that’s a big commitment – so why not take the time to make a well-researched decision? Trial employment/trial hiring periods, which can range from two weeks to 90 days in length, are simply meant to give the business owner the best possible chance of securing and retaining quality employees, and releasing substandard employees without legal penalty. “The trial employment period gives both parties a chance to size up the situation,” stated Elwood N. Chapman in Human Relations in Small Business. “The employee can test the work environment, skills required, and failure possibilities. The employer can test how the new person will produce and fit into the team. Up to the day the trial period is over, either party can cancel the arrangements.” “The essential purpose of a trial employment period/ trial hiring period,” wrote William E. Lissy in Supervision, “is therefore to allow management to observe a new hire’s performance before granting permanent status.” Elements of an Effective Trial Employment/Trial Hiring Period Experts would state that business owners should be the following steps when implementing a trial hiring period with a new hire: • Make sure that the specifics of the trial employment period (length of trial hiring, for instance) are explicitly
stated in company guidelines. • Make certain that the new employee is aware that he or she will be on a trial hiring period for the specified period. • Monitor how well the new employee executes assigned tasks, using quantitative measurements whenever possible. • Monitor the new employee’s work habits. For example, a new worker who is consistently tardy in arriving at work or returning from lunch may well be a cause for concern. • Monitor how well the new employee gets along with fellow staff. • Determine whether the new hire is a “self-starter”, or one who needs continued guidance. • Provide the new hire with feedback that will help him or her shape performance to business expectations. This will not only improve the likelihood of securing a good worker, but also provide the employer with possible legal protection in the event of an unfair dismissal legal action (documentation indicating a pattern of poor performance carries significant legal weight). Of course, not every employee will be a superior one, and shortcomings in one (or even more) of the above areas do not necessarily mean that the employee should be let go. Factors such as availability of other workers, performance in critical areas, etc. usually have to be considered. Few companies are fortunate enough to be staffed entirely by workers of superior skills, excellent work habits, and health. But analysts indicate that new employees who perform poorly during trial hiring periods are rarely able to dramatically improve their performance after the trial period has ended. After all, if the worker did a bad job during a trial period, when all parties were aware that performance would be monitored, why should the small business owner believe that the worker’s performance would improve at the conclusion of that trial period, when pressure to “be on one’s best behavior” would presumably be relieved somewhat? Ultimately, each business owner has to decide for himself or herself whether the employee’s performance during the trial period warrants continued employment. The major advantage of having trial employment/trial hiring period before considering a permanent employment for a potential worker, is that the supervisor can appraise the employee’s: • Ability to learn and perform job duties • Quality of work • Productivity • Work habits • Cooperation • Attendance • Punctuality • Other standards and expectations specific to the employee’s work situation.
If the employee is clearly not meeting the requirements of the job, the employee may be released at any time during the trial employment/trial hiring period. Note that the trial hiring period is intended to be used to determine whether the right employee has been hired for the job. Once this period ends, the process for releasing an employee generally requires further documentation. If a supervisor decides to keep the employee on the staff beyond the trial hiring period, he or she must complete a review form and return it to the department’s HR Officer. Notifications will be sent around several weeks before the end of the trial hiring period to allow the supervisor enough time to think about the employee’s performance and to schedule a meeting with the employee just prior to the end of the trial employment/trial hiring period to discuss performance. Once the employee has passed the probationary period, he or she becomes a regular staff member and is eligible for all benefits available for that job classification. At this, if a worker has been successful at his/her evaluation on the job, he may be granted a permanent status. The worker will be then be given a permanent employment contract. All in all, a trial employment/trial hiring period is essentially a good idea for companies to utilize before hiring potential employees on a permanent basis.
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BOTTOM HOUSE RECORDS
Some of the members of Bottom House Records: (From L to R) Mackie Ranks, DJ Kevy, YM Prince, Kray, Zion Kidd and their manager Carlos Prowell
A sanctuary for grooming young, aspiring singers NESTLED IN THE HEART OF BARTICA, GUYANA IS A MODEST RECORDING STUDIO THAT HAS BECOME A SANCTUARY FOR YOUNG, ASPIRING MUSICIANS AND SINGERS.
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n a trip to the riverain community, known to be the gateway to Guyana’s interior, Guyana Inc. discovered the talented young men who are shepherded by Carlos Prowell, a manager at a bank in that district. Prowell disclosed that Bottom House Records (BHR) was started up to serve as a platform for youths who are unable to afford the usually exorbitant prices for recording their music in most recording studios. Prowell wanted to provide the youth with a space to develop their passion for music. Those who are recruited are not required to pay a single cent for studio time or for the recording of their music since the bank manager believes that in offering free services, he has been able to discover some of the hidden musical gems of the Cuyuni Mazaruni (Region 7) community. In the initial stages of establishing the studio, Prowell had the help of three very talented young men, who are also the founding members of their humble sanctuary. The trio consists of 23-year-old Neville Boodie, 22-yearold Christopher “YM Prince” Inniss and 20-year-old Kevin “DJ Kevy” Bobb. They attended Three Mile Secondary School. It was there that their musical relationship started and it eventually blossomed into the formation of a group called, “Mya Elite.” Timothy “Zion Kidd” Hewitt and “Mackie Ranks” are two other BHR members who enjoy exploring the sweet and hypnotizing sounds of reggae music. Boodie, also known as “Kray”, is an aspiring rapper. He asserted that he loves to rap about his perspectives of life as well as his relationships which had some sad endings. Kray disclosed that he does not have a lot of “idle time” for he is either focusing on writing music, rapping or spending time with his significant other. He noted that he is grateful for being a part of BHR because he feels it is a family going after its musical goal. He described his style to be, “calm, cool and collected.” “I’m not talkative in person but in my music I am very expressive. I am probably the introvert in the group,” Kray shyly added. As for YM Prince, this young rapper deems his musical
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style to be more “suited for the bedroom.” He loves being the hopeless romantic of the group and expressing the sensual side of rap music. He was quick to note, however, that there are times when he would break away from that tone and adopt a more “hood” approach which would reflect the hardships of a humble youth growing up in Bartica. He said, “I am a big fan of the American rap group, Young Money, hence the name I have, which is basically Young Money Prince. I admire the group for the lyrical creativity it brings out and it is always a constant reminder for me to ensure that whenever I rap, I should strive to have a creative approach and rap on topics in a way that has never been heard before.” “Most importantly, I am happy for the opportunity we have here at this recording studio which has become like a second home for us. We have a chance whenever we can to train our voices and to make music without the worry of time running out on us. It is a relieving feeling because if you make a mistake in like a chorus or verse for example, you can improve on it and go at it again. We are elated that this platform is not just open for us alone but for all the residents of Bartica who desire to pursue their dreams of a singing career.” Additionally, YM Prince believes that the one thing that separates him from other artistes of the same genre is that he is willing to do hard work to get quality music. He prides himself in not being in a hurry to get a “quick song” out there. He also wants to be a rapper with a difference and loathes music that either degrades women or does not make the youth out there think highly of themselves. As for DJ Kevy, he is the creator of the tracks which his BHR colleagues use. He finds inspiration by listening to hundreds of songs from various genres. After this exercise, he would then tailor beats to suit the style and personality of the artists of the humble studio. He is also a very talented young rapper. To listen to music from Mya Elite, simply visit YouTube and search for “31st Century Demo” to hear some of their latest releases.
