Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 15-04-2024

‘Peace should never be a negotiated issue’

–– President Ali says; encourages global harmony

–– says Guyana, despite its cultural, ethnic diversity, is a symbol of genuine love, peace

Resident doctors getting hands-on training in hip, knee-replacement surgeries

The

‘Internal, external’ challenges crippling PNC-R –– Forde stresses that problems exist not just at the helm but throughout the party as well

Guyana makes ‘remarkable’ progress in poultry production

–– moves closer to self-sufficiency with success of ‘hatching industry,’ Minister Mustapha says

No callous disruption to lives, continuous maintenance of infrastructure

––

Police destroy over $500M in cannabis in Berbice River

Minister Edghill affirms during engagement with persons directly impacted by the Sheriff Street-Orange Nassau road-widening project

surgeries served as a teaching opportunity for Registrars and Senior Resident Doctors to gain practical exposure to these procedures. The aim is to ensure adequate Joint Replacement Surgeons are placed at the Regional Hospitals, including those under construction, to reduce the backlog and prevent long waiting periods for patients

Guyana makes ‘remarkable’ progress in poultry production

moves closer to self-sufficiency with success of ‘hatching industry,’ Minister Mustapha

By Clestine Juan

AS Guyana works aggressively to meet its 2025 food production targets, the country is on the brink of achieving self-sufficiency in egg production backed by strategic initiatives and visionary leadership that promises to redefine its role not only domestically, but also regionally.

During a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, shed light on the monumental progress made in Guyana’s poultry sector.

Guyana imports about 53 million eggs annually, incurring a cost of $350 million. However, since the inception of the breeder programme in 2023, with a budget allocation of $50 million, Guyana has made remarkable progress in poultry production.

“This is a tremendous achievement for us because for the first time in the history of our country, we are able to produce hatching eggs,” he said.

Minister Mustapha noted that the initiative has already yielded impressive results, with over 27,000 hatching eggs produced in collaboration with the private sector.

Building on this success, the government aims to double production and further enhance the sector’s capacity

this year.

Reflecting on the inception of the breeder programme, Minister Mustapha remarked: “We started that programme last year. We had money in our budget last year, and we started that.”

This strategic investment has laid the foundation for a series of ground-breaking initiatives aimed at reducing dependence on imported hatching eggs and bolstering local production capacity.

“Last year, we partnered with one of the private sector members, and we produced over 27,000 hatching

‘Internal,

eggs,” Minister Mustapha said, highlighting that these collaborative efforts, like the corn and soya programme, have not only enhanced feed manufacturing capabilities but also paved the way for a more sustainable and resilient poultry industry.

The minister highlighted the government’s intention to collaborate with private individuals to establish tunnel houses penning which will be a cooler structure for the birds.

He added: “That programme will continue this year. I am hoping this year

we can double that production or even more after that.

The programme has started, it is going very well. We have breeders in the country, and they are now producing the eggs.”

Minster Mustapha said this is in keeping with President Irfaan Ali’s vision of inclusive development.

It is exemplified through initiatives like the Hatching Eggs Project, which seeks to empower communities and drive economic growth at the grassroots level.

In March 2022, President Ali made it clear that his

government will work with communities like St Cuthbert’s Mission to be part of the massive project.

His ambition to position Guyana as a regional hub for hatching egg production signified a paradigm shift in agricultural dynamics.

Minister Mustapha elaborated on this vision, stating: “We are also working on a programme now where we will create the hatching eggs right in Guyana.”

By harnessing the nation’s potential, Guyana aims to not only meet domestic demand but also emerge as a key player in the Caribbean region, offering a viable alternative to imported hatching eggs.

He said that the impacts of these developments extend beyond Guyana’s borders, benefitting the wider Caribbean region.

With the establishment of local hatching egg production facilities, he said, neighbouring countries will have access to a reliable and cost-effective source of poultry products.

“I am hoping, in time to come, we can produce all our hatching eggs… We are talking about reducing the food import bill by 25 per cent by the end of next year, all these will contribute to reducing the food import bill.

“With our food bill reduced, we can utilise the

says

money that we’ve been using to input them into other areas. So, they see the tremendous development for us and also the Caribbean,” Minister Mustapha said.

He said the “25 by 25” initiative in Guyana and the wider CARICOM region aims to reduce the region’s food-import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 with a focus on priority commodities such as poultry meat, hatching eggs, corn, rice, various meats, niche vegetables, coconuts, fruits, roots crops, herbs, and spices.

The minister pointed out that amidst these remarkable strides, challenges persist, notably the issue of labour shortages.

“We are employing more and more people, but this is another issue. We are now having a shortage of labour in the country that is the problem,” he said.

With job opportunities expanding in both the oil and gas industry and the non-oil sectors, the government encouraged Guyanese citizens to consider careers in agriculture.

“We need people now to get involved in these sectors. This is another opportunity for Guyanese to be involved in agriculture and be employed in agriculture and they can also branch out businesses in these areas,” he said.

external’ challenges crippling PNC-R

–– Forde stresses that problems exist not just at the helm but throughout the party as well

EFFORTS to cover up the blatant division and marginalisation within the camp of the People’s National Congress-Reform (PNC-R) have become futile, as senior members within the party are coming forward with their experiences and conclusions that the challenges run deep within the party.

The proverbial ant nest was raised last week when former PNC-R General Secretary Amna Ally declared that incumbent party leader Aubrey Norton is “unfit” to lead.

Rushing to Norton’s defence was PNC-R Chairman Shurwayne Holder who, in a Facebook post, said that he does not believe Ally has “the moral authority to say who is unfit to lead the party.”

After he had accused Ally of several infractions, Holder, during a press conference the next day, stood by his statements and asserted that he did not go overboard.

Despite this heavy blow to the party stalwart, Holder then declared that party business should not be aired

in the public domain and the party is unified.

However, after he landed this attack, several persons within the party have taken a firm stand and called out Norton for his leadership style, which has resulted in many individuals feeling as if they are being sidelined for not supporting the incumbent leader.

Since the launch of opposition member Roysdale Forde’s internal campaign, the party has been coming apart at its seams.

During an interview with

the Guyana Chronicle, Forde gave his blunt view on the matter and gave some insight into where the party is, especially with the escalating tensions.

He said of course there have been some tensions within the party since the launch of his internal campaign, then went on to speak about the state of the PNC-R.

“The party is facing a number of challenges, both externally and internally,”

Forde told this publication.

In keeping with his campaign, under the banner to

“regroup, refocus and rebuild,” he underscored that the PNC-R is not where it should be and a self-analysis and self-assessment is needed.

While the incumbent leader of the PNC-R has placed the party on a high pedestal and some of the individuals who surround him have stated that Norton has rebuilt the party, Forde said otherwise.

“I believe we can’t say that we are at our most

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha

‘Peace should never be a negotiated issue’

–– President Ali says; encourages global harmony

–– says Guyana, despite its cultural, ethnic diversity, is a symbol of genuine love, peace

By Feona Morrison

AMIDST global tension compounded by troubling events in various parts of the world, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has delivered a loud cry for global peace, emphasising the critical need for de-escalation in conflict-torn regions.

In a moving speech at the First Family’s annual Eid-ulFitr celebration on Saturday night, the Guyanese leader highlighted the seriousness of the situation in the Middle East, encouraging nations to prioritise diplomacy and co-operation in the pursuit of long-term peace.

He emphasised the profound unity that binds Guyanese together—a unity forged not only by different circumstances but by shared values and a deep-rooted passion for their nation.

As the festivities unfolded, President Ali took centre stage to reflect on the significance of bonds and the role they play in shaping the cultural fabric of Guyana.

Surrounded by a diverse audience including loved ones, and members of the Muslim community, he spoke with unwavering conviction

about the enduring strength derived from their collective heritage and aspirations.

“We are one family; we are the Guyanese family. A family brought together by different circumstances, but a family cemented by our shared values and passion, by our commitment and love for each other, by our tolerance for each other, by other obedience to the rule of law and by our recognition that we are a part of one wider human family,” the Guyanese leader said.

According to him, this recognition was further validated when the Guyanese community “collected more than $86 million for the people of Palestine.”

President Ali emphasised Guyana’s commitment to supporting and raising funds wherever a human family is in need, stating that “we live in a harsh world under harsh circumstances.”

“Why must peace be negotiated if we live a life of peace?” Dr. Ali questioned.

He said that peace should never be a negotiated issue, but rather the value system that each member of the human family lives by.

The Head of State added:

“The very fact that we live in a world where peace must be negotiated, tells of the psyche of the system in the world. And what is that system? Must there be war before peace or peace before war? It is an important question: Whether we pursue war and hope for peace or we pursue war and then negotiate for peace. Or do we pursue peace and make peace a fundamental pillar on which the world stands so war would not have a place in our societies?”

And if this is a key foundation upon which the world must stand, he stated, Guyana, a small country, must demonstrate that—despite our cultural and ethnic differences—we will be the greatest symbol of strength, hope, prosperity, opportunity, and genuine peace and love.

The Head of State said that Guyana has never supported injustice. He advised Guyanese to avoid rehashing the past.

“We have to recognise that the past must instruct our actions in the future. The past must provide the basis through which we make decisions in the future,” Dr Ali said.

