‘Let peace, good order characterise these elections’
- President Ali says in appeal to party leaders, candidates, all Guyanese
WITH voters set to head to the polls today, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has issued a national appeal, urging all citizens, especially political leaders and candidates, to uphold peace and maintain order as the electoral process unfolds.
In an early Sunday broadcast message, the Head of State said the conduct of the 2025 polls should set the tone for a spirit of collaboration and dedication to national development.
He said: “I urge every Guyanese, wherever you reside, whomever you support, whatever your station in life, to go forth on Monday and cast your ballot. Do so with confidence, do so with dignity and do so in a manner befitting a proud and free people.
“Vote with assurance that your choice is yours alone, and that
the right of your neighbour to make his or her choice is to be respected as zealously as your own.”
Speaking candidly to his fellow party leaders, President Ali reminded them of their responsibility to set an example and letting good sense prevail, respecting the country’s laws and democratic
process.
He said: “Let us temper our passion and allow good sense and decency to guide our actions. The eyes of the world are upon us, but more importantly, the hopes of our children are vested in us. Let us not disappoint them.”
He added: “Let us give them the example of a people who can
disagree without discord, who can contest without contempt, and who can choose without chaos. I urge that through our actions, we ensure that these elections are peaceful and orderly, that our democracy once more prevails with honour and that our motherland emerge stronger and more united.”
The President remined that the right to vote is a powerful and solemn tool through which citizens shape the direction of the nation and choose the leaders who will guide its future over the next five years.
This democratic right, he stressed, was not freely given, it was won through the hard-fought struggles of those who fought for independence, championed freedom, and resisted efforts to silence voices of the people.
President Ali stated that these elections should establish the foundation for what comes next, a spirit of cooperation, a readiness to find common ground, a focus on national progress, and a renewed dedication to unity among the people.
He stressed that the polls are not the final goal, but rather the starting point for joint
efforts to fulfil Guyana’s potential.
“When the ballots are counted and the results declared, let us not allow bitterness, enmity or disappointment to stay in the process,” President Ali said, adding: “Let us not allow divisiveness, hatred or suspicion to corrode the bonds of eternity that binds us as one nation. Instead, let peace and good order characterise these elections as they must characterise the life of our Republic.”
Just as dawn breaks this morning, Guyanese across the country will begin casting their ballots. Both the local security forces and the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) have reported their readiness for hosting a smooth ballot day. Polls will be opened from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
GECOM rejects Credible Sources’ ‘deliberate
mischief’ about Hibiscus Drive polling station
- clarifies shift from initial location to CARICOM General Insurance
THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has denounced a false Facebook post by Credible Sources alleging that the GECOM staff assigned to a polling station at Hibiscus Drive, Peters Hall, East Bank Demerara were chased out by the proprietor of the private residence, which was supposed to be used as a polling station today.
Credible Sources is the personal vlog of APNU's Sherod Duncan.
According to a press release, these speculations are blatantly false and does not, in anyway, reflect the accurate account of the reasons for the movement of the polling station.
"In this regard, GECOM finds it necessary to debunk the deliberate mischief emanating from
Credible Sources, especially on the eve of the General and Regional Elections.
"For the sake of clarity, it must be noted that GECOM was contacted by the owner of the private residence earlier today indicating that he was no longer interested in his property being used as a polling station," GECOM said.
Against this backdrop,
GECOM’s logistics team immediately sought and finalised an alternative arrangement.
As such, the persons initially listed to vote at that place will now vote at the Caricom General Insurance Company which is located a short distance away from the original location. Electors who were listed to vote at the Hibiscus Drive location are asked
to take no of the new venue of their polling station.
"GECOM takes this opportunity to once again call on all stakeholders to be responsible in their reporting and verify information before publishing especially at such critical juncture; few hours
before the conduct of General and Regional Election. These type of misinformation and disinformation are disruptive and can cause unnecessary panic and confusion in an already heightened political environment," GECOM said.
President, Dr. Irfaan Ali
Guyanese express enthusiasm, excitement to cast their votes today - anticipate smooth process
By Michel Outridge
ELECTION Day is upon us and Guyanese have expressed their excitement and enthusiasm to exercise their franchise at the polls today.
It is also a nation -
al holiday; therefore, many persons are expected to just cast their votes and head back or go about their daily routines.
These elections, like others gone by,
will have some firsttime voters.
The Guyana Chronicle was out and about yesterday and asked members of the public what they expect on E-Day and the voting process.
Here is what they had to say:
Towanna Nurse said:
“We have to go out and vote. I will be voting too and I am of the hope the process is smooth.”
Adira Charles said E-Day will be a new experience for him as a first-time voter and although he is not familiar with the process, he expects it to be straightforward.
Vickram Lackiram said “I have to go to the East Bank corridor to vote, I expect the voting process to be smooth.”
“As a first-time voter, this Elections, I want it to be free, fair and without incidents,” Jay Sydney said.
Fazeela Mohan is of the view that the voting process, like times gone by, will be normal, and she will be voting.
Towanna Nurse Adira Charles
Vickram Lackiram
Fazeela Mohan
Jay Sydney
GECOM ‘fully prepared’ to conduct elections
- CEO Persaud affirms; says results could be known by September 3 - over 27,000 first-time voters registered to vote
By Shamar Meusa
THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has affirmed that everything is in place and the commission is fully ready for the conduct of the General and Regional Elections across the country today.
This was according to Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Vishnu Persaud during a press conference, on Sunday.
A total of 757,690 registered voters across the country are expected to cast their ballots at some 2,690 polling stations in the various electoral districts.
“We, at this time, are fully prepared to conduct the general and regional elections,” Persaud told members of the press.
He said that this position is bolstered by feedback that GECOM received from the Returning Officers on Sunday that everything was in place for the conduct of the election.
