Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 08-08-2022

MONDAY 8th August, 2022

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Step in the right direction VAT INCLUSIVE

No.106808

–– Rystad Energy Senior Vice-President praises gov’t efforts to successfully manage its burgeoning O&G sector

‘Best possible welfare’ for public servants, says 10 President PAGE

Great days ahead for Plaisance

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Over 190,000 children 02 receive cash grant PAGE

–– new distribution exercise to target parents who did not receive the grant

New Amsterdam resident dies in motorcycle crash 16 PAGE

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Over 190,000 children receive cash grant

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 8, 2022

–– new distribution exercise to target parents who did not receive the grant

By Naomi Parris

EDUCATION Minister Priya Manickchand has

said that plans will be implemented to ensure those parents who were unable to receive the

“Because We Care” cash grants last week will receive their monies in a second distribution

exercise, which is to be announced at a subsequent date.

“We have had parents

coming to say that they registered late and parents, particularly from private schools, coming to say that their names were not on the register for some reason or the other. So, we are going to have to look at what we have remaining and whether we can serve all of those persons in a second go around,” Manickchand said on Friday as the first distribution concluded.

The minister further explained that while the ministry was able to reach over 190,000 children, there were some parents who were unable to uplift the cash grants during the four-day exercise.

As such, the ministry will soon roll out a phased exercise to target parents who were unable to uplift the grants and those who did not appear on the register.

“There are going to be two second tranches, one, the first one being people who are legitimate on the list but could not get here, for whatever reason… the second one would be a look to see people who were not registered on time.”

She further explained that the $5 billion budget catered for parents who were registered; however, those who did not get to register for the first distribution will not be left out.

“I want people to remember that the budget was arrived based on register, so if you were not on the register, we wouldn’t have cate-red for you, but we still may be able to do something so we will have a look at that.”

Meanwhile, the minister praised the first distribution exercise.

“I’m very happy to say the Ministry of Ed-

Education Minister Priya Manickchand ucation rolled out a really good programme, of course, with assistance from the Guyana Police Force [GPF] and the Auditor General’s Office and so we have not only had a programme that was smooth and efficient, but one that is really accountable and very, very transparent,” the minister said.

“We just served [over] 190,000 children in four days distributing probably more than $5B… that has never been done in this country before.

I just want to pause a minute and understand the magnitude of that undertaking and think about how smooth that was,” she added.

The “Because We Care” cash grant and uniform voucher are part of welfare measures being implemented by the government to put more disposable income into the hands of parents and increase school attendance of learners, particularly those disadvantaged because their parents could not always afford the basic necessities.

The government, in its manifesto had promised that by 2025, each child will receive $50,000.

The “Because We Care” project started in 2014 under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government and saw parents receiving cash grants of $10,000 per child in the public school system.

However, when the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) assumed office in 2015, it discontinued the grant. When the PPP/C returned to government in 2020, they upheld their promise to restore the grant and increase it.

Transformation of Hydronie, Parika markets underway

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 8, 2022

WORKS on the Hydronie and Parika markets have started and are well underway. Vashti Mooteeram, the Market Clerk at the Hydronie Market said the two contracts awarded were for the construction of a shed for a portion of the market and the other for the tarmac.

At the Parika market, the base is already finished and the columns are up.

According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), some $29.2 million has been allocated for rehabilitation of the Parika Market as part of a new wave of development in Region Three.

The project will see the construction of 1,000 square feet of roof with translucent sheets, to allow natural light to illuminate the market. A 300-foot concrete and steel fence will also be erected, along with a four-chamber sanitary facility. Major works will also be done on the electrical distribution system.

Local Government and Regional Development Minister Nigel Dharamlall facilitated the signing of a contract between VAL’S Construction and his ministry in July.

“This is part of our budgetary support approved by

President, Dr Irfaan Ali and other officials listen to the concerns of a vendor at the Parika Market in April (Latchman Singh photo) the government to enhance the infrastructure of the Parika Market. This work we expect will be done in the very near future, in a few months, so that those vendors who are terribly affected at Parika are going to be able to get back into the market, under better conditions of work,” Minister Dharamlall said Minister Dharamlall said

with government’s vision for development, the issues facing vendors and consumers will be alleviated.

“We are aware that many store owners are on the roadside towards the stelling, and as soon as this market is completed, this phase of rehabilitation, many of those who are encumbering on the road will find space within the market

and we will have a much better business environment in Parika. So, we look forward to the contractor beginning work very soon.”

The project is part of the $130 million set aside by the Local Government Ministry to upgrade the Parika, Charity, and Mon Repos markets.

The project will improve the aesthetics of the commu-

nities and will bring order to the markets, eliminating itinerant vending, while providing shoppers with a safer and peaceful space to conduct business.

Meanwhile, President, Dr Irfaan Ali in April said the government will repurpose one of two ballfields in the area for the creation of a massive market tarmac. This announcement was made by

the President during a walkabout in the market. During his walkabout, President Ali got a first-hand look at the vending alongside the roadway and how it affected the free flow of traffic to the Parika Stelling. Many vendors have set up makeshift stalls along the roadway and daily traffic congestion has been the result.

The President noted that the government’s intervention in the matter is necessary, noting that regional officials had made known their inability to finance such a massive project due to a lack of revenue.

Illegal vending, coupled with outstanding rent, has negatively impacted the region’s current financial position.

“There is $10 million in outstanding rent for the market, so whilst the market management can do better and should do better, they are faced with this reality too.

“Where there is a deficit of $27,000 [per month] and there is outstanding rent of $10 million, and here is where the government comes in. It is obvious that they ([egional officials] don’t have any capacity to invest in any infrastructural upgrades here,” President Ali stated.

Step in the right direction –– Rystad Energy Senior Vice-President praises gov’t efforts to successfully manage its burgeoning O&G sector

GUYANA has taken diligent steps in the right direction to successfully manage its burgeoning oil-and-gas sector, and avoid the curses of the 20th Century, said Senior Vice- President and Head of Latin America for Rystad Energy, W. Schreiner Parker.

He made these remarks during a presentation of a study by the company titled, “Guyana’s Upstream Industry and Country Benchmarking Update” at the Roraima Duke Lodge on Thursday.

During his presentation,

Parker told the gathering, which included members of the business community and private sector, that one thing that has continuously been brought up when talking about the new and emerging oil-and-gas countries like Guyana is the “resource curse”.

However, he expressed that Guyana, along with major oil company ExxonMobil, have taken necessary and diligent steps to avoid the problems of the 20th Century, and can be looked at as a model case for the 21st Century.

“And, really, Guyana could be the test case for the 21st Century when it comes to making sure that the resource is actually benefiting the owners of this resource, which are, of course, the Guyanese people,” he said.

In line with this, Parker mentioned that the government has implemented several governance mechanisms and institutions in recent years to strengthen the oiland-gas sector, which he hailed as innovative or forward thinking.

The creation of the Natural Resource Fund, the Local

Content Act and more, he said, are significant pieces of legislation that are imperative to ensure the proper governance of the sector, and enable Guyanese to benefit.

He noted that one key thing that Rystad Energy has always hailed is the establishment of agencies, as they can outlive administrations. He mentioned the newly-established Local Content Secretariat, among other regulatory bodies.

“And so, the institutions that have been created here all will have a part to play in making sure that this re-

source is ultimately going to benefit the people of Guyana who are the owners of this resource,” Parker said.

Parker went on to highlight that legislation such the Local Content Act and Natural Resource Fund Act are steps in the right direction to ensure the development of the sector.

During his presentation, the Rystad VP also highlighted that the future of the oil-and-gas industry is bright for Guyana, and that he views the gas-to-energy project as a game changers for the country.

Senior Vice-President and Head of Latin America and the Caribbean for Rystad Energy, Schreiner Parker (OilNow photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 8, 2022

Hope as Gaza ceasefire comes into effect

A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants has come into effect after three days of violence which left at least 43 people dead.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants said the truce will begin at 23:30 local time (20:30 GMT), after talks moderated by Egyptian mediators.

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid’s office confirmed the ceasefire.

The latest violence is the most serious flare-up between Israel and Gaza since an 11day conflict in May 2021.

The Israeli military confirmed it was striking Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza as the ceasefire came into force in

response to rockets fired just before, and Israeli media reported some isolated rocket fire from Gaza in the minutes after.

But the ceasefire largely appears to be holding since then.

The Israeli military said it began the latest attack on sites in the Gaza Strip in response to threats from a militant group. It followed days of tensions after Israel arrested a senior PIJ member in the occupied West Bank.

By Sunday evening, the Palestinian health ministry said that 15 children had been confirmed among the 43 deaths recorded in the latest violence. Gaza’s health

August 03, 2022

H 08 14 16 22 23 28 27 July 27, 2022

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ministry has blamed “Israeli aggression” for the deaths of Palestinians and for the more than 300 people wounded.

Earlier on Sunday, rockets fired from Gaza reached Jerusalem for the first time since May last year.

The ceasefire was mediated by Egypt over the course of the day.

Large crowds gathered on Sunday for the funerals of those killed in strikes on Rafah, in the south of the territory, including senior PIJ commander Khaled Mansour - the second top militant to have died. Demonstrations in support of Gaza have also been held in the West Bank city of Nablus.

05/08/22 - 02, 05, 11, 17, 26

Reports of the ceasefire deal followed concerns over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, as health officials warned that hospitals only had enough fuel to run generators for another two days.

“We appreciate the Egyptian efforts that had been exerted to end the Israeli aggression against our people,” Islamic Jihad spokesman Tareq Selmi said.

Israel said that it “maintains the right to respond strongly” if the ceasefire is violated.

