Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 16-10-2023

MONDAY 16th October, 2023

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No.107235

Baracara to get solar freezer, aquaculture –– President Ali farms to boost fishing industry announces

–– reveals plans for recreational facility, household solar units to support community advancement 03 PAGE

Much-needed infrastructural works are currently ongoing in Laing Avenue, Georgetown. The construction of concrete bridges is among plans for the area (Japheth Savory photos)

Successful farmers farmers’’ markets 11 Prudent, sustainable of Guyana’s held at Lusignan Lusignan,, Anna Regina management economy will continue 17 PAGE

PAGE

–– Senior Finance Minister assures IMF official

Guyana to soon commission first hydroponics farm 08 PAGE

Gov’t launches youth 04 skills training programme PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Baracara to get solar freezer, aquaculture farms to boost fishing industry - President Ali announces

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- reveals plans for recreational facility, household solar units to support community advancement

By Naomi Parris IN an effort to support farmers and expand the fishing sector in Baracara, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has disclosed the government’s plans to invest in a solar freezer and establish aquaculture farms in the Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) community.

President Ali visited the small agriculture community located on the Canje River on Sunday, and during an engagement with residents, he explained that these investments will advance the way fish farming is done in the area.

Fishing in Baracara, according to residents, is done on a seasonal basis.

“I believe that we should invest in at least one large solar freezer, so that when you have excessive production of fish, we can store it,” President Ali. “We want the young people to also be innovative; we want to open up natural areas in which we can have aquaculture, so we can increase the production and not have seasonal catch,” the president added.

Baracara is known for its freshwater fish, many

of which are consumed locally, and sold at markets in the main town of the region.

Other farming support to introduce the production of beans and advance the livestock sector will also be provided to farmers there.

Sharing plans to enhance the community’s landscape, President Ali also unveiled plans to develop a recreational facility to promote wellness.

“Seeing these children and the young people here, recreation and health wellness is an important part of community life, and one of the things that we are pursuing across the country is ensuring that we create opportunities for health and wellness,” President Ali said.

This, he noted, is a part of a wider initiative undertaken by the government to transform the landscape of many communities.

“Green beautiful spaces for our children, our young people, and women. Spaces that are safe; spaces that are family-oriented, spaces that bring out the joy of community and celebrate the joy of a community,” he told the residents.

The relevant agencies, he said, will soon com-

mence work on the facility.

“We are going to work with the infrastructure, the tractor, the plough that we are going to bring in, and some additional resources on developing

community.

Residents previously raised concerns about the need for proper drainage and irrigation as well as the need for a damn to access farmlands aback of the community.

day, thanked the government for the support given to develop the community.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who also attended the community engagement, revealed that

to make this area once again productive and we are on the verge of reaching there.”

He added: “We have seen an increase in production of crops that we have been producing and

President Ali engaging the residents of Baracara

that playground into a proper facility in which our children would enjoy in a very comfortable way,” he added.

To further support the community, the government will also provide 150 solar units to residents.

This is the president’s second visit to the riverine

Following that visit last year, the dam was constructed, and according to the Community Development Council (CDC) Marshall Thompson, the community collectively has been able to earn $10 million from it.

Thompson, while delivering remarks on Sun-

Baracara has seen an increase in its local food production.

“Baracara is an area I know growing up in Region Six was one of the most productive areas in Region Six and when we came in April, we said we will go about working with the farmers

that is testimony to the government’s commitment to increasing our food supply.”

Farmers in the community were affected severely by flooding last year. The high waters caused losses for many farmers and households.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Gov’t launches youth skills training programme

THE government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, is inviting young Guyanese to participate in a life-changing Youth Skills Training Programme in a bid to empower youth development.

The programme is poised to open doors for young individuals aged

16 to 30 to gain valuable skills training, with a focus on fostering talent and building a skilled workforce.

The training will be held at the Georgetown Training Centre, in Sophia.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore an array of courses, including carpentry, ma-

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sonry, electrical installation, and plumbing. These courses are not only essential for personal development, but also play a vital role in the country’s development.

The programme will include information and communication technologies (ICT) training, providing participants with the chance to enhance

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their digital literacy, and gain skills that are highly relevant in the modern job market.

Further, financial literacy training will be provided to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed financial decisions, ensuring a secure and stable future.

Upon the successful

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completion of the programme, each participant will receive a Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) Level One Certificate. This internationally recognised certification will not only validate their skills, but also broaden their career prospects.

Stipend support will be provided to participants during their train-

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ing.

Interested persons can apply for the Youth Skills Training Programme no later than Sunday, 22nd October.

To make the application process as convenient as possible, aspiring participants can apply online through the Ministry’s website.

(DPI)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Police rank seriously injured in Corentyne accident

A POLICE constable is currently hospitalised in a serious condition, nursing a fractured right hand and head injuries, following an accident at around 04:30 hrs on Saturday on the #72 Public Road in Corentyne, Berbice.

According to a police press release, the accident involved Motor Pickup #PAE 1659, owned by the Guyana Police Force and attached to Springlands Police Station (Anti-crime) and driven at the time by the now hospitalised cop, and Motor Lorry #GLL 2841, driven by a 39-year-old of #75 Village Corriverton, Berbice.

“Investigation so far revealed that the police pickup was proceeding south along the eastern drive lane while the lorry driver is alleging that he saw the pickup proceeding on the western drive lane.

Upon seeing this, the lorry driver said he swerved left to avoid a head-on collision, but despite his best effort, the pickup collided with the right-side cab of the lorry.”

“As a result of the collision, the driver (and two occupants/police ranks) of the police pickup and the lorry driver and 15 occupants received injuries on their bodies,” the release said.

The injured persons were taken to the Skeldon Public Hospital by public-spirited citizens.

One of the police ranks (occupant) was treated and sent away, while the other was kept at the hospital for observation.

The driver of the police pickup was treated at the Skeldon Public Hospital for a fractured right hand and head injuries.

He was later referred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was further treated for the said injuries, and admitted as a patient.

His condition is regarded as serious, the release added.

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The motor lorry that was involved in the accident with the police pickup (GPF photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

An Economic Miracle

GUYANA’S economic performance is nothing short of a miracle. According to the latest data released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the country is poised to continue to outperform other countries in the Region in terms of economic growth. Guyana recorded the world's highest real GDP growth in 2022 with an impressive growth of 62.3 per cent.

Guyana's growth rate is all the more spectacular when seen against the global average and its historical past when the country was ranked among the poorest in the world. When the PPP/C took over the reins of political power on October 5, 1992, the economy was in ruins and Guyanese were burdened with one of the highest per capita debts in the world.

Fast forward to the Guyana of today under the PPP/C administration. According to the World Bank, Guyana is now ranked among the fastest- growing economies in the world. This is despite a slowing down of average global growth rate which was 4.1 per cent in 2022, a marked deceleration from the previous year of 5.5 per cent. The situation in Latin America and the Caribbean is no better and in fact is slightly lower, with GDP growth projected to increase by a mere 1.5 per cent.

