$100M set aside from carbon credits' sales to fund more projects in hinterland communities – VP …says village leaders free to accept or reject allocated funds
Labourer stabbed to death after slapping suspect
BRIDGE OPENINGS
The Demerara Harbour Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 04:00hrs to 05:30hrs and Thursday, August 22, 2024 - 04:00hrs to 05:30hrs
The Berbice Bridge will be closed to vehicular traffic on:
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 5:15 hrs to 6:45 hrs and Thursday, August 22, 2024 - 6:00 hrs to 7:30 hrs
FERRY SCHEDULE
Parika and Supenaam departure times – 05:00h, 10:00h-12:00h, 16:00h, 18:30h daily.
WEATHER TODAY
Except for isolated afternoon showers over inland areas, mainly fair and sunny skies will likely prevail. Rainfall is expected between 0 and 10 mm over inland areas, and elsewhere is not expected to be significant.
Legendary musician Dave Martins cremated …honoured as icon of Caribbean identity
Legendary musician David Anthony Martins was laid to rest on Tuesday at a private funeral service at the Kaashi Dhaam Crematorium, Ruimzeight, West Coast Demerara (WCD).
The iconic artiste was lauded as an ‘Icon of Caribbean Identity’ by President Dr Irfaan Ali who noted that Martins’s legacy will continue to form connections with generations to come through his music, selfless contributions to the cultural sector and his ability to foster national unity.
“We know that this man is not a national asset, every single regional leader as young, as experienced and as young, they all are acquainted with Dave and they see him as a regional man, they value him as a regional man,” the President said in his sentiments expressed at the funeral.
The singer of the “anthem” ‘Not a Blade of Grass’ died on Monday, leaving a profound legacy of musical excellence and cultural contribution. His ability to capture the essence of Caribbean life and culture in his lyrics attracted love from everyone who heard him sing.
President Ali reminisced on many occasions when the iconic singer graced events with his presence, showcasing his love for Guyana. He lauded his lyrics for addressing issues without being offensive. “Whilst the music was a strong message, it was not offensive. It was meant to whip up nationalistic sentiment, to hold that sentiment and to raise the temperature to a defensive stance for all of us to understand that we’re defending something that belongs to all of us,” the head of state said.
This he noted allowed the singer to connect with current, past and future generations of Guyanese. Born in 1949, Martins was best known as the leader of the band The Tradewinds. His journey in music began in the
1960s, and over the decades, he became synonymous with the vibrant sounds of Caribbean music, particularly Soca and Calypso.
“In celebrating his life, we honour the footprints he has left on our culture, his words that will continue to inspire and his melodies that will never fade from our collective consciousness. Dave Martins is a very special and irreplaceable part of our nationhood,” President Ali said.
The iconic musician was lauded by his wife Annette Arjoon and children Alex and Victoria Arjoon as an excellent husband and father.
Annette spoke of the first time she met Dave 15 years ago and married after just one year. With tears, she said, “I was really blessed to have him in my life and to have 15 years of absolute joy and happiness and solitude and today he is in a good place surrounded by friends and family all of
you I know love him dearly.”
Alex and Victoria both shared that while Martins was known as a musician, he was a remarkable and incredible father figure.
“His incredible wits, his humour and his love for my mom is something I would cherish forever,” Victoria said.
Also addressing those gathered at Tuesday’s solemn ceremony was Ret’d Major General Joseph Singh who shared a close relationship with Martins. He “has served his country with dignity, honour, with love as reflected in his over 300 songs that he produced,” Singh said.
He added that Martins was able to “reach across divides politicians dream to,” as he brought Guyanese together in a patriotic manner while fights for its sovereignty.
Culture, Youth and Sports Minister, Charles Ramson Jnr. in his remarks said it is difficult to ever say good bye to such an exceptional person. “He will never be forgotten. He must never be forgotten and his work and his love through you must also live on forever,” the minister noted.
President Dr Irfaan Ali consoling Dave Martins’ widow Annette Arjoon
Dave Martins is a name that reverberates through the heart of Guyanese culture. As a musician, songwriter, and cultural icon, Martins has left an enduring legacy that transcends generations, leaving an indelible mark on the Caribbean’s musical landscape and the very soul of Guyana.
Born in 1949 and raised in British Guiana, Dave Martins’ journey from the small village of Hague, West Coast Demerara to international fame is a testament to his extraordinary talent and dedication. His love for music, rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of the Caribbean, led him to form the iconic band The Tradewinds in the 1960s. The band quickly gained popularity, becoming a household name not just in Guyana, but throughout the Caribbean and its diaspora.
What made Dave Martins stand out was his ability to capture the essence of Caribbean life in his music. His songs, infused with wit, humour, and keen social observation, offered a window into the daily lives, struggles, and joys of ordinary people. Tracks like "Not a Blade of Grass", "Where Are Your Heroes", and "Cricket in the Jungle" became anthems that resonated with listeners across the Caribbean. These songs did more than entertain; they brought to the fore issues of identity, national pride, and the shared experiences of Caribbean people.
Martins was a master storyteller. His lyrics, often laced with humour, spoke to the realities of life in Guyana and the wider Caribbean. Whether addressing political issues, environmental concerns, or simply celebrating the vibrancy of Caribbean culture, Martins had a unique ability to connect with his audience. His music reflected the times, serving as both a mirror and a guide to help Guyanese navigate the complexities of their national identity.
Dave Martins' contributions extend beyond music. He was a cultural ambassador, a figure who tirelessly promoted and preserved Guyanese and Caribbean heritage. Through his work, Martins reminded us of the importance of understanding and embracing our roots. His efforts in promoting Guyanese culture, whether through his performances, public appearances, or collaborations with other artists, have played a crucial role in keeping the rich traditions of the Caribbean alive.
In a world that is constantly changing, Dave Martins’ legacy serves as a reminder of the enduring power of culture and the arts. His music continues to inspire, educate, and entertain, proving that the sounds and stories of the Caribbean are timeless. As Guyana and the wider Caribbean move forward, the legacy of Dave Martins would remain a guiding light, reminding us of who we are, where we come from, and the importance of celebrating our unique cultural identity.
Dave Martins may no longer be in body, but his spirit lives on in every note, every lyric, and every memory he has left behind. His life and work are a testament to the power of one individual to shape the cultural landscape of a nation and a region. For that, Guyana will always remember him as one of its greatest sons.
We support President Dr Irfaan Ali, who at the funeral of Martins, said: “In celebrating his life, we honour the footprints he has left on our culture, his words that will continue to inspire and his melodies that will never fade from our collective consciousness. Dave Martins is a very special and irreplaceable part of our nationhood.”
1st Guyanese-Caribbean scholar to write a comprehensive manuscript on American Presidency
Dear Editor, On the subject of writing, the author’s position is that good writing starts with honesty, outstanding research and excellent analysis. He says that a lot can be expressed with a few simple and honest words that a set of pretentious words cannot do. But occasionally, the author writes: a great manuscript is often written about someone great, and that great someone is Barack Hussein Obama 11, the 44th President of the United States. And that great manuscript, he emphasizes is A Race to the Finish Line: The Election of Barack Hussein Obama 11 as the First Black President of the United States written by Dr. Euclid A. Rose, professor at the City University of New York. Dr. Rose is the first GuyaneseCaribbean Scholar to
write a comprehensive text book on the Presidency of the United States.
Dr. Rose’s research is breathtaking in that it traces Obama’s life from his birth in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 4, 1961, to Seattle and to Jakarta, Indonesia, where he learned Bahasa Indonesia--the official and national language of Indonesia. Dr. Rose’s penetrating and captivating work examines the forces that shaped Obama’s ear-
ly life; it provides a definitive account of his formative years, which made him the man he became. After graduating from Punahou High School, a private, elite all-white academy in Honolulu, Obama attended Occidental College in California, for two years and then transferred to Columbia University in New York and to Harvard Law School where he was elected the first black President of the prestigious Harvard Law
Review Journal. A Race to the Finish Line is a brilliant analysis of the struggles that Barrack Obama overcame to be elected the first black President of the United States in 2008. It is intellectually stimulating and insightful and presents fresh insights into Obama’s life, his tumultuous upbringing as a young man of mixed race who was raised exclusively by his white mother and grandparents and his marriage to Michelle Robinson in Chicago in 1992.
The book vividly describes Obama’s work as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago before he ventured into politics. He was elected a State Senator of Illinois from 1997 to 2004, and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2004.
A supermoon, known as the blue moon, rising over the historical Galata Tower in Istanbul, Turkey (Reuters)
How can we interpret the term "earning a livable wage"?
Dear Editor,
I am here reading the dailies, which speak to two persons who were caught by the police with guns and stolen goods. This is a common news item from the most populous region, and a stronghold of the Opposition in Guyana. Police records
show that there are certain identifiable hotspots in the city, one such area being the suburban ward of Sophia.
There have been numerous incidents of robbery committed with the use of high-powered weapons, and many of these robberies have
1st Guyanese-Caribbean...
Four years later in 2008 he was elected the first black President of the United States.
Finally, A Race to the Finish Line assesses how African Americans rose from the depths of poverty, racial discrimination, and the brutality of slavery to be elected to the highest office in America. It explores the phenomenon of Barack Obama belonging to two different worlds— one black, the other white. It is one of the most powerful books of self-discovery with illuminating insights into race, class, culture, ethnicity, and politics in America. Rose’s epic work is a rich tapestry of a life little known or understood prior to his announcement to seek the presidency of the United States in 2007. It tells the human story of a man—Barack Hussain Obama—who changed the course of history and the world in a way that no one else can and no one expected or could have predicted.