Tel: (592) 233-2473
Email: frank@surifoods.com www.surifoods.com
Exclusively Distributed by SUERIA MANUFACTURING INC. 70 Industrial Site, Eccles, East Bank Demerara, Guyana.
Nateram Ramnanan:
Giving Guyana thE JUICE it deserves
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n Guyana, like so many parts of the world, government has been encouraging its people to invest, to take chances and work hard. For Nateram Ramnanan, his success was born more out of a need to make a living than for the love of what he was doing. He has managed to build a successful family-owned business from nothing. Today, Ramnanan has risen as one of the more established businessmen on the Essequibo Coast, winning awards and selecting to travel all over the region to learn more. Even as a wide array of his products continues to hit the shelves of retail companies across country and even abroad, this entrepreneur has been giving back, employing people and doing what he knows best. For Ramnanan, called ‘Juiceman’, a father of four, it all started from cane juice. But, ‘Juiceman’ has expanded and he now whips up a wide array of products which are distributed under the Original Juice brand. His business place at Grant Berthrum, Upper Pomeroon has been visited by a President, ministers and even lending agencies have been recognizing his entrepreneurial contributions, inviting him for training and sending him overseas. Ramnanan, now 55, grew up in Windsor Castle, on the Essequibo Coast. Times were hard for the family of 11 as there was simply not enough at times to go around. He was the eldest of nine (six brothers and three sisters) and was expected to play his part. His father, known as ‘Cane Juice Man’, sold the sweet product to support the family at Anna Regina, the main town in the Essequibo County and at Charity, a gateway to
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the interior and a main trading area. For little Nateram, there was no time for holidaying; he had to help his father. Their little wooden home in Windsor Castle had many mouths to feed and there was much work to be done. While he wanted so badly to excel in school, Nateram had to make some hard choices: he had to give up school on mainly Mondays and Fridays, the market days for the Essequibo Coast. “I wanted to get an education. I know it was the way out. But it was hard,” the entrepreneur said to Guyana Inc. Nateram got his chance when, in his teens, he was accepted into Kuru Kuru College, which had an extension in Essequibo, and for one year he studied Management. In the early ‘80s, he was hired to work at a cassava mill in Charity. It was owned by the Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo). Ramnanan stayed there for five years, learning how to make cassava flour and about processing… experiences that would serve him well later. Back then, as the older among us would know, government had restricted the importation of several items, including flour. The clampdown was designed to encourage local, alternative food production and cassava flour was substitute for many. It was while at that cassava facility that Nateram met his wife, Parbattie, who worked at another GuySuCo establishment: a carambola (fivefinger) processing factory not far away. They soon got married. In the meantime, Nateram’s father had continued his cane juice business. Now a man with responsibilities
and a family, the restless Nateram knew that a $250 salary would not be enough. He was looking for opportunities. In fact, he was hungry for it. The opportunity opened up when, while on a visit to Charity, he saw an old family owned cane juice mill that was not in use. Using some money he had put aside, he paid $300 for it. It was the wisest investment he has ever made. Using a cart, he set up shop, selling cane juice to the many who visited Charity. His wife was with him “foot-to-foot”. It was tough work as he was manually turning the mill all day long and the working day would sometimes go to eight o’clock at nights. “This was a manual mill that you had to scrape the cane and grind it manually and sell it right away to the customers.” His children – he has four of them now – would sometimes stay by his parents and sometimes with his inlaws. At other times, the children would be with the family at the juice stand. Nateram was lucky. With the import restriction, there was a hugely profitable contraband business for all kinds of things including sardines, flour and split peas. Charity was a place to go for these. His cane juice stand benefitted from the crowds. ‘Juiceman’ was becoming popular. The Amerindians coming down the Pomeroon, persons from the Essequibo Coast, and miners, were all heading to Charity. His glass of cane juice and his wife’s cassava balls were a must. It was in the early ‘90s that Samuel, one of the Barakat brothers who owned a fabrication business on the East Coast of Demerara, met with
Mr. Ramnanan Showing The Processes He Uses In His Product Production