Against this backdrop, Persaud said that the packing of ballot boxes was done in the presence of accredited political party agents from all contesting parties.
This process was done in accordance with the statute and procedures, involving the political stakeholders and
reflecting the spirit of co-operation, he said, noting that the distribution of materials had been well underway for some days.
“Trucks have left the GECOM compound over the past few days, ballot boxes, ballots and other supplies have been prepositioned across the country to be distributed within adequate time for the opening of the polls at 6 am,” he said.
Materials, the CEO said, had already been transported by river and air to ensure that places in the riverine and hinterland communities are also fully equipped for the timely opening of polls.
Continuing on election readiness, he stated that a total of 13,925 polling day staff were trained, while 11,780 staff were employed.
In this regard, Persaud disclosed that all Presiding Officers and other officers are in place for polling stations across the country.
With this, he sought to dispel rumors in the public domain, adding that GECOM
has not been in communication with the Guyana Defence Force pertaining to providing assistance in that regard.
Persaud added that the Guyana Police Force will deploy approximately 8,700 officers to maintain order during the electoral process. Added to this, election observation will be conducted by approximately 500 local observers and 200 international observers, thus contributing to transparency and credibility. Meanwhile, moving to the timeline for a declaration of the official results by the elections
commission, Persaud said that his earlier comment in July did not consider other factors.
As such, he disclosed that, given various factors, they should be able to have declarations made in the districts by the evening of September 3, 2025, providing that there are no requests for a recount.
With this, he said that following the declarations in these districts, he should receive the same by the morning of September 4, and this will then be submitted to the commission for a declaration.
Persaud confirmed that
contingency plans are in place, catering for the instances of power outages and internet access for scanning and uploading of the Statements of Poll to be done and shared via GECOM’s website.
Persaud, during Nomination Day in July, had said that the declaration of results could be made as early as the end of the following day after the close of polls.
Meanwhile, GECOM Public Relations Officer, Yolanda Ward, in providing statistics ahead of the polls, stated that there are some 27,879 eligible
first-time voters.
This number, she said, accounts for first-time voters 18 years and older and persons older than 18 who have registered and are now eligible electors.
Ward went on to add that this figure caters for the recent cycle of extractions that took place in July of this year.
Meanwhile, Persaud called on the various political parties to appeal to their supporters not to thwart the successful conduct of the election across the country.
Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud (Delano Williams photo)
From left: Public Relations Officer of GECOM, Yolanda Ward; Chief Elections Officer, Vishnu Persaud; Deputy Chief Elections Officer, Aneal Giddings; and Civic and Voter Education Manager, Nardeo Persaud at Sunday’s press conference
Peace And Order
AS Guyanese head to the polls today, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali's heartfelt call for peace and order means much more than typical political talk. It highlights the urgent need for a nation eager to move beyond its troubled electoral history.
His thoughtful message urges citizens to "disagree without discord" and "choose without chaos." This comes at a crucial time when Guyana's democratic growth faces its biggest challenge in the oil era.
The President's focus on peace is not just wishful thinking; it comes from hard lessons learned from the past.
Guyana's electoral history is marred by violence and disputed results. The deadly riots of 1964, and the 2020 electoral crisis which lasted five months amid claims of rigging and widespread unrest are just two examples.
President Ali's message directly addresses this harmful trend. His reminder that "the eyes of the world are
upon us, but more importantly, the hopes of our children are vested in us" gets to the core of what this election truly means.
With a lot at stake and international observers from the EU, Carter Center, Commonwealth, and CARICOM closely watching, this election will show whether Guyana can prove that it is a mature society.
The President's urging for political leaders to "temper our passion and allow good
Self-imposed midnight defeat
I WOULD like to think around midnight (Tuesday morning), the contesting parties and the international observers would know the results of the 2025 general and regional elections. The public would know later Tuesday.
My prediction is that the main opposition party, the PNC or PNC-R or APNU will lose many seats. Of those losses, the majority gains will be to the PPP. Crazily, incredibly and horribly, I think WIN may pick up two or three seats at the expense of the PNC.
Over the past two years on this page, I have offered several reasons spread over dozens of columns why the PNC will lose the 2025 contest. Today, I will offer a holistic picture of why at midnight on January 2, the PNC will not win state power.
A caveat is in order. Because of the ground to cover in this analysis, I will have to be extremely brief because of space constraint. Firstly, I begin with the 2020 election results because I think the
PNC’s and AFC’s downward slide began in that year.
It was a five-month, terrifying nightmare. The psychic damage done to the Guyanese people would not have been extensive if the conspiracy was a two-day affair or even lasted for a week. But five months shattered the national psyche. The best strategy for the PNC and AFC after 2020 was to forget about the disaster, don’t ever mention it and concentrate as early as 2021 on the 2025 poll.
But the PNC and AFC did not do that and did not see that continuation of claims that the PPP was installed would alienate voters from them. Quickly, three examples showed where the seeds of the midnight defeat tomorrow (Tuesday) were sown.
One- present PNC candidate, Ubraj Narine knows everything about what is wrong in Guyana and the government. But when you ask him about the attempted rigging in 2020, he barefacedly says he knows nothing about that.
Two- PNC campaigner, Henry Jeffrey continues to say that the PPP thoroughly rigged the 2020 election.
Three - Nigel Hughes said on attaining the leader position of the AFC that he does not know about election rigging in 2020.
Secondly, the style of Aubrey Norton’s leadership severely damaged the image, credibility and biology of the PNC. The three previous PNC leaders – Burnham, Hoyte and Corbin – were strong believers in consensus building strategies particular in relation to class and race.
Norton tragically frowned on those priceless strategies and dismissed the importance of seeking alliance with PNC stalwarts from the former APNU government between 2015 and 2020. Norton showed no interest in building an alliance with any section of Guyanese society because he was too autocratic and egoistic.
