Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 02-08-2021

MONDAY 2nd August, 2021

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$1.5B in the pockets of parents No.106441

– distributed through ‘Because We Care’ grants 03 PAGE

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Some parents and guardians receiving their ‘Because We Care’ cash grant during an exercise in Region Six (Department of Public Information photo)

Two die in Airy Hall 02 accident

‘They 19 have a choice’ PAGE

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Dead: Romesh Das

– persons are not being forced to take the vaccine, says Minister Anthony

Emancipation celebrated 13 virtually without missing a beat PAGE

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony

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Two die in Airy Hall accident

A POLICE officer identified as Romesh Das died on Sunday evening after he lost control of his motorcycle and crashed into a motor car on the Airy Hall Public Road on the Essequibo Coast.

The accident occurred around 18:30hrs in front of Man Man Gas Station.

According to residents they heard a loud sound and rushed to the scene where they saw two men lying on the ground. One of

the men was identified as Das, who was motionless and the other was crying for help.

According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the motorcycle was heading south and the motor car,

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

The scene of the deadly accident on the Airy Hall Public Road, Essequibo Coast, on Sunday evening driven by Mahendra Raj was heading north when they collided.

A motor car driven by a female which was passing at the time stopped and took the victim who was crying for help to the Suddie Public Hospital where he was admitted.

“We passed and slowed down, the guy was helpless, begging for help and no one was helping; everyone was just videoing and a lady said not to touch before fingerprints go. I know to do CPR so I strap he up and immediately rushed him to the hospital,” the female driver related.

This newspaper was informed that the injured man died while receiving Dead: Romesh Das medical attention.

Man found dead in alleyway

THE body of a 32-year-old Venezuelan manl who resided at Lot 5 North Road, Bourda, Georgetown, was found in an alleyway behind the Sleepin Hotel, Church Street, Georgetown, on Sunday morning.

According to Police Headquarters, a female associate of the deceased reported that around 00:30hrs on Sunday, the Venezuelan, who was a hot dog vendor, told her that he was going to a party at the Rio Club, Forshaw Street, Queenstown and he left walking.

At 06:00hrs a maintenance worker at Sleepin Hotel, while on duty discovered the body of the deceased lying in the said alleyway which is usually utilised by the management of Sleepin to pack garbage.

The body was examined and what appeared to be wounds were seen to his head along with bruises on his knees, right hand and his left shoulder. The body was transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was declared dead and was escorted to Sandy’s Funeral Home where it awaits a post- mortem.

The police reported that an investigation is underway.

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$1.5B in the pockets of parents GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

–– distributed through ‘Because We Care’ grants

By Rehana Ahamad

AS at Friday, July 30, 2021, the Government of Guyana, as part of its ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, has disbursed some $1.5 billion to thousands of families all across the country, according to a social media post from Education Minister, Priya Manickchand.

This represents almost 50 per cent of the overall $3.2 billion that has been set aside for distribution to some 172,000 pupils and students within Guyana’s public school system. As part of the programme, each child will receive a grant of $15,000, which will be added to the existing School Uniform and Supplies Grant of $4,000, bringing the total to $19,000 per child.

Minister Manickchand had made it clear that the monies are not limited to just the purchase of school supplies and uniforms, but whatever is necessary for the well-being of children.

In an interview with the Department of Public Information earlier in the month, Manickchand gave an example of how families may need to expend their monies in different ways to enable the academic advancement of their children. “A mother stood up and said that she is going to buy a black tank with her grant because with a black tank, her children can get water in the house, and they don’t have to come out at nights when they are studying to use water downstairs. They would no longer have to get up early in the morning to fetch water upstairs. So, people use it for different sort of reasons, but it will be to the benefit of the children and to the family,” the minister posited.

She had explained that in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the recent unprecedented floods, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic government had recognised the challenges and constraints faced by parents and

guardians of school-aged children, and wanted to ensure that struggling families receive some needed assistance. As a result, the administration, moved to reinstate the grant which was initiated by the PPP/C government prior to it demitting office in 2015. However, when the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) administration assumed leadership of the country, the programme was quashed. When the party returned to office in August 2020, the programme was reinstated and increased from the previously existing $14,000.

This move was heavily criticised by some members of the main APNU+AFC opposition, which went as far as to host a picketing demonstration outside of the Ministry of Education office on Brickdam, Georgetown.

HAPPY Notwithstanding the protest, distribution of the grants commenced throughout the country, and from all indications, parents and guardians are happy to be receiving the monies.

“We know that parents make sacrifices every day for their children and if we can help you by giving what we can afford, then we believe that we can put these children on a pedestal that nobody can remove them from,” minister Manickchand previously commented.

Responding to the opposition’s criticisms, the education minister highlighted how “bizarre” it is that “Any person, or political party or any of their affiliates would object to Guyana’s families being assisted with $19,000 per child.”

Manickchand had particularly criticised opposition Member of Parliament, Coretta McDonald for attempting to use her role as an executive member of the

Education Minister Priya Manickchand overseeing distribution of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grants at the Wales Primary School, West Bank Demerara (Ministry of Education photo) Guyana Teachers’ Union to encourage teachers against assisting with the countrywide distribution exercise.

It would appear as though teachers have not heeded the calls, since many teachers have been participating in the programme.

REALITIES OF GRASSROOTS Manickchand had insisted that the government’s decision to resuscitate the programme was not made in a vaccum, but by engaging and understanding the needs and realities of grassroots Guyanese.

“You see, the issue becomes not knowing what our families are going through, and if you don’t know that, you can’t serve them,” minister Manickchand posited.

She stated categorically that unlike some personalities, neither she nor the government hold the view that any of the $3.2 billion is wasteful money. “Could we do more with $3 billion?

Of course! But you are important to us; your children are important to us, and

that will remain that way,” Manickchand had previously emphasised.

The Ministry of Education had said that the parents or guardians of children in the public school system from nursery to secondary level are to visit the respective schools on the scheduled date to uplift the grant. “If a parent or guardian fails to uplift the grant on the scheduled date, he/she will be allowed to do so at a later date at the Department of Education for that region or education district,” an earlier statement issued by the ministry said.

This later date, according to the ministry, will be announced at the appropriate time, but will be after the entire exercise has concluded. To this end, parents are encouraged to make every effort to uplift the cash on the scheduled dates.

Parents or guardians are asked to walk with a valid form of identification when going to uplift the grant. The acceptable forms of identification are the National Identification Card, Driver’s Licence or Passport. Persons who do

not possess any of these documents can still uplift the grant, but their relationship with the child must be confirmed by a senior official in the community

or the school’s headteacher.

The Ministry of Education said that it aims to serve each child before September 2021, when the new school term begins.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

UK and US blame Iran for deadly ship attack

The UK and US believe Iran was behind a tanker attack that killed two people, and have vowed to respond, calling it a violation of international law.

The MV Mercer Street, operated by an Israeli-owned firm, was attacked off Oman on Thursday.

A British national and a Romanian citizen were killed.

The statements came after Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said there was “evidence” that its longstanding foe Iran

The Mercer Street was attacked off the coast of Oman, and two on board were killed (BBC photo)

was responsible.

Bennett warned that “we know how to send a message to Iran in our own way”, while Tehran rejected what it called the “baseless accusations”.

The attack on the MV

Mercer Street appears to be the latest escalation in an undeclared “shadow war” between Israel and Iran.

Since March there have been several attacks on both Israeli and Iranian-operated vessels, which are

seen as tit-for-tat incidents.

Casualties are considered rare.

Iran has also accused Israel of targeting its nuclear sites and scientists.

In a statement on Sunday, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said London believed Iran had used one or more drones against the MV Mercer Street, calling it “deliberate, targeted, and a clear violation of international law”.

“Iran must end such attacks, and vessels must be allowed to navigate freely,” he added.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Washington was also “confident that Iran conducted this” and that an “appropriate response” would follow.

Israel’s Prime Minister said it expected the international community to make clear to Iran that it had made a serious mistake.

Iran conceded nothing in response. Its foreign ministry spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, told reporters that “the Zionist regime (Israel) has created insecurity, terror and violence”.

He said Israel “must stop such baseless accusations”, warning: “Whoever sows the wind reaps the whirlwind.”

The escalation comes against the backdrop of key nuclear talks in Vienna.

Officials are attempting to revive a 2015 international deal under which sanctions on Iran are lifted in return for commitments from Tehran to curb its nuclear programme.

Western countries have accused Iran of trying to build a nuclear bomb. Iran denies this, insisting its nuclear programme is focused on research and power generation. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

TT: The fight against antivaxxers on social media

The global battle to get the world’s population of over 7.7 billion people to voluntarily take covid19 vaccines is being undermined by medical experts and business magnates seeking to profit from their aggressive anti-vaccine campaign.

