‘You’re voting for real policies, real initiatives’
– President Ali rallies Alexander Village for continued support, development
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday evening urged residents of Alexander Village to continue placing their confidence in the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), declaring that the transformation they are witnessing around them is not by chance but the result of deliberate and strategic policy-making aimed at improving lives and building a prosperous Guyana
Addressing a large crowd at a spirited PPP/C campaign meeting in the heart of Alexander Village, President Ali said that the vote of the people was not just a show of political support but an investment in real policies and tangible progress, one that his government intends to honour with even greater returns.
“I want you to know that your choice was well placed, and your payment will come,” he assured. “It will come with harder work from your president. It will come with more opportunities for you and your family. It will come for a stronger and safer community. It will come in the form of a safer country, a healthier country, a more prosperous country, a more
educated country, a more uplifting country, and a more unified country.”
President Ali painted a vivid picture of the sweeping developments surrounding Alexander Village, a once modest residential area that has now been rapidly transformed into a hub of economic and infrastructural growth.
“You have become the epicentre of the transformation that is taking place. Just look around you. Look at what is encircling your village, hotels, malls, hospitals, industrial development, manufacturing, services, warehousing, new housing, an expanded stadium, and soon to come a small business development complex.”
The planned complex, the President explained, will include infrastructure to support small mechanics’ workshops and other micro-enterprise operations which is part of the government’s strategy to uplift community-based industries and create more income generating opportunities.
These initiatives, he said, are rooted in a clear understanding that quality of life begins at the community level. “Be -
cause your quality of life depends on your quality of neighbourhood, and we want when you come home from work that you can live in a quality neighbourhood,” he emphasised.
President Ali urged citizens to approach the polls with a deep appreciation for what is at stake.
“You are voting for a government that understands how to develop monetary policies, fiscal policies in dealing with imported inflation.”
He pointed out that these external shocks impact the cost of living locally from fertiliser prices to grain imports and must be met with proactive national strategies.
“We can speak as long as we want but if there is war in Ukraine, if there is war in the middle east, the transport route to move fertiliser, to move grains, the price is going to up … what we have to do then is to control those prices by investing that is why we are doing our own fertiliser plant, that is why we are doing our own planting thousands of acres of our own corn and , that is why we are experimenting with the production of wheat.”
According to President Ali, the government’s
response is grounded in sound policy-making and a deep understanding of both global trends and domestic needs.
“It comes from real policies, real initiatives understanding the broader issues and developing pol-
icies that are directed to addressing these problems that are external in nature but have internal implications.”
President Ali reiterated his commitment to delivering measurable benefits to every
from modern infrastructure and job creation to safer communities and resilient food systems underscoring that continued support for the PPP/C is a vote for sustained progress.
72-year-old finally gets her dream home through Men on Mission
AFTER waiting for 30 years, 72-year-old Angela Emmanuel’s long-standing dream of owning her own home has finally materialised, thanks to President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s Men on Mission (MoM) initiative.
Emmanuel received the keys to her brand-new home on Tuesday at Vigilance, along the East Coast of Demerara.
She said that she had applied for a house lot in 1992 and received it in 2020. However, financial constraints prevented her from constructing her own home.
“I wanted to build my
home way back then. After a while, I decided I could no longer build a house because I didn’t have the strength and stamina to go through the process,” she said during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Wednesday.
Emmanuel faced obstacles while trying to build her house over the years.
“I had asked about a turn-key house, and they provided me with all the relevant documents to take to the New Building Society. But then, the New Building Society said that they didn’t have any turn-key houses.
Then, I got a call that I could get a cement and steel [voucher], so I opted for that option,” she explained.
Emmanuel, who never gave up on owning her own home, reached out to Men on Mission for a house.
“I was living in my niece’s house. I had an apartment up there. There was no [proper] ventilation there,” she remarked.
She expressed her happiness and gratitude for the Men on Mission initiative, which has helped her become a homeowner.
Now, everything has changed with her new home, allowing her to save the
money she previously spent on rent.
“I feel good about it. Having my own home means I am independent. I have my own space. I can get up when I want to, and I can do things at my own pace,” she noted.
Emmanuel plans to utilise some of her yard space to plant various crops.
Since its inception in 2022, the Men on Mission initiative has expanded its reach and improved the lives of many vulnerable individuals and groups through home construction and other projects.
(DPI)
Guyanese citizen
President Dr. Irfaan Ali
Recipient, Angela Emmanuel and representatives from Men on Mission
Dr. Singh highlights PPP/C development projects at New Amsterdam rally
–– promises continued transformation in Region Six
SUPPORTERS of the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) turned out in large numbers in New Amsterdam this week, filling the streets in red attire and waving oversized Golden Arrowhead flags, as Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, addressed a Grand Public Meeting.
The event, which followed a previous meeting in the town just a week earlier, saw President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivering a passionate speech that energised the crowd. Dr. Singh, building on the President’s remarks, emphasis ed the electorate’s support for the PPP/C and called on residents to reaffirm their commitment at the polls.
“When I look all
around, I see New Amsterdam speaking with a loud voice saying, ‘We are voting PPP/C on the first of September!’” Dr. Singh declared, prompting thunderous applause and cheers from the crowd.
He criticised the policies of the former APNU+AFC government from 2015 to 2020, highlighting what he described as broken promises that led to job losses and economic hardship.
“They promised that they would create jobs, they took away jobs! They promised benefits, they took away benefits! You saw when 7,000 sugar workers lost jobs, and over 1,000 others in Berbice were affected. You saw what happened to New Amsterdam,” Dr. Singh said.
The Minister reminded the audience of the PPP/C’s
strong local performance, noting victories in New Amsterdam Town Council elections in 2018 and 2023, which resulted in six seats for the party. He assured supporters that the next local government elections would see the party win the town outright.
Dr. Singh also highlighted recent government-led infrastructure and development initiatives in Region Six. Among those, he mentioned ongoing construction of a new nursing school and hospital, a new athletic track, and an international stadium at Palmyra. He also pointed to roadworks and electrification projects across the town and surrounding communities.
“President Ali’s vision is visible everywhere you look,” Dr. Singh said. “From roads and lights to
water and healthcare, the transformation is undeniable.”
Urging voters to make a clear choice on September 1, the Minister framed the election as a decision between a government that delivers on its promises and the former APNU+AFC-led coalition. “The choice is simple: the PPP/C under President Irfaan Ali, who works tirelessly every day to improve the lives of Guyanese people, or the APNU, AFC, and their cabal, who have done nothing positive for this country,” he emphasised.
The meeting ended with supporters waving flags, blowing horns, and cheering in enthusiastic agreement, signalling strong local backing for the PPP/C ahead of the upcoming elections.
MINISTER of Education Priya Manickchand has announced that by the end of 2026, all teachers in the hinterland will be trained.
At the opening of the Waramuri Secondary School in Region One on Wednesday, Minister Manickchand revealed that the government has started the process of increasing the number of trained teachers in the hinterland by 100 per cent in five years.
In 2020, 43 per cent of teachers in the hinterland were trained, but now, according to Minister Manickchand, that number is 86 per cent.
“We intend to have 100 per cent trained teachers before the end of 2026,” the education minister stated.
She told students and parents gathered at the commissioning ceremony that there were only 7,000 teachers in 2020 servicing all the students in public schools.
“Now we have over 15,000 teachers in 2025,” the minister stated.
On the coast, 98 per cent of teachers are trained or in training.
Minister Manickchand noted that over the last three and a half years, 9000 teachers across the country have been trained. Not only will students have better education with trained teachers, but according to the minister, “Every teacher that gets trained, immediately gets a better salary. So those teachers are able to improve themselves.”
Specific to Region One, the minister stated that in 2020, “There were 2500 children in Region One that could not be placed in a secondary school, who had to go to a primary top or stay home or in the backdam.”
With the Waramuri school being opened to students in the new school term, and other secondary schools being constructed in Region One, she noted that “By the end of 2026, every child will be able to go to a district secondary school close to their home [in Region One].” (DPI)
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh, addresses a grand public meeting
Evidence shows Mohameds’ visit to Venezuelan Embassy
–– Jagdeo highlights; points to possibility of sanctioned duo wanting to seek refuge in Bolivarian Republic
VICE-PRESIDENT
Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, on Wednesday, disclosed that there is video evidence of the Mohameds entering the Venezuelan Embassy.
Dr. Jagdeo told a People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) public meeting that Nazar and his son, Azruddin, who is the leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, might be planning to seek refuge in Venezuela, with the intent of evading the law here.
The father-son duo
were sanctioned by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) back in June, when it was alleged that between 2019 and 2023, they had under-declared over 10,000 kilogrammes of gold exports, defrauding Guyana of more than US$50 million in taxes.
“You know, the Mohameds applying now for a visa to Venezuela, of all countries in the world, because Venezuela does not have an extradition treaty with the United States of America,” Dr.
Vice-President,
Jagdeo addresses the massive crowd at Alexander Village, on Wednesday night (Yohan Savory photo)
Jagdeo said.
He had warned citizens about the immediate threat looming over the nation’s territorial integrity, democracy, and economic stability.
The Vice-President had said the revelation confirmed the United States (U.S.) lawmakers’ deep concerns that Mo-
hamed, the presidential candidate of WIN has connections with the Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s regime—which has been aggressively laying spurious claims over Guyana’s Essequibo region.
The Vice-President pointed to the seriousness of the OFAC sanctions
that have been placed on the Mohameds, which have resulted in persons, who are affiliated with them, losing their visas and bank accounts.
He urged Guyanese not to be misled as the nation’s future is at risk.
Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Carlos Amador Perez Silva, had confirmed to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, that US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin and members of his family recently applied for visas to travel to Caracas.
Todd, during an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Tuesday, raised an alarm over “grave concerns” for Guyana’s sovereignty, democracy and vital international partnerships.
In recent weeks, members of the US Congress have issued stern warnings to Guyana.
Congresswoman Ma-
ria Elvira Salazar said, “We remain deeply concerned about efforts to undermine democracy in Guyana… Individuals sanctioned for illicit activities must not be allowed to jeopardise this vital relationship.”
Meanwhile, Congressman Carlos Gimenez accused the Maduro regime of backing “pro-Maduro puppet candidate Azruddin Mohamed,” pointing to his status as a sanctioned individual by the US Department of the Treasury’s OFAC. Azruddin, the public face of his WIN political party, has been repeatedly linked by US officials to illicit gold smuggling and money laundering operations tied to Venezuela.
With Guyana’s ICJ case ongoing and national elections approaching, Todd reaffirmed that the government would remain vigilant and proactive to prevent any external attempt to destabilise the nation.
Dr. Bharrat
Digital Dangers
Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has issued a serious warning about a looming “digital wave of vile untruths” aimed at young voters in the final weeks of Guyana’s election campaign.
This is not just campaign talk; it highlights how modern democracy is being used against us through our screens. With three weeks left until polling day, Guyana is at the centre of a concerning global trend where truth often becomes the first casualty of political ambition.
Jagdeo’s concerns are valid. Social media manipulation is now documented in 48 countries. Political parties are increasingly using automated strategies to create false consensus,
sway public opinion, and undermine democratic processes.
What makes Guyana’s situation especially worrisome is how these tactics focus on young voters—a group that relies heavily on social media for political news. Over 40 per cent of Americans aged 18-29 get their news mostly from social media, which has significant implications for Guyana’s digitally-connected youth.