What happened then was important figures began to leave, with the highest
sense and decency to guide our actions" is especially relevant given experts' warnings about the "high risk of unrest" after the results are announced.
What makes President Ali's message powerful is its recognition that peace cannot be forced from above but must be embraced by the people.
His statement that "peace will prevail not because it is enforced but because it is embraced" acknowledg -
es that genuine democratic stability calls for more than security forces; it needs a shared commitment to accept election results with dignity.
President Ali's plea for a peace and order, regardless of the outcome, offers Guyana a chance to achieve a level of political maturity that this nation has long sought.
As voters head to the polls Monday morning, they carry the burden of their history and the hope for a
brighter future.
The President's vision of Guyanese who can "contest without contempt" is not merely political idealism; it forms the foundation upon which lasting democracy must be established. Whether this heartfelt call resonates with citizens and political leaders will shape not only the next government but also the future of Guyana's democratic journey.
profile being Forbes Burnham’s son-in-law, Van-West Charles.
Thirdly, when Norton inherited the PNC leader position, there were prominent Indian faces that simply had to be elevated and treated with respect. But Norton got influenced by Afro-racial themes of people like David Hinds, Nigel Hughes, Rickford Burke, Tacuma Ogunseye and Mark Benschop.
The result was a huge exodus of Indians. Ubraj Narine who is a PNC candidate admitted on the Freddie Kissoon Show that he opened talks with Azruddin Mohamed, but only backed down because he was afraid of the implications of the US sanctions.
Fourthly, The PNC threw away a huge political goldmine by first, using the Adrianna Younge tragedy in racial ways. The nation
showed sympathy for the family of the child and this was across race and class.
But the PNC with Amanza Walton-Desir in front, made the thing into a political circus in which the President was demonised. A huge section of society rejected this political opportunism.
Added to this was the demagoguery of Norton, Hughes, Hinds and Terrence Campbell in their attitude to the widespread violence that occurred on April 28 after the findings of the Younge post-mortem.
Hinds endorsed the violent youths. Hughes, Campbell, and Norton referred to the mobs as PPP agent provocateurs. Even Rajendra Bissessar who hates the PPP more than every opposition leader, told me the April 28 violence scared Indians once more.
Fifthly, as the months
to the September 1 election drew closer, the Guyanese people showed disgust with the school of opposition parties. They each showed an interest in political real estate rather than a total anti-PPP bandwagon.
They each demonstrated to the nation that ego, personality and obsession with office were their driving factors for opposing the government and the nation saw through them. Come midnight tonight or the beginning of Tuesday morning, the opposition would have suffered a self-imposed defeat.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
New De Kendren Regional Hospital records delivery of first baby
23-year-old Radha Devi Persaud shares a moment with the team at New De Kendren Regional Hospital
THE Ministry of Health has announced the first childbirth delivery at the newly commissioned De Kendren Regional Hospital, on August 18.
Radha Devi Persaud, a 23-year-old from Tuschen, gave birth to a healthy baby with the expert care of the hospital’s dedicated midwife, Rhonda Fredericks.
“This marks a proud and promising beginning for our hospital as we continue to serve the community with compassion and excellence in healthcare,” the Health Ministry said.
Police Force ready to maintain peace, order
- as Guyanese cast their vote, electoral process progresses
DEPUTY Commissioner, Simon McBean and his administrative team for Division 4A, on Saturday, conducted a briefing for all ranks, ensuring every officer is fully prepared for their role today.
The session held at the Guyana Police Force Academy (Georgetown) was a crucial step in the security forces' meticulous plan to maintain peace and order throughout the electoral process.
Commander McBean, according to information from the Guyana Police Force (GFP), emphasised the importance of a well-organised and professional approach to E-Day operations.
Each rank was assigned to a specific sector, a strategic measure designed to ensure clarity of function and responsibility.
This sector-based deployment means that every officer knows their precise location and duties, from securing polling stations to managing traffic and responding to any potential disturbances.
During the briefing, the team reviewed standard operating procedures, including protocols for voters' assistance, crowd control, and the secure transport of ballot boxes and election materials.
The focus was on upholding the law impartially and a commitment to protecting the democratic process.
In his address to the ranks, Commander McBean expressed his confidence in the team's professionalism and dedication.
He concluded the briefing by extending his best wishes to every officer, saying, "Good luck to all the ranks. We have a vital role to play in ensuring a safe and fair election for all citizens."
Similar sessions were conducted in divisions across the country to ensure that all officers are prepared, ready and aware of their roles.
Deputy Commissioner, Simon McBean and his administrative team for Division 4A, on Saturday, conducted a briefing for all ranks, ensuring every officer is fully prepared for their role today
US emphasises respect for Guyana as a strong,
stable, democratic partner
- anticipates calm, peace as registered voters cast their votes freely today
THE United States has reaffirmed its respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and emphasised that it values the nation as a strong and stable democratic partner.
As Guyanese head to the polls today, the US, in a post on its embassy’s Facebook page, expressed its support and welcomed the democratic process.
US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, along with a delegation from the US Embassy, has been officially accredited by Guyana’s Elections Commission (GECOM) to observe the elections across the country.
The American delegation expects election day to be calm and peaceful, with registered voters freely casting their ballots.
In an early Sunday broadcast message, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said the conduct of the 2025 polls should set the tone for a spirit of collaboration and dedication to national development.
He said: “I urge every Guyanese, wherever you reside, whomever you support, whatever your station in life, to go forth on Monday and cast your ballot. Do so with confidence, do so with dignity and do so in a manner befitting a proud and free people.
“Vote with assurance that your choice is yours alone, and that the right of your neighbour to make his or her choice is to be respected as zealously as your own.”
Speaking candidly to his fellow party leaders, President Ali reminded them of their responsibility to set an example and letting good sense prevail, respecting the country’s laws and democratic process.