Israel accused PIJ militants of accidentally causing at least some of the deaths inside Gaza - claiming on Saturday that the group fired

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a stray rocket killing multiple children in Jabalia. The BBC has not been able to independently verify this claim.

The latest conflict closely follows Israel’s arrest of Bassem Saadi, reported to be the head of PIJ in the West Bank, on Monday night.

He was held in the Jenin area as part of an ongoing series of arrest operations after a wave of attacks by Israeli Arabs and Palestinians that left 17 Israelis and two Ukrainians dead. Two of the attackers came from the Jenin district.

PIJ, which is one of the strongest militant groups operating in Gaza, is backed

by Iran and has its head-

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quarters in the Syrian capital Damascus.

It has been responsible for many attacks, including rocket-fire and shootings against Israel.

In November 2019, Israel and PIJ fought a fiveday conflict following the killing by Israel of a PIJ commander who Israel said had been planning an imminent attack. The violence left 34 Palestinians dead and 111 injured, while 63 Israelis needed medical treatment.

Israel said 25 of the Palestinians killed were militants, including those hit preparing to launch rockets. (BBC)

05/08/22- 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 17, 21

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Colombia: New left-wing leader wants global drug rethink

Colombian President, Gustavo Petro Colombian President G u s t a v o P e t ro h a s called for a fresh global strategy to combat illegal drugs trafficking.

Speaking at his inauguration, the country’s first ever left-wing leader declared the “war on drugs” a failure.

Hundreds of thousands of people died in Colombia’s decades-long civil war, fuelled in part by the narcotics trade.

The 62-year-old former Bogota mayor and ex-rebel fighter was elected in June on a radical manifesto promising to fight inequality and ban new oil projects.

Petro told a crowd of his supporters in Bogota that it is time for a new global convention that “accepts the war on drugs has failed”.

“It has left a million dead Latin Americans during 40 years,” he said, “and it leaves 70,000 North Americans dead by overdose each year.”

More than 50 years ago US President Richard Nixon kickstarted a global anti-narcotics strategy that emphasised criminalisation and the use of police force, which became known as the “war on drugs.”

Colombia’s newly sworn-in president said the strategy had merely strengthened the power of mafia gangs and weakened Latin American states over decades.

In Colombia, which according to estimates produces more than half of the world’s cocaine, criminal groups and local militias are heavily involved in the drug’s production and

transportation to consumers around the world - including in the US and Eu-

rope.

Petro’s predecessor, Ivan Duque, made the war on drugs a key priority of his government - enlisting substantial US support to crack down on cocaine production across the Colombian countryside.

More than 100,000 supporters gathered in Bogota’s main square on Sunday to watch the former Marxist rebel make history by being sworn in as Colombia’s first left-wing leader.

He will serve with Francia Márquez, who was elected alongside Petro to

serve as Colombia’s first black vice-president.

“I do not want two countries, just as I do not want two societies, I want a strong, just and united Colombia,” Petro said after being sworn in, Reuters news agency reports.

June’s vote was held amid widespread discontent at the way the country had been run, and there were anti-government protests

last year in which dozens of people died.

The new leader was elected on a radical manifesto to fight inequality by providing free university education, pension reforms, and high taxes on unproductive lands - a departure for Colombia which up until now has voted only conservative presidents into office.

He also pledged to fully

implement a 2016 peace deal that ended a 50-year long conflict with the communist guerrilla group, Farc, and to seek negotiations with the still-active ELN rebels.

Petro’s inauguration marks a major political change in direction for the country, which for decades had been led by moderates and conservatives. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Peace the Message

WHEN neighbours quarrel, true friends should always preach peace, not only because neighbours will remain neighbours, but also because it’s just the right thing to do.

Urging peace and doing the best to separate rival neighbours from conflict, relatives and friends and close neighbours also call on those quarrelling and menacing to take two steps back from the brink, especially when the noise goes beyond words to dangerous and possibly catastrophic actions.

This is precisely the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) situation in relation to the current unfortunate showdown between two nuclear-powered friends of

the region.

The cost of a nuclear war has always been deadly and the world has been lucky no nuclear-powered nation has mistakenly or deliberately pressed the nuclear button.

But global fear has never been worse, as the world races towards nine billion inhabitants later this year.

The showdown over Taiwan comes ahead of crucial elections in the USA, China and the UK -- and neither side wants to be the first to blink.

The situation also presents yet another real possibility of yet another political miscalculation leading to a new war with worldwide implications and involvement, hot on the heels of Ukraine.

The current sparks were ignited just hours after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that: “The world is just one miscalculation away from a nuclear war!” With no sign of any side being willing to take one step back, it is for genuine allies and friends of all to take two steps forward and strongly, even though quietly, urge and encourage the warring parties to step back from the brink of no return.

This is not a time for friends to take sides in a conflict no side can win and the entire world will lose from. Instead, real friends should carefully weigh the obviously complex and worrying situation in its en-

tirety, taking historical and contemporary realities into consideration and arriving at responsible conclusions.

CARICOM member states have ties with all the three parties involved (China, USA and Taiwan) and the region’s political leadership must learn from recent lessons and strive to avoid again being torn down the middle over a very distant issue over which the region simply has no control or decisive influence.

Guyana’s bilateral and historical ties with Washington and Beijing are in both cases based on mutual respect, friendship and solidarity and -- in this case -- are both equal friends of long- standing currently

deeply involved, together, in Guyana’s development process, especially in the oil-and-gas industry and in defence of democracy.

Irrespective of which side of the Taiwan Strait individual CARICOM nations might have ties with, it can be in none’s interest to adopt posturing positions by taking sides in the dispute. Instead, as 14 nations with individual ties to both, CARICOM should consider taking – and standing by -- one common position of non-involvement and noninterference, while strongly preaching and promoting peace.

But, at any rate, it serves neither diplomacy nor peace, for any Caribbean nation to

back or oppose any of the warring parties – not at this time.

True allies should instead be advising friends gearing up for a deadly fight that will surely spill way beyond their borders, to step back from the edge of the precipice and save humankind from having to continue praying, in fear and uncertainty, that no miscalculation triggers actions that can ultimately lead to the extinction of the human race.

That is how bad it is -- and why it can only be good for Caribbean friends to talk and act to protect world peace and advocate prevention of another unwinnable worldly war.

The working class should be encouraged to join the investment class Dear Editor,

I COMMEND the government for its public works projects although care should be taken on issues of transparency and accountability, concerns expressed by every Guyanese I interviewed for a survey I conducted last month. Public projects will boost confidence in foreign investments.

There has been an uptick in investment in the public sector over the last two years, and it is followed concomitantly by an increase in investment by the private sector, albeit led by foreigners rather than domestic capital.

Historically, since independence and even before that by the Jagan administration, the economy had depended on public investment. Private invest-

ment was discouraged. The economy could not attain its full potential. The private sector was starved postindependence, except after the restoration of democracy in 1992. The economy grew negatively during the dictatorship and contracted severely as Dr Ramesh Gampat showed in a book published last year. Hoyte encouraged private investment during the last two years of his tenure, encouraged by Washington and the UK. A Commonwealth team led by Prof Bishnu Persaud proposed divestment of state-owned companies.

Hoyte followed the recommendations; this helped to turn around the economy.

The economy grew from 1993 onwards. There were some stagnant years during the Coalition’s tenure and also during a few years of the PPP’s tenure, especially

during the period of opposition-encouraged racial violence.

Since August 2020, the public projects of the PPP administration – highways, connector roads, utilities, drainage, irrigation, water reservoirs, communication, education, etc – have sown the seeds of economic revival, culminating in an investment spree. We have seen the scramble for land in Guyana for various projects by private investors.

The economy has been growing at record pace, outperforming every country. This may be due largely to the discovery of and investment in the oil sector.

Because of energy production, other sectors are also growing, except for fishing, which has been in decline over the last few years.

Private investments could be impacted with

inflation. The prospects of sustaining private investment are likely to get harder with rising inflation (rising costs of materials). Construction costs have doubled over the last two years caused by the pandemic, the Ukraine war, and energy.

Shipping and fuel costs largely account for rising costs of goods. Government ought to look at doing more to address inflation – which is not the result of government actions, but external factors. Nevertheless, it cannot be ignored as it could impact the politics of the country, especially since local elections are due at end of the year.

Guyana’s long-term growth prospects are embedded in both private investment and public capital expenditure programmes such as roadways. They go hand in hand. Energy

and mining lead the way in private investment. Hotels are rising rather rapidly, adding foreign money to the economy; the latter adds to inflation. The increase in public investment (most of it contracted to the private sector as opposed to being carried out by government itself) has encouraged private investment, leading to high growth rates. (Higher growth rates don’t mean higher incomes or salaries or narrowing of the gap between rich and poor or the working class and the wealthy class – a separate issue that requires a separate article because the working class has been hurting badly through inflation).

The working class should be encouraged to join the investment class.

They should be encouraged to form cooperatives to bid for contracts rather

than have the wealthy contractors get all the government-financed projects.

The working class should be encouraged to also own businesses and become wealthy. They produce the labour and can transform the economy faster than the rich. Government can make available soft loans to the working-class cooperatives to invest in housing, road construction, and farming, among other areas. The latter will lessen our dependence on food imports and lower food inflation that has been taxing the budget of the poor and working class. Government should also encourage the manufacturing sector and agroprocessing industries for export.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Beware of Dr Vincent Adams’ ‘alternative facts’

Dear Editor, “EXXON agreed to unlimited liability coverage” is a statement that is being made over and over again by the former EPA head, Dr Vincent Adams. He claims this was the case when he was head of the agency under the previous admin-

istration.

Exxon has said no such agreement was ever in place.

The EPA has said no such agreement was ever in place; and Dr Adams has never accused the current leadership of the EPA of destroying this paper trail.