Jagdeo also warned about opposition forces using “so-called influencers to spread the vilest things.” This understanding of modern electoral battles shows how sophisticated these tactics have become.
Since 2010, political actors world-
wide have spent over half a billion dollars on psychological operations and public opinion manipulation via social media. These campaigns often take advantage of messaging apps like WhatsApp, which are particularly common in the Global South, making them especially relevant to Guyana.
GECOM’s recent warning about misinformation indicates that these threats are real and already emerging. When election commissions feel the need to issue public advisories about fake news and disinformation campaigns that “pose a significant threat to public trust, the electoral process, and the democratic fabric of the nation,” we must take this situation seriously.
The focus should be on enhancing media literacy, improving fact-checking systems, and nurturing a political culture where truth matters more than a strategic win.
As September 1 approaches, Guyanese democracy faces a crucial test that goes beyond merely counting votes.
The question is whether political leaders will view digital threats as chances for democratic education or as tools to perpetuate misinformation. The outcome will not only decide the election winner but also shape whether Guyana has a democracy strong enough to weather future digital challenges.
Developing Guyana’s hinterland communities
Dear Editor,
RECENTLY, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), led by Dr. Irfaan Ali, outlined their economic policies aimed at developing Guyana’s hinterlands and rural communities.
We are still waiting for the People’s National Congress (PNC) and the Partnership for National Unity (APNU) to specify their economic and social plans for these vital areas. Political parties cannot ignore the hinterland population of around 80,000 to 100,000 people.
The We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party appears to be struggling to present a clear vision for the future and has thus far made only vague promises. Reports sug-
gest that its leader, Azruddin Mohamed, might be more focused on his personal legal issues than on providing a compelling platform for the electorate.
Just last week, Dr. Ali announced active negotiations for a new coca processing facility in Region One (Barima-Waini). This facility is expected to create jobs for local residents and promote entrepreneurship.
Another promise by President Ali is to reduce electricity costs by up to 30 per cent, which would significantly impact the cost of living for the approximately 25,000 residents of the Barima-Waini region. This plan is specific and targeted to the community, and this is what we are hearing from the PPP/C.
Currently, APNU has not outlined any specific policies for the hinterland regions of Guyana as we approach 2025 elections. In contrast, the PPP/C has articulated clear strategies encompassing healthcare, education, and transportation.
Furthermore, the PPP/C has made progress in supporting land rights for Indigenous communities by promoting legislation to protect these rights, which is essential for building generational wealth reducing poverty.
The PPP/C government emphasises a responsive and inclusive approach, actively seeking local input to improve its strategies. As Guyana transitions into an oil-rich economy, ensuring that hinterland communities benefit from broader eco-
nomic growth is crucial.
The PPP/C is taking substantial steps toward promoting long-term sustainable development in hinterland communities. Meanwhile, the lack of clear leadership from APNU and the unclear positions of the WIN party highlight the urgent need for detailed plans to support the growth of hinterland areas. It is crucial for all parties to submit comprehensive proposals that uplift these communities and contribute to Guyana’s overall prosperity, as the PPP/C has done.
Respectfully, Dr. Tilokie Arnold Depoo, Economist
Selective outrage and erosion of integrity
Dear Editor,
IN a recent Stabroek News article (August 10, 2025), Dr. Goolsarran alleges that Guyana Power and Light’s (GPL) planned award of a consultancy to a Dominican Republic firm violates the Procurement Act. Yet, he fails to cite a single section of the Act that was allegedly breached.
The Procurement Act (Cap. 73:05) explicitly permits single-source procurement under specific conditions. Section 49 states:
“The procuring entity may engage in single source procurement where the services to be procured require that a particular consultant be selected due to the consultant’s unique qualifications or where it is necessary to continue a project with the same consultant.”
GPL lawfully invoked this provision.
Moreover, the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board’s (NPTAB) recommendation is not binding. Section 40 of the Procurement Act establishes the authority upon which a procuring entity may reject all tenders. Section 40(1) states:
“Subject to approval by the National Board, if so specified in the solicitation documents, the appropriate board may reject all tenders at any time prior to the acceptance of a tender. The appropriate board shall upon request, communicate to any supplier or contractor that submitted a tender the grounds for its rejection of all tenders, but is not required to justify those grounds.”
In a subsequent response (Stabroek News, August 13, 2025), Method4 claims that its website lists projects as evidence of its experience. But that is marketing—not substantiation.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) requires documentary evidence of past contracts of similar size, scope, and complexity. Without
such documentation, any claim of “experience” collapses. GPL does not only reserve the right to reject bids that fail to meet these minimum thresholds—it is obligated to do so, especially for a project of this nature.
Dr. Goolsarran’s casual assertion that there was “evidence” of Method4’s or other bidders having the requisite experience is deeply troubling. How could he make such a claim without reviewing the actual bid submissions and technical evaluation reports? Evidence is not a matter of assumption—it is a matter of record.
The evaluation process requires bidders to submit documentary proof of past contracts demonstrating similar size, scope, and complexity—not just a list of projects on a website. Method4’s public statements have not addressed whether they satisfied this requirement. Moreover, bidders must meet the minimum technical thresholds set out in the RFP, which form part of the evaluation process.
Is Dr. Goolsarran now an engineer as well as an auditor underpinning such determinations without access to the documentation? Or is he relying on speculation and theatrics rather than facts?
It is worth reminding that while Dr. Goolsarran grandstands with his incredibly unsubstantiated assertion of a procurement violation—he himself was entangled in a controversial procurement debacle under the APNU+AFC government.
By his own publicly documented admission, under the previous APNU+AFC administration, he was the beneficiary of highly questionable procurement practices in relation to a number of “forensic audits” he was contracted to perform. In his Stabroek News column dated July 29, 2024, he admitted:
“In May 2015, I returned to Guyana, hav-
ing been attached to the Afghanistan National Audit Office in Kabul as an International Audit Expert. I met briefly with the then Minister of Finance, Mr. Winston Jordan, who indicated to me that the new Administration had decided to conduct forensic audits of State institutions and that, given my experience and training, he would like me to be involved… Upon examination of the terms of reference for the audits, I told the Minister that the use of the term ‘forensic’ might not be appropriate since there were no allegations of fraud or mismanagement…While he agreed with me, the Minister stated that the Government had already used the term in its various public statements.”
There are two fundamental professional ethical violations that Dr. Goolsarran has implicitly admitted to:
1. Misuse of the Term “Forensic Audit”:
He acknowledged that the term “forensic audits” was inappropriate, given the absence of allegations of fraud or embezzlement. Despite this, he proceeded with the labeling after being directed not to challenge the public narrative. His compliance therewith—evident in the publicly available audit reports under his hand, all of which found no evidence of fraud—raises serious concerns about his ethical conduct and professional integrity therefor.
2. Legitimisation of a False Political Narrative:
By labeling these audits as “forensic,” he lent credibility to the insinuation that the previous PPP/C administration was involved in financial misconduct. This is despite the absence of any such findings in his own audit reports. His actions contributed to the propagation of a politically motivated narrative, violating the ethical standards governing
the auditing profession. As a former Auditor General, his role should have been to uphold objectivity and independence. Instead, his acquiescence undermines the credibility of the audits and casts doubt on his professional judgment.
Furthermore, the Minister of Finance has no authority to initiate any form of external audits on the public accounts. This authority rests exclusively with the Auditor General pursuant to Article 224 of the Constitution and the Audit Act. Article 224(5) of the Constitution further states:
“The Public Accounts Committee may exercise general supervision over the functioning of the office of the Auditor General in accordance with the rules, policies and procedures manual for the functioning of the Auditor General as prepared by the Auditor General and approved by the Public Accounts Committee.”
Accordingly, to properly initiate an audit review or forensic audit, the Finance Minister has no such legal authority. That authority rests with either (a) the Public Accounts Committee or (b) the Auditor General’s office. Accountability should be rooted in consistency, legality, and ethical standards. It is important to uphold these principles not only in critique but also in practice.
Integrity is best demonstrated through adherence to the law and professional norms— not through selective interpretation or public posturing.
One cannot credibly advocate for accountability while overlooking past procedural missteps. True integrity requires a balanced and lawful approach, not selective outrage.
Respectfully, Joel Bhagwandin
first term focused heavily on people, infrastructure
Dear Editor,
THERE was a letter from a Brian Nobrega (Aug. 12, 2025, SN) who said, “With over $3 trillion more allocated than during the coalition years, one would expect that the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Guyanese would have improved significantly. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.
Today, Guyanese are burdened by a skyrocketing cost of living… much of it has been poured into infrastructure and concrete projects. While development is important, it should not come at the cost of people’s well-being. Let us demand leadership that puts the people first. Let us fight for policies that lift up the poor, empower the middle class, and close the gap between the rich and the struggling.”
This is the kind of false conclusion we hear from people who don’t think deeply. Investing in infrastructure benefits all people - schools, scholarships, hospitals, water treatment plants, roads, playgrounds, house lots, agriculture, bridges are for people to have a better quality of life.
So, when you criticise our enormous in-
vestments in infrastructure, you are actually complimenting the government. It’s not a complaint. What Mr. Nobrega is calling for is already being done by the PPP Government.
What he meant to say is we must increase the minimum wage by higher percentages also, since that’s how some people measure progress. We can expect the PPP to do more in their second term given their huge successes in the first term of President Ali.
When the PPP took over in 2020, everything needed fixing everywhere – from hospitals, to schools, to bridges, drainage and irrigation, water treatment, markets, government buildings, mud roads needed to be replaced with proper roads, etc. Everything needed to be fixed. So, we had thousands of new roads built all over the country.
In my village of Whim, all the streets got fixed. Nobody has to walk in mud to get out of the village to the public road. This is a good thing that improves our quality of life. The multitudes of roads all over Guyana make travel easier, quicker, and the roads are “highways to happiness” as the United Force envisaged long ago.
When I travel along the Heroes High-
way, Ogle to Eccles Highway, and Eccles to Craig Highway, or the Schoonord to Crane Highway, it shows our modernisation in progress. My foreign relatives are amazed at the enormous progress they see when they come to Guyana.
When you see all the big houses in the Diamond/Providence area, the huge warehouses along the Heroes Highway, you can’t believe you are in Guyana. Just amazing transformation!
So, one has to be very dishonest to say Guyana has not improved or quality of life has not improved. The focus on infrastructure was the right thing to do, and even more is needed.
The other major quality of life issues that the government has addressed and which deserve high praise and recognition are the equal access to housing and equal access to post-secondary education at no cost.
Every person, every family dreams of owning their own homes. A home is a “big ticket” item. Given the competitive housing market now where homes and lots are astronomically expensive, home ownership would be out of reach without the government’s most successful housing programme – a
House lots for all is a dream come true and the government has worked tirelessly to open up lands and reduce the backlog of applications. Everyone who received a house lot since 2020 should consider this a great blessing from the current government as they vote on September 1.
Similarly, education is the great equaliser that takes us out of poverty, and gives anyone the opportunity to better themselves and improve their lot in life. For the thousands of graduates who benefitted from loan forgiveness, training and degrees through the GOAL programme or UG, consider this a great blessing as you vote on September 1.
So free education increases the quality of life for those who benefited. This is focusing on people.
The other great blessing is all the brand new modern, American-type hospitals and refurbished clinics that have been built. Hospitals help us to have good health and a better quality of life too.
Sincerely,
model in CARICOM and the Third World.