He said: “Let us temper our passion and allow good sense and decency to guide our actions. The eyes of the world are upon us, but more importantly, the hopes of our children are vested in us. Let us not disappoint them.”
GECOM staff, election materials safe after attack near Guyana-Venezuela border
- Joint Services, Commission confirm
A Joint Services came under attack while transporting Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) officials and election materials near the Guyana-Venezuela border, on Sunday.
According to a statement from the Joint Services, the incident occurred around 14:30 hrs in the vicinity of Bamboo, along the Upper Cuyuni River.
The Joint Services reported that the patrol came under fire from the Venezuelan shore.
The escort team, which com-
prised ranks from the Guyana Defence Force and the Guyana Police Force, was conducting official duties in support of GECOM's ballot distribution to remote polling stations in Region Seven. A total of nine GECOM officials were aboard the vessels at the time.
"The patrol immediat ely returned fire and successftlly manoeuvred the escort team out of danger. No injuries were sustained by any personnel, and no election materials were damaged or compromised," the Joint
Services said.
Despite the incident, the team safely continued its journey and all remaining ballot boxes were successfully delivered to their assigned polling stations at Cumang Landing, Kurutuku, and Dukquarie Landing.
The earlier drop-off at Turnbung was also completed without Incident.
The Joint Services said it remains alert and continue to coordinate closely with GECOM to ensure the security of all
election-related operations. An investigation into the incident is underway.
The Commission, in a statement, thanked the Joint Services for their continued operational support and reaffirmed that this incident will have no impact on the conduct of the elections on
September 1, 2025. GECOM said it remains focused on fulfilling its consti-
tutional mandate and is fully prepared for Election Day across all ten regions.
‘All systems in place for transparent, efficient elections’
- GECOM Chair affirms; emphasises importance of peace to this process - warns against declarations of results by stakeholders other than GECOM
The following is the full text of a statement from the Chairperson of GECOM, Justice of Appeal (Ret'd) Claudette Singh:
"Esteemed Candidates of all contesting Political Parties, the diligent voters of Guyana, our valued Local and International Observers, and members of the media.
As we stand on the eve of the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections, I, Justice of Appeal (Ret'd) Claudette Singh, Chairperson of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), wish to address you all on matters of paramount importance for the successful and peaceful conduct of these elections.
First and foremost, I appeal to all stakeholders to embrace the urgent need for peace and calm throughout this electoral process. Elections are regarded as the cornerstone of our democracy, a time for the expression of the people's will, and this expression must occur in an atmosphere free from intimidation, misinformation, and unrest.
Every citizen, every political party, every observer, and every media house has a crucial role to play in contributing to the peaceful conduct of these elections. Let us remember that our collective commitment to peace is the bedrock upon which a credible and transparent electoral outcome will be built.
Please be assured that all systems are in place for the efficient and transparent conduct of the elections. GECOM has meticulously planned and executed every aspect of the electoral machinery, from the distribution of sensitive materials to the readiness of polling stations across the country. Our dedicated staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that the logistical and administrative frameworks are robust and capable of handling the demands of Election Day. We have conducted extensive simulations and drills to identify and address
potential challenges to ensure a smooth and orderly process for all voters.
Furthermore, I wish to emphasise that all staff working on Election Day are ordinary citizens who have expressed their willingness to serve our nation. These individuals, drawn from various communities, have undergone rigorous and comprehensive training to equip themselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to perform their duties effectively and impartially.
Their commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral process is commendable. I therefore urge all stakeholders to treat them with the respect and cooperation they deserve as they carry out their civic duties and responsibilities.
Finally, and unequivocally, I must state that GECOM is the only agency that is responsible for the tabulation and declaration of the results of these elections. This is a constitutional mandate, and GECOM is fully prepared to fulfill this responsibility with transparency and accuracy. We urge all parties and individuals to respect this constitutional provision and to await the official declarations from GECOM. Any attempt to prematurely declare results or to disseminate unverified information can undermine public trust and create unnecessary tension. We are committed to a transparent tabulation process, and the results will be declared in accordance with the law.
Let us all, therefore, work together to ensure that the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections are a testament to Guyana's democratic maturity and a beacon of peace and stability.
Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you and God Bless Guyana.
"Thank you."
GECOM Chair, Justice of Appeal (Ret’d) Claudette Singh
ABCEU countries anticipate calm, peace as Guyanese vote today
AS Guyanese prepare to vote today, several of Guyana’s closest international allies have emphasised the importance of a peaceful election day where citizens can exercise their right to vote freely.
The United States has expressed support for Guyana’s General and Regional Elections
scheduled for September 1, 2025.
The US embassy stated, “We anticipate a calm and peaceful election day, with registered voters casting their ballots freely. The United States reaffirms its respect for Guyana’s sovereignty and regards Guyana as a strong, stable democratic partner.”
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller, also confirmed her intention to observe the elections, noting that she and her team from the High Commission are making preparations for the polling day.
“I am getting ready to observe the elections with my British High Commission team. September 1st is an exciting day for Guyana, as the people of this beautiful country have the opportunity to vote. We are looking forward to a peaceful day - one where people freely cast their vote,” Miller said.
Similarly, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin, will be monitoring the election activities.
In a brief statement, he called the day "exciting for Guyana," adding: “Together with the Canadian High Commission team, we are preparing to observe the process. The people of Guyana will express their will through free voting, and once the results are announced, their voice will be heard. May it be a peaceful and joyful celebration of democracy.”
The Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Guyana, Ambassador Rene van Nes, also remarked on the significance of the day: “September 1st is a momentous day for Guyana, as its people exercise their democratic right. The EU looks forward to this celebration of democracy, a day when Guyanese vote freely and peacefully.”
These ABCEU countries played an essential role in safeguarding Guyana’s democracy during the General and Regional Elections of 2020, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process was upheld.