The book is a classic narrative drawn from hundreds of interviews, including several of President Obama’s advisers, friends, and classmates and a trove of articles, journals, and other documents. It is a groundbreaking and multigenerational manuscript; that providers readers with a richly textured account of President Obama’s life who tried to make sense of his existence as he prepared for his political career. It is a beautifully written and credible book that tells the human story of a man— Barack Hussain Obama—
turned out to be fatal. There have to be measures put in place to stop this menace, and the time for that is now.
FROM PAGE 4
who changed the course of history and the world in a way that no one else can and no one expected.
Rose’s work is a bold and ambitious undertaking, and we are confident and most certain that it will provoke debates among students and scholars in America and around the world. It is a pleasure to read.
Sincerely,
Prof Ivan Danfort University of Southern California
These notorious robberies have earned perpetrators the nickname "church boys", or "Region 4's church boys", and the reason why such a good name is attached to such a reprehensible act is because, when they are caught, parents and political entities defend them on the basis that these are the wrong guys. The police are always holding innocent Black youths who are church boys, they say, and this is the first time they have ever been caught in such activities. These are some of the excuses that are made for these young bandits who terrorize, rob, and even kill innocent citizens for their hard-earned possessions.
Some even go the length to make the asi-
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024
06:00 (Sign on) Inspiration Time 06:30 Cartoons
07:00 Evening News (RB) 08:00 Stop Suffering 09:00 Guy's Grocery Games 10:00 Grand Designs 11:00 Paternity Court 11:30 Divorce Court 12:00 News Break 12:05 Movie - Swindle (2013) 13:35 Wheel of Fortune 14:00 The Loud House S4 E11
14:30 Spongebob Squarepants
15:00 Indian Soaps
16:00 Young Sheldon S2 E18
16:30 Secrets of Sulphur Springs S1 E10
17:00 The Young & The Restless
18:00 President Speech R/B
19:00 The Evening News
20:00 Stop Suffering
20:30 Stand-up Comedy
21:00 Good Trouble S2 E12
22:00 The Witcher S2 E5
23:00 The Office S6 E13
23:30 Insecure S5 E9 00:00 Sign off
nine excuse that times are hard and the boys can't find jobs, which is the reason for them choosing armed robbery as a "viable option." Well, I'd be damned; if that is the only option available to some of our youths, then I am forced to ask how the Chinese and Venezuelan refugees earn a living. They do not arm themselves and go about shooting and robbing civilians. I am talking about dirt poor Chinese and Venezuelans who pay rent (They do not own property), work an honest job, and get paid for the work done.
I hope the GTU is taking keen note of this when they come before the media and make these lofty speeches of earning a livable wage - that GTU notion of "earning a livable wage" which by dint of hard work and a positive outlook in life, the Chinese,
Venezuelans and other nationalities are constantly dispelling.
Another option of Opposition forces is: take all the oil money and give the people, and "thiefing gon stop." They are shouting from the top of the roof, "Tek de oil money and give poor people! After all, Guyanese punishing." Well, haven’t they heard that the oil money is being given in cash grants for start-up small businesses? Yes, monies are given, not lent, for persons to start earning a livable wage, and I must say many are taking advantage of those opportunities. Government has also put in place short-term employment for thousands of workers, by which people can earn a living.
The point I am making is that there are numerous openings wherein one can earn a decent living, and categorically speaking, armed robbery is not one of them.
I close by calling to our remembrance the way Granger's Coalition addressed the unemployment situation in Guyana. After having fired thousands of workers when they came into power, he was hard pressed to give a sensible answer to the people, so he promptly advocated that persons get into business by selling plantain chips and cookup rice. Note well that this is good small business entrepreneurship; however, Granger was addressing university graduates when he came up with that manifesto. Now, think about it: has President Ali or, greater still, VP Jagdeo made such a proposal to the nation in 2024? Just take a cold, hard, educated look into what I've said.
Respectfully, Neil Adams
Two polygons are congruent if their shapes and sizes are the same. The sides and the angles in one polygon must exactly match the sides and the angles in the other. Congruent polygons do not have to face in the same direction. The best way to find out if two polygons are congruent is to measure the sides and the angles in both.
By Grace Nichols
Forest could keep secrets
Forest could keep secrets
Forest tune in every day to watersound and birdsound Forest letting her hair down to the teeming creeping of her forest-ground
But Forest don’t broadcast her business no Forest cover her business down from sky and fast-eye sun and when night come and darkness wrap her like a gown Forest is a bad dream woman
Forest dreaming about mountain and when earth was young Forest dreaming of the caress of gold Forest roosting with mysterious eldorado and when howler monkey wake her up with howl Forest just stretch and stir to a new day of sound but coming back to secrets
Forest could keep secrets
Forest could keep secrets And we must keep Forest
(www.poetryline.org.uk)
More air traffic controllers to be trained as flight levels surge – Edghill
With the massive influx of visitors being recorded at the country’s main airports per month, there has been a recognised need to recruit and equip more persons with the skills and expertise needed to control air traffic at these ports.
This call was made by Public Works Minister, Juan Edghill on Monday during the opening ceremony of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Training School air traffic control assistance and aeronautical information services programme.
During his opening remarks Edghill said that to date the country’s main airports, Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) and Eugene F. Correia International Airport (OGL) are currently witnessing a spike in air traffic, with flight levels sur-
passing 1000 at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport which is representing a 10 per cent increase compared to last year.
“Right here at the Chedi Jagan International Airport, the CEO is here, Mr. Ram is here. We have about 500 arrivals and departures per month. At the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, which is one of the busiest airports in this part of the world, in the Caribbean, we have about 4,800 movements per month. And I already told you, currently we are at about 600 offshore movements” he explained
Moreover, the minister noted that with monthly arrivals and departures gradually approaching pre COVID levels, more individuals will need to be equipped with the skills to safely manage air traffic at these airports in an effort to
ensure that the few persons who currently oversee Air traffic operations are not overworked which could affect their functionality.
“We cannot have fatigue in our towers. So those who are working and are doing a fantastic job, we congratulate them we want to keep them going, but we need more people to be able to man and ensure that our towers are doing well. Growth in aviation has been steady and it has
been exponential during the post-COVID years. And the Government of Guyana has been keeping abreast with regards to capacity building, as well as infrastructural enhancement” he stated.
Additionally, the minister revealed that the public works ministry is currently mulling the construction of a terminal and air traffic control terminal at the Lethem Airport, similar plans are also underway for
the Mahdia Airstrip.
“Lethem, we are busy pursuing possibilities of putting in the terminal building and an air traffic tower facility at Lethem because Lethem will become a major hub of connectivity in what we are doing and that is why we need people from Region Nine and Region Eight. Mahdia in Region Eight must become a major, major hub. Let me tell you what I'm seeing for the future of aviation in
Guyana. Flights leaving out of OGLE, carrying 30, 40, 50 passengers landing at Mahdia and from Mahdia because they need to have a fuel farm and proper air navigational services distributing to the smaller villages” he stated.
Meanwhile, a total of 25 persons, many of whom hail from hinterland communities, have commenced training in the area of air traffic control. The programme is being rolled out by the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority and the Civil Aviation Training School and consists of three months of academic instruction followed by three months of practical, on-the-job training. Successful graduates of this programme are guaranteed employment with the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority, with ongoing training opportunities for career advancement.
Appreciating…
…our Indigenous Peoples
President Ali addressed this year’s Toshaos Conference at the Convention Centre, and with elections just a year away, he not surprisingly reminded his audience of what the PPP have done for Indigenous Peoples since they came into office in 1992. The sordid truth is that while the entire country had been punished under the PNC’s dictatorship, Burnham had intensified the historic neglect of Indigenous Peoples.
For the previous three centuries after the Dutch decided the Indigenous Peoples weren’t suitable for plantation labour, they were used to hunt down escaped Africans, enslaved people. As such, it was in the interest of the Dutch to keep them in the jungles!! So, while we’re called the “Land of Six Peoples”, the Indigenous ones never really mixed or mingled with the others. Missionaries were used by the Brits to “civilise” them to Christianity and “Western ways”, but much of the Indigenous People’s own culture was wiped out in this “civilising” mission. So, when some talk about reviving their “old ways”, those ways are really being reinterpreted through Western lenses.
While that may be the story of all the other five peoples, it’s most noticeable with the Indigenous Peoples, since the Western scorn for their way of life has been drummed into the hearts and minds of us on the coastland – who were exposed more thoroughly to the Western “education”. Remember that nasty incident at the “elite” Mae’s School in Georgetown, when that Indigenous kid who’d moved to “town” was told to show up in traditional wear - but was turned away because being in grass skirts was too “primitive”? They aren’t even allowed to express their heritage!!
In the last couple of decades, Indigenous Peoples have been increasingly migrating to the coastland. This brings home the sordid fact that even those coastlanders complaining about clapboard “shithole” houses they live in should appreciate they’re still attractive enough to attract Amerindians!! In every survey that’s been conducted over the past century - into the new millennium - the Indigenous Peoples have stubbornly been relegated to the “poorest of the poor”.
But it’s of more than passing interest that those in the Opposition purporting to be championing the cause of the “poor and the powerless” don’t focus on the Indigenous Peoples, do they?? So it’s not by chance that, starting literally from ground zero in 1992, the PPP now gets the majority of the Amerindian vote – which holds the balance between the two major blocks! It’s not just the symbolic things like designating September in 1995 as Amerindian Heritage Month; but, as Pres Ali identified, there’re all the roads, schools, hospitals, scholarships, land titling and job creation the PPP launched since 1992. Amerindians still have a long way to go, but they’ve been given the boost needed to catch up!!
