Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 11-01-2023

THE World Bank has said that Guyana will continue to record positive economic growth over the next two years, even as the Latin America and Caribbean region experiences a slowdown in economic progress.

According to the international financial institution in its latest publication, Global Economic Prospects, Guyana is on course to recording growth of 25 per cent this year and 21 per cent next year.

“Aside from Guyana, which remains in a natural re-

sources-fueled growth boom, the sub-region faces renewed headwinds,” the World Bank said.

Progress in this year will continue from the successes recorded last year, when the country’s economy grew by well over 50 per cent.

Guyana’s prospects remain bright even as growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is projected to slow from an estimated 3.6 per cent in 2022 to 1.3 per cent in 2023, before recovering somewhat to 2.4 per cent in 2024.

“The forecast for 2023 has been downgraded since June by 0.6 percentage point. The sharp deceleration of growth this year reflects efforts by the region’s monetary authorities to tame inflation, and spillovers from weakening global growth. Per capita GDP growth is expected to be just 0.6 per cent in 2023,” the World Bank said.

India awards President Ali for excellence in

Five eco-lodges receive

‘Green Destination’ award

THE Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) on Tuesday awarded five eco-lodges with an official Green Destinations-Good Travel Seal+ Certification for their role in environmental sustainability.

The award ceremony was a collaborative effort between the GTA and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce.

Karanambu Lodge and Caiman House both received perfect 5-Star ratings, while Atta Lodge, Iwokrama River Lodge and Rewa Eco-lodge received 4.5-star ratings.

Representatives from the eco- lodges said that initially they had some challenges, but through commitment and hard work, they were all able to play a significant part in preserving Guyana’s beautiful flora and fauna.

The eco-lodges were awarded for their roles in combatting pollution and climate change, and for maintaining heritag -

es, sustainable mobility, health and safety, and the eco-system as a whole.

Several initiatives were undertaken, among them

contacting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect wildlife and marine life, implementing policies to combat pollution, supporting local suppliers of fruits and vegetables, and providing employment to those living near the lodges.

In her feature address, Minister of Tourism, Indus-

try and Commerce Oneidge Walrond said the government is committed to its plans to make Guyana the number one destination spot.

While Guyana’ s rich and untouched beauty is admired and loved by many, especially tourists, the Minister asserted that Guyanese must preserve

it, not only for today’s people but for generations to come.

“Sustainability is key,” she said adding that this is not limited to tourism businesses.

She said that the culture behind the use of plastics needs to change. While some are leading the way to a sustainable Guyana and are recognised and commended, the Minister said that everyone needs to follow suit.

Minister Walrond said that her Ministry and the GTA are looking at the certification of other tourism businesses throughout the country.

“This is just a stepping stone for our country to be recognised in this manner and this has the full support of the government,” she emphasised.

The eco-lodges also received financial aid from the government, and in accepting their respective awards, they extended their gratitude.

Representatives of the eco-lodges pose with their official Green Destinations - Good Travel Seal+ Certification and awards. Also pictured are Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond and tourism officials (Delano Williams photo)

India awards President Ali for excellence in politics/community welfare

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali was, on Tuesday, conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) for the year 2023, by President of India, Droupadi Murmu.

The award ceremony was held at the valedictory session of the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention 2023, Indore, India.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman is the highest Indian award for non-resident Indians and overseas citizens of India or an organisation or institution, established and run by non-resident Indians or persons of Indian origin.

President Ali was among more than 20 awardees who have been recognised by the Government of India for their outstanding achievements both in India and abroad.

Dr. Ali was honoured for his excellent and comprehensive performance in politics/community welfare.

He was invited as the chief guest for the convention and is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister, Hugh Todd; Minister within the Local Government and Regional Development Ministry, Anand Persaud, and other officials.

President Murmu underscored that the conferment will serve as an encouragement to the awardees, allowing them to pursue greater heights in the future.

India High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K. J Srinivasa, has congratulated President Ali for being the recipient of the prestigious award, noting that it is a recognition of his efforts to bring about rapid and equitable development in Guyana.

Dr. Srinivasa called on Guyanese to work for the growth and success of the nation and to play an active role in fulfilling the country’s unique destiny.

Guyana to sustain double-digit growth

–– even as region experiences slowdown in economic advancement, World Bank reports

THE World Bank has said that Guyana will continue to record positive economic growth over the next two years, even as the Latin America and Caribbean region experiences a slowdown in economic progress.

According to the international financial institution in its latest publication, Global Economic Prospects, Guyana is on course to recording growth of 25 per cent this year and 21 per cent next year.

“Aside from Guyana, which remains in a natural resources-fueled growth boom, the sub-region faces renewed headwinds,” the World Bank said.

Progress in this year will continue from the successes recorded last year, when the country’s economy grew by well over 50 per cent.

Guyana’s prospects remain bright even as growth in Latin America and the Caribbean is projected to slow from an estimated 3.6

per cent in 2022 to 1.3 per cent in 2023, before recovering somewhat to 2.4 per cent in 2024.

“The forecast for 2023 has been downgraded since June by 0.6 percentage point. The sharp deceleration of growth this year reflects efforts by the region’s monetary authorities to tame inflation, and spillovers from weakening global growth.

Per capita GDP growth is expected to be just 0.6 per cent in 2023,” the World Bank said.

The bank went on to say: “A sluggish growth outlook in the United States and China will curtail export demand in 2023, while the increase in U.S. interest rates is likely to also keep global financial conditions restrictive.

“The boon for South American incomes from recently elevated commodity prices is expected to unwind over the next two years, except in a small number of fossil fuel exporters. Mean-

while, weakening global growth is expected to reduce export growth in LAC from 5.9 per cent in 2022 to 3.6 per cent in 2023.”

The World Bank said domestic sources of growth appear similarly lacking. Investment is the primary driver of forecast downgrades, with negative region-wide investment growth projected in 2023 in the context of softening business confidence and increased financing costs.

“Elevated levels of domestic policy uncertainty in most of the region’s largest economies present a further headwind to investment, especially in key export industries such as mining.

“The recovery in services following the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions has also largely run its course. With prices rising faster than wages in much of the region, lower real incomes are expected to constrain consumption growth,” the financial

institution said.

On a more positive side, the cycle of policy rate increases is likely coming to an end across inflation targeting economies, with solidly positive interest rates in real terms that is, adjusted for anticipated future inflation.

“ Policy rates in the largest economies are expected to remain fairly stable this year, meaning inflation adjusted policy rates will increase in some economies if inflation recedes as projected,” the World Bank said.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) recently commended Guyana for providing targeted assistance to lower-income groups, including the elderly, which was an important approach in microeconomic and social policies, which contributed to Guyana experiencing an inflation rate lower than what was recorded globally.

The IDB, in its “Head -

winds” report, highlighted measures taken by Guyana and the other Caribbean governments to stem inflation and assist their economies to grow, despite external shocks and higher commodity prices on the world market.

“One important approach is to provide additional, targeted assistance to lower-income groups, including the elderly. For example, in Guyana, the government’s public assistance payments for vulnerable groups were increased from US$57 to US$67 per month, benefitting approximately 18,000 people. The Old Age Pension Programme, which benefits approximately 65,000 senior citizens, also provided a series of increases that raised the monthly payment from US$98 in 2020 to US$134 in 2022,” the report noted.

Moreover, at the micro level, to support productive sectors and vulnerable populations, the government introduced several policies.

“The excise tax on petroleum was reduced from 20 to 10 per cent in January, then reduced further to zero in March. Tariffs on public utility services such as water and electricity have remained fixed, with the government absorbing higher operating costs. In addition, US$4.8 million was allocated for the purchase and distribution of fertiliser for farmers to reduce operating costs, and US$3.8 million was distributed in the form of one-time cash grants for households in the rural interior and riverain communities (US$120 per household),” the report noted.

According to the report, rising inflation was “imported” from commodity-price inflation that was due to external shocks, including the war in Ukraine, higher oil prices which resulted in higher fuel prices, disrupted supply chains and the COVID-19 recovery period.

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali with his prestigious Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (Office of the President photo)

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali is conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award (PBSA) for the year 2023, by President of India, Droupadi Murmu (Office of the President photo)

Ally says PNC’s finances were in order before she left

FINANCIAL

records at the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) were audited on an annual basis prior to Aubrey Norton taking over the helm of the party.

Norton is currently facing a lot of heat over recent claims by PNCR Treasurer Faaiz Mursaline about financial impropriety that included the signing of blank checks, lack of supporting financial documents for expenditures, and the lack of an audit of the party’s finances.

In an invited comment to the Guyana Chronicle, former PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally confirmed that prior to Norton taking over its leadership, finances for the party were audited every year.

“I’m confirming that every year we did an audit, and Mr. Nigel Hinds was the person contracted to do that. I don’t know what happened after I left; I’m not active with them, so I don’t know,” Ally said.

The PNCR stalwart went on to say: “I don’t want to answer anything as regards to the PNCR

and its finances. I can talk about what I did during my tenure; I don’t want to answer anything about this tenure.”