In Trinidad and Tobago (TT), media organisations such as the TT Publishers and Broadcasters Association, corporate bodies like Angostura, Ansa Mc Al Group, banks, supermarkets, religious groups and the government and a host of other organisations have been pounding the message for right-thinking people to step forward and get vaccinated as it is the only way to save lives, reopen the economy and return to life as we knew it prior to mid-March 2020 when the pandemic was declared.

Vaccine hesitancy and vaccine efficacy/branding are two of the major hurdles the government have to overcome to convince even health workers, who are in the front-lines of the danger zone, to take the jab. Its latest roll-out of 300,000 Sinopharm vaccines which began in July is not going according to plan as the anticipated number of people seeking to be vaccinated is just not measuring up.

In other countries, incentives of cash, free meals and other

rewards are being offered to people to take the vaccine, something that the government may have no other option to follow.

The growing trend for private sector employees to pay for PCR tests every fortnight (average $800 per test) if they are not vaccinated is another coercive measure aimed at compelling people to get vaccinated.

Apart from politicians seeking to score points, health authorities have also been fighting a daily battle to respond to some of the most asinine queries from even the media on unfounded claims posted by our own anti-vaxxers on social media.

With the number of deaths attributed to covid19 standing at 1,070, with 38,557 cases over the last 16 and a half months, the target to vaccinate two thirds of the 1.4 million people here before year’s end seems to be a daunting task.

At last count, 191,881 people were fully vaccinated and 382,149 received their first shot, according to the Ministry of Health release on Friday.

Of even more concern, is the rapid spread of the more potent delta variant which is reversing the reopening of economies in first world countries and real risk of it entering our borders.

A 40-page report commissioned by the Center for Coun-

tering Digital Hate (CCDH), a UK/US non-profit non-governmental organisation “that seeks to disrupt the architecture of online hate and misinformation” identified 12 of the top anti-vaxxers “who play leading roles in spreading misinformation about covid vaccines.”

In the report dated March 24, entitled The Disinformation Dozen, the 12 people were selected because they have a combined audience of more than 59 million followers on social media platforms of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

An analysis of their combined anti-vaccine content posted between February and mid-March show that they are responsible for a staggering 65 per cent of all anti-vaccine content on social media and 73 per cent of all anti-vaccine content on Facebook alone.

“Despite repeatedly violating Facebook, Instagram and Twitter’s terms of service agree-

ments, nine of the Disinformation Dozen remain on all three platforms, while just three have been comprehensively removed from just one platform,” according to the executive summary of the report.

Further analysis of the content posted by the 12 show that the group of social media influencers have targeted black, Latino and Native American communities to spread their misinformation leading to a greater number of deaths and severe illness among those people.

According to Imran Ahmed, CEO of the organisation, these individuals have been “living in full view of the public on the internet... who do not have relevant medical expertise and have their own pockets to line.”

“Facebook, Google and

Twitter have put policies into place to prevent the spread of vaccine misinformation; yet to date, all have failed to satisfactorily enforce those policies. All have been particularly ineffective at removing harmful and dangerous misinformation about coronavirus vaccines, though the scale of misinformation on Facebook, and thus the impact of their failure, is larger. Further, they have all failed to remove the accounts of prominent anti-vaxxers who have repeatedly violated their terms of service, as documented in later sections of this report,” Ahmed stated.

The researchers found Facebook’s own internal analysis of vaccine hesitant content on its platform is likely to underestimate the influence of leading anti-vaxxers by failing to address the ultimate source of this content, and by the recorded failure of its algorithms to identify content concerning vaccines.

The group suggested “the most effective and efficient way to stop the dissemination of harmful information is to de platform the most highly visible repeat offenders, who we term the Disinformation Dozen. This

should also include the organisations these individuals control or fund, as well as any backup accounts they have established to evade removal.”

It also suggested that “users should be presented with warning screens when attempting to follow links to sites known to host vaccine misinformation, and users exposed to posts containing misinformation should be shown effective corrections.”

And urged Facebook not allow private and secret anti-vaccine groups where dangerous anti-vaccine disinformation can be spread with impunity.

Two weeks ago, US President Joe Biden told reporters outside the White House that Facebook and other companies were “killing people” by not doing more to combat covid vaccine misinformation on their platforms.

“The only pandemic we have is among the unvaccinated,” Biden said to a reporter outside the White House. “And they’re [the tech platforms] killing people,” according to am online publication of the Washington Post. (Trinidad and Tobago Newsday)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

One Year of Solid Achievements

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic administration (PPP\C) under the presidency of Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has completed one year in office.

The President was sworn in on August 2, 2020, as the Ninth Executive President of Guyana, after an inordinate period of delay in the declaration of results of the March 2, 2020 General and Regional elections.

The events that led to the elections, precipitated by a successful no-confidence motion moved by the then political opposition, and the attempts to derail the democratic process by the APNU+AFC with support from the GECOM Secretariat will long be remembered

by Guyanese. It was indeed a shameful episode in our national life,which most Guyanese would wish had

never taken place - - the delay in holding elections 14 months after the passage of a no-confidence vote; failure by GECOM to make a declaration after 115 days since polling day and by no means least, attempts to steal the elections by ‘rogue’ elements within the GECOM Secretariat.

Those were the darker side of the elections saga, but there were some positive developments as well, the most significant of which was the strength and impartiality of our judiciary. The role of the Caribbean Court of Justice (ICJ) was particularly instrumental in terms of upholding the rule of law in a fair and unbiased manner. Full credit must be given to that regional court whose rulings were binding and which took precedence over those which emanated from our national courts.

The support and solidarity extended by the smaller contesting parties along with that of the international community in defence of our democracy was also substantial.

It was very evident that the international community is today much less tolerant of rigged elections compared to past years when the PNC regime was able to get away with blatant abuse of the electoral process, which was responsible for the perpetuation of its life in government for close to three decades. Worthy of note also is the role played by the independent media, including social media, in highlighting and exposing attempts to hijack the will of the electorate. One positive outcome was the coming together of people from all across the national spectrum to lend support in defence of our fragile de-

mocracy -- the private sector, prominent individuals in and out of Guyana and a strong cadre of young people who organised themselves in shifts to stand vigil in order to ensure that the ballot boxes were not tampered with.

All of that is now, as it were, water under the bridge, but they do serve as a reminder of the fragility of our democracy and provide some important lessons, especially in terms of the further strengthening of our democratic institutions of which the Guyana Elections Commission and its secretariat in particular must be placed high on the priority list.

We have, thankfully, gone past that sordid episode. At his swearing-in ceremony, President Ali, in a spirit of peace and reconciliation, pledged that he will be a President for

all of Guyana, a commitment to which he remains firm and unwavering. He assured all Guyanese of his desire to build a country for all Guyanese. ‘There is no need to fear; there is no need for distinction based on political persuasion; no need for distinction based on ethnicity. This is a government for all Guyana,’ the President emphasised.

The challenges were many: the COVID-19 pandemic, the natural disasters and by no means least, the refusal of the APNU+AFC opposition coalition to recognise the new PPP/C administration, but the wheels of progress continue to turn at an accelerated pace.

After one year in office, the progress made in the country by the President and his PPP/C administration is nothing short of monumental. The devel-

opment train has touched every part of Guyana, and more importantly the lives of all Guyanese, regardless of race or political affiliation. Indeed, it is not by coincidence that as we observe the first anniversary of the PPP/C in office, the President has announced that his administration will commence the payment of financial assistance to the tune of $7.8B to the thousands of Guyanese who have been affected by the recent floods, the largest relief allocation in the country’s history. This is indeed a welcome gesture on the part of the President and his administration which, at a more fundamental level, speaks to the people-oriented character of the PPP/C government.

Congratulations to President Ali and his administration on a job well done!

Individuals of African descent made enormous contributions to development of our civilisations

Dear Editor,

THE abolition of slavery is one of the greatest and most significant events in the history of our country and the West Indies. The desire to finally be free became a reality, allowing our brothers and sisters of African heritage to grow to their full potential, to help others, and serve as role models for future generations.

As we learn more about the events and individuals that led to the emancipation of our brothers and sisters of African descent, who they truly were and

where they came from, we discover a people and nation of unsurpassed beauty and technical genius, to say the least; Africa is the birthplace of the world’s most ancient civilisations.

Additionally, the roots of every family tree may be traced back to Africa, as can the history of civilisation.

This is not only captivating to me but also extremely empowering!

People of African descent are descended from ancient, rich, and sophisticated cultures that developed a plethora of technologies and innovations in a variety of fields. From the

simple items like the Iron Wood Axe to the complex ones such as the steam engine, to electricity and computers, the engineering and architectural feats of the Egyptians: the interestingly raised obelisks and the hundreds of pyramids, the Great Sphinx of Giza, the impressive cities in Mali, including Timbuktu with grand palaces, universities, and mosques, etc. are all works of contemporary wonder. Today, we marvel at these inventions as well as the thousands of years of these breathtaking architectures and accomplishments.