…the PNC’s wiles
The PNC-led government had diligently followed the droll advice of comedian WC Fields towards the Amerindians: “If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.” With their eyes firmly fixed on 2020, the PNC gave the Amerindians the ole full-court press!! Unfortunately, it was all BS!!
Take that “Industrial Park” they were gonna launch in Lethem. What happened? Since they’d jettisoned Burnham’s “state capitalism” mantra from the old days, exactly which companies did they encourage with appropriate inducements to plunk down their hard-earned cash on the Rupununi plains?? Heck…it was the same “bait and switch” conmen use to set up their marks. The proof of the cassava bread and pepperpot has always been in the eating; and for industrialization, the factories!!
So, proving that they were on to the PNC like cheap suit, Amerindians in 2020 followed another bit of advice from WC Fields: “Hell, I never vote for anybody, I always vote against.” And so it’ll be in 2025!!
…Biden’s ouster
How does an 81-year-old president - who thought he could continue on the job but was pushed out - deal with his dashed ambitions?? Biden wryly joked he was “too young to serve in the Senate, and now too old as president at 81!!
Man feared drowned after wedding celebration at Canje Creek
Police in Region
Six (East BerbiceCorentyne) are investigating the alleged drowning of Rayon Captain, known as "Chippy”.
Reports are that the a 42-year-old self-employed resident of Lot 401 Patrick Dam, Angoy's Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice went missing on Sunday during a post-wedding celebration at Canje Creek.
Captain's reputed wife, Ramrattie Williamson, explained that at around 15:30h, the family was celebrating a wedding at Canje
Creek, where they were enjoying recreational activities and drinking alcohol.
According to the 61-year-old housewife at about 17:15h they decided to swim in the creek and Captain entered the water after observing another man swim across and return successfully.
However, he did not resurface after swimming to the other side of the creek. "We haven’t seen him since," Williamson said.
A search operation has been launched for the missing man.
Labourer stabbed to death after slapping suspect
Police are investigating the murder of a 22-year-old laborer of Sand Hill, Upper Berbice River which occurred on Monday.
Dead is Francis Sukoo. It was reported that at the incident occurred sometime between 17:00h and 18:07h at Sand Hill, Region 10 (Upper DemeraraBerbice).
According to reports, Sukoo was hanging out with suspect and other friends at a local shop, where they were drinking alcohol. However an argument ensued be-
tween Sukoo and the suspect, which led to Sukoo slapping the suspect several times. The suspect then left the shop, only to return armed with scissors.
Police said that he attacked Sukoo, stabbing him five times in various parts of his body, causing him to collapse.
According to Police, the suspect fled the scene, while Sukoo was rushed to a nearby health worker. He was subsequently transported to the Linden Hospital Complex, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
An investigation has been launched.
Rayon Captain, known as "Chippy”
$100M set aside from carbon credits' sales to fund more projects in hinterland communities – VP …says
village leaders free to accept or reject allocated funds
More communities are increasingly seeking to participate in the programme that provides funding from the sale of Guyana’s carbon credits. To accommodate these requests, the government has announced that $100 million from this innovative initiative will be allocated directly to the communities.
Under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s sale of carbon credits to Hess Corporation, it was initially agreed that 15 per cent of proceeds would go to indigenous communities. Last year, a total of 242 communities benefitted from these funds, based on the village development plans they
submitted.
On day two of the National Toshaos Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Center (ACCC) on Tuesday, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo announced that even more communities, including some that are not necessarily fully Amerindian, want to opt in to the programme. He explained that hinterland villages and Community Development Councils (CDC) have approached the government seeking funding.
“We have 242 villages that benefitted last year. And, you know, over 800 projects have been done. This year, we have a number of CDC’s that have applied. We decided that we
will stick with the 242 villages, but we’ll set aside another $100 million for those communities that are now coming and have asked to be part of it.”
“Some of them are not villages. They’re run by CDC’s and some are not fully Amerindian, but they will get small grants. So, we want to be fair. But we did not want to dilute the amount that you will get or what you got last year for the 242 villages,” Jagdeo explained.
For 2024, the government has already decided to increase the indigenous people’s share of the carbon credit sales, to 26 per cent. This fact, according to Jagdeo, is in addition to the government’s intentions of
spending significant sums from their own share, on projects that will also benefit the indigenous community.
“This year, we have about (US$87.5 million), the second tranche. And you would have been eligible for $2.7 billion, for this year’s distribution. The President graciously agreed to increase this so we reduce the government’s amount that we were gonna use for adaptation measures and a lot of them back into Amerindian communities too.”
“The remaining 85 per cent would be spent all across Guyana, including Amerindian communities. But we decided that 15 per cent will go directly to the villages and the villages will decide how they spend the money. The President increased it to $4.8 billion,” the Vice President further explained.
Free to accept/reject Meanwhile, the vice president also told village leaders that they have the option to either accept or reject the funds allocated to them from the carbon cred-
its sale.
“Any Toshao, who believes that this programme is not serving your people and your community, is free to opt out,” he said, adding “we give you that chance to opt out; you are free not to take it. The money can easily be reallocated to the villages that want it.”
Last year, Guyana received a total of US$150 million, from which a total of 242 indigenous villages benefitted from US$22.5 million. Hess Corporation, which is one of the partners operating in the Stabroek Block offshore Guyana, had agreed to buy 2.5 million credits per year for the period 2016 and 2032, valuing US$750 million.
The deal with Hess came on the heels of Guyana being the first country to receive a certification of more than 33 million carbon credits by the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) on December 1, 2022.
However, while the deal is for 10 years, that is, 2022 to 2032, the government was able to negotiate, as part of the sale agreement, for the oil major to also pur-
chase some 12.5 million carbon credits from the period 2016 to 2020 – referred to as “legacy credit”.
The country’s more than 18 million hectares of forests are estimated to store approximately 20 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. The remaining 70 per cent of Guyana’s carbon credit will be put on the market for future sale agreements.
For the period 2021 to 2025 in the Hess deal, Guyana’s carbon credits would be sold for US$20 per tonne, thus earning the country another US$250 million; while another US$312 million is expected during the 2025-2030 period when the credits would be sold at US$25 per tonne.
A carbon credit is a tradable permit or certificate that allows the holder of the credit the right to emit a stated tonnage of carbon dioxide or an equivalent of another greenhouse gas. Countries and companies that exceed their permitted limits can purchase carbon credits from nations that have low emissions such as Guyana. (G3)
PNC in talks with WPA on rejoining coalition – Norton
…says AFC opted to stay separate
The People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R), the largest party in the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Coalition, is in talks with two of its former coalition partners on the possibility of them rejoining that coalition.
During a press conference on Tuesday, PNC leader Aubrey Norton was asked about the current status of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), a former key member of APNU, and the Alliance For Change (AFC), which had partnered with APNU in the last two general and regional elections.
According to Norton, talks continue with WPA, which only recently announced that its longstanding party executive, Dr. David Hinds would be its presidential candidate
next year. Meanwhile, he revealed that AFC wants to maintain their separation for the time being.
“We have been having (talks) with the WPA. The last position I know that we had with the AFC, was that we will continue to operate as a parliamentary opposition, APNU/AFC, but that the AFC wants to do its political work, for now, by itself. And at the right time, we will look at coalition politics,” Norton explained.
Norton was also asked about a recent political meeting the AFC held in Linden and whether he told PNC supporters to stay away. The opposition leader denied this, adding that if the AFC had wanted his party there, they would have been invited.
“The AFC didn’t advise us that they were holding a meeting in Linden. In fact,
like everybody else, I saw it the day before or two days before, on social media,” the opposition leader explained.
“And I would have assumed that if you are a political party and you consider us to be an ally, and you’re holding a political activity and you want our support, you would engage us to say look, we’re having this activity. Let us work out support, etc. so I do not know that I had to encourage our supporters to participate, in something we weren’t invited to,”
The WPA, whose leader Dr. Walter Rodney had been assassinated with the complicity of PNC leader Forbes Burnham, had coalesced with PNC under the APNU umbrella as far back as 2011. Meanwhile, the AFC had partnered with APNU in 2015, also
to contest elections. Both parties have since exited the coalition, after they lost power in the 2020 general and regional elections.
Following the ascension of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) to the seat of Government in August 2020, the WPA in a letter to then APNU Chairman David Granger, had accused the larger PNC/R party of dictatorial tendencies to the smaller parties in the coalition.
Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton
WPA’s Dr David Hinds AFC leader Nigel Hughes
Anna Regina, QC students share top spot at CSEC with 23 grade ones each
…urges students to be disciplined, dedicated about their future
Students of the Anna Regina Multilateral School and Queen’s College have tied for the top position in the country at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, each securing 23 Grade Ones.
The country’s top students are Dave Chowtie from Queen’s College, who wrote 29 subjects and copped 23 grade ones and 6 grade twos and Pradesh
Dwarka of Anna Regina Multilateral School wrote 26 subjects and secured 23 grade one passes and three grade twos.
Rudranauth Sankar also from Anna Regina Multilateral School, scored 23 grade ones and 1 grade two passes.
These positions –while not officially adjudged as first place by the Education Ministry–are based on the preliminary results announced by
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand on Tuesday.
