President Ali leads massive national clean-up campaign
- as exercise highlights government’s commitment to cleaner, greener Guyana
BELIEVING in the power of unity and civic responsibility, government ministers have demonstrated strong commitment and dedication through their active participation in the nationwide clean-up campaign early Sunday morning.
President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali led the clean-up initiative.
Members of the private sector, the joint services, and other public-spirited citizens also participated to help restore the capital city and other areas nationwide.
Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill and his team covered the stretch lead-
ing up to the roundabout on Aubrey Barker Road.
The minister said garbage collection and
waste management have been major challenges in Georgetown. He believes it is time to shift the mindset around careless garbage disposal.
“We have conducted an extraordinary amount of work improving the ambience, ensuring drainage, and taking care of the road network. The culture of dumping needs to be changed,” he said.
He pointed out simple efforts that can be made by citizens to ensure that drains are not clogged up.
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His Excellency the President, Dr Irfaan Ali joined hundreds of citizens across the country in a national clean-up exercise this morning
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips and Minister Deodat Indar were spotted at the DSL Mandela junction, actively taking part in the exercise as they joined citizens in removing waste and enhancing the area’s appearance
‘This is an investment in people’ - President Ali commissions new Diamond Regional Hospital
DESIGNED to meet international standards and outfitted with 24-hour emergency and laboratory services, the new Diamond Regional Hospital was on Sunday commissioned by President, Dr Irfaan Ali.
Addressing a mammoth gathering of citizens, healthcare workers and other stakeholders, President Ali pointed out that the modern facility is among several massive investments that have been made to enhance the delivery of equitable healthcare across the country.
“This is no small investment. This is an investment not in walls and equipment. This is an investment in the people of Guyana, especially the people of the East Bank.
“This is an investment that will ensure our women and children, our elderly and our male folk all alike, have a level of treatment here that is not based on income, that is not based on your status, that is not based on where you're from as level of service that is equivalent to any service you can pay for anywhere in Guyana,” he said adding:
The new hospital will see residents being able to access world-class health care with specialised services in internal medicine and surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics cardiology, mental health and psychology.
Featuring its own oxygen plant, water-filtration system, advanced diagnostics technology, 75 beds, three operating theatres and several intensive care units, the new hospital meets Chinese, British and American standards.
The facility also has wireless connectivity and advanced electronic systems, which aligns with the government’s vision to embrace a digital health care system.
“This investment brings to you quality service, efficient service, equitable service. This is an investment in the people of our country,
President, Dr Irfaan Ali (Office of the President photos)
an investment that will increase the life expectancy of the citizens of our country, an investment that will give you comfort in which you receive medical care, and we must not take these investments lightly.”
HUMAN CAPITAL
The Head of State keenly pointed out that the build out of this massive infrastructure is also backed by investments in human capital.
“The investment we are making is also equally matched with investment we are making in our nurses, in our human capital.”
The government, he pointed out, has trained thousands of healthcare professionals in every category over the past five years.
The aim is to ensure that the health sector has [a] motivated, skilled and competent workforce.
“We are adding technology to that workforce so we can build accountability in the system. We can build traceability in the system. We want our health care professionals to be supported with technology to make their jobs more efficient and the citizens of the country to be supported with technology to ensure great accountability and transparency in the delivery of service.”
Dr Ali further outlined the government's digital
health plan, including the electronic health record system, and the digitisation of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies.
There are also plans to make Guyana a major health hub, attracting private investment while ensuring equitable care for all Guyanese.
“We have a clearly defined strategy that will take us to 2030 and beyond, a strategy that would set our health sector as a global masterpiece, offering worldclass services, but more importantly, a health sector that will also continue to incentivise private investment, because we want Guyana to be a major health hub.”
He added that healthcare must also be able to provide economic and investment opportunities while encouraging private sector investments.
Meanwhile, Health Min-
ister Dr Frank Anthony disclosed that the hospital employs 45 patient assistants, 50 nursing assistants, over 40 registered nurses, and nearly 70 physician staff and consultants.
“When we say that we'll be delivering good quality care, we have the people who would be able to deliver that care in this hospital,” Dr Anthony said.
The Diamond Regional Hospital is the first of six new health facilities that will be commissioned in a wider programme that is being pursued by the Government of Guyana to improve health care.
Others are being built at Enmore, Lima Sands, Lethem, Bath, Number 75 Village and Kato.
The Diamond facility was constructed under a partnership with China’s Sinopharm International and CAMCE.
Guyanese moving from ‘survival mode’ to prosperity under PPP/C governance – Edghill says
- points to improved infrastructure, healthcare and public services driving transformation
MINISTER of Public Works, Juan Edghill, says Guyanese are shifting from a life of mere “survival mode” to one of progress and prosperity, as the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government continues to invest heavily in infrastructure, public services, and social support.
Speaking during the launch ceremony of Changan vehicles by Ansa Motors last Friday, Minister Edghill outlined the strides being made in sectors such as housing, transportation, education and healthcare, while linking the rising rate of vehicle ownership to national progress. He pointed out that
there was once a time in Guyana when owning a vehicle was considered a luxury, and the average citizen depended on public transportation, often navigating long and costly commutes just to get to work.
“There was a time in Guyana where [sic] most people just wanted to manage getting to work on a bus…But once you go into a new scheme, into a new area, you want to have your own vehicle so you can get out to work,” Edghill recalled. He noted that the development of new housing schemes and road networks across the country has made vehicle ownership not only more desirable, but increasingly necessary.
He cited cases where residents previously had to rely on multiple forms of transport to reach their destinations, often being charged extra by private drivers.
“Some of the people were exploiting. You get a drop off in the heavy road and then you have to take another vehicle in. And it was costing too much,” he explained.
The minister pointed to the construction of major roadways as a transformative step forward in easing access and reducing the burden of travel.
“Now, we have a crisis in our hands right now over the last 24 hours. The Ogle to Eccles Road, which saves everybody from going all the way to central
Georgetown and passing through the congestion. You can move from Ogle to Eccles in nine minutes, 10 minutes,” Edghill pointed out.
Though still under construction, the road is already in use by com-
muters moving between the East Coast and East Bank corridors. This popularity, he noted, is both a testament to the need for the road and a challenge for contractors working to complete it.
Beyond large-scale highways, Edghill said the government’s investment in community roads has significantly lowered the cost of vehicle maintenance and encouraged more people to own cars.
According to the minister, government has done more than 5,600 community roads. The minister remarked that people are managing to get to where they need to be. Edghill argued that these developments are key indicators that Guyana is moving forward under the stewardship of the PPP/C.
He noted that the increase in disposable income, cash grants for children and adults, expansion of healthcare, and the promise of free tertiary education are all part of the government’s vision to ensure no citizen is left behind.
He described this as a shift in national consciousness from just surviving, to actually living.
“I guess as we continue to prosper, Guy -
ana, and we continue to improve, we’ll move from the survival, which we have and people are moving from that into the living mode, and then we could start talking about the prospering mode,” he said.
The minister also pointed to the development of recreational and eco-tourism spaces as another reflection of how people are enjoying a higher quality of life.
These include enhancements to the Lamaha Embankment, Independence Boulevard, and facilities in the country’s interior.