Dr. Jerry Jailall Civil Society Advocate
Stabroek News: The ugliness of deception
SN had a recent exchange with Mr. Kit Nascimento. Before the column is finished, we will respond to the act of cheerleading that SN practises but accuses others of doing. Now, let’s quote SN: “The public also needs no reminder of the newspaper’s role in helping to roll back the rigging of the 2020 general elections.”
Which role did the SN play in rolling back rigging? I lived in Guyana from March to July 2020, and I was involved in attempts to expose election rigging through the medium of a daily column and the daily radio programme, “Election Watch,” with Leonard Gildarie. The SN did not enunciate a policy of exposing election rigging between March and July.
For readers who are not familiar with how the press operates, let me explain. All newspapers have laid down requirements in their pursuit of news for the public. When a newspaper lays down a policy, it cuts
across editors, columnists, photographers, and letter writers. The newspaper will not report on a factor or situation or issue that it does not want to highlight. This goes for the letter section too.
I will offer a practical example from Guyana. During the attempted rigging of the March 2020 election, Kaieteur News called a meeting in which I was a vocal participant. The meeting concluded that its policy on the election was to expose the conspiracy, and that must be reflected in news reporting, columns, editorials, and the letter section.
Two days after, the paper carried a misleading statement from GECOM Commissioner Vincent Alexander, which was a rejection of the legal position on the role of international observers, which GECOM Commissioner Sase Gunraj quoted from the law. The editor-in-chief, Adam Harris, lost his job over that and never again worked at Kaieteur News.
Between March 2 and July 31, SN never announced that it had adopted a policy of exposing election rigging. During the fivemonth-old election conspiracy in 2020, SN had three columnists (excluding Mr. Ralph Ramkarran, who is not an in-house columnist) who wrote in favour of the conspiracy. Now, it is very, very simple to determine my accusation here. Google it and see for yourself. In fact, one of the columnists was insulting to the diplomatic missions.
So how was SN rolling back election rigging when its columnists were in support of those who were involved in the election conspiracy? The newspaper had not laid down any policy so its columnist went on a rampage. The cheering, sycophantic bloggers from SN are too immoral to admit that.
But let us talk about who has cheerleaders in Guyana: I quote the SN again: “Stabroek News role is mainly that of a watchdog, not a cheerleader. Cheerleading is to be left to others.” The SN is a cheerleader for Mr. Christopher Ram. There has never been a newspaper, past or present, anywhere in the world where an individual has complete latitude with the newspaper in publishing whatever is on his mind and whatever is on his mind finds constant space in SN.
I asked Mr. Ram if he has shares in SN. He said no. I should have asked if Ram & McRae has shares because the company is legally separate from Mr. Ram. I should have asked Mr. Ram if any of his close relatives have shares. Both Mr. Ram and SN should answer those questions in order to avoid rumours from swirling.
SN is a cheerleader for Mr. Mike Mc Cormack. He has been the head of the Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA) since 1979. The GHRA does no human rights work in Guyana but every one of its episodic press releases finds expression in the SN, with a majority being carried on the front page. If that isn’t cheerleading, then could someone define cheerleading for me?
The editor-in-chief of SN, Mr. Anand Persaud, referred to me as a PPP lapdog. I have absolutely no physical or political or bureaucratic connection with any part of the state in its totality in Guyana. I run a podcast named The Freddie Kissoon Show in which the guests are perhaps evenly divided between pro-PPP, pro-opposition, and anti-PPP. What then makes me a PPP lapdog?
Is Mr. Persaud a lapdog for the wealthy Mulatto/Creole owners of SN, the DeCaires family? The SN online bloggers and letter-writers in the print version love to refer to people who support the government as soup-drinkers.
Something has to be weird about science. If science produced people who are soup drinkers of the government, why can’t the owners of SN have soup drinkers that manage the newspapers, which is insanely hostile to the ruling PPP? Why am I a soup drinker and not Mr. Persaud too? To be continued.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
More Amerindians are joining the Joint Services – President Ali
COMMANDER in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, said an increasing number of indigenous Guyanese are joining the Joint Services, especially since more opportunities have become available to them.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Waramuri Secondary School in Region One on Wednesday, President Ali said the establishment of several secondary schools in the hinterland is providing Amerindian youth with the education they need
to qualify for entry into the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF).
“In the Guyana Defence Force, out of the 70 recruits this year for the cadet programme, 10 are indigenous young people because now they have the opportunity,” President Ali said.
Indigenous citizens also make up 60 per cent of all persons in the expanded marine section.
“This year, more than 380 of your young people would have completed the training course and are in the Guyana Police Force,”
the head of state said.
Encouraging more young persons to seek recruitment in the Joint Services and serve their country, President Ali told the residents of Region One that the salary of a constable is much higher than it previously was.
In January, President Ali announced that joint services ranks at the lowest level will receive a basic salary of $130,000 per month.
The increase promotes fair pay and shows that the PPP/C administration cares about the joint services.
GECOM receives ballot papers, election material
AS preparations intensify for the September 1, 2025, General and Regional Elections, the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on Wednesday received the necessary election material.
This was confirmed by government-nominated commissioner Sase Gunraj on Wednesday evening in a post via social media.
Gunraj stated that the commission received ballot papers and other sensitive materials for the General and regional elections, and the said material was being processed by the commission.
This process was also scrutinised by political parties and observers.
Six parties are set to contest the upcoming elections: the A Partner-
ship for National Unity (APNU), People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), Alliance For Change (AFC), Assembly for Liberty and Prosperity (ALP), Forward Guyana Movement (FGM) and We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).
Only four of the six— APNU, AFC, PPP/C and WIN have submitted candidate lists for all ten (10)
electoral districts in the Regional Elections.
The ALP will only contest in districts Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven, and Ten, while FGM has
opted to contest in districts One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, and Ten.
GECOM had confirmed that seven political parties had initially submitted lists of candidates on Nomination Day, July 14, 2025.
However, only six met the legal requirements and were approved.
President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali delivers the keynote address at the commissioning ceremony of the Waramuri Secondary School
Education delivery reaches new heights in Region One ––
with commissioning of modern Waramuri Secondary School
PRESIDENT Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali commissioned the newly-constructed Waramuri secondary school on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the transformation of the educational landscape in Region One (Barima-Waini)
The state-of-the-art institution will accommodate approximately 400 students from Waramuri, Haimaracabra, Para, and surrounding villages.
The new infrastructure is equipped with laboratories for science, information technology and home economics.
President Ali said the $434.5 million school was built at Waramuri because his government “believes that secondary education is about preparing you for the journey of life. It is about that important step to realise your true or full potential.”
The president assured residents that, whatever their ambitions, the government
will invest in making it possible for them to achieve those goals within the region.
President Ali noted that his government has a clear strategy and vision of how education must be improved in Guyana.
Meanwhile, Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, speaking at the commissioning ceremony, stated that the government has consistently prioritised improving access to education for children.
She revealed that the government has started the process of increasing the number of trained teachers in the hinterland by 100 per cent in five years.
In 2020, 43 per cent of teachers in the hinterland were trained, but now, according to Minister Manickchand, that number is 86 per cent.
“We intend to have 100 per cent trained teachers before the end of 2026,” the
education minister stated.
She told students and parents gathered at the commissioning ceremony that there were only 7,000 teachers in 2020 servicing all the students in public schools.
“Now we have over 15,000 teachers in 2025,” the minister stated.
On the coast, 98 per cent of teachers are trained or in training.
Headteacher of the Waramuri Secondary School, Collin De La Cruz, is pleased that the school has been commissioned and he commended President Ali.
“Through your effort,
generations of students will walk these halls empowered with knowledge and armed with ambition,”
De La Cruz said, adding, “Your commitment to the people and more so for
Attempts to disparage President
mother must be condemned
ATTORNEY GENERAL and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has noted that attempts to disparage the character of the mother of President Dr. Irfaan Ali must be condemned in the strongest possible manner.
Nandlall made the call during Tuesday’s airing of his weekly show, Issues in the News, as he addressed
several disclosures and allegations that came to light on the social media platform, Facebook.
He noted that what he found most disturbing were the allegations made that sought to implicate the mother of President Ali with a controversial opposition commentator posting a photograph on the platform with denigrating and disrespectful
comments, thereby encouraging persons to make similar comments about the President’s mother.
“I want to condemn that type of behaviour in the strongest possible terms,” Nandlall said.
The Attorney General went on to note that the President’s mother, a highly religious person has dedicated almost her entire life to teach-
ing and has taught thousands of Guyanese across the country, and is now in retirement.
“To drag this elderly citizen’s name and image across the social media, and attempting to disgrace, denigrate, and disparage her character in that manner, is nothing short of low, nasty, and degenerate conduct that must be condemned in the strongest possible manner,”
he added.
Against this backdrop, he stated that firm and appropriate actions will be taken against the publisher of the images and the disparaging and humiliating remarks, along with Meta’s Facebook. Further to this, he added, “There must be sacred grounds that we should not travel, and people’s families, including their parents,
especially if they are elderly people, who are not part of public life and part of politics, should be protected and insulated from the nastiness that we want to engage in.”
The Attorney General’s remarks came in response to an interview which made its rounds on social media on Tuesday, where damning allegations were made about several persons.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand
The Waramuri Secondary School
An inside view of the Waramuri Secondary School (DPI photos)
the children of this great land of ours, ensures that our school facilities are now on par with those on the coast.” (Modified from the Department of Public Information)
Sanctioned WIN leader using elections to dodge prosecution
– AG Nandlall
ATTORNEY GENERAL
and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, SC, said that US-sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed who is the presential candidate of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) political outfit is using the 2025 elections as a cover to avoid prosecution for serious criminalities.
The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Mohamed, his father, Nazar Mohamed, and
their companies in June 2024 over multiple high-profile crimes.
Speaking on the Issues in the News programme on Tuesday evening, Minister Nandlall said local authorities, including the Special Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), have already launched investigations.
However, he noted that any move to prosecute now would be met with cries of “political persecution,”
Over 100 new healthcare professionals graduate
–– workforce gets major boost with new Medex, Technicians, and Assistants
MORE than 100 newly certified healthcare professionals will soon return to their respective regions to strengthen Guyana’s health services, following their graduation from the Ministry of Health’s Clinical and Technical Training Programme.
The ceremony was held yesterday at the Pegasus Suites, Atlantic Conference Centre, Georgetown.
The graduates — including Pharmacy Assistants, Rehabilitation Assistants, Medex, and Medical Laboratory Technicians — completed a rigorous fouryear programme aimed at building technical expertise and improving patient care across the country.
EXPANDING ACCESS
AND STRENGTHENING PRIMARY CARE
In his address, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, said the graduating class will play a vital role in the government’s efforts to deliver world-class healthcare.
He noted that six new hospitals have already been opened across Guyana, with two more set to be commissioned within the next two weeks.
“These new facilities will see an overall improvement in services, and some of you will have the opportunity to work in them,” Dr. Anthony told the graduates. “We need to change the culture based on patient com-
plaints — go the extra mile, show the right attitude, and give people the experience of good care.”
The minister announced that 29 new Medex will join the public healthcare system, boosting primary healthcare capacity in the country’s 185 health centres and outposts. With 109 Medex currently in service, Dr. Anthony said the aim is to reach the 185 target so that every health facility has at least one Medex.
Dr. Anthony highlighted ongoing partnerships with the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), involving 115 targeted interventions at health centres to eliminate certain diseases. He acknowledged that not all facilities have been following guidelines and pledged significant reforms to strengthen disease prevention.