Following the damning allegations, Norton is now facing a No Confidence Motion against him filed by the PNCR’ s Florida Chapter.

The group has said that allegations of financial mismanagement at the PNCR is causing the business community to withhold its support for the party.

Questions are proliferating as to why the party’s finances has not been audited since Norton took over as the party leader.

According to Mursaline, in an interview with

this publication, the party’s finances has not been audited since July 2020.

Mursaline said that he had even suggested that it be done by current party executive and Member of Parliament Volda Lawrence, but this was shut down by Norton.

During the PNCR’ s press conference on January 5, Norton sought to address Mursaline’s claims that he’d called for an audit into the party’s finances; however, he would only say that he’d advised Mursaline that Lawrence could not audit the party’s finances, as it would amount to a conflict of interest.

Norton, however, offered no explanation as to

why a private firm has not been brought in to audit the party’s records.

According to Norton, Article 16 (4) of the Constitution states that “The General Council shall appoint an auditor at the first

meeting after the Biennial Delegates Congress.”

However, the PNCR last held its Biennial Delegates Congress in December 2021, when Norton was elected leader of the party.

–– unsure of what occurred after her departure, as party faces accusations of financial mismanagement

Former PNCR General Secretary Amna Ally

GECOM: Stiffer penalties in place for registration fraud

PERSONS could see themselves being fined up to $5 million and placed in prison for up to five years if they commit registration offences such as providing false information to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), so as to fraudulently obtain and use an identification card.

In a statement released on Tuesday, GECOM reminded that recent changes to the National Registration Act, which was assented to on December 13, 2022 have paved the way not only for continuous registration, but also for stiffer penalties for false information provided in

a number of instances.

The Commission is currently facilitating registration transactions at all its registration offices countrywide.

Previously, eligible persons could have only applied for new registration and changes or corrections to their particulars during specific periods determined by GECOM such as during a Cycle of Continuous Registration or Claims and Objections, respectively.

However, with the amendments to National Registration Act, Chapter 19:08, GECOM is now mandated to facilitate registration transactions throughout the year

with two breaks to facilitate the publication and finalisation of a valid Official List of Electors (OLE).

Guyana secures first payment from Hess for forest protection

GUYANA has received its first payment for carbon credits under the agreement with the Hess Corporation.

According to a press release, some US$75 million has been paid, and is the first payment in an agreement that will be worth a minimum of US$750 million up to 2030.

Two further payments of US$37.5 million each will be made during 2023, one in January and one in July, thus bringing the total amount available for appropriation in this year’s National Budget to US$150 million.

The payment is as a result of the Government of Guyana’s continued recognition of the important role that Guyana’s forests play in not only the development of the country, but also in combatting climate change globally.

Guided by the ground-breaking Low- Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030, Guyana has set out a vision for monetising the climate and ecosystem services provided by the country’s standing forest, while accelerating its economic development along a low-carbon trajectory.

On December 1, 2022, the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions announced the issuance of 33.47 million TREES credit to Guyana for the five-year period from 2016 to 2020.

The Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART) is a global initiative that seeks to incentivise the reduction of emissions from deforesta-

tion and forest degradation (REDD), as well as restore forests and protect intact forests.

On December 2, 2022, the Government of Guyana entered into an agreement

seas, for onward transmission to the Consolidated Fund, which will be credited with the Guyana dollar equivalent.

In keeping with the commitments made in the LCDS 2030 and Resolution No. 45,

nities (IPLCs) as set out in Village Sustainability Plans or equivalent, put together by communities themselves, and

- The remaining 85 per cent will be allocated to national priorities outlined in the LCDS 2030 (e.g. renewable energy as described in Chapter 3, land titling as described in Chapter Four, repairing canals, and protecting against climate change as outlined in Chapter Five).

In keeping with established budgetary process enshrined in law, the Minister of Finance shall request the National Assembly to approve withdrawals from the Consolidated Fund, which shall be included in the Annual Budget Proposal.

provided that they will be 14 years and older by the June 30, or during the period July to November, provided that they will be 14 years and older by the December 31 of the given year,” the statement said.

Persons must be Guyanese citizens by birth, descent, registration or naturalization, or is a citizen from a Commonwealth country living in Guyana for one year or more, to apply for registration, providing that they were never registered.

Existing registrants who are desirous of updating their records, such as by an application to correct or change

their names, date of birth, occupation or to update their addresses, are advised that those transactions would also be facilitated continuously during the periods outlined above.

The Commission has encouraged persons to ensure that they conduct their transactions in a timely manner, abide by the legal registration provisions and be cognizant of these amendments to the Act that could have serious consequences.

The amended Act can be accessed on GECOM’s website at www.gecom.org. gy for further information and perusal.

with the Hess Corporation for the sale of carbon credits for a minimum of US$750 million between 2022 and 2032 (see the attached payment schedule).

The first payment from the Hess Corporation to Guyana for the sale of carbon credits has been made, with the total deposit of US$75 million representing: US$37.5 million for 2.5 million ART-TREES credits from 2016 at a price of US$15/tonne of CO2e, and US$37.5 million for 2.5 million ART-TREES credits from 2017 at a price of US$15/tonne of CO2e.

Those payments have been deposited in a US dollar-denominated account held by the Bank of Guyana over-

adopted by the National Assembly on August 8, 2022, the National Assembly, including through its Committees, will have oversight of the investment of all national revenues received from forest climate markets and managed via the Consolidated Fund through the budgetary process.

Every payment and payment source will be communicated publicly at the point of payment, and at the point of transfer into the Consolidated Fund, when the payment value in Guyana Dollars will also be communicated. Deposits will be allocated as follows:

- The allocation of 15 per cent to community/village-led programmes for Indigenous Peoples and Local Commu-

All these transactions will be appropriately tagged with a unique identifier on the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) within the Ministry of Finance to enable the execution of annual audits.

Guyana is a global leader in the effort to combat climate change, with the PPP/C Government’s commitment within the framework of the LCDS 2030 to tackle the climate crisis while simultaneously fostering and accelerating broad-based and sustainable growth.

The PPP/C Government remains committed to managing Guyana’s resources in a clear and transparent manner, to the benefit of present and future generations.

“As such, any eligible person can now conduct registration transactions between the periods January to May,

A Proud Moment

PRESIDENT, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, was Chief Guest at the 17th Pravasi Bharatiya Diva Convention recently held in India.

The President was also conferred with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award— the highest award given to persons of Indian-origin who reside outside of India.

The Guyanese Head of State is also one of the recipients of that prestigious award which over the years was bestowed by the Indian Government to several Guyanese and those from the broader diaspora. Former Presidents Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, Mr. Donald Ramotar, Sir Sridath Ramphal and businessman, the late Yesu Persaud were also recipients of the award.

It was indeed a proud moment not only for President Ali who pursued studies in India, but for all Guyanese. Guyana’s profile on the international stage is growing and this is due in no small way to the leadership role displayed by President Ali. This most recent award is yet another manifestation of the high regard with which the Guyanese President is being held by the international community.

India has the largest diaspora in the

world, with an estimated 17.5 million. This is due to several decades of colonial and neo-colonial rule, which resulted during the colonial era in the underdevelopment of India.

One consequence of that underdevelopment was the fact that millions of Indians were forced to seek a living outside of India.

Despite the high rate of emigration, the population of India continues to increase significantly, reaching a stage where India is now projected to have the largest population in the world, surpassing China which, until last year, had the largest population in the world.

The situation in Guyana was no different from that of India. Guyana also suffered from over 150 years of British colonial rule, which saw the large-scale importation of Indentured labourers from India to replace slave labour.

Despite harsh economic conditions during the colonial era, Indians in Guyana displayed remarkable resilience and a significant number excelled in a number of fields including politics, business, sports and the professions, including medicine and law.

After the granting of internal self-government, Dr. Cheddi Jagan, an

Indo-Guyanese, became the first Premier of then British Guiana. He later went on to become an Executive President of Guyana following the restoration of democratic rule to the country on October 5, 1992.

But it was the rupture of the democratic fabric of the Guyanese society and the economic and social decline under the previous PNC regime that was mainly responsible for the mass exodus of Guyanese mainly to North America.

Indo-Guyanese, in particular, the majority of whom are supporters of the PPP, felt discriminated against by the Burnham-led PNC regime and began to emigrate overseas, many to Suriname and neighbouring countries but mainly to the United States and Canada.

It is, therefore, not surprising that Guyana ranks among countries with the largest diaspora in the world, on a per capita basis!

With the return of democracy and higher levels of inclusivity and participatory governance under successive PPP/C administrations, the Guyanese diaspora is being encouraged to return to their homeland and contribute to the process of national development.

Many would have acquired, over the years, critical skills and financial resources which can make a difference to the growth and development of Guyana, especially at this time when oil and gas has opened up new investment opportunities.

But even as the country is crafting policies to integrate its own diaspora in the national development process, the doors are wide open for investors from all across the globe to capitalise on the investment opportunities that the country has to offer.