Edghill stressed that sound government policy is key to creating an environment where investor confidence can thrive, and partnerships can flourish. Ultimately, he reaffirmed that the government's mission is to continuously enhance the well-being of every Guyanese.
Acknowledging that Guyanese have different needs, the minister underscored that improving the lives of some people simply means better access to education, health care and better access to a safe community and a safe environment.
Hogstye/Lancaster gets new, modern NDC building
By Bebi Oosman
IN a major boost to local governance and public service delivery, the Government of Guyana on Sunday commissioned a newly constructed administrative building for the Hogstye/Lancaster Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Region Six.
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, led the commissioning ceremony, where she underscored the government’s commitment to strengthening community infrastructure and empowering local dem-
ocratic organs.
“I am very happy and very proud that we can bring this to you today,” Minister Parag told residents gathered at the event.
She highlighted that while the modern structure reflects progress, its true value lies in the quality of service it enables.
“You can have the nicest building, but if you don’t have the service, it makes no sense. This building is not just standing here to look nice, it is to house the people who were elected to serve the community,” Parag asserted.
The newly opened facility will serve 11
villages within the NDC’s jurisdiction and is expected to improve operational efficiency and accessibility for residents seeking key services.
Minister Parag noted that the Hogstye/ Lancaster NDC has already submitted its 2024 work plan and, as a result, received its $30 million government subvention.
In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture will soon provide the NDC with a mini excavator to support road maintenance and drainage upgrades.
She also pointed to wider ongoing development works in the
– Minister Parag says infrastructure must be matched by quality service
Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Sonia Parag, assists a young resident in cutting the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the new Hogstye/Lancaster NDC administration building on Sunday
area, including road-rehabilitation and drainage-improvement projects aimed at building long-term community resilience.
Chairperson of the NDC, Sharon Smith, from the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), welcomed the building as a turning point for the council and the wider community.
“Things are happening,” she told residents, highlighting the tangible improvements underway.
Local leaders and residents described the structure as a long-overdue investment that will better position the NDC
to serve its constituents and respond to local development needs.
The facility is one of several modern NDC buildings being constructed nationwide as part of the government’s push to decentralise services and ensure that all communities benefit from Guyana’s development momentum.
The new administration building for the Hogstye/Lancaster Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Region Six
A Shared Responsibility Takes Root
GUYANA, a land of unparalleled natural beauty, is on a determined path to uphold and enhance its pristine image.
The government's consistent efforts to foster a clean and beautiful environment, culminating in the recent National Clean-Up Exercise on Sunday, June 8, 2025, underscore a vital commitment to both public health and national pride.
This recent campaign reflects an emerging awareness that the care of the environment is not a beauty quest per se, but an inherent foundation of sustainable growth and national health.
The widespread concern over littering and incorrect disposal of waste has long been affecting many communities, especially the urban ones.
Taking note of this, the government, through committees such as the National Enhancement Committee, has been regularly holding these countrywide clean-up drives.
The recent exercise, as per accounts, witnessed an impressive coordination among government agencies, the business community, civil society organisations and ordinary citizens of the country. This inter-stakeholder
initiative is noteworthy, representing a change in culture from a top-down directive by the government to a true citizen movement. The fact that the recent campaign took place at the height of the rainy season was particularly pertinent.
Clogged waterways and drains, a consequence of indiscriminate littering, cause immense flooding and pose severe public-health risks. The clean-up squarely addressed such short-term issues with convincing demonstration of the tangible benefits of collective action.
In addition to the shortterm advantage of clearing
garbage and improving drainage, such campaigns are instilling a higher degree of environmental consciousness.
Indeed, the long-term goal, as emphasised by the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) as well as the Private Sector Commission (PSC), is to go beyond the need for mass, single clean-ups.
The aim is to establish a culture of constant cleanliness, in which every single one of its citizens is personally responsible for their surroundings.
This cultural transformation, from defensive cleanup to pro-active waste man -
agement and prevention, is the true mark of sustainable environmental enhancement.
Besides, these projects are more than just garbage removal.
The other beautification plans of the government, such as the installation of 50,000 flowers, exotic plants and trees along the coast and in public spaces, reflect an integrated vision for a green Guyana.
These projects not only make the city look beautiful, but also work to enhance biodiversity and climate resilience, consistent with the nation's ambitious Low Carbon Development Strategy
(LCDS) 2030.
While there are challenges, particularly in having individuals implement proper waste-disposing manner, the momentum gained by these national campaigns is tremendous.
They serve as firm reminders that a clean and lovely Guyana belongs to everyone, a shared vision that needs the active participation of every single individual. Together, we can ensure that Guyana continues to shine, not just as a nation of natural wonders, but as a global icon of environmental stewardship in the region and around the globe.
Guyanese personal disposable income on the rise
LAST week, Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo highlighted encouraging economic data regarding the personal disposable income of Guyanese.
He noted that, in the past three months, approximately 9,999 new vehicle registrations were recorded, particularly for private vehicles. This statistic indicates the rising personal disposable income and reflects the financial well-being of Guyanese households.
The increase in vehicle purchases suggests that personal disposable income is indeed on the rise in Guyana. In economics, personal disposable income refers to the income that individuals or households can access after taxes are deducted.
According to Statista, the forecast for household disposable income per capita in Guyana in 2025 is US$12,600. This data reflects the effectiveness of the Government of Guy -
ana’s policies aimed at increasing disposable income and overall quality of life for Guyanese citizens.
Recently implemented measures include adjustments to income tax rates and thresholds that particularly benefit lower- and middle-income individuals, thereby bringing more income to Guyanese households.
For instance, the personal income tax rate on the first income band has been reduced from 28% to 25%, effective in 2025. These policies introduced by the government are designed to provide financial relief and foster a more equitable tax system for Guyanese, and it is evident that they are working.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has praised Guyana for its inclusive growth policies, noting that social transfer programmes have effectively increased disposable income and lowered poverty rates.
The IMF commended the government's initiatives in improving overall income levels for all Guyanese.
In 2025, the government distributed additional cash grant programmes designed to boost Guyanese household income as well as disposable income, including a national cash grant of $100,000 for every Guyanese aged 18 and older, a newborn cash grant of $100,000, and a universal health voucher of $10,000. These initiatives provide immediate financial support to increase disposable income across the country.
Another crucial factor contributing to increased personal disposable income is the projected growth of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The IMF estimates that Guyana's economy will grow by more than 10% in 2025. A growing economy typically results in higher wages and job creation,
which enhance overall disposable income. Specifically, Guyana’s real GDP and real non-oil GDP are expected to grow by approximately 10.25% and 13%, respectively, in 2025. Other factors that will significantly influence personal disposable income include rising wages and employment rates, social-transfer programmes and government subsidies in areas such as housing, healthcare, and education. These can help free up more disposable income for other expenses, including purchasing automobiles.
Over the past five years, Guyana’s public sector has seen strong salary growth— ranging from 6.5% to 10% annually—culminating in a cumulative 46% increase in nominal wages, alongside broad enhancements to allowances, bonuses and the pay-scale structure.
Simultaneously, the 36% rise in the minimum
wage in 2022 raised income levels in the private sector.