A key part of this effort is the Ministry’s school health programme, which has already screened 40,000 nursery-level children for vision, hearing, dental, and general health issues. The programme will soon expand to primary and secondary schools, with telemedicine supporting better diagnosis at 81 sites nationwide.
UPGRADING TECHNOLOGY AND LABORATORY SERVICES
At the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), the ministry
is rolling out an electronic patient records system to reduce reliance on paper files. Laboratory facilities are also being upgraded to detect new pathogens.
The government has secured US$22 million from the pandemic fund to expand testing capabilities at hospitals across the country. New hospitals are under construction in Kato, Lethem, Kamarang, and Moruca, alongside upgrades to older facilities in other regions.
Dr. Anthony urged graduates to continue advancing their medical education to match the pace of modernisation in the sector. He pointed to opportunities available through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL), Coursera, and overseas partnerships, with government funding covering costs.
“You were taught the basics, but you must continue training to deliver better quality care,” he said. “We are building a robust healthcare team that can meet the needs of our people now and in the future.”
The ceremony also featured remarks from Director of Training and Education Chandroutie-Persaud Bahadur, Senior Health Education Officer Georgel Abrams, and Medex Training Coordinator Sarah De Peana.
With their certification in hand, the new healthcare professionals are expected to make an immediate impact as they take up
shielding the Mohameds from immediate legal consequences.
“That is what they are saying all the time, we are persecuting them…These are objective actions that have to be taken, but the veil of elections is being used to protect them from law enforcement agencies carrying out their lawful duties,” Nandlall said.
He warned, however, that this protection will only be temporary.
The Attorney General emphasised that the issue extends beyond one individual, warning that if Mohamed were elected to Parliament, he would be deemed a politically exposed person (PEP) under Guyana’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) law.
This could expose Guyana’s economy and financial system to the dangers of international sanctions, he argued, saying, “He is not doing this for king or country…He is simply doing this to stave off criminal proceedings against himself.”
positions in communities across Guyana, contributing to a stronger, more responsive health system.
He noted that the consequences are severe, reminding Guyanese that the US is now a full-fledged member
of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF), which will ensure the sanctions are enforced in Guyana.
Speaking to reporters in June 2024, the US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, said the sanctions were a result of over two and a half years of investigations, with a ‘mountain load of evidence’ implicating the businessmen and a government official.
OFAC alleges that the Mohameds evaded gold export taxes and defrauded Guyana of over US$50 million between 2019 and 2023 by under-declaring more than 10,000 kilogrammes of gold.
OFAC has warned of implications of associating with a sanctioned individual in a statement that read: “Financial institutions and other persons that engage in certain transactions or activities with the sanctioned entities and individuals may expose themselves to sanctions or be subject to enforcement action.
The government has since revoked the cambio and gold licences of the Mohameds, while several banks have cut ties with them and their associates. (DPI)
Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Mohabir Anil Nandlall, S.C.
Preliminary CXC examination results to be announced on Friday
MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, on Wednesday, noted that preliminary results for the Caribbean Examinations Council’s (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examination and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) will be announced on Friday.
The Minister, in a video posted to the Ministry’s
Facebook page, made the revelation during which she noted that officials are looking forward to positive results this year.
To this end, she disclosed that the entire Caribbean did poorly in Mathematics in 2024, and as such, CXC is moving to implement some new programmes starting in 2026.
However, Manickchand stated that while they look
forward to the implementation of those programmes, Guyana did not wait and sought to immediately implement a new intervention in 2024 after the announcement of those results.
“Guyana didn’t wait on that, we implemented a new intervention where we gave to all our children scientific calculators, graph books, all the textbooks, past papers, past papers organised by top-
ics, geometry sets, all they needed,” she said.
This intervention also included monitoring in classrooms to ensure that the syllabus was finished, and teaching and learning were happening effectively.
In 2024, the overall pass rate for CAPE stood at 92.57 per cent, which was seen as stable since the pass rate for 2023 was 93 per cent.
For CSEC in 2024, the overall pass rate was 67.23 per cent, while it was 67.34 per cent in 2023.
Percentage decreases were seen in the two most important subject areas, namely, English Language and Mathematics. In English, there was a decline from 72 per cent to 69 per cent in the pass rate, while Mathematics recorded a pass rate of 31 per cent.
At that time, Manickchand noted that a teachers’ strike occurred at one of the most crucial times in the children’s preparation for those examinations.
She had said that, while Guyana dropped in Mathematics by three percentage points, the Caribbean, overall, dropped by seven.
She indicated that the ministry was set to roll out
–– Manickchand hopes intervention improves Math grades
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand an aggressive Mathematics intervention to ascertain where the problem lies, and work along with schools, while also ensuring that students are provided with all the necessary equipment and tools.
She said that they had
looked at schools that have been recording lower grades in Mathematics, and, with that, will launch monitoring in some 50 of those schools to ensure that teachers are teaching topics, and students are understanding them.
US Human Rights Report notes Guyana’s efforts to hold rights abusers accountable
THE Government of Guyana took credible steps during 2024 to identify and punish officials implicated in human rights abuses, according to the latest United States Department of State Human Rights Report.
While the report acknowledged that some human rights concerns remained, including credible accounts of arbitrary or unlawful killings, it noted that authorities pursued investigations and disciplinary measures against those accused of misconduct.
One highlighted case involved the July police shooting of Gordon Sancho, whom officers alleged had fired at them before being killed by return fire. As of late September, the incident was under investigation, underscoring what the report described as ongoing
accountability processes.
The document emphasised that Guyana’s constitution prohibits arbitrary arrest and detention, and while there were isolated reports of violations, the government generally observed these legal safeguards.
Notably, steps were taken to address prolonged pretrial detention through legislative reform, including the passage of the Criminal Law Procedure (Paper Committal) Bill, which replaces lengthy in-person hearings
with written submissions to expedite trials.
The report also found no credible evidence of torture or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment by government officials during the year, further indicating a commitment to upholding constitutional protections.
The US assessment suggests that Guyana’s current approach to investigating and punishing rights violations reflects an active stance against impunity.
Top Cop congratulates police corporal on Marlin Awards triumph
COMMISSIONER of Police, Clifton Hicken, on Wednesday morning, extended heartfelt congratulations to Police Corporal Timothy Roberts for his remarkable success at the 2025 Marlin Awards in Nassau, Bahamas.
During a courtesy visit to the Commissioner’s office at Police Headquarters, Eve Leary, Roberts was commended for capturing two prestigious Caribbean Gospel Music Awards: Outstanding Reggae Vocal Male Performance of the Year and Outstanding Dub Recording. These accolades, considered among the highest
honours in regional gospel music, underscore Roberts’ exceptional talent and dedication to his craft.
Commissioner Hicken lauded the corporal’s achievements, noting that his ability to balance the demands of law enforcement with his ministry work was both admirable and inspiring.
“Your talent is a gift meant to uplift and inspire others,” Hicken told Roberts, encouraging him to remain steadfast in his dual calling as a police officer and minister of the Gospel.
Roberts, who serves in the Guyana Police Force has
become well known within local and regional gospel circles for his powerful voice and authentic messages of faith.
His win at the Marlin Awards follows in the footsteps of previous Guyanese artistes who have helped place the nation on the regional music map, reinforcing Guyana’s growing cultural footprint.
The Marlin Awards, often described as the Caribbean’s equivalent of the Grammys for gospel music, celebrate excellence and innovation among gospel artistes across the region.
Winning in two competitive categories speaks to Roberts’ artistry, discipline, and commitment to producing music that resonates with audiences far beyond
Guyana’s borders.
Looking ahead, Roberts is set to travel to New York from August 21–24, 2025, for a major ministry engagement with Liberty Bible Fellowship Church.
He will headline two of the most anticipated nights, Thursday, August 21, and Friday, August 22, serving as the main gospel artiste for the event.
The Top Cop wished Roberts continued success, expressing pride in his role as both a guardian of the law and a messenger of hope through music.
“Your example shows that the Guyana Police Force is not just about enforcement, but also about community upliftment and personal excellence,” Hicken added.
Commissioner of Police, Clifton Hicken, on Wednesday morning, extended heartfelt congratulations to Police Corporal Timothy Roberts for his success at the 2025 Marlin Awards
Nominations open for 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards
TO highlight young people making a positive difference in their communities, the Commonwealth Secretariat recently opened nominations for the 2026 Commonwealth Youth Awards for Excellence in Development Work.
Managed by the Commonwealth Youth Programme, the awards, popularly known as the Commonwealth Youth
Awards (CYA), recognise outstanding young changemakers, aged 15-29, from 56 member countries who demonstrate impactful projects that support the achievement of the SDGs.
Each year, an outstanding entrant is named Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, with regional awards given for Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Canada, and the Pacific.
The launch for the Commonwealth Youth Awards was aired on the Commonwealth Secretariat’s YouTube channel on International Youth Day (IYD), which featured previous award winners reflecting on the role of the awards in spotlighting their innovative solutions to complex issues.
In her IYD message, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley
Botchwey, said:
“Across our 56 member countries, young people are not waiting for permission to act. They are building sustainable farms, launching climate apps, mentoring students, running for local office, and turning the Sustainable Development Goals into local, living realities. They are the change, and it’s our job to support them.”
CELEBRATING THE CYA EXPERIENCE
Reflecting on his experience, Stanley Anigbogu, CEO of LightEd and the 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, commented:
“Winning the award was surreal, I couldn’t believe it when I heard my name called and it has been an amazing experience thus far. Not only have I received tangible support, but also a number of opportunities to highlight my work. I have also developed partnerships and friendships because of this experience. I highly recommend being a part of it.”
The 2026 edition is being delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth Association for the first time, which will strengthen the Commonwealth’s commitment to nurturing partnerships that support young and ambitious leaders.
Layne Robinson, Head of the Secretariat’s Social Policy Development, said: “This milestone year presents a unique opportunity to highlight success stories. Entrepreneurs, inventors, environmentalists, women’s rights advocates, health campaigners and political activists are just some of the diverse nominees we have had in the past.
This award gives them a global platform to promote their innovations, and some funding to help them scale up their development projects.” CALL FOR
GENERATION OF COMMONWEALTH YOUTH LEADERS
The winners will be announced during the week-long celebrations for Commonwealth Day in March 2026.
The finalists will receive a trophy, a certificate and cash grants to help them continue their development work. All finalists will be awarded a £1,000 grant.
Each selected regional winner will receive an additional £2,000, bringing their total win to £3,000, and the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year will receive an additional cash grant of £2,000, bringing their total award to £5,000.
For more information about the Awards, and to apply or nominate someone, please visit the nomination portal. Entries must be received online via the link by 23:59 GMT on October 17, 2025.
CELEBRATING IYD 2025
The launch of the nominations was a part of Commonwealth’s IYD celebratory events during the month of August. IYD 2025 holds special significance as it commemorates 10 years since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015.
The 2026 CYA awards are a part of over five decades of work for celebrating, empowering, and engaging young people of the Commonwealth. (Commonwealth)
Kopinang hosts vibrant district tournament celebrating sports, culture and community
THE scenic village of Kopinang buzzed with energy as teams from across the North Pakaraimas gathered for the highly anticipated District Tournament, a celebration of athleticism, unity and community pride.
More than just a sporting event, the recent tournament highlighted teamwork, cultural bonds, and the enduring spirit of local communities.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, lauded both athletes and spectators for fostering togetherness through sports.