He reasoned that one of

the most difficult challenges in resolving past injustices is convincing those responsible to own their mistakes and seek for forgiveness.

“You can’t claim to be a new democratic force unless you go through the process of acknowledging your sinful path, of acknowledging your injustices, of acknowledging all the things you would have done contrary to the rule of law and the democratic path. That’s not how it works,” President Ali said.

He stressed that for the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government, the presidency is more than simply a ceremonial office. He said it is a profound obligation to serve the people and leave a stronger, more united nation.

“I would do myself the greatest injustice if I leave this responsibility that I am humbled to have, with your support, in a worst way than I found it. If I do not do what is best and utilise all that is before me, all the tools and opportunities that are before me and before this government, to leave behind a country that is stronger and more united and a people that

care for each other.”

He implored everyone to love and care for one another, quoting the country’s motto: “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”

The event was attended by government ministers, members of the diplomatic corps, and businesspeople, among others.

Several Muslim community members received awards for their outstanding accomplishments in a variety of fields, including education, law, commerce, and religion.

President Dr Irfaan Ali

Resident doctors getting hands-on training in hip, knee-replacement surgeries

SEVERAL joint replacement procedures were recently conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

The procedures served as a training opportunity for resident doctors and registrars at the medical institution.

The surgeries, four knees and two hip replacements were led by Dr Kaaleshwar Ramcharran, Dr Fawcett Jeffrey and Dr Zhou Chou.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali congratulated the team, including the nurses and the rest of the technical team, who completed the procedures.

The surgeries also served as a teaching opportunity for Registrars and Senior Resident Doctors to gain practical exposure to these procedures.

“The aim is to ensure adequate Joint Replacement Surgeons are placed at the Regional Hospitals, including those under

construction, to reduce the backlog and prevent long waiting periods for patients,” Dr Ali said in a post on his official Facebook page.

Dr Ramcharran, in an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said: “We are hoping to train enough residents and when they graduate… we are hoping to get enough joint replacement surgeons to furnish all these [new] hospitals and, in the future, we can avoid this kind of backlog building up.”

He said that prior to last weekend’s activity, they were only able to accommodate two patients per week for these surgeries at GPHC based on the volume of surgeries that are happening at the hospital.

With this activity, resident doctors will now be able to experience these surgeries on a more frequent basis.

Additionally, Dr Ramcharran said that the aim is to move to develop a fel-

lowship programme to officially train these doctors, which would be approved by the University of Guyana to facilitate increased and official training in this area.

With several hospitals currently under construction across the country and expected to come on stream soon, this hands-on training will equip doctors who could be sent to these facilities to decentralise this type of service.

“So right now it’s more of a hands-on training for these guys, but to give you an exact time as to how long it will take to train one of them it all depends on how many cases we are able to get done and their availability,” Dr Ramcharran said.

He related that they are hoping to maintain the same posture and clear the backlog of surgeries, and also provides hands-on experience for the registrars and senior residents.

Several joint replacement procedures were recently conducted at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation

Police destroy over $500M in cannabis in Berbice River

drug eradication operations in the Berbice River region, resulting in the discovery and destruction of cannabis farms worth millions of dollars.

On April 12, 2024, a team of police, led by an Assistant Superintendent, conducted an eradication exercise at Wiruni, Berbice River.

During the operation, the team uncovered two farms suspected of cultivating narcotics. The first farm, spanning approximately 20 acres, contained a makeshift camp and drying area.

Police found approximately 1,200 lbs of dry cannabis, with an approximate street value of $489,879,360.00.

The second farm, covering about 10 acres, housed around 150,000 cannabis plants ranging from six to eight feet in height, valued at $50,820,000. Both farms were subsequently destroyed by the police team.

In a separate operation on April 13, 2024, an eradication exercise took place at Kaiwa

in the Upper Berbice River area.

During this operation, two cannabis farms were discovered and eradicated.

The first farm, approximately five acres in size, contained 1,000 seedlings planted on some beds, along with a nursery housing approximately 35,000 seedlings.

Additionally, a large camp was found with approximately 34.019 kilograms of dried cannabis, valued at $30,617,100.

Nearby, another farm spanning about two acres contained approximately 2,000 cannabis plants ranging from eight inches to four feet in height, with an estimated weight of 2,200 kilograms and an approximate street value of $338,800.

Both farms, along with the nursery and narcotics, were destroyed during the operation, with no arrests made.

According to the police these operations represent the ongoing efforts of the force to combat narcotics cultivation and trafficking in the region.

OVER the weekend, ranks of the Guyana Police Force conducted

Cannabis farms before it was destroyed by police

Changing Mindsets

IT is so often the case, both in the print and in the electronic media, that information that promotes national development gets bypassed in favour of sensational and bizarre reports.

This “dog-bites-man” approach to news seems much more preferable by the private media and is no doubt helpful from a marketing perspective. Development Support Communication is often ignored, especially by so-called “independent” media outlets in preference to those that are sensational.

This observation was made by President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali during a recent interview on Trinidad and Tobago’s CNC3 Morning Brew, during which he criticised what he referred to as a historical trap focused on corruption narratives in developing countries.

President Ali lamented the fact that rapid economic growth in developing countries is often overshadowed by assumptions of mismanagement.

“Whenever a country is doing well, especially a developing country, you will hear “your system is porous, there will be corruption or leakages,” but when you hear in the developed world that the country is growing by eight or nine per cent, some of our own journalists in the region use that as an example,” the President said.

President Ali could not have been more correct. We do not have to look far to see how development stories are being treated by the independent media. For the most part, such stories are either ignored, or if at all covered, are given only scant coverage. It is left to the state media to pick up, as

it were, the slack.

Yet developments, especially of a transformational nature, impact directly on the quality of life of people and as such are deserving of much more prominence than what is being provided by the private media. The construction of a new school or a state-of-the-art hospital has national implications and by any account is newsworthy. Yet many such stories are ignored by some sections of the media.

As pointed out by President Ali, it is time to change the media mindset among journalists and reporters, both at the national and international levels. Only recently President Ali had cause to correct a popular BBC journalist of “HARDtalk,” when he sought to misrepresent some salient aspects of our domestic situation.

The fact is that that such a mindset is often the result of preconceived

notions that developing nations cannot effectively manage rapid economic growth and are, therefore, vulnerable to exposure of one kind or the other.

In the case of Guyana, measures are in place to mitigate such exposure and modernise governance through a variety of measures, including digitisation and transparency. Indeed, much progress has already been made in terms of electronic governance with a view to align it with global technological shifts and enhanced democratic governance.

President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the PPP/C administration must be commended for their visionary and forward-thinking initiatives of bringing government to the people and vice versa through the use of cutting-edge technologies and enhanced governance systems.

Reflecting on the neglect of agriculture under the APNU+AFC

Dear Editor,

THE agriculture industry in Guyana has seen a significant decline under the governance of the APNU+AFC government from 2015 to 2020.

Various sectors within agriculture, including the fishing industry, sugar industry, rice industry, and exports, have all suffered during this time.

The fishing industry, once a thriving sector in Guyana, has seen a sharp decline in recent years. Poor management and lack of investment have led to a decrease in fish production and a loss of income for fishermen.

The APNU+AFC government failed to support the fishing industry, leading to a decrease in employment oppor-

tunities and a negative impact on the economy. As a result of their lackluster approach to such an important sector, the PPP/C government has been on a “clean-up campaign” to get the industry back on track, an approach which has been successful thus far.

The sugar industry, which was once the backbone of Guyana’s economy, had also experienced a decline under the APNU+AFC government. The closure of several sugar estates and the privatisation of the industry have resulted in job losses and a decrease in sugar production.

This has had a ripple effect on the economy, impacting farmers, workers, and the overall agricultural sector. You cannot blindly say that agriculture per-

formed well under their stewardship but they suddenly have all the ideas on what they will do for the people of Guyana, we all can see through the incompetence.

The rice industry, another key sector in Guyana, had faced challenges under the APNU+AFC government. Poor market conditions, lack of government support, and increased production costs had led to a decrease in rice production and exports. This had hurt farmers and the economy as a whole, as people struggled to make ends meet.

Exports of agricultural products also declined. Poor diplomatic relations with key trading partners, lack of investment in infrastructure, and inadequate support for farmers all contribut-

ed to a decrease in exports. This had a detrimental effect on the economy and nearly four years later, PPP/C is still trying to clean up the APNU+AFC’s mess.

Overall, the decline in agriculture under the APNU+AFC government has had a cascading impact on the economy and livelihoods of farmers and workers in Guyana.

The government continues to take swift and decisive action to support and revitalise the agriculture sector to ensure its sustainability and growth in the future.

Sincerely, Edson Harris

A former APNU Sympathiser

‘Internal, external’ challenges crippling ...

optimum position,” he said, while emphasising that this is not necessarily just at the party’s helm, but throughout its body.

Forde, in a statement on Saturday, also stated that the rising level of discourse within the party is not falling on deaf ears.

He addressed Holder’s statements towards Ally and underscored that as party chairman better is expected from him.

As Forde reminded him of his duties, he said: “In such a high office where much is given much is expected. His is the duty to demonstrate and cultivate respect for those who would have served the party from its years when it was seen as a towering force of political power to its current position

as a government in waiting. Our party comrades must be committed to respect each other.”