These initiatives have significantly increased household disposable income, as reflected by rising vehicle registrations and heightened consumer spending.
The substantial wage increases across sectors have emerged as a key driver of improved personal disposable income, fuelling greater economic participation and consumer demand.
In addition to wage increases and tax reforms, government energy subsidies have played a pivotal role in enhancing disposable income.
Over the past five years, the Government of Guyana has allocated billions of Guyana dollars to stabilise electricity rates through direct subsidies to the Guyana Power and Light (GPL), introduced a $30,000 annual electricity credit for pensioners and maintained statutory fuel price controls.
These subsidies have significantly reduced utility costs for households and shielded consumers from global energy price shocks.
As a result, Guyanese families have been able to redirect more of their income toward savings, investment, or consumption—thereby increasing their effective disposable income.
Guyanese households are benefitting from the focused economic policies implemented by President Ali’s government, which are aimed at improving personal disposable income and overall financial well-being, this translates to overall better quality of life for Guyanese across the country.
It also shows that given the economic success of Guyana, these are being shared with the Guyanese people.
Respectfully, Dr Tilokie Arnold Depoo, Economist
Is Dr. Bertrand Ramcharan academically disingenuous?
I RECEIVED an email from Stabroek News (SN) columnist, Dr. Bertrand Ramcharran. He wants me to correct what I said about him in my Saturday column.
I quote now the relevant section of my Saturday offering: “Ramcharan is Guyanese and no doubt may know the Guyanese international economist, Dr. Maurice Odle. I would advise Ramcharan to read the recent autobiography of Odle before he pens another column in the Stabroek News.”
The goodly gentleman sent me a column of his, published in SN on September 12, 2024 titled “Maurice Odle’s insight into the Guyanese predicament.” So Ramcharan did write about Odle’s autobiography.
So, should I to correct myself and apologise to Ramcharan? I will do no such thing. There is nothing to correct and nothing to apologise for.
When context is applied, then the readers of
this article here should ask themselves if Ramcharran is not academically dishonest.
Let’s examine the context and let Guyanese decide what kind of person Ramcharan is.
1. My use of Odle’s autobiography was in response to Ramcharan’s praise for the 2012 book titled Why Nations Fail. This book is about the evolution of nation-states within the global economy. It is a book about international political economy.
2. The central thesis of Why Nations Fail is that political institutions that are not open and free will hinder economic development. And the authors use a myriad of examples of why some countries succeed while others are laid waste.
3. I argued that the book is flawed. It ignores decades of political theory dating back to the 1970s which postulate that there may not be a correlation between liberal political infrastructure and econom-
ic progress.
4. I gave examples of Singapore and China and referred to Why Nations Fail as a dated text because the French economist, Thomas Piketty, in his magnum opus, Capital in the 21st Century, shows where capitalism is far from liberal, far from creating a stable democratic system, but endangers democracy because capital is mercilessly extracted at the expense of the working classes of Europe and the US.
5. I informed Ramcharan that the authors of Why Nations Fail are failures themselves because they ignore the historical role of imperialism and the new imperialism in devastating the political economy of Third World countries.
6. I suggest Ramcharan read the autobiography of Odle and referred to Odle as an international economist.
7. Ramcharran wants me to correct myself by sending me a column he
wrote on Odle. What Ramcharan hid, and I make no apologies in saying deliberately so, is that his piece on Odle is a chapter in Odle book in which he dealt with Guyana’s domestic politics.
Let me repeat that I described Odle as what he is – an international economist. He served at the United Nations (UN) and CARICOM. We now come to the deception of Ramcharan.
Odle’s book has one chapter on Guyana’s politics. Odle has four chapters on his experience in international economic matters. Ramcharan did not pen a word, not one word on Odle’s experience in international economics.
I now quote from the experience of Odle that explains why some nations fail and others succeed. “I spent seventeen years as an official in the United Nations system, dealing with economic aspects
of international relations and the struggle for equitable trade, investment, financial and technology relations.”
I wonder if Ramcharan perused Odle’s memoir and his eyes lighted on the chapter on Guyana and that was all he read from Odle.
Let’s me quote Odle again: “The New Imperialism is underpinned and enforced by hard and soft power. When the West feels that it is not appropriate to exercise military power or trade measures are not effective, it uses denial of access to loans in the international banking system and the International Financial Institutions, and when this in turn does not work it resorts to weaponisation of the dollar….”
I am convinced that Ramcharan did not read this book. If he had, then he could not have eulogized Why Nations Fail.
Now interestingly, it was Christopher Ram who reviewed Odle’s book and chaired the launching at Moray House. Yet Ram is one of the advocates of forced renegotiation of the Exxon contract. So, did Ram really read the book?
If you read Odle on the nature of global power, then you will see that forced renegotiation will bring down Guyana and that is a foregone conclusion.
Those who want Guyana to drag EXXON to the table also have not read Odle. But that is the problem with so many Guyanese. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Does Christopher Ram understand what he is saying?
THIS past week, big noise was raised about Guyana’s tax to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio. The chief messengers of doom were Kaieteur News and Christopher Ram.
This is one big hullabaloo about nothing. A read of the Kaieteur News article reveals that the writer has no clue about what the indicator represents. What is worst, ate the comments by Christopher Ram, Guyana’s pre-eminent expert on everything.
It exposes a complete lack of analysis and a chronic fixation and tykish petulance to rush to generalised hypercritical commentary for any angles that would make the government look bad, even when he does not understand what the hell he is saying.
Ram takes a fable-ridden excursion into the realms of irrationality by asserting that a low tax-
to-GDP ratio means there is reckless management of the oil economy. He further asserts that this ratio at its current level makes us look “foolish.”
This is a fundamental misapprehension and misuse of the applicability of this statistic.
Ram’s commentary is superficial, to say the least and incompetent at best; he blatantly ignores other sections of the very report he referenced.
The tax-to-GDP ratio by itself tells little or nothing about the economic health of most countries. It is one of those measures that can be classified as empty indicators.
The publishers themselves indicated that while the ratio has useful interpretive applicability for countries with a similar structure as those in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), caution must be taken when utilis-
ing the statistic for the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) countries, because of the vast differences in economic structures even at the inter-group level.
The report has a twoyear lag in the statistical base, essentially reporting on activities up to and including 2023.
It must have escaped Kaieteur News and Christopher Ram that the report urges caution, because of the lack of uniformity of existing source data, in that, countries conform their national accounting structure exclusively to one or a mixture of three separate national accounting protocols, and an equalising weight would be necessary when making country-to- country comparisons.
As a result of this; attempts are being made to harmonise regional national accounts under a standardised regime referred to as the System of National
Accounts (SNA).
Even this attempt at harmonisation is fraught with complications; the designers themselves admitted that the SNA functions best in market economies.
So, the extent to which a country may lack market elements may render the extracted indicators useless.
Further, there is an impact from differences in fiscal-year periodisation, in that, most countries do not conform to a January to December accounting cycle, making it difficult to disaggregate and reconstitute without losing accuracy.
Even further, when the System of National Accounts (SNA) is pitted against the IMF’s Government Finance Statistics (GFS) system, it shows further structural accounting differences that will negatively impact a blanket non-nuanced interpretation of cross-country tax indicators.