Beaming with excitement Pradesh Dwarka revealed that watching his former peers from Anna Regina excel at last year’s CSEC examination, encouraged him to tackle 26 subjects at once.
When asked about his career choice, Dwarka shared that he plans to further his studies at a tertiary institution to major in civil engineering. He explained that excelling in the field will allow him to elevate his father’s contracting business.
“This is a feeling I’ve been longing for so long ever since I saw those boys doing so well, I thought to myself that I want to become one of them and I worked really hard for it. Going into the preparation, I had to study for long hours, sacrificing sleep, I love to play games but I cut off games for the whole year… My dad is a contractor and he always needs a civil engineer… I really want to help him because after school he takes me to all his work sites and I was like wow, he builds a lot of things and in my perspective, I see myself in that field,” Dwarka shared.
Meanwhile, Dave Chowtie of Queen’s College shared that he has already applied to an international university to further his studies in medical sciences given that he aspires to become a neurosurgeon.
Commenting on schedule for the examination, Chowtie expressed that he’s faced many challenges, which resulted in him studying before and after exams.
While he managed to emerge as a top student, Chowtie is urging students preparing to sit the 2025 examination to be disciplined and dedicated to their future.
“I would tell them to get your SBAs out of the way early so that you have a lot of time to study, make sure you focus in class, YouTube helps a lot and you have to study from your syllabus because the syllabus is exactly what is going to come on the exam,” he stated.
A number of other students have performed re -
markably at this year’s CSEC.
Venisha Devi Lall from Anna Regina Multilateral secured 18 grade ones, 8 grade twos and 3 grade threes.
Anaaya Jain of Queen’s College scored 17 grade ones, 6 grade twos and 1 grade three, while Simran Edmond from the same institution scored 14 grade ones, 6 grade twos and 1 grade three.
Simran Edmond told this publication that she will be starting her A Level CAPE classes soon, as she follows her grandfather’s and mother’s footsteps to join the legal fraternity.
Edmond who hopes to also excel at CAPE in order to secure a scholarship to study law abroad, said she plans to remain focused going forward.
“They were some days where it didn’t matter whether I was motivated or not and this is actually something that my friend told me; you know it doesn’t matter whether you feel like doing the work today or tomorrow or next week all it comes done to is having the discipline to do the work and when put in the hours. When everyone is asleep, you’re still trying to fix this SBA or trying to see what you don’t understand in this math equation. Its all about being discipline and willing to put in the hard work,” she said.
A total of 11,612 students sat this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.
Meanwhile, several candidates also recorded outstanding performances in the Caribbean Advance proficiency examination (САРЕ).
These include Aniyah Couchman of Queens College who secured grade one passes in 11 units, grade two in two units, and grade three in One unit.
Gabriella Roberts of Queens College who copped six grade ones, Omar Holders of St. Stanislaus College who secured 8 Grade ones and Jenna Hoosein of Saraswati Vidya Niketan that secured six grade ones. (G1)
Pradesh Dwarka
Dave Chowtie
New appraisal system for teachers
…as declining CSEC pass rates recorded for Math, English
In light of consistently declining performances by students in a number of critical subject areas, the government will soon implement a new appraisal instrument in schools to ensure teachers’ performances are strictly monitored and evaluated.
A breakdown of the country’s performance provided by Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain during a press conference at Queen’s College auditorium on Tuesday, revealed that Guyana’s overall pass rates in the 2024 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination slightly declined from 67.37 per cent in 2023 to 63.23 per cent in 2024.
While there was a notable increase in performance across 12 subjects and a 90 per cent pass rate was recorded in seven subjects, English A saw a slight decline, dropping from 72 per cent in 2023 to 69 per cent in 2024.
In addition, Mathematics, another critical subject for many, also experienced a decrease, with its pass rate falling from 34 per cent in 2023 to 31 per cent in 2024.
When questioned about mechanisms being put in place to address the prevalent issue of lower pass rates in these critical subject areas, the Chief Education Officer revealed that the Education Ministry will be embarking on an appraisal system for teachers.
This, he explained, will play a pivotal role in ensuring that all teachers have the skills and support they need to carry out their role effectively.
Guyana times understands that this new instrument will incorporate variables that are more measurable, and will not only provide for fair, effective and consistent teacher evaluation, but also for across- the -board, quality education of learners in all public schools.
“The Ministry of Education for the last year has been moving around school to school in collaboration with the Guyana Teachers Union to have a new appraisal system put in place. So, we were at the point where we were going to pilot and then we had some unfortunate activities happening in the last term. We expect that in system of this year to launch the new appraisal system for teachers. One that is less subjective
and is very evidence based,” Hussain said.
Hussain added that head teachers across the country are familiar with the new system, given that they have benefitted from extensive training on its functions.
“I think it will be a significant benefit to the system. I can tell you at this point that all head teachers across the country have been trained in its use,” he added.
Meanwhile, Education Minister Priya Manickchand noted that monitors will be placed in schools where poor performances are being recorded.
“When I say monitors, I am talking about external independent people, independent from the school, who are going into the school to look for particular things, whether the curriculum is finishing, whether children understand particular topics, whether SBAs are being done and done on time only for mathematics and we believe that it is going to change,” Manickchand said.
Moreover, she said efforts are underway to improve proficiency in mathematics.
“Don’t put mathematics in the afternoon, we spoke to children they said you put it in the afternoon, we are just waiting to get over the day. Its too hot, its too late and we’re too tired so you got to put the math and schedule it or timetable it for the morning. Give more periods to mathematics, so we got to drops somethings cause Queen’s College does three foreign languages in first form but six periods of math. Do you need three foreign languages in first form. So those are some of the things we have to look at,” she added.
Come September, high school students in Grades 10 and 11 will also have access to learning materials such as Geometry sets, calculators, graph books, mathematics text books, pass papers and guidance to websites about where they can access en-
pers and so on. And it’s an intervention that even before these results came out, we began… those things sound small but if you have to borrow a scientific calculator the morning of the exam when you go in there you will fight with how to use it rather than having the familiarity of just moving through,” Manickchand said.
CAPE performance
forcement and lessons.
“In addition to fourth and fifth form all students from grades one all the way to third form will have the mathematics text that they need. Some of them are work books in the lower school and some are text books in the upper school with pass pa-
Guyana maintained a stable pass rate at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) 2024, according to the country’s Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain.
In 2024, 721 students wrote CAPE from 13 secondary schools and four private
centres across Guyana when compared to 701 students in 2023.
During his presentation, Hussain announced that the overall pass rate for Guyana is 92.5 per cent when compared to 93 per cent in 2023.
At the CAPE level, Grades One to Five are considered passing scores.
Guyanese students, as customary, gained 100 per
cent passes in several subjects across the country.
Compulsory subjects at CAPE, Caribbean Studies and Communication Studies, both record pass rates of over 90 per cent.
Hussain was keen to point out that these results are preliminary and all reviews and queries will be done by the local registrar. (G1)
Education Minister Priya Manickchand
Chief Education Officer Saddam Hussain
1 dead, several injured in chopping spree
One man is dead and several persons have been left severely injured after a chopping incident which occurred in the wee hours of Sunday.
Dead is Emmanuel Rose, 19, of Port Kaituma, North West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).
Those injured are Kester Rose, 30, of Lot 122 Block F North Sophia, his girlfriend Tiffany Edwards, 30, Shemar Jordan, 20, of Port Kaituma, NWD, Shyndel Profit (father or the deceased) and Ezekiel Profit (brother of the deceased).
Emmanuel Rose, Kester Rose, and Ezikiel Profit are cousins. The incident took place at Lot 122 Block F North Sophia.
Reports are that on Saturday at about 22:30h, Kester Rose and his girlfriend were in their house when Emanuel Rose arrived and started to argue with Kester Rose. They both end up in a scuf-
fle, and it is alleged that Emanuel Rose destroyed Kester’s bed along with other items in the house and went away.
According to reports, on Sunday at about 01:00h Jordan, along with Emmanuel, went home after attending a bar-b-que in D’Urban Backlands and as they arrived home, they observed their clothing burning in the front yard. Reports are that the men confronted Kester, who was at the time in the company of another male, and asked him why he burnt their clothing.
According to information received, Kester then allegedly went into his house and returned with a long knife and a cutlass and dealt Jordan a lash to his neck. A neighbour told the media that he, along with Emmanuel, ran out of the yard while Kester and his friend reportedly ran behind them.
However, Jordan and Emmanuel managed to evade them, and they
went to the Kitty Police station, where they reported the matter, after which they went to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).
According to the neighbour, “it’s a sad thing to witness but I hate to see what happened, whenever people keep fighting each other instead of coming together, this is what happens. I’m not from here but it’s sad to see what happened.”
Kester and the male friend then allegedly dealt Profit several chops about his body with a cut-
lass. A fight began, and the men began chopping each other, during which they all received injuries to their bodies.
“I just saw people chasing these guys that chopped up a guy that lived here they came back for their clothes and when they came back that was the mistake that they made they threatened people here and that’s when they had to run [If you ask] who and what I really don’t know, it was crazy I had to watch from a distance,” the eye witness recalled.
Moments after the incident Jordan, Ezikiel, and Shyndel left and went to a private city hospital. However, Emmanuel was pronounced dead at the scene. His body was found lying motionless under a step of the one-story wooden structure facing west with the head to the north and feet to the south.
“When everything had quite down the police was
here, I went back and just saw one of the offenders from earlier dead underneath the bottom ground, nothing more I can really say about that, it’s just a sad thing about that,” the neighbour said.