Amazingly, even to this day, we still are in awe

of how these phenomenal masterpieces of architecture were constructed. This is the brilliance of the people of African heritage!

Before the Europeans arrived and seized control of Africa, there were massive and unparalleled achievements in the various regions and their cities. In the Kingdom of Aksum, in present-day Northern Ethiopia, they developed a trade route. In Abyssinia, now Ethiopia, the king, Negus or Al-Najashi, was a person known for fairness and whose nation treasured human rights; so much so that he rescued Islam during the

time of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

For Muslims, this country is enshrined in our Holy Scriptures and history to represent freedom from persecution and liberation from fear. The Kingdom of Ghana has the characteristics of great nations of the present era. In the city of Timbuktu, they had great morals and developed the centre of Islamic art. Because of commerce, the Kingdom of Ghana in Western Africa became one of the richest civilisations. It is even said that the Emperor of the great Zimbabwe ate from porcelain plates that came from China. The Red Sea

served as a thoroughfare.

The Nile was a thoroughfare. The Sahara Desert was a highway, as was the Indian Ocean. However, the subsequent slave trade not only damaged the continent’s economic growth, but it also altered ideas of the African continent’s history and importance.

We witnessed, in particular, Belgium’s King Leopold II who converted a large portion of Africa into his estate, enslaved its inhabitants, and left a legacy of misery that lingers to this day.

We witnessed some of Continued on page 7

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

First year in office: Poll gives President, gov’t high approval ratings

THE findings of an opinion poll being conducted by the North American Caribbean Teachers Association (NACTA) shows that President Irfaan Ali and his government retain consistently high approval ratings a year into his administration. The government continues to receive strong ratings for its handling of the flood situation and COVID, although voters are not pleased with the high cost of living. It has received widespread praise for the stimulus and educational grants, but respondents are looking forward to flood-relief cash. Almost all the ministries and ministers and the Prime Minister -Works, Agriculture, Education, Social Security, Local Government, Public Works, Natural Resources, Information, Housing, among

others, received strong ratings for delivery of services.

The survey is being carried out to determine the popularity of the government as it completes a year in office after the President was sworn in on August 2 last year, some five months after the election was held in March. The poll, which was conducted by well-known pollster and political analyst Dr. Vishnu Bisram over the last couple of weeks, interviewed 750 respondents (41 per cent Indians, 30 per cent Africans, 18 per cent Mixed, 10 per cent Amerindians, and one per cent other ethnic categories), to reflect the demographic diversity of the population.

The poll has a margin of error of four per cent, meaning that views can vary four per cent in either direction.

The government faced one crisis after another since

President Dr Irfaan Ali it took office on August 2, 2020. The public feels the administration has managed the crises very well, receiving kudos for handling COVID19, flooding, education, housing, social services, public works, agriculture, and other areas of governance. But there are widespread com-

plaints about the rising cost of living and crime, with people expressing fear of public security. The public complained about the very high cost of living, crime, joblessness, and low wages that are not keeping pace with almost daily rising prices of basic food items and fuel.

Based on the findings of the poll, 63 per cent approve of the performance of President Irfaan Ali, while 29 per cent disapprove and eight per cent did not express an opinion. It found that 59 per cent of respondents approve of government’s performance with 34 per cent dissatisfied and seven per cent not expressing a view. The trend is similar for the performance of Prime Minister Mark Phillips, with approval at 61 per cent, disapproval at 33 per cent, and six per cent not offering an opinion.

The opposition trails the government in the ratings: only 33 per cent approve with 56 per cent disapproving and 11 per cent did not offer an opinion. The Opposition Leader’s (Joe Harmon) approval rating is at 34 per cent, with a disapproval rate of 54 per cent and 12 per cent not expressing a view.

Queried about the no-confidence motions (NCM), against the Ministers of Health, Home Affairs, and Opposition Leader, a majority (52 per cent) feels it would be a waste of time.

However, the public supports the idea of the opposition holding the government accountable. But a majority don’t feel the opposition has been doing an effective job in taking the government to task, saying the opposition “is opposing for opposing sake” without offering cred-

ible, workable alternative solutions to problems or to government’s policies.

The findings show most government supporters oppose the NCM against their ministers, while opposition supporters support it. Most APNU supporters oppose the NCM against the Opposition Leader, while government supporters back it.

However, 10 per cent APNU supporters back the motion against the Opposition Leader, while eight per cent PPP supporters back the motion against the Home Affairs Minister, saying he needs to do more to stop crime. The Health Minister enjoys the confidence of government supporters.

The poll queried adults on a number of other issues. The findings will be released in a subsequent report.

The government has demonstrated visionary leadership in first year Dear Editor,

formance as I was very intrigued by the promIT has been a full ises which were outyear since the PPP/C lined in their manifesto has returned to of- leading up to the 2020 fice. elections. As such, it I have paid keen would be remiss of attention to their per- me not to voice my

Individuals of African...

From page 6

the then famous generals who fought to the bitter end to keep slavery alive, even though they lost their battles, and who have had statues erected in their honour, particularly in the United States of America.

Thankfully, we are seeing a revolution whereby persons are fighting against those statues because they are a disgrace, a shame to the democratic norms that the United States of America upholds. Unfortunately, all of these injustices were perpetrated against people of African ancestry by those seeking to legitimise an economic system based on the exploitation of people of African descent and Africa. As a result, an entire nation’s history was stolen from them.

Nonetheless, despite suffering under the atrocious system of slavery, in-

dividuals of African descent made enormous contributions to the development of our civilisations. Their innate intelligence provided a depth of knowledge that would have been hard for any other society to achieve. While we know that slavery had a negative influence on education, some Africans educated themselves and began to teach others. Because they were slaves, it was difficult for them to obtain the necessary materials, yet despite this, they contributed to the enrichment of the world.

In reality, we observed that slavery did not hinder people from completing their jobs, even though it took away many of their liberties and destroyed their identities. But we also saw how determined they were and their unwavering resilience to overcome all obstacles, as we saw with

opinion on their performance to date.

To begin, I have always been critical of governments throughout the years so I am speaking from an unbiased perspec-

tive. The PPP/C Government has shown that they know what they are doing. They do not look for shortterm fixes to problems but rather look at the long-term advantages

Mr. Toussaint L’Ouverture, who led Haiti’s liberation, and Mr. Cuffy, who led the slave liberation in Berbice by fighting a revolution against the Dutch in the Berbice enclave of the Magdalenenburg protesting harsh and inhumane treatment, which subsequently overthrew the Dutch.

One thing is certain: we must honour the Africans who were subjected to slavery since they made significant contributions to the development of our society. Furthermore, we must continue to learn from them in order to make the greatest use of their knowledge, for they have demonstrated their genius throughout history. Consider writing, which started in African civilisations before spreading to many other regions of the world. Long before it was adopted elsewhere, the Egyptians employed hieroglyphics for writing.

We must correct this misconception that Africa

is limited, and we as people of the world must help to contribute to preserving the rich heritage of the people of African descent and propel them to their rightful roles as modern leaders across the world.

All Caribbean countries, including Guyana, have had Presidents, Prime Ministers, and other leaders of African descent. At this juncture, we commemorate and celebrate all of the courageous men and women of African descent who struggled to make this day possible.

We owe so much to our forefathers who gave their lives for us, and we owe it to them to carry on their work and legacy. As we honour these freedom fighters, let us express our deep thanks for all they have done for us.

Sincerely, Hajji Dr. Roshan Khan Snr.

before making decisions. The revival of the Amaila Falls hydropower project and the gas-to-shore project are both evidence of this. These projects will bring a host of advantages and benefits for the country and I am in support of them both. The fact that the PPP/C Government has been moving ahead so far with them shows that the Cabinet has been adopting a visionary-approach.

On another note, the government has shown that they are for the people. They have rolled out several programmes and initiatives for the benefit of all Guyanese. In particular, the partnering with the Commonwealth of Learning to offer hundreds of Coursera programmes, the provision of 20,000 online

scholarships and the establishment of several resource centres in different regions point to the government being proactive and focused on the betterment of the people. I commend the PPP/C Government for these efforts as they have been doing what they were elected to do.

I trust that the government would continue to serve the people of Guyana with the same zeal that they currently show. I am confident that should we continue down this path, Guyana will be developed beyond that which we imagine.

Congratulations to the government for a great year and a more progressive one ahead.

