US-based Guyanese authors 1st children’s book, titled “The Magic of Diwali”
Over 3,500 to graduate from UG in November
Water situation at Wakenaam to return to normalcy within a week – Min Croal assures residents
– confident Court will provide peaceful settlement of Venezuela Border Controversy – as $20M aquatic therapy pool is commissioned at Turkeyen
Over $125M to be injected into ICT access for hinterland, poor communities in 2025 – PM Phillips “You
Gov’t advancing Caribbean Diagnostics Centre for special needs students – Min Manickchand – as 4 out of 8 bidders shortlisted for project to survey Guyana’s oil resources Int'l & local firms in running for 3D seismic survey contract
Guyana set to surpass 1 million passenger mark by November
Massive decline in paddy bug infestation recorded – Min Mustapha Haslington man bludgeoned to death – autopsy
Sunday, October 6 – 04:30hrs - 06:00hrs and Monday, October 7– 3:45hrs - 05:15hrs
Monday, October 7 – 6:25h-7:55h.
ICJ will uphold “Full, Perfect and Final” 1899 Arbitral Award - Min of Foreign Affairs
– confident Court will provide peaceful settlement of Venezuela Border Controversy
On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the 1899 Arbitral Award, Guyana has reiterated its commitment to the arbitral award in a commitment that, rather than waning over the years, has instead only grown.
In a statement from the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ministry, the Government has noted that Guyana still accepts and honours the Arbitral Award 125 years later.
The Ministry has also urged Venezuela to exhibit that same honour, noting that the Spanish-speaking country had previously accepted this award, and that in 1905, both countries had signed the Agreement, thereby fixing the boundary in strict conformity with the 1899 Award.
“The 1899 Award was the culmination of arbitral proceedings during which the respective territorial claims of Great Britain and Venezuela were addressed at great length and in detail by distinguished legal counsel representing the two States, including through many thousands of pages of written submissions and more than 200 hours of oral hearings before the Arbitral Tribunal,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry has said.
“Venezuela, for its part, treated the Award as a final settlement of the boundary for more than six decades after it was delivered. It consistently recognised, affirmed, and relied upon the 1899 Award as ‘a full, perfect, and final’ determination of the boundary with British Guiana. Between 1900 and 1905, together with the British, Venezuela participated in a joint demarcation of the boundary in strict adherence to the letter of the 1899 Award, and emphatically refused to countenance even minor technical modifications of the boundary line described in the Award,” the Ministry continued.
The Ministry noted that as Guyana commem-
orates the anniversary of the Arbitral Award of 3rd October, 1899, it is done with respect for the rule of international law and Guyana’s ‘pacta sunt servanda’ obligation.
The Ministry also pointed out that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) already issued judgements in 2020 and 2023, affirming its jurisdiction over the case.
“The Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana has never been more convinced that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is valid, and that the rule of international law and the processes of the International Court of Justice will provide a peaceful settlement of the matter,” the Ministry has said.
“Today, again we call for honour as we celebrate on this anniversary date that faithful Arbitral Award of Paris of 3rd October 1899, in continued respect for the sanctity of Treaties and the rule of law,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
Guyana and Venezuela are currently before the ICJ to determine a final resolution to the ongoing border controversy in which the Bolivarian Republic is seeking to annex more than twothirds of Guyana’s sovereign territory in a unilateral move
that has been widely condemned by regional and international communities.
Both countries have submitted their memorials and counter memorials.
In June 2024, the ICJ convened a meeting with representatives of both Guyana and Venezuela on the border controversy case. The meeting, which was overseen by ICJ President, Judge Nawaf Salam, was to determine the way forward, since Venezuela had submitted its counter-memorial on April 8, 2024.
It was agreed upon by both sides that a second round of written pleadings was necessary. Where the two sides differed, however, was
in the period to submit them. Guyana proposed six months from April, while Venezuela requested a 12-month period that would have been extended to October 2024.
Meanwhile, Venezuela claimed that the 12-month period was necessary, given the case’s complexity. This is despite the ICJ’s procedural rules which generally favour shorter time limits. Guyana’s side argued that this request was excessive.
It was ultimately decided that Guyana and Venezuela would be given until December 9, 2024 and August 11, 2025 respectively to make a second round of written submissions.
Last year, Government allocated $4.3 billion for sports development, and followed it up this year with $4.6B in the budget. The Government is demonstrating that the slogan "Sports - it's not just a game" is being integrated as part of the development of our society. Sports can develop the character of the individual, as well as that of the community and the nation. Sport builds and nurtures the spirit of friendly competition; it provides healthy entertainment; it exercises the body; it focuses the spirit; it creates a climate of achievement; and it challenges the youths in particular to higher levels of endurance and attainment.
While sports initially were seen as private undertakings, as epitomised by the "amateur" traditions of cricket, in the last half of a century, professional sports have moved to centre stage, and in fact are today the driving force in modern sports development. The mantra seems to be that "all that the amateurs can achieve for sports, the professionals can do it better". The professionals have taken games to such a level that they have a significant direct economic impact on the development of the countries as a whole.
This has been brought home most forcefully with the remarkable success of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) T-20 cricket tournament that was launched in 2013 - especially in Guyana, with its home team, the Guyana Amazon Warriors. When the idea of a West Indian T-20 Tournament was raised in 2012, most locals scoffed at it because they felt the logistical and organisational challenges, not to mention the financial demands, could not be overcome. However, one local company - the New Guyana Pharmaceutical Corporation (New GPC) - felt otherwise. It not only purchased the local franchise (the Amazon Warriors), but actually sponsored the entire tournament, which became the Limacol CPL until the 2016 season.
This decision brought home the difference between the old amateur and the new professional approach to sports. Marketing surveys were done to verify that the markets were there for the product: T-20 cricket. The challenges were identified and, one by one, were addressed using modern project management approaches that emphasised planning, execution, and feedback mechanisms.
And so, when the Limacol CPL tournament kicked off on July 30 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, very little had been left to chance. And the "jam-packed" stadiums with their enthusiastic cricketing fans in every one of the six venuesSt Lucia, Jamaica, Barbados, Guyana, Antigua and Trinidadtestified to the success of the vision. Then there were the TV broadcasts to every continent on the globe.
Regardless of which team won the tournament, every West Indian country won numerous other prizes. First and foremost was the pride inspired in the hearts of every West Indian, who had been told that we could not run anything successfully. This is not an inconsequential achievement; for if people cannot believe, they can never achieve. West Indians now know that we can produce an event that is broadcast to every corner of the cricketing world, matching the highest standards achieved elsewhere - and then some.
Then there was the unity and amity displayed by the West Indian people who thronged the stadiums - and even among those who watched the games from their living rooms. Whether we call this building "social capital" or "one love", the bottom line is that people who see themselves as embarked on a common mission can achieve so much more. More concretely, we can appreciate the economic spinoffs up close from the Guyana leg of the tournament. Every hotel in the Georgetown area has consistently been booked solid. The spectators from abroad brought with them all the well-known benefits of tourism: money pumped into the economy, not only in hotels, but into food providers, transportation services, sightseeing sites, souvenir sellers etc.
Tonight, our Warriors are in the finals against the St Lucia Patriots, and the eyes of the cricketing world will be fixed on Guyana. Go, Warriors!!
World Teachers’ Day
Dear Editor, “Teaching is more than imparting knowledge; it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts; it is acquiring understanding.”
-- William Arthur Ward.
Teachers are the backbone of any society. Unfortunately, in some societies, teachers are undervalued and overworked. Notwithstanding, it is always an excellent gesture when teachers are celebrated for the continued sacrifices they make towards nation-building.
Perhaps no other profession plays such a pivotal role in scaffolding society as that of the teaching profession. It is against this background that World Teachers’ Day is observed annually on 5 October: to laud all teachers around the globe.
The day is set aside to acknowledge how teachers are working assiduously to transform the education system, but it should also be used to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talent and vocation, and to reimagine the way ahead for the profession globally.
Teachers’ voices must be heard and valued in the decision-making processes that affect their profession. Regrettably, many teachers have succumbed to bullying tactics of administrators, and have remained voiceless not only to their own detriment, but that of the profession.
This year’s World Teachers’ Day highlights the need to address systemic challenges teachers experience, as well as to establish a more inclusive dialogue about their role in education. The 2024 celebrations will focus on "Valuing teacher voices: towards a new social contract for education", underscoring
the urgency of calling for, and attending to, teachers' voices to address their challenges; but, more importantly, the celebrations would acknowledge and benefit from the expert knowledge and input that teachers bring to education.
History of World Teachers Day
This significant day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. It sets standards regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers for their initial preparation, further education, recruitment, employment, and learning conditions.
Teachers are worthy of the celebrations that will accompany this significant day. Undoubtedly, many teachers go above and beyond the call of duty to discharge their duty. As we commemorate this important day, we must always be mindful that many teachers are leaving the profession.
The exodus of teachers is not only rooted in the low remuneration and substandard working conditions within the profession, but in a culture of disrespect from various stakeholders; that is: the lack of empathy towards educators. Teachers must first value their own voices, before expecting anyone else to do so.
What is a social contract?
Social Contract Theory is the idea that society exists because of an implicitly- agreedto set of standards that provide moral and political rules of behaviour.
Sadly, in many societies, there is a deficit of trust. Once this occurs, the idea of a social contract becomes prob-
lematic.
Teachers also need to pay attention to both their mental and physical health in order to give their best to their students. And they should be encouraged to take their vacation leave when it is due. The powers that be should not use malice and spite to deny teachers their vacation.
Without doubt, governments need to interrogate the teaching profession to identify what variables are required to improve the plight of teachers.