Nateram. Why was ‘Juiceman’ manually killing himself? Barakat offered the little Charity man to build an enginerun mill. Nateram was more than glad. Soon, the mill was introduced and the juice stand, known as ‘Original Juice’ started to grow, becoming a permanent structure. It still stands there. A family in Grant Berthrum, Upper Pomeroon, not far away, from whom Nateram had purchased his manual mill, asked if he was interested to buy their property. “The lady that owned the property…we got along well whenever she returned to Guyana. They decided to sell and I was looking to find a place.” It was at this location on the Pomeroon River that Nateram started experimenting with other juices like guava and coconut water, setting up his factory. His eldest son was running the juice stand and Nateram concentrated on the processing at this location. He started an experiment that saw him blending and juicing the produce that grew around his home. Nateram ventured into juicing fruits and vegetables, even pumpkin and ginger, and distributing his signature product to markets in rural and urban areas of Guyana and to a few Caribbean countries, including the Dominican Republic. He was recognized for his entrepreneurial energies by the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED), Partners of America, and the Guyana Manufacturing and Services
Association (GMSA) and the trainings started. He was exposed to all kinds of fora on processing and juicing, travelling to places like St. Vincent, and even showcasing his products in Canada. ‘Juiceman’ was looking for more opportunities. He searched and soon found more equipment to make his work easier and expand to other products. While his core business was juices, which now included cherry and golden apple, he also ventured into other areas like bottling of pepper sauce, achar and jam and jelly. It was a chance that was not to be regretted. He was selling his products countrywide. He came under the radar of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Dr. Leslie Chin, whose work locally with micro-businesses is legendary. “USAID, Dr. Chin, Mr. Barakat and IPED and so many others have been there for us. I thank them,” Ramnanan told Guyana Inc. The family started to experiment even more with vegetables and the products were terrific. ‘Juiceman’ started going as far as Port Kaituma in Region One, to market his varying creations. Sterling Products, restaurants and hotels are among the numerous customers supporting him. The business has grown now. “You see, I did not want to remain poor. Our family home in Windsor Castle had no flush toilet and I wanted my children to be educated. This is what pushed me. I did not
want them to want for clothes and things like that.” While Charity has been changing quickly, modernizing with malls and huge buildings going up, Nateram is determined also not to stay static. “If you want to be successful… there is a simple way…you have to work hard. Never give up. Master what you are doing and it will work out.” Today, Nateram is involved in all kinds of charity work, something he is not willing to talk too much about. He is heavily involved in the private sector lobbying organizations like the GMSA. A few years ago, the same organization recognized his contributions, awarding him for his contributions to Guyana’s agro-processing sector. Nateram and his family are now eyeing the canning business and soon he will be expanding even more, thanks to new, state-of-the-art equipment he is looking at from neighbouring Brazil. “My wife, my family and my workers, are my strength,” a humble ‘Juiceman’ says. Today, the businessman is embarking on his biggest project to date. He is investing, through a number of agencies and banks, some $120M in a brand new juice factory. His juices are being sold in each of the country’s 10 regions. With over 20 staffers now, ‘Juiceman’ is not stopping. Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 29
Big screen movies are back with a
T
Mithun Chakraborty and the angry, muscular persona of Dharmendra? For the western sagas, big names like John Wayne, Yul Brynner and Charles Bronson were heroes that many dreamed of. Perhaps it was the lure of being transported to a fascinating place where you caught glimpses of the lives
One of Guyana’s First Cinemas - Metropole
he unexplainable magic of the big screen. The full blast of the surround sound systems. Crowds bubbling with excitement. From a simpler time of the silver screen to the many wonders of 3-D, the cinema experience in Guyana has truly evolved. In the mid 70’s, life was simpler; there was no such thing as television sets in households and entertainment definitely did not mean sitting for hours in a darken room, eyes fixed on the life-sized images flashing right before you. In fact, in those days, entertainment meant cricket at the local club, a stroll through the market on Friday or weekends and yes, oh yes, the movies. The relatively young will insist that the golden age of the cinemas was in the 80’s and very early 90’s, but the older folks will swear that the 60’s and 70’s were the days. For the young and old, the lovers and families, movie-going was quite an adventure back then. Who can really forget the indomitable presence of Amitabh Bachchan or ‘Jumping Jack’ Jeetendra and even the ‘Gunmaster’
Astor Cinema (Michael Lam)
bang
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of superstars was what kept many transfixed. But in those days, being the dramatic storyteller, who relived a movie through the words and the heroic actions of Jackie Chan, were things to be envied for those little ones who had not gone to the movies the day before.
It is not unusual when talking to the older folks about cinemas, to see the memories flash across their faces or for a faraway, wistful look to cloud their expression. You see, in the earlymid 1900s, the cinemas took the city by storm. Records indicate the first real cinema was the Gaiety which stood opposite the Brickdam Cathedral. The theatre was known for the b l a c k- a n d - w h i t e , silent movies but unfortunately, it was lost to fire some years after. Soon came, Metro (now Empire) on Middle Street and later, London (Plaza) on Camp Street. The popular Hollywood, in Kitty, and later Strand Deluxe also joined the growing industry.