Yours sincerely, Alvin Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

Reconciliation needed to heal nation’s wounds

Dear Editor,

THE Dr Irfaan Ali-led PPP government has completed its first year in office. As an objective observer and a concerned Guyanese who is not a member of any political

party in Guyana, I would say to all Guyanese, regardless of race or political affiliation, that they should never allow what happened in the aftermath of March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections to occur again. The March

to August 2020 election fiasco period was extremely painful, tension-filled and racially charged that could have exploded had it not been for the wisdom of the ordinary citizens and the sound and proper decisions of the Appellate

Court in Guyana and the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ). Thankfully, international pressure, especially from the ABC countries, eventually forced former President David Granger to capitulate. The perpetual trumpeting by

President Granger that he would accept the results as declared by the GECOM chair was a sham with sinister underpinnings to prolong the agony for five long months. But time was not on his side; ultimately, he had to accept defeat and surrender against the wishes of PNC hardliners.

His capitulation fits neatly with the adage, “The longest rope has an end.”

Now is the time for every Guyanese of every race in and out of Guyana to put the country first and stand up for what is right and just. The people of Guyana, especially the youths who are 65 percent of the population, must never again experience such political trauma. What transpired at the Ashmin building and at the GECOM head office in March 2020 by the Returning Election Officer of Region Four and others was reprehensible, scandalous, outrageous, unpatriotic and borders on treason. It was a blatant attempt by the Granger-led administration to steal the elections and remain in power. And those who perpetrate such vicious and thuggish acts and held the nation hostage for five long and arduous months must face the full force of the law and should be banished from politics and society. So far, such exercise has been at a snail’s pace toward the pursuit of justice.

It is true that from March to August 2020, Guyanese everywhere had witnessed an election filled with trauma, falsehoods, and threats to destabilise the country, discredit the elections, and overturn democracy, thus denying the people their right to elect a government of their choice. However, these efforts have failed, thanks to the overwhelming support from the ABC and EU countries, CARICOM, the Organisation of American States (OAS) and the Commonwealth of Nations whose goal was to make sure that democracy prevailed in Guyana.

The five-month ordeal

has disgraced the citizens, stained the country, and damaged its reputation in the international community. The lesson learned is that overturning election results in Guyana after the votes were cast and counted was not an easy task, considering the impact of high technology and social media. It is time for everyone, including our politicians, not to dabble or be involved in such deceitful and barefaced ventures. Whether we believe it or not, Guyana continues to be a blessed land with its talented and skilled people at home and abroad and its abundance of raw materials and natural resources, especially its huge oil reserves.

What happened in the five precarious months in 2020 must never be allowed to occur again in the country we love and cherish. As Guyanese of every walk of life celebrate the 183rd Emancipation anniversary, we must call on the present government to initiate a national reconciliation process to heal the nation’s wounds and prevent any impending danger posed by the country’s two major ethnic groups, Indo and Afro-Guyanese. This year’s celebration of Emancipation comes at a critical juncture for all of us as we continue to navigate the changed political environment triggered by the change of government a year ago.

As many of us recognise, any change of government brings with it new anxieties and fears for all in society, but most importantly, for the group that has lost power.

Like other elections, the last election has left in its trail a racial fallout between the two major ethnic groups. Therefore, we again call on the present government to initiate a national reconciliation process to lessen the racial tensions, mend the ethnic wounds and unite the people.

Yours sincerely, Leyland Roopnarine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

What became of The X Factor ?

confirmed the show’s importance simply by caring about it.

Matt Cardle returned the show to the festive top spot in 2010, after more than 17 million viewers tuned in to see him crowned winner of that year’s series, but he was the last of a dying breed.

In a new digital decade, it became harder and harder for The X Factor to prove itself as the ultimate crucible for British talent.

CAST your minds back to 10 years ago, and a time when The X Factor was one of the highlights of the weekend’s TV viewing.

Tens of millions of people would tune in to ITV every Saturday and Sunday, alongside their friends and family as wannabe pop stars fought for their 15 minutes of fame.

Some of them achieved it. But many walked away with their dreams shattered.

We laughed, we cried and sang along. Many of us thought we could do better ourselves.

Simon Cowell’s show The X Factor ran from 2004-2018 but has not been seen since (BBC/GETTY IMAGE) And every so often, at the business end of the competition, some genuine stars - One Direction, Leona Lewis, JLS, Little Mix - were born.

In recent years though, audiences fell by nearly half, and this week ITV confirmed it had no plans for the show to return. Its creator Simon Cowell is focussing his attentions on a fresh music panel show, entitled Walk The Line, while channel bosses have fresher formats to concentrate on, like The Masked Singer.

So how did The X Factor go from four yeses to being voted off our screens?

‘REVOLUTIONARY’ TV Along with Big Brother and Pop Idol in the early 2000s, The X Factor was part of a new wave of reality TV shows that enabled normal people to become stars in a

One Direction went on GETTY IMAGE) matter of months.

Not only that but the public could decide their destinies.

“This idea was that not only could you become famous, but also you could choose who the famous person is,” says TV critic Scott Bryan. “I think now we kind of take that for granted but [at the time] it still felt quite revolutionary.”

There were also a lot fewer channels, he notes, and the internet was still young.

In other words, when The X Factor began in 2004, no-one had smart phones, or access to YouTube, TikTok or Twitter.

“So, in terms of Saturday night’s entertainment, it was one of the only shows where you had FOMO [fear of missing out],” he says.

“Even if you hated it, even if you found it a bit contrived, you kind of knew that more than 10 million people were watching it around the UK and it had multi-generational appeal.”

Such was the show’s cultural power that from 2005 to 2008, every single Christmas number one came courtesy of an X Factor star, whether it was Shane Ward or Alexandra Burke. However, there was a reaction to the contestant’s apparently

to have four number ones, before all embarking on solo careers (BBC/ pre-ordained success.

Rage Against the Machine broke the show’s winning streak in 2009.

Their single, Killing In

The Name was sent to number one by a fan campaign that attempted to inform Cowell the British public were no longer

going to “Do as you told me”.

Perversely, even that counted as a victory for Cowell. His opponents

‘PUNCHING DOWN’ X Factor acts thrived in the CD era.

Fans would buy their singles as a memento of the time they’d invested in the series. Even if they never played the music, the song was all but guaranteed to go to number one.

Streaming torpedoed See page 11

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

Behaviour Change Names have been changed to protect identities

SOME adults cause unseen trauma to children.

They abuse and neglect them; shout and swear at them; call them derogatory names, and make them do degrading things.

Their conduct towards children needs to be evaluated and corrected.

Behaviour change, however, takes time; it does not happen overnight, and it

may not happen at all unless a person admits or recognises there is a problem that needs fixing. Only then can meaningful change occur. Today we hear Katherine ‘s story: “When they sent me the leaflet to attend a parental skills workshop, I was vex. After all, I am a grandmother; I have plenty of other things to do with my time - what can they teach me? I have already

brought up two boys and a girl. Is now they going to give me parental training?

My daughter Kay is the one they need.

She is Keisha’s mother, not me - Keisha is her problem. I’m too old to be fretting my head about young people and their ways; before I drop down with high blood pressure, they should leave me out of their affairs.

Imagine, before Kay find a decent man who can help her get by in life, she pick up with a worthless boy in the next village who already had two children for two different women. The next thing you hear, she’s pregnant. I was disappointed when she came to me at 17 to tell me the news. But we managed the best we could and raise Keisha between us.

When Keisha was small, life was easier. She was a playful, reliable child; she could wash clothes, cook and clean by the time she was nine. It was about that time that things started to change in her life. Kay met a new man, and she started sleeping at his place - this meant she spent less time with Keisha.

The child stayed with me during these years, but as she grew older, it was more responsibility. Kay occasionally visited with a gift or some money to help with food and clothes, but I’d had enough. I told Kay to take her daughter. Keisha was thirteen years old and glad for the new arrangement. Packing some clothes in a bag, she left with her mother that day.

Her ‘stepfather’ welcomed her to his home, and I believed Keisha was content.

She stayed with me now and then, but I settled down into a comfortable life; no full-time children to hurt my head or send up my pressure.

About eighteen months after this agreement, a distressed Kay came looking for Keisha. It is only then I realise things were not going well. Kay’s man friend was hardly ever home, and when Kay left in the evening for work, Keisha would ‘get away’ and be on the street with boys. On this occasion, she was missing for two days. Kay was overwhelmed with worry.

We made a police report, and soon a sorry, disheveled Keisha was picked up.

The Childcare and Protection Agency became involved, and that is how I got mixed up in the parental skills workshop. Big old me who already bring up my children. I didn’t want to go, but it

seemed like the only way to help Keisha, so I went.

Kay and I attended all six sessions.

Reluctantly at first, but over the weeks, looking into our family dynamics became interesting. I could see the link between my relationship with Kay and her relationship with Keisha.

What guidance did I give Kay as a child? How could I have been a better mother? Where did I learn how to discipline my children? Did my methods work? Did I show affection to my children? Did I give them the attention and encouragement they needed when they were small? When they were pre-adolescent and when they were teenagers? Did I nurture their talents and provide them with a sense of direction?

I learned about children’s fundamental rights to a loving family, to a clean environment, an education; to protection and security. None of these things crossed my mind when I raised my children. I had no idea all these things mattered. Instead of hustling to get rid of my granddaughter, I should have been more supportive and perceptive of her needs.