Do you remember your favourite teacher?
We all can identify that
one teacher who inspired, encouraged, and played a significant role in our development. On this World Teachers’ Day, we pause to pay tribute to all the incredible and dedicated educators who continue to shape young minds and not-soyoung minds for a better future, and indeed a better world.
Teachers are heroes In the words of Nelson Mandela, education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.
Sincerely,
Wayne Campbell
Relief for the young legal minds of Guyana
Dear Editor, Please allow me some space in your letter columns to commend His Excellency the President of Guyana, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and his government for the remarkable strides they are making in making education accessible, affordable, and attainable for every Guyanese person.
Guyana is being transformed before our eyes, and to sustain this trajectory of growth and inclusion, every Guyanese citizen must be equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to participate in this remarkable success story.
Under the leadership of President Dr Irfaan Ali, the government has been diligently working to fulfil its commitment to providing accessible education at all levels. The Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) allows Guyanese — regard-
less of geographical location, race, or gender — to access tuition for certificate or diploma studies, or undergraduate or postgraduate degrees through an expanding pool of partnering institutions and universities. Additionally, Government's recent announcement: that it is writing off approximately $5 billion in student debt at the University of Guyana (UG) by year-end, is a commendable step towards fulfilling the promise of free tertiary education by 2025. However, there seems to be one area that warrants greater attention: legal education. We are aware of the commendable decision to establish Guyana’s very own law school at the Turkeyen campus of the University of Guyana.
Guyana Amazon Warriors fans erupted in celebration after their team defeated the Barbados Royals to secure a spot against the St Lucia Kings in the eighth Caribbean Premiere League final on Sunday evening
Int’l & local firms in running for 3D seismic survey contract
– as 4 out of 8 bidders shortlisted for project to survey Guyana’s oil resources
Out of the eight bidders who were originally in contention for the contract to conduct the 3D seismic survey on Guyana’s oil resources, four of them have been shortlisted by the National Procurement and Tender Administration (NPTAB).
Among the firms now shortlisted is American company TGS Magseis, which in 2023 acquired Magseis Fairfield. Meanwhile, the Norwegian company that was shortlisted is PSSGEO, which provides geophysical services and seismic data processing to the oil industry.
The last two bidders are British firm Shearwater GeoServices Limited, which partnered with Guyanese firm Latitude Energy Incorporated. Finally, British company CGG Beritas Services UK Limited also made it to the shortlist.
To encourage more companies to explore for oil and bid for blocks, the govern-
ment had announced plans to undertake a 3D seismic survey. The government had, in June 2024, issued a tender after seeing expressions of interest from companies to do the survey. According to the 2024 MidYear Report, of the eight companies that expressed an interest, seven were asked to submit proposals to the government.
The 2024 Mid-Year report had stated that the
evaluation of the proposals would have been completed in the second half of this year and that the contract was also expected to be awarded by year-end.
It had been explained in the notice issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) that the state is seeking a reputable and experienced firm to conduct a “3D Multi-Client Seismic Survey” in the Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ) offshore Guyana.
According to the government, the firm that is eventually contracted would be required to acquire, process, and interpret the 3D seismic data to pave the way for exploration and development of oil and gas resources offshore. Additionally, the firm would be required to ensure “high-quality seismic data is available for effective evaluation during future bidding and licensing rounds.”
The MNRE had also noted that, for a firm to be eligible for the assignment, it must “be an internationally recognised firm with prior experience completing three similar assignments/contracts at least 12 years before the application submission deadline.”
At a previous press conference, Vice President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo had said that once the prequalification process is completed, the bidders must submit proposals for the project. He
had also assured that the study would come at no cost to the government.
“We went out the last auction without any 3D seismic study, so we didn’t have much data for the areas. When you have less data, people don’t put in great bids, so they don’t know what is there, they can’t interpret the data,” he had said. “We are hoping that [for] all of the unallocated areas, we may have the 3D seismic studies done by these people. They do it, we don’t have to pay for it, because it’s a very costly exercise, and they can share the data with us and sell it to the clients,” Jagdeo had further explained.
Meanwhile, arrangements for a data repository, to hold all historical and current data on Guyana’s oil industry, are also expected to be finalised by this year-end. American firm Haliburton had submitted a US$ 1.8 million bid for this contract.
A petroleum data reposi-
The Chinese
Dear Editor,
I refer to a letter published in the local press on October 5, 2024 under the caption “Regulation, not restriction, is a sovereign right and necessity to justly and fairly protect and preserve Guyanese businesses”.
This letter was written by Professor Dr Stanley Paul, who was responding to Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo’s statement made at his last press conference, when, among other things, he said it would be discriminatory to impose restrictions on the Chinese on the basis of their nationality.
The Vice President was speaking to concerns that surfaced in the media from some quarters in the pri-
vate sector relative to the increasing presence of Chinese supermarkets in particular, and the notion that this trend is displacing local businesses.
Unfortunately, it would appear, Prof Paul may have only read the “headline” on the subject carried by Gordon Moseley (News Source), thus he may not have had the benefit of the full and correct context of the Vice President’s statement. The very premise of Prof Paul’s letter is exactly what the Vice President has asserted: that the rules, regulations and laws have to be strictly complied with by all businesses, the Chinese included. He acknowledged that there are issues in regard to some businesses not
Relief for the young...
While the feasibility study has been completed and submitted to the Council for Legal Education, realization of this project — including infrastructure and a Law Library — would understandably take a few more years. In the meantime, our students who have successfully completed their Bachelor of Laws degrees at the University of Guyana are required to complete two years of study and practical training at either the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad & Tobago, the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, or the Eugene Dupuch Law School in The Bahamas in order to obtain their Legal Education Certificate and be fully qual-
FROM PAGE 4
ified to practise in Guyana or the English-speaking Caribbean.
The cost of attending these institutions is prohibitive —particularly the Eugene Dupuch Law School, where Guyana is not zoned, making the economic cost significantly higher.
Education is the cornerstone of progress and the key to unlocking opportunities that empower people. In light of this, I urge that Government consider some form of financial relief for Guyana’s law students, who are committed to contributing to the nation’s future development.
Sincerely, Maggie Jackson
complying with regulations, and said that, in those instances, measures would have to be put in place to ensure full compliance.
Concerns regarding the increasing presence of the Chinese in Guyana have long been surfacing within certain quarters of the private sector; but, to date, I am unaware of any study that had been done by any private sector agency to empirically justify their case. As such, I do agree with the Vice President that, as a country that practices the principles of a free market economy, we cannot arbitrarily discriminate against the Chinese.
Further, since we are raising concerns about one group of people, what about the others; for example, the Trinidadian conglomerates in Guyana, the Massys and the ANSA McALs? Should there not be restrictions imposed on them too?
What if Home Depot wants to come to Guyana? Should the Government prevent Home Depot from entering the Guyanese market?
What if the hundreds of Guyanese businesses in Liberty, Queens, New York were told they are displacing Americans and were prevented from operating there? (The whole of Liberty Avenue in Queens, New York is dominated by Guyanese businesses.)
More importantly, what about the consumers? What about protection for the Guyanese consumers? Some of those same locals com-
plaining are engaged in price gouging, and if Chinese supermarkets are helping to stabilize market prices, then so be it!
Some locals are more guilty of the very accusations being levelled against the Chinese when it comes to compliance with the regulations and laws, and in regard to tax evasion.
The reality is such that the Chinese presence is not the only threat -- or real threat, I should say -- for the locals. There are threats more dangerous than the Chinese; for instance, the emerging e-commerce industry in Guyana, which is aided by Government policy viz-a-viz the enactment of several pieces of legislation to accommodate the e-growing commerce sector. Should the Government restrict the inevitable rise of e-commerce in Guyana? Absolutely not!
Businesses, locals especially, must learn to adapt to the ever-changing environment, and to constantly seek ways in which to build their resilience and become more dynamic. These are the consequential effects of the inevitable transformation taking place in the Guyanese economy. Complaining would not get you anywhere, and that quest to hold on to the old traditional way of doing business: the refusal to accept the new realities of the environment and resistance to change and growth, will become the hallmark for a guaranteed failure in busi-
tory is a centralised storage and management system that hosts data for exploration, production, and distribution of petroleum and natural gas. It serves as a hub for various types of oil-related information, including seismic data, drilling records, and reservoir engineering data. Both the seismic survey and the repository are important elements of future bid rounds. At present, the government is finalising the bid round that occurred last year. Last year’s auction concluded with 14 oil blocks on offer within the country’s shallow and deep-water areas.
During the bidding round, eight blocks were shortlisted based on the bidders’ ability to meet the criteria of the expected work programme and the required financial commitments. Six companies were awarded oil blocks, among them a female-owned Guyanese company, Sispro Inc., which secured two blocks.
ness. Finally, it is worth reminding ourselves that Guyana is a country of six peoples which we are proud of, and the Chinese are included. As demonstrated herein, the issue is much more complex than the case currently being made out by the complaining parties; therefore, the Government cannot arbitrarily, unfairly and unjustly target one group of people.
Sincerely, Joel
Bhagwandin
The National Procurement and Tender Administration Board
HEAT STROKE EMERGENCIES (continued)
Last week, when discussing Solar Radiations, especially in the Tropics, I had mentioned the pathological condition known as Heat Stroke.
Dogs (and on occasions, cats as well) are known to succumb to prolonged elevation of the animal’s body temperature caused by excessive exposure to high environmental temperature. The problem is, of course, more pronounced in animals whose breed origins are in temperate climates. The elevation of an animal’s core body temperature can lead to seizures (colloquially called “fits”) and tremors (a state of trembling and agitation of muscle groups). Remember that dogs do not perspire. The only way the animal can keep its body temperature balanced is via it;s breathing mechanisms.