The Inside of Caribbean Cinemas Guyana
Going to the cinema was an event that slipped its way into agendas of many. The older folks would tell you that the movies provided an escape from the hardships associated with postIndependence Guyana. It wasn’t long before the songs from the Bollywood movies, the dances, the clothes and even particular hairstyles were followed with such fervor that new trends emerged practically every month. The premieres of particular movies were events where you had to be early. The old adage of “the early bird catches the worm” always rang true as patrons would turn out in their numbers, determined to cop a seat. It was quite usual to see jostling or a police on horse attempting to control the crowds at the various cinemas. Noone wanted to be left behind for the wonders of the movies were many and the experience was not one to miss. Finally seated, with bathed breath they would waited for the lights to be dimmed and the projector to start rolling. The occasional “shhhh” or even a vendor hoping to sell their plantain chips or chewing gums
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are also fond memories of the cinemas. A big show, or a “double” (two movies), could even see tickets being sold black market on the road leading to the movie theatre. Many would spend over six hours and come out bleary-eyed but very much satisfied. It was these things that marked the big cinema era. The lure of cinemas in Guyana, unfortunately, died in the 90’s with the rapid acquisition of television (TV) sets which was soon joined by the acquisition of the Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs). As they gained popularity in the 90’s, things rapidly went downhill for the theaters. It wasn’t long before enterprising persons opened up their “mini theaters,” featuring a television with the (VCR) and few wooden benches. It certainly did not help the industry that local television stations started showing movies. But defeat was not a position they took willingly. Two theaters - the majestic Astor on Church Street, and Strand Deluxe on Charlotte Street struggled to maintain their footing. The writing on the wall was clear, however, persons were not interested in seeing a movie that came out a year before and was available at the video club. Today, not much remains of these big cinemas. Strand is being rented to a Brazilian church while Astor, which
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was reportedly built around 1940, is up for sale. The iconic Liberty on Vlissengen and Garnett streets has been demolished after being sold by its owner to a Chinese restaurateur. Metropole, which was a stone throw away on Robb and Wellington streets, was struck by fire years ago and Globe has been torn down. Across on Middle Street, Empire has been converted into shopping centre. At Diamond on the East Bank of Demerara, Deluxe has been torn down. The situation for the big cinemas would be the same across the country. Now, with the advent of portable DVD players, smartphones, computers and even laptops, the way movie lovers are viewing their favorites have changed dramatically. Though Cable and Netflix are here, new developments within recent years are bringing back the magic of the movie theaters and Guyana, it seems, is catching up with the rest of the world. First, it was the Turkish-owned Princess Hotel and Casino at Providence, East Bank Demerara where two screens were introduced. The state-of-the-art sounds and comfortable seating coupled with a closed, air-conditioned setting remains a money spinner for the hotel. There, persons were forced to buy their tickets days in advance. The introduction of eight screens by Giftland at its megamall at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown have been reigniting the love of the cinemas. You see, movies are released in Guyana the same time it is shown in the US and while Berbice and Essequibo remain out of the loop, it appears that cinemas are back with a modern bang.
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Robberies Men dressed as Women By Brian Ramsey – Amalgamated Security Services Limited
In 2008, three men dressed in wigs and women’s clothing walked into the Harry Winston Boutique on Avenue Montaigne near the Champs-Elysees in Paris, pulled out handguns and rounded up the staff and customers. In 20 minutes they stole 297 pieces of jewelry and 104 watches with an estimated value of more than €71million. In September 2013, a man wearing women’s clothing and a long black wig robbed the M&T Bank branch on West Baltimore Street, Baltimore USA. He handed the teller a note saying he had a bomb and told the teller to put the money in a black-and-white polkadot cosmetic bag. In January 2015, a man dressed as a woman wearing a fur coat, purple slippers and makeup, went into a Wells Fargo Bank in Sheboygan, Wisconsin USA and robbed the bank. To the average Caribbean person these sound like the stuff of movies, reminiscent of the movie Ocean’s 11. These are the kind of plot lines that have us relaxing in our seats at a movie theater or at home in front of the DVD player. Yet, these were actual robberies, which fortunately in each case, the robbers were eventually caught. We often think that these types of robberies can only happen in developed countries but there is an old Caribbean saying that we should always keep in mind that says: “When your neighbour’s
The crime landscape shows that increasingly women are being directly involved in crime and not simply in non-violent crimes such as shoplifting but also as active participants in violent crime.
house is on fire, wet yours”. Attitudes, morals, modes of behavior are changing in the Caribbean; in some islands the changes are occurring faster than in others and individuals lament what some see is a breakdown in society. There is, however, one area that has not yet completely changed, and that is a mode of thinking about women. To the vast majority of people, women are not viewed as capable of committing violent crimes such as robbery. As a result, there is a lowering of individuals’ security alertness whenever a woman enters a business place or approaches an individual. The mind of many persons automatically thinks, “It is a woman I do not have to worry”. It is that type of thinking that requires Caribbean people to begin “wetting their houses”. If one looks at crime in the Caribbean, there should be the realization that individuals should not relax at the appearance of a strange person if that person appears to be a woman. In 2010, two women were strolling through the market in Tunapuna Trinidad pretending to be customers. The women snatched a bag containing a large sum of money from a vendor and attempted to make their escape in a waiting car. The vendor, however, gave chase and raised an alarm. A female police officer who was nearby sought to intervene but the women accelerated their vehicle seeking to knock About the Author
down the female police officer who then fired two shots at the car, hitting both women. In June 2014, it was reported that two women in Kingston Jamaica, posing as having car problems, were preying on the good nature of female motorists and robbing them when they attempted to render assistance. Also, in June 2014, a 21-year-old female appeared in a San Fernando Trinidad court on a robbery charge. The young woman was identified as someone who was already on bail for previous charges, including murder. The crime landscape shows that increasingly women are being directly involved in crime and not simply in nonviolent crimes such as shoplifting, but also as active participants in violent crime. If therefore women are involved in violent crime, it is reasonable that individuals should not relax their guard at the sight of a woman; even more so when the apparent woman could be a man dressed as a woman. There are those individuals who believe that they can always spot a man who is dressed as a woman. While that may have been true in the past, on many a Caribbean island there are certain streets, especially at night, where cross-dressers and transgender individuals gather and a visit to any of these streets will show how difficult it now is to distinguish men who are dressed as women. As such the rule should be, be on your guard at the sight of any unknown person – male or female. Accept that anyone is capable of violent crime and you should be on guard, even at the sight of women.