US Ambassador Nicole Theriot
British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller
Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sébastien Sigouin
Head of the Delegation of the European Union in Guyana, Ambassador Rene van Nes
TVET investments a critical driver of progress in Guyana’s tourism, hospitality sector
- Dr. Tularam says; points to alignment of skills training with labour market demands
By Faith Greene
PROGRESS in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) has translated into benefits for Guyana’s tourism and hospitality sector, Deputy Chief Education Officer- Technical (DCEO-T), Dr. Ritesh Tularam has said.
In order for tourism and hospitality to thrive, persons must be skilled, and efficient, and gaps must be addressed to further improve the quality of service that is being delivered.
This is where TVET comes in, aiding in the development of practical skillsets that are critically needed in this sector.
Last week, during the launch of a new
recipe book, titled, “A Taste of Guyanese Curries” by the Carnegie School of Home Economics in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Dr. Tularam alluded to this fact.
A premier TVET institution, the Carnegie School of Home Economics trains thousands of Guyanese in a number of skilled areas such as commercial food preparation, housekeeping, garment making, interior design, household management, general cosmetology, childcare management level one and two, and catering and hospitality, just to name a few.
The DCEO-Technical, in his address, stated that the institution is training persons within Guyana for a
purpose, meaning that after receiving a certificate from the CSHE, they can be gainfully employed, making contributions towards their respective areas.
“Our training must realign to what is happening, and, of course through these partnerships, (with) the Guyana Tourism Authority, and all the other key agencies that we are working with and collaborating with, this is where Carnegie will be able to realign and reposition and re-engineer its position in making its training meaningful, purposeful and impactful,” he said.
Dr. Tularam further said that at the hierarchical structure, the investments in this are significant and strategic.
He pointed to Region Six, East Berbice-Corentyne, where there is a state-of-theart Hospitality and Tourism Training Institute (HTTI), being built, with expectations for an early 2026 opening.
This facility is set to provide training for
has that rippling effect on that training institution,” Dr. Tularam said.
He added: “It means, therefore, that persons who have successfully completed their training at this institution in the various programmes that we are offering, they can now transition smoothly to the HTTI
must] start thinking about how they could transform what is being done.
“[We must look at] how do we add other aspects to truly make Carnegie what it is supposed to be, and not simply a hub for training students in this new industry.
students in Region Six and other areas, who require a higher qualification.
“So, the intention is that everything that we are doing here strategically is an alignment with what is the ministry's vision- that is the overarching vision- it
Tourism and Training Institution, the Hospitality Tourism and Training Institution, and they can continue with their higher education.”
These persons will be able to complete an Associate Degree in Hospitality and Tourism, and complete programmes within the hospitality and tourism sector.
This means that there must be synergy, an alignment with what is being done at Carnegie and what will be done at the HTTI, he remarked.
Underscoring that the CSHE must see itself as more than a training hub/ institution and more as a research institution, the DCEO-T urged that as they set their goals for 2026, [the institution
“How do we look out there and see that the Hilton was commissioned a couple days ago; How do we engage with the Hilton, given the state-of-the-artness of their facilities, the human resource capacity of that institution.
“How do we formulate and draft an MOU that we can have our trainees to be a part of their training programme, how do we reciprocate that by having their trained personnel at that institution come to Carnegie in a structured fashion and provide a kind of newness, technology methodology, practices, principles whatever it is so that we’re all in alignment with what are the emerging trends,” Dr. Tularam said.
Dr. Ritesh Tularam, DCEO- Technical at the Ministry of Education
‘Minority governments have failed worldwide’
IN the ongoing talk about minority governments in some circles, Financial Analyst Joel Bhagwandin has pointed to the global reality that such a government structure has always failed.
Drawing from Guyana’s own experience between 2011 and 2015, Bhagwandin, in a post on his Facebook page, highlighted a period marked by legislative gridlock and economic uncertainty under a minority government.
“Critical bills were delayed, national budgets faced significant cuts, and the country narrowly avoided blacklisting by the Fi-
- Bhagwandin emphasises, points to France as most recent example
elections in 2015, signalling the unsustainability of the minority rule.
Bhagwandin further illustrated the broader risks of minority governments by pointing to recent events in Europe.
Reports of a potential collapse of a French minority government had led to economic stalemate, echoing the difficulties seen in Guyana’s earlier experience.
The parallels between these cases underscore the skepticism
surrounding minority governments’ ability to provide stable, effective governance, raising questions about their viability as a sustainable political model.
The cautionary tales suggest that minority governments often struggle with legislative paralysis and economic instability, underscoring why many nations revert to majority rule to safeguard governance and economic progress.
nancial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) due to unresolved gaps in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing frameworks,” he said.
These challenges culminated in snap
Financial Analyst, Joel Bhagwandin
Police investigating fatal stabbing of security guard
THE police are investigating an alleged murder of a security guard of Atlas Security Service, who as stationed at the Guyana National Museum in Georgetown.
According to information from the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the incident occurred around 19:00hrs on Saturday, August 30, 2025.
Details are that Shawn Lovell, 57, who lived at 96 Campbellville Housing Scheme, was stabbed multiple times after an argument with a fellow guard.
The police said that Junior Anthony Lindore, 38, also a security guard with Atlas Security Service, had taken over the evening shift from Lovell at 17:40hrs.
Lovell left the museum after handing
over duty but returned about an hour later to the guard hut, accusing Lindore of stealing his cellphone. This accusation quickly escalated into a heated verbal exchange, during which Lindore produced two knives from his haversack.
A struggle broke out between the two men, during which Lindore stabbed Lovell twice in the back, once in the right shoulder, and inflicted four stab wounds on Lovell’s right hand.
Following the attack, Lovell fled the guard hut but collapsed motionless into a nearby concrete drain to the east of the museum.
Emergency medical technicians were called to the scene, but Lovell was pronounced
dead by Dr. Kellman at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.