Turning his attention to Norton, Forde stated: “We would all expect no less position taken by the party leader, for he himself will expect nothing less from us...we must not chose [sic] intolerance and disruption over peaceful and democratic engagement and the rule of law.”

As it relates to allegations of division within the party, Ally had said that despite Holder accusing her of attempting to divide the party, this is not true.

“I would never try to divide the party; it is them… The first thing they did was to dismantle the party structure in all the

regions,” she said, adding: “That’s why he couldn’t contest the Local Government Elections, because he ain’t got no structure in the regions for people to do the work.”

Further, while allegations of racism in the party are not new, former Mayor of Georgetown and PNC-R member Ubraj Narine, on Friday, called for the party to address the concerns raised by “loyal members who feel marginalised because of their Indian heritage, or desire to challenge the party’s leadership.”

In support of this sentiment, Ally referenced two situations, the first having to do with Geeta Chandan-Edmond being forced to resign as PNC-R General Secretary. Chandan-Edmond reportedly

GHK Lall appears to be out of touch with Guyana’s reality

Dear Editor,

I FOUND GHK Lall’s opinion piece in the Kaieteur News of April 13, 2024, intriguing, particularly the focus on Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton purportedly “getting in the groove.”

However, I must respectfully disagree with Lall’s assessment. Norton’s purported momentum seems out of sync with the realities of Guyana.

Additionally, GHK Lall appears to be out of touch with Guyana’s reality also. Which groove is the Opposition Leader Norton getting into and building momentum? First, Norton cannot get into the face of anyone, especially President Ali and Vice President Jagdeo. Norton is a junior to both PPP leaders.

Our two leaders have a track record of programme, policy, prosperity, and the direction they are taking Guyana. Norton has zero accomplishments in comparison. Mr. Lall, please be true to yourself and tell Guyana what Norton has done for the Guyanese people. Even his party rejected him when they were in government.

Norton was attached to Youth, Sports and Culture, providing only so-called advice of no significance. As the Opposition Leader, Norton’s press conferences are empty; he has no policy direction and simply keeps clutching at straws.

Mr. Lall, did you see the leadership from the Vice President when he was an Opposition Leader? This is precisely why the PPP is in power today.

Dr. Jagdeo leads from the front, fighting for a better life for the Guyanese people. More is given, and more is expected. If Norton cannot bring unity to his party and hold a long-overdue congress, how could he win an election? Not by wishful thinking.

As Amana Ally beautifully said, Norton is unfit to be a leader, comes across as a racist,

resigned from her post after growing concerns that she was not allowed to fully function in her capacity as General Secretary.

Sources familiar with the situation had told the Guyana Chronicle that Chandan-Edmond had “endured” a lot before throwing in the proverbial towel.

Secondly, Ally referenced the former PNC-R Treasurer Faaiz Mursaline, who, in a previous interview with this publication, had said from the time he assumed the position of elected treasurer he was made to sign blank cheques with no supporting documents. In November 2022, he signed as many as

20 blank cheques.

“It is clear that he [Norton] sidelines everybody,” she said, adding: “Since Norton come in, he says one thing but he does something else and it is clear, I just told you about all those resignations, all are Indian. So, what reflection does it give?”

and does not understand the importance of accountability and transparency.

It is a shame that Aubrey Norton was once a part-time professor at the university teaching Political Science. Rather than focusing on constructive dialogue, he has chosen to take the low road, resorting to name-calling and finger-pointing. And for what? To what end does this endless barrage of criticism serve? Certainly not for the betterment of Guyana.

While Norton may think he’s striking at the heart of the issue, in reality, he is out of touch with Guyana’s reality. Just look at his presentation and those of other opposition MPs in parliament; there is nothing of substance.

They only serve to divide the country.

Furthermore, Norton’s obsession with oil as the be-all and end-all of Guyana’s problems is misguided. While it’s true that the oil industry plays a significant role in the country’s economy, numerous other issues warrant attention.

Instead of fixating on oil and a bad contract that his party signed, Norton would do well to broaden his scope and work with the government to bring tangible solutions to better the lives of the Guyanese people.

Regarding Norton’s assertion that he represents the people, one has to wonder whose interests he serves. His confrontational approach may appeal to a certain population segment, but it does little to foster meaningful change. Rather than engaging in petty politics, Norton should focus on building bridges and finding common ground.

Norton’s relentless attacks on the PPP Government are not only unproductive but also damaging to Guyana’s reputation.

It’s time for him to put aside his vendettas and work towards genuine solutions for the country.

Yours truly, Howard Samaroo

Ukraine, Israel’s bombing of Iranian property

UNDER the Geneva Convention, diplomatic missions are sacred territory.

The world will have no moments of stability if the police of a host country can barge into a diplomatic mission. It becomes tit for tat and chaos ensues all over the world.

The police waited outside the Ecuadorian embassy in London for years waiting for Julian Assange to come out to arrest him because they could

not go in. Diplomatic premises are foreign territory that come under the jurisdiction of the foreign government and not the host country. If a country sends a jet fighter over its neighbour’s territory to bomb a foreign mission then it is bombing that country’s property.

Amidst its six-month-old battles in the Gaza, Israel did the unthinkable and bombed the Iranian consulate in Syria killing 13 persons including

people that had diplomatic status thus protected by the Geneva Convention. The bombing is by far the largest extension of the Gaza crisis so far. So why did Israel go in that direction.

The world has not been getting the cluster of hard facts about Israel’s presence in Gaza and the battles between Israel and Hezbollah. The Western media carry reports of Israeli causalities in Gaza and on the Lebanese border from reports issued to them from the Israeli army. But the reporting does not reflect the weakened position of the Israeli armed forces. A reliable source of the fighting in Gaza and on the Lebanese border is from the Hindustan Times out of India.

Israel has lost the battle in Gaza. To date, there are no captured Hamas fighters paraded for the world to see. To date, there have been no pictures of the top Hamas leaders who have been captured. What Israel has done in Gaza is the demolition of the Palestinian world in Gaza. They are simply targeting Gaza as a place where Palestinian live and are destroying the entire place.

It is vendetta for the incursion by Hamas militants in Israel on October 7. On the battle on the ground, Israel has suffered immense casualties but it cannot be reported because it would damage Israel’s credibility in the world (it is already damaged beyond repair) and generate low morale inside Israel. On the Lebanese border, the Israelis have suffered immense casualties too. But that cannot be reported because it would drive fear in the settlements near the border.

What Israel wants is a way out of its defeat in Gaza. The only alternative is to widen the war by dragging the Americans into it and they are about to do that. The American president has said, in anticipation of an Iranian attack, that the US is committed to protect Israel.

If Iran attacks Israel and the US responds, the story of Israel’s defeat in Gaza is removed from the world’s attention. Israel wants a war because it knows that the US would not stand by and allow Iran to pulverize Israel. The statistical differences between the two armies favour Iran.

Here is where international relations enter the picture and graphically so. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Western countries asked the world to condemn the Russia’s violation of international law. The Global South voted against Russia in the UN. During the war, the West kept pressuring the global South to be more proactive in condemning Russia.

It was in this situation, the Indian foreign minister became the darling of the Global South when he noted that Europe does not see the world’s problems as Europe’s problems, but Europe wants the world to see Europe’s problems as the world’s problem. Then came Gaza and the double standards in international relations were so ugly that the Ukrainians lost whatever solidarity the Global South had given.

In the West’s complete and emotional support for what Israel was doing in Gaza including Israel committing genocide, the Global South asked why it must continue to condemn Russia when the West supports genocide in Gaza. The testing point came when South Africa took Israel to the world court accusing it of genocide. All the Western countries rejected the South African accusation. From here on, the justified plea of Ukraine got lost. Today, sound of Ukrainian plea is confined only to the Western world. The world has arrived at a debating point.

If Ukraine has a right to defend itself from an attack from Russia, isn’t Iran entitled to the same right? How can Israel bomb an Iranian diplomatic mission and Iran cannot and is not allowed to fight back?

Why the right to fight back is only granted to the Ukrainians? If Iran fights back and the US enters the fray then you don’t need complex logic to educate you into the knowledge that certain countries have no rights under international laws.

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.

A failure of imagination

IT was July 26, 2015 at the Safaricom Indoor Arena in Nairobi, Kenya where US President, Barack Obama, spoke to a packed stadium, an event which was televised live and became history’s most watched speech on the continent of Africa.

Obama intoned: “A politics based solely on tribe and ethnicity is a politics that is doomed to tear a country apart, it is a failure - a failure of imagination.”

This statement is a powerful statement of caution to Guyanese opposition politicians. Opposition politics has descended into single issue activism. As you read think back over the recent past, have you heard anything else coming out of the opposition other that talks and accusations of racial discrimination?

I am not referring to those fringe matters that flare up from time to time and get treated as peripheral issues. I am referring to the opposition’s sustained core issue over time. It’s a one-horse pony.

The opposition sees race in everything, there is race relations even in the daily sunshine. This approach to politics worked very well in the past. When this issue was coupled with corruption, the dual platform rallied many across the country and might have been one of the chief reasons why the PPP/C lost government in 2015.