According to an Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) report, the dynamics of the global economy remains on a path of low economic growth. The report attributed low growth to the negative effects of an inten-

sification of climate shocks, the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

The projection for 2024 indicates that low economic dynamism will persist in the Region. The international context will continue to be unfavourable with growth in global GDP and trade far below historical average. At the same time, in the domestic arena, fiscal policy space will continue to be limited.

Under these circumstances, ECLAC forecasts average growth in 2024 to be around 1.2 per cent for South America, 2.1 per cent for Central America and 2.8 per cent for the Caribbean, with the sole exception of Guyana. A deeper appreciation of Guyana's economic 'tsunami' can be seen from the wide margin of growth between Guyana and the rest of the Caribbe-

an, with the second highest growth of 6.2 per cent in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Panama with six per cent.

Guyana, as the ECLAC report pointed out, is the only bright star in an otherwise gloomy economic galaxy.

And even though the impact of oil revenues does play a significant role in that economic miracle, oil is by no means the only variable in the country's developmental matrix. In fact, the non-oil segment of the economy also displayed impressive growth rates of 8.3 per cent.

The growth momentum in Guyana is proceeding at an accelerated pace. Guyana has already recorded an overall growth rate of 36.4 per cent due largely to prudent economic management by the PPP/C administration.

The macroeconomic fundamentals continue to be good with strong export earnings and a favourable balance of trade. The rate of inflation is largely contained, which along with enhanced wages and salaries have resulted in a bigger basket of goods and services for the Guyanese consumer.

The truth is that Guyana under the PPP/C administration has always experienced high economic growth and social progress. Indeed, the records will show that it was under PPP/C administration that the quality of life of Guyanese showed significant improvements in terms of access to basic services and infrastructural development. This is manifested in all facets of life such as home ownership and access to quality education and

health services, water and electricity.

Guyana today has moved past the days of economic stagnation and social decline, thanks to the restoration of democratic rule and good governance.

As the country advances in the direction of One Guyana as envisaged by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, more can be expected in terms of the delivery of economic, social and cultural goods. In all of this, the economy is fundamental. A growing economy is a necessary condition for an enhanced quality of life. Indeed, there is a dialectical relationship between democracy and economic growth as our own experience has taught us over the decades.

NIS, birth certificates, TIN, other government services also need fixing

NEWS that the Passport Office is back to five days of processing for a passport is good news. President Ali has shown that he is a man of action. The President has tackled sloth at two government departments by announcing his clean-up initiative. We await a similar announcement for the “NIS” which should really be called “SIN” – a sin and great iniquity against the old people of this nation.

The NIS Board is right there with them as enablers and co-conspirators.

The President will do well to issue similar initiatives to fix a broken government system where the sloth and poor customer service at ministries continue to bedevil the nation, and is especially more brutal against poor, rural country people who do not know how to navigate the system. People from the remote regions are easily pushed around and victimised, would readily pay

bribes to get quick service and avoid the high transportation and related costs associated with our disease of “comebacktitis.”

I visited the Passport Office recently and observed things which can be changed, including their mindsets. So here are some suggestions: the Passport Office must use a ticket system and call up people by their numbers.

I find it so backward and demeaning that you have to drag your behinds into every seat in the building in a game of musical chairs to get to the first chair to be served.

The Passport Office did a good thing to create a senior citizen row of chairs to give some priority. However, I had observed three young folks sitting in that section, but Mr. Philadelphia quickly asked them to move when I pointed that out. The Passport Office should know that people are watching when friends and family are coming in and going to the

head of the line and getting priority processing at the back room.

The air conditioning in the building needs improvement. The water stations need to be serviced during the day to make sure there is water and there are cups.

Applicants must be seen as customers, and good customer-service practices must guide their interactions with the people.

To speed things up, the Passport Office may want to consider the feasibility of the “Apple Store” approach, where each employee can process a customer and there is no designated cashier’s cage. While people are sitting and waiting, instead of Immigration staff doing traffic control duties, use them to go around and check peoples’ documents so when they go to the back to take their pictures, the officers there don’t have much to do.

They can also use appropriately programmed iPads to

process applicants as they sit and wait. That makes the process more efficient. How about enabling on-line applications? That’s not rocket science! If we think creatively, we can avoid the old “sitand-wait” culture where you have to spend a whole day to get simple government business done because of poor, broken systems.

The Passport Office has been closing off accepting applications by 09:00hrs. So a rural person or senior citizen who does not know that, will get up early, spend a lot of money to go to the Passport Office only to be told they are not accepting any more applications, come back another day. We must end this bad practice.

The regional system was supposed to make things easier for people. But that’s a broken, ineffective and inefficient system that needs a makeover. The processing of passports and other applications at the regional

offices must be as efficient as the Georgetown office.

Why should it take longer when we all deserve equal treatment and equitable services? We must put an end to longer processing times at the regional offices.

That’s a root-cause solution.

Finally, the passport form needs to be revised.

It is a citizen’s right to obtain a passport. Section 7 of the form is not needed.

Why is it necessary to require a “recommender” and the Passport Office has a narrow list of who can be recommenders? That must be a practice from colonial times and should be scrapped. Why does the recommender need to sign the picture that the picture is yours? That seems to be an extra, unnecessary step.

Would the officer not see it is you when you go to take your picture? If they are doing electronic pictures, why the need for a photo, when the picture is stored

in their system? What is the purpose of Question 5 that asks, “Passport required for travel to?” Isn’t a passport required for travel to all foreign countries, and that is therefore a redundant question? Also, why do you need to ask “Purpose of Travel?”

Does it matter whether you go for vacation, for a funeral, or other reason? That seems to be an unnecessary question.

Thank you, President Ali, for intervening and jacking up services at the ministries. The people love that you are listening.

Thank you. Fire them up or fire those who stand in the way and are wedded to old mindsets and old practices that hurt our people. While you are at it, fire those ministers who cannot properly run ministries, don’t allow them to be a drag on your government.

Sincerely, Dr. Jerry Jailall

War crimes in Gaza 7

GUYANA CHRONICLE, mondaY, OctoBer 16, 2023

NO one in their right mind could offer a word of support for what Hamas did in Israel.

What Hamas did was not engage the Israeli army but to attack innocent civilians. No one in their right mind could even utter a whisper of support for what the Israeli government is doing in Gaza at the moment.

The Israeli government is engaged in war crimes. Here now is a description of one of the most proven occurrences of war crimes since World War 11 ended.

The Israeli army announced a corridor of safety for Gaza residents to leave and while they were doing that, the air force bombed them. The Israeli air force bombed civilians fleeing to safety. Over 70 persons died, including helpless women and children.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for President Putin for forcefully moving children from Ukraine to Russia in the current conflict.