Brian Ramsey has a B.A. in Accounting & Management, along with an M.B.A. in Finance and over 29 years in the Caribbean security field. He is the Regional Development Director for Amalgamated Security Services Limited which operates in Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. He can be contacted at bramsey@assl.com. Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 32
E D U C AT I O N F E AT U R E
GUYANA’S CECIL COX IS THE REGION’S TOP CAPE STUDENT Outstanding 2015 CAPE performer Cecil Cox
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ith a performance that has been called nothing but exceptional, Cecil Cox, an 18-year-old Queen’s College student, has once again etched his name into the record books for outstanding academic performance. This year the QC boy has been adjudged the region’s top Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) performer. Cox is, in fact, no stranger to the academic ‘hall of fame’. When the 18-year-old sat the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC) in 2013, he was named the region’s Best Science Student. The 18-year-old is now the first Guyanese student to be awarded the Dennis Irvine Prize for most outstanding performance at CAPE. Cox’s recent performance has, in fact, been deemed outstanding by officials within the Ministry of Education. He secured seven passes. His choice subject areas were: Communication Studies Unit 1, Applied Mathematics Unit 1, Chemistry Unit 2, Pure Mathematics Unit 2, Physics Unit 2, Digital Media Unit 2 and Computer Science Unit 2. He secured six Grade One passes and 1 Grade Three, respectively. Cox, who was born on November 7, 1996, has always had his academic priorities in order. In fact, a year earlier he secured another seven passes at CAPE - Applied Mathematics Unit 1, Caribbean Studies Unit 1, Chemistry Unit 1, Computer Science Unit 1, Pure Mathematics Unit 1, Physics Unit 1 and Digital Media Unit 1. The North East La Penitence resident already has his academic life all mapped out and has been making keen strides in this direction. He has plans on furthering his studies in Computer Science at a tertiary institution overseas. Cox credits his already realized success to “all those who helped me.” There has been no shortage of quality academic performances from local students and this has been evident each year when the results of the Caribbean
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Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) and the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination are unveiled. Among students who performed laudably at the 2015 CAPE are a number of Cox’s QC schoolmates including: Larissa Wiltshire (6 ones), Sasha Woodroffe (6 ones), Jonelle Europe (5 ones, 1 two), Elisa Hamilton (5 ones, 2 twos), Lisa John (5 ones, 1 two), Sharmila Ramlall (5 ones, 1 two), Rejean Sawh (5 ones, 2 twos, 1 three), Amanda Singh (5 ones), Nabeeha Ali (5 ones) and Phillipe Walker (5 ones, 2 twos and 2 threes). Among the outstanding performers this year too is Shonta Noel of St Rose’s High. She claimed six grade one passes and one grade two in the subject areas of Caribbean Studies Unit 1, Tourism Unit 1, Accounting Unit 2, Law Unit 2, Management of Business Unit 2, Entrepreneurship Unit 2 and Economics Unit 2. Phenomenal CSEC results Top national CSEC performer, Victoria Najab (Photo Credit - SH Photography & Designs
The results of 2015 CSEC examination was no less laudable. In fact, some might call it rather phenomenal with the top national performer Victoria Najab securing 20 grade one passes. The student of the Saraswati Vidya Niketan (SVN) Hindu School was able to accomplish a feat that has arguably never occurred before. Born on June 11, 1998 Najab is no stranger to outstanding performances. She was named the third best performer in Guyana when the results of the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) were unveiled in 2010. When Guyana Inc. Magazine enquired of the top 2015 CSEC performer what motivated her to write 20 subjects, she simply quipped “I wanted to be well versed in both the business and science fields.” Among the top CSEC performers were: Vamanandev Hiralall (19 ones, 1 two) also of the SVN School, Aliyah Rasheed (19 ones) of the Anna Regina Secondary School, Joshanna Hopkinson (18 ones) of QC, Ashley Anthony (17 ones) also of QC, Jagindra Persaud (16 ones, 2 twos) of Anna Regina Secondary, Paige Carter (14 ones, 5 twos) of QC, Kadesh Daniels (14 ones, 3 twos) of QC, Shawn Shewram (14 ones, 2 twos) of St Rose’s High, Michael Jagnanan (14 ones, 1 two) of QC, Mohanie Sudama (14 ones, 1 two) of the SVN School and Shannon Woodroffe (14 Ones) yet another student of QC.
WITNESSING A SEIZURE: DO’S AND DON’TS Health Fact
By Dr Zulfikar Bux, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
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itnessing someone have a seizure may not be as uncommon as you think. One in ten persons will have a seizure in their lifetime. Odds are we may be or become a witness to someone seizing at some point in our lives. Would you know what to do if you saw someone seizing?
Seizures, better known by some as “fits”, is an abnormal electrical discharge in our brain which causes our body to have atypical physical displays. There are different types of seizures which causes persons to have different forms of physical displays during their seizure attack. Some may simply lose focus and have a constant gaze while others may have aggressive uncontrolled body movements. Noticing any one of these episodes can easily overwhelm you and create panic. Performing some simple actions and avoiding unwarranted ones may help to save the life of someone who is seizing. Stay Calm Your first act when witnessing a seizure should be to stay calm. This will enable you to think and act in a more rational manner. Although seizures seem to last a long time, they may only last from a few seconds to 90 seconds. Those that go beyond will have to be controlled by medical professionals. Protect the Person from Injury Keep him/her from falling if you can, try to gently guide them to the floor. Try to move furniture or other objects that may
injure the person during the seizure. Position the Patient If possible, try to lay the person on their side so that fluids can leak out of their mouth. Persons tend to produce lots of saliva or even vomit during seizures. These can choke them if they are positioned incorrectly. Do Not Put Anything in the Mouth There is a common myth of putting objects in people’s mouth to prevent them from biting their tongue during a seizure. This is a dangerous practice and can even choke the patient thereby causing more harm. Do not attempt to even stick your fingers in someone’s mouth while they are seizing. Avoid Trying to Hold Down the Person While They Are Seizing It’s important to understand that a seizing person does not have control of their actions and they are moving their body with tremendous force. Attempting to hold them down may cause injury to you or them.