But he continues to say

that this agreement was made even while failing to produce it.

Where then is this agreement which was made when Dr Adams headed the agency?

Known for enjoying media coverage, how is it that Dr Adams did not hold a

press conference to announce such a major development, one which he would’ve been praised highly for, for brokering? Why didn’t he at the very least, have the EPA issue a press release?

Was he running an operation where major decisions and agreements with multi-

national corporations did not require documentation?

Hence, the absence of same?

Even so, Exxon has said this was not even agreed to verbally; no such agreement exists.

Dr Adams is either unwell or is deliberately misleading the public, as part

of his political agenda as an executive member of the AFC. One can excuse and treat the unwell, but the latter is a deplorable descent into the abyss for a person who held such an important office.

Yours sincerely, Romel Khan

Expectation high for President Petro to deliver on his promises

Dear Editor, PERMIT me space in your newspaper to offer personal congratulations to President Gustavo Petro and his esteemed Vice-President, Francia Marquez on their historic victory in the 2022 Colombian presidential elections and now their ascendancy to the esteemed offices.

President Petro aged 62, now holds the distinction of being the first leftist President in the history of Colombia and brings with him a much-needed breath of fresh air. The expectations of his presidency are huge, given the fact that he has promised a whole lot during the election campaign. Not being a member of the traditional right-leaning political establishment and not being one of the traditional families that have had a say in the country’s governance, he will have lots of detractors and persons waiting for him to fail.

To counter this, he has already started reaching out to political allies and members of the opposition, looking to bridge the gap which normally exists after a new government takes its seat.

His greatest example of not being afraid to go a new route is the selection of his running mate and now Vice- President, Miss Francia Marquez. VP Marquez is young (40 years old), female, of Afro-Colombian descent and an activist by nature. Never before has Colombia had a senior political figure from the AfroColombian population and this is only the second female VicePresident ever in its history. The hard work now begins for both these leaders.

The attendance of no less than nine Latin American leaders at the swearing-in ceremony displays the importance, reach and expectations that not only Colombia, but all of Latin America have for his presidency. No longer is the swearing-in ceremony just for a couple hundred VIPs, but all of Colombia will be represented.

Marginalised groups such as the Afro-Colombian population; the Indigenous Colombian population; former guerilla leaders; the many Social Groups and the LGBTQ+ population all have representatives present. President Petro has been supported

by key Latin American leaders both past and present such as Andre Manuel Lopes Obrador, Rafael Correa, Jose Mujica and Jose Luis Rodrigues Zapatero, to name a few.

President Petro has promised to re-open trade with neighbour Venezuela, even though he may not see eye to eye with President Maduro nor share his economic policies. A key ally and friend of former Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, President Petro, a former guerilla fighter himself and a qualified economist, believes that for Colombia, going “green” is the way. A key promise is to focus on climate change and he plans to end fossil-fuel exploration in Colombia as a way of reducing future greenhouse gas emissions. The promotion of green energy over fossil fuels will be a key tenet of his government’s policies. Right-leaning Colombian politicians have argued that he will go the way of Venezuela given his proposed policies with expropriations of businesses and properties soon to follow.

However, to counter this in the run up to elections, President

Petro signed a public document promising no expropriations of private properties or businesses if elected.

He did promise however, to increase taxation of the 4,000 richest Colombians in order to fund social programmes for the less fortunate. In his own words, “Venezuela’s mistake was linking its social programmes to oil revenues” and “it’s [sic] over dependence on oil alone.” Colombia under his watch will not go down that road. The establishment of a Ministry of Equality will be spearheading this fight of his for reducing inequality amongst Colombians.

Perhaps the trump card and main reason for his victory at the polls was the promise to tackle corruption. For far too long Colombian politicians have been accused of being too cozy with businessmen and guerilla groups from which they have received illicit funding for favours. President Petro will be seriously looking at getting rid of corruption and cleaning up the system. Strengthening of the country’s judicial

and constitutional systems and maintaining their independence from those who govern will be paramount.

Investments in agriculture, accessibility to water resources, public education and research, health care reform of the private healthcare system and tax reforms are some of the other key areas to be looked at. In addition, the growth of legal marijuana in place of the illegal cocaine trade, women’s rights and rights of the LGBTQ+ community ( in a predominantly Catholic country) are areas for which key proposals will be made to address underlying issues.

All of these promises will not be easy to resolve, nor will the issues be addressed immediately. The country and its economy will need to be restarted post-COVID-19 and the competition for resources for the various programmes will be intense. President Petro does have the majority of the populace on his side and support will be abundant. It is up to him to make the most of the current atmosphere and momentum of

his election.

Guyana and the rest of Latin America and the Caribbean will be paying key attention to Colombia and its developments under the presidency of President Petro. I am sure that the current government will be looking at areas of bilateral trade and cooperation in various areas such as health, security and foreign relations to name a few. The fight on corruption will also be closely watched and once successful, key measures and policies could be adopted for our own national use.

On Tuesday, another country, Kenya, will go to the polls.

The top issue for the electorate is “corruption.” Both major candidates have planned to fight this huge issue if given the chance to lead. Only time will tell. Maybe, just maybe President Petro will lead the way for others to follow. He has already been the first of many things.

The world is watching.

Felicidades al Presidente Petro y a todo los Colombianos!

Dr Mark France ANUG Executive

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

GECOM must hold Local Government Elections this year

Dear Editor, THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) must hold Local Government Elections (LGEs) this year. These elections are long overdue, contrary to the legitimate expectations of the majority of the Guyanese citizenry concerning GECOM’s execution of its constitutional mandate.

Consequently, citizens’ clarion calls, the government

and other stakeholders’ trumpets ought not to be the decisive drivers of GECOM’s administrators to act with purpose and due diligence in the execution of the organisation’s role without fear or favour.

GECOM’s start, slow, and silent posture is insufficient for the required definitive approach. The situation breathes uncertainty about the confidence of getting on with the people’s business, or rather,

callously erodes the support and opportunity costs that timely execution of these elections are constitutionally designed to provide at the village, municipal, and community levels. Understanding this single conceptual position alone justifies the many reasons for the rollout of an assertive, time-bound, and purposeful approach by GECOM through its Secretariat.

It is also factual that the

PPP/C Government in recent national budgets, made available adequate allocations to support these mandatory requirements, and these were approved by the National Assembly.

Given the evidence-driven removal of leading staff of the organisation previously accused of being involved in electoral fraud, one anticipates fewer hurdles in moving the necessary processes forward and in particular, for ensuring that the LGEs are held within this year as previously committed to by GECOM. The chairperson and objective commissioners must not be deterred by the recent unjustified opposition’s convenient condemnation and pronouncements, providing that all operations are conducted within the ambit of the applicable legislation.

Our citizens are well aware that GECOM did a comprehensive and wellconducted period of continuous registration to update the Register of Registrants, and they must now hold a short period of Claims and Objections to allow all stakeholders to peruse the list and make objective observations to inform further transparent and thorough preparation of the voters list for the holding of LGEs. There are serious challenges at many Neighbourhood Democratic and municipality Councils. Over the period since the last LGEs, all the NDCs and municipalities

are depleted because of the serious loss of elected members.

On many occasions, meetings are cancelled because of a lack of quorum. In many instances, required services to residents have been attenuated, while the people’s representation at the grassroots level is of premier importance for informing the required areas for improvement. Further, the holding of LGEs will allow the communities to carefully nominate men and women who are prepared to serve their communities.

The delaying tactics of GECOM, or those attempting to influence the organisation to only conditionally hold elections subject to conditions of their party’s liking, must not be tolerated.

It’s known that GECOM wrote the Minister of Local Government informing him about their unpreparedness to hold LGEs almost one year ago. It was not anticipated that the conveyed indication that the LGEs would be held earliest in 2022, would turn out to realise a position at this juncture where there is still no confirmed timeline.

Of note, GECOM is yet to fill some crucial vacancies at the Secretariat. The Chairperson of GECOM, Justice (ret’d) Claudette Singh, must dispel the obstacles and pride herself on leading the organisation to execute the holding of LGEs as early as possible.

Hence, the commission must develop a proper work plan for the holding of LGEs

this year. GECOM must be ready with a National Register of Registrants and the very short period of Claims and Objections will enable the Preliminary List of Voters.

With the updated NRR obtained through an efficientlyrun continuous registration process, the delays in moving forward to the Claims and Objections to confirm the subsequent Preliminary List of Electors (PLE) are disappointing, concerning the snail’s pace.

The steps to ascertain a reflective PLE will ensure the holding of LGEs as soon as possible and must be addressed immediately.

GECOM should be aware that if there are other impacting circumstances, the transparency level requires full disclosure.

In Guyana, the lessons of the aftermath of the March 2, 2020 elections must keep this nation on any electoral undercurrents for our people to accept fairness and unite. Our people must participate in the LGEs, particularly, our young people must get involved to preserve our young and growing democracy. While Guyana is on the rise, we must develop a nation with brilliant young minds that will say no to racism and never allow anybody to divide us. LGEs must be held this year.

Yours respectfully, Neil Kumar

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

The way adults look at children

THE only way adults should look at children is with eyes of loving concern and a need to safeguard them; and see them grow into healthy, level-headed, respectable adults. However, some adults look at children in the wrong way; their minds are warped and depraved.

They molest and sexually abuse children in their families and communities without fear of reprimand or prosecution. They know what they are doing is wrong but have no concern for the welfare or wellbeing of the child. Their debased satisfaction is all that matters. Family members who turn a blind eye or brush the matter under the carpet are also guilty of child sexual abuse. They are able-bodied adults who know the law yet, fail to protect children.