If a country ‘s air force could advise civilians to leave an area of engagement for their own safety, then when they were fleeing bomb them to death, then, if that is not a war crime then, why is Putin facing an arrest warrant?

No one could justify what Hamas did.

But the Government of Israel is committing equal atrocities in which a greater number of women and children have been killed. A mere description of what is taking place in Gaza shows you the extent to which war crimes are being perpetrated.

The air force is bombing a narrow

strip of land measuring 139 square miles of 2.23 million people. Right now there is total destruction of buildings in Gaza and in those buildings, people live, and when the bombs are dropped, people die.

There are powerful countries in the world such as South Africa, Türkiye (Turkey), Mexico and Brazil that could use their membership of the ICC to ask for the arrest of the Prime Minister of Israel, Mr. Netanyahu.

It becomes a comic tragedy to have Putin arrested for removing children from the Ukraine and not have Netanyahu arrested for the indiscriminate bombing of thousands of civilians in Gaza. Statistics from last Friday showed 1,900 Palestinians were killed; half of these numbers are women and children. As of today (Monday), those figures would have gone up.

The Israeli air force is obliterating hospitals and humanitarian centres. There is no water, no electricity, no food, nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. What is taking place in the Gaza Strip are absolute and undiluted war crimes.

The BCC has actual video footage of the civilian convoy being bombed out of existence and has made it available on its digital site. This cannot be accepted by any human living on Planet Earth.

Every human who refuses to condemn the bombing of that convoy is unfit to be a human. Let me repeat, this was the airforce of a country dropping bombs not on an invading army or a military convoy in action, but on civilians fleeing for safety.

What is important for every human to know about what is taking place in Gaza is that there is no standing army on the ground in Gaza that is confronting the Israeli jets. Not even one missile has been fired at the Israeli jets. What is happening in Gaza is that jets are simply bombing a piece of land where civilians are running for their lives.

The Western media speaks all the time of a war. There is no war in the Gaza as there is a war right now between the two armed forces of Russia and Ukraine.

There is no country named Gaza whose armed forces are engaged in a war. Gaza does not have a standing army or air force.

Please tune in tonight at 8.30 PM to the Freddie Kissoon –Gildarie Show where Sheik Aleem Rahim and Maulana Abu Bakr will offer the Palestinian perspective on what is taking place in

Palestine right now. The show will offer an Israeli perspective if such personnel is available. If there are any Israeli scholars available to offer their take then please contact me at 614-5927. My email is fredkissoon@yahoo.com.

I would like to repeat my rejection and revulsion at what Hamas did and all the peoples of the world must condemn it. All the peoples of the world must immediately condemn the insanities of barbarities that the Israeli armed forces are inflicting on innocent humans in Gaza.

I monitor the Western media without exception every day. It was a pro-Israeli stance from day one. But as the bestialities and cruelties are revealed in Gaza, there is now a shift.

The Western media are giving coverage to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Israeli wanton killing of civilians must stop.

Police Spelling Bee Competition held at Cove and John

THE Community Relations Office of Regional Police Division 4’C’ on Saturday held a Spelling Bee Competition for Police Youth Groups within the division.

According to a press release, the competition was held in two categories at the Divisional Headquarters, Cove and John, East Coast Demerara.

The programme was chaired by Corporal Jordan, who introduced Deputy Superintendent J. Dufu to welcome everyone. Micheal Spencer and Deoraj Nauth explained the rules of the competition to the participants, while Andrew Keiler was the announcer.

Commander Pareshram congratulated the participants and encouraged them to strive for higher heights.

He reminded the youth leaders to continue working

The Spelling Bee winners with their certificates and trophies (GPF photo)

with winners, since they will be representing the division in the Inter-Division Spelling Bee competition scheduled for November 2023, the release added.

Serena Cumberbatch of the Buxton Achievers Youth Group is winner of the 8-11 category. Yogesh Badrinauth - Foulis Royal Ranger Police Youth Group and Andy Hall - Haslington Young Ambassadors Youth Group are second and third respectively.

For the 12-16 category Aneicia Hall of the Haslington Young Ambassadors Youth Group is the winner, while Aryan Ali - Mahaica Young Achievers Youth Group was awarded second place and Jaden Smith Clonbrook /Ann’s Grove United Youth Group, third.

Guyana to soon commission first hydroponics farm

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TAKING its food production to newer heights, Guyana will soon commission the country’s first hydroponics farm.

This was revealed by Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha at a recent press conference where he told reporters that the commissioning will take place on the sidelines of the regional Agri-Investment Forum and Expo slated to be held here later this month.

“I am hoping that during the Agri-Investment Expo, we will commission one of the first, or the largest hydroponics farms right here in Guyana. So, those things are positive coming out of the Agriculture Investment Expo,” he said.

Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Israeli company, KARLICO INC., for the development of the mas-

sive hydroponic production system.

The government had begun talks with the Israeli investors at the previously-held conference.

The project is also among many initiatives that were birthed out of the regional forum to reduce the current high food import bill.

According to the national agriculture library, hydroponics is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil, and can include an aggregate substrate, or growing media, such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite.

With an estimated investment of US$15,750,000, the project saw the establishment of a three-phase hydroponic production system, based on nutrient film techniques and soilless production systems.

Those systems were designed for the production of

fresh herbs, lettuce, and other leafy vegetables, as well as other high-value crops.

Minister Mustapha explained that these crops can be rotated to meet market demands.

The first phase of the project saw the company setting up a 2,000 square metres state-of-the-art hydroponic system, which will include a cold room, packaging facility, harvesting equipment, irrigation controllers, fertiliser mixers, water recycling system, and emergency water storage among other things.

Phase Two included the construction and installation of an advanced greenhouse system, while Phase Three included the construction of a regional distribution centre, where a variety of agricultural and food products will be collected, processed, packaged, and delivered to both local and international markets, meeting all of the necessary United States Department of Ag-

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

riculture (USDA) and European Food Safety Authority standards and regulations.

Mustapha further indicated that the ministry intends to partner with many other investors to achieve both Guyana’s and the Caribbean’s

food security targets.

At the 33rd Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, held in Belize back in 2022, it was announced that Guyana would host the region’s first agriculture Re-

gional Agri-Investment Forum and Expo. The second was held in Trinidad & Tobago later that same year.

This year, in Guyana, the conference will be held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre from October 20-22.

4,245 grams of marijuana found in New Amsterdam Prison

ON Saturday around 20:00hrs, a party of police ranks went to the New Amsterdam Prison based on a report and discovered a quantity of leaves, seeds,

and stems suspected to be cannabis sativa in seven bottles and eight parcels.

Several lighters and other contraband were also found.

According to the police, the narcotics were weighed and amounted to 4,245 grams.

Investigations are continuing.