When Keisha began counselling sessions, we learnt that she felt abandoned when her mother left to stay with her boyfriend. He disrupted the only family unit she knew and broke their bond.

When vex, I would say to Keisha, ‘Girl, why you don’t go live with your Mother’.

I didn’t mean it, but that broke her heart and made her feel worse.

Vying with her stepfather for her mother’s attention caused her more distress when she moved until she, like most vulnerable teenagers with no sense of direction, fell in with the wrong crowd.

Kay had no father figure, a lack of affection and guidance during her childhood and Keisha had the same.

It was time to put things right. As parents, we do what we can, but sometimes a helping hand is needed. None of us have all the answers, and we are never too old to learn”.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@ gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

What became of ...

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

11

From page 9

that link.

Suddenly, the Top 40 was counting consumption as well as sales - and music fans simply weren’t playing the curdled cover versions the show forced upon its winners (even Little Mix have erased their winner’s single, Cannonball, from their discography, preferring to call the strident, anthemic Wings their debut).

In 2015, a year after streaming figures were incorporated into the Official Singles Chart, Louisa Johnson became the first X Factor winner to miss the top five. After that, the show never produced another number one.

Around the same time, artists like Taylor Swift, Drake and Billie Eilish redefined pop music, with an emphasis on introspective, diaristic songwriting.

A TV show designed to appeal to the broadest possible audience couldn’t replicate that style without losing viewers. Nor could it survive without engaging the dominant mode of pop music. There was nowhere for it to go but down.

The musical conceit wasn’t the

only element of the show that had reached its sell-by date. Changing attitudes to mental health made the idea of laughing at deluded contestants seem increasingly uncomfortable.

Cowell’s barbed comments could border on cruelty, too.

The music mogul told one hopeful he looked “half dead” and another that her mouth was “far, far too big” when she sang. A would-be girl group was dismissed as looking like the same person “before, during and after Weight Watchers”.

“The X Factor was on at a time in which entertainment [involved] occasionally punching down, laughing at members of the public,” says Bryan.

“If you look at the audition process, some of them, I think, have remained iconic British television moments but I think some of them you just wouldn’t be able to do on TV now.”

“I think attitudes have changed,” he continues. “It’s now considered that being an ordinary member of the public and then becoming famous very quickly does have its advantag-

es, but it also can have a lot of drawbacks, particularly on your mental health.”

Fellow TV critic Emma Bullimore agrees there is “a trend for a much nicer kind of programming” these days, with shows like The Great British Bake Off a stark contrast to Cowell’s “brutal” putdowns.

‘WATER-COOLER MOMENTS’ Aware of the shift, the show tried to get nicer, but by that stage it had already been “going off the boil for quite some time,” Bullimore adds.

“It just lost its way a little bit, it felt formulaic, repetitive and like we’d seen it all before.”

Semi-successful attempts were made to freshen up the format, bringing in new judges like Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora, and introducing tension-inducing rounds like the six-chair challenge - but it had already “lost that power” to provide the “water cooler” moments of old, says Bullimore.

“It wasn’t appealing to the

young generation and it wasn’t appealing to the family audience it did before, so therefore there was no-one left really to get excited about the show.”

‘A SAFE SPACE FOR ALL’ While many X Factor alumni still appear in the charts (hello, Harry Styles!) others, including Rebecca Ferguson, Jedward, Cher Lloyd and Katie Waissel, have been critical of the way they were treated by the show, detailing a variety of bad experiences both on-air and behindthe-scenes.

Their claims have included allegations of sexual assault, mistreatment and bullying.

Misha B, who appeared in the 2011 series, said the show had “created this narrative of me being over-confident because I’m black”, which led to her being accused of bullying another contestant on live television.

She said the experience had left her with suicidal thoughts and post-traumatic stress. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

Five more succumb to COVID-19

FIVE more persons have died after contracting COVID-19, taking Guyana’s overall death toll to 541, the Ministry of Health has reported.

The Ministry of Health

said that the latest fatalities are two females and three males These are a 65-year-old woman, who died on July 27; a 59-year-old woman, who died on July 31 and

a 77-year-old man, who died on July 31, all of Region Four. The others are an 82-year-old man from Region Six, who died on July 30 and a 64-year-old man of Region Three, who

died on July 30.

According to the ministry, those persons died while receiving treatment at a Ministry of Health facility.

Additionally, there are currently 862 active COVID-19 cases in Guyana, following the addition of 74 new cases on Aug 01, 2021, after 1,166 tests.

Fifty of the newly recorded cases are females with the remaining 24 being males.

The 74 newly confirmed cases were recorded in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, Nine and 10.

Region Four accounted for 32 of the new cases while Region Two recorded 10 new cases; Regions Three and Nine recorded three new cases each; Region Five, four new cases; Region Six, 19 new

cases; Region Seven one new case; and Region 10 recorded two new cases.

Even as new cases were recorded, 10 persons were reported to have recovered from the virus, bringing the total number of recoveries to 21,193.

The country has now recorded a total of 22,597 confirmed cases since the first COVID-19 case was reported in March 2020.

Of the active cases, 12 persons are at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal; 87 are in institutional isolation; 759 are in home isolation and four are in institutional quarantine.

Many of the persons infected with the virus are said to be asymptomatic, that is, they are not exhibiting symptoms.

The updated COVID–19 Emergency Measures are in force from August 1, 2021, until August 31, 2021. They may be extended or amended by notice of the Minister of Health, after an assessment of the prevailing public health conditions of the pandemic.

As per the current measures, however, all persons are required to wear face masks when leaving their homes, and physical distancing and adequate sanitisation are recommended. The current curfew begins at 22:30 hrs and ends on 04:00 hours.

Persons with symptoms of COVID-19 are asked to call the COVID-19 hotline numbers: 231-1166; 2267480; or 180/181 for assistance.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

Emancipation celebrated virtually without missing a beat

By Naomi Parris

HELD in a virtual environment, Guyana on Sunday celebrated Emancipation in a kaleidoscope of colours, laughter and unity.

Displaying the rich

culture and unique traditions of Afro- Guyanese, drums and games were played.

An array of cuisines and entertainment also filled the day’s festive schedule.

Starting the day off

with a libation ceremony and ending it with a display of unique talents at a closing concert, the events of the day did not miss a beat even though the day was celebrated in confined space.

In an invited com-

A few scenes from todays Virtual Emancipation celebrations

ment, Sister Penda of the African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA) told the Guyana Chronicle that after Afro-Guyanese were liberated, they went on to build the village movement and co-operative societies.

“What happened after emancipation is they bought the plantation system and is to the point where it was to where we are today,” she said adding: “Our foreparents were so determined that with the small amount of monies

that they got, they came together and they started buying those same plantations that went into liquidation, they bought them and they turned them into villages where they had everything set up, they had their own governments.”

She noted that Emancipation is not just a celebration for Afro-Guyanese, but for all Guyanese.

“When we think of Emancipation in Guyana, we think about Africans, we think about the proclamation on August 1st

and we think about freedom.”

She stated that the ancestors fought the greatest fight to ensure the future and freedom enjoyed today.

“We got to this point because of struggles, the struggles of our foreparents.

How did we make it here? It’s because our ancestors made it clear that they are going for self-determination, that they are going to house, feed, self-government and they achieved it.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

Scenes from Emancipation, July, 31

Photos by Delano Williams and Carl Croker

GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

Scenes from Emancipation, July, 31

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16

Gov’t puts $23M into pockets of Crabwood Creek parents

NATURAL Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat, delivered $23.3 million to the parents in the Crabwood Creek area on Saturday, as part of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant distribution drive.

The minister visited the Crabwood Creek Primary School and its annex, which served as distribution points for the grant to students from four schools in the area.

In his address there, he said, “At the end of today’s distribution, we would have distributed $23.3 million in the Crabwood Creek area. And this is yet another promise fulfilled by a government that is not even one year old.”

The PPP/C Government had promised to reinstate and increase the grant for

schoolchildren, after it was cancelled by the APNU+AFC Government. The minister described that act as uncaring.

He criticised the previous administration for spending heavily on “food, drink, travel, lavish lifestyle” while claiming there was no “fiscal space” to accommodate the cash grant scheme for Guyana’s children.

“Our children, they are a blessing to us. Our children are the next leaders of tomorrow. Our children will someday stand where I’m standing right now, speaking to a next group of parents, or to sit there as leaders of the regional government.

“That is the future. That is why we are here, and that is why we care. Because, in

Parents and children from the Crabwood Creek area (DPI photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

A Skeldon Line Path Nursery School pupil receives the ‘Because We Care’ grant from Natural Resources Minister, Vickram Bharrat with assistance from Region Six Regional Executive Officer, Narendra Persaud (DPI photo) order for our country to develop, we need an educated population.”