Because of these differences and the ongoing attempts to harmonise national tax statistics, the authors constantly go back to previous years and change the rates already published, so that each succeeding year’s report is essentially an addendum compendium.
The most significant aspect of the report is that the very “Revenue Statistics in Latin America and the Caribbean 2025” indicated that pure Tax-toGDP Ratio is a poor and misleading indicator for the LAC countries.
The report admitted that previous publications presented an incomplete and possibly misleading indicator by over-reliance on the unrequited tax component of government income.
For a more useful analysis, one would have to turn to the income-to-GDP ratio. Taxes only tell part of the story regarding government intakes. In recognising this grave omission in previous reports, the OECD et al have added an entire section on NonTax Revenue, along with a discussion on the importance of non-tax revenue to the totality of government revenue in relation to GDP flows.
This is necessary because nations have found ways to balance tax and non-tax revenues to yield desired revenue outcomes. So, when non-tax revenues are added to the pot, Guyana jumps to number three as a percentage of GDP among LAC countries.
The 2025 report rightly recognised that it’s the totality of income into the coffers that matters, rather than pure “compulsory unrequited payments to the general government.”
The Government of Guyana made a deliberate and thoughtful effort to reduce the tax burden on its citizens, attributed to an exponential increase in non-tax revenue chiefly from oil. So, measures such as increasing the number of zero-rated VAT items, reduction of excise tax on fuels from 30 per cent then to 10 per cent and eventually to zero; increasing the income tax threshold and reduction in personal income tax have made significant reductions in the tax- collection rates.
These reductions, coupled with a long-standing, large informal economy which keeps a large segment of the population outside of the formal income tax collection scheme. What this means is that the growth rate of
GDP will naturally outstrip the growth in taxes. The most significant interpretation contained in that statistic is that Guyana is able to meet its budgetary needs without increasing the tax burden on citizens.
A reduction in the unrequited tax segment of the total government revenues will drop as a percentage of GDP whenever there is new discovery of a major technology or resource that leads to an above-average growth in GDP. This will continue for a few years until the structure of the economy adapts to changes in the structure of investment, saving, consumption, government spending and net imports.
We also need to understand why this ratio was developed. It was developed as a tool to gauge the potential of a country to meet its budgetary needs from taxes, its potential cash flows to keep the government solvent, along with its ability to invest or save a little for future needs.
Given the size of our national budget and the health of our Natural Resource Fund (NRF), there is little doubt that Guyana is in a good place. While non-tax revenues increased by 58.5 per cent, it formed only 37 per cent of the national budget.
So, it’s one of two things: Either Ram does not understand the applicability of the indicator or he is a dishonest analyst. Take your pick.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
‘Baseless Rumours’
- Housing Ministry dismisses claims of land allocation to non-Guyanese in Little Diamond, Great Diamond
THE Ministry of Housing and Water has firmly refuted social media claims suggesting that house lots or turnkey units in the Little Diamond and Great Diamond communities, East Bank Demerara, were allocated to non-Guyanese.
In a press release issued Sunday, the ministry stated that “all allottees within the Diamond Housing Scheme are Guyanese.”
“Contrary to the baseless rumours, not a single house lot or turnkey unit in the area has been allocated to non-Guyanese,” the ministry declared.
It further highlighted that “as a matter of
policy, land allocation is strictly reserved for individuals who are legally recognised as Guyanese in accordance with the laws of Guyana.”
The statement clarified that the beneficiaries of the housing programme were former squatters who had previously occupied sections of the river dam along the East Bank of Demerara.
These individuals hailed from Herstelling, Covent Garden, Prospect, Farm, Diamond, Grove, and Friendship. They were relocated under a zero-tolerance initiative aimed at addressing river dam squatting.
Out of 291 identified squatter households, the
ministry reported that 228 families have so far received either house lots or government-constructed homes.
It also addressed concerns over the presence of foreigners in the area, noting that “while 37 Venezuelans were found squatting in the area, they have been deemed ineligible under the housing programme, as it serves only Guyanese.”
Responding to financial misinformation, the ministry clarified the cost of the government-constructed turnkey homes, “These homes adhering to strict quality and design standards were offered at a cost of $5.2 million, not $7 million as
falsely reported.”
It also clarified that wooden structures observed in the scheme were “constructed by the relocated squatters themselves, who were allocated land only,” and the ministry had no involvement in those builds.
On the matter of infrastructure, the ministry revealed that “first-phase
infrastructure works were completed in the housing scheme, making it accessible, and upgrades will be executed soon.”
Tenders were opened on May 12, 2025, for works valued at $780 million across 39 lots.
Contracts were awarded on June 5, and work is set to commence by June
15, with completion expected by July 31.
The ministry warned against misinformation, urging the public “to refrain from sharing sensational claims that only serve to mislead citizens and discredit [the] national housing programme and ongoing development efforts.”
New $70M block at Diamond Secondary to be completed this month
THE new block at Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara, is expected to be completed by the end of this month, paving the way for the introduction of Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) classes starting September 2025. This announcement was made by Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, in a video posted to the Ministry of Education’s Facebook page on Thursday.
The initiative is part of the government’s broader
plan to expand access to advanced secondary education across the country.
In the past four years, CAPE has already been introduced at Anna Regina Secondary, Rosignol Secondary, and West Demerara Secondary Schools. Diamond Secondary will now join this list, serving students from the East Bank corridor.
“We want to see more of our children doing the seven-year high school programme…If children want to do that, we want to give
them the choice of being able to stay home in the comfort of their home, community, and region and do it,” Minister Manickchand said.
The new block, valued at over $70 million, was constructed by Simcon Engineering Inc. following a sod-turning ceremony in August 2023.
Once completed, it will accommodate approximately 750 students from Diamond and nearby communities, including the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.
– School to offer CAPE from September 2025
Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, and her team, during a recent walk through of the Diamond Secondary School
The addition of CAPE at Diamond Secondary is aligned with the Ministry’s aim to better prepare students for the government’s
promise of free tertiary education at the University of Guyana.
The development is part of the Education Min-
istry’s continued efforts to enhance educational facilities and provide better learning environments for students across Guyana.
AFC plans to discourage children from doing 20+ subjects
- does not believe GOAL is practical despite thousands of graduates, more qualified Guyanese
LEADER of the Alliance For Change (AFC), Nigel Hughes, has stated that his party will not support students sitting dozens of subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, despite Guyana’s significant success and global recognition through this very practice.
Hughes made the statement during a live broadcast on the party’s official Facebook page on Sunday, as he outlined the AFC’s education policy proposals.
“We are not going to encourage children to sit 24 subjects,” Hughes said, referring to students who often sit between 18 and 24 subjects in recent years.
Guyanese students who have sat numerous subjects at CSEC have helped propel the country to the top of the Caribbean
in academic performance.
Many of these high achievers have secured scholarships and pursued further studies in medicine, engineering, law, and other competitive fields.
Meanwhile, when asked about plans in relation to education and the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) and its benefits to Guyanese students, Hughes said that he does not believe it is practical.
“GOAL is not, to me, a practical solution for the Guyana situation,” he said.
His comments come despite the fact that over 30,000 scholarships have been awarded through GOAL since its inception in 2021.