Several officials of the PPP, including Vice President Jagdeo, admitted that the PPP/C was complacent with its handling, messaging and general response to allegations and might have dropped the political ball, leading to increased disillusionment with the PPP/C government.

As such, the opposition coalition capitalised on this low morale and swept into power with high expectations of unearthing massive corruption and correcting widespread discrimination.

The coalition rapidly lost popularity as they were unable to provide any credible evidence of corruption or a single tangible policy for racial affirmative action while in power. People soon realised that there is a difference between salacious accusations and presentation of materials with evidential value; the collation was placed squarely back in the benches of the opposition.

Now that the smoke and mirrors regarding corruption have been removed, the opposition latched on to deeply-held historical ethnic fears to continually drum up allegations of racial discrimination.

Abraham Lincoln succinctly prosed

that, “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time.”

This is the quagmire of the APNU+AFC coalition. People are realising day by day that they are being fed a lot of empty political calories. This is causing membership and general support attrition among traditional ethnic voting blocs.

We need not look any further than the 2023 Local Government Elections (LGE) for some evidence. Areas where PPP was previously unable to even find lists of candidates much less muster seats have made notable shifts to the PPP/C. This was a nationwide pattern in PNC/R strongholds. The results of LGE 2023 do not represent social polling or political expectation and analysis; it also does not represent social media following.

Instead, it represents real ballot box support for the PPP in places where none existed in the past. These are newly converted voters that did not exist at any elections prior to 2023.

Though LGE2023 was a low turnout affair, the trends are clear, the PPP gained an average of over 12 per cent voter conversion in hardcore PNC/R strongholds such as South Georgetown, including Agricola.

The PPP picked up new votes in Mocha Arcadia, New Amsterdam, Linden and other areas in several other regions including Region Seven. For argument’s sake let’s temper this number for the upcoming 2025 General Election; assuming that many areas that are not part of the LGE demarcations have no shifts. Also, with a bigger General Election turnout, we can also assume that new PPP vote gains has a threshold and the PNC support base can overwhelm it.

Sticking with the trends already observed in the LGE areas, this will essentially wither the 12 per cent voter shift to about eight per cent. Using Coalition returns of 218,000 at the 2020 General Elections, that will represent 17,000 votes. A hemorrhage of 17,000 votes will account for two or more seats shifting to the PPP/C.

APNU is currently suffering from the “failure of imagination” debacle. On the part of the APNU, its supporters and cheerleaders, they have to evolve from the current monotonic messaging of racism and discrimination.

Clearly this strategy is unimaginative, overworked and unappealing even to its own supporters.

Health Ministry engaging international partners on use of Brachytherapy locally

–– as part of cervical cancer action plan

THE Ministry of Health, and by extension the Government of Guyana, is in talks with international partners to introduce the use of Brachytherapy in Guyana as part of the plan to expand cancer care locally.

This was according to Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, during his address at the launch of the Action Plan for the elimination of Cervical Cancer in Guyana 2024-2030.

As he spoke on the aspect of care and treatment of this

type of cancer, which is the second most prevalent cancer among women, Dr Anthony said that some patients require Brachytherapy as part of their care.

Brachytherapy, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, is a radiation therapy that is

given directly into the body and is placed as close to the cancer as possible. This type of radiation is given with the use of tiny devices like wires, rods or seeds filled with radioactive materials.

While the minister noted that Brachytherapy treatment is currently unavailable in the country, commitments have been made to ensure this is pursued.

“We don’t have Brachytherapy available in the country but this is one of the commitments we have made as a country to ensure that we can provide Brachytherapy so we are in the process right now,” he said.

Dr Anthony disclosed that the ministry has been in talks with its partners like Mount Sinai on what a Brachytherapy Unit should look like and the type of equipment that will be needed to furnish such a department.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony (Delano Williams photo)

“Once we get that type of information then we will put that into motion, in terms of building a building, buying the equipment, setting this up and ensuring we can offer those services in Guyana,” the Health Minister said.

Just two months ago, the minister said that the ministry is aiming to expand overall

cancer screening, testing and care services across the country to reduce the morbidity and mortality rates. At that time, he indicated that the ministry was planning to introduce Brachytherapy and noted that they would soon start the process of getting this done.

Driver dead, passenger injured after car crashes into utility pole

POLICE are investigating a fatal accident which occurred on Sunday along No. 36 Village, Corentyne, Berbice, after a man lost control of his motorcar and collided with a nearby utility pole.

Dead is Troy Trevor Elias of Cromarty Farm Corentyne, Berbice, while his passenger, Mark Anderson, 34, of Mibicuri South, Black Bush Polder, Corentyne, Berbice, survived the crash with injuries.

According to a police release, the accident occurred at about 05:45 hours on Sunday while Elias was driving motor car PGG 3721 which is owned by Deborah Campbell of Gibraltar Corentyne, Berbice.

“Initial investigation revealed that motor car # PGG 3721 was proceeding at a high rate of speed south along the eastern lane…with the occupant seated in the front passenger seat when the driver lost control of the vehicle and collided with a

utility pole on the eastern side of the road and spun several times before coming to a halt,” the release stated.

Eyewitnesses reported that the driver appeared unconscious, while the passenger was semi-conscious following the accident.

The men were taken out of the vehicle by publicspirited citizens, placed into a police pickup and rushed to

the Skeldon Public Hospital.

Upon arrival at the hospital, Elias was pronounced dead, while Anderson was seen by a doctor. He is currently receiving medical attention, and his condition is regarded as stable.

Elias’ body is presently at the said hospital’s mortuary awaiting post-mortem examination as police investigations continue.

The mangled motor car

Over 300 children living with disabilities, orphans experience wonders of the circus

–– through initiative of First Lady, Mexico’s Ambassador

AROUND 300 children from orphanages and Special Education Needs schools across Guyana had the opportunity to experience the thrill of the Suarez Brothers’ Circus first-hand on Sunday, through a collaborative effort between First Lady Mrs Arya Ali and Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana, Mauricio Vizcaíno Crespo.

The activity formed part of the First Lady’s Adopt-an-Orphanage initiative, which aims to provide financial and psychosocial support to children in institutional care.

The children were treated

to a spectacular display of performing arts, acrobatics, and comedy from one of the main attractions – the clowns. It was evident that the activity was one which was thoroughly enjoyed by the children whose faces beamed with joy throughout the show.

The children also enjoyed Mexican snow cone and popcorn, which were provided to them during the show.

“Providing vulnerable children with opportunities like these is very important for their holistic development. It improves their emotional well-being and their social

skills, which impact their ability to lead independent, successful lives,” the First Lady said.

More than that, she said that the President’s One Guyana platform speaks directly to the inclusion of every Guyanese and every group at every level of society.

“Our children, regardless of their circumstance or situation, must be included in activities which ordinary Guyanese are able to enjoy. They must be able to share similar experiences and be able to feel included in our society,” Mrs Ali stressed.

For his part, Ambassador Vizcaíno who facilitated the activity, said that he was delighted to be part of an initiative which helps to put a smile on the faces of children and adds value to their lives.

“For Mexico it is a great honour to share the talent and work of the artists of the Suarez Brothers’ Circus with all our Guyanese friends, but specially with this group of wonderful girls and boys who had the opportunity to come from different parts of Guyana to enjoy the show,” the Ambassador shared.

He credited the First Lady and her office for partnering with the Mexican Embassy in Georgetown to host what he described as a special activity for Guyana’s children.

The orphanages which currently benefit from the Adopt-an-Orphanage initiative ,include: Joshua House Children Centre, Bless the Children’s Home, Ruimveldt Children’s Home, St. John Bosco Orphanage, Shaheed’s Boys Orphanage, Shaheed’s Girls Orphanage, St. Ann’s Orphanage, Prabhu Sharan Orphanage, Hope Children’s

Home, Red Cross Convalescent and Canaan Children’s Home.

The special needs schools which participated in today’s activity were: Resource Unit for Special Needs Children in Linden, Beterverwagting Special Education Centre, New Amsterdam Special Needs School, East Bank Special Needs School, and Schoonord Learning Centre for Diverse Needs.

The Suarez Brothers Circus out of Mexico is one of the more popular circuses in the world, featuring more than 30 different acts.

Around 300 children from orphanages and Special Education Needs schools across Guyana had the opportunity to experience the thrill of the Suarez Brothers’ Circus first-hand on Sunday, through a collaborative effort between First Lady Mrs Arya Ali and Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana, Mauricio Vizcaíno Crespo

Maxido: Unique self-defence

AFTER my most recent article on “domestic violence plaguing our society,” Avery “Max” Massiah reached out to tell me about a system of self-defence - Maxido – named after him and created by him especially for “the vulnerable and disadvantaged.”

And after my visit to his dojo in the compound of the Crichlow Labour College, I have no doubt about the veracity of his claim that the Maxido Street-Defence System is not only unique, but ranks among the best in the world.

I also understand why he says: “It is brutal and it is not for kids.” The system is designed for participants between the ages of 20 - 90 years old and is structured to break bones and dislocate joints.

Encounters generally last no longer than four seconds

for, as Massiah laughingly explains, he does not want the elderly, in particular, tiring themselves out with lengthy exchanges.