Parents expressed gratitude for the grant. One mother, Frida Fraser, was elated to receive it.

“I really feel happy and blessed because I have it in cash. So, I could do whatever for the kids.”

Fraser said she plans to buy books, crayons and other stationery for her children.

Another mother, Priya Ramkishun, made similar comments.

“Receiving this cash grant, I’m very thankful for it because it would help to elevate my children education in terms of buying some school supplies and something to do with their school. I would like to say thank you to the government.”

Headmistress of the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, Evette Johnson, said parents and teachers are grateful for the grant.

“At the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, over 500 students will benefit from this cash grant, and a smaller, but not insignificant number of children from the Line Path Nursery School, will also benefit.”

Headmistress of Crabwood Creek Nursery School, Coretta Fogenay, made similar remarks about her school of 141 students.

“I’m feeling good about it and I do hope that the parents would spend it wisely on the materials that the children would need for their early childhood education.”

Headmistress of Crabwood Creek Primary School, Shondel Albert, also said she hopes the grant will be meaningfully used.

“So, come whenever school will be opened, we will have full attendance.”

Minister Bharrat also urged the residents of Crabwood Creek to get vaccinated, to quicken progression toward the reopening of schools and society at large. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

Grandmother of 20 welcomes education grants as ‘most timely’

PARENTS and guardians assembled in large numbers at four primary schools in Region Six to receive the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant for students when Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, travelled there on Friday.

Ava Smith, a 62-year-old mother of eight and grandmother of 20, joined several other parents at the McGowan Primary School to receive the grants for her grandchildren.

Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Smith said while her children did not benefit from such an initiative, it is timely for her grandchildren.

“What I am trying to say to parents is that they put the monies to good uses because these children are in need, and this will help boost their education,” she said.

Smith also extended gratitude to the government for understanding that there are families who require assistance to further their children’s development.

Deodat Beepat expressed similar sentiments. He said the cash grant has come at an opportune time as he was not certain how he’d be able to provide for his child, and his ailing wife.

“I bless the money that will buy some school clothes for the children and mine to go back to school. I would be glad to know that the children can go back to school.”

Shaniece Samson, a nurse and mother of two, said the grant would enable her to purchase a laptop for her son to utilise for his National Grade Six Assessment in August, and an electronic tablet for her daughter.

The woman said while the pandemic affected her children’s education, she is grateful for the support provided by the leadership of the PPP/C Government.

Meanwhile, Minister Dharamlall reminded the parents and guardians to use the funds to secure their children’s education.

“Parents here today, you also have to think about what the needs of your children are and the investment that we’re making, as part of our government’s commitment is to ensure that our children benefit.

“All of you here today are parents and the most important thing in your life is not your life but the life or the lives of your children… so, please treat this cash grant in a very serious way.”

The minister emphasised that the money would boost the region’s economy since farmers and residents have suffered tremendously due to the pandemic and recent flooding.

“There is a philosophy in the way that we do business as a government. We believe that everyone must get an opportunity to earn. We believe that everyone whilst they earn, must be able to take care of their families, very comfortably.

“We also believe that people must not ponder about the future in a way that makes them sad. So, we would like every single person to get money into their pockets,” he said.

Minister Dharamlall said the government would continue to provide assistance and other services to citizens as promised during its election campaign.

The minister, along with Regional Chairman, David Armogan and a team, conducted similar exercises at the Kildonan, Alness and Wellington Primary Schools.

Approximately 23,000 children from these areas would benefit from this initiative, amounting to $437 million in the region.

Parents and guardians of the McGowan Primary School (DPI photo)

17

Local Government and Regional Development Minister, Nigel Dharamlall hands over cash grants to parents and guardians in Region Six (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

Famine relief blocked by bullets, red tape and lack of funding –– warn FAO and WFP as acute food insecurity reaches new highs

EFFORTS to fight a global surge in acute food insecurity are being stymied in several countries by fighting and blockades that cut off life-saving aid to families on the brink of famine, warn the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) in a new report .

Bureaucratic obstacles as well as a lack of funding also hamper the two UN agencies’ efforts to provide emergency food assistance and enable farmers to plant at scale and at the right time.

This is of grave concern as conflict, the economic repercussions of COVID-19 and the climate crisis are expected to drive higher levels

of acute food insecurity in 23 hunger hotspots over the next four months, according to the report, as acute food insecurity continues to increase in scale and severity.

The 23 hotspots are: Afghanistan; Angola; Central African Republic; Central America (Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua); Central Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali and the Niger); Chad; Colombia; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Democratic People’s Republic of Korea; Ethiopia; Haiti; Kenya; Lebanon; Madagascar; Mozambique; Myanmar; Nigeria; Sierra Leone together with Liberia; Somalia; South Sudan; the Sudan; Syria; and Yemen.

FAO and WFP have al-

ready warned that 41 million people were at risk of falling into famine unless they received immediate food and livelihood assistance.

2020 saw 155 million people facing acute food insecurity at crisis or worse levels in 55 countries (IPC/CH Phases 3 or worse) according to the Global Report on Food Crises, an increase of more than 20 million from 2019 and the trend is only expected to worsen this year.

“The vast majority of those on the verge are farmers. Alongside food assistance, we must do all we can to help them resume food production themselves, so that families and communities can move back towards self-sufficiency and not just

A mother with her child emergency (FAO photo) depend on aid to survive,” said FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu.

“That’s difficult without access, and without adequate funding - and so far, support to agriculture as key means of preventing widespread famine remains largely overlooked by donors, unfortunately. Without such support to agriculture, humanitarian needs will keep skyrocketing, that’s inevitable,” he added.

“Families that rely on humanitarian assistance to survive are hanging by a thread.

When we cannot reach them, that thread is cut, and the consequences are nothing short of catastrophic,” warned David Beasley, WFP Executive Director.

COMMUNITIES CUT OFF The report highlights that conflict, climate extremes and economic shocks -- often related to the economic fallout of COVID-19 -- will likely remain primary drivers of acute food insecurity for the August-November 2021 period. Transboundary threats are an aggravating factor in some regions.

In particular, desert locust infestations in the Horn of Africa and African migratory locust in Southern Africa require continued monitoring and vigilance.

Humanitarian access constraints are another severe aggravating factor that hamper efforts to curb food crises and prevent starvation, death, and a total collapse of livelihoods, increasing the risk of famine. Countries currently facing most significant obstacles preventing aid from reaching those who need it most include Afghanistan, Ethiopia, the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Mozambique,

in Ethiopia -- a country facing a devastating food Myanmar, the Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia, the Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

“The road to Zero Hunger isn’t paved with conflict, checkpoints and red tape.

Humanitarian access isn’t some abstract concept - it means authorities approving paperwork in time so that food can be moved swiftly, it means checkpoints allow trucks to pass and reach their destination, it means humanitarian responders are not targeted, so they are able to carry out their life- and livelihood-saving work,” noted Beasley.

SCALE AND SEVERITY Ethiopia and Madagascar are the world’s newest “highest alert” hunger hotspots according to the report.

Ethiopia faces a devastating food emergency linked to ongoing conflict in the Tigray region - where reaching those desperately in need remains an enormous challenge - with 401,000 people expected to face catastrophic conditions

by September - the highest number in one country since the 2011 famine in Somalia.

The Famine Review Committee estimates a medium to high risk of famine in three out of four scenarios based on levels of conflict intensity, humanitarian supply lines, access and operations, and private supply lines and services, including a worst-case scenario in which this could happen in the short term (July - September).

Meanwhile, in southern Madagascar, the worst drought in 40 years -- combined with rising food prices, sandstorms, and pests affecting staple crops -- is expected to push 28,000 people into famine-like conditions by the end of the year.

The new highest alerts issued for Ethiopia and Madagascar add to South Sudan,

Yemen, and northern Nigeria, which remain among the acute food insecurity hotspots of greatest global concern. In some areas of these countries, populations already experiencing catastrophic levels of food insecurity and significant numbers of people are additionally at risk.

The report also flags other countries as amongst the worst hunger hotspots - where life-threatening hunger is on the rise: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo -- the country with the highest number of people in urgent need of food assistance in the world-- Haiti, Honduras, the Sudan, and Syria.

For example, in Afghanistan, acute food insecurity is becoming increasingly critical due to ongoing drought, rising conflict-driven displacement as well as high food prices and widespread unemployment caused by COVID-19.

Meanwhile, in Haiti, an already precarious food insecurity situation is expected to get worse as the country faces likely lower staple crop production due to lack of/irregular rains and is reeling from worsening political instability and food price inflation, and the impacts of COVID-19-related restrictions.