Authorities recovered three knives and a cutlass from the guard hut as part of the crime scene investigation.
A thorough investigation was conducted by the Crime Scene Unit from CID headquarters, including interviewing several individuals present.
Lindore was apprehended at the scene, informed of the allegation, and subsequently arrested.
Lovell’s body was transported to the Memorial Gardens Funeral Home pending a post-mortem examination. The police continue their investigation into the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.
Hamilton handed five-place grid drop for next GP
(BBC) - LEWIS Hamilton has been handed a fiveplace grid penalty for Ferrari's home race in Italy next weekend, after failing to slow under double yellow flags before the start of the Dutch Grand Prix.
It capped a miserable weekend overall for the Italian team, who watched both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc crash out of the race in separate incidents.
Hamilton did not follow the race directors' pre-race instructions given to all drivers, asking them to reduce their speed sufficiently at the pit entry to ensure the safety of people on the grid and in the pit lane.
The penalty would normally have been a 10-place grid drop, but the stewards acknowledged Hamilton did try to slow down and brake earlier.
It means the Briton will start no higher than sixth in his maiden race at Monza as a Ferrari driver.
Ferrari has to 'stay calm' this season
Following Ferrari’s difficult time in Zandvoort, team principal, Fred Vasseur, said they have to "stay calm" for the remainder of the season.
Both Hamilton and Leclerc came away from round
14 with zero points, and while the Scuderia are still second in the constructors' championship, Mercedes in third have narrowed the gap to just 12 points thanks to George Russell’s fourthplaced finish.
Hamilton was first to
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Monday, September 1, 2025)
COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz:
(1) Ravi Ramphal-18 wickets
(2) Krishmar Santokie-4/11
Today’s Quiz:
(1) How many centuries were scored in CPL 2014?
(2) Who struck most sixes in CPL 2014?
Answers in tomorrow’s issue
retire from the race, crashing into the wall from seventh position following a moment of oversteer at Turn Three when light rain was falling on the track. He told BBC Radio 5 Live he was "not really sure" what happened but "I couldn't recover it".
Meanwhile, Leclerc was the innocent party as the Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli made a move on the opposite side of the same corner and took the Monegasque out.
Leclerc, who was left stranded on a hill until the race had finished, said the Italian rookie did apologise for his mistake, but he told Sky Sports: "It ruined my race, it is a shame but it is the way it is."
Lewis Hamilton crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix on lap 23
Piastri takes Dutch GP win as Norris stalls
(Formula 1) - Oscar Piastri has taken victory in a hugely dramatic Dutch Grand Prix that saw McLaren teammate Lando Norris retire from the race due to a mechanical failure in the closing stages, marking a potentially seismic moment in the championship battle.
Piastri had made a good start from pole when the race got underway, the Australian going on to build a lead from Max Verstappen after the Red Bull had overtaken Norris early on in Lap 1. Norris, however, went on
to retake the position and the pair settled into a 1-2 formation.
The race then faced a potential turn when the Safety Car was deployed after Lewis Hamilton hit the barriers on Lap 23, leading to a flurry of action in the pits. McLaren double-stacked their drivers and, despite a slight delay for Norris, both cars maintained position.
Norris continued his chase of his teammate from there and – despite a second Safety Car after a collision between Charles Leclerc and Kimi Antonelli that put
the Ferrari out of the race –the fight looked to still be open as the race entered into its final stages.
However, everything changed when smoke started to emerge from Norris’ McLaren with just a few laps to go, forcing him to retire at the side of the track.
As the Briton cut a dejected figure, a final Safety Car phase played out which saw Piastri hold onto P1 from Verstappen and seal his seventh Grand Prix win of the season and in the process stretch his championship lead to 34 points.
Verstappen followed in second, while Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar converted an impressive P4 on the grid to third place, marking a maiden F1 podium for the rookie. George Russell took fourth for Mercedes, while Williams’ Alex Albon claimed fifth after starting down in P15.
Haas’ Ollie Bearman – who started from the pit lane – crossed the line in sixth after the American outfit made a one-stop strategy work under the Safety Car, with Aston Martin scoring a double points
finish as Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso grabbed seventh and eighth respectively.
Yuki Tsunoda took two points for Red Bull in P9, while Haas’ Esteban Ocon added to his team’s points haul by rounding out the top 10. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto just missed out in P11, as did Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson in P12.
Behind Lawson was Williams’ Carlos Sainz, who was earlier handed a 10-second time penalty for a collision with the New Zealander, and Kick Saub -
er’s Nico Hulkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto were just behind in 14th and 15th.
Antonelli ended a tough day down in P16, the Italian having received two penalties during the latter stages following his collision with Leclerc, while Alpine’s Pierre Gasly was the final classified driver down in P17.
Norris led the list of high-profile retirees after his late-race car failure, with the two Ferraris being the other two cars not to make the finish on a difficult day for the Scuderia.
Nissanka's 122 leads Sri Lanka to 2-0 series sweep
(ESPNCRICINFO) - Where Zimbabwe had faltered on Friday, Sri Lanka followed through in consummate fashion. Set a target of 278 in the second and final ODI in Harare, the visitors tracked it down with five wickets and three deliveries to spare. And with it, they swept the series 2-0.
Similar to the first ODI, this too went down to the wire, and like that game on Friday, the chasing side seemed in control right until the last. But here with wickets in hand, and a deep batting line-up, Sri Lanka held firm and saw the game through.
That said, Sri Lanka perhaps made life more difficult for themselves than they needed to. They did not score a boundary in the final powerplay until the 48th over - two ended up coming off
that one, to leave the equation at 12 needed off 12 - but it meant the game was heading for yet another final over finish.