The programme has partnered with international universities to offer a wide range of academic and vocational courses including certificates, diplomas, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
In the coming days over 6,000 graduates are expected to walk the stage following the completion of their studies under the GOAL initiative.
For 2025, an additional 9,179 scholarships have already been awarded, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to nearly 39,000 Guyanese since 2020.
AFC Leader, Nigel Hughes
Craig NDC Chairperson balancing leadership and motherhood
– Shanaz Rahat reflects on progress, community woes and commitment to service
By Michel Outridge
CHAIRPERSON of the Craig Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Shanaz Rahat, is leading the charge in community development across 13 East Bank Demerara villages from Good Success to Caledonia, while juggling the demanding roles of public servant and mother.
Rahat, a native of Friendship, EBD, was elected just over two years ago during the last Local Government Elections.
Since assuming the role, she has spearheaded several initiatives, including the installation of over 500 streetlights and the ongoing upgrading of internal roads in Friendship, Craig, Land of Canaan, and surrounding communities.
But while the council has recorded tangible achievements, Rahat says the job is far from easy.
The mother of three told the Guyana Chronicle that there is no such thing as a “day off” for her, noting that even weekends are consumed with work.
Her eldest son serves in the Guyana Police Force, while her two younger children are in primary school.
Despite having no prior experience in the position, Rahat
credits her quick adaptability and the strong support of her staff, including the Overseer, Devi Dookie, and four 10-day workers with helping her fulfil her duties.
The Craig NDC office currently has three full-time staffers.
Rahat said being a woman as a Chair for the NDC is a big responsibility, but she is not fazed by any amount of work at all and has started community-based projects in many villages under her watch.
However, illegal dumping remains one of the biggest setbacks for the NDC. Rahat said the council has intensified cleanup campaigns in many villages, but the problem persists, particularly in areas from the Craig Sideline Dam to Grove and Diamond.
She reported that even as “no-dumping” signs are erected, refuse continues to pile up, especially at the Craig and Brickery Burial Grounds.
Without a garbage truck, the NDC relies on tractors and trailers to remove waste, which is transported to a distant landfill.
The council is also responsible for refuse collection at the Craig Health Centre, Craig Community Centre Ground, schools and the Friendship Magistrate’s
Court.
A mini excavator is used for land-clearing and beautification projects in the 13 villages.
The NDC currently owns three tractors and trailers but has no brush cutters. During community cleanups, they hire residents who own brush cutters, providing both services to the community and temporary employment opportunities.
Rahat said that while tax collection has been “fair,” some property owners who have migrated have not paid in years. These neglected lots often become overgrown and hazardous,
Chairperson of the Craig Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Shanaz Rahat
forcing the NDC to step in for public safety
She explained that illegal dumping takes up much of the council’s limited resources and continues to put a strain on the NDC, especially since many residents are not utilising private garbage-disposal services.
Despite these challenges, Rahat said she remains optimistic and committed to ongoing development in the villages under her charge.
Craig NDC building
Essequibo residents join National Clean-Up Campaign
By Indrawattie Natram
RESIDENTS across the Essequibo Coast turned out in strong numbers to participate in the National CleanUp Campaign, an initiative spearheaded by President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
Leading the charge in Anna Regina were Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Mayor Devin Mohan and Regional Executive Officer, Susanah Saywack.
Alongside community members, these officials rolled up their sleeves and worked together to remove garbage, clear drains and beautify public spaces.
The campaign, aimed at fostering a culture of cleanliness and civic pride, saw enthusiastic participation from citizens of all ages.
Regional Chairperson De Silva expressed satisfaction with the turnout across the various Neighbourhood Democratic Councils (NDCs).
“I am happy that everyone came out to participate in the nation’s
clean-up exercise,” she said.
De Silva noted that Region Two is already known for its cleanliness and encouraged residents to maintain that reputation.
She added that the Regional Tourism Association is partnering with the business community to ensure the ‘Cinderella County’ remains clean and welcoming.
Mayor of Anna Regina, Devin Mohan, echoed similar sentiments adding that the council “continues to push for a clean town.”
He highlighted the placement of receptacle bins at various points to encourage proper waste disposal and warned that heavy fines are imposed on litterbugs caught in the act.
In Supenaam, Devon
Tang, a councillor from the Good Hope-Pomona NDC, reported that he and his team focused on cleaning the wharf area and the parapets along the public road.
As such, he urged residents to continue playing their part in maintaining a clean environment.
Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Charity NDC, Chandrawattie Coomal, expressed grat-
itude to all who turned out to clean the Charity community.
“We are doing our part to ensure the NDC remains clean,” she said
Many residents expressed a shared sense of responsibility toward protecting the environment for future generations.
“This is not just about cleaning for today—it’s about building a better tomorrow,” said resident Angele Maragret.
The cleanup effort in Essequibo is part of a broader national movement to promote environmental stewardship and community engagement across Guyana.
The Anna Regina team with Regional Chairperson Vilma De Silva, Mayor Devin Mohan and Regional Executive Officer, Susanah Saywack
Supenaam clean-up crew in action
Charity crew cleaning the waterway areas
President Ali leads...
The minister explained that there are people who drive heavy-duty trucks filled with sand without a cover and when the breeze blows, the sand goes into the drains. This, in return, affects the flow of the water system.
“And so, water remains on the roadways,” he explained. “When you look at the roundabout, we have picked up several sections of stones dripping from trucking moving aggregate. Trying to break or navigate on stones could lead to serious accidents.”
Meanwhile, Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal spearheaded the exercise around Princess and High Streets.
He urged citizens to take pride in their environment and desist from dumping garbage along the roadside.
“Two years ago, I was here, and the debris that was here was worse than this. It has improved, but certainly everyone has to play a part because it starts at the top and you have
Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy,
the ground lending his support
that in the president and members of the cabinet,” Minister Croal underscored.
Additionally, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs and Information, Kwame McCoy, who was equally involved in the exercise at Hadfield Street, said the Mayor and City Council has neglected its responsibility to properly manage and remove garbage in the city.
“This is our initiative as a government and many places you’ll find that there are individuals who are assisting. Resi-
dents, the private sector and officials from other NGOs who lend their support in terms of resources such as bobcats, trucks and excavators in some cases,” Minister McCoy pointed out.
Over 200 ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) were on the ground covering several locations within the city, according to the Chief of Defence Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Omar Khan.
This initiative is the 10th national cleanup exercise conducted since the PPP/C returned to office in 2020. (DPI)
Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, joins the frontlines during the campaign at the intersection of High and Princess Streets, Georgetown, working alongside Joint Services ranks and residents to remove bulky waste and restore the area
was also on
Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, joins hands with members of the Joint Services along Hadfield Street showing leadership in action as she helps to clear drains and overgrown vegetation
FROM PAGE 2
GPSU welcomes renewed engagement, collaboration
– Reports improved dialogue with government
IN a significant shift from years of strained relations, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) has acknowledged a renewed tone of engagement with the government, marking what it calls a hopeful path forward for meaningful progress and collaboration within the Public Service.
In a message issued on Sunday to commemorate its 102nd anniversary, the union highlighted the importance of recent engagements, particularly with Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni
Singh, as signs of improved relations.