What to do After the Seizure has Ended After an episode of seizure, the patient will usually be drowsy and may even be sleeping. They will need support during this time since they are still at risk of having another seizure or choking. The following actions will be of benefit to the patient after their seizure: • Check the person for injuries. • If you could not have turned the person to their side during the seizure, do so now. • If the person is having trouble breathing, tilt their head upwards. If they still cannot breathe after this, then ensure their mouth is not blocked with saliva, vomit or broken teeth. A quick finger sweep in their mouth may help remove the blockage during this time. • Loosen tight clothing around the person’s neck and waist. • Do not offer anything to eat or drink unless the person is fully awake. • Seek medical attention if warranted. During a seizure, the patient does not have a choice over his/her actions. Being a witness, you will have a choice over your actions: remaining calm and following the above plan may be your best bet. Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 35
BULLYING & SUICIDE T
WHAT IS BULLYING?
he National Education Association of the United States of America (USA) establishes that bullying is systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt and/or social psychological distress on another. It can be physical, verbal or social. It is a frightening experience many face on a daily basis. It can be as direct as teasing, hitting, threatening, and destruction of property or forcing someone to do something against their will, or as indirect as rumors, exclusion or manipulation. Bullying involves a real or perceived power imbalance between the one who bullies and their target. How do you spot a bully? ⁻⁻ Bullies pick on their target day after day. (Repetition) ⁻⁻ Bullies win because their target is smaller, younger or less socially able to cope. (Power imbalance) ⁻⁻ Bullies enjoy seeing their target afraid and upset. (Intent to harm) Bullying is fast becoming an international issue. Data and statistics can be difficult to come by as victims of bullying often choose not to report it and speak about its occurrence out in the open. Usually children targeted by hurtful comments or actions are different from their peers in some way. Bullying can occur during or after school hours. While most reported bullying happens in the school building, a significant percentage also happens in places like the playground or the bus. It can also happen travelling to or from school, in the youth’s neighborhood, or on the Internet. Bullying can occur depending on the environment, some groups—such as those in lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) community, people with disabilities and weight issues, and those socially isolated, may be at an increased risk of being bullied.
faking illness • Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch. • Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares • Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school • Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations • Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem • Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide.
How to Identify Bullying – in children, youths and adults There are many warning signs that may indicate that someone is affected by bullying—either being bullied or bullying others. Recognizing the warning signs is an important first step in taking action against bullying. Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help. It is important to talk with children who show signs of being bullied or bullying others. These warning signs can also point to other issues or problems, such as depression or substance abuse. Talking to the child can help identify the root of the problem.
Children may be bullying others if they: ⁻⁻ Get into physical or verbal fights ⁻⁻ Have friends who bully others ⁻⁻ Are increasingly aggressive ⁻⁻ Get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently ⁻⁻ Have unexplained extra money or new belongings ⁻⁻ Blame others for their problems ⁻⁻ Don’t accept responsibility for their actions ⁻⁻ Are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity Bullying will lead to a number of negative consequences academically and emotionally. In addition to poor attendance and decreased academic performance, bullying causes feelings of helplessness, anger and frustration. The consequences experienced are not limited just to the person who is bullied. Bullying causes mental, physical and emotional damage to all involved, including bystanders. Research has shown the effects last well into adulthood. When you think of these consequences remember this one fact: Bullying is preventable and, thereby, the consequences are too. Adult bullying is not as prominently reported on as the others, however, it is a problem and is considered a factor that can ultimately lead to suicide. One would think that as people mature, that they would stop behaviors that may have started in their youth. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Adults can be bullies, just as children and teenagers can be bullies. While adults are more likely to use verbal bullying as opposed to physical bullying, the fact is that adult bullying exists. The goal of an adult bully is to gain power over another person, and make himself or herself the dominant adult. They try to humiliate victims, and “show them who is boss.”
Some signs that may point to a child being bullied are: • Unexplainable injuries • Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry • Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or
There are several different types of adult bullies, and it helps to know how they operate: 1. Narcissistic Adult Bully: This type of adult bully is selfcentered and does not share empathy with others. He or
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she seems to feel good about him or herself, but in reality has a brittle narcissism that requires putting others down. 2. Impulsive Adult Bully: Adult bullies in this category are more spontaneous and plan their bullying out less. Even if consequences are likely, this adult bully has a hard time restraining his or her behavior. In some cases, this type of bullying may be unintentional, resulting in periods of stress, or when the bully is actually upset or concerned about something unconnected with the victim. 3. Physical Bully: While adult bullying rarely turns to physical confrontation, there are, nonetheless, bullies that use physicality. In some cases, the adult bully may not actually physically harm the victim, but may use the threat of harm, or physical domination through looming. Additionally, a physical bully may damage or steal a victim’s property, rather than physically confronting the victim. 4. Verbal Adult Bully: Words can be quite damaging. Adult bullies who use this type of tactic may start rumors about the victim, or use sarcastic or demeaning language to dominate or humiliate another person. However, the emotional and psychological impacts of verbal bullying can be felt quite keenly and can result in reduced job performance and even depression. 