In the penultimate over, Charith Asalanka got a boundary after deep midwicket had misjudged a skier, but was caught a ball later, having scored a crucial 71 off 61. Then, Kamindu Mendis defied space and time to inside edge an attempted reverse lap sweep for four, off a pinpoint Ngarava yorker to bring the equation down to 6 off 2. After that, the rest was a formality.
The scorecard might indicate that the game was closer than it might have been, but with the chase anchored around Pathum Nissanka's seventh ODI hundred - as he shared successive stands of 48, 20, 78 and 90 with Nuwanidu Fernando,
Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama and finally Asalanka - the visitors were always in control. It was in that final stand
with Asalanka that Sri Lanka would say they broke the spine of the chase, with their partnership, at a touch over run-a-ball, ensuring the
scoring was brisk through the middle overs.
Indeed, this period was one of the main points of differentiation between the two sides. Where Zimbabwe scored 139 runs for the loss of four wickets between overs 15-40, Sri Lanka struck 27 more runs and lost one less wicket in the same period.
It meant heading to the death overs, the scoreboard pressure was minimal for Sri Lanka, who were left needing just 67 off 60, with seven wickets in hand. Zimbabwe, by comparison, had scored 83 at the death just to push their total to competitive territory.
Perhaps if a straightforward chance off Nissanka, when he was on 78, had not been spilled, Sri Lanka might have had a tougher time. In the end, however, they saw the game through to victory
with minimal peril - even if ideally it should have been wrapped up sooner.
Nissanka's innings of 122 off 136 was exactly what was required in a chase of this variety. It earned him both the Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards. His frequent boundaries during the opening powerplay ensured the lack of strike rotation was not as keenly felt, and then, through the middle overs, his ability to find boundaries to punctuate lulls in play meant Sri Lanka never let the required rate get out of hand.
Once Asalanka joined him, the boundary scoring burden was alleviated somewhat, with the Sri Lanka skipper willing to up the ante when requiredmost notably, with a trio of boundaries in the 40th over off Blessing Muzarabani.
Pathum Nissanka led Sri Lanka's chase in clinical fashion (Zimbabwe Cricket)
Arteta's cloak of caution ends in more Anfield misery for Arsenal
(BBC) - Arsenal flagged up the early heavyweight confrontation with Premier League champions Liverpool at Anfield with the social media message: "Make a statement."
The game was billed as a meeting between the club that wears the crown and the pretenders whose recent attempts to win the title have ended in the bitter disappointment of falling short.
After Dominik Szoboszlai's brilliant 83rd-minute free-kick gave Liverpool victory, it is tough to escape the suspicion that the cloak of caution Arteta draped over Arsenal makes this a significant missed opportunity to secure a landmark - albeit very rare - Anfield victory.
Arsenal, on this ultra-conservative evidence, failed to read the pre-match memo.
No-one expects manager Arteta to order his players to throw the kitchen sink at
Liverpool in their Anfield fortress, but this was a Gunners' display that seemed designed to get a point but ended with nothing.
Arteta has been handed the weapons to cure that shortfall as the biggest net spenders of the transfer window so far, with deals totalling £248m.
Chief among them was, finally, the acquisition of a recognised striker in Viktor Gyokeres - signed from Portuguese giants Sporting for £64m - then, most eye-catching of all, the coup that saw Arsenal snatch Eberechi Eze away from Tottenham Hotspur in a £60m move from Crystal Palace.
The pressure is on Arteta to finally end a barren era of five years without a trophy after that backing - and this means the big prizes of the Premier League or Champions League.
Arsenal ended up losing a dour, largely colour
less, encounter - two teams showing each other huge respect until Szoboszlai curved a magnificent direct free-kick past David Raya from 30 yards.
They rarely troubled a Liverpool defence that has looked vulnerable even in
victory in their first two league games against Bournemouth and Newcastle United.
In the end, it was Liverpool who made the big early title statement against Arsenal, the side expected to be their closest challengers, by
making it a maximum nine from nine without reaching anywhere near the standards that saw them stroll to the Premier League last season. Arsenal could not shift the storyline of misery that accompanies them in Liverpool as the hosts struck an
early psychological blow.
The Gunners are winless in their past 13 Premier League games at Anfield, losing eight and drawing five, since a 2-0 win in September 2012. And that 2012 win is also their only clean sheet in their past 27 league visits to Anfield.
Arteta will understandably offer the mitigating circumstances of the injury that cost him Bukayo Saka, the shoulder injury that restricted captain Martin Odegaard to the bench, and the problem sustained by key defender William Saliba that saw him leave the action after only five minutes.
It is, of course, a nonsense to suggest the third Premier League game of the season is any sort of defining moment, but it is reasonable to say an Arsenal win would have underpinned all their aspirations this season and sent a surge of self-belief through Arteta's team.
Jacks, Sowter clinch Oval Invincibles' Men's Hundred three-peat
(ESPNCRICINFO) - In this world nothing can be certain, except death, taxes, and Oval Invincibles winning the men's Hundred. They have topped the group stage to qualify directly for the Lord's final for three consecutive seasons, and each night has ended with Sam Billings lifting the golden 'H' trophy. After two tight finals, this was a demolition job.
The Invincibles have relied on continuity as their greatest strength, and three of their usual suspects performed when it mattered: Will Jacks and Jordan Cox added 87 off 55 balls to underpin their total of 168, and the livewire Nathan Sowter derailed the chase with three wickets in his first seven balls. All three have been with them since inception; so too Billings and coach Tom Moody. They joined a select handful of teams to pull off a 'three-peat' in short-form leagues, and achieved it without breaking a sweat. If they have not quite lived up to
their moniker, then Invincibles' record across the last three seasons is still remarkable: 21 wins, one tie and only five defeats. In a format designed for unpredictability, they have become a winning machine.