“There has been a noticeable shift towards a more respectful and constructive relationship with the GPSU. This renewed tone of engagement is promising and, if sustained, could lead to meaningful progress and a stronger partnership in addressing the needs of public servants,” the GPSU stated.
The union used the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles and legal accountability.
“As we press forward, GPSU reaffirms its call for greater ac-
countability and adherence to the Rule of Law in all matters concerning public servants. It is imperative that governments respect and comply with court rulings that uphold the rights of workers, particularly those who have lawfully defended themselves and been granted justice through legal proceedings. Justice must not be delayed, disregarded, or denied in a democracy.”
Despite welcoming improved dialogue, the union voiced concern over long-standing challenges, including what it described as ongoing efforts to un-
dermine its influence and relevance.
It also criticised the politicisation of its role, calling for a clearer public understanding of its non-partisan mandate.
“Equally troubling is the tendency to treat the GPSU as a political opponent rather than a legitimate stakeholder.”
The union added:
“We must remind the public and policymakers alike that the GPSU is not a political party. We are the representative voice of government employees, an institution built to advocate for their rights, welfare, and dignity, regardless of which political party is in power.”
The GPSU noted that its position is not
political, but, rather, principled.
“We speak not in opposition, but in defence of fairness, justice, and good governance.”
The union stressed the need for it to be seen and respected as a body that stands for workers, equity, and the integrity of the Public Service.
PNC has become ‘unattractive’ - Region Four Chairman says – slams party
CHAIRMAN of Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and former long-time member of the People’s National Congress (PNC), Daniel Seeram has said that his decision to endorse the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) in the upcoming election stems from the PNC’s decline into what he described as an “unattractive” party that
repels youth and progressive thinking.
Seeram made these comments during his first interview since crossing the political floor, appearing on the “Starting Point” podcast where he explained that the PNC he joined in January 2020 is no longer recognisable, having lost the values and standards he once aligned himself with.
“It has become totally unattractive in a way that it kind of repels youth, it kind of repels progressive thinking,” Seeram explained.
According to the Regional Chairman, many of the bright young minds within the PNC have been sidelined and those who remain are not given the recognition or respect they deserve.
“That is quite a sad situa-
for sidelining youths, poor leadership
tion going on within the party and definitely, it falls directly on the leadership of the party at this time. In my assessment, in my review, I have come to the conclusion that my standards, my values, my morals don’t align with what is going on there anymore,” he pointed out.
Seeram said he and others had attempted over the years to foster greater inclusion and unity, but those efforts were consistently ignored.
Speaking on the turning point that led to his departure from the party, Seeram pointed to the treatment of late PNC stalwart and former minister, Amna Ally, even in death.
“She would have served the PNC for the past 50 years… at many levels, giving her entire life to it, making tremendous sacrifices. When you saw how she was treated even in death by the current leadership of the party, it makes one wonder what is really going on, what is there to stay for or work towards. That, I believe, was the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Seeram further expressed concern over the absence of guidance from the party’s current leadership, particularly in relation to regional development in Region Four.
He stated that in the absence of leadership from the party, he had to rely on the previous manifesto and advice from longstanding figures like Amna Ally to govern effectively.
“The partners that we had within the region became more of assets to us in terms of governance and direction. Nothing was coming out of the party in terms of where they wanted to see Region Four go or what their vision was.”
Seeram’s endorsement forms part of a broader wave of support for the PPP/C ahead of the September 1 General and Regional Elections, with several prominent individuals from opposition parties declaring their backing for President Dr. Irfaan Ali.
Among them is Ismail Muhammad-Al-Cush, a Regional Councillor from Region Five and former AFC member, who recently publicly resigned from the party citing internal issues and praised the developmental strides made under the current administration.
Former General Secretary of the PNCR and Opposition Parliamentarian, Geeta Chandan-Edmond also offered her full endorsement of President Ali’s leadership,
highlighting the ongoing transformation taking place across Guyana.
Other notable figures include Chairman of the AFC’s Region Seven division, David Daniels and Regional Vice Chairman for Region Four and PNC member, Samuel Sandy who credited the PPP/C’s economic and infrastructure advancements as his reason for crossing over.
Also endorsing the PPP/C are Dr Richard Van West-Charles, former PNCR Central Executive Member and son-in-law of former President L.F.S. Burnham and former PNC members Thandi McAllister and James Bond.
Additionally, leaders of smaller political parties such as Shaz Ally (The Citizenship Initiative), Dr Asha Kissoon (The New Movement) and Lenox Shuman (Liberty and Justice Party) have all declared support for the PPP/C heading into the elections.
According to PPP General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, these endorsements are not driven by promises of political appointments, but by a shared desire to contribute meaningfully to Guyana’s continued development.
Chairman of Region Four and member of the PNCR, Daniel Seeram (centre) along with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali (left) and Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (right)
Portgual beat Spain in penalty shootout final
PORTUGAL beat neighbours, Spain, in a penalty shootout to settle a frantic final in Munich, and win their second Nations League trophy.
Cristiano Ronaldo pulled Portugal level at 2-2 in the 61st minute, but there was nothing else to separate the two sides when the referee signalled the end of normal time.
Subbed off before extra time, Portugal captain, Ronaldo dropped to the turf and sobbed tears of joy on the sidelines after Ruben Neves slotted home the winning penalty, following Diogo Costa's save from Alvaro Morata's spot-kick.
Winners of the 2023 edition, Spain had opened the scoring in the 21st minute
when Martin Zubimendi poked home after Portugal failed to clear their lines.
Their lead was shortlived, as Nuno Mendes slammed a low, angled strike past Unai Simon and into the far corner of the net five minutes later.
Mikel Oyarzabal, who netted a late winner in last summer's European Championship final against England, restored La Roja's advantage before the break.
But Ronaldo came to Portugal's rescue, as he shrugged off Marc Cucurella to reach Mendes' deflected cross, and hook a volley in from close range.
Goncalo Ramos, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Nuno Mendes all calmly fired their penalties home before Morata's weak effort was stopped by Costa.
And as Neves converted the final spot-kick, Portugal became the first team to win two Nations League titles, denying Spain, who were vying for the same honour.
Ronaldo, after an initial outpouring of emotion, wiped his tears away and celebrated joyfully before lifting the trophy as confetti fell around Allianz Arena.
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
Portugal won the inaugural Nations League title in 2019
Toothless West Indies fail to defend 197
(ESPNCRICINFO) - Harry Brook had said at the toss that he "fancied a chase" in the second T20I in Bristol. Well, he was handed one all right, as West Indies obliged in trademark style, serving up a six-laden display of power-hitting that included five in a single 31run over from Adil Rashid - the second-most expensive in England's T20 history - and 75 runs off the final four overs of their innings.
Despite 15 blows over the ropes in total, and a stiff target of 197, even that was not nearly enough to rein in a newly liberated England batting line-up that responded with a salvo of cameos to hunt down their target with nine balls to spare. Fresh from his matchwinning 96 on Friday, Jos Buttler was once again the top-scorer, with 47 from 36, while Brook led as he would wish to be followed with 34
from 20. However, the star turns came from the young guns Jacob Bethell and Tom Banton in the middle order, whose combined haul of 56 from 21 balls drove England to an unassailable 2-0 series lead with Tuesday's final match in Southampton still to come.