In her address, she underscored the government’s commitment to education, noting that free access extends up to the university level. She highlighted the success of the GOAL Scholarship Programme, which has surpassed its targets, empowering students nationwide. The Minister also reminded attendees that
up to eight CXC subjects are now provided at no cost, ensuring that young people—particularly in hinterland communities—can pursue their academic aspirations without financial barriers.
“These achievements reflect the broader vision of His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, whose leadership prioritises education, youth development, and community empowerment,” Minister Sukhai stated.
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips also joined the celebrations, praising residents for their sportsmanship and community spirit.
He emphasised the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance communication
and internet access in hinterland regions, bridging the gap between rural and urban areas. The Prime Minister encouraged both players and supporters to view sports not only as competition but as a platform to connect, learn, and grow together.
Throughout the tournament, the atmosphere was alive with laughter, cheers, and the rhythmic sounds of traditional music.
Villages united not just to compete but to share meals, stories, and moments of camaraderie. The event served as a vivid reminder that, in the North Pakaraimas, sports are more than games; they are a living thread that weaves communities together.
Guyana’s Muhammad Ibrahim meets Mexican Agriculture Minister in campaign for IICA’s Top Post
THE Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) nominee for Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, met with Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, Julio Berdegué, on Wednesday to discuss his vision for the future of the hemispheric agency ahead of November’s election.
Dr. Ibrahim, an agronomist with over 30 years of executive leadership and international management experience, was formally nominated for the post by President Dr. Irfaan Ali of Guyana. His candidacy has received the unanimous backing of all 14 CARICOM member states that are also part of IICA.
“I was pleased to welcome Dr. Muhammad Ibra-
him, Guyana’s candidate for the Director General of IICA.
We discussed his proposals for strengthening this international organization,” Berdegué stated in a message shared on social media.
During their meeting, Ibrahim and Berdegué explored opportunities to enhance technical co-operation between IICA and Mexico, with a focus on addressing regional agricultural challenges.
Discussions highlighted the need for innovation to modernise the agricultural sector and improve animal and plant health — particularly efforts to combat the cattle gut worm (GBG), a persistent threat to livestock production.
Nominee for Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim, met with Mexico’s Secretary of Agriculture, Julio
“We discussed Mexico’s priorities for a technical co-operation agenda that will address the needs of the country and the re - gion through IICA,” Ibrahim
explained. “These include targeted action on animal and plant health and adopting new technologies to strengthen agricultural productivity and resilience.”
In addition to his talks with the Agriculture Minister, Ibrahim met with senior officials at Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including Under-Secretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights Enrique Ochoa Martínez and Daniel Cámara, Director General for American Regional Organizations and Mechanisms. There, he presented his candidacy and outlined his plans to build stronger agricultural systems across the Americas.
“I discussed my candidacy for the Director General of IICA, which is supported by all the countries of the
‘Struggles I had in getting an education is no more today’ – Shuman
FORMER Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Lennox Shuman, is praising the government for its visionary leadership in the education sector.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Waramuri Secondary School in Region One on Wednesday, Shuman
said that “there is only one political party that has consistently and continuously delivered for Indigenous peoples in this country, and others, and that is the People’s Progressive Party.”
He highlighted the struggles he faced in gaining an education, both in Guyana and
overseas.
He reminded the audience in attendance that under the leadership of President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, “every child, every adult, every single Guyanese can afford to go from nursery, to primary, secondary, college, trade institute; all the way up to a PhD
for zero dollars.”
The PPP/C government has removed the tuition for persons attending the University of Guyana, and recently noted there has been a marked increase in the number of applicants.
A staggering 39,000 scholarships were awarded to Guy-
anese in five years.
The former deputy speaker said the implementation of these initiatives means that the government is “shaping the futures of our children and shaping the future of this great country to make it the best country in the hemisphere.” (DPI)
Caribbean Community and many other nations on the continent,” Ibrahim said.
The election for IICA’s next Director General will take place in November, when agriculture ministers from across the Americas will select a successor to Argentine veterinarian, Manuel Otero. Alongside Ibrahim, candidates include Laura Suazo, Honduras’ Secretary of Agriculture and Livestock, and Fernando Mattos, former Minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries of Uruguay.
Founded in 1942, IICA is the specialised agency for agriculture within the Inter-American System, working to promote agricultural development and rural well-being across its 34 member states.
Deputy Speaker of
Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, also joined the celebrations with Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, in the North Pakaraimas
Berdegué, on Wednesday
Former
the National Assembly, Lennox Shuman
Gender Affairs Bureau brings empowerment, conflict resolution training to Region Nine
THE Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Gender Affairs Bureau (GAB) has concluded a week of capacity-building workshops in Region Nine, equipping residents with tools to promote gender equality, manage conflict, and strengthen household co-operation.
Held from August 7 to 11 in Lethem and Aishalton, the sessions
attracted diverse participants eager to expand their skills and knowledge. The gender and development training introduced attendees to key concepts surrounding
equality, explored persistent gender-based inequalities, and developed strategies for integrating gender perspectives into policies and daily life.
In addition to the gen-
der-focused training, residents benefitted from anger management and conflict resolution workshops. These sessions guided participants in identifying anger triggers, applying emotional regulation techniques, improving communication, and fostering peaceful resolutions to disputes.
Recognising the importance of engaging all members of the community, the GAB also hosted
Hope and
a targeted discussion with male participants on the value of shared household responsibilities. This dialogue aimed to encourage equitable roles in the home, fostering stronger, more co-operative family dynamics.
The initiative forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to empower communities and advance the Government’s broader commitment to equity and social development.
Justice Centre conducts West Coast outreach to
raise GBV awareness
STAFF from the Hope and Justice Centre at Vergenoegen carried out an extensive outreach, on Tuesday, across all police stations along the West Coast of Demerara, engaging both law enforcement personnel and community members on the Centre’s services and the reporting of gender-based violence (GBV).
As part of the initiative, the team distributed survivor feedback posters developed by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
Each poster features a QR code, enabling survivors to provide feedback on services received from the police or via the 914 GBV hotline. The move is aimed
at improving support mechanisms and ensuring that survivors’ voices are heard.
The outreach extended beyond the police stations with a community walkthrough in Tuschen and Vergenoegen, during which residents were directly engaged. The sessions focused on raising awareness about GBV, promoting available support services, and encouraging timely reporting of incidents to authorities.
This campaign underscores the Ministry’s continued commitment to combatting gender-based violence and strengthening community engagement to ensure the safety and well-being of all citizens.
The outreach extended beyond the police stations with a community walk-through in Tuschen and Vergenoegen, during which residents were directly engaged
The various sessions attracted diverse participants eager to expand their skills and knowledge
New sewing hubs open in Herstelling, Grove to boost skills, economic empowerment
RESIDENTS
of Herstelling and Grove now have greater access to skill-building opportunities with the commissioning of two modern sewing hubs by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security this week.
The new facilities, one at the Herstelling Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) and another at the Grove Craft Centre, are designed to promote creativity, entrepreneurship, and economic independence within their communities.
The Herstelling hub is equipped with 12 brand-new sewing machines, while the Grove facility houses six modern machines, all available for free use by residents.
Minister of Human Ser-
vices and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, said the initiative reflects her ministry’s commitment to ensuring every community across Guyana has access to a functional sewing hub. “These hubs are not just about sewing; they are about creating a pathway to financial independence, particularly for women and young people,” the Minister noted.
Training will be provided free of charge, allowing participants to learn or refine tailoring and garment-making skills without the financial burden of purchasing equipment. By placing the hubs directly in the communities, the Ministry ensures that opportunities are accessible, practical, and aligned with
local needs.
At the Herstelling ceremony, residents were also able to register for the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) garment construction course. Since its launch in 2021, the WIIN programme has trained hundreds of women across all 10 regions in garment construction, equipping them with valuable skills to generate income and explore entrepreneurship.
Minister Persaud reaffirmed that similar initiatives will continue to be rolled out nationwide, giving citizens the tools to build sustainable livelihoods while fostering economic growth in their communities.
Road, D&I works ongoing in several East Coast communities
ROAD, Drainage and Irrigation (D&I) works are progressing along the East Coast of Demerara as the government’s infrastructure programme continues to expand.
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, visited several communities on the East Coast on Tuesday to assess the progress of infrastructural works and address residents’ concerns.
The villages included Bareroot, Bachelor’s Adventure, Golden Grove, Nabacalis and Victoria.
At Bareroot, the main access road is being upgraded in sections and is ahead of its scheduled September 16th completion date.
However, the minister appealed to contractors to accel-
erate some parts of the works to mitigate the inconvenience experienced by residents.
“Get the concrete pour before the week is out, and then get the shoulders in. Let the people get their road,” he said.
In Golden Grove, residents have requested a road behind a dam.
Although a road may not be immediately feasible, Minister Edghill suggested that engineers explore the possibility of a footpath.
Similarly, in Nabacalis, rehabilitation is planned for a key community road.
Beyond infrastructure, drainage and irrigation works are slated to commence in those communities.
In this regard, the minis-
ter reminded residents that rubber-wheel excavators and tractors had been supplied to the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) to aid in the maintenance of the waterways. He stressed that the poor
condition and irrigation of the drains often stemmed from “a lack of leadership and co-ordination” in mobilising persons.
The minister further noted that engineers will be tasked with carrying out an assessment this week to determine the scope of work left to be completed.
Following the assessment, the size of the project will be determined. Such will dictate the number of small contracts to be issued.
The minister also encouraged residents to join in the clean-up effort to improve the area’s appearance, promising that the ministry would lend support by providing the necessary tools and equipment.
(DPI)
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, cuts the ribbon to the sewing hub
The new hubs are designed to promote creativity, entrepreneurship, and economic independence within the communities
Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill and prominent Attorney and businessman, James Bond, speak to a contractor about ongoing road, drainage and irrigation works
CPA signs MOU to strengthen child protection in Guyana
IN a major step toward safeguarding the rights and welfare of children, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Wednesday with key government and non-government partners.
The agreement formalises a collaborative framework between the CPA, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Guyana Police
Force (GPF), the Ministry of Health, as well as civil society organisations Blossom Inc. and ChildLinK Inc.
This partnership is designed to provide a unified approach to addressing the most severe cases of child abuse, with a particular focus on sexual abuse. Through this MOU, all cases will be treated with urgency, sensitivity, and the highest priority, ensuring that children at risk receive the protection and care they need.
The agreement clearly outlines the roles and
responsibilities of each agency, fostering more coordinated, effective, and child-centred interventions. Officials emphasised that the collaboration represents a significant advancement in Guyana’s ongoing efforts to protect its youngest and most vulnerable citizens.
The CPA highlighted that such partnerships are critical for reinforcing the justice system’s response to child abuse and strengthening the nation’s child protection framework.
the Ministry of Health, and civil society organisations Blossom Inc. and ChildLinK Inc.
GDF Chief of Defence staff meets Guyana’s Ambassador to Colombia to discuss security co-operation
CHIEF of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, recently hosted His Excellency Graybern Livingston, Guyana’s Ambassador to the Republic of Colombia, during a courtesy call that centred on strengthening bilateral defence and security ties.
The meeting provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on advancing the Guyana–Colombia re -
lationship, with a particular focus on Guyana’s defence acquisition priorities and the shared challenges facing both nations in the areas of security and regional stability.
Brigadier Khan underscored the Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) commitment to enhancing partnerships that bolster national and hemispheric security. He noted that collaboration with regional allies such as
Colombia is essential for addressing common threats and promoting peace and stability across the Americas.