Humanitarian action is urgently needed to prevent hunger, famine and death in all 23 hotspots, the report warns, providing country-specific recommendations covering both shorter-term emergency responses, as well as anticipatory actions to protect rural livelihoods and increase agricultural production to prevent food insecurity from worsening and help at-risk communities better withstand future shocks. (FAO)

‘They have a choice’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

– persons are not being forced to take the vaccine, says Minister Anthony it mandatory for all medical and security personnel in frontline contact with other persons to either be vaccinated or provide evidence of a medically-current COVID-19 negative test. “… and that all places providing hospitality and entertainment services, including restaurants, re-

By Jared Liddell HEALTH Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony has reiterated that government is not “forcing” anyone to get vaccinated during a segment of “COVID-19 discussion” aired on the National Communications Network (NCN) on Sunday.

In the new COVID-19 measures, casinos, betting shops and cinemas which were closed since the discovery of COVID-19 here in March 2020, will be allowed to operate but only at 40 per cent capacity as part of

PSC Chairman, Paul Cheong efforts to control the spread of the virus.

The orders also indicated that patrons visiting these establishments are required to be vaccinated (that is, have at least one dose of a recognised COVID-19 vaccine) and must wear their face masks properly at all times.

From August, as well, operators of public transportation — including minibus operators, taxi drivers and speed boat operators — must be vaccinated. It was stated that these operators must be able to produce their official identification document (such as a national identification card or a passport) and vaccination card when requested by a police officer or any person authorised by the Health Minister. As before, these operators will be required to ensure that their passengers are wearing face masks.

In a move to further protect people from the spread of the virus, the guidelines state that unvaccinated people will only be allowed to access in-person services at any government agency or ministry by appointment.

Otherwise, members of the public who are vaccinated will be allowed to freely access the services offered by those agencies.

Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony Minister Anthony, in re- virus so its fair to them, this sponding to questions on system protects them from implication arising out of getting the virus,” Cheong this new mode of operation expressed. for services, reminded that Just last week, the PSC government did not institute and the Giftland Group of these clauses to corner per- Companies took a stance by sons into taking a COVID-19 calling for its unvaccinated vaccines but rather to protect employees to submit negavaccinated persons from un- tive PCR tests at the beginwittingly being exposed to ning of each work week. the virus.

In a statement issued on “I don’t think people Tuesday, the Giftland Group are being forced; you have of Companies stated: “It is an option, if you don’t want critical that all people in the to take the vaccine then workforce get vaccinated you’ll have to get tested, against COVID-19 because and produce your test, al- of highly contagious variready some workplaces ants.” are saying you have to proIt also pointed to the duce tests if you’re going fact that COVID-19-related to maintain safety in the hospitalisations and deaths workplace, you’ll have to are on the rise throughout produce a test,” said Min- the country. ister Anthony.

WIDELY KNOWN FACT EXPENSIVE “It has become a worldThe Health Minister wide known fact that 99.5 reminded persons opting per cent of all persons in to take weekly COVID-19 hospitals and [who are] tests against taking the dying from the dreaded vaccines being distribut- COVID viruses are uned through the govern- vaccinated,” the Giftland ment’s vaccination efforts, franchise stated. that government expends The company said that its around US$100 per test and decision was in keeping with should this system become continued efforts to protect mandatory by employer’s its employees and patrons, government’s testing bud- and to create a safe work and get would significantly in- shopping environment for all crease.

Guyanese.

Further, he noted that Giftland’s announcewhile government has man- ment follows the release of aged to procure a significant a strongly worded statement number of tests to boost its by the PSC last week. capacity, those tests are inThe commission had tended to be utilised to help called on members to regovernment identify and curb quire vaccination of their the spread of the COVID-19 employees. virus across the country.

“The Private Sector ComPrivate Sector Commis- mission embraces and recsion (PSC) Chairman, Paul ommends that its member Cheong, who also appeared companies require that all of on the programme lauded its employees who refuse to government’s efforts to pro- be vaccinated must provide tect persons who have taken evidence of a medicallytheir doses of the COVID-19 current COVID-19 negative vaccines, in an effort to re- test from infection before turn to normalcy. reporting to work, while “The persons who took continuing to encourage all the vaccines they have rights of its employees to become too, they went and take that vaccinated,” the statement vaccine to keep themselves read. and their families and their Further, the PSC urged loved ones protected from the that the government makes

quire evidence of either vaccination or a medically-current COVID-19 negative test from its customers in order for them to receive service,” the PSC added.

The PSC also lauded the government’s “sterling efforts to obtain vaccinations for our people in an effort to

achieve herd immunity for the nation”.

As it is, Guyana is one of the very few countries that have managed to secure enough vaccines to inoculate its entire adult population. Notwithstanding this feat, there are some Guyanese who are reluctant to take the vaccine.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

Consider allowing food, beverage sales at cinemas –– Caribbean Cinemas urges government

CARIBBEAN Cinemas said its decision to not reopen at the Giftland Mall is in response to a section of the COVID–19 Emergency Measures for August 1 to August 31, 2021 that prohibits the operation of concession stands at cinemas across the country.

Cinemas were closed since the initial outbreak of COVID-19 here in March 2020 but recently, they were granted approval by the Ministry of Health to reopen from August 1, 2021 at a 40 per cent seating capacity.

The company, in a press release on Saturday, stated that the government’s decision to restrict the sale of food and beverages at cinemas will have a direct impact on the way the business operates, noting that the decision is taking away a key component of the cinematic experience.

“Caribbean Cinemas will be unable to reopen in the Giftland Mall since, unlike other businesses, the cinemas were asked to maintain the restriction on selling food.

Even when the occupancy rate has been reduced to 40 per cent, the opening without the sale of snacks and beverages is not what customers expect when going to the movies,” the release read.

Caribbean Cinemas further made comparisons between bars, restaurants and cinemas, remarking that in the cinemas, the patrons are seated, facing the screen, and not talking while watching a movie; the opposite is a regular occurrence in bars and restaurants, The company, in urging the government to reconsider the position and amend the policy in the gazetted order, highlighted that wherever restaurants are open around the globe under COVID-19 restrictions, cinemas are open and selling snacks and food.

“There is no science anywhere that a person going to a movie theatre is at greater risk than going to a bar, restaurant, or club. If anything, it is considered safer.

Caribbean Cinemas urges the government to reconsider this position, as eating in cinemas with appropriate social distancing and facing away from one another while eating poses a far less health risk than common dining or even prevailing circumstances encountered in everyday Guyanese life. The decision to not allow food, which is a necessity for a cinematic experience, is regrettable and we are kindly requesting a review of this position by the authorities” the release stated.

The national gazetted order not only requires cinemas to operate at 40 per cent of its normal capacity but stipulates that customers wear their face masks properly at all times. Additionally, patrons will be required to produce their vaccination cards to verify that they have been vaccinated.

Children will not be required to show this vaccination card since the COVID-19 vaccines are only being distributed to persons aged 18 years and older.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 2, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

Italian wins 100M gold

(BBC) - Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs claimed a shock gold in the Olympic 100m final, after Great Britain’s Zharnel Hughes was disqualified for a false start.

Jacobs, who only switched away from long jump in 2018, streaked clear to win in 9.80 seconds, 0.04 clear of American Fred Kerley.

Canada’s Andre de Grasse won a second successive Olympic bronze, placing third.

World champion, Chris-

tian Coleman, and Trayvon Bromell, the world’s fastest in 2021, were both absent from the final.

Coleman, banned for whereabouts failures after missing three drug tests, and Bromell, eliminated in the semi-finals, were joined on the sidelines by the long-retired defending champion, Usain Bolt.

Few would have picked Jacobs, who was born in Texas to an American father but moved to his mother’s Italian homeland before his

first birthday, as the Jamaican great’s successor.

Jacobs only broke the 10-second barrier for the first time in May. But the European indoor 60m champion carried the momentum from his fast start all the way to the line to register a time faster than Bolt’s winning mark in Rio. He was greeted by compatriot, Gianmarco Tamberi, who had won a joint highjump gold just minutes before and wrapped him in the Italian flag and an embrace.

“I don’t know, it’s a dream, a dream, it is fantastic,” said Jacobs.

“Maybe tomorrow I can imagine what they are saying, but today it is incredible.”

Second-placed Kerley admitted Jacobs was a new name to him.

“I really didn’t know anything about him. It was my first time racing him at the Monaco Diamond League [where Jacobs finished third in 9.99 seconds],” he said.

“He did a fantastic job.”

Hughes will be left to

wonder what might have been in a final stripped of its usual stars and big names.

His clear false start brought back memories of defending champion Linford Christie’s disqualification at Atlanta 1996 and denied him a shot of joining the most prestigious honour roll in athletics.

Hughes, who made the same mistake at last month’s British Championships, said it was the result of a sudden cramp in his calf.

Joint winners declared for Olympic High jump

(BBC) An incredible Olympic high jump final ended with both Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi taking gold medals.

After an exhausting twohour competition, the pair couldn’t be split, having recorded best clearances of 2.37 metres.

The athletes were offered an opportunity to take part in a jump-off.