Emmanuel’s body was examined, and multiple injuries were observed to his back, hands, and head. A silver blade knife without a handle with what appeared to be blood stains was found at the back of the yard some 20 feet from the body.
The body was escorted to the Memorial Garden funeral home, awaiting a post-mortem examination.
Meanwhile Kester and his girlfriend were then picked up by public-spirited citizens and taken to the GPHC, where they were treated and admitted as patients in the emergency unit.
Kester received multiple chop wounds to his leg, back, head, and hands, while Tiffany re-
ceived one chop wound to her left hand.
It is alleged that a grandparent of the cousins passed away about a month ago. Kester and his girlfriend lived in one of the two houses situated on the property while Emmanuel lived in Port Kaituma.
Sometime in July, Emmanuel arrived at North Sophia along with his friend (Shemar Jordan), and they began living in the empty house on the land.
Reports are that Jordan claimed that since he and Emmanuel started occupying the house, there have been constant problems between them and Kester.
Police said checks were made for suspects, but they were not located. GCCTV cameras were seen in the area and are currently being viewed by Police as investigations continue.
The investigation is in progress.
Emmanuel Rose
Ramsammy’s Ruminations
PRESIDENT IRFAAN ALI URGED NO CEILING ON DREAMS, THE OPPOSITION FALLS BACK TO OLD WAYS
Election 2025 is around the corner. Political parties are gearing up to start the election campaign in earnest. While President Irfaan Ali and the VP, the General Secretary of the PPP, are busy talking about development and plans to move Guyana and transform Guyana, the Opposition are still talking about bringing back failed policies and issuing threats. While the AFC are talking about failed policies they led in the APNU/AFC’s disastrous term between 2015 and 2020, the PNC have now decided that Afro-Guyanese need to develop a vision of what they want to be.
While President Ali and VP Bharrat Jagdeo are harnessing the people in every community to work as ONE GUYANA, to transform our country with no ceiling to our dreams, our dreams as Guyanese people, not looking to have one ethnic group favoured over another, the Opposition parties keep looking for ways to divide our country.
The PNC leader this week directly identified his party as a party committed to Afro-Guyanese. The AFC launched what they called a “reinvigoration” campaign in Linden, where they said they were coming to their people. The WPA went deep into its geriatric pool to find new leaders to head their campaign. They could not even find enough people to form an executive. In the meanwhile, the PPP have major support in every region, in every sub-region, and in every ethnic group in the country.
This week, as Amerindian leaders from more than 242 villages gather in Georgetown for the National Toshaos Conference, President Irfaan Ali announced that Amerindians would be entitled to 26.5% of the carbon credit revenues in 2024. Last year, Amerindians were guaranteed that they would receive a minimum of 15% of all carbon credit revenues. Because the 2023 revenue of US$150M was larger than the expected 2024 revenue of about $88M, President Ali announced that the actual amount received by Amerindian villages would not be less than they received in 2023. He therefore announced that, in order to ensure the 2024 actual amount surpasses the 2023 amount (US$22.5M), Amerindian communities would be allocated a total of 26.5% of total carbon credit revenue for 2024. Thus, the explicit policy has been established for Amerindians that the 2023 amount of US$22.5M is the floor.
The backdrop of this is that a few dozen Amerindian people received an empty bag, and another few received an umbrella from the AFC leader as he travelled to meet Amerindian citizens. The symbolism is stark for Guyanese to see. The Opposition have no vision, are clueless, and cannot visualize what a united country looks like. There is no need to look too deeply, the Opposition is desperate. They have therefore not hesitated to begin doing what they do best – spread fear and anxiety among people.
This week, leaders of the Alliance for Change (AFC) made remarks that, unless GECOM give in to their demands, the 2025 elections could lead to public unrest and violence. For those of us who have experienced election unrest in Guyana, we know that this is a direct threat coming from leaders who were engaged in election skullduggery in 2020. For five long months, the PNC-led APNU/AFC, in a conspiracy with GECOM staff, tried to rig the results of the March 2020 elections in plain sight. As Election 2025 approaches, those who were part of shameless election-theft efforts brazenly make their intentions clear. The old “slo’ fyah, mo’ fyah” campaign is being touted as their election strategy to counter the push of President Ali and GS Jagdeo to transform Guyana into a developed country.
The threats come at a time when a number of persons who are criminally charged for the failed attempts to thief the March 2020 elections are in the middle of their trials. These trials have been delayed for four years, and the defence lawyers are doing their utmost to create more delays. Presently, the trials are in another hiatus because the magistrate is now on sick leave.
In the March 2020 elections, after they failed to rig the elections’ results by brazenly changing the numbers, they made up the fake story that dead people voted in the elections, and these dead people, phantom votes, caused the PPP to win. They claimed that thousands of dead people voted in the elections, but they could not produce evidence for even a single dead person who voted. These are the same people who could not produce their copies of the statements of poll, even today.
While the PPP announced that another amount of more than $4B would be circulated in Indigenous People’s communities, the announcement also was made of the reinstitution of the electricity subsidy for pensioners. Every day in our country, the Government looks for ways of helping people, giving more services, etc. Every day in our country, the Opposition talks about taking away freedom, taking away entitlements.
While Amerindian leaders are meeting in Georgetown, and while they are preparing for Amerindian Heritage Month, they are reminded that while the PPP government continues to lift up their living standards, the Opposition stands ready to take away their gains. The more the Opposition talks about protest and street violence, the more they are reminded that these very people took away the jobs of more than 2,000 CSOs.
While the PPP keeps updating its strategy to transform and build worldclass infrastructure, the Opposition’s strategy is to fall back on old, failed, disastrous policies. Election 2025 presents Guyana with an opportunity to end division, to understand that our people can become prosperous by uniting under the banner of ONE GUYANA. While some talk about a vision for one ethnic group, President Ali speaks about a vision of ONE GUYANA, where every ethnic group shines.
Top school students can now take unlimited subjects at CSEC
The Education Ministry has mandated the top secondary schools in the country to remove any restrictions to the number of subjects students can write at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination.
This was announced by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand on Tuesday during the announcement of this year’s CSEC results.
“It’s not as though thousands of children write 20 subjects,” the edu-
cation minister explained, noting that this year, 255 candidates got eight or more Grade Ones and from that, only 33 attained 14 Grade Ones.
She explained that the intention is to allow children the opportunity to write as much subjects as they would want, wherever they are placed. “…they mustn’t have to fight up to get another school where the school is doing it. Stay in your school and shine right there. And the school must make accommoda-
tion for that,” Minister Manickchand said.
This mandate has been applied to the national schools as well as the List A schools.
In the past, certain schools in those categories had limited the number of subjects students can write.
The minister used the example of The Bishops High School, noting that many of that school’s students tried to get into Queens College, because of the limit to the number
of subjects they could have written at CSEC.
“You missed (QC) by one mark and then we tell you that you can only write 12 subjects but the QC children can write 30. How fair is that?” Manickchand expressed.
“Bishops, Saints, Roses, Josephs, the List A schools have all been mandated, not advised, mandated, to fix their timetable to allow the students who are eligible to write as many subjects as they want.”
Dr Leslie Ramsammy
PNC in talks with WPA ...
WPA’s Secretary, Tacuma Ogunseye, had noted that since the formation of APNU there have been an active sidelining of the smaller parties. That has caused the WPA to, on many occasions, air its grievances both internally and publicly.
He had said that throughout the life of the APNU, WPA, to its detriment, had done everything within its powers to ensure the survival and success of the APNU and by extension, the coalition. The accommodating positions it assumed on critical issues, which it would normally condemn, have exposed the party both internally, by party members and supporters and externally, by its detractors, to the worst kinds of criticisms imaginable.
The WPA had requested that the names of its two nominees for Parliament and the Region Four Regional Democratic Council seats be removed from
the APNU’s list. Instead of withdrawing, however, one of those names, Sarabo-Halley, had remained in Parliament, resigned from WPA in August 2020 and formed the GNB, going on to join the APNU coalition.
WPA’s grievances of being sidelined were similar to that of the AFC, which formally broke its coalition deal with APNU back in December 2022. The revised Cummingsburg Accord, a political agreement between the two parties, had provided for this separation. At the time, former AFC Leader Khemraj Ramjattan had indicated that the two parties would do their political work separately but work in parliament jointly.
During their time in office, the minority AFC had been criticised for the submissive role it played to the APNU. Decisions the former Government made, such as the closure of sugar estates, which put thousands of sugar
PAGE 11
workers out of jobs, were passed unchallenged and even supported by the AFC. This is despite the AFC retaining the Agriculture Ministry.
This passive relationship with APNU was cited by former AFC parliamentarian Charrandas Persaud, as one of the reasons he voted for the No-Confidence Motion that brought down the APNU/AFC Government in 2018.
As it stands now, PNC despite being the largest party in APNU, does not hold the chairmanship of the coalition. That is because in June, the parties within the APNU coalition – the Guyana Action Party (GAP), the National Democratic Front, Equal Rights and Justice Party, and the Guyana Nation Builders Movement –held a meeting and elected GAP’s Vincent Henry as the new Chairman of APNU, a move which the PNC had deemed “null and void” since they were not aware of the elections. (G3)
Regional
US sanctions Haiti’s ex-president
Martelly, citing drug trafficking
TheU.S. on Tuesday imposed sanctions on Haiti’s former president, Michel Joseph Martelly, over drug trafficking allegations, accusing him of playing a significant role in perpetuating the ongoing crisis in the country.