Last year over 1,121 children (boys and girls) were sexually abused in Guyana. This number signifies the cases reported to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) from regions across Guyana, (which is 1,121 too many).

For each reported case, you can be sure there is at least one other case of child sexual abuse somewhere out there, right now, behind closed doors.

Why are children seen as sexual fodder by some adults and not the young, naive beings they are?

Why do these predators fail to protect children and choose to abuse them instead? --causing havoc to a child’s developing mind and over-shadowing young lives with the trauma of sexual abuse.

There is a natural order to things in life, and most people know the support, encouragement and affection that growing children need from their parents or carers. These and other factors, such as education and learning morals and values, help children become independent, fair-minded adults. Child sexual abuse prevents, provokes and pollutes that natural order.

Sexually abused children cannot undo what has befallen them - it is with them for life. Some sexually abused children are too young to speak out

about their ordeal, or they may think sexual molestation is the norm; how things are meant to be, they don’t know any better. Children rely on adults to guide them through life’s journey. It is a sad state of affairs when those very adults that children trust and look up to, exploit them in the most perverted and immoral way possible.

When children appear promiscuous or force-ripe, people tend to blame the child for their forward manner and behaviour.

Little do people know what children are exposed to over the years and its impact on them.

They may have witnessed adults having sex or heard and seen things that were way before their time.

Adults thrust children into a sexual world -sometimes deliberately and sometimes by design and poor parenting.

Some adults believe there is no harm done when they sit and watch X-rated movies with children nearby. The children know what is going on; they can peep at the movie with little reprimand or gain access to the same when left alone. Even if the adults say, ‘Don’t come in here! This is not for you; this is big people thing’. Their words have little weight. Encouraging children to watch anything with sexual content, pictures, social media, movies etc., is child sexual abuse and a chargeable offence.

Some adults blame children for incidents of sexual abuse. They find ways to make the child feel guilty, as if the child ‘wanted’ sex and got what they deserved. Children grow up feeling worthless, dirty and used; they think they are different from their peers because they instigated and partook in sexual activity. Sly adults can get children to believe negative things about themselves for their purpose.

In some cases, mothers turn on their daughters, taking the perpetrator’s side and alienating their child. They fail to see the responsibility is the adults’, not the child’s.

Many adolescent girls live with the traumas of

sexual abuse and parental abandonment, which makes coming to terms with the abuse and moving on twice as difficult.

When abused children have people who listen to them and family members who offer support, it helps the healing process.

All aspects of child sexual abuse are distasteful. The thought of the perpetrator; the innocence of the child; the act; the secrecy; the unseen scars and victim’s anguish; and mental burden. The crime is even more appalling when the child is a baby who cannot talk and has barely begun to live life.

One can only hope that younger children will not remember their ordeal and the perpetrator will receive their karma – as will all those who condone and participate in harming children’s lives in this heinous manner. Advocate centres are establishments especially designed for children of sexual abuse.

An abused child can talk about his ordeal to a trained counsellor in one room, while a policeman and a child advocacy officer attend the session in another.

The recorded session is available for future use, e.g. in court or other proceedings. Children usually feel a sense of relief after they have spoken about their ordeal, and follow-up sessions with counsellors are available.

Once the session is over, the child does not have to tell his story again (evoking trauma and reliving his anguish).

Some adults need to readjust the way they view and treat children. They need to learn more about child development and their role in assisting the child. Children do not lie about sexual abuse, espe-

cially when they tell on someone they know and love. Every child has the right to grow up in a loving family, free from harm, discrimination and abuse.

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

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‘Best possible welfare’ for public servants, says President

PUBLIC servants have been reassured of government’s commitment to ensuring that they have the “best possible welfare.”

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali made this clear when he provided an update on his recent engagement with First Vice-President of the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU), Dawn Gardener.

He explained that the engagement was not a bargaining meeting but rather for the two sides share and discuss views on how they could resolve the challenges faced by public servants.

“Government believes in ensuring our workers, those in the public service, they have the best possible welfare,” the President stated.

He explained that “it is not only about salaries, it is about a comprehensive

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 8, 2022

strategy. Workers must be able to own their own homes; they must be able to access better standards in terms of health, education and support for their children going to school. So, it is a collective mechanism.”

Since taking office, government has worked to improve working conditions for public servants.

In 2021, over 20,000 public servants benefited from a seven per cent salary increase. Government also returned the one-month tax-free bonus for members of the Joint Services.

Further, through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, there will soon be a ‘Day and Night’ Care Programme to ensure a safe space for children, where single parents could leave their children during their respective working hours.

Government is also working to rectify the irregularities in salary scales across positions in the public sector.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for finance, Dr Ashni Singh, last year explained that “for example, a new graduate with a degree in environmental science might be

GPSU First Vice-President, Dawn Gardener earning $120,000 in one agency while a new graduate with an identical degree in environmental science might be earning $190,000 in another agency.”

“Government will be taking steps next year to reduce these inconsistencies, by making suitable adjustments to salaries in order to improve the parity and consistency with which persons with comparable qualifications are paid,” he said.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, August 8, 2022

Great days ahead for Plaisance –– Minister Edghill tells residents of community

PUBLIC Works Minister Bishop Juan Edghill has assured residents of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara of ‘greater days ahead’ for the community which is set to undergo major transformation.

Minister Edghill had joined residents to celebrate their Annual Village Day, held Saturday under the theme, “The Perpetuation of African Culture Led by Youth Group for the Zen/ Future Generations.”

“Great days are ahead of Plaisance and this local authority area. Great opportunities exist. Five years from now….

We will not be kept back,” he told residents gathered at the Eddy Grant Resource Centre.

The minister highlighted a host of initiatives underway in the community and surrounding areas geared at improving residents’ lives.

He noted the two international hotels that are expected to be constructed aback of the village which will create employment, Public Works Minister, foster community deBishop Juan Edghill velopment and economic growth.

“The Marriott is already under construction and there is another branded hotel that is being developed right in your back yard.”

Government recently turned the sod for a new € 149 million maternal and child health hospital in the neighbouring community of Goedverwagting. Residents will be able to benefit from improved health care services.

In addition, an Exxon Mobil headquarters is under construction at Ogle. To this end, the minister encouraged residents to grab opportunities to invest in apartment buildings to house workers of the company.

Meanwhile, the area will also see the roll-out of major infrastructural projects. These include the new four-lane highway from Ogle linking Eccles and which will begin shortly. Another four-lane highway stretching from Sheriff Street to the Mahaica train line or railway embankment is in the procurement stage. Work on that project is expected to begin before the end of the year.

Prince William Street in Plaisance is also set to be rehabilitated. Tenders for the road project have already been advertised and a contractor will be engaged shortly.

“Plaisance will no longer be the place where you go to ‘backdam,’ pick cane and come back and chew……

There is massive transformation and development that is taking place,” Minister Edghill stated.

He assured residents that the PPP/C administration will continue to provide support in any way necessary. (DPI)

Residents of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

GWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh, with the graduates of the company’s plant operators Level II training programme and other company officials

GWI boosts human resource capacity to aid expansion programme THE Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) will be embarking on an apprenticeship programme to improve water quality across the coast via the establishment of 13 new water treatment plants and 10 in-line treatment systems.

This is according to GWI Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Shaik Baksh, who was at the time addressing graduates of the company’s plant operators Level II training programme.

Baksh explained that the on-the-job training for the operators will eventually lead to upward mobility, thus contributing to human resources development at all levels within the company, a release from the company said.

He noted that the apprenticeship programme, on the other hand, will aid in knowledge sharing and the filling of new positions that will become available.

The CEO also acknowledged that there was a plea for water free of high iron content on the coast. To this end, he posited that Government’s investment in the realisation of these new water treatment plants will help to significantly improve the quality of water citizens receive.

He told the graduates that their role as plant operators was important in ensuring the functionality of the plants and distribution of clean water to residents.

According to the release, he noted, too, that GWI was conducting a study that entailed the use of surface water and less chemicals to treat it. These sources were the East Demerara Water Conservancy, Boerasirie Conservancy, Five Mile in Bartica and the Dakoura Creek in Linden. The utility

was also eyeing 27 springs in Linden to be put to use.

Some 17 persons successfully completed the training programme which was held for a period of one year.

The training was in keeping with the expansion and modernisation plans for water treatment processes within the company and plant operators were encouraged to use their newly acquired skills and knowledge to increase their performance on the job.

Wendell Jeffery, a Director on GWI’s Board, told the graduates that the training they received was as a result of the foresight of the Board and Management of the company.

He highlighted that, as operators working at the sole water utility in the country, they have an important role to play towards the development of Guyana’s water sector. He reminded them that citizens across the coast were depending on them for a safe, clean and timely water supply.

He dubbed the training programme part of history in the making, as the company moves towards expansion.

Meanwhile, Avinash Parsram, head of Water Quality and a facilitator of the programme, advised the operators to not only understand what they were doing in their line of duty, but also understand why they were doing it and how it will help to improve efficiency.

He encouraged them to be accountable and committed to their job, the GWI release said.

A second batch of plant operators is expected to commence training later this month and the programme is slated to last for a period of six months.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Due attention to development, sport in Amerindian communities

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday delivered the keynote address at the launch of the Upper Mazaruni 23rd Annual District Games in Kako, Upper Mazaruni.

President Ali also do-

nated $1.5M to the event and announced that the government will be working with the winning community to develop a shade house to advance their food-security agenda.

He also announced that

the government is working on developing a One Guyana football tournament that will see participants from every administrative region.

The 12 participating teams are Jawalla (defend-

ing champions), Phillipai, Imbaimadai, Chinoweing, Wax Creek, Paruima, Waramadong, Quebanang, Kaikan, Arau, Kamarang and Kako.