The engagement reflects the GDF’s broader strategy to deepen military-to-military co-operation, expand strategic alliances, and strengthen Guyana’s position in the regional security architecture.
The agreement establishes a collaborative framework among the CPA, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the Guyana Police Force (GPF),
Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, MSS, meets with Guyana’s Ambassador to Colombia, His Excellency Graybern Livingston, for a courtesy call focused on advancing bilateral defence and security co-operation
Residents of Bamboo Creek laud
Gov’t
investments in sports, education, and infrastructure
RESIDENTS of Bamboo Creek in the North Pakaraimas welcomed Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai who highlighted the government’s substantial investments in sports, education, health, infrastructure, and agriculture across Region Eight.
During a recent community meeting, Minister Sukhai detailed the strides made in youth development, noting that millions of dollars have been invested in sports initiatives within the village, creating expanded opportunities for local youth.
She also highlighted improvements in transportation services and enhanced access to agricultural equipment for farmers, supporting regional economic growth.
On the education front, Minister Sukhai praised the implementation of the “Because We Care” cash grant, a programme originally pledged in the People’s Pro-
gressive Party/Civic manifesto, which has now become a reality under President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. While the initial commitment was for 20,000 GOAL scholarships, the government has awarded over 30,000 scholarships to date, surpassing its original target.
The Minister further announced a 100 per cent increase in funding for road maintenance in hinterland villages, empowering communities to manage projects that improve local accessibility and infrastructure.
Minister Sukhai also provided updates on major ongoing projects, including the construction of three secondary schools in Micobie, Kopinang, and Monkey Mountain, as well as a stateof-the-art hospital in Kato.
The new health facility is expected to create employment opportunities and deliver advanced medical services to residents of the
Timehri Prison tilapia hatchery nets nearly 150 pounds of fresh fish
THE tilapia hatchery at the Timehri Prison continues to yield impressive results, with its latest harvest producing close to 148 pounds of red tilapia on Monday.
The initiative, spearheaded by both staff and female inmates, is designed to provide an additional source of food for the prison’s general population while equipping inmates with valuable skills.
Director of Prisons, Nicklon Elliot, said the project reflects the Guyana Prison Service’s ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for skill development among inmates.
“This initiative widens the scope of projects available to inmates, affording
them more opportunities to develop a skill that can be used when they leave the correctional facility,” Elliot explained.
While the hatchery is significantly contributing to the self-sufficiency of the Timehri Prison, it also aligns with the broader goal of the Prison Service to become self-sustaining.
The red tilapia project forms part of a wide range of agricultural ventures within the prison system, including vegetable cultivation and poultry farming. These programmes aim to reduce operational costs, promote rehabilitation, and prepare inmates for re-integration into society with marketable skills.
North Pakaraimas.
“These developments reflect our unwavering commitment to improving the quality of life in hinterland communities, ensuring that all regions benefit from the country’s growth,” Minister Sukhai said, emphasising the government’s inclusive approach to national development.
Residents of Bamboo Creek in the North Pakaraimas extended a warm greeting to Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, who emphasised the government’s significant investments in infrastructure, agriculture, health, education, and sports throughout Region Eight
The tilapia hatchery at the Timehri Prison continues to yield impressive results
GECOM unveils online polling station search tool to boost voter convenience
THE Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has introduced a new, user-friendly online search tool aimed at helping voters quickly and easily locate their assigned polling stations ahead of the upcoming elections.
The feature, now available on GECOM’s official website, is designed to make the voting process smoother and more accessible, particularly for those with access to a mobile phone or computer and an internet connection.
Voters can search for their polling station in two ways: by entering their National ID number
and selecting “Search by ID,” or by inputting their name and date of birth and clicking “Search by Particulars.” In either case, the system will immediately display the location where the voter is registered to cast their ballot.
GECOM is encouraging all eligible electors to take advantage of the service ahead of Election Day to avoid confusion or delays. “Checking this information in advance will help ensure that voters head to the correct polling station and can cast their ballots efficiently,” the Commission noted.
For those without internet access, GECOM can be contacted directly at 225-0277-9 or 2239650 for assistance.
Reaffirming its commitment to transparency and credibility in the electoral process, GECOM said the initiative is part of its broader efforts to ensure voters are well-informed and confident as they participate in this important democratic exercise.
Boland primes for England face-off...
aggressively. If the wickets stay similar to what they've been over the last few years, I think we're going to be in the game all the time.
“There were little parts of the England tour last time, when the ball sort of moved around and favoured the bowlers, but generally over there, the wickets have been a bit flatter.
"And then when you come to Australia, certainly for the last three or four
years, they've been bowler friendly.”
Returning Scott Boland recalls epic WTC23 Final against India when the right-armer claimed key wickets for Australia during their victory.
When asked if Australia might unleash four pacers against England during the Ashes, Boland backed compatriot Nathan Lyon to be the first choice for the host nation come the five-Test series.
Sanju Samson trade talk...
much-anticipated move of Samson from Jaipur to Chennai appears a non-starter - unless the Super Kings manage to secure him through extended negotiations or buy him in the auction. However, there is no guarantee Samson's name will even come up in the auction. With trade talks seriously underway with multiple teams - and there is significant interest among several other franchisesthere remains every chance that another franchise could land him.
There is also a possibility that he may continue to remain at Rajasthan Royals since releasing or trading can only be franchise's prerogative. The player has little say apart from making a request to the current franchise management.
As previously reported here, Samson has made a formal request to the Royals management stating that he is seeking a new direction. There have apparently been many issues of differences between RR and Samson, one of which was the man-
(From page 25)
“Not in Australia. Nathan is one of the best spin bowlers in the world, so I think he can bowl in any conditions. He’s been the glue to our bowling lineup for the last few years.”
Despite not being a certain in the Australian lineup, Boland emphasised on staying focused and delivering when he's put in the fray.
“I’d love to play all five, but I’d be hoping to play
(From page 26)
agement's decision to release Jos Buttler.
"Letting him go has been one of the most challenging decisions for me. During the England series, I told him over dinner that I was still not over it. If I could change one thing in the IPL, I would change the rule of releasing players every three years," Samson had told Star Sports before last IPL season. RR chose to retain Shimron Hetmyer instead.
Samson, however, maintained a dignified silence on the reported differences.
Sammy: I don’t listen to the....
sacked, including those from former West Indies players.
But speaking in a postmatch press conference on Tuesday, Sammy said he was not distracted by those on the outside.
“I know what I’m trying to do, what we as a team the goal we set out for ourselves.
“I don’t equate one person or a couple persons who have a platform talking about West Indies cricket as the opinions of all these fans you see coming out to watch. You see what a victory does for the West Indian people,” Sammy said.
ENGLISH RACING TIPS
SALISBURY
09:20 hrs Amathus
09:50 hrs Valkyrie Storm
10:25 hrs Asian Journey
11:00 hrs Radiance
11:35 hrs Favorite Memory
12:10 hrs Skibo
CHELMSFORD
13:15 hrs Global Effort
13:45 hrs Dartrey
14:15 hrs Medinilla
14:45 hrs Crack Shot
15:15 hrs Majaz
15:45 hrs Night Tara
SOUTH AFRICA RACING TIPS
VAAL
08:05 hrs Sylvan Warrior
08:40 hrs Hong Kong
whatever comes up. A few years ago there were seven Tests in the summer and I was hoping to play a couple but didn’t get any games.
"And then last year there were only five Tests, and I got three, so I just got to be ready whenever the opportunity comes.”
The Ashes, which will also be a part of the World Test Championship cycle, begins on November 21, 2025. (ICC Media)
In a recent podcast with R Ashwin he, in fact, said Rajasthan Royals setup means a world to him. He also praised Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the precocious left-handed batter who displaced him from top of the order in the franchise batting line-up.
As previously reported, Samson could still remain with the Royals if a suitable trade fails to materialise, but the chances of that appear slim, if not non-existent. Cricbuzz reached out to Badale for a response on the matter. (Cricbuzz)
(From back page)
“All these people who come in these stands, they don’t have a social media voice where they speak, and they still come out to support the guys.
“So, for me, understanding the purpose, understanding why I’m here, why my team is here, and we put our heads down and come everyday and
09:15 hrs Soldier's Eye
09:55 hrs Muss Hannigan
10:30 hrs Lady Sabrina
11:05 hrs Sail The Sky
IRISH RACING TIPS
CORK
12:22 hrs The Right One
12:52 hrs Tamarlo
13:22 hrs Precise
13:52 hrs East Hampton
14:22 hrs Royal Entry
14:52 hrs Mystic Bella
15:25 hrs Mullacash Buzz
AMERICAN RACING TIPS
SARATOGA
Race 1 Green Jobs
Race 2 Holden Symphony
Race 3 Our Stsrry Night
Race 4 Ranger Battalion
Race 5 Gotta Guy
Race 6 Schwarzenegger
try and put in an honest day’s work.
“I’ve never actually been one to listen to noise, this has been me throughout my career. When I was playing, when I was captain and now that I’m coach, everything that I’ve done early has built me and prepared me for what’s going on now,” he maintained. Sammy said while he had goals which he wanted the West Indies to achieve, he was also realistic about the timeline in when they could be achieved.
“I have to be confident in the plans that we put in place, but I also have to be realistic.
“The reality of West Indies cricket is we were number 10 in the world in ODI cricket. We’ve been number eight in Test cricket for donkey odd years. If anybody expected a new coach, anybody, it doesn’t have to be me, could come in and work miracles then Jesus would be coming tomorrow, but that’s not going to happen,” Sammy said.
“For me it’s putting a plan in place, trusting the process, obviously you need support from different areas of the game…a lot of things have to go right, but what we can do with the ability and skills that we have is work the best that we can and that’s what we’re out here doing.”
Reasons to be cheerful about Dewald Brevis
THAT Dewald Brevis and Elon Musk were born in South Africa is a rare point of connection between them. Here's another: they are rich men.
Of course, that needs qualification. At 22, Brevis has an estimated net worth of between USD2-million and USD3-million. Musk has been the wealthiest person in the world since November 2020, when he overtook Bill Gates. In May this year Forbes Magazine pegged Musk's net worth at USD424.7-billion. Thus he could be 212,350 times as rich as Brevis. For clarity, that's two hundred and twelve thousand, three hundred and fifty times.
What would Brevis do if a franchise offered him the equivalent of Musk's fortune to play for them?
The question is not hypothetical. At least not in the sense that Brevis hasn't provided an answer. He was asked it by a team -
mate recently. Brevis, eyes wide, blanched at the mere thought.
And reportedly said: "No. That would be selling your soul."
You don't need to hear Brevis talk for much more than a sentence to know he is intensely, vocally religious - which no doubt helped form his view above, if indeed he said that.
After Monday, Brevis might have to get used to people trying to buy his soul.
He reached 50 off 25 and 100 off 41, and he was 125 not out off 56 when South Africa's innings ended at 218/7, which set up victory in the second T20I against Australia in Darwin by 53 runs.
That earned Brevis the accolade of South Africa's highest score in the format, as well as becoming their youngest and fastest T20I century-maker.
Far more important than
Dewald Brevis broke plenty of records with his 125* off 56 balls in the second T20I against Australia
any of that was the way Brevis played, with the joyful abandonment of a boy on a beach and just his brother, a bat and a ball for company. He crunched four runs fewer than a century in fours and sixes alonewhich comprised more than
All-rounder Bosch penalised for ICC Code of Conduct breach
ALL-ROUNDER Corbin Bosch has been sanctioned for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct during South Africa’s second T20I against Australia on Tuesday.