In fact, the Invincibles may have been too successful for their own good. The ECB
are lining up a squad "reset" next year - in the style of the IPL's mega-auction - as new investors arrive in the Hundred. It is designed to uphold the 'any given Sunday' philosophy at short-form cricket's core; on any given Sunday in the men's Hundred, however, the Invincibles are usually winning.
Sowter's starring moment
The Invincibles' core is built around England players with international experience, with a single exception. Sowter, a journeyman legspinner, wondered if his professional career was over when Middlesex released him three years ago but has become an unlikely linchpin in the
Invincibles attack, and saved his best performance of the season for the biggest stage.
The Rockets were 35 for 0 after 30 balls when Sowter came into the attack, with Tom Banton and Joe Root struggling for fluency. Ten balls later, they were 38 for 3: Root holed out to longon, Rehan missed a straight one to depart for second-ball duck, and Banton picked out long-off. Sowter celebrated each wicket with a huge roar, and added an excellent catch at deep backward square leg to his night's work.
Adam Zampa had flown in from Australia specifically for the final - a 20,000-mile round-trip for 20 balls - and finished with typically frugal figures of 1 for 21. But despite the wicket of David Willey, brilliantly stumped by Billings, he was ultimately upstaged by his legspin partner.
Jacks, Cox lay foundations
Jacks made a statement off the very first ball of the final, crunching Willey through mid-off for four, then slashed
the third through the off-side ring to become the first man to score 1,000 runs for the Invincibles. His opening partner Tawanda Muyeye fell after three early boundaries, but his dismissal brought in the tournament's leading run-scorer in Cox at No. 3.
Cox has been in stunning form this month and was soon up and running with two rasping cuts. Jacks had a life on 28, plinking a full toss to midwicket which was deemed a no-ball on height, and was quick to make use of it, reverse-sweeping Rehan for four before launching him into the upper tier of the Grandstand.
Cox belted Rehan for six more before toe-ending him behind, but Jacks sensed his chance to put his foot down. He eventually fell for 72 off 41 after another flurry of boundaries and while the Invincibles were uncharacteristically quiet at the death, adding 25 off the last 20, that only served to underline the quality of Jacks and Cox's strokeplay.
Arsenal's new £64m striker Viktor Gyokeres was frustrated in the defeat by Liverpool at Anfield
Nathan Sowter roars in celebration after dismissing Joe Root
(Matt Lewis/ECB via Getty Images)
RHTY&SC defeat Albion in the Poonai Pharmacy U-13 Championship
THE Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS, won its 129th cricket title when the Poonai Pharmacy under-13 team defeated arch-rival Albion at the Area ground. They won by ten runs to win the BCB/Singh Brothers Construction title in a closely contested final.
Rose Hall Town Poonai Pharmacy won the toss and amassed 130 for eight off their allotted thirty overs. Dishan Lacruz 18, Jayden Gampat 13, Khemraj Adesh Bharrat 15, Videsh Singh 15 and Randy Williams 12 not out were the principal scorers for the principal scorers. N. Khemappadoo 4 for 32 and A. Ali 2 for 28 were the best bowlers for Albion.
Albion were restricted to 120 for 8 in their 30 overs as the Rose Hall Town bowlers bowled well. S. Gajnabi scored 27 and received support from N. Lachigadu 11, J. Garner 11 and N. Madramootoo 10. Left-arm spinner Khemraj Bharrat took four wickets for 17 off six impressive overs, while
onship victory and congratulated the
a
Super Seifert keeps Kings in winning circle
GAME 18 of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) saw Tim Seifert equal Andre Russell's record for the fastest hundred in CPL history as Saint Lucia Kings pulled off a remarkable run chase to beat Antigua & Barbuda Falcons by six wickets with 13 balls remaining.
With the tournament entering its second half, the fixture between the two well-placed sides at the Darren Sammy Cricket Ground turned into a modern classic with some barely believable hitting from Seifert.
Kings elected to field first, a decision which looked to have backfired as Falcons racked up 204/4 largely thanks to 56 from 43 balls from Amir Jangoo at the top of the order and middle order hitting from the vastly experienced Shakib
Al Hasan (61 off 26) and Fabian Allen (38 off 17).
In response, Seifert set about raiding the boundaries and peppering the stands in one of the most remarkable CPL innings in the tournament’s history. Finishing unbeaten with 125 off 53 balls and striking at over 235 with 94 runs coming solely in boundaries.
Despite Seifert’s heroics the run chase was still a demanding one and a wicket maiden from Jayden Seales in the 16th over kept the Falcons alive as the destructive Tim David holed out to deep midwicket for 23 off 16 balls and Delano Potgieter couldn’t get the single needed to get the scintillating Seifert back on strike.
Kings then needed 15 from the final 18 balls with Seales returning for his third
over but this time it was a different story with Seifert drilling a short ball through square leg for four and Potgieter lofting over mid-off for the second boundary of the over as drizzle began to fall and umbrellas began to be unfurled in the stands.
The weather didn’t come to the Falcons’ rescue as Seifert then finished the match in sublime style by slamming his ninth six high over midwicket to see his side over the finish line.
The result sees Saint Lucia Kings head to second in the CPL table with ten points alongside the Trinbago Knight Riders who have a game in hand. A match that will live long in the memory, Tim Seifert was duly rewarded the player of the match award on an unforgettable day.
Akaiem Fraser and Disham LaCruz took a
wicket apiece. Bharrat was named Man of the Finals.
The team's sponsor, Poonai Bhigroog, was present for the champi -
team on
well-deserved win. He
also handed over a reward contribution to the boys.
(Sean Devers)
Champs RHTY&SC celebrate their Poonai Pharmacy U-13 title
Tim Seifert of Saint Lucia Kings celebrate winning the Men's 2025 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League match 18 between Saint Lucia Kings and Antigua and Barbuda Falcons at Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium on August 31, 2025, in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia. (Photo by Randy)
Super Seifert keeps Kings in winning circle
Oscar Piastri