During his engagement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Ali re-affirmed the historical bonds that existed between the two countries and the opportunities that now exist to deepen such relations in a broad variety of areas including co-operation in energy, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, technology and defence co-operation.

Both Guyana and India have demonstrated that it is possible to overcome poverty and backwardness through accelerated economic development and the full participation of people in the process of nation-building, including the involvement of their respective diaspora populations.

Listen to ‘Mocha Women on Track’

emergence of the problem.

I WRITE with reference to a letter to the editor from Devananda Bhagwan under the title “Subtle statement that reeked of innuendos,” and your response to Dr. Bhawghan (Stabroek News, 10/1/23).

Dr. Bhagwan’s main issue is that the SN editorial of January 6, 2023, unnecessarily racialises the refusal of six or seven squatters (residents) of Mocha to comply with the GoG’s order to relocate in order to facilitate a new four-lane highway.

The specific construction (sentence) at hand is: “[P]olitics enters into the story because the squatters are African, and the government is Indian, and the opposition has now taken up their case.”

Mr. Editor, I contend that Dr. Bhagwan is on strong grounds for his objection. In addition to his own reasoning, I want to add that the editorial is not only inaccurate on empirical grounds, but that it also dehistoricises the

The simple fact is that for quite some time prior to the recent squatter-GoG standoff, APNU and AFC operatives, including at least one Member of Parliament, had been cultivating political antagonism in the area.

The following is a complaint lodged on December 6, 2022, by Mocha Women on Track:

“We wish to place on record that our group of over 40 plus women, including mothers, is … deeply disappointed by the continued vilification of our young men and women by Flue-Bess and others because they refuse to join the APNU+AFC’s bitterness towards the development of our community.

“As a community, we have suffered enough humiliation in the past and we can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and be dominated by the self-serving political interests of a few misguided individuals” (Kaieteur News, 6/12/22). The letter was signed by Bonita McDonald. I know you are aware that Ms. Flue-Bess is an APNU MP.

Although the issue immediately above did not directly concern the squatter-relocation matter, it is the case that the APNU and AFC were aggressively attempting to prevent the GoG from engaging with residents of the said community. (Note much the same has happened in Den Amstel).

Editor, I noted above that the SN editorial in question dehistoricised the squatter relocation incidents. By this I mean that politics in the sense described in the editorial had long ago been inserted into the Mocha area, and that the refusal to relocate itself had been politicised. If politics weren’t inserted by the APNU and AFC, the law and principles of “eminent domain” would have prevailed, as it did for most of the residents.

Let me turn to the Editor-in Chief’s response to Dr. Bhagwan. Your own justification for the use of “[t]he description “Indian” relates to the source of majority support for the government” is not adequate. So, what if more Indians are supporters of the PPP/C than any

other ethnic group? Indians make up a majority (a little below 40 per cent) of the population, and by that fact alone, but also combined with the history of Guyana, it is likely the PPP will get more votes from that section of the population.

The critical error in response to Dr. Bhagwan is that there is a direct derivation of political identity from the nominal descriptor “Indian.” The response makes it appear that Indians vote for the PPP/C because the PPP/C is Indian, an argument in perfect circularity.

I have said before that Stabroek News is rightfully viewed as the “paper of record” in Guyana.

I am concerned that inflammatory editorials such as the one on January 6 will compromise that status.

I recommend we listen to the “Mocha Women on Track.”

Editor Navendra Seoraj

Dear Editor

Yours Sincerely, Dr. Randolph Persaud

PNC, AFC engineered their own destruction through evil acts

Dear Editor,

I HAD predicted the disintegration of the Coalition and I predicted the demise of both the APNU and the AFC and it is coming to pass.

In the case of the AFC, it already came to pass, and with the PNC, it is happening with great speed. It is not a difficult task to make these predictions since these parties engineered their own destruction through the evil acts which they perpetrated on the Guyanese people whilst sanctimoniously preaching about delivering the “good life.”

Over time, the PNC underestimated the intelligence of its own members and supporters and felt that they could continue to do the wrongdoings which characterised their past and expect to be voted into office.

The PNC under the guise of the Coalition was given a fortuitous opportunity in 2015 to make amends for their destructive

and evil past but deliberately squandered it because of greed. The party believed that it could blame the leadership for its electoral loss, change that leadership and this will result in its members and supporters accepting that as a progressive act.

Even changing the party’s name has been tried. However, the party has to make amends for its wrongdoings by reengineering its entire modus operandi including its choice of leadership.

Cassius made a profound statement to Brutus (in Julius Caesar): “ The fault dear Brutus is not in our stars but in ourselves….”

The PNC cannot commit gross ethnic atrocities, corruption, bankrupting and impoverishing an entire nation and expect to retain power. But their modus operandi was that they would rig the elections and retain power as they had done in the past.

The times have changed, but the PNC did not and its

gullible partner, the AFC, whose leader had fought against PNC riggings in the past, hypocritically saw the 2020 rigging attempts as “justifiable” (a true Machiavellian) and will not change.

The AFC, having tasted the intoxication of power was willing to hold on for dear life.

Its leaders had become addicted to the good life. Now that the Valentine lovers have separated with a promise of a future reunion, the damage has been done and Guyanese have witnessed for the second time that Coalition politics is destructive since power grabbing is the paramount motive, and the people never counts.

The demise of the AFC began with resignations and withdrawal of support from its financial donors and the identical action now faces the PNC.

I read in the press that the Florida Chapter of the PNC has filed a no-confidence motion against the

PNC/R’s leader Aubrey Norton.

The motion stated that, “The party’s image has been severely tarnished and a large number of our members, supporters, and sympathisers have lost interest in this party. The business community from whom we got significant support has been withholding that support.”

In addition, Norton has failed to unify the Party.

What is surprising though is that Norton is more concerned about his own survival since he claimed that he is not worried, since he cannot be removed constitutionally. How can a leader not be

concerned about the fragmentation of his party? The member and supporters have realised that the only approach Norton has taken since assuming office as the PNC leader is to revive the old destructive PNC strategies which cannot transform the party and change its tarnished image.

He has proven that he is incapable of reforming himself and the PNC/R.

The same is true of the AFC whose leaders have failed to deliver on the founding principles of the party.

It may be true to assume that one of the founding leaders has jumped ship, so Ramjattan is all alone.

In conclusion, the massive socio-economic transformation which is once again taking place under the PPP/C Government, will afford Guyanese to once and for all come to realisation that neither the PNC/R nor the AFC is good for Guyana and this will put the final nails in the coffins of these parties as their members and supporters continue to embrace the Dr. Irfaan Aliled Administration.

The evil that governments do surely lives after them, but this lesson is difficult for the PNC/R and the AFC leaders.

Yours sincerely, Haseef Yusuf

‘Chronic delay’ in justice system to be addressed

–– AG says, as Demerara Criminal Assizes open with 308 cases

–– plans being examined for implementation of mobile courts

ATTORNEY-General and Legal Affairs Minister

Anil Nandlall, SC, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to fostering a modernised and enhanced judiciary.

He was at the time delivering remarks at the opening ceremony of the January Criminal Assizes and Law Year 2023 at the Victoria Law Courts.

The Attorney-General acknowledged and addressed the concerns regarding the

inadequacies of human resources in the judiciary, noting that the first quarter of 2023 will see the appointment of the Judicial Service Commission and Public Service Commission to tackle these deficiencies.

“We will have to improve on the complement of judges and support staff, but we will also at the same time ease the caseload in the magistrate’s court, while we will also address the question of the chronic delay that plagues

the criminal justice system, and the civil justice system as well,” Minister Nandlall said.

He related that the government will continue to make its contributions to the modernisation of the judiciary, noting that among the expenditures to be presented in the 2023 budget on Monday, billions of dollars will be allocated to execute the plans in this regard.

“We have altered, over the years, the budgetary process to ensure that there is

a direct interaction between the judiciary and the Ministry of Finance, in terms of planning and financing the plans of the judiciary for any given financial year, as part and parcel of ensconcing the constitutionally authorised independence with which the judiciary is imbued,” the Attorney-General related.

Further, Nandlall emphasised the importance of law revision exercises to equip the public with adequate access to the Laws of Guyana, as well as to have a consolidated structure to promote

order in the legal system

Delivering the feature remarks, Acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, Justice Yonette Cummings-Edwards, OR, CCH, highlighted the achievements of the Judiciary as they seek to modernise the system and enhance access to justice.

“We intend to look at enhancing access to justice, innovations and technology, raising professional standards, and strengthening our partnerships with external agencies and other stakeholders,” Justice Cummings-Ed-

wards noted.

Moreover, she highlighted the role government has played through its budgetary allocations to expand the complement of courtrooms and courthouses across the country.

As part of the efforts to enhance access to legal aid, she made note of the intentions to implement a “mobile court”, which will see caravans travelling to riverine areas and other obscure communities to dispense justice.

She said: “This will help us to not have to build buildings or rent accommodations, but the magistrates and the court staff will be able to use the vehicle to have cases heard in the remote and outlying areas.”