Readers of this “PET CARE” column may have noted by now that I am frequently cautioning about the acquisition of dog breeds which do not fare well in our country (being right at the earth’s equator, with high
humidity readings and below sea level). Such companion animals are high maintenance and need very special care.
Further, dogs bred to have cute (?) short snouts, often exhibit respiratory distress because the major anatomical apparatus (nostrils) needed to ensure effective passage of air through the airway is shortened. This anatomical deficiency negatively influences the animal’s ability to cool effectively. Let me be specific. Breeds such as Shih Tzus,
Pekinese, Tibetan Terriers and Bichon Frises fall into the category of dogs with small inadequately developed snouts. One may think that only those small dogs with small snouts are prone to Heat Strokes. Well, larger breeds (e.g. the Boxer with its short snout) can exhibit Heat Stroke, especially if the animal is forced to overexert itself.
Lastly, the literature documents that obesity and excessive wooly, longhaired coats have been associated with
Hyperthermia.
In summary, here are some of the “Risk Factors” associated with Heat Stroke/Hyperthermia.
• Brachycephalic (short snouted) dogs/cats.
• Geography and seasonality.
• Obesity.
• Too much physical exertion.
• Long-haired/thickhaired dogs.
• Pediatric and geriatric companion animals.
• Insufficient access to shade and cool water.
• Exposure to high ambient temperatures combined with inadequate heat dissipation.
increased
• Dogs prone to exhibiting anxiety related behaviour, e.g. pacing up and down.
• Keeping the animal in enclosed areas with too little access to oxygen and air circulation – for example locked up in cars.
• Placing the animals over lengthy periods in containers where heat accumulation is continuously
COLLIE NOSE (Nasal Solar Dermatitis)
I do not believe that we have any pure-bred Collies in Guyana. But since the kind
Collie Nose is a weeping, crusting dermatitis which affects not only Collies, but possibly any dog that lacks the Melanin pigment on the nose bridge surface.
Prior to the initial exhibition of the malady, the nose bridge seems quite normal. But with an increase and prolonged exposure to sunlight the skin on the nose bridge becomes inflamed. Then the hair begins to fall off. If no appropriate treatment is given, one sees an oozing of serum which soon congeals into a dry crust. The animal begins to incessantly scratch the nose and an ulcer develops, leading to the destruction of the nose bridge skin. That area bleeds easily.
The Treatment:
• Prevent the animal from being further exposed to sunlight.
• Keep the dog in the
and collaborative input from the GHPC’s Burn Unit’s, Dr. Nandan (erroneously referred to as Head; please accept my apologies) mentioned the importance of the chemical Melanin in fighting off Radiation Burns, mention should be made to a particular ailment that some dogs of the Collie breed exhibit.
house/kennel during the day, and take him for his walks and excretion at night.
• Let your vet advise you on a soothing skin preparation containing an antibiotic and a steroid.
In my early days in Europe, tattooing the wounded area with black ink was always a compulsory treatment.
Gov’t advancing Caribbean Diagnostics Centre for special needs students – Min Manickchand
– as $20M aquatic therapy pool is commissioned at Turkeyen
Years following the stalling of a planned Caribbean Diagnostics Facility, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government is looking to provide additional support to advance this project.
This was announced on Saturday, while an aquatic therapy pool was being commissioned.
During a brief ceremony, the Ministry of Education commissioned the Edward Mohammed Pool at the Regional Special Education Needs and Disability Diagnostic and Treatment Centre, located on the grounds of the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE). The pool will be used for therapy for the hundreds of students with disabilities at the centre.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand, who was on hand to inaugurate the pool, explained the backstory of the centre. According to her, the centre was supposed to have been built and services launched under the former A Partnership for National Unity/Alliance For Change (APNU/AFC) Government,
but things went awry.
“This facility here, which is why it was chosen for the school, is actually a Caribbean Diagnostics and Treatment centre. What happened is the Cubans had helped us establish this programme with officers, who helped us in Guyana. Sometime around 2016. This was supposed to blossom into a Caribbean Diagnostics.”
“In fact, that is the agreement we signed with the Cubans. A Caribbean Diagnostics Centre where children from across the Caribbean would come here, get diagnosed and get treated. And unfortunately, the then government did not advance that programme. So, we’re now doing that, to try and ensure that this facility has the human resources we need, like speech therapists, physios and psychologists and other diagnostic people.”
The Minister recounted the progress the Ministry has made so far since 2020, with the Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) programme. According to the Minister, these changes include establishing almost a
dozen learning spaces across the country, for students with special needs.
“And so what have we done in the last three years? We appointed an Assistant Chief Education Officer for SEND,
whole department set aside to look after the needs of special education learners.”
“We have created and established at the Cyril Potter College of Education, our sole teacher training facility, a new programme, an Associate
are on that programme, who are going to, in two years, hold an associate degree,” Manickchand further said.
According to Manickchand, this associate degree will equip them to help look after the special education needs
Keon Cheong. We have a special Education Officer, in the person of Nikoya. So that’s a
Degree in special education needs. We have now, 49 learners, 49 student teachers, who
of children. When it comes to the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), 150 per-
sons have so far graduated with a Bachelor's in Special Education.
Meanwhile, Teddy Mohammed, the donor behind the construction of the pool estimated to have cost US$100,000, explained what motivated him towards this philanthropic act. The pool is named after Terry’s son Edward, while funds for the pool came from the family’s bookstore, Mohammed’s Bookstore in Trinidad and Tobago.
“The swimming pool was all my wife’s and mine idea, because being a Muslim, my second wife had a baby for me. Unfortunately, the retina was damaged. And they never had any physical facilities for him in Trinidad. So, we thought, we’d teach him to swim,” Mohammed further said.
“With that, he learned to swim. And boy, he lives with his mother in Miami. And he will jump out into the ocean and swim. With that in mind, I wanted to know what I could do for all the Guyanese children. After discussing the same idea with the Minister, we came up with the idea. And now it’s a reality.” (G-3)
A section of the attendees
The aquatic therapy pool
Businessman Teddy Mohammed and Education Minister Priya Manickchand after the ribbon was cut by three students
Criteria…
…forTop Cop
Once again, we’re witnessing up close and personal why the Opposition’s calls – nay, DEMANDS! – for shared governance would never get anywhere. In shared governance, the several parties that have been fighting each other tooth and nail – and even with armed gunmen! – are supposed to sit around a table and agree on how to run the country. So, here it is that the constitution – the highest law of the land – declares that, for a new Commissioner of Police (COP) to be appointed, the incumbent governing party must CONSULT with the Leader of the Opposition (LOO).
And yet, after President Ali has consulted with LOO Norton on his choice for COP – Hinken – Norton says he ain’t in agreement; and he’s gonna go to the courts!! How would we be able to run a country like this, when every government decision would be litigated?? Now, this matter is a perennial one, and maybe Loo Norton is looking at what his predecessor Granger did.
The Sanctimonious Gangster was given to announcing “criteria” when selecting top officials for the various Government and state institutions. For instance, when proffering candidates for the GECOM Chair – whereas then president, he had to consult with the PPP - he said he was looking for a person with “qualities of impartiality, integrity and intelligence”. Of course, he picked Patterson, who’d lied on his application that he was a judge!!
For a new top Cop, Granger went back to his “criteria” schtick and declared the person had to be “unbribable”and he would submit his shortlist to a “test”! So far, so good. Tests are good, no? But even before the test was applied, there was the matter of how he came up with his “shortlist”, when he excluded the man acting in the position and the one with the most seniority in the top ranks – David Ramnarine.
Pressed on this issue, he claimed he had “specific” reasons – but which he wouldn’t divulge!! This being Guyana, the chatterati, of course, immediately flew into a frenzy of speculation – and Ramnarine’s name became mud!!
After raising a cockamamie story about some assassination plot, Granger shook up the entire GPF top brass and remade it in his image!!
So, could Norton at least come up with some criteria by which he’s rejecting Hicken?? All he’s said is “several allegations have been levelled against Mr. Hicken over the years…(and) there should be any talking about appointing a Commissioner of Police amidst all these allegations of corruption within the Guyana Police Force.”!! What this is doing is to unfairly cast a cloud of suspicion on Hicken… shades of Granger and Ramnarine!!
Norton’s also questioning whether he was properly “consulted”, and seems to think he has a veto!!
…for dealing with crises
Now, nobody says democracy is easy; in fact, it can be quite messy. As Churchill once observed, “Democracy is the worst form of Government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time”!! And that’s the truth, innit?
First, we had monarchies – coming out of the mightis-right beginnings of society. Didn’t work. After democracy became ascendant in the 19th century, we had the communist experiment of the Soviet Union; then the fascist diversions of Hitler and Mussolini. Neither proved to be any improvement on democracy.
Well, some are looking at the rise of China in the last four decades, and especially in the way it has not only lifted hundreds of millions out of poverty, but also how it is creeping up to become the world’s largest economy.
But the dilemma that’s posed for countries like ours, that experienced the trampling of our fundamental human rights, is the violation of our human spirit.
Are we willing to pay this price? Your Eyewitness thinks not.
…for effective Local Content
The Government’s tightening the criteria for furriners displacing Guyanese from enjoying the benefits from our Local Content legislation – which sets percentage participation for our locals. The latest was to head them off using the “naturalization” route!!
Over $125M to be injected into ICT access for hinterland, poor communities in 2025 – PM Phillips
– says 120 hubs completed within 3 years
The sum of $125 million has been set aside in the Office of the Prime Minister’s 2025 budget to support the operationalisation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) hubs across the country.