Bosch breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.”
There was plenty at stake for South Africa, who came in 1-0 down and aiming to take the series to a decider.
After a shaky start, the visitors were lifted by a brilliant knock from young Dewald Brevis, whose unbeaten 125 off just 56 balls powered them to 218/7.
three-quarters of his innings. And he hammered 66 - or more than half his contribution - straight down the ground.
The scorecard says Brevis and Tristan Stubbs shared 126 for the fourth wicket. What the scorecard doesn't say is that Brevis faced only 13 more balls than Stubbs in the stand - but made 60 more runs than his partner during their collaboration.
Maybe the most memorable of Brevis' eight sixes was launched off the first delivery of the 10th, which Sean Abbott pitched fullish and just outside off stump. Brevis dabbed a step towards the ball and cocked his backswing for a booming drive, which he unleashed with visceral violence. The ball met the middle of the bat, which sent it arching high over long-on.
All the while Brevis' chin was tucked into his chest and his head stayed firmly down.
It's one thing to be able to play strokes like that, quite another to not bother
watching the result of them sail through the sky.
"The main thing was just to be the original Dewald; every ball, wherever it is, watch it and hit it," Brevis told a press conference. "So it just happens, basically."
Ah. That explains it. It's basic. Simple. Even the head-down bit?
"That's just my natural way of hitting. I've hit thousands of balls and I just want to go out there, enjoy it and have fun; just watch [the ball onto the bat] and then if it's there, it happens. I don't try to do it. I'm just trying to be myself."
But there was, after everything, a chink of healthy ego in his armour of religion and selflessness: "I've always believed that this is where I need to be and where I will be. Never ever have I doubted myself."
It's a relief to have evidence that Brevis is human after all. He even makes mistakes. For instance, did he know who previously held the record for South Africa's highest T20I score?
"If someone didn't tell me after the game I wouldn't
have known. But it's Jacques Kallis, if I'm correct."
Kallis' highest score in his 23 T20I innings was 73. The right answer is Faf du Plessis, who claimed the record with his 56-ball 119 against West Indies at the Wanderers in January 2015.
Thus informed, Brevis said, "Is it Faf? I got it wrong, but it's a privilege and an honour. Yeah, there's not a lot of words."
Young man, your success in cricket will be measured by how you score runs. Not in words. Besides, you were 12 when Du Plessis played that innings; doubtless you were doing your homework, or something.
Elon Musk was already a rich man by then. But he wasn't yet a despised embarrassment in the country of his birth. Only later would he out himself as a monster of the age, which is how he will be remembered by many of his compatriots. You, by contrast, will always be celebrated as Dewald Brevis. Keep your head down, kid. (Cricbuzz)
Boland primes for England face-off as Ashes beckons
BOASTING the sixth-best bowling average (minimum 50 wickets) in Test cricket history, numbers alone would make Scott Boland the first pick for most international lineups.
The incident took place in the 17th over of Australia’s innings when, after dismissing Ben Dwarshuis, Bosch gestured towards the player’s dugout in a send-off that could have provoked an aggressive reaction from the batter.
The 22-year-old, who reached his century in just 41 balls, became the youngest Men’s T20I centurion for South Africa and recorded the second-fastest T20I ton for his country.
For the offence, one demerit point has been added to Bosch’s disciplinary record. He accepted the sanction proposed by the ICC Match Officials, eliminating the need for a formal hearing.
In response, Tim David’s 24-ball fifty kept Australia’s hopes alive, but three wickets apiece from Bosch and Kwena Maphaka bowled the hosts out for 165, handing South Africa a 53-run win.
Test cricket could 'bankrupt'...
series gets under way in Australia in 100 days' time - receive greater investment.
The pulsating five-match series between England and India this summer was Test cricket at its finest.
However, Australia won each of their three Tests in the West Indies by at least 133 runs, while New Zealand cruised to a com -
fortable series victory in Zimbabwe - winning one of the Tests by an innings and 359 runs.
"We need to make sure we invest in the right spaces to play Test cricket where it means something and has jeopardy," Greenberg added.
"That's why the Ashes will be as enormous and profitable as it is - because
(From back page)
it means something."
The emergence of shorter forms of the sport has proved difficult for Test cricket, with T20 franchise leagues and The Hundred offering lucrative player contracts in domestic cricket, and adding further congestion to the global calendar. (BBC Sport)
But sitting behind the illustrious trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood in Australia’s pace pecking order, Boland finds himself on the bench more often than not.
However, the 36-yearold is aware of his importance in the Australia setup, and delivers with aplomb when needed as he did recently with a hat-trick during his 6/36 against West Indies in pace-friendly conditions.
Scott Boland took five wickets for Australia, including a key dismissal of Virat Kohli on the last day to spark an India collapse, in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023.
The pacer is ready to bide his time, and make the impact when required of him against Ben Stokes’ England this summer.
Speaking to the report -
Australia pacer Scott Boland
ers at an event to mark 100 days until the first Ashes Test, the pacer recalled his rare expensive run in England back in 2023, when he nabbed two wickets at an average of 115.5, but believes he’s in a better place to go up against the arch-rivals.
“I've obviously thought about it a lot since it happened in 2023. But I still think there were times in England where I bowled pretty well and just didn't get a wicket.
“I'm a better bowler than I was back then. I'm going to be in our conditions that I know really, really well. I'm hoping to put in some good performances.”
Boland reckons England’s characteristic aggressive batting style under the leadership duo of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes on the seam-friendly wickets of Australia would keep the hosts in contention at all times in the series.
“They're going to play
(Turn to page 24)
South Africa all-rounder Corbin Bosch
NBA confirms opening night, five-game Christmas slate and four-game MLK Day matchups
THE NBA officially announced its opening night and Christmas Day matchups Tuesday, and they won't come as a surprise to those who have been paying attention.
The defending champion, Oklahoma City Thunder, will kick off the 202526 NBA season on opening night in a matchup against Kevin Durant's Houston Rockets on October 21.
Later that night, the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors will square off to open their seasons.
In addition to the notable matchups and players involved in the opening-night festivities, history will also be made once the Lakers get underway.
Once LeBron James takes the court, he'll pass Vince Carter for the most seasons played in NBA history. James, 40, is set to start his 23rd NBA season.
All four of those teams will also play on Christmas Day, which features a full, five-game slate. Here's the complete league schedule for December 25:
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. New York Knicks at 12 p.m. ET
San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at 2:30 p.m. ET
Dallas Mavericks vs. Golden State Warriors at 5:00 p.m. ET
Houston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers at 8:00 p.m. ET
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets at 10:30 p.m. ET
NBA fans paying close attention to the news shouldn't be surprised by those matchups, which were leaked by ESPN's Shams Charania on Friday.
In addition to those games, however, the NBA also revealed a four-game slate on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and confirmed a few more marquee early-season matchups.
The NBA has scheduled games on Martin Luther King Jr. Day since it became a holiday in 1986.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks will kick off a four-game slate on MLK Day this season. The contest will start at 1 p.m. ET. They will be followed by the Thunder and Cleve-
CRICKET QUIZ CORNER
(Thursday, August 14, 2025)
COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) WI 2; PAK 1 (2) Jayden Seales (WI) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI made most runs in the recent ODI series versus PAK?
(2) Which PAK scored most runs? Answers in tomorrow’s issue
Rising Stars 2-Day Championship – 2nd
day,
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, (CMC) – Scores from the second day of the first round of matches in the CWI Rising Stars Under-17 2-Day Championship here on Wednesday.
At Inshan Ali Park: The match between Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago ended in a draw.
T&T 252-8 dec’d & 89-3 in 18 overs (Saleem Khan 30, Roberto Badree 20 not out, Ra’ed Ali Khan 20 not out, Christian Lall 10; Justin Parris 2-23).
BARBADOS 257-9 dec’d in 76.5 overs (Gadson Bowens 111, Jordan Graham 47, Justin Parris 31, Izaiyah Goodman 25, Kelani Clarke 23; Daron Dhanraj 3-67, Daniel Holder 2-31, Amrit Pittiman 2-43, Ra’ed Ali Khan 2-44).
At the National Cricket Centre: The match between Guyana and the Windward Islands ended in a draw.
1st round
land Cavaliers at 2:30 p.m. ET, the Mavericks and Knicks at 5 p.m. ET and the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons at 8 p.m. ET.
Dallas Mavericks rookie, Cooper Flagg, will kick off his NBA career with a historic matchup. His first game will come against the San Antonio Spurs, which held the number two overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
It will mark just the second time in league history that the number one overall pick will face the number two 2 overall pick to open the season. Flagg, who the Mavericks selected number one overall, will take on Dylan Harper, who went number two overall, on October 22 on ESPN.
The Cavaliers and Knicks will also play on ESPN on October 22.
The following day, the Thunder and Indiana Pacers will square off on the network. They'll be followed by the Nuggets and Warriors.
Peacock will stream games on Mondays throughout the NBA regular season. The league announced the first set of those games Tuesday, which will start with the Cavaliers and Pistons on October 27. That contest will begin at 7 p.m. ET.
The Nuggets and Timberwolves will meet at 9:30 p.m. ET later that evening. (Yahoo Sports)
WINDWARD ISLANDS 281-9 dec’d & 84-2 in 18 overs (Jorden Charles 47 not out, Theo Edward 13; Gibran Yacoob 2-9).
GUYANA 264 in 67 overs (Shamar Apple 123, Adrian Hetmyer 43, Rich -
ard Ramdehol 31, Lomar Seecharan 17, Parmeshwar Ram 15; Desrond Mitchell 3-41, Elran Glasgow 3-45, Tyler Venner 2-26, Bjorn Fanis 2-32).
At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground: Leeward Islands lead Jamaica by 149 runs with eight wickets remaining. (Match began on Wednesday)
LEEWARD ISLANDS 96 in 26.5 overs (Tanez
Francis 20, Kunal Tilokani 18, Eirette Richards 17, Hosea Roberts 16; Demarco Scott 5-11, Joel Williams 3-30, Kevaughn Flemming 2-11) & 128-2 in 35 overs (Tanez Francis 61 not out, Kunal Tilokani 49).
JAMAICA 75 in 27.2 overs (Tyson Gordon Jr 16, Demarco Scott 10; Kunal Tilokani 4-7, Kasim Challenger 3-17, J’Quan Athanaze 2-9).
Sanju Samson trade talk heats up in IPL
HAS Sanju Samson already been traded? Are the Rajasthan Royals closing in on a deal? Accurate or not, the speculation has set the IPL abuzz. How the trade will ultimately unfold remains a matter of conjecture, but the chatter shows no signs of dying down among IPL franchises.
Days after Cricbuzz first reported about Samson's request to be traded or released, it has emerged that the Royals have written again to multiple franchises inquiring their interest in acquiring the India keeper-batter. RR lead owner Manoj Badale is said to be spearheading the negotiations personally.
The chatter is Badale has even mentioned the names of specific players from different franchises that the Royals are keen on, in exchange for Samson. There is even talk that the Royals may have already reached - or close to reaching - an agreement with one of them.