WOOD BRINGS THE WHEELS
In a match marked by such formidable hitting,
Athanaze, Greaves score half-centuries
CMC – Alick Athanaze and Justin Greaves both scored half-centuries in an otherwise lacklustre batting display by West Indies ‘A’ on the opening day of their second unofficial ‘Test’ against South Africa ‘A’ here on Sunday.
The left-handed Athanaze top-scored with 65, while Greaves scored 57 in the home side’s paltry first innings total of 220 after they were sent in to bat at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.
Former Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite scored 35 at the top of the order in the only other meaningful contribution, as West Indies ‘A’ were undone by the pace of Ruan de Swardt and Okuhle Cele, with the pair sharing seven wickets between them.
Brathwaite and John Campbell gave West Indies ‘A’ a solid start by putting on 53 runs for the opening wicket.
However, Campbell,
Brathwaite, and Kevlon Anderson lost their wickets, with two going to de Swardt, for the addition of just four runs to see them slip to 57 for three.
It took a 71-run partnership between Athanaze and Greaves to pull their team out of trouble following the loss of Jewel Andrew.
Once Athanaze was dismissed by de Swardt after facing 94 balls and striking eight fours and two sixes to make the score 161 for five, the West Indies’ ‘A’ lower
order folded, with Greaves being the last man out.
In all, he faced 100 balls and hit nine fours.
De Swardt finished with 4-62, while Cele took 3-52.
South Africa ‘A’ then finished the day on 44 for two to trail West Indies ‘A’ by 176 runs with eight wickets remaining.
Fast bowler Anderson Phillip claimed the wicket of Jordan Hermann for 18, while pacer Johann Layne had Lesego Senokwane caught for 23.
however, it was a bowler in his first international appearance since September 2023 who made the ultimate difference. Brook had wanted a "point of difference", he said, in confirming Luke Wood's recall. His left-arm pace is an attractive option at the best of times, but with a strong cross-wind cutting across the County Ground, the conditions were tailor-made for his inswinger to the righthander.
So, Evin Lewis discovered with an Exocet of a first delivery - full, fast, tailing in at the toe, and extracting an immediate verdict from umpire Martin Saggers, even as Wood charged down the pitch in full celebrappeal mode. His follow-up to Shai Hope wasn't quite as intended - a wild full-toss as the yorker slipped out - but two overs for four runs in the powerplay kept West Indies very much under wraps.
Guyanese Ramsammy,
Henery and...
She went up against a strong contingent from Suriname as well as locals, and after making the cut as a finalist, Ramsammy showed her technique and sculpted body to the adulation of the audience, and approval of the judges.
She won her category ahead of Meyer Charelle, and countrywoman Savita Stephenson, who placed second and third, respectively.
Meanwhile, in the Heavyweight category for over 95 kg athletes, favourite and CAC medalist Julio Sinclair came in softer than he should have, and was edged out by Henery, who won the category.
Henery would go on to the final pose-off, featuring all the winners of the other bodybuilding categories, and dominated to take the
(From page 23)
elusive pro-card on offer for bodybuilding.
Guyanese Orlando Dublin was good enough to clinch the middleweight category ahead of countrymates Lindon Burnett and John Luther, who took the other podium positions.
Grenada’s Kevon Frederick claimed the lightweight category against a stacked field, after showing off his chiseled frame.
Second place was Daneilson Ambrose, with Trisson Harte third.
The men’s physique was the most contested category, and saw Ruley Chundler win the over 77 kg category ahead of local Marley Vyphius, with David Diliza third.
The up-to 176 cm men’s physique category also saw fireworks as Surinamese Kromokarijo proved he was
Brydon Carse's introduction gave a more accurate reflection of the carnage to come, however. With England once again opting for just two frontline quicks, Carse's more conventional angles were very much to Hope's liking - with two fours and three sixes, each of them creamed over long-off as he opened his stance to take advantage of the short straight boundaries.
Surinamese
a class above his fellow competitors to win his category and cop the pro-card.
Joel Tobie was second in the 176cm category, with Getrouw Randolph.
Henery claimed $600,000 for First Place, with $300,000 each going to Ramsammy and Kromokarijo.
The event was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, New GPC, Fitness Express, Ele's Trading and Hardware, Camille's Academy, and Royal International Hotel among other stakeholders.
The organisers also announced that they have been granted eight procards by the International Bodybuilding Federation (IFBB) for the next edition of the One Guyana stage of champions in 2026.
West Indies ‘A’ unofficial ‘Test’ Vs South Africa ‘A’…
Alick Athanaze topscored for West Indies ‘A’ with 65
MCYS, NSC launch historic coaching education drive
IN a historic step to decentralise sports development and unleash the immense potential of Guyana's hinterland regions, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport and the National Sports Commission have launched a historic flashdrive distribution programme to provide coaching and refereeing video resources to communities throughout all ten administrative regions.
Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle disclosed that important coaching and refereeing material for the 13 core sports disciplines was included in 219 flash drives that were distributed at the National Toshaos Council conference late last month at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).
The targetted sports are track and field, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, football, hockey, rugby, squash, swimming, table
tennis, tennis, and volleyball, Ninvalle said.
He added that Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr. is the driving force behind this innovative programme, which seeks to level the playing field for aspiring players and officials by imparting the same fundamental knowledge of these sports to rural populations.
Ninvalle acknowledged the substantial unrealised potential that exists in these communities, and is confident that having access to this vital information will be essential to fostering and developing the next generation of Guyanese athletes. He applauded the effort of Assistant Director of Sport Melissa Dow-Richardson in obtaining the data.
The recent laptop distribution to the hinterland areas by the government is inextricably tied to the success of this effort. Because
of this earlier investment in digital infrastructure, these vital coaching and refereeing resources will now be distributed effectively with the aid of the local sports officers and sports councils, further guaranteeing that the material is utilised to its full potential.
"The Ministry and National Sports Commission envisions that this project will contribute to the expansion and advancement of sports at all levels by significantly raising the calibre of coaching and officiating in these hinterland areas. This historic project demonstrates the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport's steadfast dedication to developing a thriving and encompassing sports culture across Guyana, ensuring that no community is left behind in the collective and national quest for athletic greatness," the Director of Sport concluded.
Football Coach, Troy Wright, making an impact on youth development
By Sean Devers
AT 53, Football Coach Troy Wright is still making a meaningful contribution to the development of School’s Football as Coach of Marian Academy’s U-9, U-11, U-14 (Boys and Girls) and U-18 Football teams.
Under the guidance of Coach Wright, Marian Academy has been very successful in nation-wide Blue Water U-15 girls’ championship, which is being played in all 10 administrative regions. This is the only school’s football tournament played for this year so far.
Marian Academy won the Region Four (G/Town) championship, and qualified for the national play-offs with an unblemished record of six wins in six games.
The Girls have scored 24 goals without conceding any, as Goalkeeper Sharah Revers and defenders Bently Hector and Cristal Patterson combined to keep the sheet clean in City zone.
Marian Academy’s Captain Kaleigh Todd, and Skylar DeNobrega have netted the most goals in the competition.