The ganja and other contraband that were found in the New Amsterdam Prison (GPF photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Region One police ranks participate in gender-based violence workshop

A GENDER-Based Violence (GBV) workshop was held on Saturday at the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) Boardroom at Mabaruma, in Region One (Barima-Waini).

The workshop was conducted by members of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), namely, Wennyess De Florimonte, Nicola Duncan, and Kobe Smith.

According to a Guyana Police Force press release, the topics discussed were: Understanding the use of a Rape Kit, Understanding HIV post-exposure prophylaxis, Building skills to respond to GBV case, Understanding Sexual As-

sault, Procedure for handling survivors, Guiding principles for handling cases of GBV, Interviewing cases of GBV, Giving options to survivors, Duties of the police officer in the Domestic violence Act and The cycle of Domestic Violence.

Sergeant Campbell, Corporal Walker, Woman Corporal Christopher, Constable Adam, Detective Constable Mickle, Detective Constable Harper, Constable Fredricks, Constable Peters, Constable Sampson, Constable Stoby, Constable Dematabadal and 12 CPG members from the Mabaruma station district were part of the workshop.

There was an interactive session during which several questions were asked, and appropriate answers were given, the release added.

POLICE are investigating the alleged murder of Kimal Khan, a 42-year-old resident of Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara, which occurred at about 00:10 hrs on Sunday on the public road at Ogle by three unidentifiable men in a Toyota Allion motorcar (Registration Number unknown).

The crime scene was visited at about 00:15 hrs by Commander Regional Police Division 4’C’, Assistant Commissioner K. Pareshram; Deputy Superintendent J. Dufu; Detective Assistant Superintendent Adams, Sergeant Benjamin, Sergeant Goodridge, Lance Corporal Cockfield, and other Police ranks.

“Enquiries disclosed that around 23:00 hrs last night, Khan and his common-law wife, age 21, left their Mon Repos home on the vic-

tim’s black Honda motorcycle (# CL5173).

They proceeded to Wee Bar and Lounge at Mon Repos Public Road, where they each consumed an alcoholic beverage. They then left for another bar in Mon Repos, and later returned to Wee Bar and Lounge, where they spent a few minutes and left again, heading to another drinking spot in Georgetown.

“As they were making their way to Georgetown, Khan stopped his motorcycle at the traffic lights at Ogle, waiting for the light to change. At that time, a tinted silver-coloured Allion vehicle (registration number unknown) pulled up alongside Khan and his common-law wife, and discharged several rounds in their direction. Khan immediately fell off the motorcycle onto the roadway as the car sped away, heading South along the Ogle

Access Road,” police said in a press release.

The police arrived on the scene about five minutes after the shooting, along with EMT personnel, and found Khan lying on the road, motionless, in what appeared to be a pool of blood.

The body was examined, and what appeared to be a gunshot wound was seen on the left side of the chest, and two to the right side of the head, the release added.

The man was later pronounced dead by a doctor. The scene was processed and photographed, and six 9mm spent shells were recovered.

The body was escorted to Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, to await a post-mortem examination. The area was canvassed for CCTV cameras, which were seen but are yet to be viewed.

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The police ranks who participated in the Gender-Based Violence Workshop and the facilitators (GPF photo)

Motorcyclist shot dead at Ogle

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Water conservation, climate-smart practices to take centre stage

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

–– as World Food Day is observed today

By Naomi Parris

DRAWING attention to the importance of fresh water in food production, World Food Day this year is being held under the theme, ‘Water is life, water is food.

Leave no one behind’ and here in Guyana, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has partnered with the Ministry of Agri-

culture to inform farmers of best practices to conserve this vital commodity.

FAO representative to Guyana, Dr. Gillian Smith in an exclusive interview told the Guyana Chronicle that although Guyana has an abundance of fresh water, which is ideal for food production, changing weather patterns and the effects of climate change have brought to light

the importance of water.

“In Guyana, different from many of the Caribbean countries, there is quite a surplus of water, but there are also times when there is no water and we are reminded of that right now,” she said.

Guyana like most of the world is currently experiencing El Niño. This refers to the warm climate pattern that affects tropical regions.

El Niño occurs on average every two to seven years, and episodes typically last nine to 12 months. It is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with the warming of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Simply explained, it is a period when the weather is warmer than usual.

“We are also in the mid-

Dr. Gillian Smith

Despite the prevailing El Niño conditions, water levels in the East Demerara Water Conservancy currently stand at 56.60 GD and is satisfying the irrigation needs in farming areas (Office of the President photo)

dle of El Niño and one of the things that happen with El Niño is the patterns change dramatically and we experience more drought;,, and this is an important time to remind us sometimes we have a lot of water and we also have to plan and be prepared for the times when there is not so much. Add the latter to that with climate change and the importance of climate change on water, our water sources,” Dr. Smith added.

With these weather patterns being a concern when it comes to water conservation, climate-smart practices must be prioritised.

“One part of the work that we are doing with Guyana is we are looking at disaster risk management.

We say disaster risk man-

agement, but it is really more about resilience, it’s more about improving the way that agriculture is managed to ensure that farmers and producers and agro-processors all utilize very good climate-smart agriculture [sic] practices, such as storing water, harvesting, drip irrigation and mulching,” the FAO official told this publication.

The ongoing dry spell is expected to last until November, and the authorities have assured citizens that the country has sufficient water to meet current demand.

However, both the Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali, and the agriculture minister, Zulfikar Mustapha have called on citizens to conserve water.

The agriculture minister recently disclosed that fresh water is being conserved to assist farmers during this dry-weather period.

He stated that local authorities have stored freshwater and are monitoring water use and storage levels to guarantee that there is enough water to last throughout the dry season.

In some regions, surface water has dried up and there is a reduction in flows from springs. Some hinterland communities are more adversely affected.

The government has since implemented a system to ensure that water is being supplied to communities in Regions One, Seven and Eight.

Guyana, unlike many Caribbean countries has a surplus of water. Pictured is the Mahaica River located on Guyana’s coastland (Delano Williams)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Lusignan farmers’ market …

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Farm-fresh produce sold out in record time

EAST Coast Demerara residents flocked the Lusignan Market on Sunday to take advantage of the farmfresh produce being sold at affordable prices, as the Ministry of Agriculture hosted yet another farmers’ market.

Deputy General Manager of the Guyana Rice Development Board, Kuldip Ragnauth explained to the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the farmers’ markets are planned for the entire month of October as part of Agriculture Month activities.

“The purpose is to give local producers an opportunity to come and sell their products directly into the market.

Some producers, some farmers would normally sell to wholesalers, hucksters, and then the hucksters bring it to the market and resell. In this case, the producers and the farmers, they are getting the opportunity to come and sell their products on the market.

The other objective is to allow the consumers to get the commodities, the products at a lower price,” he stated.

He explained that the Market was scheduled to begin at 06:00 hours, however, patrons were present to make their purchases as early as 05:00 hours.

“It didn’t take ten minutes for all the milk to be sold.