Meanwhile, Chief Justice (ag) Justice Roxane George, CCH, SC, commended the valiant efforts of the members of the judiciary for going beyond the call of duty amidst a growing caseload.

She highlighted that the vision for the court system is one that sees a smooth shift to technological-based operations, and disclosed that this year will see the implementation of several measures to modernise the judiciary.

Attorney-at-Law and President of the Bar Association of Guyana Pauline Chase; Director of Public Prosecution Shalimar AliHack, SC; British High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller; United States Ambassador to Guyana Sarah-Ann Lynch; and European Union Ambassador Rene Van Nes also attended the ceremony. (DPI)

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, SC, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that the judiciary is modernised (DPI)

The journey of Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy

THE Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) for Guyana is a framework meant to reshape society to pursue low-carbon development while also attempting to maintain Guyana’s high forest cover.

Guyana’s LCDS is, therefore, a work in progress, developing a model that outlines Guyana’s viewpoint on how a platform for co-operation can be created in which developing countries are seen as equal partners in the search for solutions to the catastrophic effects of climate change.

According to President Irfaan Ali’s foreword to the LCDS, “despite our various differences, successive Guyanese governments of different parties have shown significant leadership to the world on the need to safeguard our forests.” However, it was the PPP/C government that catapulted the LCDS into the spotlight.

There is an agreement dated November 9, 1995, between the government of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat for establishing the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development.

The innovative Iwokrama Rain Forest Programme, an internationally renowned conservation, research and development forest concession offered to the world by Guyana as an area to study and sustainably utilise the multiple values of a tropical rainforest, including sustainable forest management, ecosystem services, and resource co- management with neighbouring Indigenous Peoples communities which was proposed as one example of this trend.

Guyana’s United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) envoy led the working group that prepared the 1992 Principles for a Global Consensus on the Management of the Earth Summit Mission to Rio de Janeiro.

Other social and economic development and environmental protection strategies include the National Development Strategy (NDS 2001) and the Environmental Protection strategies (competitiveness, poverty reduction, MDGs, the proposed National Protected Areas System, and the Biodiversity Action Plan, to name a few.

Through the Amerin -

dian Act of 2006 and the Forest Bill of 2009, the LCDS also emerged from a recent history of multi-institutional policy development. This includes the 1980s Economic Recovery Programme, the 2001 National Development Strategy (NDS) and other social and economic development initiatives.

On June 8, 2009, the then President of Guyana and the current Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, launched the Low Car -

Degradation(REDD) plus Sustainable Forest Management and Conservation mechanism.

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) states that parties should act to protect the climate change system “on the basis of equality and in accordance with their common and differentiated responsibilities and perspective capabilities.”

Guyana has played a leading international role

LCDS in perspective

By Cindy Parkinson

tary carbon markets.

The period from 2016 to 2021 saw no payments for forest climate services under the Guyana-Norway Agreement. Still, Guyana’s MRVS continued to operate, allowing the generation of carbon credits for that period. These can be sold if a market can be accessed in Phase II.

This explains Guyana’s plan for encouraging climate-smart behaviour and preserving the ecosystem and biodiversity.

On December 2, 2022, Hess Corporation and the Government of Guyana announced an agreement for Hess to purchase high-quality carbon credits for a minimum of $750 million directly from the Government of Guyana.

This agreement will support Guyana’s efforts to protect the country’s vast forests and provide capital to improve the lives of Guyana’s citizens through investments made by the government as part of Guy-

ana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030.

Guyana’s President, Dr. Irfaan Ali was joined by Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and John Hess, CEO of Hess Corporation, for a signing ceremony to commemorate this historic agreement.

(This is part of a weekly series on LCDS)

The author can be contacted at cparkinson0206@ gmail.com

bon Development Strategy (LCDS). This national strategy aims to develop “a low-deforestation, low-carbon, climate-resilient economy.”

The main goal of that strategy is to transform Guyana’s economy while battling climate change, primarily by providing incentives to maintain forests, which are responsible that time for about one-fifth of all global emissions.

In 2009, the Vice President said in a quote, “The LCDS is a framework intended to map the path of a new growth trajectory in a non-polluting way. Tropical forest countries have long called for the ecosystem services provided by the world’s standing tropical forests to be properly valued through both public and private finance. This will enable people who live in forests and forest countries to create jobs and economic opportunity from an economy that works with nature instead of today’s reality, where forests are often worth more dead than alive.”

The international leadership paved the way to shaping an agreement that would support payments to rainforest countries such as Guyana for storing forest carbon in their standing forests under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest

in broadening the vision of REDD+, moving away from payments solely contingent against a deforestation baseline towards more holistic low-carbon development investments for those countries with high forest cover and low deforestation rates (HFLD countries).

As a result, the REDD approach is a ground-breaking component of Guyana’s low-carbon development strategy, “transforming Guyana’s economy while combating climate change.”

The first phase of Guyana’s low carbon vision, where payments for forest climate services, were to come from a bilateral partner. It saw Guyana entering the Guyana-Norway Partnership in 2009. From 2009 to 2015, Guyana earned US$212.6 million in payments for forest climate services from Norway, which reached US$220.8 million when investment income was included. These revenues were invested in renewable energy, protection against climate change, land titling, job creation and other priorities in the original LCDS.

Crucially, Phase I saw Guyana building a worldclass Monitoring, Reporting and Verification System (MRVS) for forest carbon, enabling Guyana to move to Phase II for selling forest climate services in volun-

View of Guyana’s forest

Trio remanded over theft of guns,

‘ammo’ from Radar Security

CARLTON Dameon Singh called ‘Fat boy’, Sheldon King and Linton Trotman appeared in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday over the recent theft of almost $4 million in arms and ammunition from Radar Security.

The trio pleaded not guilty to the joint simple larceny charge which was read to them by Chief Magistrate Ann Mc Lennon and were remanded to prison

Particulars of the charge allege that Singh, 34; Shel-

don, 47 and Trotman, 29, between 10:00 hours on December 25, 2022 and 18:30 hours on December 26, 2022, allegedly stole two single-barrel shotguns valued at $950,000, four 9mm Taurus Pistols valued at $1,400,000, five Taurus .32 pistols valued at $ 1,425,000, 25 12-gauge cartridges, 558 .32 ammunition, and 18 9mm rounds of ammunition, all property of the above-mentioned security firm which is located at Lot 79 Carmichael Street, Georgetown.

They will make their second court appearance on January 25, 2023.

Reports are that on December 25, 2022, the firm’s 72-year-old chief security officer checked the firearms and all were intact. On December 26, 2022 another employee who is a 65-yearold weapons training officer visited the location and met a 57-year-old security guard on duty.

Upon his arrival, the training officer observed that the door to the office was not secured and was

left ajar. He subsequently entered the office where he observed that the padlocks on the strongbox where the company’s weapons

and ammunition are stored were cut off. The chain that connected the firearms was also cut. Aside from two shotguns, the strong box

was empty.

As a result, the training officer informed the firm’s owner of his findings and a police report was made.

Man pleads not guilty to 2017 murder of minibus driver

FIVE years after 38-yearold minibus driver Tedroy Neil James was fatally shot during a robbery at Mc Doom, East Bank Demerara, his alleged killer, on Tuesday, pleaded not guilty to the crime.

Orin Peters, 29, of Norton Street, Bagotstown, East Bank Demerara, appeared before Justice JoAnn Barlow at the Demer-

ara High Court and pleaded not guilty to the capital offence.

It is alleged that on July 11, 2017, while in the company of others, Peters murdered James during the course or furtherance of a robbery.

He is being represented by attorney-at-law Ronald Daniels, while prosecutor Cicelia Corbin is on record for the state.

A jury was empanelled to hear the case which will commence with the testimony of the first witness on January 17, 2023.

According to reports, the deceased was driving minibus BTT 976 north along the East Bank Demerara Public Road heading to Georgetown, when a male passenger asked him to stop at Middle Street, McDoom, where another male was waiting.

The court heard that as the male passenger was about to disembark the vehicle, two males, one of whom was armed with a handgun, pounced on the unsuspecting passengers and began robbing them.

James, upon seeing what was happening, attempted to drive off and, according to the police, was shot in the back by one of the men, who thereafter made good their escape.

James was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Peters and a co-accused are currently awaiting trial at the High Court for the attempted murder of a Grove businessman.

The two were charged with discharging a loaded firearm at Imran Khan with intent to kill, while robbing him of a $200,000 gold chain and a $500,000 gold ring.

Carlton Dameon Singh called ‘Fat boy’ Sheldon King Linton Trotman

784 informal settlers regularised in 2022

IN a significant step towards addressing the issue of informal settlements in the country, the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) successfully regularised seven new squatter settlements last year.

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, said that a total of 784 informal settlers were regularised in these seven areas, with 281 of them being issued land titles.

“If you multiply that by four persons per household, we’re talking about over 3,000 people who have benefitted from these squatter settlements that have been regularised in 2022,” Minister Rodrigues said.