At the event, President Ali reassured those gath-

ered of his commitment to the development of Amerindian and hinterland communities, especially as it relates to sports.

Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai; National Security Adviser

Captain, Gerry Gouveia; President of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde and other government and regional officials were also at the event. (Office of the President photo)

14 Field with barley in Lvivska oblast, Ukraine (FAO photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Boosting grain storage in time of war THE Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new US$40 million Canada-funded project to further address grain storage shortages in Ukraine.

The initiative will allow storage of an additional 2.4 million tonnes of grain between 2022-2023, along with related technical support and equipment. This complements the support of US$17 million recently provided by the Government of Japan to cover one million tonnes of grain storage.

This season, with the harvest of winter crops starting in July and spring crops beginning later in the year, Ukraine is expecting to harvest up to 51.1 million tonnes of cereal. Out of a total storage capacity of 75 million tonnes, 14 per cent of storage facilities are damaged or destroyed, 10 per cent are located in Russianoccupied territories, and around 30 per cent remain filled with 22 million tonnes of last year’s harvest awaiting export, according to the Government of Ukraine.

“Given the unprecedented storage challenges this year, innovative solutions are required at scale. For this reason, support to the sector will remain in high demand, likely into 2023,” said Rein Paulsen, Director of the FAO Office of Emergencies and Resilience.

“FAO is responding immediately to this situation while taking a longer-term view, and looking to invest in durable solutions that build on sectoral capacity, in coordination with the government at national and local levels.”

The recently developed Grain Storage Support Strategy, an extension to the FAO Ukraine Rapid Response Plan (RRP), aims to support the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine to cover 4.07 million tonnes, or 25 per cent, of the total estimated national storage deficit of 16

million tonnes in 2022-23.

The strategy also includes the support of the State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection to process and export agricultural products from Ukraine by strengthening government capacity for food commodity testing and certifications necessary for export at border facilities.

The immediate impact of the strategy will be an expansion and immediate availability of storage capacity at this critical harvest time for Ukrainian producers of grain and oil seeds, while the longer-term impact will be in sustaining global food supplies. This, in turn, will strengthen food security and protect livelihoods at the household and national levels in Ukraine, and ensure other grain import-dependent countries retain access to adequate supplies of grain, at a manageable cost.

“Thanks to the funding provided by Global Affairs Canada, FAO will deliver temporary and fixed grain storage solutions, including polyethylene grain sleeves, loading and unloading machinery, and longer-term modular storage units, targeting small and mediumsized farms in 15 oblasts (regions),” said Pierre Vauthier, Head of FAO’s Ukraine Country Office. “In addition, FAO will procure up to US$2 million worth of laboratory equipment to support six strategic laboratory facilities in surveillance for animal diseases, in accordance with the World Organisation for Animal Health’s safe trade rules.”

To d a t e , w i t h t h e additional funds from Canada, FAO has raised $70.4 million against the total of US$180.4 million needed under the Rapid Response Plan and Grain Storage Support Strategy.

An additional US$110 million is urgently needed to support vulnerable households in rural areas.

(FAO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Resolution approved to support access to monkeypox vaccine in Americas

As monkeypox cases continue to rise in several countries of the Americas, Member States of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) held a Special Session of the Directing Council to consider a Resolution to address the outbreak, including supporting equitable access to vaccines for at-risk populations in the region.

On 23 July 2022, the Director of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the outbreak, which began in mid-May and has affected 89 countries across all six WHO regions, a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

Around 10,000 monkeypox infections have been reported by 24 countries of the Americas since the start of the outbreak. This accounts for 36 per cent of global cases.

“The PHEIC declaration came with detailed recom-

mendations for both countries and territories who haven’t detected any cases as well as for those who already have imported cases or transmission in their communities,” said PAHO Director, Carissa Etienne.

“We believe that when the recommended measures are appropriately implemented, we can stop transmission of the monkeypox virus.”

These recommendations, which PAHO is working with Member States to implement, include communication and engagement with affected communities, early detection and surveillance, treatment and isolation of patients, and contact tracing.

However, “post- or preexposure vaccination might need to complement the other measures,” the Director added.

During the session, Dr. Etienne noted that there is currently only one third-gener-

ation vaccine for monkeypox, which is produced by just one manufacturer.

While supplies of this vaccine are extremely limited, PAHO has engaged in early negotiations with its manufacturer.

In light of this, the Resolution adopted requests PAHO’s Director to facilitate a co-ordinated response and take steps to support Member States in obtaining access to this vaccine through the PAHO Revolving Fund. It also requests that countries of the region of the Americas continue to recognise PAHO and its Revolving Fund as the strategic regional technical mechanism most suitable for providing equitable access to this vaccine and others.

The recommendations of PAHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Vaccine Preventable Diseases, as well as those of the Emergency Committee of the International Health Regulations, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO), stipulate that countries should prioritise vaccines for specific groups, such as close contacts of a confirmed monkeypox case, in order to maximize impact considering the limited

Car of taxi driver torched A TAXI driver of Sheet Anchor, East Canje, Region Six, is counting his losses after his car, his only means of income, was destroyed in a blaze on Friday night.

Speaking with reporters, Chandrapaul Mohabir, 26, recalled hearing a loud sound around midnight on Friday.

He ran out of his bedroom to investigate and noticed his white Fielder wagon bearing registration number HB 2807, on fire.

Mohabir said he then heard footsteps on his step and quickly reached for his phone and called his friends for help, but by the time they arrived, the car had been already burnt beyond repair.

Mohabir was uncertain who may want to cause harm to him, moreso, destroy his vehicle. However, after reviewing surveillance footage, he noticed someone wearing a hoodie armed with a steel rod and a jar in hand walking toward his car.

“Whilst walking coming he stopped behind a post and waited until a vehicle passed and he light something on the ground when he done light it, he take the steel rod and burst

the back windshield. I see he then pick up the jar and throw the gasoline in the car and then he take the thing that he light and throw it in the car and the car catch afire,” he related.

million.

An investigation into the alleged act of arson is under way.

According to information, Mohabir is said to be the driver who would trans-

Chandrapaul Mohabir next to his torched car Mohabir is hoping that video evidence from the surveillance footage will help police bring the perpetrator to justice.

He said he had the vehicle for only eight months and estimated his loses at $2.7

port an accused in a Canje businessman’s murder, to his house. The accused was charged with manslaughter last Friday when he appeared at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and was placed on $750,000 bail.

vaccine supply.

Monkeypox is a viral zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus. Symptoms include fever, intense headache, swollen lymph nodes, muscle ache, and a rash that blisters and crusts. The rash tends to be concentrated on the face, palm of the hands and soles of the feet. The mouth, genitals, and eyes may also be affected.

The symptoms can be mild or severe, and generally last for several weeks during which time a person can be infectious to others. Most people recover within a few weeks without treatment.

Monkeypox disease is reported regularly in nine countries of Central and West Africa since it was first recognised in 1958 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

However, since mid-May 2022, an increasing number of monkeypox cases have been reported first in multiple countries in Europe and later in other regions, including the Americas.

As of 4 August 2022, 26,326 probable and laboratory-confirmed cases were reported to the WHO from 89 countries across all six WHO regions. (WHO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Emancipation – what it means

By Vanessa Cort

A FRIEND in the US last Monday sent me a quote

by Lyndon B Johnson, as we celebrated Emancipation Day. America’s 36th President, who held office from 1963 to 1969, had this to say: “Until justice is blind

to colour, until education is unaware of race, until opportunity is unconcerned with the colour of a man’s skin, emancipation will be a proclamation but not a fact.”

Haile Selassie in his address to the League of Nations, which was sung by reggae icon Bob Marley in the song “War,” was even

more emphatic. He ‘threw down the gauntlet,’ warning that there would be war “until the colour of a man’s skin is of no more significance than the colour of his eyes,” Yet, so many years after Selassie’s speech in 1936 and these words from Johnson decades later, the reality of emancipation still seems

a long way off, though peo-

The author ‘threw cold

ple of African descent celebrate it each year on August 1 in Guyana and many other countries.

While this day historically marks the freedom of over 800,000 African slaves and their descendants the world over, people of colour are still oppressed, discriminated against, unfairly incarcerated, killed and even enslaved again, all because of their melanated skin.

There was no substantial support system created to help freed slaves transition to their new found freedom.

So with no resources, no housing, no belongings, no skills and no self-esteem, slaves remained at the mercy of those who enslaved them – the repercussions of which are still being felt today, The Khan Academy provides some insight into conditions post-slavery in the US saying, “Although slavery was over the brutalities of White race prejudice persisted.”

And in his book ‘Sick from Freedom,’ historian Jim Downs tells of the hundreds of thousands of slaves who died from disease and hunger during the American Civil war.

water’ on the celebration of the freeing of slaves saying, “… the reality of emancipation during the chaos of war and its bloody aftermath often fell brutally short of that positive image.

Instead, freed slaves were often neglected by Union soldiers or faced rampant disease…. Many of them simply starved to death.”

Downs comments that in the 19th century (White) people did not want to talk about it. The same is true today, though Black people have made significant strides and slavery in its most brutal form has been largely eradicated. White society is still reluctant to address the inequalities which exist and many are content to turn a ‘blind eye’ to racial injustice.

This is true of European countries too and has been underlined by the African refugee crisis, which has brought to the surface the latent racism in those societies.

But perhaps the most glaring cases of the lack of emancipation are to be found in Africa itself, in countries such as South Sudan, where the indigenous people are being killed, robbed of their land, en-

slaved again and gradually marginalised.

In her stirring book, ‘Slave: My True Story,’ Sudanese-born Mende Nazer recounts the harrowing tale of how she lost her childhood at the age of 12, when Arab raiders attacked her Nuba village. They killed the adults and kidnapped Mende, who was later sold into slavery, along with 29 other children.