Now, you see the chicken from New GMC is being sold from the trucks. The eggs are also selling… We have GLDA selling the meat… So, the sale has been excellent,” Ragnauth stated.

Also speaking with DPI was Selwin Anthony of the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), who noted that the reasonable prices have attracted interest from a number of customers.

“We are selling mutton at $1,200 per pound; they are in two-pound parcels.

Then we have the beef which is going for $500 a pound; we have them in five-pound packets. We have the pork at $500 per pound; so we have prepacked them in five-pound packages. So, the prices are fairly good,” Anthony noted.

Abigail John, a vendor of Buxton, was excited to be part of the activity.

“This is my second year at farmers’ market, and I was so anxious to be here. Last week I was at Albion, and this week, as you can see, I’m here at Lusignan. I touched down here at 04:20; my first sale was at 05:20, so I’m enjoying myself right now,” she told DPI. “The people are enjoying

coming and getting things reasonable, because we know the cost of living right now is very high, and government is just trying to help out the situation with people.

I glad if they could go to various markets around the country,” said Randy Abrams, who visited the market to take advantage of the reduced prices.

“Today is the first time I actually coming to the market; I got the flyer sent to my phone and I said, you know what, go check it out.

So, today is the first time I actually coming to it. So far, the prices are much more affordable. I like it,” said Strifeana Abrams, another consumer.

Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Gillian Smith was also at the farmers’ market.

“I’m really happy to be here this morning; I have bought myself some fresh food, and I think it’s really nice to see the excitement with the framers and people who are buying as well, and of course we are always putting our plug as the FAO, buy local,” she told DPI. Several more farmers’ markets are planned for the coming weeks in different parts of the country. (DPI)

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Successful farmers’

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

market held at Anna Regina

Scenes from the Anna Regina farmers’ market on Sunday

HUNDREDS of consumers, farmers and other stakeholders on Sunday flocked Damon Square at Anna Regina in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) to purchase fresh vegetables, fruits and packaged products at the farmers’ market.

Consumers turned up their numbers as ear-

ly as 05:00 hours to get their fresh products at a significantly reduced cost. The commodities that were on sale included chicken, shrimp, eggs, mutton, beef, rice, fruits and vegetables.

Agro-processors, who were also present, used the opportunity to increase their sales early in the morning.

The event was or-

ganised by the Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC), and saw long lines where chicken and eggs were being sold.

Ramanand Nateram, owner of the Original Juice Centre, said that as soon as he displayed his products on the tables, consumers rushed

over to make purchases.

“My products, which included achar, wine and fresh fruit juices, were sold out. This was a good initiative, and I think that this should be held more regularly, since it allows agro-processors to showcase their products,” Nateram said.

Rumeza Ali, from the Pomeroon Women Association, said that their products were selling quickly. Ali said that there were 34 bottles of products, including coconut oil and soaps, on sale, and within half an hour everything was sold.

Ali suggested that it would be an exceptional move for the market day to be hosted regularly.

Beaming with pride, Joseph Williams, a farmer who came from the Pomeroon River,

said that he brought fruits, and all were sold out within a short space of time.

“I just bought three baskets of bananas, and as soon as I put them out and sold them cheap, everyone rushed to my table. It was very encouraging,” he said.

Farmers from various farmers’ groups along the Essequibo Coast were present with their produce.

The extension manager of Guyana Livestock & Development Authority (GLDA) and the activity coordinator for the Ministry of Agriculture, Basudeo Dwarka said that 70 vendors were present at the farmers’ market.

According to Dwarka, the market day was held to provide consumers with a cheaper price for fresh and processed products.

“The market day has all agro-processing products, cash crops, meat, rice and a whole range. All 70 booths are filled currently. Swamp fish, assorted fish, plants from the nursery, and ducklings are also on sale,” Dwarka said.

Meanwhile, Region Two Chairperson Vilma De Silva also visited the booths and used the opportunity to interact with the vendors.

De Silva said that she was impressed with the turnout from both vendors and consumers.

She congratulated all the agro-processors and farmers for supporting the activity.

The Guyana School of Agriculture, Morning Glory Inc. and Luke’s Manufacturing were among some of the agro-processors that were presented at the event.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Land at Turkeyen identified for law school - feasibility study ongoing, AG says

ASSURING that plans to establish a law school in Guyana are moving ahead, Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall recently announced that land at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen campus has been identified for the building.

The minister provided an update on the issue which has been circulating in the public domain for several years, during his weekly show, ‘Issues in the News’.

He stated that at the level of the government, a committee which includes

persons from government, the private sector and the University of Guyana has been established.

At the level of that committee, a decision was made to have the law school located at Turkeyen campus of the University of Guyana.

He said: “The law school will be located at Turkeyen campus of the University of Guyana on I believe a five-acre plot of land that would be dedicated to that purpose.”

Additionally, Nandlall stated that the Council of Legal Education has asked that Guyana con-

Law revision exercise to be completed by year’s end – AG AT TO R N E Y- G E N E R AL and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has said that Guyana’s ongoing law revision exercise is nearing completion, and should be done by the end of this year.

Nandlall made this disclosure during his weekly show, ‘Issues in the News’, where he said that upon completion, Guyana’s law volumes will be increased from 14 to 28.

Giving a brief explanation, he stated that the revision of the Laws of Guyana entails inserting into the laws all the new laws that were passed, and inserting into the principal acts or legislation all amendments that are being passed in Parliament.

“At any given time, you have a bundle of laws that are being passed, but are not in the formal volumes of the laws, and that happens in any country. So, at periodic intervals, countries have to engage in what is called a law revision exercise, where they insert into their laws all the different pieces of legislation that would have been passed over a period of time, so that the laws become consolidated, and you

can find all the laws into volumes.”

To this end, he revealed that there was a hiatus in Guyana in relation to law revision. As he explained, one such exercise was done in 1977, while another was done in 2012.

This law revision that is now underway will be for the period 2012 to 2022, which was budgetted for this year, and is now being concluded.

Covers for revised volumes are being acquired from a reputable company in the United States.

He said: “It is expected, and I have been promised that we will get the final set before the end of the year, and then of course we have to bring them to Guyana and replicate them. Currently, there are 14 volumes of the Laws of Guyana, but when this exercise is concluded, those 14 volumes will increase to 28 volumes, and we will be printing 200 sets of those 28 volumes.”

While these hard copies will be made, soft copies will also be made accessible as he noted that it is a critical achievement for a country’s laws to be updated and accessible.

duct a feasibility study to demonstrate the viability of such an institution in Guyana.

As such, he revealed that work has begun on that feasibility study as information has been requested from the University of Guyana and all law schools within the Caribbean as well as other Caribbean universities and learning centres that offer the Bachelor of Law programme.

In this study process, the Attorney General said that he believes the intent is to get an idea of the

Attorney-General Anil Nandlall, S.C

number of law students or those who have their Bachelor of Law degree but have been unable to get into one of the regional law schools. This will provide information on

viability of such a school.