The monies once approved will be allocated to the ongoing ICT Access and e-Services for the Hinterland, Poor, and Remote Communities (HPRC) Project which continues to make significant strides, with over $1 billion invested in Amerindian
communities to date.
This is according to Prime Minister Mark Phillips, who announced on Friday during an ICT Project Board Meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.
The Prime Minister told those gathered that his office has completed its budgetary submission for 2025, and $120 million is also set aside for the maintenance of existing facilities.
This amount has been doubled from the alloca -
tion in 2024 due to increased cost of maintenance and security.
“While the project should come to an end in 2026, personally I would like to see at least by December 2025. We reported that 200 hubs are completed and completed here means connected to the internet… This project already is a success but we cannot rest on our laurels and become complacent, we have to continue with the same momentum to see this project to the end,” Phillips noted.
Further, he stated that
2025, Amerindian communities will continue to experience unprecedented development as the government ramps up efforts to bridge the digital divide in these regions.
He noted that over 120 hubs have been completed over the last three years and 70 ICT Managers and 25 solar technicians have been trained to preserve the facilities.
The goal he said is to construct some 200 ICT hubs by 2025 to provide service to almost 100,000 residents.
“We have gotten the
government’s approval to purchase 1000 of those star link devices, so while Ronald is doing his work we are going to the same communities and other communities and connecting them to the internet. It means that when the hub is completed all we will have to do is move the device wherever we install it to the hub,” he added.
In October 2020, Prime Minister Phillips, who is the subject Minister with responsibility for Telecommunications, announced that the government had issued com -
mencement orders, fully bringing into force the Telecommunications Act 2016 (the “Act”) and the Public Utilities Commission Act 2016.
The PPP/C Government has said it is aiming to provide 100 per cent ICT, specifically internet access, across Guyana by 2025. It has been pointed out that the increase in ICT access throughout Guyana can be tied to the PPP/C Government’s bold decision to liberalise the telecommunications sector soon after they entered office in 2020.
in
The gathering at the ICT Project Board Meeting
Prime Minister Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips addressing ICT Project Board Meeting at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC), Liliendaal
God is female also…
Last Thursday, the Hindu community initiated nine nights of the worship of God as “female”. The Hindi equivalent of “nine nights” is “Nau Raat”, and it is by the latter name that the observances are commonly known.
Hindus accept that God is beyond gender, or even form; but for we humans to acknowledge this Divine Consciousness, in which all creation subsists, we create the forms to worship based on our own conceptions and limitations. As far as gender is concerned, God is worshipped as “male”, female, and even in Ardhanarishvara, a composite androgynous form of the Hindu God Shiva and his consort Parvati.
Growing up in Guyana, I discovered, while yet in primary school, that “God as Female” was a very strange notion to most of my friends. I attended Uitvlugt Church of Scotland School, and had to attend services in the church every Wednesday. I was more interested in the gleaming brass pipes of the huge organ, which we had to supply with air from bellows as Miss La Rose plunked away sedately, but I gathered the dominant idea from the sermons: that God was really a male who was somewhere “up there in heaven”.
When I attended mandir every Thursday night (in the beginning, more for the “parsaad”, I confess), arrayed in front of me was a complete pantheon of Gods - male of various visages, female of as many visages, half-man half beast, all beast, and seemingly everything in between. The “in-between” alternated between various symbols (Om and Formless Lingas), and even sound and silence.
So, as a Hindu, to worship God as “female” was as natural as breathing air. There was no “one way” of worshipping, and certainly not one conception of God to which worship was offered. To me, what was preached in the Church of Scotland was quite strange.
I was raised by my grandparents, and my Nana, born in 1896, was somewhat of a nonconformist. He didn’t attend mandir, and preferred to expound at home on his favourite text, the Ramcharitmanas - the exploits of Sri Ram.
He challenged me to think very early about whether a God that pervaded the entire universe -- was “here there and everywhere” -- could possibly have a particular form, much less a male, and not a female, form. His position was that whatever form you were comfortable with, that was the way to worship.
He often chanted the portion of the Ramcharitmanas when the incarnation of God (as Vishnu), Sri Ram, prayed to God as not just a female, but a “warrior” female - Durga Devi. Once you could get your head around that concept, there’s no going back to God as a grey-bearded man in the sky.
The interesting thing about Hinduism is that it starts from the premise that we are incapable of comprehending the nature of even the physical universe. If this was confirmed by the recent detection of an incomprehensible (to us) four-dimensional space-time continuum through the measurement of gravity waves, what about God, in which this universe itself in immanent? Can we dare to limit God by gender or number?
But all is not lost. Even if we cannot comprehend God, Hindus have discovered several paths through which one can directly apprehend God; and one of these is to love and worship Her in whichever way you can through whatever form you can respond to. Or no “form”, for that matter.
In Hindu semiotics, females are the signifiers of power, Shakti; and males are merely “inert”. The nine forms of Goddess Durga were manifested during the nine-day war against Mahishashura, whom even the Gods could not defeat. Allegorically, they gave Her their weapons, which She wielded with Her indomitable will. The final and the tenth day was when Mahishashura was slain by Goddess Durga, and it is celebrated as Vijayadashami.
The nine forms of Maa Durga, each representing different aspects of femininity and strength, are Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri.
Durga was worshipped by Sri Ram before he went into battle against Ravana. While mothers are usually thought of as peaceful, we all know that no one would defend her children as a mother would. As such, we have a basis for appreciating the protective aspect of God from our own experience.
Ravi Dev
WORLD HABITAT DAY
– inspired to educate 2 sons about their cultural identity
The “Magic of Diwali” is a children’s book that beautifully captures the celebration of the Hindu ‘festival of lights’ through the experiences of two young boys. It is authored by Sarojanie Totaram, a single mother of two young boys, whom she says inspired her story.
Some two years ago, Sarojanie became motivated to create a resource that would assist her children to understand and appreciate their culture and heritage.
Though born in Guyana, Sarojanie migrated with her family to New York in 1995.
“Growing up in the Indo-Caribbean diaspora, I was instilled with strong cultural, religious and moral values,” Sarojanie, now 41, recalled during an interview with Guyana Times.
“Adjusting to life in the US presented difficulties, such as culture shock, racism and bullying,” she noted.
Nevertheless, her family’s Guyanese and Indian traditions were very much alive. In fact, she explained, her father played a crucial role in her understanding her cultural identity, but when he died, that gap in resources grew into a canyon.
“I saw a need for resources that could help children understand Hindu principles and holiday traditions in an accessible way,” she explained.
Sarojanie has nearly 20 years of experience in digi-
tal marketing, and already has a strong passion for the arts and writing. Despite challenges faced in balancing her full-time job and motherhood, Sarojanie was determined to learn about the world of publishing.
“Without a formal writing background, I found the publishing process daunting, but I committed myself to thorough research, and sought advice from the publishing community,” she explained.
During her journey, she also battled with moments of self-doubt and imposter syndrome, but after two years of hard work and determination, the Magic of Diwali was finally published in May 2024.
“While my career in marketing has allowed me to work creatively on various campaigns for wellknown brands, this book represents my first foray into writing. My passion for storytelling has been a constant in my life, especially through the bedtime stories I created for my children. This motivated me to write a book that resonates with them and instils cultural pride,” the published author highlighted. Additionally, she said providing representation in literature for her boys and the community was a driving force behind her endeavour.
The Magic of Diwali
This book highlights important cultural customs and traditions associated with Diwali, from decorating the home with
diyas to exchanging sweetmeats and gifts.
At its core, the story emphasises values that are integral to the Hindu way of life, such as kindness, togetherness, and the triumph of light over darkness. One unique feature of the book is the inclusion of co-reading ac-
have deeper conversations about values such as love, community, and compassion — fundamental principles of the Hindu religion.
Sarojanie explained that the characters in the book are inspired by her own two boys, who embody the curiosity and excite-
CONTINUED ON PAGE 15
World Habitat Day is celebrated annually on the first Monday in October. It highlights the state of human settlements worldwide, and advocates for the right to adequate housing for all.
This year, the theme, "Engaging Youth to Create a Better Urban Future", emphasizes the importance of involving young people in shaping sustainable and resilient cities for the future.
Urban challenges and youth engagement
The rapid urbanization seen globally, including the expansion of informal settlements and slums, demands urgent action to improve living conditions.
Critical challenges such as access to affordable housing, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare are pressing issues that need to be addressed. Engaging youths in these efforts fosters innovation, collaboration, and fresh perspectives, which are key to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11. This goal focuses on building inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities.
Urbanization in Guyana
In Guyana, particularly in Georgetown, the capital, urban growth continues at a fast pace. Georgetown is home to over 200,000 residents, many of whom are young people. The city is experiencing urban expansion due to factors such as industrialization, commercialization, rural-to-urban migration, employment opportunities, and social benefits. As urban centres grow, so do environmental challenges associated with this development.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a vested interest in understanding and addressing the environmental impacts of urbanization, which can be numerous and far-reaching.
Environmental impacts of urbanization
Key environmental challenges associated with urbanization include:
* Overcrowding: Leading to increased air pollution and waste management problems, which in turn exacerbate public health risks.
* Urban sprawl: Threatens natural ecosystems, reducing tree cover and damaging animal habitats.
Solutions for sustainable urban development
Addressing these challenges requires a coordinated approach. Several solutions can be implemented to mitigate the environmental impacts of urbanization, including:
* Promoting green energy and sustainable transportation solutions to reduce carbon emissions.
* Establishing public-private partnerships for efficient waste management and affordable housing.
* Focusing on urban green spaces such as parks, and tree-planting initiatives to improve air quality and reduce the urban heat island effect.