Vividly reliving her memories of a happy village life and describing in detail how the society functioned, Mende also paints a stark picture of her punishing years as a slave in an Arab household in the Sudan and later in England, where she finally managed to escape.

Hers is not the only such story, which provides testimony to the fact that even in these so-called emancipated days slavery still exists in some parts of the world.

Further, Black people are still being unceremoniously killed in the US by the police, who take an oath to protect, sidelined by an education system weighted against them and imprisoned disproportionately, often receiving excessive sentences.

This has given rise to the Black Lives Matter movement in the US and several other countries, calling for and forcing reforms in the justice system and the method of policing and asserting that systemic racism is still ‘alive and well.’

However, as Bob Marley points out, emancipation is both psychological and physical, as in one of his most melancholic songs, he urges, “Emancipate yourself from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds.”

Dead: Clifton John Lindie after hanging out in New Amsterdam and was making his way home.

She continued that while in the vicinity of Providence, East Bank Berbice, the front wheel of his mo-

torcycle blew out and he lost control and ended up in a nearby trench where he succumbed.

Police responded to the scene and assisted in transporting Lindie’s body to the hospital. He reportedly died on the spot. Lindie was a sport enthusiast and former regional cricketer attached to the Tucber Park Cricket Club. He was described as a quiet and hardworking individual with a passion for helping others.

He leaves to mourn his parents and sibling. An investigation into the accident is in progress.

New Amsterdam resident dies in motorcycle crash

A 25-year-old resident of Glasgow, Greater New Amsterdam, Region Six, lost his life following a motorcycle accident in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Dead is Clifton John Lindie, a sales representative of the Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) Berbice branch, who reportedly lost control of his motorcycle after the tyre blew out as he was on his way home.

Speaking with reporters on Sunday, Cathria Lindie, a sister of the deceased said that her brother left his friends around 01:00hrs

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday August 08, 2022)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -- 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Jason Holder, Odean Smith (2) Australia vs New Zealand, Auckland (February 17, 2005) Today’s Quiz: (1) Who had the best T20 Int’l bowling figures against India until Obed McKoy’s 6 for 17?

(2) How many times Kieron Pollard captained the WI in T20 Int’l against India?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue …………………………………………………………

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

India thrash West Indies to close out series 4-1 (ESPNCRICINFO) - India thrashed a seemingly directionless West Indies by 88 runs in the fifth T20I to end the series with a 4-1 scoreline.

Both sides made four changes each for the dead rubber but West Indies looked like just going through the motions.

Their bowlers bowled three no balls, and on more than one occasion didn't seem interested in fielding the ball in their follow-through, and, most tellingly, their attack lacked quality: there was no express pace, no point of difference, no accuracy.

With their regular openers Kyle Mayers and Brandon King rested, West Indies' batting order was bizarre. Jason Holder opened, the right-hand batters were bunched together, and Axar Patel feasted on them in the powerplay. A forgettable series for Captain Nicholas Pooran ended with a 6-ball 3.

Playing their first matches of the

series, wrist-spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Ravi Bishnoi had some fun against the hapless middle and lower order as West Indies slumped to 100 all out.

This was the first time spinners had taken all 10 wickets in a men's T20 international.

Iyer, Hooda set India up Having rested both Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav, India opened with Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer.

On a pitch that was in use for a second day running, shot-making wasn't as straightforward as Kishan discovered when he went to pull Dominic Drakes in the fifth over but managed only a top edge to mid-on.

Iyer and Deepak Hooda, though, made batting look easy during the course of a 76-run stand in 7.2 overs. It helped that West Indies often failed to bowl to their fields. Iyer often got width with the field up on the off side, and gleefully kept

hitting over the 30-yard circle.

He also played a gorgeous aerial off-drive off Odean Smith for his second consecutive six in the eighth over.

He was only to be outdone by Hooda who drove leg-spinner Hayden Walsh inside-out, into the wind and over extra-cover for India's third straight six. From 95 for 1 in 10 overs, the two batters showed even higher intent, taking 17 off the 11th over, bowled by Obed McCoy for whom the series has gone south after his six-for in the second match. India were looking for a massive total here.

The pullback Walsh and Smith made a good comeback in the second half of the innings, which was interrupted for a while with the lightning-threat alarm going off.

Under the Florida state laws, no sporting activity can go ahead if there is a threat of lightning in a seven-mile radius of the venue.

Even the spectators had to find

shelter.

On the field, West Indies found some respite with the ball sticking into the surface.

Before the break, Walsh went round the wicket with a change of ends, made Hooda hit into the wind on the leg side, and had him caught in the deep. Holder had Iyer caught and bowled for 64 off 40.

Smith conceded just 18 off his last three overs - the 16th, 18th and 20th - by bowling into the pitch and varying his pace.

He was rewarded with three wickets as India looked for quick runs. Except for the 19th over, in which stand-in captain Hardik Pandya hit Holder for two sixes and a four, India struggled to score briskly. The last nine overs produced just 76 runs, but India had an imposing total on the board.

Axar owns the powerplay Possibly because India saw two right-hand batters walk in to open, they threw the new ball to Axar, who consistently troubled

the right-hand batters with lack of turn. After being hit on the inside half of the bat twice, Holder looked to paddle Axar only to be beaten on the inside edge and have his leg stump knocked back. After a wicket-maiden at the start, Axar took out Devon Thomas and Shamarh Brocks in the fifth over. Thomas looked to cut but the ball skidded on to beat the inside edge. Brooks was stumped, also beaten on the inside edge.

Wristspinners take over Hetmyer played a lone hand of 56 off 35 at one end, but at the other, Kuldeep and Bishnoi wreaked havoc. Pooran was done in by a Kuldeep flipper, playing back to a full ball. Rovman Powell and Keemo Paul had no clue about the Bishnoi wrong'un.

Drakes and Smith failed to respond to Kuldeep wrong'uns.

Only Hetmyer stretched the innings before holing out to long-off off Bishnoi.

that had begun promisingly with scorching off-side strokes, while Shafali slogged and holed out two balls after she was reprieved at cover by Megan Schutt.

Harmanpreet and Rodrigues keep India in the hunt Five years after her knock for the ages in the 50-overs World Cup semi-final against Australia, Harmanpreet threatened to produce the T20 version of that epic 171* against the same opponents.

Coming in with India 23 for 2 in the fourth over, Harmanpreet revived their innings with her drives and lofted hits, including a foray down the pitch for a six over wide long-on off Jess Jonassen in the tenth over. She began employing the sweep frequently too, as Australia's spinners tried a leg-stump line against her. At the other end, the bat-slapping and

fist-pumping Jemimah Rodrigues overcame a slow start - she was 1 off 7 at one point - to take some pressure off Harmanpreet by picking up regular boundaries in a run-a-ball 33. Their 96-run partnership had brought the equation down to a gettable 44 off 34 when Rodrigues was bowled looking to heave Schutt across the line.

Gardner applies the choke Australia's relief turned into full-blown ecstasy when Gardner delivered a stunning second over, in which she removed the promoted Vastrakar and Harmanpreet off consecutive deliveries. While Vastrakar mistimed a hoick to deep midwicket, Harmanpreet fell attempting a paddle, mistiming the shot to be caught behind by Healy. At that stage, Gardner's figures were a magical 2-0-5-3.

As India lost wickets, the

pressure caught up on them as batter after batter committed hara-kiri. Rana and Radha were run out, and Deepti Sharma, seemingly India's last hope with them needing 13 off 10, was out lbw to Schutt.

It boiled down to India needing 11 off the final over, with Yastika Bhatia, who had come on as a concussion substitute for wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia, on strike to Jonassen. After turning down a single first ball, she ran an improbable second run off the second, in order to keep the strike, resulting in Meghna's run-out at the danger end. With India now needing 10 off four balls, Yastika was out lbw attempting a reverse sweep.

And just like that, just like 2017, India had fallen agonisingly short in a global final.

Axar Patel took three wickets inside the powerplay (Associated Press)

Australia take gold at CWG Australia are ecstatic after Jess Jonassen takes the victory-sealing final wicket • Getty Images

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Australia gave yet another lesson in closing out games under pressure and crushed India's dreams to clinch gold at CWG 2022. With India needing 44 off 30 with seven wickets in hand, Ashleigh Gardner produced an incredible plot twist by dismissing Pooja Vastrakar and the half-centurion Harmanpreet Kaur off successive deliveries.

With a foot in the door, Australia barged it open by choking the lower middle order to clinch victory by nine runs as India lost their last eight wickets for just 34 runs. A crestfallen Harmanpreet, whose 43-ball 65 had lifted India into a match-winning position, sat motionless in the dugout, as did the rest of the team, who had to settle for the silver medal.

Meanwhile, Australia, holders of the 50-overs and T20 World Cups, added the only accolade they lacked - a gold medal at a multi-sports event - to reaffirm their status as the best team in the world.

Renuka delivers key breakthrough India gave Alyssa Healy an early let-off two years ago in the

T20 World Cup final, and saw her pummel a match-winning 39-ball 75. They may have briefly wondered if Healy would make them pay here too, when a thick edge off Renuka Singh flew just wide of where a regulation slip would be in the first over of the match.

Fortunately for them, Renuka sent Healy back in her next over, aided by an excellent DRS call from Harmanpreet Kaur. Ball-tracking suggested that Renuka's nip-backer, which Healy played all around, would have crashed into middle and leg stumps. It wasn't until the final over of the powerplay that Australia began to shift gears as Meg Lanning muscled Renuka down the ground for six in a 13-run over that took Australia to 43 for 1.