5. Secondary Adult Bully: This is someone who does not initiate the bullying, but joins in so that he or she does not actually become a victim down the road. Secondary bullies may feel bad about what they are doing, but are more concerned about protecting themselves. There is little you can do about an adult bully, other than ignore and try to avoid them. This is because adult bullies are often in a set pattern. They are not interested in working things out and they are not interested in compromise. Rather, adult bullies are more interested in power and domination. They want to feel as though they are important and preferred, and they accomplish this by bringing others down. There is very little you can do to change an adult bully, beyond the confines of laws. If you can document the bullying, there are legal and civil remedies for harassment, abuse and other forms of bullying. Adult bullies were often either bullies as children, or bullied as children. Understanding this about them may be able to help you cope with the behavior. The link between Bullying & Suicide Research indicates that persistent bullying can lead to or worsen feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion and despair. It can also lead to depression and anxiety, which can contribute to suicidal thoughts and behavior. In recent years, a series of bullying-related suicides in the US and across the globe have drawn attention to the connection between bullying and suicide. Though too many adults still see bullying as “just part of being a kid,” it is a serious problem that leads to many negative effects for victims, including suicide. Many people may not realize that there is also a link between being a bully and committing suicide. The statistics on bullying and suicide are alarming: • Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to
consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University; A study in Britain found that at least half of suicides among young people are related to bullying; • 10 to 14 year old girls may be at an even higher risk for suicide, according to the study above. Suicides of youth reported to have been bullied underscores the need for a concerted effort to address all the harmful effects of bullying. The relationship between bullying and suicide is more complex and less direct than we may think. Most persons don’t think about their experiences with bullies when they were children. However, there could be emotional effects that are hidden. Depression and anxiety tied to bullying at school persisted at least through people’s mid-twenties. Worse off were the people who had both been bullies and victims of bullying. Researchers have also discovered a strong link between bullying and depression. It is still not clear why depression occurs and it may have various causes. However, depression is closely related with bullying. In fact, both bullies as well as their victims are more than likely to be depressed. The effects of bullying can be long lasting. In addition, depression can bring about problems such as low self-esteem, high rate of being absent from school, anxiety and even physical illness. According to depression and suicide[1], the relationship between bullying depression and suicide is not limited to faceto-face bullying. This is because nowadays, many teens suffer because of cyber bullying. The internet has made it much easier for people to communicate with each other but it has also opened a virtual Pandora’s Box. Many people connect with each other through social networking sites like Facebook, Instagram, Meet Up and Twitter for example. However, this has made people more susceptible to cyber bullying. The worst thing about cyber bullying is the fact that the person may not even know the bully. This is because some bullies will use a false account to harass others. This makes it easier for the bully to be relentless and more threatening because they are not known to the victim. Signs of depression that family and friends should recognize are as follows: You should be wary of long lasting irritability or sadness, including outbursts of anger or crying; a person who loses interest in any activity that they usually enjoy could be depressed; a person who withdraws from others can also be depressed; if the sleep pattern of a person changes, either oversleeping or insomnia, the person could be depressed. If a person’s appetite changes or their eating habits change, this could point to depression. Other signs of a person suffering from depression are when a person is always feeling slow or tired. Someone who is restless, worried or anxious can also be depressed. A person who is depressed can also lack the ability to think clearly or concentrate. Depressed people will also feel worthless, helpless, guilty or hopeless. Other signs of depression include aches and pains that have no apparent physical cause. Depressed people also talk about suicide or death. If a person starts giving away their prized possessions and saying goodbye to people, this is a sign that he or she has suicidal thoughts and/or intentions. 1
Beth J. Harpaz, MSNBC, “Bullying a Red Flag for Depression’’
People who are suffering from depression need to seek professional help. A counselor or doctor can be able to get them back on track. A person with suicidal thoughts and/or intentions should be treated as an emergency case and immediate medical assistance should be sought. One can call the emergency services or visit a hospital. There are suicide hotlines that are available to assist people who are suicidal. Call 223-0818, 600-7896, 623-4444 if you had or are having such thoughts. Such a person also needs all the help and support that he or she can get from family and friends. This is the time to surround the person with love, compassion and understanding. Guyana Inc. - Issue 19 | Page 37
NEW AMSTERDAM HERITAGE TRAIL: ABOUT THE PUBLICATION
T
he National Trust of Guyana, the state agency with responsibility for the preservation and promotion of the nation’s monuments, has produced another new heritage publication titled, “New Amsterdam Heritage Trail.” This publication aims to inform visitors, tourists, researchers and the general public about the history and development of New Amsterdam and the various heritage sites, both past and present, that have helped to shape the townscape. It consists of historical descriptions of many sites, with accompanying images as well as a guide map which is laid out in a trail-like format offering an easy route for anyone wishing to tour the country’s oldest town. The pocket booklet is easy for users to carry while they explore and it offers space for personal notes and observations. Being a new design, it is a very important and outstanding piece of heritage and tourism resource. In addition, the pocket booklets
are expected to revive and spark an interest in safeguarding and promoting heritage sites and historic properties. Through featuring past sites like the old New Amsterdam Hospital, it is hoped that focus will be given to the important concept of adaptive reuse as a medium through which we can breathe new life into our historic buildings. It emphasizes the importance of preserving them as part of our legacy and tangible heritage which can proudly be passed on to future generations. The Trust printed 2000 copies of this booklet.
Our heritage is an irreplaceable and inspirational source of our lives. Thus, what we do not protect and preserve, we will lose. Like all new publications, it is subject to criticisms and the Trust, which falls under the auspices of the former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, appreciates feedback. We acknowledge there is always room for improvement and editorial corrections but these should not diminish the aims and objectives of this new and original publication. It is our hope that this publication will be widely accessed, read and cherished by local and international visitors and all Guyanese, especially the residents of New Amsterdam and Berbice. This publication was officially launched on April 28, 2015 at the Office of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 6. This timely and necessary publication aims at strengthening the heritage sector while raising awareness about our unique heritage among the people of Guyana.