EPA's role in a sustainable urban future
The EPA is playing an active role in promoting a sustainable urban future by continuously enhancing its technical capacity. The agency uses state-of-the-art monitoring equipment to assess air and water quality in urban areas, thus ensuring environmental standards are maintained. Additionally, as the focal point for international environmental agreements like the Basel Convention and the Minamata Convention, the EPA leads efforts to manage hazardous waste and reduce mercury pollution.
The Basel Convention focuses on controlling the transboundary movement and disposal of hazardous waste, while the Minamata Convention seeks to protect human health and the environment from mercury-related risks.
Empowering youths for a better urban future
Engagement of youths is crucial in the drive for urban sustainability. Through education, innovation, and active participation, young people can be key players in shaping cities that are environmentally sustainable and resilient. The UN stresses the need for a multi-sectoral approach involving governments, communities, and businesses to create healthier, more sustainable urban environments.
As we celebrate World Habitat Day, let us remember that building better cities for tomorrow requires collective action today.
We want to hear from you!
Share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: "Our Earth, Our Environment," c/o Communications Department, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN. You can also email us at communications@epaguyana.org. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel to stay updated on EPA’s efforts.
Sarojanie Totaram, author of “The Magic of Diwali”
Through their eyes, readers can experience the joys of Diwali while learning about the significance behind each ritual.
“Representation is vital for uplifting our children, and this book addresses that need,” Sarojanie emphasised.
Excerpts from the book
Cultural experiences
Reflecting on her own experiences, Sarojanie recalled fond moments of Diwali celebrations, especially back home in Guyana.
“One of my most cherished Diwali memories involves our family gathering for prayers and lighting di-
yas. I fondly recall my father driving us around in Guyana to see the beautifully decorated homes,” she related.
According to Sarojanie, her Diwali experiences in the US were naturally different. “My parents, balanc-
light diyas, making the celebration feel more hurried than festive,” she explained. Nevertheless, they ensured they kept the traditions and culture alive. “My father went all out to decorate our new home for Diwali, lighting it up so brightly that it could be seen from two blocks away.
I remember riding home on the bus one evening and hearing passengers gasping in awe and expressing compliments about our home before re-
alizing it was ours,” she disclosed.
“My father’s pride in his festive decorations evoked a deep sense of nostalgia that remains with me,” she added. “As a parent now, I want to ensure my children recognise the importance of celebrating their culture with the same enthusiasm as other widely recognised holidays, like Christmas and Thanksgiving.”
Riding on the wave of positive feedback on “The Magic of Diwali”, Sarojanie now aspires to grow as an author.
“Ultimately, I aim to enhance representation in literature for Indo-Caribbean families, ensuring that our stories are shared and celebrated,” she noted.
The book will be available on Amazon.
The length, breadth, and depth of Georgetown, Guyana, was drenched with the aromas of foods from several countries at the annual Regional Food Fair along Main Street Georgetown Guyana. The event runs from October 2 to 6, 2024.
The event is a celebration of the rich tapestry of flavours from Guyana and the wider Caribbean and brings together local chefs, artisans, and food enthusiasts to showcase their culinary talents and to provide a firsthand glimpse of the variety of cuisines on sale.
all the special seasonings that emanated from the food stalls, the Guyana Times went down to Main Street, which offered an exciting culinary experience with a variety of delicious food options from around the region.
Standing mere metres away from the entry sign of the festival was the owner of Suriname based business - Sana’s Cuisines, Sadhna Ramsaran, who explained her journey from Suriname to Guyana to sell her dishes According to Sadhna, her business came about when she and her husband took a
simple trip to Guyana, when they craved for Surinamese food in Guyana, but they were not
“Well, I should say it was destiny because we came for something else, and then we ended up doing food, we were looking for Surinamese food, but it was very hard, so one day my husband and I sat down and I said, what if we give it a try to cook some Surinamese food and sell it, and well the rest is history.”
She added that the food fair has brought her an experience she has never had before, as an array of nice people have been coming by her food stall leaving her constantly sold out.
“It’s really nice; we meet
ple, and we encounter new cultures, and there’s so much different food over here too. It’s really nice; we hear a lot of good stuff, especially about the food, our foods are very cheap, and the people love our food because we are always sold out.”
However, as she seeks to expand the territories of her business by selling dishes in Guyana, she mentioned that sourcing the ingredients in Guyana is quite a hard task to undertake.
“Most of the ingredients actually aren’t available here, so we have to gather them from Suriname that is the hard part.”
Amidst this dilemma, she goes far and beyond to bring some of the famous Surinamese food to the people.
Some of the other dishes showcased at the event
Sadhna Ramsaran, Owner of Sana’s Cuisines
The Sea moss gels
The English language is restricted to only five vowels, while the Akawaio language consists of seven. This could at times frustrate speakers of the English language who would like to learn the Akawaio language, making them struggle to grasp the tones of a language with a more complex vowel system.
the Akawaio language, people became attracted to it.
for us,” he detailed.
Patrick Dorrick of Kamarang in Region 7 (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) has, however, mastered both languages, and is an inspiration to anyone who would like to learn both languages.
Speaking with Guyana Times, Dorrick revealed that when he started singing in
“When I was a very young man, I started to play guitar for the church. I could sing in English and I would sing in Akawaio, as I grew up hearing that language…,” he revealed. He explained that during his childhood days, there were books that detailed various tactics to teach the languages easily.
“Well, that is our native language. we have what I call Akawaio preservation: we have a book, and we learn (its contents). From there, we transfer it from English to the Akawaio, which is a very special book
After explaining how the Akawaio language can be preserved, and noting the main factors causing its decline, he declared, “But now young people can’t read Akawaio. Why? Because it has seven vowels but English has five. So now it’s for young people, or maybe elderly people, to sell stories, sell history in Akawaio, so that young people can take over. If they don’t do this, we will lose our language.”
Dorrick has cautioned that the various Indigenous communities are in imminent danger of losing their various languages, and he
has detailed the possible scenarios that may unfold if that were to happen.
“…and if this language is lost, what we will see for the Amerindian community is a loss of our identity. This is God’s given language to us, so we need to find ways to preserve it,” he admonished.
Dorrick has said he is very fond of singing gospel songs in his native language. He says it holds special significance for him, and evokes in him a feeling that is different from when he is singing in English. He noted how emotional he feels with every native word he utters.
“It feels very different,
and it feels very spiritual for me, listening to it. I feel so happy that I could sing in my language, and you feel very different when you are speaking with God, and stuff,” he explained.
Dorrick sings as both a soloist and with his family. He says he began including his family in his musical pursuits after some time of singing to them in his native language.
“When I married my wife -- just to give you a little understanding -- we had five kids: four girls and one boy; and eventually, when they were very small, I started teaching
said that, under his wings, various leadership roles have been undertaken to help others learn the language.
“We were taking steps and representing as our advice to show for almost 12 years, and we presented our village to the ministers and relevant authorities, saying that they could consider us and teach the different native languages in Guyana and some schools,” he detailed.
them songs, hymns in general. So that is where my wife comes in, and when they became older, we started to sing together as a family,” he disclosed.
Asked how he feels about passing the mantle of singing in Akawaio to his children, he explained that singing is a fun and easier way to learn the language.
“I feel much better! In English, some words are very hard, and in Akawaio some words are very hard; but when you bring the music into it, you understand it more,” he explained.
Expounding on the need to influence others to master the art of learning the Akawaio language, Dorrick
Then he added, “There are other languages that we would also like people to know more about, because different areas have different languages.”
The challenge of mastering these additional vowels often results in slow progress, and many give up before achieving fluency, Dorwin explained. However, he said, for those who persevere, the reward is not only linguistic proficiency, but a deeper understanding and connection to the rich cultural heritage embedded in the Akawaio language.
The Akawaio language is spoken by 5,000 to 6,000 people in Guyana, most of whom live in northwestern parts of this South American country. Some speakers of the Akawaio language live in far eastern Venezuela and far north-central Brazil.
Patrick Dorrick and his wife
using love & education for 32 years to help pupils out of poverty
Prameshwar Deonarine joined the teaching profession in 1992 at the age of 17, just after he had completed his secondary education. Thirty-two years later, he is still actively teaching, and uses his job to inspire not only pupils, but his colleagues and others on the Essequibo Coast in Region Two, where he lives and works.
“One of the greatest ideas behind teaching is that we are there to mould the minds of young people and make them into good leaders of society, and be able to contribute significantly to society and the country and the world at large. It is a noble profession,” Sir Deonarine has said.
Region Two, the Essequibo Coast, is predominantly rice-farming territory. Therefore, it is no surprise that Deonarine’s father was a rice farmer. However, his parents had other plans for him, and ensured he was educated in order to access more job opportunities; leading to him becoming the first in the family to have acquired both secondary and tertiary education.
“The family decided to have a little change. Within my family, secondary and then tertiary edu-
cation actually started from me, and then filtered to the other family mem bers,” he told Times in an interview. His experiences and ac complishments led him to stay in the teaching profession over the years. His goal, he said, is to help pupils expand their ac cess to job opportunities when they are older.
“As an indi vidual who grew up in a poor fam ily, I know for a fact that teach ers would have made a founda tion in my life and provided me with an opportuni ty to be the person that I am, which I am very proud of. And I think this is an opportuni ty to give back to people’s chil dren, especially
Sir Deonarine started his teaching career at the Sparta Primary School. He later moved to the Hampton Court Primary School, where he is the Deputy Headteacher, and he teaches Grade
Outside of the classroom, he also works as a Mathematics Monitor with the Ministry of Education, and is involved in a project aimed at improving the performances of schools in Pomeroon riverine communities.