“All of that information is being gathered. The members of the committee have also been travelling to the law schools in the region and gathering in-

formation that they are using to prepare the feasibility study,” Nandlall said.

Further to this, he revealed that he recently attended a meeting with the Council of Legal Education and used the opportunity to update them on the progress in this regard.

Nandlall added that as a result, Guyana is getting closer to the realisation of the dream of being home to a regional law school.

However, the broader vision, he added, is to make Guyana an education destination and bringing a law school here is only one step in that direction.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Over 200 participate in mental health awareness walk

DESERT Flower-Guyana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/ WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) hosted its second annual mental health walk on Saturday last in Georgetown.

The general aim of the ‘Glow for Mental Health Out of the Shadows Awareness Walk’, was to bring awareness to mental health issues, while also empowering individuals and communities to take action. Additionally, it symbolised the journey towards understanding, compassion, and support.

The walk was a powerful reminder that, together, the stigma surrounding mental health can be dispelled, and a brighter and more

A scene from the mental health awareness walk on Saturday night (Desert Flower-Guyana photo) empathetic future for those suffering from this condition can be created.

Cilandell Glen, the founder of Desert FlowerGuyana, in an interview

with this publication noted that the walk is more than just an opportunity to raise

awareness about mental health. She explained that it is about building genuine connections, offering a safe space for dialogue, and uniting persons from all backgrounds in their mutual dedication to mental well-being.

What was unique about this year’s walk was that it was held at night. This further emphasised the ‘glow’, as it represented the illumination of mental health illnesses which are often hidden in the dark and blanketed by secrecy and stigma.

Glen said the nighttime walk carried a deep level of symbolism that spoke to the heart of the cause, in that it was a deliberate choice that is linked to the origin of the event.

It was pointed out that mental illness is often associated with solitude, isolation and the feeling of being

alone in the struggle.

Mental health challenges can leave the affected person feeling as though they are navigating their inner turmoil in the shadows, far from the understanding and support that they need.

The nighttime walk changed this narrative, and brought individuals together, regardless of personal experiences and backgrounds to stride boldly through the darkness with their illuminated glow-sticks as a united front.

This year’s walk, which was held under the theme, ‘Create Hope through action’, saw over 200 persons participating.

Among the organisations represented were Cysterhood Support-Guyana, Evolve Business Solutions Inc., The Art of Well-being CCP, and the Urban Oasis Beauty Salon.

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Nine-year-old burn victim undergoes several surgeries in the US

T H E n i n e - y e a r- o l d child who suffered severe third-degree burns across 30 per cent of his body, has undergone several surgeries since arriving in the United States in September.

According to updates by the Saving Hands Emergency Aid (SHEA) charity, Neil, aka Adi, (only names given), was

in bruises, which are in various stages of healing.

On September 9, Neil was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC), with acute burns and severe trauma throughout his body, and was immediately admitted to the burn care unit of the hospital, where he had been incubated and stabilised by the skilled

SHEA is a humanitarian organisation which provides financial assistance, and coordinates free or low-cost treatment to address the emergency medical needs of individuals in impoverished countries successfully taken to the United States where he has had a series of surgeries done to treat his injuries and battle any infection(s) throughout his body.

In addition to several of his fingers and toes being infected, the organisation stated that Neil has an infection from a previous injury at the back of his head which is proving to be difficult to treat. They stated as well that he constantly has a high fever, which is being monitored by his doctors.

At present, Neil has little skin on his face as a result of the burns, and he is now learning how to walk again. SHEA explained that his legs and ribs were fractured, and his tiny body is covered

staff there until it was time for him to be airlifted to the United States for treatment.

Persons interested in donating to the cause can do so through GoFundMe: gofundme.com/f/ help-save-neil or Demerara Bank under the name Lori Narine, account: 2041325 and for wire transfers, the account type is savings and the branch is Le Ressouvenir. Donations will also be accepted via Mobile Money Guyana (MMG): 650-8658, or VENMO: @SheaCharityGY and Zelle: shea@sheacharity. org.

SHEA is a publicly funded charity, which is managed by volunteers.

100% of all donations are allocated to patient care.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Life in Barima-Mora Passage takes spotlight in new documentary

By Faith Greene

THE way of life of those living in the Barima-Mora Passage, Region One, and the difficulties they are enduring to earn incomes, have been captured in a documentary which was recently released.

‘The March Onwards’ documentary engages its audience from beginning to end, allowing viewers to understand the somewhat difficult and hazardous daily lives of residents.

The Barima-Mora Passage is the largest remaining mangrove forest in Guyana, and is a biodiversity hotspot which many of its residents (the Warrau people) rely on for survival. The Guyana Marine Conservation Society (GMCS) monitors this area which includes several indigenous communities.

The documentary is a collaborative effort among the GMCS, REEL Guyana, the people of the Barima-Mora Passage and Republic Bank, Annette Arjoon, GMCS Project Director, noted that this eco-system spans over 50,000 hectares and the

Warraus who live there depend on everything around them for survival.

One of the main sources of income in this community is crabbing. This has been identified as a traditional livelihood for many of the indigenous residents.

The bulk of local crab meat comes from this area and the forested mangroves provide safety and the ideal habitat for these crustaceans.

Crab catcher Christina Santiago who lives in Smith Creek, one of the communities found in the Barima-Mora Passage, in the documentary explained the difficulties she and her fellow crab catchers are experiencing. She explained that in order to catch a crab, they often need to travel nearly three hours to areas where mangroves are plentiful.

Fuel spills are deterrents to crabs that thrive in the roots of mangroves, and as the oil from marine vessels get into the river it pollutes it. This sometimes gets on land and can cause crabs to move away from their usual habitat.

In addition to fuel spill-

Project Director, Guyana Marine Conservation Society, Annette Arjoon (far right), Victoria and Alex Arjoon, co-producers of the documentary, and other stakeholders at the recently-held launch (Delano Williams photo) age, residents also have to deal with development in their communities which is another unstoppable challenge. As these communities continue to grow, development and changes will take place. Development in the Barima-Mora Passage comes in the form of agriculture, which means that

deforestation takes place.

Acres of mangroves are cleared by farmers who also need to earn. This itself poses another threat for crabs and crab catchers.

In Imbotero, another community located in the Barima-Mora Passage, commercial farmer Raymond Small noted that the cutting

of mangroves is essential for farming to take place. He recalled hearing his father emphasize how vital the planting of crops can be, not just to humans, but for every living thing.

Small remarked that with the sailing of the MV MA Lisha ferry which was donated to Guyana for the

transfer of people, produce and vehicles from the North West District, more farm produce can be transferred from the region.

To offset the losses crab catchers are facing due to the various challenges, the people of the Barima-Mora Passage found a solution: they have started planting wiri wiri pepper.