His students hail from all walks of life and ethnic groups, but currently his oldest is 80 years old, and he is confident that she and the 400 others he has taught over the years, are totally capable of fending off attacks in little more than the blink of an eye.

“I do not teach my students to fight, I teach them to defend themselves,” he said. However, he also instructs them not to be “triggered” by hostile words and in fact to “beg” would be attackers to leave them alone.

“But once you try to harm us that’s when you have a problem,” he cautioned.

Maxido differs from other martial arts styles in that it leaves attackers in need

of medical attention and ensures that they cannot resume their attack.

“We don’t leave you until we take one of your arms out,” Massiah declares, adding: “It’s effective self-defence.”

He pointed out that the arms are the most destructive limbs in an attack and thus, the defence is aimed at incapacitating them and preventing any further hostility.

My visit to the dojo showed me just how fast and effective these defensive moves are against anything from an aggressor, grabbing an arm or using a choke-hold to attack with a weapon.

I watched women defend themselves against men who were taller, heavier and in some cases younger than them. They did this with ease, actually slowing down moves so that I could see the stages and doing this out of necessity, so that they would

not injure the colleague acting as the attacker.

I also saw Max Massiah’s impressive array of awards, including the one which earned him the ti -

tle of “Soke” -- teacher of teachers. A Grand Master himself, Soke Massiah is an eight-time Hall of Famer, seven-time Honoree in the Hall of Honour and was inducted twice into the Hall of

Champions.

He is internationally recognised and acclaimed and his list of associates reads like a “Who’s Who” of the martial arts world, including leading martial arts exponents, Cynthia Rothrock, Michael Jai White and “Silver Fox.”

He also “rubs shoulders” with the original Ip Man, whose story became a movie series with martial artist, Donnie Yen, playing the part.

Participants of Maxido -- recognised here, in the US, Canada and Cuba -- are awarded belts and certificates according to the level of difficulty they undertake and subject to success at a final test.

This awesome style of self-defence is tailor-made for real encounters on the streets, even while sitting or lying down. A seeming disadvantage is so swiftly reversed that it can take

the attacker completely by surprise.

And in a chilling statement Soke Massiah, with 52 years of experience in the study and practice of martial arts, says, “If seven out of every 10 murdered women had learnt an effective form of self-defence, at least five of them would be alive today.”

So all of you ladies, abused or not, take note. Maxido, though founded in a Brooklyn church seven years ago, is available here in Guyana to help you take back your power by defending yourselves against those who would do you harm.

Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17:30hrs – 20:00hrs, and Saturdays from 13:00 hrs – 16:00hrs in the compound of the Critchlow Labour College. You can call/Whatsapp Max Massiah on 609 - 8132.

Additional theatres, imaging suite for Lethem Hospital

THE Lethem Regional Hospital in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is slated for a major upgrade, including brand-new operating theatres and an imaging suite.

This initiative is in line with the government’s broader plan to enhance healthcare infrastructure nationwide.

Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, disclosed this development, on Wednesday, during his visit to the region for the commissioning of a new laboratory.

“We have a plan that we are working on right now and that is to extend, or, more so, develop a brand-new section of this Lethem Hospital.

“So, we have just completed the designs and we have already advertised for persons to bid to do the job,” the Health Minister said.

Following the tendering process, construction will begin promptly. The imaging suite will facilitate ultrasound and x-ray examinations, as well as house a CT scan machine.

The introduction of the CT scan machine aims to reduce the travel expenses of residents who currently need to travel to Georgetown for

such scans.

Additionally, it will enable the hospital to conduct various complex imaging procedures that are typically

performed at better-equipped facilities.

“Right now, in the public sector, we have one CT scan machine at the Georgetown

Hospital. We have one at Bartica and New Amsterdam, and these were through donations that we received years ago that were never put into operation until we came into government,” Minister Anthony stated.

The minister emphasised that the government is committed to procuring stateof-the-art machines for the benefit of the people.

With the introduction of these new services in the healthcare sector, Minister Anthony encouraged residents to take advantage of the training opportunities available to contribute to the transformation of healthcare in the region.

These developments are funded by the $110 billion allocated to the health ministry in this year’s budget, a substantial portion of which will be invested in infrastructure. (DPI)

Police Force gets $700M infrastructural upgrades in Regions Six, Five and Four

WITH significant investments being made across various sectors of the country, the Guyana Police Force is currently executing projects totalling over $700 million in Regions Six, Five, and Four.

These capital projects aim to enhance facilities, equipment, and training opportunities for law enforcement personnel.

The projects are progressing rapidly. In Region Six, construction is underway for a new Divisional Headquarters, valued at $228 million. This project is 28 per cent completed.

Upon conclusion, the building will feature modern amenities tailored for effective policing, including specialised rooms for child-friendly interviews, handling sexual offense/ domestic violence cases, and holding cells for both juveniles and adults, among other essential departments.

In Region Five, construction is ongoing for the Mahaicony and Weldaad Police Stations, with budgets of $111 million and $140 million respectively. These projects are currently at 20 per cent and 30 per cent completion rates.

Additionally, an $80 million state-of-the-art Information Technology (IT) Training Complex is being constructed at the Fort Wellington Police Station, nearing completion at 90 per cent. This complex will serve as a technological hub for police ranks to upgrade their skills, contributing to their professional development.

As part of the ‘Safe Country’ initiative, a command centre is being established in the region to enhance overall security operations. This project, 95 per cent complete, is costing approximately $41 million.

The centre is expected to significantly improve community safety and security through efficient law enforcement deployment, multi-agency response coordination, and enhanced security coordination for public events.

In Region Four, reconstruction work is ongoing at the Sparendaam Police Station, with a budget exceeding $122 million.

This facility, estimated to be 90 per cent complete, will include living quarters for male and female officers, accommodation for senior officers, and key departments such as a Traffic Department and a modern Criminal Investigative Department (CID).

Furthermore, construction of a new $25 million living quarter at the Cove and John Police Station on the East Coast Demerara is at 90 per cent completion, with remaining works including interior floor finishing and completion of the external shed.

The Beterverwagting Police Station will soon benefit from a new $17 million bridge, which is 93 per cent complete. This bridge will facilitate smooth traversing of police vehicles during emergencies.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Andre Ally, recently conducted an inspection of the projects. He noted that these infrastructural developments will significantly enhance the force’s capabilities.

The substantial investments in the security sector underscore the government’s commitment to providing improved living and working conditions for police ranks, ultimately leading to enhanced service delivery nationwide.

In this year’s budget, $30.3 billion was allocat-

ed to the Guyana Police Force, with $5.4 billion earmarked for revolutionising the force’s infrastructure. (DPI)

No callous disruption to lives, continuous maintenance of infrastructure

–– Minister Edghill affirms during engagement with persons directly impacted by the Sheriff Street-Orange Nassau road-widening project

CITIZENS across the country continue to express their appreciation for the infrastructural advancements taking place in communities throughout the country.

During his latest meeting with residents along the East Coast of Demerara in direct contact with the East Coast widening road project from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, reiterated that the government was working to ensure

that projects are completed on time and with as little inconvenience to citizens as possible.

At his first meeting at Cummings Lodge/Industry, Minister Edghill interacted with residents and reassured them that the government would not just take away anybody’s land without engaging them first. He said if someone’s property is in the way of the project, there is a process to follow.

According to the minister: “I am the Minister of

Public Works who is responsible for the acquisition of lands for the public good, so if I have to take up a piece of your yard for the road to pass or for the drains, you will be compensated for it based on a procedure that is outlined in the law.

“If there is a dispute where the reserve starts and ends and you have a transport or a title that shows that what we call the reserve is your land, there is only one way to resolve that, you will bring your transport and

During his latest meeting with residents along the East Coast of Demerara in direct contact with the East Coast widening road project from Sheriff Street to Orange Nassau, Minister of Public Works, Bishop Juan Edghill, reiterated that the government is working to ensure that projects are completed on time and with as little inconvenience to citizens as possible

we will get the ministry’s surveyor, as well as the contractor surveyor, to do the measurement to make sure we establish the boundary. Nobody will be affected without due process.”

At the Better Hope meeting, Minister Edghill addressed similar concerns raised by residents, reassuring everyone that inconveniences will be as minimal as possible. He said bridges that have been dismantled will be restored.

“Fixing these bridges is part of the contractual obligation. From now on and going forward, if a contractor digs up an area, they have to fix it, they cannot leave it for months, [contractors] if you dig up an area, you have to continuously work until the work is complete,” Minister Edghill said.

At the Beehive meeting, the minister and his team addressed the health concerns of residents after hearing complaints of increased dust in the community due to the ongoing project.

“We need to have a systematic sequential operation suppressing the dust to a minimal level. Without construction there will be dust on the road, but the construction has magnified the problem, [so] let’s solve this now, the consultant and my staff need to log the wetting, so we will have the necessary information, we will know it is being done,” Minister Edghill said.

Meanwhile, on the matter of relocating a non-operating shop in the path of the project, the minister has offered

to have the contracting team relocate the shop; however, the owners have declined this offer asking instead for financial assistance to do the moving themselves.

In response, Minister Edghill noted that though the shop is on the government reserve, the government is not opposed to assisting financially, once the cost of the move is not exorbitant. The family has agreed to present an estimate to the ministry’s consultant in one week.