“Martelly abused his influence to facilitate drug trafficking and has sponsored multiple Haiti-based gangs,” State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a press statement.
Martelly, 63, served as president from 2011 to 2016, taking office after the devastating 2010 earthquake.
The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said Martelly “abused his influence to facilitate the trafficking of dangerous drugs, including cocaine, destined for the United States.”
The department said he also worked with Haitian drug traffick-
Ship
ers, sponsored multiple gangs and engaged in laundering of illicit drug proceeds.
“Today’s action against Martelly emphasizes the significant and destabilizing role he and other corrupt political elites have played in perpetuating the ongoing crisis in Haiti,” Treasury’s Acting Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Bradley Smith, said in the statement.
As part of Tuesday’s action, U.S. financial in-
in Argentina’s Parana River is quarantined on suspected mpox case – local media
Aship on Argentina’s Parana River near the grains hub of Rosario has been quarantined due to a suspected case of mpox, local media reported on Tuesday.
The ship is flying a Liberian flag, outlet Infobae reported, citing sources from Argentina’s naval league.
According to the outlet, the ship’s captain reported that a person on board with “symptoms compatible with the virus” required medical assistance.
Test results are pending, Infobae reported.
So far in Argentina, the nation’s health authority has confirmed eight cases of mpox. The disease, a viral infection that causes pus-filled lesions and flu-like symptoms, is usually mild but can kill. A new variant of mpox has spread rapidly in Africa, prompting the World Health Organization to declare mpox a global public health emergency. (Reuters)
stitutions are barred from making loans or providing credit to Martelly, among other restrictions.
Martelly is a legal U.S. resident who currently resides in Miami, the Miami Herald has reported.
Asked whether Martelly had left the U.S., a State Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on the immigration status of individuals.
Martelly’s lawyer also declined to comment on the case. (Excerpted from Reuters)
Panama starts returning migrants on US-funded flights
Panamaon Tuesday started repatriating undocumented migrants on flights financed by the United States.
The move comes less than two months after José Raúl Mulino was sworn in as Panama’s president.
Mr Mulino campaigned on a promise to “close” the Darién Gap, the dangerous stretch of jungle which more than half a million migrants crossed last year on their way north from South America.
The Biden administration said it had agreed to pay for the flights as part of its efforts to deter irregular migration.
A group of 29 Colombians with criminal records were the first to be returned on Tuesday.
Under an agreement jointly signed by the Panamanian foreign minister and US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas,
The Bahamas Parliament may have to deal with banks – Mitchell
Progressive
Liberal Party (PLP)
Chairman Fred Mitchell said yesterday legislative intervention may be needed as it relates to the fees and services of commercial banks in The Bahamas, doubling down on his call for greater regulation of the sector.
“... Service to the Bahamian public will not improve if the banks just don’t get it,” said Mitchell, who is also minister of foreign affairs and the member of Parliament for Fox Hill.
“They keep trying to force us to swallow digitalization when the internet doesn’t work here.
“The services are second rate at the banks, and they are charging you to keep your own money.
“If the Central Bank does not intervene more aggressively, as they have in Barbados, then perhaps the legislature will have to intervene.”
His comments came
the US has committed to helping Panama with $6m (£4.6m) for equipment, transportation and logistics to “remove foreign nationals who do not have a legal basis to remain in Panama”.
Immigration is a hot topic ahead of November’s presidential election in the US and the stream of migrants arriving at its border with Mexico is being closely monitored.
The agreement with Panama aims to drive down the number of people making it to the US border by stopping them further south.
The Darién Gap, an expanse of jungle which straddles Colombia and Panama, is a natural bottleneck for those heading from South to North America.
In 2023, an estimated 520,000 people made the perilous journey on foot, many of whom had to pay gangs who prey on those embarking on the crossing.
President Mulino, who has promised to reduce the number of migrants transiting through Panama, described their situation as “sad”. (Excerpted from BBC)
As results released, CXC reveals rise in cheating
Caribbean Examinations
after Gowon Bowe, chairman of the Clearing Banks Association, criticized his recent suggestion that the Central Bank of The Bahamas regulate commercial banking fees, calling it a “slippery slope” towards a communist state.
“When we get into this debate about mandating, regulating, or legislating the value of services for private enterprise, we are moving towards a communist state,” Bowe said.
“We are saying that the government is a free market enterprise, and we have to be very careful because that’s a very, very slippery slope.”
Mitchell labeled Bowe’s comments as unhelpful and inaccurate “hyperbole”.
“The only slippery slope I think it would lead to, in my opinion, is better service,” Mitchell said.
“Hyperbole is sometimes useful, but in my view, not in this instance. (The Nassau Guardian)
Council (CXC) director of operations Dr Nicole Manning revealed a notable rise in cheating in this year’s CSEC exam as the organisation launched the release of results, available to individual pupils online at CSEC and CAPE level.
The launch was held in Dominica on August 20, with the feature address delivered by CXC registrar and CEO Dr Wayne Wesley.
Manning said cases of cheating, which she referred to as “irregularities,” rose from 36 pupils caught last year to 54 cases this year.
“We are seeing a lot of cheating using the cellphone,” she said. “One candidate said he was googling the answer.”
Manning used the occasion to ask pupils not to cheat, but instead to uphold ethics and integrity.
“We will research why candidates would not have been prepared.”
She said some pupils tried to sneak unauthorised papers into the exam
room, others were caught checking their phones for information they had previously stored, and others tried to communicate with each other during exam sessions.
“It is speaking to a level of ill-preparedness for the exam,” she reiterated, saying this was also a common reason for pupils not turning up to sit the exam.
Across the region, the CAPE results included 100 per cent of pupils passing French Unit Two, 97 per cent passing both physics Units One and Two, and 96 per cent passing information technology Unit Two. However, Wesley lamented the low pass rate in CSEC maths, saying it must be addressed.
Newsday was unable to ascertain how closely exam results in Trinidad and Tobago mirrored those in the region. Results seemed to be trickling out to individual pupils, some who forwarded them to their schools/teachers, but the latter had not formally received the full overall results. (T&T Newsday)
A drone view shows ships used to carry grains for export on the Parana River in Rosario, Argentina August 9, 2024. (REUTERS/Matias Baglietto/File Photo)
Haiti’s ex-president Michel Joseph Martelly
Around the World
OIL NEWS
Oil settles down 1% as Middle East tensions ease, China data weak
Oil prices fell about 1% to a two-week low on Tuesday as Middle East supply concerns eased after Israel accepted a proposal to tackle disagreements blocking a ceasefire deal in Gaza, and as economic weakness in China weighed on fuel demand.
Brent futures for October delivery fell 46 cents, or 0.6%, to settle at $77.20 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for September delivery fell 33 cents, or 0.4%, to settle at $74.04 on its last day as the front-month.
The more actively traded WTI futures for October , which will soon become the front-month, lost about 49 cents to $73.17 per barrel.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Egypt and pushed for progress toward a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. Major differences still need to resolved in talks this week.
“There was probably around $4 to $8 of geopolitical premium baked into the price of crude oil before negotiations began on Thursday,” Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho, said in a note. Israel retrieved the bodies of six hostages from the Gaza Strip as negotiations continued in an effort to bring back more than 100 captives remaining in the besieged Palestinian enclave.
“Despite ongoing ceasefire negotiations, clashes between Israel and Hamas continue, and the markets will remain highly sensitive to any developments in the region,” said Rystad Energy’s senior analyst Svetlana Tretyakova.
“If the market fundamentals don’t break this bearish trend soon, OPEC+ may be hesitant to unwind their voluntary cuts anytime soon.”
OPEC+, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies like Russia, has said global oil demand growth must accelerate in coming months or the market will struggle to absorb the group’s planned increase in supply from October.
OPEC member Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, said crude exports fell to 6.047 million barrels per day (bpd) in June from 6.118 million bpd in May. (Reuters)
Israeli military retrieves bodies of six hostages held in Gaza
Israelretrieved the bodies of six hostages from the Khan Younis area in southern Gaza overnight, according to statements from the military and the prime minister’s office on Tuesday.
The families of Yagev Buchshtab, Alexander Dancyg, Avraham Munder, Yoram Metzger, Nadav Popplewell, and Chaim Perry have been informed, the statements added.
The Hostages Families Forum, an organisation that represents most hostage families, welcomed the news but renewed its call on the government to conclude a hostage release deal with the Gaza-based Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“The immediate return of the remaining 109 hostages can only be achieved through a negotiated deal. The Israeli government, with the assistance of mediators, must do everything in its power to finalise the deal currently on the table,” it said.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in the
Middle East this week trying to secure a ceasefire and hostage return agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The current war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas gunmen stormed into Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and abducting about 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s military has since levelled swathes of the Palestinian enclave, driving nearly all of its 2.3 million people from their homes, giving rise to deadly hunger and disease and killing at least 40,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. (Reuters)
Kenya serial killer suspect escapes from custody
AKenyan man who police claim has confessed to murdering and dismembering 42 women has escaped from a Nairobi police cell, along with a dozen other detainees, police said Tuesday.
Collins Jumaisi, 33, described by police as a “vampire, a psychopath”, was arrested last month after the horrif-
ic discovery of mutilated bodies in a garbage dump in a slum in the Kenyan capital.
“They escaped last night, 13 in total, including the key suspect in the dump murder case,” Kenya police spokeswoman Resila Onyango told AFP.