Educators currently face many challenges, Sir Deonarine has said, but he remains motivated by his pupils. His approach to teaching sets him apart, as he believes that education goes beyond textbooks and exams. He says he works to build relationships with his “Children are gems, and little do teachers know that the love and appreciation the children show to us is very tremendous. In addition, sometimes we play that mother or father figure that is lacking in their lives, and (we) impact their lives in
the long term,” he explained.
This personal approach has earned him the respect and admiration of his pupils, who never fail to mention his name when they ace the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) examinations over the years.
Although he has joined the teaching profession decades ago, Deonarine says, he does not support “beating” or “flogging” of students. “Psychologically, it can be more damaging than good; and emotionally, you are destroying a child who may have come from a broken family already,” the educator noted.
Instead, he uses love and appreciation to motivate his students to work. “I would say love is what wins children: that very four-letter word. If we express love to our children, and we get them to understand why it is that we are learning this in mathematics; why is it that angles are so important, or problem-solving and dealing with money is so important; or, in science, why the digestive system is important…,” he told Guyana Times.
“We have a lot of famous foods that people come out to taste especially our Surinamese chicken pudding which some people call Dutch chicken pudding and most especially we have Bakabana which is a ripe plantain styled dish.”
Not too far away was one of the youngest local business owners, 23-year-old Dixie Jordan, who was showcasing punche de crème and peppers infused with fruits.
“We manufacture cream liqueurs using products from Guyana. We aspire to showcase Guyana on an international scale and use products from Guyana to create items that can compete with other products outside of Guyana. Dixie’s punche de crème has been in business for four years. We started in the middle of the pandemic, and my sister and I started this com-
pany,” she stated. She also expressed great thanks to the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS). We are very grateful for the contri-
butions made by the Guyana Bureau of Standards.”
This young talent has also found a way to infuse fruits into pepper sauce, a phenomenon that has not
been experienced in Guyana by any other mainstream companies.
“I know that we have a lot of pepper sauce in Guyana and even outside of
Guyana, we all know about pepper sauce, but this company wanted to do something different - what if we added fruit to pepper sauce? What do you think will happen? Imagine putting a pineapple pepper sauce on your chicken and then grilling it. You see where we are going with this? Flavor.”
She added that in due time her business will grow into a household name.
“Having the opportunity to enjoy our cuisines and a little bit of everything, we know that there are a lot of Guyanese all over, and when they taste these products, it reminds them of home.”
Meanwhile, Bevon Chung – owner of Sea Moss Gel is adding healthy options to the festival with sea moss products on sale.
“This is the sea moss gel. We source our sea moss from St. Lucia and Ireland, I would say that because we are using sea moss that is ocean-grown from St. Lucia, and we infuse it with our local fruits from Guyana.”
“We actually produce and manufacture the sea moss gel here. We distribute it, and we have locations available here in Guyana.”
Beyond the food, this immersive event will feature live musical performances and a lively atmosphere where flavours meet entertainment. The festival will run from midday to midnight each day.
She added, “These products that we manufacture are for customers like that— customers who live away and miss home. I want to bring something back for them, so they can carry that flavor into whatever they are making. That is the intention behind our brand and company.”
Scores of persons were present at the event
His efforts are aided by the internet and by television sets placed in the classrooms to allow pupils to view the programmes on the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC); and he uses resources available online.
Having recently graduated from the University of Southern Caribbean in Trinidad and Tobago with a Degree in Special Education, Deonarine is pursuing his Master’s in Education Management & Leadership. With these skills, he tries to work with pupils who have special education needs, in order to effect positive changes in their lives.
He is urging teachers and other professionals to utilise the Government’s GOAL programme and other opportunities to improve their qualifications.
Deonarine is one of thirty male teachers at the Hampton Court Primary School. He is encouraging young men to enter the teaching profession because “a male figure is important” to be a good role model to students.
On Saturday, Guyana joined in celebrating World Teachers Day under the theme “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education.”
Sir Prameshwar Deonarine back in the day
Over 3,500 to graduate from UG in November
Some 3500 students are set to graduate from the University of Guyana (UG) in a series of graduation exercises beginning on November 5 through November 23, 2024, making it the largest number of students to graduate in the 61-year history
of the University. A total of six ceremonies - two on each daywill be hosted at the university’s newly built Multipurpose Auditorium at the Turkeyen Campus, Greater Georgetown.
However, the ceremony for the UGBC graduands will
be held on the University Lawns, Berbice Campus, Tain Settlement while the graduation of Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) extra-mural programmes will be held at the Multipurpose Auditorium, Turkeyen Campus.
The ceremonies will be blended with the large majority of the graduates attending face-to-face and the remaining participating virtually.
The university stated that this year will see several new academic programmes producing graduates for the first time including Master of Philosophy (Biodiversity); Pharmacy Technician Diploma; Certificate in Geographic Information Systems; Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) (Environmental Engineering); Bachelor of
Science (Environmental Health) (Food Safety); Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) (Occupational Health and Safety) and Bachelor of Science (Environmental Health) (Vector Control)
The University will also confer several Honorary Doctoral Degrees during these special graduation ceremonies.
The public is invited to celebrate with UG at this year’s very special graduation events which will be streamed live on the University’s Facebook page.
This year’s Convocation
Ceremonies are extremely special as the University will be bringing the curtains down to its 60th Anniversary celebrations. The University’s role and place as a major development partner and its achievements are highly recognised and honoured locally, regionally and internationally.
It has produced upwards of 60,000 graduates in its 61-year existence - many of whom have gone on to serve at the highest levels in both the private and public sectors nationally and internationally.
Guyana set to surpass 1 million passenger mark by November
– already welcomed 801,000 passengers for 1st 9 months
Guyana's tourism industry is experiencing a meteoric rise, driven by strategic government initiatives and robust economic growth. The country is on track to welcome its one-millionth visitor by November 2024, a testament to its growing allure as a destination for both leisure and business travellers.
Chief Executive Officer
(CEO) of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) Ramesh Ghir announced that Guyana has welcomed over 801,000 visitors in the first nine months of 2024.
This significant increase in tourism is a direct result of government initiatives to promote the country as a destination choice for visitors.
Events like the CPL and
Cricket Carnival have also contributed significantly to the surge in tourist arrivals. Ghir confirmed that the country's passenger traffic has increased by 18 per cent year-over-year, with an additional 125,000 passengers processed compared to the same period in 2023.
He noted that this growth is fueled by increased air-
line connectivity, with several new airlines adding routes to Guyana and offering more than 200,000 additional seats.
President Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been instrumental in driving the tourism sector's development. His efforts to market Guyana to major airlines have resulted in negotia-
tions for additional carriers to enter the market soon.
This significant milestone underscores Guyana's emergence as a vibrant and attractive destination for travellers worldwide.
The country's natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and growing economic opportunities are attracting visitors from near and far.
CEO of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir
Massive decline in paddy bug infestation recorded – Min Mustapha
ust seven months af-
Jter serious attempts to rid paddy bugs affecting rice farmers on the Corentyne in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), there has been a significant reduction in the infestation through the various measures that had been undertaken by the Agriculture Ministry.
“We had a very large reduction; I don’t think that the paddy bug will play any role in reducing this crop. We have a very, very minimal amount now in the field, and farmers are very happy.”
He then went on to attribute this success to the swift actions that were taken by the Ministry when the infestation
This was revealed by subject minister Zulfikar Mustapha during a recent interview with the Guyana Times.
was first recorded.
“You know, when we started the campaign, we provided free chemicals, and also we provided labour. The tech-
Police promise impartial investigation of LBI fatal accident
The Guyana Police Force (GPF) has promised a thorough and impartial investigation into the fatal accident that claimed the life of 60-year-old Salima Heeralal at La Bonne Intention (LBI) Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
This assurance was given during a visit by senior police ranks to the grieving family’s home at Better Hope, ECD, on Friday morning. The officers reaffirmed their commitment to conducting a fair investigation and provided an update on the current status of the probe. They also expressed sympathy for the family’s profound loss.
Heeralal was involved in an accident on September 29, along the LBI Railway Embankment. The accident, which occurred around
6:00h, involved two vehicles. According to police reports, a 21-year-old driver from Earls Court, LBI, failed to stop at the intersection with the embankment, colliding with the car in which Heeralal was a passenger.
Her husband, 58, was driving the vehicle when it was struck on the right side, forcing it off the road and into a bridge.
Bystanders rushed to the scene, pulling Heeralal and her husband from the wreckage. They were both taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), where Heeralal was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
She later succumbed to her injuries while her husband was discharged. The 21-year-old driver remains hospitalised at a private city hospital as the police continue their investigation.
nical advice that our extension officers gave to the farmers helped tremendously. We were able to spray all the abandoned fields, the mares, and the dams.”
The minister added, “And I think because of that intervention that we made early, we were able to keep down the paddy bug. And lastly, I know the President would have said that in the latter parts of the year, the interfering would have started by January.”
Two of the areas that were badly affected by the infestation were Crabwood Creek (CWC) and Central Corentyne, with farmers stating that the quantity and quality of rice they produce would have been severely affected.
Due to these direct investments and policies, rice farmers are optimistic that they will surpass this year’s rice
production target of 710,000 tonnes, compared to 653,000 tonnes last year. Additionally, farmers have
also improved access to drainage and irrigation, as several outfalls have been cleared in the region, which added to the significant relief.
To date, 68,000 acres of rice land are currently under cultivation in the region, and paddy bug infestation poses a grand threat to rice farms, as most crops are currently in the flowering stage at the time of the infestation outbreak.