Minister Edghill wrapped up Saturday’s outreach with a final meeting with residents of Blygezight, on the Railway Embankment, who had similar concerns as the other communities.

Climate, gender, innovation are top priorities for FAO-North America collaboration

–– FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, highlights in address to Informal North America Regional Conference in Ottawa

THE climate crisis, gender equality and innovation are three priorities that should guide the cooperation between Canada, the United States, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) over the next two years.

This was the message from FAO Director-General, QU Dongyu, on Tuesday, as he addressed the opening of the 8th edition of the Informal North America Regional Conference (INARC), which takes place in Ottawa and is being hosted by the Canadian government.

Qu began by thanking the two governments for their ongoing support since the inception of FAO, nearly 80 years ago, before expressing his gratitude for their support in the approval of a 5.6 percent increase to FAO’s regular programme budget – the first such increase in 12 years.

“Considering the difficult economic conditions globally, it is worth noting that your support to FAO has been historically high over the past two years. To me, this shows that confidence in FAO is being restored, and is an undeniable recognition of our important contribution to global food security,” Qu said via video link from FAO’s headquarters in Rome.

The Director-General reminded the conference about his efforts to improve transparency in FAO’s governance arrangements, as well as his focus on re-creating FAO as “an agile, action-oriented fit-for-purpose Organization, capable of innovating and finding solutions to the ongoing global challenges.”

Such challenges include persistently high food prices, economic slowdowns, and the climate crisis, which disproportionally affect the

most vulnerable. The continuing war in Ukraine, as well as conflicts and increasing humanitarian crises – such as in Gaza, Afghanistan, Haiti, the Sudan, and Yemen - are also of “great concern.”

duced inequalities, especially gender equality; science, innovation and technology; and climate, biodiversity and the environment.

Empowering youth and women is imperative for agrifood systems transformation and sustainable rural development, Qu said.

This is the reasoning behind the launch by FAO of two reports dedicated to

Together with its partners, FAO is providing technical and agricultural support to bring relief, rebuild, and restore agricultural production.

“FAO is committed to pursuing new innovative pathways to transform global agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable,” Qu said.

Its Four Betters - better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life - are the pillars of the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31 and the pathway for us to ensure that no one is left behind, the Director-General said.

COOPERATION PRIORITIES

The Informal North America Regional Conference takes place every two years.

While it is not an official part of the FAO governing body process, it offers a vital opportunity for indepth discussions with two of FAO’s most active and supportive members.

According to the Director-General, the collaboration between FAO, Canada and the United States over the next two years should focus on three key areas: Rural transformation and re-

gender equality and inclusion – “The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems” and “The Unjust Climate” – which provide new data and evidence on the need to invest in gender equality. In this context, FAO has established an Office of Youth and Women to mainstream this important work, Qu said.

Innovation, together with science and technology, are seen as key accelerators to enhance effectiveness and impact and are now front and centre in all of FAO’s efforts, Qu said.

Finally, the idea that transformed agrifood systems can be a solution to the climate crisis is behind FAO’s Global Roadmap on Achieving SDG2 without breaching the 1.5C threshold. The roadmap provides a holistic strategy for countries to make policy decisions and innovative actions to address the issues of hunger and climate.

FAO’s work is focused on supporting Members to build resilience so that especially the most vulnerable can prevent, and cope with, crises and shocks, particularly women,

youth, Indigenous Peoples, and marginalised communities – all areas where Canada and the United States have been supportive, Qu said. This also includes FAO’s commitment to the One Health agenda to help, detect and respond

to emerging disease threats globally.

“We rely on the ongoing support from Canada and the United States to continue building these already strong and longstanding partnerships,” Qu said. “Together, as

partners, we can realise the original vision of your leaders after World War II for establishing the Food and Agriculture Organization and for defining our mandate and mission for a world free from hunger and malnutrition.” (FAO)

Joseph endures rough IPL start as LSG lose to KKR

CMC – Fast-bowling sensation Shamar Joseph endured a rough initiation into the Indian Premier League on Sunday as his Lucknow Super Giants crashed to an eight-wicket defeat to Sunil Narine and Andre Russell’s Kolkata Knight Riders. The 24-year-old, who

AMERICAN RACING TIPS WILL ROGERS DOWNS

Race 1 Always A King

Race 2 Disco Danzing

Race 3 Waverunner

Race 4 Lake Bee

Race 5 Sweet Baker

ENGLISH RACING TIPS

KELSO

09:00 hrs Alnilam

09:30 hrs Both Barrels

10:00 hrs Largy Train

10:30 hrs No Risk Des Flos

11:00 hrs Eire Street

11:30 hrs Celestial Fashion

12:00 hrs Soldier Of Rock

12:35 hrs Olly Murphy

WINDSOR

09:20 hrs Maximum Impact

09:50 hrs King Of Light

10:20 hrs Harper’s Ferry

10:50 hrs Dear Daphne

11:20 hrs Sergeant Pep

11:50 hrs Perseverants

12:20 hrs Phoenix Passion

12:50 hrs Fast Steps

13:20 hrs Jameelaty

KEMPTON

12:30 hrs Reyaadah Star

13:00 hrs Lady Flora

13:30 hrs Clara Pearl

14:00 hrs Soar Above

14:30 hrs Wonder Smile

15:00 hrs Imperial Guard

15:30 hrs Profit And Loss

bowled West Indies to a memorable Test win in Australia last January but has not played competitive cricket since, finished wicketless in a four-over spell which leaked 47 runs as KKR easily chased down a target of 162 at Eden Gardens.

Handed the new ball, Joseph sent down a nightmare first over which cost 20 runs, underlined by six wides and two no-balls, and capped off by a six off the final delivery.

Pulled from the attack, he returned in the fifth over to concede only five runs and then ten from his third, but gave up 14 in his final over which included two no-balls and a wide.

English opener Phil Salt top-scored with an unbeaten 89 off 47 balls with 14 fours and three sixes, putting on 120 in an unbroken third-wicket stand with Shreyas Iyer, who struck a run-a-ball 38 with half-dozen fours, as KKR pulled themselves round from 42 for two in the fourth over.

Earlier, former West Indies white-ball captain Nicholas Pooran top-scored with 45 from 32 deliveries at number six, but Super Giants struggled to 161 for seven off their 20 overs, after being sent in.

The left-hander struck two fours and four sixes, posting 44 for the sixth over with Krunal Pandya (seven not out), to revive the innings from a position of 111 for five in the 15th over.

Captain KL Rahul had earlier struck 39 off 27 deliveries in a 39-run, third wicket partnership with Ayush Badoni (29).

At the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, West Indies fast bowl ing all-rounder Romario Shepherd went wicket less from two expensive overs and made only one, as his Mumbai Indians went down by 20 runs to Chennai Super Kings despite Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 105.

Sunil Narine made six before becoming the first casualty of the innings, hol ing out to cover off seamer Mohsin Khan (2-29) in the second over.

Tsitsipas beats Rudd to win Monte Carlo Masters

(BBC) - Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Casper Ruud 6-1 6-4 to win his third Monte Carlo Masters title in four years.

Greece’s Tsitsipas, 25, dominated the opening stages and sealed the first set inside 36 minutes.

Norwegian Ruud fought valiantly in a tense second set, which was level at 4-4 before Tsitsipas pulled away in the final two games.

“It’s been a very difficult time for me, so to be back on the podium and winning, it’s amazing,” he said.

The victory took Tsitsipas to seventh in the world rankings and he fell to the floor in emotion after his win.

“I am extremely grateful to my friends, family and everyone behind this journey,” he added. “To win three [titles] is just unbelievable - it was a nerve-wracking game but I am extremely happy.”

The success concluded a significant tournament for Tsitsipas as he also beat top-10 players Alexander Zverev and Jannik Sinner to reach the final.

He joined Rafael Nadal, Bjorn Borg, Thomas Muster and Ilie Nastase in the list of players to win three or more titles at Monte Carlo.

Tsitsipas committed to a fearless style of play, dominating on the forehand and challenging Ruud’s tactics of playing deep from the court.

He broke Ruud’s serve in the third game of the first set and the Norwegian, who struggled for fluency, could not recover.

The 25-year-old Ruud improved significantly in

the second set and a tense seventh game lasted 13 minutes, but Tsitsipas survived three break points.

In an impressive allround performance, he saved all eight break points he faced and converted four of his own eight break opportunities.

Both players are set to play in the Barcelona Open next week, where defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has been forced to withdraw with a forearm injury, but Rafael Nadal is set to make his comeback.

Shamar Joseph reacts during his IPL debut

Matheesha Pathirana gives CSK win

(ESPNCRICINFO)Sensational defensive bowling from Chennai Super Kings did what might have seemed unthinkable: successfully defend a total in the night at Wankhede Stadium. And it was not a huge total: pushed just over 200 by a MS Dhoni cameo of 20 off the last four balls of the innings after Shivam Dube had continued his dream season with an unbeaten 66 off 38.

For large parts it was a contest that fit the billing: between the two most successful teams in the IPL and two of the three most popular teams. For large parts, it seemed the defending champions CSK would be outgunned. Jasprit Bumrah restricted them with four overs for just 27 and the Mumbai innings looked like it was going smoothly, but Matheesha Pathirana started the comeback with two wickets in his first over.