She said the other 12 detainees who had also escaped from the
France to donate 100,000 mpox vaccines as it readies centres at home
France will donate 100,000 mpox vaccine doses to countries suffering from the emergency, as it readies vaccination centres at home, Prime Minister Gabriel Attal said Tuesday.
Attal said France would donate the vaccines through the European Union.
The World Health Organisation has declared the surge of mpox cases in Africa to be an international health emergency and the United States has said it will donate 50,000 mpox vaccine doses to Democratic Republic of Congo.
The UN health agency has called for a major
increase in vaccine production and said that a vaccination campaign must be a key priority for affected countries.
Last week, the health agency of the African Union said some 200,000 vaccines would be deployed across Africa, thanks to agreements with the EU and Danish drug
company Bavarian Nordic, whose vaccine was approved in 2019.
Some 232 vaccination sites are in place in case of an eventual outbreak in France, Attal posted on the X social media platform.
“We aim to be ready to face all scenarios and all risks,” he said. (AFP)
police station were all Eritreans.
Jumaisi had appeared in a court in Nairobi on Friday, where the magistrate ordered him to be held for a further 30 days to enable police to complete their investigations.
Ten butchered female bodies trussed up in plastic bags were found in the dumpsite in an abandoned quarry in the Nairobi slum of Mukuru, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said last month.
Jumaisi was detained in the early hours of July 15 near a bar where he had been watching the Euro 2024 football final.
The head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Mohamed Amin, said after his arrest that Jumaisi had confessed to murdering 42 women over a two-year period from 2022, and that his wife had been his first victim.
“We are dealing with a vampire, a psychopath,” Amin said at the time.
The dumped bodies threw a fresh spotlight on Kenya’s police force as they were found just 100 metres (yards) from a police station.
The state-funded KNCHR said in July it was carrying out its own investigations into the Mukuru case because “there is a need to rule out any possibility of extrajudicial killings”.
Kenya’s police watchdog, the Independent Police Oversight Authority, had also said it was looking into whether there was any police involvement or a “failure to act to prevent” the killings.
Kenyan police are often accused by rights groups of carrying out unlawful killings or running hit squads, but few have faced justice. (AFP)
A combination picture shows undated handout images of Israeli hostages Alex Dancyg, Yoram Metzger, Yagev Buchshtab, Chaim Peri and Abraham Munder and hostage Nadav Popplewell, who were kidnapped in the deadly October 7 attack by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas
DAILY HOROSCOPES
Make covert changes to avoid interference. Keeping your life simple and free from overdramatic people will help you get what you want. Don’t let certain changes cause you to make a premature move.
Listen to your intuition and verify your feelings. Be polite, but ask direct questions. You cannot afford to let anyone take advantage of or mislead you. Don’t spend money in an attempt to win acceptance.
Change may be in the stars, but you’ll have more than one choice. Ask for expert advice, but make a move only if it’s worthwhile. With opportunities heading your way, you have more time than you realize.
Someone authoritative will take note if you let your imagination take the reins. The more creative you are, the easier it will be to gain access to people, information and prospects. Do things your way.
Don’t buy into something you know little about. Rather than following the crowd, rely on common sense. Look at the big picture and avoid risky ventures. Choose to let the dust settle.
Focus on your mental, physical and emotional well-being. Release energy by engaging in activities or projects that bring you peace and encourage gratitude. Maintain a positive outlook.
Enjoy your surroundings by taking a walk in your neighborhood. Expose yourself to something that prompts you to learn something new or make a change. Reach out to people who share your enthusiasm.
You may not relish change, but you must make it. Trying something new will boost your curiosity and encourage you to take your skills to a new level. Unleash your talents and embark on new beginnings.
Take the time to listen before you reveal your thoughts. Knowing what others want or need will help you communicate effectively. Arguing is a waste of time; incentives will help you get your way.
A lifestyle change geared toward health will be uplifting. Nothing worth doing is easy, but the hard work you put in will lead to exciting connections, pastimes and rewards.
An opportunity to make your space functional will result in a new approach to chores. Combine something you love to do with someone you enjoy being around. Follow your heart.
Stick to the facts, or someone will question your validity. Gaining support will require proof and trust. Being disciplined and having a good work ethic will ensure you attract support.
CALVIN AND HOBBES
Women’s cricket in focus as WCPL gets going today
The Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, Trinidad and Tobago, will host the grand bowloff of the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) today, as the tournament embarks on its first stand-alone edition in its three-year existence.
The opening game is a rematch of last year’s final, with the reigning champions Barbados Royals taking on the runners-up Guyana Amazon Warriors at 19:00hrs.
During the tournament’s official launch at the Hilton Hotel in Trinidad on Monday, Assistant Vice-President of Marketing and Communications at Massy, Candace Ali, expressed high expectations for this year’s tournament.
“It’s really, really special to us. Massy is majority female organization, especially Massy Stores, which I represent. Across
the region, we’re 70-80 percent female. So, opportunities afforded to women (are) really important to us.
“I just want to say we’re really proud of you, we’re looking forward to some excellent cricket, we want to see some great coverage from the media and some fantastic cricket played,” Ali shared.
During the launch, several players expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase the women’s game in the
Caribbean. One such player was the GAW’s Shakera Selman, who also thanked those involved for investing in the women’s game.
Selman stated, “First of all, I want to say thank you to CPL and Cricket West Indies for ensuring that we finally have a women’s franchise tournament in the Caribbean. For many years, the females have been asking for this tournament, and watching the men’s tournament, we felt that we
Farm Supplies Road Race on the horizon
All systems are in place for the Farm supplies Limitedsponsored Road Race, set for 7:00hrs on Sunday, August 25, 2024.
Cyclists will “roll start” from the Farm Supplies Ltd premises at Rome, McDoom, proceed on to the Rome Access Road at McDoom, and turn left onto the McDoom Public Road for the roll start. This race continues to Timehri, where the
The Farm Supplies Road Race will engulf the East Bank Demerara corridor on Sunday
Junior category will turn back at the Soesdyke Junction and the seniors and other categories will continue and turn at the “Roundabout’ adjacent to
the Cheddi Jagan international Airport and proceed back to Georgetown. On the downward journey, using the connecting road at Plantation Dimond (ad-
had a lot of talent to display as well.
“It was just mentioned, Karishma [Ramharack] and Anisa [Mohamed] pointed that out, we’re very happy that CPL decided to invest in the Women’s game in the Caribbean. Of
course, we all know and we have seen what franchise tournament around the globe have done for women’s cricket in particular countries. When you look at Australia, England and India, you see the impact it has had on their improvement in
the women’s game, and we hope that it can do the same thing here in the Caribbean as well.”
The Massy Women’s CPL will conclude next Thursday, with the final scheduled for 15:00hrs at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. (G6)
"Bunnny" Shaw, Foden, Palmer win top prizes at PFA Awards
Phil Foden and Cole Palmer won the top men's prizes, while Reggae Girlz and Manchester City striker Khadija "Bunny" Shaw won the top women's prize at the PFA Awards for the 2023-24 season on Tuesday.
Foden took home the Players' Player of the Year Award for the first time, while Palmer was named the Young Player of the Year.
The women's Players' Player of the Year honour went to Shaw, with the Young Player of the Year award being copped by Grace Clinton.
Two-time Young Player winner Foden had already been announced as the Premier League Player of the Season and the FWA Footballer of the Year. Following the midweek ceremony, he has now also been recognised by his fellow professionals after starring in Manchester City's fourth straight title triumph.
Ex-City player Palmer had likewise been nominated for the top award after an outstanding first season at Chelsea, in which he netted 22 league goals. However, Palmer was not included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year. Foden made the cut alongside City teammate Erling Haaland and Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins in attack.
There were four City players included, with Kyle Walker and Rodri selected, but the champions were outnumbered by Arsenal's five representatives. David Raya, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard earned recognition, with Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk completing the XI. The PFA WSL Team of the Year included both Players' Player of the Year Shaw and Young Player of the Year Clinton. Shaw was one of six City stars in the XI, despite her side being pipped to the title by Chelsea, who could count only three players in the team. (Sportsmax)
Three referees appointed...
jacent to DSL cash and carry store), the race makes a right, then a left at the roundabout onto the Heroes Highway, and continues to Georgetown.
At the penultimate roundabout to Georgetown (at the jaguar), the Race makes a left turn for the finish along that stretch of road.
It is important to note that this event has been set to commence at 7:00hrs, owing to the anticipated traffic due to the “Jamzone’ activity scheduled for the same day.
None of this would be possible for me without my mentors... These people have helped craft me and shaped me in such a way that I am ready to take on any obstacles ahead.” He emphasized, “What I have to say to the others home, it's not impossible. So, I invite you to have a clear mind and be ready, have a good work ethic, and it's always possible to achieve any goal.”
At just 19 years old, Safiya Goulding represents the future of refereeing in Guyana. Despite her young age,
she has already begun to make her mark by officiating in the Elite League. Her selection for the CFU Challenge Series is a clear indication of her potential and the effectiveness of the GFF’s training programs. “For me, being at this tournament, it's a very big deal... What motivates me is seeing other referees develop. And I always tell myself that, hey, I want to meet this level. So, I have to work towards meeting this level.” She advised her colleagues back home, “Just to stay focused, stay motivated... Just keep work-
ing towards what you want, and you will see the opportunities that they have out here for you.”
The GFF is committed to continuing its investment in the development of referees across Guyana, ensuring that they are not only prepared to officiate at regional events like the CFU Challenge Series, but also ready to take on international assignments. The Federation’s goal is to produce worldclass officials who can represent Guyana with pride and professionalism on the global stage.