The minister emphasised the importance of regularisation to improving the lives of residents.

She said: “It’s regrettable when we have to move people for development, but it’s also for their own development.

“When we have to construct a road or any type of development that has to take place, or we have to move people maybe off of a conservancy, so that we can preserve the integrity of the water for example, it’s for the benefit of the masses. Thousands of people depend on this intervention that the government has to take.”

However, the minister clarified that strict procedures must be followed during any relocation process to ensure that people are engaged and given adequate time to relocate with the assistance of the government.

“We don’t just give them a land and say you have to move and leave them on their own. We have a whole department at the ministry called the Community Development Department that has a specific unit that deals with regularisation,” she highlighted.

Minister Rodrigues pointed out that in 2001, the then PPP/ C Government completed an inventory of all squatting areas and found 216 informal settlements.

Out of that amount, 175 informal settlements were regularised during the government’s 23year tenure prior to 2015, and from 2020 to present.

The remainder of the 216 squatter settlements

are located in zero tolerance areas, such as government reserves or areas unsuitable for housing.

Overall, this is a significant achievement for the CH&PA and the government as a whole, as it will provide much-needed security of tenure and the ability for residents to make improvements to their homes and communities. (DPI)

US$100M secured for Diamond-Timehri road project

PUBLIC Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill, has said that the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved some US$100 million to commence the Diamond/Grove to Timehri road project.

The minister made this announcement during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) at the ministry’s headquarters.

“The Diamond/Grove to Timehri road which is what people are very concerned about, will see that upgrade. We have the approval of the money from the IDB and we are at finalising the procurement for the contractor to engage in the interim,” he said.

The loan was requested through the IDB’s Programme to Support Climate Resilient Infrastructure Development.

Under this programme, the government will be looking to improve road safety, pedestrian infrastructure, and utility networks.

The aim is to mitigate congestion and delays faced by commuters traversing along the corridor.

Currently, the government is utilising local funds to desilt all the drains and widen roads along the Diamond/Grove corridor. The drainage works are expected to be completed by month end as works on the 16 lots

are moving apace.

“I am sure commuters are satisfied in as much as we haven’t solved the problem totally. The ride through Grove has been significantly improved and it is moving much faster because of the interventions that we have made and we continue to do some maintenance work almost on a nightly basis,” Minister Edghill said.

Meanwhile, the government is working on creating an alternate route to mitigate traffic congestion along the East Bank of Demerara (EBD) corridor.

Thus far, an alternate route has been rehabilitated for persons residing in the Diamond Housing Scheme to enter and exit through Avenues A and B instead of the

usual route at the Diamond junction.

Further, road rehabilitation is underway as two bridges are expected to be constructed from Avenue A to link Diamond to Grove. Another bridge will be constructed from Grove to allow persons to exit at Busbee Dam, Craig.

“Which means you will bypass the entire Diamond/ Grove and come out just after the temple which is to the waterside at Busbee Dam. So that will be an alternative route and these are projects that are ongoing,” minister Edghill said.

Once completed, the alternate route will enable persons to travel all the way to Timehri from Diamond.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved some US$100 million to commence the Diamond/Grove to Timehri road project

Minister within the Housing and Water Ministry, Susan Rodrigues, has said that a total of 784 informal settlers were regularised within seven squatter settlements, with 281 of them being issued land titles

Forging greater ties with business

PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali and members of his delegation were given a tour of Jash Engineering Limited and Shankar Soya Concepts in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, on Tuesday.

Jash Engineering Limited, which manufactures a wide range of equipment for water intake systems, operates on four continents. It obtains over 60 per cent of its revenue outside of India.

President Ali highlighted

the countless transformational projects ongoing in Guyana, and extended an invitation to the company to visit.

Shankar Soya Concepts, located in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ), is among

several factories in the Industrial Area which the President will tour during his visit to the SEZ.

Industries of various sectors such as plastic, engineering, pharmaceutical, metal, textile and food pro-

cessing etc are located in the zone.

The Head of State was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hugh Todd; Director of Projects at the Office of the President,

sentatives.

The Head of State is on a seven-day official visit to India. (Office of the President photos)

Mrs. Marcia Nadir-Sharma, and several private repre

business community in India

Elections CoI: Another APNU+AFC affiliate refuses to testify

APNU+AFC-appointed commissioner on the Local Government Commission (LGC), Nicola Denise Trotman, on Tuesday, opted to not testify in the ongoing Presidential Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into events surrounding the 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Trotman was summoned to testify before the tribunal and showed up with her attorney, Nigel Hughes, who told the CoI commissioners that his client does not wish to testify since she was involved in the election petition proceedings and fears self-incrimination.

Chairman of the Commission, Retired Justice of Appeal of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Stanley John, and Commissioner Carl Singh asked Hughes if his client is before the court on criminal charges in relation to the 2020 elections.

Hughes and his client both responded in the negative.

“We are here not

witch-hunting. We are not here to get at anybody. We are here to ascertain the truth in relation to our Terms of Reference and if we can get your assistance, we would be grateful,” Commissioner Singh said.

Trotman took to the witness stand but refused to respond to the questions being asked by attorney Sophia Chote S.C., of Trinidad and Tobago, who led the proceedings.

“Under advice by my counsel, I will not answer,” the unwilling witness said to Chote.

In less than two minutes, the hearing was concluded.

The CoI resumes on February 6 and the public hearings should conclude by February 10.

A senior government official is expected to testify.

During the final week, the attorney for the former Deputy Chief Election Officer, Roxanne Myers will be able to cross-examine witnesses who had testified before the CoI.

Thus far, Former Minister of Health Volda Lawrence; APNU+AFC activist Carol Smith-Joseph; former Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Karen Cummings; former Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield; former GECOM District Four (Demerara-Mahaica) Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo; and GECOM staff members Sheffern February, Denise Babb-Cummings, Carolyn Duncan, Enrique Livan and Michelle Miller, along with Senior Superintendent Phillip Azore have all opted to remain silent and not testify.

The CoI was provided with details of how some GECOM employees participated in the suspected plot to divert votes to the APNU +AFC instead of safeguarding the electoral system.

Witnesses have testified about the actions of Lowenfield; Deputy Chief Elections Officer (DCEO), Roxanne Myers; Mingo and Livan during the vote count.

The GECOM employees

are all before the court on electoral fraud charges.

Further, the CoI was told that GECOM staffers ignored specific instructions from the court, used materials that were illegal and or manipulated, and sided with APNU+AFC agents to berate observers whenever objections were raised.

Smith-Joseph has been named by witnesses testifying before the CoI as one of the persons who threatened to stomp attorney Pauline Chase, an observer representing the Bar Association, in the face, and also threatened to spit in the face of private sector representative, Kit Nascimento.

Joseph had also told diplomats from the ABCE countries to “get the f– out of Guyana.”

Testimony was also provided that Dr. Cummings had received a call and then passed that phone onto Myers during an encounter at the Ashmin’s building, the headquarters of the Region Four

Returning Officer where the final tabulation was taking place.

Recently, the High Court refused to grant an injunction to three former employees of GECOM who were trying to prevent the CoI from compelling them to give evidence.

The applicants, Babb- Cummings, February and Miller had opted not to offer evidence in the CoI. The hearing into the substantive application was adjourned to February 2, 2023, by which time, the state is required to file an affidavit in defence.

Guyanese, after casting their votes on March 2, 2020, had to endure a five-month wait for the results of the elections, as they witnessed alleged unlawful acts and a slew of legal challenges.

During this time, the patience of the electorate was tested, as electors observed what were described as attempts by the then APNU+AFC administration to rip the democratic fabric of the nation, with “delay tac-

tics” which were openly criticised by Caribbean leaders and international observers.

It was only after the legal challenges and international intervention that a national recount of all votes cast was convened and the figures showed that the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) received 233,336 votes, while the APNU+AFC coalition got 217,920 votes.

Nicola Denise Trotman

Mon Repos Market to have food court, washroom facilities, greater security

By Cindy Parkinson

VENDORS at Mon Repos Market can look forward to a modern structure equipped with a food court, washroom facilities, security and other amenities that will enhance the comfort and quality of life for the vendors and consumers.

In an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, the Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall, explained that the Mon Repos market has had some setbacks due to some materials waiting to be imported. According to him, the market should be completed in about five to six months, considering the weather.

Minister Dharamlall met with the vendors last November, and they expressed their concerns about the state of the market and its current position.

He said: “they had all rights to question their place of business and its current position. We are here to answer their questions, and

there is nothing wrong with them wanting to know what is going on with the work on the market.”

The minister also pointed out that Mon Repos Market is one of the many markets across Guyana that the gov-

ernment is working on to ensure that the vendors are comfortable, safe and secure as they sell their produce and other items.

“Right now, we’re working to improve the standard and quality of other markets, such as the Charity market in Region Two, the one in Parika, the one in Leonora and others across Guyana’s ten administrative regions,” he noted.

According to the Local Government and Regional Development Minister, the aim is to have all vendors across Guyana operate in a favourable environment that will benefit all and keep the roadways clear for vehicular traffic.