Still, Mumbai were favourites going into the last seven, needing 83 with eight wickets in hand, but their fast bowlers led by Pathirana executed their plans of making batters hit into the bigger part perfectly, eventually winning by 20 runs. Rohit Shar-

ma scored a century but it was only to Mumbai’s detriment: he scored just 14 off 14 between overs 13 to 18 and then found another wind when the task had become mathematically impossible.

Cat and mouse for starters

This match was also a tactical classic from both sides. CSK promoted Ajinkya Rahane to open because he was carrying a niggle and thought it was better if he just batted in the powerplay. In a way it worked tactically too: Ruturaj Gaikwad hasn’t been going at a million miles an hour in the powerplay and could also be there for when Bumrah bowled. Either way, Rahane didn’t last, and Gaikwad had to come out in the second over. Mumbai then started to bowl cheap overs of spin before Dube got a chance to bat.

When Dube came in, that was it for spin, and Bumrah came back to bowl a second over inside the first ten for only the second time this IPL. Except that Mumbai did have to bowl overs of less-thanexpress pace. Dube took a toll of Hardik Pandya and Romario Shepherd as Gaikwad slowed down

from his starts of 24 off 12 to offer a catch on 39 off 31. Rohit dropped him, and Gaikwad took 29 off nine before he got out. Bumrah stifles but Hardik blinks

Hardik started reining CSK back in with clever use of a wide slower ball to get Gaikwad. Then Bumrah just bowled two ruthless overs full of attempted yorkers. Only one boundary came off the 17th and 19th, leaving

CSK at 180 for 3. The problem for Mumbai was, that they had to now go to Hardik, Shepherd or spin for the last over.

The captain took the challenge on, but came a distant second to Dhoni, offering him the length to hit a hat-trick of sixes. Dhoni’s IPL this year: 25 balls, 59 runs, no dismissal.

Pathirana has to intervene

Yet again Mumbai started like they would

make short work of a target around 200 after gunning RCB’s 196 down in 15.3 overs. Rohit and Ishan Kishan looked smooth and brutal. Seven overs, 70 runs, not a sweat broken.

Enter Pathirana, coming back from an injury break. The first ball was a loose one on the pads, and Kishan found midwicket with precision. Six feet on either side and it would have left a hole in the boundary boards. However, following that lucky

break, Pathirana was sensational. He welcomed Suryakumar Yadav with a 151.2kmph wide yorker and followed it up with a wide bouncer with the deep third placed fine just for the ramp. The assist came from Mustafizur Rahman, who took it overhead, flicked it back up, stepped outside, and came back to take the catch.

The middle overs

Ravindra Jadeja bowled four overs on the trot for 37, which is commendable in dewy conditions on a Mumbai night. Rohit, though, seemed to have overcome his recent threat of left-arm spin by taking 22 off 13 Jadeja deliveries. Runs kept coming from the other end until Pathirana came back.

A defensive masterclass

It was all in Pathirana’s basket now. Three overs to bowl out of seven with Mumbai needing just 83 with all the firepower in the dugout. Pathirana began with a dot to push it over two a ball for the first time. Then a subtle slower ball got the fluent Tilak Varma out.

Then both former and current captains of Mumbai froze.

Cricket West Indies title still open as final round looms

LAST weekend’s results in the West Indies Championship have set the stage for an intriguing final round which gets underway on Wednesday.

Windward Islands Volcanoes have returned to the top of the standings on 89.6 points after thrashing West Indies Academy by 153 runs inside three days at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.

However, they are less than two points ahead of Barbados Pride who have moved into second on 87.8 points, following a clinical nine-wicket victory over previous leaders Leeward Islands

Hurricanes in Port of Spain.

Title-holders Guyana Harpy Eagles, who crushed Jamaica Scorpions by 212 runs in Kingston, are within touching distance of Pride on 87.2 points while Hurricanes’ defeat has left them fourth but still in contention on 82.6 points.

With the title race still wide open as a result, attention this week will turn to the fixtures facing the top four, with all needing to win.

Front-runners Volcanoes perhaps have the most difficult assignment when they take on Hurricanes at the Vivian

Richards Cricket Stadium in Antigua.

Both teams possess identical records of four wins and two defeats, and have produced inconsistent form over the last three rounds.

Pride and Harpy Eagles will be viewed as having the easier routes to the title.

Pride clash with West Indies Academy at Coolidge Cricket Ground, the Academy having won only twice in six outings to be one from the bottom of the eight-team standings on 54.2.

Harpy Eagles, meanwhile, who have gone on a run of four straight wins after difficult results in their first two matches, take on winless Combined Campuses and Colleges – who lie bottom on 26.6 points – at the Frank Worrell Memorial Ground at UWI St Augustine.

In the other game, Scorpions will look to finish their campaign on a winning note when they host Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Sabina Park.

Scorpions lie sixth on 57 points while Red Force are fifth on 72.8 points.

Matheesha Pathirana picked up four wickets

Harry, Khan win GSSF Steel Challenge Tier 1

THE Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) proudly hosted its Steel Challenge Tier 1 Match at Camp Stephenson Range, Timehri on Sunday, April 7th, 2024.

The event not only showcased the skill and precision of seasoned shooters but also celebrated the presence of new participants who added excitement and diversity to the competition.

And when the dust settled, it was Pravesh Harry who won ahead of Ryan McKinnon and Andrew Phang in the limited division while Imran Khan finished ahead of Rajiv Latchana and Raphael DeGroot in the production division

The match kicked off with opening remarks from Match Director, Dr. Pravesh Harry, who warmly welcomed participants, including newcomers eager to test their skills.

Following Dr. Harry’s remarks, Range Master, Mr. Ryan McKinnon, provided essential safety briefings, ensuring that all shooters, both experienced and new, understood the importance of safety protocols.

Featuring three challenging stages - Accelerator, The Pendulum, and “We own ting” - the competition provided a thrilling experience for shooters of all levels. As shooters were organised in a shooting order and took turns on each stage, spectators and competitors alike were treated to tense moments and exciting displays of marksmanship.

The competition requirements were straightforward, allowing shooters to focus on their performance. Participants assumed their positions in a 3 feet square shooting box, with hands above their shoulders. Upon the beep of the electronic timer, shooters drew

their firearms and aimed at the targets, with the timer stopping once the stop plate was hit. Stats Officer for the match, Dr. Pravesh Harry, diligently compiled and released the results, highlighting the outstanding performances of both seasoned shooters and newcomers. Beautiful trophies were presented by Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon, one of the Directors of the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation, to the deserving winners in both the Limited and Production divisions.

In the Limited Division, the top three winners were:

1. Pravesh Harry (61.10 seconds)

2. Ryan McKinnon (66.34 seconds)

3. Andrew Phang (96.63 seconds)

In the Production Division, the top three winners were:

1. Imran Khan (92.20 seconds)

2. Rajiv Latchana (99.36 seconds)

3. Raphael DeGroot (108.15 seconds)

The Board of Directors extends their commendations to the Match Directors, Range Master, Stats Officer, Range Officers, and all the shooters for ensuring the success and efficiency of the event. Special thanks are also extended to the Guyana Defence Force, Chief of Staff, Commissioner of Police, OC, ranks of TSU, Armoury, Guyana Police Force, the Media, and GSSF members for their unwavering support in promoting steel challenge shooting locally. (Press Release)

GCA’s two-day 2nd

division

… Jaikaran scores only quadruple in local cricket

By Sean Devers

TWENTY-one-year-old left-hander Brandon Jaikaran registered a fantastic unbeaten 400 to become the only Guyanese to make a quadruple century in local organised cricket.

Jaikaran’s magnificent innings lasted just 231 balls and was decorated 52 fours and 12 sixes.

It was achieved yesterday at the DCC ground in Queenstown, Georgetown as the hosts won by an innings and 568 runs over a depleted Diplomats side in GCA’s two-day Second Division tournament.

Inderjit Nanan who made 116 from 74 balls with 17 fours and two sixes and Lomar Seecharan whose 104 from 122 balls with 15 boundaries, also got in on the action in the one-sided contest.

On Saturday, Diplomats, with only eight players at the venue, declared at 48-7. Rayson Gill hit two fours and a couple of sixes in his 21 and Skipper Nigel Simpson who made 10, was the only double-figure scorer.

Kareem Whitney took 4-19 while Mark Cumberbatch supported with 3-28 for DCC who reached 396-2 by the end of the first day.

Yesterday Seecharran fell to Shemroy Griffith at 513-3 before DCC declared 666-3 when Jaikaran reached 400.

Diplomats were bowled out for 50 in their second innings as only Griffith (19) and Shavis Rutherford (13) got into double figures.

Johnathan Mentore took 3-28 and Mickel Sharma had 2-11.

Earlier on day one Nanan joined Jaikaran when

Kishawn Silas (9) was removed by Griffith at 37 and together they launched a brutal carnage on the small ground.

Nanan reached double figures with a boundary off Griffith to bring up the 50.

The pair flayed the hapless bowlers to all parts on a lightning-fast outfield as Diplomats chased leather in hot conditions.