Jamaica’s Khadija "Bunny" Shaw
GAW’s Shakera Selman speaking during the WCPL launch earlier this week
President Ali, Lennox Cush to lead teams in Cricket for Charity match
…Former England International to feature
Some former international players, ministers of the government, entertainers and athletes will join in the noble cause of raising funds for charitable organisations in Guyana when they compete in the exciting Cricket For Charity match at the finals of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast, on August 24 at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD).
The teams - Team Kanuku and Team Roraima - would again be led by President Dr Irfaan Ali and former national cricketer Lennox Cush.
President Ali’s team is expected to feature Ministers Charles Ramson Jr and Vickram Bharrat, as well as Devendra Bishoo, Ryan Ramdass, Caleb Bastain, Police Commissioner
Clifton Hicken, Steven Jacobs, Leon Johnson, WR Reaz and Navin Prashad, among others.
The side led by Lennox Cush is expected to feature such persons as Ramnaresh Sarwan, young Shahid Ramzan, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Clairmonte Christopher Lewis; Chief of Defence, Omar Khan; Rawle Ferguson, Jeremey Garrett, Minister Susan Rodrigues, and Robbie Rambarran, among others. Clairmonte Christopher Lewis was born in Guyana, but played for England between 1990 and 1998. A lanky bowling all-rounder, Lewis will be captained by Lennox Cush in the match.
Now 56, Lewis has played 32 Tests and 53 One-Day Internationals, and brings a wealth of experience to the Lennox Cush side.
President’s
The Cricket for Charity match in 2023 raised well over G$17M for charitable organisations in Guyana. It would contribute substantially to an action-packed day, with the first semi-final set to be contested between Montra Jaguars and Mahdia (Movements Family) from 15:00h, followed by Titans All-Stars
Cup race
meet set for September 22
Horse racing rivalry will be renewed on Sunday September 22 at the Rising Sun Turf Club when the One Guyana President’s Cup is run off.
After an exhilarating 16th running of the Guyana Cup, horsemen will be gearing up for another big clash, while fans will be hoping to see their favourite horse come out on top. Guyana will be an action-packed venue in September with Cricket Carnival on the horizon.
The 16th running of the Guyana Cup was hailed a great success, with more than 8000 fans in attendance and 10 top-quality races to treat the fans to a spectacle.
Organizer of the Guyana Cup, Nasrudeen Mohamed Jr., is focused on improving the sport.
“We have a plan, and it is to elevate the sport and take it to the level it needs to be - that is, the Sport of Kings,” he declared. “We are working along with the authorities. This year we should get the legislation,
John Bull on the outside (green, red and white) took down Easy Time in last year’s President’s Cup
and we are looking forward to that; and the sport will get even better,” Mohamed said in a recent interview.
Olympic Kremlin, the Guyana Cup champion, will be out to dominate, while John Bull, a horse owned by Slingerz Racing Stables, will be out to defend the President’s Cup title.
Former Guyana Cup Champion Easy Time, who rode third at this year’s Guyana Cup, Nova Sol, and Oy Vey will he hoping to go one step further. Spankhurst, who had a long
layoff due to injury, could return to racing, which would make this year’s President’s Cup competition a supreme event.
The usual top jockeys had an ordinary outing at the Guyana Cup, as veteran Yap Drepaul returned to winning ways and took the champion jockey title with two wins in three races at Rising Sun. The likes of Colin Ross, Ronaldeo Appadu and Nicholas Patrick will be hoping to fare better at the upcoming President’s Cup meeting.
against Diamond Gunners from 17:00h.
The charity match is from 19:00h, and the final is from 20:30h.
Each of the losing semi-finalists will take home $250,000, compliments of Premier Insurance.
Second-place winner would collect $500,000 from SuperBet Guyana, and the winner pockets $1.5M from Star Rentals. There will be rewards for the following players: Player with the most runs; Most Wickets, and Player of the Final. Each winner would receive a Smart TV and $75,000 cash, compliments of Regal
Stationery and Computer Centre. Assuria Insurance will present a motorbike, and $85,000 will go to the Most Valuable Player.
Additionally, $100,000 will be split equally between the Kawasaki Super Striker of the tournament (player with the highest strike rate — minimum of 12 balls) and the Most Economical bowler (lowest economy rate — minimum of 24 balls).
Admission to the venue is free.
The Kares One Guyana T10 Blast also enjoys the support of Kares Engineering, Banks DIH Limited, Montra
Restaurant and Lounge, Demerara Mutual, ETS, Metro Office and Computer Supplies, Jacobs’ Jewellery, Digital Technology, First Change Builders Inc, KFC Guyana, Hoosein’s Security Services, NEW GPC Inc., Building Expo 2024, Giftland OfficeMax, Sankar’s Auto Works, ENet, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal Inc., Trophy Stall, ANSA McAL Distribution, Camille’s Academy, R. Kissoon Contracting Service, Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, RS53 RestoBar and Lounge, Samaroo Investments, and Coel’s Boutique.
Three referees appointed for CFU Challenge series
…GFF
sees positive returns for investment in referees
Three referees attached to the Guyana Football Federation (GFF): Kenisha Prescott, Brandon Cyrus, and Safiya Goulding, are officiating at the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Boys Under-14 Challenge Series being held in Trinidad and Tobago from August 16-24.
This milestone is a testament to the GFF's rigorous training programmes which are designed to produce referees of the highest calibre, ready to excel on regional and international stages.
Following their recent intensive training and fitness sessions, these officials have shown exceptional promise, earning the opportunity to gain valuable regional experience at this significant tournament.
The Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Challenge Series is a highly competitive tournament which usually takes place biennially, and is a key developmental platform that showcases young talent from across the Caribbean. Kenisha Prescott, who recently returned from officiating at the CONCACAF Girls Under-15 Championship in Costa Rica, is one of the referees whose hard work and
dedication have been recognized by this selection. Prescott credits the GFF’s training programmes for helping her elevate her game to new heights. “I am grateful for the opportunity to be here to showcase my talent, which will help me to elevate to the next level,” Prescott shared, and added, “I set realistic short-term goals and try to achieve them. So, I would try in each tournament, I would try to reach the semifinals or finals. And once I achieve that goal, it would aid me in achieving my larger goal,
which is to attend a Gold Cup, a World Cup.” Brandon Cyrus, who has been officiating for approximately seven years, is another referee who has greatly benefitted from the GFF’s structured development programmes. Acknowledging the importance of mentorship and guidance provided by the GFF, Cyrus said, “Firstly, I need to acknowledge the fact that the opportunity of even being here is a very special thing to me…
The three Guyanese referees officiating at the CFU U14 Challenge series
Clairmonte
Christopher Lewis
New El Dorado blend marks DDL’s 12-year partnership with CPL
Marking its 12th year as the spirit of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), the Demerara Distillers Limited on Monday evening took the opportunity to launch their El Dorado Master Blender 2024 Special Edition Rum, which has become a customary practice prior to the commencement of the Biggest Party in Sport annually.
The Marriott Hotel was transformed into a buzz of activity when this event was held.
Aged for 12 years, the new El Dorado blend features historical marques from the Port Mourant Double Wooden Pot Still, Versailles Single Wooden Pot Still, the Uitvlugt French Savalle Still, and the Diamond Coffey Still. According to the company, the El Dorado Master Blender Special Edition Rum embodies the essence of DDL’s 12-year partnership with CPL — a journey marked by passion, commitment, camaraderie, and countless unforgettable moments. Just as CPL brings the Caribbean
and the world together through cricket, this rum unites rich flavours to deliver an experience that’s meant to be savoured with every sip.
Sharing remarks during the unveiling on Monday, DDL’s Chairman Komal Samaroo spoke of the relationship between rum and cricket, indicating why DDL seized the opportunity to partner with the CPL.
“Now rum is part of the history of this country as sugar was, and cricket was a game that was promoted by the sugar industry. On the sugar estates, there (were) cricket fields, and the industry
promoted and built cricket in Guyana. So, rum and cricket are related through the sugar industry,” Samaroo elucidated. He went on to add, “And so, when the CPL started here in the Region 12 years ago, we thought that this is a good time to link our Rum brand to the game of cricket, because we have produced so many great players who have made their name on the global cricket stage. So,
Guyana is famous for two things on the global stage: great rums and great cricketers.”
Master Blender at DDL, Sharon Sue-HangBaksh, was on hand to take the audience through the notes of the new Rum blend.
“The three main notes [of smell] that we’re looking for is the honey roasted nuts, the caramelised carambola or dried fruit, and the banana. So, the three key notes on the taste (are) the aniseed, the clove and the molasses. So, that’s your 2024 CPL Rum blend,” Sue-Hang-Baksh related during a taste test.
In a statement, CPL CEO Pete Russell shared, “Demerara Distillers Limited has been a fantastic partner for the CPL
since the tournament’s inception in 2013, and we are delighted to still have them supporting us and Caribbean cricket as we enter our 12th tournament.
“The CPL is the Biggest Party in Sport, and the responsible enjoyment of El Dorado has done much to make the tournament what it is today. We would like to thank them for once again joining us in bringing the Caribbean vibes to the world, and look forward to our partnership continuing for many years to come.”
The El Dorado Master Blender 2024 Special Edition Rum will be available for purchase in local retail and duty-free stores. (G6)
DDL Chairman Komal Samaroo
Several members of the Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) team were present at the unveiling
DDL Master Blender Sharon Sue-Hang-Baksh (far right) taking a few volunteers through a tasting exercise