This pepper is said to be of a better quality than those found in Georgetown because of its organic nature. This new initiative was started to help the women living in the area.

A crab-processing facility was also built, however, because of how demanding crab catching is, and how irregular the crab season is today, that facility is not in use. Added to that, there is no suitable sanitary facility in the unit for crab processing.

This documentary was co-produced by Alex and Victoria Arjoon and was shot by REEL Guyana. It is available for viewing on the REEL Guyan’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as its YouTube channel.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Prudent, sustainable management of Guyana’s economy will continue

- Senior Finance Minister assures IMF official AS the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Annual 2023 Meetings continue in Marrakech, Morocco, Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh has assured the IMF’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Kenji Okamura during a meeting, that the Government of Guyana is

cent real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate this year while the country’s growth should continue with an expansion of an expected 26.6 percent in 2024. The report also indicated that Guyana is the only country in which double-digit growth is expected.

“Guyana’s economic cir-

nance minister explained that Guyana has moved a long way from the unfortunate economic position it had in the past.

“We come from a time when Guyana was once one of the most heavily indebted poor countries in the world.

There was a time when Guyana’s debt to GDP ratio was

Guyana’s Senior Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh and the IMF’s Deputy Managing Director (DMD) Kenji Okamura (Ministry of Finance photo) committed to continuing the prudent and sustainable management of the country’s economy.

According to a press release issued by the Finance Ministry on Sunday, Dr Singh highlighted that Guyana’s economy recorded real economic growth of more than 40 per cent on average per annum over the last three years, with medium-term growth projected at more than 20 per cent on an average, annually.

Okamura recognised Guyana’s strong economic performance and economic policy agenda.

In its just released Regional Economic Outlook Report for the Western Hemisphere, the IMF has noted that Guyana should record a 38.4 per

cumstances and economic story are very unusual. There are very few relevant comparators for what we are achieving and what we are experiencing in terms of the economic growth and the rapid economic transition that we are going through. There are very few, if any, historic precedents for this kind of growth,” the finance minister pointed out during Saturday’s discussion with the IMF’s DMD. SUCCESS STORY According to the press release, Dr. Singh however indicated that Guyana’s success story should not only be confined to recent years, but should be viewed through a “long window of our economic performance.”

It was here that the fi-

more than 600 percent and it took hard work to get us from where we were as a Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) with debt to GDP exceeding 600 per cent and debt service to revenue exceeding 100 percent to bring us to a point where our debt-to-GDP ratio was about 60 percent and that is before we started producing oil,” Dr. Singh was quoted as explaining to the IMF official.

He reminded the official that there has been a sustained policy effort by the current administration to ‘open up the economy, to transition it from essentially an economy dominated by government and state activities to an economy that is driven by private investment, both foreign and do-

mestic, that reflects openness, both in terms of openness to external trade and a truly open and competitive private sector economy domestically, and creating the conditions that are necessary to attract big international investors from around the world.

Alluding to Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) under which Guyana is now selling carbon credits to the world, Dr. Singh gave a reminder that Guyana became the first country in the world to get jurisdiction-scale certification of its forest and concluded its first sale transaction under the second generation of the LCDS, the first of which he noted too had commenced under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic in previous years.

DIVERSIFIED ECONOMY The release added that the finance minister then reiterated government’s intention to continue to manage the economy in a prudent, sustainable manner to continue the success through the creation of a successful, diversified, non-oil economy and other approaches.

“Our intention is not to be an economy solely dependent on oil. We are using this period to make the strategic investments that are necessary to ensure that in the medium to longer term Guyana is not an economy that is solely dependent on oil. We want to make sure that we have a growing, globally competitive non-oil economy; so we are using this period to invest in

things like infrastructure to improve connectivity with our neighbours, increase the economic space in which we are operating, and therefore lay the foundation for more trade…”, the minister posited.

He added that as such, government is working on building out a road to Brazil, building a bridge to Suriname, promoting the Caribbean Economic Integration agenda under the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and fast-tracking initiatives to advance economic integration in specific areas such as food security with Guyana having a ‘comparative advantage in areas such as agriculture.

The 2023 IMF and World Bank Group’s Meetings are slated to conclude today.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Monday October 16, 2023)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Clive Lloyd (2) Viv Richards Today’s Quiz: (1) Who led India to the 1983 World Cup title?

(2) Who was declared Man of the Final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

South Africa beat France in rugby World Cup quarter-final

(BBC) - South Africa kept the defence of their title alive with a thrilling quarter-final victory over France in one of the greatest matches in World Cup history.

Eben Etzebeth's powerful late surge saw the Springboks come from behind to end France's 18-game winning run on home soil, and book a semi-final with England in a repeat of the 2019 final.

Both sides scored three tries in a pulsating first half at Stade de France, before a Thomas Ramos penalty handed the hosts a narrow lead at the interval.

Ramos added another three points as France, led by their returning talisman Antoine Dupont in their pursuit of a maiden title, looked to wrestle momentum from the defending champions in a more attritional second half.

But Etzebeth's try overturned the deficit before Handre Pollard's

huge penalty from inside his own half proved to be decisive.

Another Ramos penalty brought France to within a single point to set-up a tense finale at the same venue that witnessed another last-eight thriller between New Zealand and Ireland just 24 hours earlier.

France were urged on by their partisan home support, as they looked to keep the ball alive with the clock in the red, but as it spilled forward and Kurt-Lee Arendse gathered to pump it into the stands, the French challenge ended as the Boks celebrated.

Before a ball had been kicked, the tournament hosts were tipped by many to go one better than their final defeat in 2011 and cap a golden era of French rugby with that elusive Webb Ellis Cup. That confidence looked well-placed as France began their campaign with an impressive win over perenni-

al World Cup heavyweights New Zealand on opening night and topped Pool A with four wins from four.

The only dark mo-

against the Springboks and 2023 started to feel like it could be the year.

France kicked off with intensity, looking

South Africa pegged France back through Arendse before taking the lead with a Damian De Allende breakaway try.

Peato Mauvaka was

lin Kolbe's inspiring endeavour.

Kolbe then turned from points-saver to points-scorer as he latched onto Jesse Kri-

Eben Etzebeth held off several French players to score South Africa’s fourth try

ment was a fractured cheekbone to poster-boy Dupont, but the anguish eventually faded as the scrumhalf was cleared to play

to move the ball quickly through Dupont, and were rewarded in the fourth minute as Cyril Baille crossed in the corner.

a constant threat on the loose, and his try restored parity before Ramos' conversion attempt was brilliantly charged down by Ches-

el's perfectly-weighted grubber kick to leave Damian Penaud in his wake and score South Africa's third try.

Courts Optical Pee Wee football tournament…

Redeemer, Marian Academy move on to next rounds

REDEEMER Primary and Marian Academy were winners-of-the-day as the Courts Optical Pee Wee Schools Football tournament continued at the Ministry of Education ground.