Nanan hit three consecutive boundaries off Quancy Cummings to post the 100 before Jaikaran reached his 50 from 38 balls.

It was boundaries galore as the second wicket stand piled on the runs and the onslaught continued unabated.

Nanan executed several blistering back-foot punches and scorching cover drives while Jaikaran pounced on anything remotely loose.

Nanan dominated the stand, smashing Cummings for five fours in an expensive over while Jaikaran cut Griffith for four to bring up the 200.

But just after reaching his ton from 68 balls and with the score of 213, Nanan fell to Cummings.

Seecharan arrived at the crease with Jaikaran on 85 and did most of the scoring and had reached 33 when Jaikaran hit Cummings for four to reach his century from 90 balls.

Jaikaran lofted Cummings for a couple of fours as the 300 was posted in the 44th over.

Seecharan clobbered Cummings for six to reach his 50 from 74 balls as the carnage continued with Jaikaran ending the day on 185 and Seecharan on 66.

The Winners of the Guyana Sport Shooting Foundation (GSSF) steel Challenge Tier 1 Match.

Inderjit Nanan made 116 to register the third century in the DCC innings of 666-3 declared

Essequibo’s Future Warriors Tapeball tournament

… Huis T’Dieren Primary crowned champions

BY the slightest of margins but one that was well-deserved, Huis T’Dieren Primary became champions of the Future Warriors Primary School Tapeball tournament (Essequibo), powered by ExxonMobil.

Huis T’ Dieren, Mainstay

Lake Primary and 8th of May Primary were tied on points in the round-robin finals held at the Imam Bacchus ground, Affiance, on Sunday.

All three teams had one win and a loss in the eight-over-per-side contest, but Huis T’ Dieren

won the title with a superior net run rate of 0.640, followed by Mainstay (0.234) and 8th of May (—0.965).

In the first match of the day, the champions breezed the target of 52 in just 5.3 overs with all wickets intact

KFC Elite League

Part of the action on day two at the Imam Bacchus Ground

against 8th of May.

Twenty-six extras aided 8th of May as Joshua Isaacs (13) top-scored and Aaron DaCosta bagged 3-11 from his two overs.

DaCosta returned to smash 21 (3x4s) from 12 balls, supported by Lokeraj Persaud (17*).

The talented DaCosta scored 22 (3x4s: 1x) from 13 balls in the second match against Mainstay, but apart from 14 extras, no other player reached double figures, and the team posted 44-6.

However, their bowlers

were not as accurate as before, and extras mounted to 22, along with Kirt Allen’s 10 from five balls, sealed a six-wicket win for Mainstay.

The tie on points came when 8th of May defeated Mainstay by five wickets as they aced the chase of 57 in 7.2 overs.

Benjimyah Fordyce played a captain’s innings, scoring 22 (1×4;3x6s) from nine balls despite the efforts of Navendra Madholall (315) and Jasiel DeJonge (2-9).

Huis T’ Dieren Lokeraj Persaud (76 runs) and Aaron DaCosta (seven wickets)

topped the individual charts, and their side also received numerous pieces of cricket equipment.

In September, the Essequibo unit will compete in the Champions of Champions tournament with Stella Maris Primary (Demerara) and Cropper Primary (Berbice).

The winner of that event will be ‘adopted’ by the Guyana Amazon Warriors during their home leg of the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League.

FL Sport organised the tournament.

Defending champions GDF tame Western; Niles’ triple leads Slingerz

THE Guyana Defence Force on Saturday evening tamed West Ruimveldt-based Western Tigers when the two met in the feature clash of season six of the Elite League at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF) National Training Centre (NTC).

The Guyana Defence

Force side, the defending champion was led in the goals column by Abumchi Benjamin, Stephen McDonald and Sherwyn Ceasar. The first half saw the two sides with plenty of opportunities after with a few ‘goal-mouth’ scrambles, but neither was able to convert in the first 45

minutes.

After the resumption, Benjamin gave the soliders the lead in the 50th minute of play.

Stephen McDonald doubled the advantage seven minutes after the first and the soldiers started to execute better in the final third in the 90-minute con-

test.

A sedate period would follow before Sherwyn Ceasar broke the silence in injury time, gifting the defending champions a comfortable 3-nil victory.

Meanwhile, the opening contest saw Slingerz trashing Buxton United 6-nil after goals from Darren Niles

and Marcus Tudor.

Tudor was the difference-maker in the first half with goals in the 36th and 39th minutes of the contest.

The second half saw the explosion of Gabriel DeSouza who tripled the lead in the 55th minute.

Former Santos player turned Golden Jaguar, Dar-

ren Niles, registered a brace after successful strikes to the back of the net in the 60th and 83rd minutes. Niles would return two minutes into injury time to complete his first hat trick for the West side powerhouses, Slingerz, as they kept their unbeaten streak.

GDF Goal scorers (from left) Abumchi Benjamin, Stephen McDonald and Sherwyn Ceasar Slingerz hat-trick man Darren Niles on the go

Huis T’ Dieren Primary pose with their accolades along with officials from FL Sport and ExxonMobil Guyana

GCB’s 50-over male U-19 inter-county cricket …

Berbice beat Select X1; Demerara gets past Essequibo

By Sean Devers

AFTER beating Essequibo on Friday at Malteenoes, defending champions Berbice defeated the Select X1 by nine wickets at Meten-MeerZorg in West Coast Demerara as the GCB’s male 50-over U-19 inter-county tournament continued yesterday.

Over at Malteenoes, Demerara won by 48 runs against Essequibo as action in the second round of took place.

On the West Side, Berbice, led by scintillating half-centuries from siblings Rampertab Ramnauth and Rampersaud Ramnauth, galloped to 141 without loss in 23 overs replying to 140 all out made by the Select X1.

The Select X1 elected to bat on another hot day and Avishkar Persaud (1) was bowled by Okasie Boyce at 16-1.

Ari Afrizel Kadir joined

Deonarine Dindyal and together they took the score to 72 with attractive stroke-play on the fast outfield and flat track.

But once Dindyal - who dominated the partnership with a 62-ball 52 with 10 boundaries was bowled by Afraz Budhoo - the Select X1 slumped to 117-9.

After Kadir was lbw to Budhoo for 26 with three fours and a six at 98-4, the select X1 lost their next six wickets for 19 runs before the last pair took them to 140.

Number 10 batter Andres Fraser hit a six and a four in a cameo 15 from 16 balls while last man Natron Gill finished unbeaten on six, clearing the boundary on his only scoring shot.

But when the Select X1 had their sights on 150, off-spinner Amir Khan who had a three-wicket haul on Friday, bowled Fraser to finish

with 3-31.

Kumar Deopersaud had 3-28 while Afraz Budhoo took 2-21.

It took Berbice 92 minutes to formalise the with Rampertab making an entertaining 77 from just 73 with six fours and six sixes.

His younger brother Rampersaud played the supporting role scoring 51 from 68 balls with seven boundaries and the pair will hope to join the Etwaroo brothers; Tyrone and Romain who opened for Berbice at the senior inter-county level.

Over at Malteenoes, an aggressive 73 from Thaddeus Lovel could not prevent the home side from beating a vastly improved Essequibo unit by 58 runs.

Demerara opted to bat on a track which offered the pacers some bounce and the spinners prodigious turn and were dismissed for 224 in

45.4 overs before bowling Essequibo for 166 in 35.2 overs.

With a lively four-pronged pace attack comprising Bruce Vincent, Josh Charles Darwin Joseph and fast bowling all-rounder Thaddeus Lovell, Essequibo has arguably the best pace attack among the participating four teams.

Vincent struck at 13-1 when he removed the inform Romeo Deonarine for nine.

Sachin Balgobin and Skipper and West Indies U-19 player Mavindra Dindyal steadied the ship by taking the score to 53 before Dindyal who made 28 with five boundaries, was caught behind off Joseph.

Joseph would return to account for Balgobin in similar fashion after the former had scored 17 with a couple of fours to leave the score on 84-3.

Alvin Mohabir and the pugnacious Johanthan Van

Thaddeus Lovell’s 73 could not save Essequibo from defeat

Lange added 44 for the fourth wicket before Mohabir (26) fell to Shaaziff Mohamed.

Zakery Jodah looked in fine form with his 40 (six fours), before Shahid Vieira held his third catch behind the wicket as off-spinner Mahem Khan induced him drive at flighted delivery.

Van Lange who shared in 52-run stand with Jodah, tried to hit Golcharran Chulai against the breeze and was taken at long-off for a run-aball 29 with a four and a six.

A quick 17 from Krsna Singh and 31 extras helped

Demerara past 200. Chulai (3-34), and Khan and Joseph with two wickets each were also among the wickets for Essequibo who lost their second match despite an attacking 73 from Lovell from just 59 balls with eight fours and three sixes.

Extras contributed 34 as no other batter reached 16.

Leg-spinner Riyad Latiff 3-38 and off-spinner Singh 3-19 spun webs around the batters while the multi-talented Van Lange had 2-40.

The next round is set for tomorrow.

Jaikaran scores only quadruple in local cricket

Lomar Seecharran made 104 (left) and Brandon Jaikaran who scored an unbeaten 400; the only quadruple century in local organised cricket. The duo shared in a century partnership at DCC