In July it was announced by deputy Registrar of the Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board, Suresh Amichand that farmers would receive aid in the form of four combination chemicals and 4 AI systems from an Indian-based Company, Rainbow Chemical.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha
Paddy bug
The accident that claimed the life of Salima Heeralal
Int’l Teachers’ Day
“You
are the true heroes of our society” – Education Minister
Every October 5 since 1994, the world is exhorted by the United Nations – specifically UNESCO — to observe “International Teachers’ Day”.
Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” emphasises teachers’ crucial input in educational policy to create resilient and equitable education systems.
As is practised around the world, teachers in Guyana are held to a very high standard by both students and society.
In a public message to all teachers, the Minister of Education Priya Manickchand thanked them for “tireless efforts, patience, and unwavering belief in the potential of every child. You are the true heroes of our society, and we are immensely proud of you,”.
This year’s theme, “Valuing Teacher Voices:
The body declared: “World Teachers’ Day aims to focus on ‘appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world’, and to provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.”
The release also stated “As we celebrate this day, I want to assure you that the Ministry of Education is committed to supporting you in every possible way. We recognise the importance of your work and are dedicated to providing the resources and environment necessary for you to continue excelling in your noble profession”.
It was noted that teachers’ role “extends beyond the classroom; you are mentors, role models, and beacons of hope for many. The impact you have on the lives of your students is immeasurable, and your influence will be felt
for generations to come…You are the pillars of our education system, and your efforts are the foundation upon which we build a brighter tomorrow”.
Meanwhile, the Guyana Teaching Service Commission salutes teachers highlighting that they are indeed invaluable.
“Yours is the glory to touch the future as you equip learners with knowledge, skills, and
values necessary for success. The love and commitment you bring to the profession inspire learners to inculcate the most important attribute, that is, how to learn. You open a whole new world of opportunities and possibilities for them. Your belief in the learners and your passion for their success ignite their confidence and set them on the path of unparalleled achievements”.
The Education Minister posing with a group of teachers
Education Minister Priya Manickchand
Haslington man bludgeoned to death – autopsy
– family says carpenter was killed during row over money
An autopsy performed on the remains of 47-year-old Theodore Baynes, also known as ‘Silver,’ who was found dead outside his Haslington, East Coast Demerara (ECD) home showed that he was bludgeoned to death.
He was reportedly killed over a dispute involving $40,000. Baynes’ lifeless body was discovered on Monday bearing severe injuries.
In an interview on Saturday, Baynes' estranged wife, Towanna Peters, revealed that the PME was conducted
on Friday at the Georgetown Public Hospital and the results showed that he died due to blunt trauma to the head.
Peters also disclosed that the police confirmed a suspect, arrested on the day of the murder, remains in custody as the investigation continues. While details surrounding the motive are still unclear, Peters shared what she had heard about the incident.
Dead: Theodore Baynes
"There are different versions of the story, but based on what we were told, he got paid on Saturday, and on Sunday he went to watch cricket at a place where the suspect was.
Water situation at Wakenaam to return to normalcy within a week – Min Croal assures residents
Residents of Wakenaam Island, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara) are being assured that efforts are underway to resolve the issues with the water supply as quickly as possible.
This assurance was given by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal during a visit to the island on Saturday where he inspected the ongoing maintenance works at the Noitgedacht well station.
Following the inspection, the Minister held community meetings to update residents on the situation and plans.
Workers cleaning the water well
We heard while there, he was talking about having $40,000, and he left and went home. We heard that was the reason why he was killed—because of the $40,000 he was talking about," Peters said.
Reports indicate that when Baynes was found, his face had been brutally smashed. His body bore a deep wound on the neck and multiple cuts across his back and other parts of his body. Baynes, a carpenter and father of two, was last seen alive on the night before the unfortunate incident. Investigations are still ongoing, and Baynes' family is now calling for justice to be served swiftly.
In the meantime, residents will receive water on a rotation basis. Once the maintenance on the old well is completed, the engineers will start working on the new well to improve its performance.
The well has been supplying water to over 700 households since it was officially commissioned by President Dr. Irfaan Ali about two years ago. However, in August of this year, the water level started to decline, affecting the service quality. An old well at the same location was put into operation to help, and maintenance work on this well is expected to be completed in three days.
The Minister also updated residents on the plans for the Water Treatment Plant for the Island. The award letter for the project has been issued, allowing contractors to submit their performance bonds and designs.
Once completed, the island will receive water with little to no iron content. This project is expected to be completed in two years.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup…
Schutt, Molineux set the tone for Australia; Mooney gets the job done
Australia began their T20 World Cup defence with a six-wicket win over Sri Lanka, who slumped to a second defeat in less than 48 hours to leave their semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.
Australia kept Sri Lanka to under 100, and knocked off the runs inside 15 overs. But their speed of run-scoring was not enough to put Australia on top of the group ahead of New Zealand on NRR, which could prove crucial in a pool where they have already been two upsets.
While it was relatively straightforward for Australia, they would be the first to ad mit that they were not at their most clinical best. Their bowlers sent down five noballs and two wides, and the 13 extras were the fourth-highest contributor on a sorry Sri Lanka scorecard.
That continues a trend of Australia conceding the most extras since the start of last year, and is a discipline they would want to tighten up on.
Nitpicking aside, Australia held the advan tage early, thanks to medi um-pacer Megan Schutt, who finished with the best figures among the bowlers on a spin ner-friendly track. Between them, spinners Ash Gardner, Sophie Molineux and Georgia Wareham bowled 12 overs which cost only 55 runs, while they shared four wickets.
Sri Lanka's only real re sistance came from a 31-run fifth-wicket stand between
They had Australia at 35 for 3, and were fielding excellently, but did not have enough runs to make a game of it.
Australia's awesome start
If there was any thought that Australia would be anything less than their absolute best as their tournament got underway, that was swiftly dismissed as they got off to the perfect start. Schutt started proceedings with the tournament's second maiden over, and Gardner followed up with a second, which immediately raised questions of Chamari Athapaththu's decision to bat first. She got bat on ball
dle and leg stump. Ball tracking confirmed her dismissal. Things got worse two balls later, as Gardner beat Athapaththu's sweep shot and asked for a review after the on-field decision seemed to suggest it was sliding down leg. But ball-tracking judged it to be hitting leg, and Athapaththu had to depart for a second single-figure score to start the World Cup. Sri Lanka were 6 for 2 in the fourth over.
Sri Lanka fail to cross 100 second time Sri Lanka's batters can't be blamed for trying to make something happen in their search for runs, but their attempts to be attacking were unsuccessful, as they could not get the ball to clear the boundary. Samarawickrama, who battled hard to score 23 off 35 balls, was the first to play a poor shot when she swung at a full, wide delivery from Molineux without much conviction, and popped a simple return catch to the bowler.
Sanjeewani tried to lap Schutt, but ended up scooping the ball straight to Wareham at short fine leg.
another run, and from nowhere, Sri Lanka were in the contest.
Beth bosses it When Wareham was run-out in the third over and Ellyse Perry was bowled, the match teetered on an upset. But then there was Beth Mooney. Arguably the best chaser in the women's game, she took her time upfront, and found her first boundary after the powerplay, when Inoshi Priyadarshani offered a full ball down leg, and Mooney paddled it fine for four. She was into her work when she sent Sugandika Kumari over mid-on for four, which reduced the runs required to under 50. In typically responsible fashion, Mooney was there at the end, unbeaten on 43, and hit the winning run in the 15th over.
(ESPNCricinfo)
Hasini Perera faced only four balls for her 2, and was then given a gift when Wareham sent down a filthy full toss which she swiped at, but towards Gardner, who took a good catch over her right shoulder.
And in the final over, with runs needed to put up a respectable total, Anushka
Alyssa's aggression, Udeshika's reward Sri Lanka were under the pump when they conceded eight runs off the first three legal deliveries of the Australia innings, but Udeshika Prabodhani had the perfect response. Her fourth ball was on a length and angled in, and Alyssa Healy shaped up for the legside flick, but the ball held its line and beat her completely to find off stump. Prabodhani closed out the over without conceding
Sri Lanka Women (20 ovs maximum)
R Vishmi Gunaratne lbw b Schutt 0
Athapaththu (c) lbw b Gardner 3 Harshitha Samarawickrama c & b Molineux 23 Kavisha Dilhari lbw b Molineux 5 Nilakshika Silva not out 29
Hasini Perera c Gardner b Wareham 2 Anushka Sanjeewani † c Wareham b Schutt 16
Sugandika Kumari c Mooney b Schutt 0 Inoshi Priyadharshani not out 2
Extras (b 3, lb 3, nb 5, w 2) 13
Total 20 Ov (RR: 4.65) 93/7 Did not bat: Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Vishmi Gunaratne, 2.6 ov), 2-6 (Chamari Athapaththu, 3.2 ov), 3-25 (Kavisha Dilhari, 6.4 ov), 4-56 (Harshitha Samarawickrama, 12.6 ov), 5-65 (Hasini Perera, 15.1 ov), 6-89 (Anushka Sanjeewani, 19.1 ov), 7-89
(Sugandika Kumari, 19.2 ov)
Bowling O-M-R-W
Megan Schutt 4-1-12-3
Ashleigh Gardner 4-1-14-1
Darcie Brown 1-0-12-0
Sophie Molineux 4-0-20-2
Georgia Wareham 4-0-21-1
Annabel Sutherland 3-1-8-0
Alyssa Healy (c)† b Prabodhani
Megan Schutt produced figures of 4-1-12-3 to go to the top of the table for the most wickets at Women's T20 World Cups
Beth Mooney steered Australia in the chase
Sophie Molineux celebrating with Ashleigh Gardner
Udeshika Prabodhani cleaned up Alyssa Healy in the first over
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2024
140 shortlisted for Guyanese IGG team
Following an extensive and consultative process, the National Sports Commission (NCS) has finalised a 140-member contingent that would participate in the 2025 edition of the Inter-Guiana Games (IGG), which is slated for Cayenne, French Guiana, from October 24th-26th.