Todd, DeNobrega, Ella Fernandes and Ashley Walton have all been invited to the National U-15 trials.
coach at all levels, from grassroot to junior senior level.
“I would like to see the development of school football having certified coaches at schools, so that the children could understand the game better; like the rules, technique and ball control.
Primary School, and their school won the championship in my first year as coach,” he said.
THE Guyana Hockey Board recently hosted their playoff and quarter final rounds of the Kellogg’s U14 Indoor Schools Hockey League at St. Stanislaus College Auditorium.
GCC Pit Bull earned a place in the semifinals after a 3-nil defeat of Hatchets, and it was Luc Scott that shone the brightest in the clash, scoring a hattrick for the comfortable win.
Warriors and ‘Multi’ faced off in the quarter final, with regulation time ending in a draw before Warriors won the penalty shootout, 1-0.
Old Fort Gladiators
were the biggest winner on the day, as they outclassed Saints Scorpions, 7-2. Old Fort’s Aderemi Simon gave them the opening goal before a double from Anthony Sanker put Saints ahead, 2-1.
Umar Bender levelled the score for Old Fort before a triple from Brandon Layne put the clash firmly in the Gladiators’ hands. Simon returned thereafter to score a pair of goals to also finish with a hat trick for the 7-2 win.
Next, Old Fort Show Stoppers edged Saints Sigma, 2-0, with field goals off the sticks of Jimmy Carpio and Kael Beckles.
In the playoff earlier in the day to determine the final team to play the quarter finals, Hikers Hatchets defeated Saints Snipers, 3-2.
They had a double from Donovan Carroll, and the other goal from Joshia Boyce; Sanus Persaud scored a pair of goals for Snipers in the loss.
Meanwhile, in the girls’ playoff match-up, Saint’s Sensation won via penalty shootout, 1-nil, over GCC Her-ricanes after their game ended nil in regulation time.
The semi-finals and finals are set for Friday, June 13, at the Marian Academy Auditorium.
Chronicle Sport recently caught up with the Rastafarian Coach while he was taking his charges through their paces at the YMCA Ground on Thomas Road.
Coach Wright, the only schools’ football coach to have won both boys and girls titles, informed that the ExonMobil U-14 boys and girls tournaments are scheduled to commence on Saturday.
“I have been coaching school football for 12 years, and I am a certified Football
“Because many schools do not have a coach, many children don’t really understand the game; they might have a teacher who might have an idea, but learning the right things from someone who knows what they are doing is very important when you are at such a young age,” explained Coach Wright.
The biggest challenge, he says, is to get the students to control the ball and keep on working hard, but there is plenty of raw talent around the schools.
“I got involved in coaching school football when my children started going primary school at St. Agnes
“I coached St. Agnes for six years, and in my first year, we finished sixth, but the next year (2016), we reached the finals, and lost to St. Angela’s 1-nil. I won my first championship in 2019, while my next title was with Enterprise Primary School in 2021.
“I won two girls’ titles; one U-11 and one U-15. Last year, Marian Academy reached the girls U-11 finals as the defending champion, and lost on penalty to Waramuni Primary School,” disclosed Coach Wright, who has developed a number of players, from grassroot to senior, that are now playing at the junior and senior levels.
Among Coach Wright’s students is the son of Guyana’s most successful FirstClass cricketer, Captain Leon Johnson, who copped six titles in eight seasons.
Coach Troy Wright discussing tactics with Ella Fernandes at the YMCA Ground
Future Warriors Tapeball Blast Demerara leg…
Grove Primary dethrones Stella Maris
AFTER a scintillating final of the ExxonMobil Guyana Future Warriors tapeball blast Demerara leg on Sunday, Grove Primary emerged the new champion after beating the reigning one, Stella Maris Primary, by six wickets.
In the main event at the National Stadium, Providence following overnight showers, the East Bank Demerara-based Grove Primary won the toss, and inserted the City side, Stella Maris Primary.
Stella Maris were contained to 47 for two after their eight-over allotment expired, but Grove Primary survived an early scare to eventually reach 49 for four, with 10 balls to spare.
Wayne Green provided a late impetus for Grove, hitting two fours and a six during his top-score of 17 not-out, while getting support from Roles Melville, who made 12 from six balls.
Titus Allicock chipped in with nine not-out to see his side over the line.
Eyeon Glasgow was the pick-of-the-bowlers for Stella Maris, taking 2-14 after removing Sher -
win Bunbury and Terrence Frank with three deliveries.
Earlier, Stella Maris were gifted 26 extras, as Glasgow top-scored with 12 not-out from 20 balls.
Melville ended as the leg’s Most Valuable Player and leading wicket-taker with nine scalps to his name, while Stella Maris’ Clyde Jacobs finished as the leg’s leading run getter with 88, scoring the tournament’s lone half-century.
In the semi finals, Stella Maris opened the day with a victory over West Ruimveldt Primary in a one-sided nine-wicket win.
Stella Maris won the toss and inserted West Ruimveldt Primary, who made 67 for three after Steven Orie clubbed four boundaries in his innings of 20 not-out.
Support came from Seon Harsham (13) and Eli Henry (12 not-out).
Stella Maris then raced to 69 for one in five overs, as Jacobs smashed five fours and a six on his way to a top score of 35 not-out. Aaron Perkins belted two sixes in his 12-run cameo.
In the second semi-final, Grove Primary benefitted from three dropped catches
by St. Pius to advance with a six-wicket victory.
Grove also won the toss and elected to field, where they contained St. Pius to 40 for four, as no batsman reached double figures, and
extras accounted for 22.
Melville continued his impressive form with the ball, taking 2-8.
In the chase, Joshua Ramotar, who opened the batting, steered his side to
victory with a composed 14-ball 24 not-out. His innings featured three fours and one six.
Kevon Pile looked to secure St. Pius’ spot in the final, taking 3-10, but it ultimately came down to dropped catches seeing them losing the match.
The tournament now heads to Berbice, where 16 teams will compete this weekend.
CHAMPIONS! Grove Primary celebrate as Demerara zone champions of Future Warriors Tapeball for Primary Schools
ON Saturday evening, the National Cultural Centre hosted the country’s first professional bodybuilding qualifier show, which saw Guyanese Christina Ramsammy as well as Surinamese Rafael Kromokarijo and Marlon Henery capturing coveted
was the sixth edition of the competition, and the first to see top winners in the Men’s Physique, Ms.
Bikini and overall men’s bodybuilding earning procards along with lucrative cash prizes.
One Guyana Stage of Champions Bodybuilding Classic…
One Guyana Stage of Champions overall bodybuilding winner Marlon Henery (centre) collecting his pro-card from CAC Vice-President Roger Boyce (centre) and Minister Charles Ramson Jr.
Kromokarijo
Toothless West Indies fail to defend 197
Shai Hope was stumped off Adil Rashid for 49 (Getty Images)
BOWLED! Part of the action on the final day at the National Stadium, Providence
One Guyana Stage of Champion Ms. Bikini winner, Christina Ramsammy (third right) collecting pro-card from Minister Charles Ramson jr. Also in photo are: GBBFF
President Roger Callender; organisers Keavon Bess, Videsh Sookram, and Fizal Bacchus, along with second and third-place Ms. Bikini athletes