With the letters sent directly to franchise owners, details have largely stayed
Sanju Samson had made a formal request to the Royals management
under wraps. However, it is learnt that a potential trade with the Chennai Super Kings - widely speculated in recent days - could be a long shot, as the Royals are believed to have asked for either Ravindra Jadeja or Ruturaj Gaikwad, both deal-breaking terms that the Super Kings are not ready to
entertain.
Shivam Dube's name has also cropped up in some quarters, but Chennai are unwilling to part with the India all-rounder either. In fact, CSK officials and management are said to be reluctant to release any of their players. As of mid-August, the
(Turn to page 24)
Lebron James is set to start his 23rd NBA season
Guyana U-17 batter Shamar Apple hit 123 against Windwards
Trevor Benn (71*) and Budram (3-14) put Officers in tomorrow’s final
By Sean Devers
TREVER Benn scored
a pugnacious sunbeaten 71 and shared in a couple half-century partnerships while spinner Joshua Budram captured 3-14 as Officers marched in tomorrow’s final after defeating 4A and 4B combined by 55 runs yesterday at Police ground, Eve Leary.
Scores: Officers (175-5 in 20 overs), 4A and 4B (120 in 19 overs. Watched by a larger gathering than the first Semi-final on Monday, Combined Unit invited the Officers to bat on good track and fast outfield under a blue sky.
Ronaldo Ail (14) fell to Darsan LaRose and Budram (21) was dismissed by Orin Venture to leave the Officers on 53-3.
But Trever Benn, a former Guyana first-class team selectee, and Stephon Harris orchestrated a recovery with a fluent 53- run stand in scorching heat before Harris, the brother of former GDF and National U-19 pacer Jermiah Harris, was removed by LaRose for 31 with two fours at a six. His demise left the Officers on 106-4 before Ivor Henry departed for a duck to give Henry his second scalp a run later in the 18th over.
Rahem Haynes joined Trevor Benn, who soon reached his fifty and together they launched a brutal attack on their junior ranks; scoring 68 runs in 2.2 overs when at one stage it seemed the Officers would not reach 125.
Trevor Benn clobbered two fours and six six -
es in 38-ball 71 while the left-handed Haynes smashed a cameo 17 from seven balls with two sixes and a four.
Pacer LaRose, who conceded 19 in the 19th over, had 2-39 while Henry finished with 2-33.
Venture and Quincy Kendall began the run chase with guns blazing to the delight of the raucous crowd which included former IPL all-rounder Chris Barnwell and several members the Headquarters’ team.
Both batters pounced on Harris and deposited him over his for sixes.
Venture drilled him past mid-on like a bullet from gun and followed it up with a four and six in an over that cost 20.
But Troy Benn, bowling medium pace with lots of slower balls removed the
dangerous Venture with his first ball as the younger of Benn siblings, started with a maiden wicket to break the partnership.
Man-of-the-Match, Trevor Benn, bowling off a four-step run-up, induced Quency Kendal (17) to edge a ball that left him to the keeper and after at the sixover power-play the score was 52-2.
Troy Benn removed Troy Drakes (7) at 61-3 and celebrated with his brother shining his boots to the delight of the fans in the stand. There was live commentary at the ground.
From 47 without loss in five overs the Combined side slummed to 94-7 before leg-spinner Budram (3-14) mopped up the tail after left-arm spinner Ivor Trotz, who bowled with nice flight
Dr Shallow thanks Riley for contribution to West Indies cricket
ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Dr Kishore Shallow has lauded former Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) president, Conde Riley for his sterling contribution to the sport.
Riley, who was first elected to the BCA’s board in 1996 and served as president from 2017 to 2025, recently announced his retirement ahead of the BCA’s upcoming elections.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Dr Shallow congratulated Riley for almost two decades of faithful service as a Director of Cricket West Indies.
“To speak of Condé’s contribution is to speak of a man who gave not only his time and his wisdom, but also his unwavering belief in what cricket represents for our people.
“His service was never about personal advancement. It was about protecting some-
CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow presenting Conde Riley with an award in 2024
thing greater, a legacy of pride, discipline, and opportunity for generations to come,” Dr Shallow said.
“Few may know the personal sacrifices he made behind the scenes. On many occasions, Condé reached into his own pocket to support young players, refusing to let financial barriers define their futures. For him, cricket was a path to possibility. His generosity was quiet, but deeply felt by those whose lives it touched.
“I have often said that cricket administration is not for the faint of heart. It tests your patience, your principles, and your resolve. Condé met those tests with purpose and fortitude,” he added.
Dr Shallow admitted that even though he and Riley sometimes butted heads, his contribution could not be overlooked.
“While he and I at times had differing views, sometimes strongly so, what remained constant was a
had 2-16 and Troy Benn (the man with golden arm took 2-14).
The final between
foundation of mutual respect and genuine regard. Our differences never eclipsed the shared vision we held for West Indies cricket.
“That is why, during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Barbados last year, I was honoured to join the Board of Directors in recognizing Condé for his outstanding contribution to the game and to the region. It was a small tribute to a career defined by conviction and care,” Dr Shallow said.
“As he steps away from formal leadership, we do not simply mark the end of a term. We honour a legacy. We give thanks for a chapter written with integrity, compassion, and commitment.
“Cricket West Indies offers its heartfelt gratitude to Condé. We wish him peace, fulfilment, and the satisfaction that comes from knowing his efforts have helped carry West Indies cricket forward,” he further added.
Headquarters and Officers is scheduled for 13:00 hours on Friday at Eve Leary.
Guyana’s women hockey team suffers second defeat
GUYANA’S Junior women’s hockey team had another tough outing at the Junior Pan American games as they went down to Mexico 9-1 yesterday. The locals were outplayed with only 34 per cent of the possession, Mexico were unrelenting and it showed in the score sheet as they were 2-0 up at the end of the first quarter before making it 3-1 at the half.
Guyana captain Sarah Klautky battling for the ball against Mexico
Guyana had no answers as Mexico turned up the heat in the second half with Valeria Espinoza hitting the back of the net four times as they took a comfortable 9-1 victory.
The other goal scorers for Mexico were Brenda More-
no, Ximena De Los Rios, Fernanda Guzman, Christina Ortiz and Nancy Castillo. The country’s lone goal came off the stick of Makaylah Poole.
Guyana’s women will hit the turf again on Friday against USA, they loss their opener this week to Chile 12-0 with their captain Sarah Klautky scoring the lone goal.
Trevor Benn slammed an unbeaten 71 and took one wicket (Sean Devers photo)
By Rohansonn Waithe
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CMC )– Attorney-at-law Calvin Hope will serve as president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) for the next two years.
In Tuesday night’s landslide victory at Kensington Oval, the outgoing vice-president moved one rung up the ladder to become the association’s 12th president, and its new face since outgoing president Conde Riley took the reins in 2017.
The 68-year-old Hope garnered 158 votes, staving off former Barbados chairman of selectors, Henderson Broomes, who received 68 votes, while former West Indies opening batsman Philo Wallace counted 57 votes,
Sammy:
Hope plans to bring unity to BCA after being elected as president
and former BCA vice-president Jeff Broomes just 13. In other results, attorney-at-law Gregory Nicholls was returned as secretary with 157 votes, beating out Joy-Ann Jones who totalled 125 votes, while Carlos Brathwaite (185 votes), Henderson Wallace (142 votes) and Winston Haynes (119 votes) were elected to the Board of Directors.
Hope’s rise to prominence follows a 28-year journey in cricket administration at the BCA, having first joined the board as a director in 1997.
He previously vied for the presidency on three occasions – narrowly losing out to Conde Riley in 2023, along with unsuccessful campaigns in 2007 and 2011 against former West Indies
I don’t listen to the outside noise
fast bowler Joel “Big Bird” Garner.
Hope thanked the membership for their support, while noting that he is humbled to lead the association from 2025 to 2027.
“I am elated, but also humbled to be given the opportunity to serve in this capacity. It is indeed an honour. There is a lot to be done, and I do pledge to the members that I will do my best and pull the board together in unity,” Hope said in his first address as president.
“We need to do some resetting, but we have to work on the strategic plan for our cricket. We would review the secretariat, making it more responsive. We want to build unity – that is the main focus in our cricket.
“We will have a board
West Indies head coach Daren Sammy
TAROUBA, Trinidad, (CMC) – West Indies head coach Daren Sammy said he is not concerned by the constant criticism which he faces and is only focused on moving the regional side forward in all formats.
Sammy made the comments following the West Indies’ historic One Day International (ODI) series victory over Pakistan on Tuesday, where they won the third and final ODI by a massive 202 runs to clinch the three-match series 2-1.
It was their first bilateral ODI series win
over their Asian opponents in 34 years, their first against them at home since 1988 and their first ODI series win in 2025.
However, the West Indies have endured a tough start to 2025.
They were swept by England 3-0 in both the ODI and T20I series, trounced 5-0 and 3-0 by Australia in the Test and T20I series respectively, and also lost the T20I series to Pakistan 2-1.
Those string of results led to numerous calls for Sammy to be
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meeting pretty quickly. We have to look at the commercial framework – how do we set up a commercial framework to fund cricket in Barbados in a very substantial way and for years to come,” he added.
Hope said a lack of opportunities for cricketers after the Under-19 level was a major issue for the BCA.
“After the Under-19 stage there is a little gap there in terms of getting to the Barbados team. We want to look at overseas tours, we want to look at outside of the normal fixturing, providing opportunities for the youth to continue playing together more competitive cricket, and most of all a lot of training, coaching and upping the ante for the training and the motivation of these players,”
he said.
Pointing out that he would draw on the expertise from cricket legends such as The Most Honourable Desmond Haynes and Garner, Hope maintained that past players still had a contribution to make.
Not to be forgotten, Hope also touched on women’s cricket.
“Women’s cricket is very high on the agenda as usual. We also need to get a formal setup in the school system for the female side of our cricket. That is a priority,” he said.
As the new BCA president, Hope will automatically serve on the Cricket West Indies (CWI) board of directors under current CWI president Kishore Shallow.
However, he chose not to comment on CWI’s re -
cent high-level emergency two-day summit held on August 10-11 in Trinidad and Tobago.
“To be honest with you I didn’t follow that, I was busy campaigning for this event. I can’t really comment on it,” Hope said.
Hope follows 11 former BCA presidents – Lt. Colonel William Bowring (1932-1943), Sir E Allan Collymore (1944-1958), T Noel Pierce (1959-1964), Eric Douglas C F Inniss (1965-1972), Captain Peter D Short (1973-1993), Cameron W Smith (1993-1996), KHL Tony Marshall (19961998) and (2005-2007), Sir Conrad Hunte (1999), Stephen M C Alleyne (20002004), Joel Garner (20072017), Conde Riley (20172025).
Test cricket could 'bankrupt' nations - Aussie CEO
THE traditional Test calendar could lead to bankruptcy for certain nations, Cricket Australia chief Todd Greenberg warned as he called for a slimmeddown schedule.
Greenberg wants quality prioritised over quantity to ensure a viable future for red-ball cricket.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently set up a working group to discuss the Test format and the potential to introduce a two-tier system.
"Scarcity in Test cricket is our friend, not our foe," said Greenberg.
"I don't think everyone in world cricket needs to aspire to play Test cricket,
Mohammed Siraj bowled India to an epic six-run win in the final Test against England to secure a 2-2 draw in their compelling series this summer
and that might be OK.
"We're literally trying to send countries bankrupt if we force them to try to play Test cricket."
Greenberg wants to see marquee series such as the Ashes between England and Australia - the 2025-26
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New BCA president, Calvin Hope