The selection process for the annual event, which lasted for several weeks and was aided by the IGG Management Committee, was staged in collaboration with stakeholders.
The final roster, which will make the trek to the French department, comprises athletes, officials, and auxiliary personnel.
Presently, the list has been submitted to the French authorities for the acquisition of visas and any other relevant or requisite travel documents.
The IGG Management Committee contains Chefde-Mission Dr Karen Pilgrim and veteran sports administrator Gervy Harry; Vice Chairperson of the NSC, Cristy Campbell; Assistant Directors of Sport, Melissa Dow-Richardson; and Franklin Wilson, among other individuals. The en-
tity meets twice a week to finalise the logistical arrangements for the team. They will meet increasingly as the date for the team’s departure draws closer.
The seven disciplines that will be contested are: athletics, basketball, beach volleyball, chess, futsal, swimming, and table tennis.
Owing to the distance that must be travelled, Guyana is slated to arrive in the French territory on Oct 22nd, while their return date is pencilled for Oct 27th. Suriname is slated to arrive on Oct 23rd.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, said, “Given the cultural importance of the
tournament, an extensive process was conducted, and aided by the IGG Management Committee in conjunction with the local associations, to select the best possible and available athletes and personnel for this prestigious regional championship. This annual undertaking is a covenant amongst culturally and historically linked people and community, and will continue to survive the test of time, given our shared values and, more importantly, our ambition to forge closer and deeper bonds.”
He further said, “Guyana is expected to host the 2025 edition, and given
its unquestionable importance, a world-class experience will certainly be realised owing to the ongoing development and refurbishment of faculties and venues by the Government of Guyana as it strives to usher in a sporting cultural revolution. That is the vision
of His Excellency President Dr Irfaan Ali, whose commitment to achieving this objective is evident by the annual increasing largesse, which is of historic proportions, that is afforded to the sector.”
Originally held in 1967, the IGG is tradition-
ally an annual competition among the territories of Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. The previous edition was staged in Suriname, with Guyana hosting the 2022 edition following a five-year hiatus owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships…
Chan snares gold for Guyana
…To chase more medals on Tuesday with Williams
Following a seven (7) year hiatus away from international competition owing to elevating himself academically, Demetri Chan made a welcome return to the international platform when he pressed his way to a gold medal at the Commonwealth Powerlifting and Bench Press Championships taking place in Sun City, South Africa.
Contesting the Open 74kg class against Canadian Oliver Webster, Chan opened with a lift of 137.5kg for his first attempt, before lifting the bar to 142.5kg, which he also succeeded with. His final attempt of 147.5kg
Defending Central America & Caribbean (CAC) champions Hannah Rampersaud (Junior Wellness) and Emmerson Campbell (Men’s Physique) are among 25 athletes registered to represent Guyana at this year’s Championships, slated to be held here on October 1920 at the National Cultural Centre.
A release from the Guyana Body Building & Fitness Federation (GBBFF) named the list of athletes, with US-based Rawle Green being among those registered to compete.
The full list is: Selwyn Grogan (Masters Under 75KG, Sylvon Gardner
(Masters Under-70KG), Orlanzo Valenzuela (U-65KG), Daniel Lutchman (U-70KG), Delrae McLean (Masters-U-75KG), Christopher Anthony (Masters U-75KG), Seon Budhan (U-65KG), Julio Sinclair (Over 100KG), Marley Vyphuis (Men’s Physique 186cm), Kewsie Anderson (Men’s Physique 186cm & Physique Mass), Roger Callender (U-60KG), Yusuf Khan (Physique 172cm), Antowyn Bayley (Men’s Physique 176cm), Sachin Sharma (Men’s Physique 170cm), Jamal Pollydore (Men’s Physique 176cm), Emmerson Campbell (Men’s Physique 170cm), Renaldo Caldeira (Men’s Physique 170cm),
Hannah Rampersaud (Junior Wellness), Melitha Fernandes-Anderson (Women’s Wellness under 158), Christine Ramsammy (Bikini under 169), Sabita Stephenson (Bikini under 165), Joel Caldeira (Bodybuilding under 65kg), Vanisha Munroe (Women’s Wellness under 160), Aliya Wong (Women’s Wellness under 158) and Rawle Green (Masters Bodybuilding under 90kg).
Meanwhile, some of the sponsors already on board are: Fitness Express; Twins Manufacturing; Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport; National Sports Commission, and the Guyana Olympic Association.
was not successful, but he had already done enough to walk away with the gold medal, leaving the silver for Webster, whose best press was 120kg.
He indicated that he was very cognizant of the fact that he still has the Commonwealth Men’s Classic Powerlifting Championships where he and Bjorn Williams (Open 105kg class), who joins the team in South Africa today, will be competing on Tuesday.
Chan shared that even though he was away from the sport studying in Cuba, his hunger for the sport remained intact.
“Seven years away from competition is a long time but I kept the flame going and stayed hungry. I feel in the past year of being home I’ve made tremendous advancement with my performances, and with overseas exposure I will only continue to improve. The path forward for me is to keep improving, continuing to train hard, be disciplined and stay healthy as well as injury free.”
Meanwhile, Minister of
Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles S. Ramson MP, congratulated Chan on his performance on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana, while also wishing Team Guyana the best in South Africa.
Minister Ramson noted that the sport has been doing consistently well on the international platform, having also won one gold and four bronze medals at the South American Championships in Argentina a few weeks ago through 79-year-old Naranjan Singh and Sarah Sanmoogan.
Guyana Amateur Powerlifing Federation President, Franklin Wilson, also extended compliments to Chan on behalf of the fraternity, stating that he was always confident that Chan would medal for Guyana again.
Wilson expressed delight that he is back, and is confident that bigger achievements are on the horizon for this talented lifter.
Chan will be coming up against five other athletes from Canada, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, England and Sri Lanka; while Williams, who will join his teammates in South Africa today, will take on nine other athletes from the Isle of Man, Wales, Northern Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, England and Sri Lanka.
Additionally, Guyana will be represented at the World Masters Men’s and Women’s Classic Championships on Monday in Sun City, South Africa, by Roger Rogers and Nadina Taharally. Rogers and Taharally, who both competed at World Masters and medaled last year, will be going after more silverware.
Taharally will be chal -
lenging ten (10) other athletes in the Masters 2, 76kg class from USA, Great Britain, Hungary, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South Africa; while Rogers will compete in the Masters 2, 120kg class against seven (7) other athletes from US Virgin Islands, Great Britain, South Africa, France, and Lebanon.
Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle
A look at the athletes, alongside officials, who will be representing Guyana
Bjorn Williams
Demetri Chan
Guyana Amazon Warriors fans again showed up in their thousands to support the local franchise as they took on the Barbados Royals in Qualifier 2 of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (RBLCPL) match on Friday night.
Here’s a look at some of the happenings at the Providence Stadium during the 8-wicket win for the Warriors:
Having won their first title in 2023, and now being set to compete in the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) final, the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) are one hurdle away from securing back-to-back titles.
This feat has been achieved only once in the CPL’s storied 12-year history, with the Trinbago Knight Riders winning the championship in 2017 and 2018.
Quizzed on the likelihood of making the achievement tomorrow evening, Warriors’ Captain Imran Tahir said he would like to make history.
Tahir went on to respond to inquiries about how he managed to inspire his troops after that loss, citing ‘Warrior Nation’ as a major factor.
The Amazon Warriors captain was at the time reacting to his team’s 8-wicket win over the Barbados Royals in Qualifier 2, sharing his thoughts on their ability to re-
“To me personally, and the team, it’s a dream imagined 2 years ago. If someone said to me yes, the next year you’re going to be in the final, I’ll take it any day. For us, to be honest with you, this is everything. When we got together and left our families, we joined the new family, which is Guyana Amazon Warriors. So, it means everything to us, we sleep in it, we wake up with that, we’re very close to it. There is one step, we have to obviously cross that. We have believed we can come back on Sunday and play the cricket they want from us. If we get over the line, I’d like to create history,” the Amazon Warriors skipper told local media operatives.
bound from a loss a few nights prior.
“Yeah, look, with a performance like that, any captain would be satisfied with that; and I’m really proud of the boys, the way we came and we fought. We truly believe, as a team and as a leader, we deserve to be in the final. So, there’s couple of things that we need to improve on, but really glad we came and showed
what this team is made of,” Tahir shared.
The Amazon Warriors Captain went on to divulge about areas that need improvement.
“It’s obviously basic things. Last game, I think we really weren’t there for the challenge, that’s how I felt. No captain can say that in front of the media, but I think, coming back from there, we had to sit
down and ask ourselves. We promised this nation, we promised our families and ourselves, it’s a big game, it’s a knockout game, and there is no way that we’re going to do the same thing again and the mistakes that we made. But, coming back and perform like that, it’s just an incredible effort.”
“We’re playing for the badge first. The country comes first, the Guyana Amazon Warriors comes first, before us. The players come after; we play for the nation. These beautiful people come and support us every time we play at home, and even away. So, it feels like you’re still home when you’re away. So, just grateful to every Guyanese whoever they are and wherever they are that come and support us. I don’t have words to say, every time I’ve been asked this question, I’m just really, really grateful to them,” Tahir explained.
The Amazon Warriors will go for their second title in as many years this evening, as they take on the St. Lucia Kings in the season’s marquee game at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara, from 19:00hrs.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors would be looking to secure their second CPL title tonight