He also stated that President Irfaan Ali is leading by example, and they are working with him to ensure that the vision for Guyana and its people is realised. According to him, the government of Guyana is a dynamic team committed to working in the best interest of the people of Guyana.

“Our President believes

that building quality market facilities will benefit everyone across Guyana and is a way of creating employment for the local villagers and persons from neighbouring communities. The businessmen from the Mon Repos area have employed a number of locals from that area as well.”

Minister Dharamlall also took the opportunity to ask all Guyanese to keep their surroundings and roadways clean. He requested that all citizens think for themselves and not allow anyone to influence them to do otherwise.

He believes that “we” can and should play our part in making sure that “we hold ourselves and each other accountable so that the environment can be kept in a tidy manner.”

He stated that several law-abiding citizens continue to send recordings and photos of litterers, and action is taken against them.

A vegetable vendor, Satie (only name given) at the Mon Repos market,

said, “We are happy that the government is giving us a better place to sell. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. We want something good, so we have to wait. We can’t want good things and not have patience. Everything takes time, and with the rain every day, we must understand that, but we are happy for the market. Thank you, Minister Nigel and President Ali.”

A fish vendor called Ram explained, “I am happy that we are getting a new and upgraded market, but I would like to ask all of my fellow vendors and shoppers to ensure that the place is kept clean. Sometimes we want things and ask for them, but when we get them, we aren’t ready or able to care for them. I know that we can all do better.”

He continued: “It’s something we’ve been wishing for a long time, and from what I heard the minister say when he came, it looks like it’ll be a nice market,”

THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security (MHSSS) through the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute has begun registration for the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) 2023.

According to a press release, persons have until February 28, 2023, to apply to be part of WIIN, which has been offering free accredited certificates in technical vocational training and has benefitted over 6,000 women since its launch in 2021.

The programme is available to women of all ages across Guyana with classes delivered in-person and online. Persons could register for this initiative online by completing a digital form via the ministry’s Facebook page.

The registration requirements are a valid telephone number, and a national Identification Card or Passport and for online courses, persons will need a laptop or desktop with a camera and a stable internet connection.

New courses for the du-

ration of one to four weeks, entail food tourism, social media marketing, design décor and events management, light and sound engineering (for events and theatre), entrepreneurship, project management, leadership - advocacy and public speaking, addiction recovery, and drug rehabilitation.

Repeat courses, also for the duration of one to four weeks, include child care, care for the elderly, graphics design, home management, television, and video production, and garment construction.

In 2022, some 10,000 persons had registered for the WIIN programme, according to Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud.

The majority of the 10,000 registrants were women, and they are from every region of Guyana.

Although all 10,000 registrants could not have been accommodated, Minister Persaud said that there would be the second phase of the WIIN

programme, where they will be accommodated.

“We are looking forward to you being a part of this programme, even if we cannot accommodate all 10,000 this year. We will be keeping you on register, so that you will have your opportunity, through the WIIN programme,” Minister Persaud

said in June 2022.

She added: “To those of you who chose to register for WIIN, don’t be worried if you haven’t heard from us as yet.”

Dr. Persaud went on to say: “We are making every opportunity available to you, so that you can be trained; free of cost. It can change your life; you can become an

entrepreneur; your own business owner. And, of course, we will be very proud of you when you are complete.

“We don’t leave you like that; you get all access to our business resources, and our female business incubator, and free WIIN app to advertise your business.”

Launched in May, 2021, the WIIN programme was established as a direct response to the need for more women to enhance their capacity in order to be gainfully employed.

The app is designed to facilitate both the advertising and marketing needs of women-owned businesses across several sectors in Guyana. Not only does it provide opportunities locally, but may open doors globally since it is available for free download anywhere.

Minister Persaud said: “I urge women across the country to use this app to allow more and more people to appreciate the excellent work they have been doing, and to use the high-quality products they have developed. I am proud of where our Guyanese women entrepreneurs are, and I want the world see them, and applaud them too. Share the WIIN app; use it, and let all see that it’s made by Guyanese women for the world.”

Work is moving a pace at the Mon Repos market (Cindy Parkinson photo)

Guyana Jaguars midfielder...

otal factor,” it added.

The club’s Director of Football Robbie Savage added: “Having seen the

players’ application and incredible desire to fight for Neil and Mark over recent weeks, that told me that this move was the right one.

“We all wanted Neil and Mark to get the job on a permanent basis but we had to make sure that this was right for all parties first. For me, one of the most important things is that the players are visibly giving everything they have got for this club and they are doing it with smiles on their faces.

(From back page)

That tells you everything you need to know about where we are at and why this move was the right one to make.

“Now the players need to work harder than ever before for both Neil and Mark, as well as the club in general to give us the very best chance of achieving all our goals,” he added.

Savage said he was confident that Macclesfield FC’s “rich vein of form” will continue under Danns.

RHTYSC names...

cles and educational grants under the club’s say no/say yes campaign. Additionally, each cricket team of the club would be required to successfully complete a minimum of twenty personal development projects in the year as part of the club’s effort to make a positive difference in the

(From page 23)

county of Berbice.

The projects would be held under a wide range of sub headings including charity, educational, social, anti-drugs, medical outreaches, youth information, community development, religious and awards.

Bruce replaces...

South Africa must be submitted by February 2. The eighth edition of the marquee ICC Women’s event will begin on February 10 with hosts South Africa taking on Sri Lanka. West Indies have been drawn in Group 2 alongside England, India, Pakistan and Ireland.

Squad: Hayley Matthews (captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Britney Cooper, Chedean Nation, Shanika Bruce, Afy Fletcher, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Chinelle Henry, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Stafanie Taylor, Rashada Williams.

(From page 23)

TRI-SERIES MATCH SCHEDULE

(All matches to be played at Buffalo Park in East London, South Africa; start times in brackets – quoted in East Caribbean Time) January

19: South Africa Women vs India Women (1 p.m. start)

21: South Africa Women vs West Indies Women (9 a.m.)

23: India vs West Indies Women (1 p.m.)

25: South Africa Women vs West Indies Women (9 a.m.)

28: South Africa Women vs India Women (1 p.m.)

30: West Indies Women vs India Women (9 a.m.) February 2: Final (9 a.m.)

Kohli's 45th ODI hundred powers India to victory

By Andrew Fidel Fernando

A scintillating 143-run opening stand between Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma put India into overdrive. Then Virat Kohli smoked a 45th ODI century to take the total into high altitude.

Sri Lanka replied gamely, with Pathum Nissanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, and Dasun Shanaka producing half-decent innings. But India had set a monster target of 374. And when Sri Lanka slipped to 23 for 2 then 64 for 3 against some excellent India seam bowling, the chase took on a permanently-doomed quality. Still, Sri Lanka didn't fold cheaply - they pushed to 306 for 8 - Shanaka completing a second ODI hundred in the final over.

Between them, India's seamers took seven wickets, Umran Malik claiming the most, with 3 for 57. It was the hosts' top three that defined the contours of this game however. Gill smoked 70 off 60, Rohit 83 off 67, and Kohli's 113 off 87 was imperious for the most part.

There were contributions from the likes of Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul as well, who did not allow the run-rate to flag in the middle overs.

(Scores). India 373 for 7 (Kohli 113, Rohit 83, Gill 70, Rajitha 3-88) beat Sri Lanka 306 for 8 (Shanaka 108*, Nissanka 72, Malik 3-57, Siraj 2-30) by 67 runs

There were times at which India seemed like they could push for 400, but Sri Lanka's bowlers didn't fall apart completely - Kasun Rajitha (who took three wickets) and Chamika Karunaratne bowling decently at the death. Everyone's figures were still a mess of course - Rajitha going for 88 from his 10, his opening partner Dilshan Madushanka going at over seven an over. It was not a particularly kind pitch for spinners, on top of which the outfield was rapid.

Of all India's outstanding innings, Gill's was the purest, reliant as it was on his glorious timing, particularly through the off side.

And it was the knock that first signalled a monster total was in the making. He creamed not-particularly-wide, not-particularly-short deliveries square through the offside in the early overs.

By the end of the fifth, Gill had raced to 25 off 17, but then Rohit took over. In one particularly disheartening sequence for Sri Lanka, he walloped Rajitha for two sixes and a four - all using his famed pull shot, one of those sixes coming after he had charged the bowler. His was an increasingly dismissive innings.

They raced to their fiftes, the spreading of the field and the arrival of serious spin barely tempering the pair's scoring rate.

The partnership was not without a little luck - both batters could have been out in their 40s, had the standing umpire given them out lbw (the reviews were denied because of umpire's call. Kohli had some luck too, dropped once on 52, and another time on 81; Rajitha the bowler on both occasions. Otherwise, he blazed his way through the middle overs. He charged Shanaka to pound him through mid-on to fetch his first boundary, was brutal on errors of length from the spinners, and was strong down the ground against the quicks.