Lanning and Mooney push on Despite the early loss and a few quiet overs, Lanning and Beth Mooney exuded a sense of calm, knowing the kind of damage they could inflict once set. Both batters targeted the short straight boundary effectively off the spinners, and raised their half-century stand off just 37 balls. Australia picked off six boundaries in the ninth and tenth overs, including four in

a single Harmanpreet over, to set themselves up superbly at 83 for 1 at the halfway stage.

Radha changes the mood After a tight first over in which she conceded just three runs, Radha Yadav left her mark on the game in the 11th over when she showed terrific gamesmarts to run out Lanning at the non-striker's end. Having stopped a straight hit from Mooney, she quickly reverse-flicked the ball between her legs and onto the stumps with Lanning's bat in the air when the stumps were disturbed. In the next over, her prowling presence at point resulted in a stunning catch as she threw herself full-stretch to dismiss Tahlia McGrath, who played the game despite testing positive for COVID-19.

Australia's lower order goes big Gardner offset any pressure Australia may have felt with some typically aggressive hits to pocket a quick 25 before she was stumped off Sneh Rana.

Despite wickets falling around her, Mooney carried on, raising a half-century off just 36 deliveries. Australia didn't allow the succession of wickets to stall their momentum, even as India's fielders kept pulling off stunners, including a one-handed back-pedaling catch from Deepti Sharma to dismiss Mooney, and Meghna Singh's catch running back from mid-on to remove the dangerous Grace Harris. Rachael Haynes muscled an unbeaten 10-ball 18 to push Australia past 160.

India make nervy start India lost both openers inside the first three overs. Smriti Mandhana was bowled behind her legs while looking to swing one into the leg side, ending an innings

Kamarang Community Centre to be...

FROM BACK PAGE

$1.5M DONATION Meanwhile, President Ali took the opportunity to make a generous donation of $1.5 million to the tournament.

In addition, Dr Ali stated that the Government will work with the winning community to develop a shade house to advance its food security agenda.

“So you’re playing for food security, you’re playing for a community. This is a big incentive for you. So together, let us make this game a grand success knowing that we are here with you as one family. The Government I lead is here with you as a family— the great Guyanese family. We love you. I care about you. I’m going to

be here. We are working for all of Guyana, every single community, every single home. Together we will build a strong and resilient Guyana, a sustainable Guyana, a Guyana in which all of us will and must be proud of.”

UNITY The Head of State said that the District Games provide the platform for unity and upliftment of people.

“This is not only good organisational skills. This is not only commitment to sports. This is part of the commitment to humanity and commitment to One Guyana because these are the activities and events that bring our people together, bring our community together, bring our young people together.

These are the events that will help

us to uplift each other and move each other in a positive direction.”

The Head of State said that Guyanese are more “connected than disconnected.” He noted that often we allow the disconnection to overshadow the connection. To remedy this, he said, his Government is on a mission under the ‘One Guyana’ umbrella to connect the country through development, economic prosperity and social harmony.

The Minister of Amerindian Affairs, the Honourable Pauline Sukhai, National Security Advisor Captain Gerry Gouveia, Head of the Guyana Football Federation, Wayne Forde and other Government and regional officials were also at the event.

22

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Brighton Hove beat Manchester United 2-1 However, United were totally outplayed in that opening period by Graham Potter’s side, who beat them 4-0 at the Amex Stadium in May on their way to a ninth-place finish in the Premier League, their highest in history.

Not even the second-half introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo could deny Brighton, although United did

Pascal Gross has scored six goals against Manchester United in the Premier League, three more than he has against any other team in the league (BBC) - Brighton survived a late onslaught to secure a first win at Old Trafford and condemn Erik ten Hag

to a losing start as Manchester United manager.

Pascal Gross’ first-half double stunned the home

supporters, who were desperate to see their team put a miserable end to last season behind them.

(ESPNCRICINFO) Sikandar Raza’s second successive unbeaten century and captain Regis Chakabva’s 102 off just 75 balls fired Zimbabwe to a five-wicket win over Bangladesh to complete their first ODI series win against a major team in five years. Raza had earlier taken 3 for 56 to help restrict the visitors to 290-9 after a blistering start, and his calculated approach in the chase, punctuated by breathtaking shots, gave a full house at the Harare Sports Club a Sunday to remember.

Two days after his 192run fourth-wicket stand with Innocent Kaia had taken Zimbabwe to a five-wicket win in the first ODI, Raza had the company of Chakabva while scripting another challenging chase. Chakabva made his maiden ODI hundred, which, coming up in just 73 balls, was the fastest by a Zimbabwe batter in ODIs. Coming together at a precarious 49 for 4, Raza and Chakabva added 201 for the fifth wicket, off just 189 balls. It was only the third 200-plus stand in Zimbabwe’s ODI history, and their highest for the fifth wicket.

Raza has now been involved in two of the three 200-plus stands.

The end came swiftly even though Chakabva fell with Zimbabwe still needing 41 to win. But debutant Tony Munyonga, after a nervous start, cracked Shoriful Islam for a four and two sixes in the 47th over, after Taskin Ahmed dropped him at the start of the over.

The over ended with Munyonga dropped once again, at point.

Zimbabwe started their 291-run chase worse than how they started their 304run chase in the first ODI. Hasan Mahmud had both Takudzwanashe Kaitano and Kaia caught behind within the first three overs.

Wessly Madhevere was lbw to Mehidy Hasan Miraz, before Taijul Islam made it 49 for 4 when Tadiwanashe Marumani was caught in the covers in the left-arm spinner’s first over.

But Raza stepped up once again. He hardly allowed the Bangladesh bowlers to settle despite the required rate hovering around the 7.50 mark as early as the 24th over. Raza first attacked Mahmud, Bangladesh’s best bowler till that

point, with a four and a six in the 20th over.

Raza and Chakabva went after Shoriful Islam next, taking him for three boundaries in the 25th over.

In the next over, however, Bangladesh missed a run-out opportunity, with the bowler Mehidy Hasan Miraz failing to connect the ball with the stumps at the non-striker’s end, after the throw came in from short fine-leg. There was a huge cheer when Raza walked back to the crease upon finding out that he was not out.

Rather than taking their time to gather their wits for a few overs, Raza and Chakabva followed up the runout scare by hitting three sixes in the next three overs.

Then Chakabva brought the crowd to their feet when he smashed Taskin Ahmed for four fours in a row in the 30th over.

The pair reached their individual hundreds in the 43nd over. Raza rushed for his umpteenth brace and completed his Michael-Slater-like celebration. Two balls later, Chakabva smashed Mahmud for a six high over midwicket. His celebration was one of relief.

Zimbabwe hold on to beat Bangladesh

threaten a comeback when a scramble inside the visitors box ended with Alexis Mac Allister turning the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had touched it into his path under pressure from Harry Maguire.

In nine previous league visits, Brighton had managed only one draw, so this victory was historic.

“It was unnecessary to

lose this game,” said ten Hag. “I think it was a good start and then after [the first goal] we dropped down a level, dropped down in belief and we made mistakes and the opponent punished us.

“But I think it is a good opponent, they have worked long together and when you make mistakes you get punished for that against such teams.”

West Indies name Women’s U19 squad to face USA U19s in Florida

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – The Cricket West Indies (CWI) Women’s Selection Panel today announced the West Indies Women’s U-19 squad for their upcoming five-match T20 International (T20I) Series against USA Women’s U19. The two teams will meet at the Broward County Stadium in Florida from 8 to 14 August.

The 12-member squad will be led by Ashmini Munisar with Shalini Samaroo as the vice-captain. The selectors originally named 15 players but three were unable to secure traveling visas to make the tour.

Munisar is a right-handed batter and off-spinner, while Samaroo is a left-handed batter and off-spinner.

The team has a number of other exciting allrounders, including Djenada Joseph, who was the leading run-maker in the CWI Rising Stars U19 T20 tournament played last month.

The most experienced player is Zaida James, the left-handed batter, who was traveling reserve for the West Indies Women’s Senior team earlier this year.

Last year she represented West Indies Women’s “A” Team against Pakistan “A” Team.

The Head Coach is Steve Liburd, the former Leeward Islands batsman and West Indies Men’s U-19s Assistant Coach; with Merissa Aguilleira, the former West Indies Women’s captain, as the Team Manager.

Both teams have qualified for the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup taking place in South Africa in January 2023 and this upcoming series will be ideal preparation for the global event.

Ann Browne-John, Lead Selector for West Indies Women, said: “History has been created with the selection of this West Indies Under-19 team. No cricket tournaments were played during the pandemic, and it was therefore not only important, but also an eye-opener to view the girls in the recent U-19 tournament. The selectors were extremely pleased with the quality of skill shown by these young players. The team has a good mix of batting and bowling including some left-handers.”

Browne-John added: “There are a few players including the captain Ashmini Munisar and Djenaba Joseph who recently played major roles for their senior

teams in the regional tournament in Guyana. This series as well as a few other planned upcoming events would help the players in their development thrust as they prepare for the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup in January.”

The first two games will be held under floodlights with 6:30pm starts on Monday 8 August and Tuesday 9 August. The remaining three matches in the series will all be daylight games with 10:30am starts on Thursday, August 11, and Friday 12, before the fifth and final match of the series on Sunday 14 August.

FULL SQUAD: Ashmini Munisar (Captain), Shalini Samaroo (Vice Captain), Asabi Callender, Najanni Cumberbatch, Realeanna Grimmond, Zaida James, Djenaba Joseph, KD-Jazz Mitchell, Ashley Ramnath, Samara Ramnath, Shunelle Sawh, Kate Wilmot.