Deepavali:
the triumph
D
of light over darkness
eepavali has always been that time of the year where a sense of togetherness prevails among Guyanese from all walks of life. Though it is a Hindu holiday, for all, Deepavali is one traditionally spent with family and friends, savouring treats and sweetmeats. Guyanese, whether young or old, have all grown to appreciate the abundance of lights, the bursting of fireworks and even the ever-present boom from firecrackers associated with the festivities. Deepavali, more popularly referred to as Diwali, is an official holiday in Guyana. In fact, it is a five-day festival which coincides with the Hindu New Year. The actual day of Diwali is traditionally celebrated on the festival’s third day, which, this year, falls on Tuesday, November 10th. ‘Deep’ means “light” and ‘avali’ means “row of lights.” Known as the “festival of lights,” Deepavali signifies the victory of good over evil, and of light over darkness. Many beliefs surround the origin of the festival and the celebration dates back to 50-100 AD. As for the reason it is celebrated, one of the most popular stories told is the legend of Lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom in northern India from exile after defeating the demon king Ravanna in the 15th century BC. Here in Guyana, Deepavali is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Being a Hindu festival, Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped and lamps are lit in the evening to dispel darkness. But what is it really all about? The festival is marked by large firework displays, to remember the celebrations which, according to the legend, took place upon Rama’s return as locals set off their own version of fireworks. Those celebrating the festival also light traditional earthen diyas or candles and decorate their houses with colourful rangoli artworks - patterns created on the floor using coloured rice or powder. It is also traditional for homes to be cleaned and new clothes to be worn at the time of the festival. Families and friends share sweets and gifts as there is also a strong belief in giving food and goods to those in need. The food usually distributed during the festival is Indian sweets, which come in a range of colours and flavours. The celebration, however, features various rich savoury and sweet dishes like the finger-licking mithai, pera, parsaad and vermicelli. Families will mostly prepare food at home for when guests arrive to exchange gifts and watch fireworks. The Hindu philosophy places great emphasis on cultivating strong bonds with one’s community, through a host of traditions. Guyana’s Indian community celebrates Deepavali with floats lit with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights of all colours. This procession of lights is commonly known as a motorcade and it has become an annual feature in Guyana. The highly-anticipated event is held in the Demerara County, with similar ones being rolled out prior to this in Berbice and Essequibo. The annual grand Diwali Motorcade, which sees participants from across the country, is slated for the eve of Deepavali (November 09th). Festival organisers seek that in doing so, Indian culture can be preserved. But it is not only the Hindus that participate in the festivities; Deepavali has truly made itself a ‘Guyanese’ festivity. People start preparing many weeks in advance by renovating or at least by whitewashing/painting their homes, making major purchases, decorating their homes, doing shopping for everything that adds to the vibrancy and praying for the wellbeing of their family and the world.
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On the day, Guyanese are often immersed in the distribution of sweets, illuminating the inside and outside of the house and exchanging greetings. The celebrations hold special significance for the people of Guyana for the distribution of sweets signifies the importance of serving and sharing, whereas exchange of greeting cards denotes the goodwill of each other. The tradition of wearing new clothes for the people of Guyana is significant especially in Diwali festival. They believe that wearing new clothes is the symbol of healthy souls in healthy bodies. Cleaning of their homes and keeping them well illuminated in and outside is a practice meant to illuminate the road for Goddess Lakshmi. This is done so that while Goddess Lakshmi visits their home she faces no problem of light as the Diwali night is regarded as the darkest night of the year. To the businessman, Diwali means brisk business, just as to the clay potter, Diwali is the occasion of the year when the bulk of his sales are made. Diwali became a time for them to change their annual accounting books as their new year starts with Diwali. This is the reason why Diwali is also the festival of Goddess Lakshmi, who personifies prosperity and wealth. Lakshmi pujas are held in most Hindu homes. However, Diwali is not just about illuminating houses and paths. Persons must ignite the divine light within and let it radiate outward, so that it touches all those we come across, as is the belief of Hindus. The Indian Action Committee (IAC), formerly the Indian Arrival Committee, will be hosting a Ram Leela and Cultural Presentation at Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown on November 14. There, patrons will be treated to cultural presentations, drama, singing and Indian delicacies.
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Left to Right: Members of the eight elite clubs with representatives of the sponsors and GFF NC; Members of the eight clubs at the launching of the elite league; Members of the GFF NC, sponsors and guests during the launching
Football takes new leap of faith with unveiling of
H
STAG ELITE LEAGUE
olistic football development in Guyana has been given a new lease on life with the unveiling of the most lucrative league yet, the Stag Elite League. This feat has attracted eight of the nation’s best clubs. In full battle mode for the $15M in prize money are: Alpha ‘The Hammer’ United, Slingerz, Fruta Conquerors, Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Georgetown Football Club, Buxton United, Pele and Monedderlust Football clubs. There was a Super League and similar leagues before, but this new league is set to trump all others as it is more allencompassing. It will run for eight months at a level never before seen in Guyana when it comes to the league format. The title sponsor is Ansa McAl under their Stag Beer brand, while corporate support so far has also been had from Courts Guyana Inc., Hits and Jams Radio (94.1FM) and E-Networks Guyana’s premier Cable TV, Internet, VOIP and 4G Broadband Service Provider. The latter will be airing the game of the month to its subscribers - a first for the sport in Guyana. The first double-header got underway on September 18, 2015 at the Leonora Track & Field and Football Facility on the West Coast of Demerara (WCD) where Pele FC, one of the longstanding clubs, matched skills with another longstanding club, Georgetown Football Club (GFC), the former prevailing. Also at stake, apart from the fact that one club can win as much as $10M at the end of both rounds of competition, are also two spots available at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Club Championship which leads to the CONCACAF Champions League. The league will be split into two – Genesis and Finale, with the club coming out on top taking home $4M, second-place $2M, third-place $1M and fourth-place $500,000. There’s also a
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$1M bonus for the club with the most points at the end of both seasons. Chairman of the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Normalisation Committee, Clinton Urling, in his comments at the official launch, said the league in itself, will be football’s ‘litmus test’. He noted that sustenance of the league, after the Normalisation Committee’s life comes to an end on November 14 and the GFF Congress is held to elect a new executive, would be paramount for the new administration to ensure that it is continued. “I hope also to see in the future that the GFF doesn’t own the league, but that clubs in the league rightfully take charge. We (GFF) are starting it now but the long-term plan is to ensure that those clubs can manage, run and share the revenue,” Urling said. He added, “In the last league, I think the prize money was about $6.5M, and this year we pumped it up to $15M. For the first time, the GFF will be paying the players. So for every match played, the players will be receiving a direct support from the GFF.” Urling also disclosed that apart from tangible support from corporate Guyana, the league is heavily funded by the sport’s world governing body FIFA, which is of the view that “the leagues is where you develop players and teams to have champions, not just one of competitions.” “Football is the world’s biggest sport; the world’s most commercially viable sport, and FIFA, if you look at their World Cup – Guyana’s GDP is $3.2 billion and FIFA in the 2014 World Cup revenue is $4.8 billion, which is more than our(Guyana) GDP in an entire year,” Urling noted.
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