He got to his half-century with a six over wide mid-on off Dhananjaya de Silva, having come down the track. By this stage, with roughly 35 overs bowled, he and Rahul were deep into a partnership that reaped 90 off 70 balls. Kohli scored especially heavily in the

arc between mid-on and midwicket, but had shots everywhere, of course.

When he got to his hundred off his 80th ball, India were already pushing 350.

Thanks partly to Kohli not quite exploding in the death as he would have wished, however, India made only 70 runs in their last nine overs. At 303 for 3 after 41 overs, a total of 400 was conceivable.

Despite Nissanka's fetching offside boundaries in the Powerplay, Sri Lanka's start was dismal. They never had the measure of this ultra-steep chase. Mohammed Siraj removed Avishka Fernando for 5, before bowling Kusal Mendis off the inside edge in his next over. India had been 75 for 0 at the end of the first powerplay. Sri Lanka were 38 for 2, their required rate already more than eight an over. When Charith Asalanka failed to review a wrong caught behind decision against Malik in the 14th over, Sri Lanka's chances of winning seemed infinitesimal.

There were those who tried to revive the chase though. De Silva and Nissanka put on 72 off 65 for the fourth wicket, de Silva hitting a pleasing 47 off 40. Nissanka's 72 off 80 was probably a little slow given the circumstances, but will perhaps be a further stepping stone on the journey of his growth.

But then Sri Lanka lost four wickets for 45, leaving Shanaka only in the company of the tail, and the whole enterprise became about getting Shanaka as big a score as possible, the victory having long since slipped. He took his sweet time getting in, making only 31 off his first 41 balls, striking just the single four and six in that period.

Soon though, he started smashing it. He got to his 50 off 50 balls, then turning down many singles in order to give No. 10 Rajitha only the last two balls of most overs, he strode to a century off 87 deliveries, moving to triple-figures off the penultimate ball of the innings.

(Cricinfo)

…Dasun Shanaka hit a hundred of his own, but Sri Lanka were never really in the chase of 374

Virat Kohli celebrates his

45th ODI century

14-year-old benefits from ‘Project Cricket Gear’

Women umpires Rathi, Janani and Gayathri make history in Ranji Trophy

VIRINDA Rathi, N Janani and V Gayathri made history on Tuesday by becoming the first women to officiate in the Ranji Trophy.

Gayathri, a former cricketer whose career was cut short by injury, is currently officiating in the second round match between Jharkhand and Chhatisgarh in Jamshedpur. Janani, an ex-software engineer, is umpiring in Surat for the game between Railways and Tripura, while Rathi, a former scorer, is in charge for the Goa vs Pondicherry match in Porvorim.

Hailing from various backgrounds, the trio, already well-respected on the women's circuit, made history courtesy BCCI's decision to draft women umpires on the men's domestic circuit.

A long-time cricket lover, the 36-year-old Janani had approached the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) a couple of times to become an umpire. A few years after the the state body changed its rule to allow women to officiate, she

cleared the BCCI's Level 2 umpiring exam in 2018 and had to think little before quitting her IT job to pursue umpiring. Narayan has since also officiated in the Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL), in 2021.

Rathi, 32, is from Mumbai. She used to score local matches before clearing the BCCI scorers exam. She was the official BCCI scorer for the 2013 Women's World

Cup. Later on, she moved to umpiring.

Janani and Rathi are seasoned umpires and were also included in the ICC panel of development umpires back in 2020.

Veteran umpire coach Denis Burns, who has worked closely with Indian umpires and overseen their rise to the international level, had hailed the duo's promotion to the ICC development panel.

"I think Janani and Vrinda represent the 'new wave' of female umpires in India," he had said.

Delhi-based Gayathri, 43, dreamed of becoming a cricketer but a shoulder injury quashed her hopes. She started umpiring in 2019 after clearing the BCCI exam. Venugopalan has already served as a reserve (fourth) umpire in the Ranji Trophy.

While there are already several female umpires officiating in men's cricket in England and Australia, out of 150 registered umpires with the BCCI, only three are women. (Cricinfo)

FRANCIS Gurahoo, a 14-year-old all-rounder from Hague, West Coast, Demerara, recently benefitted from “Project Cricket Gear,” the joint initiative of Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana in the form of one cricket bat.

The Uitvlugt Secondary School third former has his eyes set on joining citybased Everest Cricket Club for the 2023 season.

At a simple ceremony held recently, young Gurahoo expressed thanks to the initiative. “I am so madly in love with this game of crick-

et and will try my utmost best to reach the highest level”, he added. The project is happy to be part of the development of young and talented cricketers in Guyana.

Total cricket-related items collected so far: $290,000 in cash, two trophies, 12 cricket boots, 20 pairs of batting pads, 25 bats, 17 pairs of batting gloves, 20 thigh pads, one pair of wicket-keeping pad, three arm guards, two boxes, six cricket bags and three helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National

wicket-keeper/batsman.

To date, 48 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, three arm guards, 19 bats, two boxes, three helmets, 16 pairs of cricket shoes, 10 pairs of batting pads, one thigh pad, one bat rubber and 15 pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area were recipient of two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each while RHCCCC collected two boxes, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board and the town of Lethem also benefitted.

Cricket-related items, used or new, is distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well managed clubs with youth programmes will also benefit.

Warner: Langer's contract offer a kick in the face

DAVID Warner claims Cricket Australia's decision to only offer Justin Langer a six-month contract was a "kick in the face", while admitting the coach lost several key players in the team.

The build up to and fallout of Langer's exit as coach last year is a key focus of the second season of The Test documentary, which will be released on Friday on Prime Video.

Langer's departure at the end of last summer came after Cricket Australia took on board concerns over the coach's intensity at the end of his initial four-year deal. He was offered a new six-month contract with no chance of an extension, which he promptly rejected and resigned.

Langer has since made clear his frustration over the situation, speaking out in several interviews and columns before the start of the Test summer.

Warner's comments come after after Tim Paine also labelled the short contract "embarrassing", "unprofes-

sional" and "a disgrace" in his autobiography, claiming CA took the easy way out knowing Langer would not accept it.

"He wanted to keep coaching. It was a bit of a kick in the face to offer him a six-month contract," Warner said in the documentary.

Regardless, Warner also laid bare the situation within the squad. "He lost a fair few players, and probably the wrong players," he said.

The documentary shows the players speaking candidly on the Langer issue, with captain Pat Cummins telling AAP this week he is hopeful it can provide context and take some of the heat out of any lingering public anger over the matter.

In the first episode of the series, Cummins says players were walking on eggshells around the coach, while Usman Khawaja reveals others were afraid of Langer.

Nathan Lyon admits he struggled with Langer's upand-down nature, with the former Test opener known for riding every ball.

Players, however, also make clear Langer's significant influence in the rebuild from the ball-tampering scandal and the revival of the national team's public image. But, Cummins is adamant the decision to move on from Langer should not have come as a shock.

"The Ashes, it all came to a head because his contract came up," Cummins told viewers. "There was nothing out of the blue. We had spoken about a lot of these things over the previous 18 months to two years He was brilliant when we needed him in those initial years."

Cummins and other players reasoned the team had wanted to create a more level player-driven environment after the 2020-21 home series loss to India.

"The team had changed a lot over a four-year period," quick Josh Hazlewood said. "We were probably in need of a different support staff and different coach, as opposed to four years ago when JL started. (Cricinfo) (AAP)

Francis Gurahoo (right) proudly displays his bat in the presence of his dad, Joseph Gurahoo

Janani Narayanan, a former software engineer, has previously umpired at the TNPL

...However he added that the former coach lost 'a fair few players' during his tenure

Archer takes three wickets on injury comeback for MI Cape in SA20

JOFRA Archer took three wickets as the England bowler made an impressive return to competitive cricket after 17 months out with injury.

Archer struck with his third ball and was later on a hat-trick as he took 3-27 for MI Cape Town in the first match of South Africa's new Twenty20 league.

The 27-year-old, clocked at speeds over 90mph, had not played since July 2021 because of back and elbow injures.

He helped his side comfortably beat Paarl Royals by eight wicket Paarl were restricted to 142-7, Jos Buttler top-scoring with 51, before Cape Town made light work of the target, racing to victory with 27 balls to spare with 19-year-

old South African Dewald Brevis hitting a dazzling 70 not out from 41 balls.

Archer was handed the third over and returned with a wicket maiden, removing Wihan Lubbe who skewed a catch attempting to hit the ball off a length.

England white-ball captain Buttler scooped a six off the second ball of Archer's second over - an over which cost 13 - but Archer responded with the wickets of South Africa David Miller, taken at deep extra cover, and Ferisco Adams, who was deceived by a slower ball and caught, in consecutive balls in his final over.

He bowled 12 dot balls in his four-over spell.

Archer quickly became one of England's most ex -

citing pace prospects in 2019 when he memorably bowled the 'super over' that helped England win

the World Cup, and made an eye-catching start to his Test career in the Ashes later that summer.