Team Management: Steve Liburd (Head Coach), Merissa Aguilleira (Team Manager), Samantha Lynch, (Assistant Coach), Jamal Smith (Assistant Coach), Asia Joseph (Strength & Conditioning Coach); and Tori-Ann Grant (Physiotherapist)

MATCH SCHEDULE – at Broward County Stadium 8 August: 1st Women’s U-19 T20I – 6:30pm (5:30pm Jamaica) 9 August: 2nd Women’s U-19 T20I – 6:30pm (5:30pm Jamaica) 11 August: 3rd Women’s U-19 T20I – 10:30am (9:30am Jamaica) 12 August: 4th Women’s U-19 T20I – 10:30am (9:30am Jamaica) 14 August: 5th Women’s U-19 T20I – 10:30am (9:30am Jamaica)

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

National Under-15 Team to begin encampment Tuesday Adrian Hetmyer THE National under-15 team is set to begin encampment on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

Dave Mohabir The 7-day camp, which will conclude on August 15, will be important as the players prepare for the CWI

Romario Ramdehol Rising Star Regional Under-15 tournament scheduled for Grenada from August 18-28.

Dhanesh Persaud Dave Mohabir, brother of national under-17 and under-19 captain, Alvin Mohabir, has been selected

to lead the team while his deputy is talented batsman Romario Ramdeholl.

The squad also includes Adrian Hetmyer, the nephew of West Indies Senior Team batsman, Shimron Hetmyer.

Lathman Yadram is the Head-Coach while Elroy Stephney has been named Manager.

The 14-man squad and reserves are required to check in at the LBI Cricket Hostel for 17:00 hrs Tuesday, August 9, 2022.

The other players are Shane Prince, Zandon Rose, Durwin La Rose, Dhanesh Persaud, Arun Gainda, Navin Boodwah, Arif Khan, Razam Koobir, Nicholas Lovell, Sohil Mohamed and Jonathan Mentore.

The standbys are Omrion Smith, Mikle Sharma, Nicholas Hall, Thierry Henry, Elis Ramdat, Enrique Mickle. The manager is Elroy Stephany and the coach is Latchman Yadram.

National Under-19 team off to St. Vincent and the Grenadines

Guyana Under-19 team took off this morning for St. Vincent and the Grenadines where this years’ CWI Rising Stars Regional Under-19 tournament will be held.

Alvin Mohabir, who led the Guyana Under-17 team in the recently concluded Regional Under-17, will have the distinct privilege of being captain for two national teams within a given year. He will be supported by Vice-Captain Jonathan Rampersaud.

West Indies Under-19 express fast bowler, Isai Thorne, is expected to lead the bowling department along with pacer Bruce Vincent, fast bowling all-rounder, Rivaldo Phillips, left-arm-spinner Jeremy Sandia, off-spinner Jonathan Rampersaud and skipper Mohabir (off-spin).

So close!

By Rawle Toney in Birmingham (Team Guyana Press Attaché) So close, but yet so far!

Guyana’s team of Akeem Stewart, Emanuel Archibald, Arinze Chance and Noelex Holder ran 4th in the men’s 4x100m finals at the Commonwealth Games, with a time of 40.05s.

The quartet’s performance had them finishing behind England (38.35s), Trinidad and Tobago (38.70s) and Nigeria (38.81s).

It was the first time the country has participated in the relay at the games which started in 1930.

A capacity-filled Alexander Stadium saw Akeem

The Guyana U-19 Team Rampertab Ramnauth, who struck an unbeaten century against Trinidad and Tobago in the Regional Under-17 is expected to lead the batting department with support from the talented Mavendra Dindyal, Zachary Jodah, Tomanni Ceasar and Mahendra Gopilall.

The team will be coached by

former National Senior team player Andre Percival while Budhesh Chatterpaul will serve as the Manager.

Guyana opens the tournament on August 9 vs Trinidad and Tobago at Park Hill then play Leeward Islands at Park Hill on August 14-16. The third and final preliminary match

before the playoffs will see Guyana taking on Jamaica at Arnos Vale on August 19-21.

On August 24-26, Round 4 will see the 1st and 2nd Place game between 1st Place team in Group A vs 1st Place in Group B at Arnos Vale, 2nd and 3rd Place game between 2nd Place in Group A vs 2nd

Place in Group B at Park Hill while the 5th and 6th Place game between the 3rd Place in Group A and Group B will be played at Cumberland. On August 27, CWI will host a presentation ceremony then the teams depart on August 28.

The full squad reads Rampertab Ramnauth, Tom-

mani Caesar, Mavendra Dindyal, Alvin Mohabir (Captain), Jonathan Rampersaud (Vice-Captain), Zachary Jodah, Mahendra Gopilall, Sachin Balgobin, Zeynul Ramsammy, Shamar Yearwood (W/K), Jeremy Sandia, Bruce Vincent, Rivaldo Phillips and Isai Thorne.

Guyana 4th in 4x100m relay finals at Commonwealth Games Stewart giving Guyana a blistering start in lane 8, handing the baton over to Archibald on the second leg.

The National 100m champion had a tough leg running against England’s Zharnel Hughes. At the time of the handover to Chance, the Englishmen, Nigeria and Trinidad and Tobago had caught up with Guyana.

Chance hammered his turn and was fourth by the time the handover to Holder.

In the final leg, Holder had to cover some grounds to push the team into their finishing position.

G u y a n a ’s e x c h a n g e s could’ve been tighter and finishing just outside the medal bracket could be blamed on

their poor execution of the baton.

“The world knows now that Guyana is coming!”

Stewart said in a post-race interview.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) athlete stated that the race execution didn’t go according to plan, but they’re grateful for the results.

According to Archibald, “fourth place at the Commonwealth Games is good. It means we’re one step away.

We need more competition (in the Relays), so maybe they will send us to the NACAC Games to give us another opportunity.”

The North American, Central American and Ca-

ribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Senior Championship is set for August 19 - 21 in The Bahamas.

Meanwhile, Arinze, like Archibald, is asking for more chances to participate in major meets.

Though disappointed at not securing a medal, the University of South Carolina All-American stated “If you look at the guys and the teams who beat us, they got full support from not only their federation and their government, but their local fans.”

“We came out here not knowing what to expect and we were able to get fourth, in great company, so I know a lot of people might say we didn’t get a medal, but to us,

I think we did pretty good.

Things didn’t go as planned, but we practised no more than three days, including today, and if we get more opportunities to run the 4x100, we will be able to not just break the national record but win a medal for Guyana,” Chance said.

The country’s National 4x100m record (39.59s) was set at the 1975 Pan Am Games by James Wren-Gilkes, Dennis Collison (father of former NBA player Darren Collison), Clifton Schultz and Aubrey ‘Skinny’ Wilson.

“Many people didn’t expect this from Guyana,” Holder shared.

Flanked by his smiling teammates, Holder noted,

“One of the major things we would like is to have more exposure like this. Putting together a team, random members and still did well… but, if we can put together the same team, get more practice, I’m sure we can break the national record and compete with the big guys out there.”

Yesterday’s 4x100m relay finals brought the curtain down on Guyana’s participation at the Commonwealth Games, finishing without any medals.

At the 2018 games, Troy Dorris won Guyana’s lone medal –gold-- in the Men’s Triple jump. Now, the country will have to wait another four years for the games in Victoria, Australia.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday August 8, 2022

Kamarang Community Centre to be upgraded into FIFA-standard facility - President Ali Says Upper Mazaruni District Games encourage unity and upliftment

Kako, Upper Mazaruni—(August 7, 2022) His Excellency Dr Irfaan Ali announced that in the next budget, funds will be set aside for the Kamarang Community Centre to be upgraded into a FIFA-standard facility.

President Ali made this statement during his keynote address at the opening of the 23rd Annual District Games in Kako, Upper Mazaruni today.

President Ali said that this facility will not only be used for football but will also have additional resources for developing other sports. He noted too that the Government, in collaboration with the Guyana Football Fed-

eration (GFF), will be working on a number of initiatives to improve the football talent pool across the country.

By the end of the year, the Government wants to host an inaugural One Guyana Football Cup, which will feature participation from every Administrative Region across the country.

The Head of State emphasised that if football is to develop adequately, talent from all across the country must be identified, nurtured and supported. These talents, the President added, will then be put together into a national pool of 50 players.

“Not only will you have a chance to play in the Region Seven re-

gional team to go to that one Guyana cup, but we went a step further— I told him, out of the One Guyana Cup, we will develop a pool of at least 50 players.”

The President said that in collaboration with the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) and the other local football associations, the Government would work towards developing their talent to make them competitive and to give them the “right environment in which they can develop this great skill”.

“I believe that we have great potential in football. It’s a low-hanging fruit. If we put the right effort in, we will get the right results.”

Guyana 4th in 4x100m relay finals at Commonwealth Games

So close!

Additionally, President Ali announced that the Government is discussing the formulation of an elaborate programme that will see former players who rep-

resented Guyana on the international stage assigned to schools and regions to work on talent development.

“We will be able to tell those

national players that you are not forgotten after your national role.

You still have a place and a role to play. Very important.”

TURN TO PAGE 21

Ready, Set, Go! - 14th Guyana Cup launched

SEE PAGE

23

A JOB WELL DONE! In the order they ran, Akeem Stewart, Emanuel Archibald, Arinze Chance and Noelex Holder after their 4th place finish in the Men’s 4x100m Relay Finals at the Commonwealth Games

THE 14th running of the Guyana Cup horse racing event was launched on Sunday afternoon at the New Pegasus Hotel and Conference Centre with history

being made.

According to organizers, it was the first time that the event’s feature race and supporting cards had the post drawn prior to the event.

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The event will take place on August 14 at the Rising Sun Turf Club, West Coast Berbice Details in tomorrow’s edition… | MONDAY, AUGUST 8, 2022