But in a moment of sportsmanship, they agreed to share the title, sparking huge celebrations.

Both had three failures as they attempted to match the Olympic record of 2.39m and, with error-free records on countback, could have fought for sole possession of the title.

Instead, they made history -- it was the first joint Olympic podium in athletics since 1912.

Maksim Nedasekau of Belarus took bronze, having also jumped at 2.37m, but having more failed attempts across the competition.

Tamberi and Barshim embraced before running to celebrate with their coaches

Mutaz Essa Barshim asked the Olympic official if they could have two gold medals, to which the steward nodded, saying, “if you can agree to share it” and team-mates, hoisting their nation’s flags above their heads.

Barshim can add the gold medal to his backto-back world titles, and is the winner of Qatar’s second-ever Olympic gold medal, after weightlifter Fares Elbakh won the first on Saturday in the men’s 96kg event.

Tamberi was still celebrating on the track when his compatriot Lamont Marcell Jacobs ran into his arms, following his surprise win in the men’s 100m final.

Both athletes have had to overcome tough injuries in their careers, but Barshim says the sacrifices were worth it.

“It is amazing. This is a dream I don’t want to wake

up from,” he said.

“I have been through a lot. It’s been five years that I have been waiting, with injuries and a lot of setbacks.

But we are here today sharing this moment and all the sacrifices. It’s really worth it now in this moment.”

Tamberi had to take time out to recover from a career-threatening injury that ruled him out of Rio 2016.

“After my injuries, I just wanted to come back, but now I have this gold, it’s incredible. I dreamed of this so many times,” said the Italian.

“I was told in 2016 just before Rio there was a risk I wouldn’t be able to compete any more. It’s been a long journey.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

Wilson and Rooplall lead NY XI to victory

FORMER US U19 cricketer Randall Wilson produced a patient knock, while Robin Rooplall got four wickets in an over to ensure that New York XI won their low-scoring battle against King’smen Cricket Club, when action in the New York National Cricket League 30 overs Saturday Tournament continued over the weekend.

The Guyanese-born Ran-

dall scored 48 (2X4s) from 66 balls to stabilise the middle of the innings, after New York XI lost a few quick wickets.

Support came from Keeran Krishna (27 from 39 balls) towards the end as the eventual winners were able to post 153-6 from their allotted overs.

In reply, King’smen XX also lost a few early wickets, before Carlon Whyte came

in at five. Although he was flamboyant with his stroke play, with a match-high 65 from 63 balls (5X4s, 6X6s), he had little support.

DESTRUCTION Andre Lindsay had the second most runs with 10, but the middle-order batsman and the tail were all routed by the off-spin of Robin Rooplall.

The US-based Guyana finished with four wickets, in-

cluding a hat-trick in over number 25.

He had Lindsay caught

by Randall, while he bowl and caught Oliver Buckle for 0, before he bowled Kadeem Simms (0) and bowl and caught Mahfouz Ali (0) to end King’smen CC's innings for 117.

Fellow Guyanese Salim Satar and Telson Johnson supported with two wickets each.

Randall Wilson finished with 48 runs.

Campbell crowned GBTI Ladies tennis champion

— Erskine defeats Osbourne in epic Men’s Open Singles quarter-final clash TOP seeded female player Cristy Campbell produced another dominant display en route to being crowned the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) Ladies Champion at the Diamond Tennis courts, on the East Bank of Demerara.

The five-time national champion easily disposed of up-and-coming player, Renola Jordan 6-0, 6-1 recently in the final of the event.

Campbell used her speed and consistency to outmatch her opponent, who continues to improve.

MEN’S OPEN SINGLES Meanwhile, the quarterfinals clash of the Men’s Open Singles between number two seed, Benjettan Osbourne, and Andre Erskine proved to be the most gruelling and entertaining match of the tournament thus far.

The pair battled over two days due to bad light, but, in the end, it was Erskine who

held on physically and mentally to topple number two seed, Osbourne, to advance to his first men’s semifinal.

Erskine, who is the coach and founder of the Rebel Tennis Club, credited his students for his victory.

“This match was the most mentally exhausting match I’ve played. This is my first semi-final at GBTI, so I’m super excited to reach this stage. My students are my biggest supporters. This win is a result of their confidence in me.”

On day one, the fierce competitors traded breaks in the first two games, then both held as it seemed as if they were settling into the match. Osbourne, who was no stranger to the GBTI quarter-finals round, secured another break in the seventh game, and served out the set to take it 6-3.

Erskine stayed determined and returned as the

more aggressive and consistent of the two. He raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set. Osbourne though held serve in the sixth game and had two break points in the seventh game. A re-focused Erskine quickly shut down Osbourne’s hopes and closed out the set 6-1.

The momentum shifted once again as Osbourne raced to a 3-1 lead in the deciding set.

With the support of his students, Erskine saved his sixth breakpoint in the third set, but it was Osbourne with the slight advantage. Due to poor light, play was suspended with Osbourne leading 3-2 (15-15). The players returned refreshed the next day and Erskine won three consecutive games to take a 5-3 lead.

Erskine served for the match, but unfortunately, Osbourne retired on match point down.

The final score was 3-6 - 6-1 - 5-3 (40-0).

Cristy Campbell dominated the female tournament.

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Andre Erskine won a gruelling quarter-final clash in the Men’s Open Singles.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

Ocon wins eventful Hungary GP

(BBC) - Alpine’s Esteban Ocon took a maiden Formula 1 victory in an extraordinary and madcap Hungarian Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton regained the world championship lead for the first time since May after fighting back to finish third having been last five laps into the race.

His title rival, Max Verstappen, was a victim of an incident-strewn wet start but managed to salvage a point for 10th place in a badly damaged Red Bull.

A race featuring an opening first few laps among the most remarkable in Formula 1 history left Hamilton with a sixpoint lead over Verstappen as the sport goes into its three-week summer break.

A pile-up at the first corner on a slippery track left Hamilton briefly leading Ocon and Aston Martin’s Sebastian Vettel on the first lap before the race was red-flagged to

clear up the mess strewn over the track.

Extraordinarily, when the race restarted, Hamilton was the only car on the grid for a second start as every other driver made pit stops for dry-weather slick tyres because the sun had come out and the track was almost dry.

Hamilton had to stop at the end of the next lap, dropping to the tail of the field, leaving Ocon to fend off Vettel for the rest of the race.

Vettel tried to pass a number of times, but Ocon - a former Mercedes young driver - held on for the entire 70 laps to take a superb first win.

Ocon’s team-mate Fernando Alonso played an important role in securing the win for the Frenchman, defending valiantly against Hamilton for 10 laps in the closing stages.

Hamilton, having fought his way back up to fourth from last, made a pit stop with 23 laps

Winner Alpine’s French driver Esteban Ocon celebrates as he arrives on the podium after the Formula One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring race track in Mogyorod near Budapest on August 1, 2021. (Photo by FERENC ISZA / AFP) (Photo by FERENC ISZA/AFP via Getty Images)

to go to fit fresh tyres and make a bold bid for victory.

The Mercedes driver had the pace to make it happen and might have done, had Alonso not held him off for lap after lap with a display of tough racecraft, a couple of times just on the edge of acceptability.

After Hamilton finally got past Alonso with five laps to go, he passed Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz two laps later

and charged up to the front two, finishing just 0.8secs behind Vettel, with Sainz fourth and Alonso fifth.

After the race, Hamilton went to see the Mercedes doctor because he was suffering from fatigue and dizziness. He said in the news conference later that he had been struggling with his fitness all year after contracting Covid-19 last December.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021

Washout!

West Indies versus Pakistan third T20I washed out

RAIN allowed only six minutes of play in the third T20I between West Indies and Pakistan at the Providence Stadium in Guyana before the umpires decided to call off the match.

Two out of four matches of the series have now been washed out, and only one game remains to be played.

In the eight deliveries that were possible, Andre Fletcher found time to smack two sixes from the six balls he faced - one each of Mohammad Hafeez and Mohammad Wasim. Fletcher got stuck into Hafeez, walloping him over long-on, before swinging Wasim over the bowler’s head. That turned out to be the final delivery before the heavens opened up again.

Rain stopped almost one-and-a-half hours later with the covers taken off soon after as prospects of a five or six-overs shootout brightened. But an inspection 17 minutes prior to the cut-off time put paid to any hopes of play, with one part of the ground still relatively wet.

The originally scheduled five-match T20I series, which first had one match shaved off due to Covid-19, is now down to one more game at the same ground on Tuesday. Pakistan lead the series 1-0, having won the second T20I by seven runs on Saturday.

Campbell crowned GBTI Ladies tennis champion

Joint winners declared for Olympic High jump

— Erskine defeats Osbourne in epic Men’s Open Singles quarter-final clash

See page 25

See page 26

Ocon wins eventful Hungary GP

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See page 27 | MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 2021