RHTYSC names cricket captains for BCB 2023 season

…Anderson to captain Namilco Thunderbolt 1st division team

WITH the Berbice Cricket Board planning for a busy 2023 on the cricket field, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) has started early preparation by naming the captains of their different teams for the year.

The Cricket Develop -

the Namilco Thunderbolt Flour first division team that would include players like Clinton Pestano, Junior Sinclair, Keith Simpson, Kevin Sinclair, Sylus Tydnall, Eon Hooper and Jonathan Rampersaud, among others. Anderson would also lead the club’s under-23 team for the

Bharrat( Bakewell under-17), Matthew Pottaya( Pepsi under-19) and Jonathan Rampersaud( Namilco under-21). Reddy, Mohamed, Pottaya and Rampersaud are all national junior players while Bharrat is a Berbice intercounty player.

The RHTYSC in 2022

Corentyne area; the response has been positive.

The players are currently undergoing special coaching under the RHTYSC Kiddies Academy programme and would be available for selection to the club’s under 11 and 13 teams.

Organising Secretary Robby Kissoonlall, who also serves as the club’s cricket

But since early 2021 his career has been dogged by injury, first an elbow issue which required two surger -

ies and then a back stress fracture last May which ruled him out of the season.

He has not played for England since March 2021 but could make his international return later this month after being named in the squad for three one-day internationals against South Africa.

Archer's England teammate Olly Stone also took 2-31 for MI Cape Town, including the wicket of Buttler bowled attempting another scoop.

Former England captain Eoin Morgan scored 19 and England opener Jason Roy hit 13 for Paarl while Sam Curran made 20 from 16 balls in Cape Town's chase, having earlier taken 0-23 from three overs. (BBC Sport)

Bruce replaces injured Fraser in Women’s T20I Tri-Nation Series squad

ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Seam bowler

Cherry Ann Fraser has been ruled out of the upcoming T20 International (T20I) tri-nation series against South Africa and India due to injury and has been replaced by Shanika Bruce, Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced Tuesday.

Bruce represented the West Indies Women’s ‘A’ Team in 2021 when Pakistan toured the Caribbean. She has played three T20Is for Barbados at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England last year.

ment Committee of the club, under the chairmanship of Robby Kissoonlall, made the selection after a comprehensive review of the club’s performance in 2022 and the player’s personal discipline, attitude and leadership abilities.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) Emerging player and former West Indies Under -19 player, Kevlon Anderson, was selected to lead

year. West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle would be in charge of the Metro Female Team while Ryan Kissoonlall would lead the Bakewell Second Division team.

Ten year-old Dharvish Narine is the captain of the under-11 team while the following appointments were also announced: Leon Reddy( Poonai Pharmacy under-13) Sohail Mohamed( Farfan and Mendes Under- 15), Romesh

produced a record twenty-two national players at all levels and also forty for Berbice. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster stated that the objective in 2023 would be to increase the tally of both the inter-county and national pool while expanding the number of players at the under- 13 level. The club has launched an aggressive recruitment drive by visiting primary schools in the Lower

manager, stated that massive investment would be made into obtaining the necessary equipment and gears to cater for the new members. He also stated that the club would place special interest in ensuring that the players perform well in their pursuit of education.

They would benefit from assistance of school bags, educational materials, bicy-

Lead selector Ann Browne-John noted that Bruce had a successful regional tournament last year and was one of the top bowlers, “so, as a result, we believe she is right fit for the team at this time”.

“It’s unfortunate that Cherry Ann Fraser has been ruled out of the Tri-Series and ICC Women’s T20 World Cup due to injury. Fraser has shown improvement during the recent series against England and would have provided another fast-bowling option for the skipper,” she added.

The Tri-Series will be played from January 19 to

30 and forms part of the preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup which will also be played in South Africa.

The West Indies Women will play at least four matches, playing two matches each against hosts South Africa and India. The two leading teams will then play each other in the Tri-Series final on February 2. West Indies will also play a warm-up match against South Africa ahead of the Tri-Series at Beacon Bay on January 16.

Final squads for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in

Jofra Archer's last match was a T20 for Sussex 541 days ago

Shanika Bruce playing for Barbados Women at the Commonwealth Game, Birmingham, in 2022

Cricket captains who will be featured. From left: Dharvish Narine, Leon Reddy, Romesh Bharrat and Matthew Pottaya

Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele

King Pele remembered and honoured

During the twilight years of his illustrious 21-years of entertaining and dazzling the world, a yet-to-be equaled rivalry in Guyana's football was being established between two clubs whose names were inspired by perhaps the greatest footballer - Edson Arantes do Nascimento.

King Pele, as he was more popularly known, became the face of Global football while representing Santos FC of Brazil (1956 - 1974) and Brazil (1957 -1971), winning a record Three World Cups and two Inter-continental Club titles.

In April of 1964, Santos FC was birthed here in Guyana, coming out of the loins of the Albouystown Y.M.C.A. The Pele FC was created out of players mainly from Santos, and thus began the memorable South Georgetown Ballweavers contests.

On New Year's day, past players and friends of the two rivals met in a special game to celebrate the life of Pele, who passed away on December 29th, 2022. The early morning game staged on the artificial turf at the Guyana Football Federation's(GFF) National Training Centre,

Guyana Jaguars midfielder appointed head coach at Macclesfield FC

UNITED KINGDOM, (CMC) – Golden Jaguars midfielder Neil Danns has been appointed head coach of English professional football club, Macclesfield FC, his first permanent managerial role in the sport.

The club said in a statement on Tuesday that 40-year-old Danns, who had been interim head coach since last month, will be in the role until at least the end of the 2022/23 season.

Danns, who joined Macclesfield FC in September 2021 and scored 22 goals during his first season, described his confirmation in the position as “a great honour” and “an absolute privilege”.

“I’ve always had a buzz for playing and stuff like that but to be given a different role now has really excited me even more,” the Guyana international said in an interview on the club’s website.

Danns has had a long career in English football, representing 16 clubs and playing

in each of the top four divisions. He has made more than 650 appearances in club football and won four promotions.

He also earned a recall to the Guyana national team for the friendlies against Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago last year and scored in both games. Danns also played in the 2022 CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Haiti, Bermuda and Montserrat.

Macclesfield FC said that since being named in their interim capacity, Danns and his assistant Mark Duffy – who has also been confirmed in that role – had performed well and the passion, desire and work ethic shown by the Northern Premier League Division One West leaders showed that the players were “unwaveringly behind the new coaching team”.

“As such, the influence that Neil and Mark have had on the side has been a crucial factor in our recent successes – with the respect that they command in the dressing room also a piv-

Providence was a collaborative effort of the Grand Masters over 60's football fraternity and the head of the GFF, Wayne Forde.

Forde, who was one of the specially invited over 50's, donned the number 10 for the all-white Santos line-up that also included former nationals Leonard Williams and Anthony Stanton as well as former Santos players, Frank Parris and Lloyd Smith.

The Pele team was spearheaded by former club Captain and National Junior

and Senior player, Vibert 'Dordee' Butts. Ex-national players, who also appeared for Pele were Herbert Pellew, Wayne Peters and Chris Barnwell. Ras Kemis and Ras Zebby travelled from Linden to also be part of the Yellow and Blue outfit.

The one-hour game which was competitive and friendly throughout resulted in a 2-2 draw. Parris and Stanton netted for Santos while Barnwell scored both for Pele.

It was a fitting end to a game in honour of the king, Pele. RIP.

Jamaica's Stephanie Dale Yee-Sing selected as official for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup

JAMAICA’S Stephanie Dale Yee-Sing has been selected as an official for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

1“The Jamaica Football Federation is extremely proud as we congratulate Assistant Referee Stefanie Dale Yee-Sing who has been selected by the FIFA Referees Committee to officiate at the FIFA 2023 WWC in Australia and New Zealand in the summer,” said the JFF in a statement on Monday.

Stefanie, who has been active in most domestic, regional, continental and global tournaments, is the only Jamaican selected among the fifty-five assistant referees worldwide. Thirty-three referees and support referees were also selected as well as nineteen ladies who will work as Video Match Officials for the first time.

“They have been chosen in close co-operation with the six confederations, based on the officials’ quality and the performances delivered at FIFA tournaments as well as at other international and domestic competitions in recent years,” according to the FIFA media release.

“I am overjoyed,” said Yee-Sing. “We work hard every day with the hope of representing our country at these major tournaments. Rubbing shoulders with the best and running with elite players has always been my dream since I began.”

President of the JFF, Michael Ricketts,

227-5216. Fax:227-5208

says Yee-Sing’s journey is inspiring. “Stefanie should serve as inspiration to all the officials in Jamaica,” Ricketts said. “She, along with some of the other female officials, have been training and operating at world class levels for a while. It’s great to see Stefanie getting the rewards she so richly deserves. We hope that she will serve as a catalyst and inspiration to other ladies and gentlemen officials to work hard as the sky is the limit.”

Seminars for the officials will be held in Montevideo and Doha. (Sportsmax)

Neil Danns will be in his permanent managerial role until the end of the 22/23 season

Stephanie Dale Yee-Sing