Redeemer got past Kabakaburi 4-1, thanks to a hattrick from David DeCosta (5th, 28th

and 38th), along with Jonathon Ollivierre’s single strike in the 24th minute.

On the losing end, Jamie Thomas’ 8th minute strike accounted for Kabakaburi’s lone goal.

Potaro were winners against North Georgetown, two goals to one, thanks to Eze-

kiel Haynes (10th), and Mark Timmerman (13th), while Vandell Edinboro scored for the losers in the 17th.

St. Stephens beat St. John the Baptist Primary 1-0, with the winner coming off the boots of Kareem Milton (37th).

Den Amstel handed F.E. Pollard a defeat in the tournament via a

2-0 scoreline, thanks to a double from Kadon Trotman (10th and 18th).

Marian Academy beat Colaaco 10-0, thanks to Rhys George, who scored in the 12th, 14th, 18th, 25th, 26th and 33rd minutes to ensure ‘Marian’ moves on to the next round.

Other scorers in-

cluded Maxwell Viapree (3rd and 16th), along with Shad Waldrond (29th) and Joshua Johnson (39th).

We s t R u i m v e l d t b e a t Tu c v i l l e 4 - 0 , thanks to goals from Teon Francis (3rd), Deshawn Thomas (5th), Eli Bryant (25th), and Dane Vancooten (37th).

St. Pius were also victorious over Friendship with goals from Aaron Vasconcellos (25th and 38th), Octain Moore (28th), Daniel Chesney (33rd), and Ezekiel Lewis (35th).

Enterprise also needled St. Gabriels, thanks to Dontay Kowlessar 3rd minute.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Fourteen complete CONCACAF ‘C’ Licence training

A TOTAL of 14 individuals, including current youth national coaches and former footballers, have successfully completed a rigorous theoretical and practical training programme, and are now proud holders of Concacaf W ‘C’ Licence and Concacaf ‘C’ Licence certificates.

At a simple ceremony, which was held on October 13 at the Guyana Football Federation (GFF)’s Georgetown headquarters, First Vice-President Brigadier (ret.) Bruce Lovell awarded Concacaf W ‘C’ Licence certificates to Amanda Angoy, Chevon Mochoir, Donette Bassoo, Jenel Walker, Jenell Browne, Rhesa Pompey, and Sheron Abrams.

Lady Jags Assistant Coach Akilah Castello, Colin Nelson, Under-15 Boys' National Team Coach Devnon Winter, Lennox Adams, Levi Braithwaite, GFF Coaches Education Officer Lyndon France, and Under-20 Men's National Team Coach Wayne Dover now proudly hold Concacaf ‘C’ Licences.

The two courses were conducted in succession by the Guyana Football Federation’s Education Department, which continues to focus on efforts to grow home-grown coaching talent, including women, to develop the game nationally.

The internationally-recognised training programmes provided coaches with the skills and knowledge to design and deliver effective coaching sessions for a wider range of players and scenarios, especially for youth football development through the GFF’s nationwide network of Academy Training Centres (ATCs).

Brigadier (ret.) Lovell congratulated the group, and noted that human resource development is at the centre of the Federation’s strategic plan to professionalise football all across Guyana.

“We are indeed thankful and grateful that you participated, and you applied yourselves with diligence and commitment to successfully complete the courses. The success of football rests on a tripod: There are the play-

ers, the referees, and you the coaches; if one leg of that tripod is weak, the tripod cannot provide the base to support football success.

As coaches, you have the important task of molding the knowledge, skill and attitudes of our youths; it’s a responsibility you need to take seriously, and seek to continuously hone your skills,” he said.

In 2022, Concacaf recognised that there is a need for women coaches, and invested significant time and resources into developing women's football through tailored coaching programmes.

Technical Director Mr. Bryan Joseph, while delivering his remarks, indicated that the newly-accredited Concacaf W ‘C’ Licence coaches will now be assigned to various Academy Training Centres for a period of internship under the more experienced coaches already working in the Academies.

“Our ladies need time to improve their competencies as coaches; what better opportunity to achieve this than by

coaching consistently with the ATCs!” he declared.

During the internship, the GFF Coach Educators will be monitoring the development of the coaches.

Further, the coaches’ involvement at the ATCs will boost the opportunities for more female-specific participation at the Academies.

“With the inclusion of the coaches on the staff, we will be encouraging them to have female-specific sessions for young girls at a grassroots level,” Joseph said. The female coaches, he said, will eventually become full-time members of staff on a monthly stipend, similar to the current ATC coaches.

Guyana is the fifth country in the Concacaf region to conduct the ‘C’ Level coaching training, which aims to provide over 300 women across the region with the opportunity to coach at various levels.

GFF Coach Linsworth Gilbert, who facilitated the training programmes along with Technical Director Bryan Joseph, said he was

pleased with the level of engagement and commitment demonstrated by the participants throughout the training sessions.

Unfortunately, 12 participants did not meet the necessary criteria, and were unable to receive their certificates, while six individuals are in similar positions for the Concacaf ‘C’ Licence training.

“Even though coaches may not receive a certificate today, they still have an opportunity to develop and achieve the qualification by continuing to coach, and being able to apply themselves, based on the requirements of the Concacaf pillars of development, which are leadership, management, teaching, coaching, planning and preparing. So, the Coach Educators will continue to manage and monitor those coaches in their various environments to allow them to come back and do the various aspects of the programme that are necessary to continue to develop,” Linsworth explained.

Levi Braithwaite, who

is now a Concacaf ‘C’- licensed coach, pointed out that the course was “a bit challenging at first; it was kind of wavering at some stages in the theoretical part of the programme, with so many assignments to do in such a short time, nevertheless I did manage.”

He added that “The practical part of it was a normal thing with me, ‘cause I'm constantly coaching at the Academy at my club, so it came naturally. In a nutshell, it was all good.”

Chevon Mochoir, a Concacaf W ‘C’ Licence holder, said that she now has an enhanced understanding of coaching that will enable her “to look at how I should basically coach a line of players, and to add to the team's development holistically”.

GFF President Wayne Forde and his Council remain dedicated to the professionalisation of the game through comprehensive training programmes aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of players and officials.

Afghanistan stun England for biggest WC 2023 shock

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Afghanistan claimed the most famous scalp of their international history, and in the process provided the first big shock of the 2023 World Cup, by routing England's world champions by 69 runs in a spin-and-seam masterclass under the Delhi floodlights.

Their dominance was set in motion by a fearless display of power-hitting from the 21-year-old Rahmanullah Gurbaz, whose 80 from 57 had promised so much more until a run-out saw him off in his prime. But Ikram Alikhil marshalled Afghanistan's lower-order with a precious half-century in his first game of this year's World Cup, whereupon they set about making a target of 285 seem as dim and distant as England's hopes of defending their title must now feel.

If, after winning the toss and choosing to chase, England had assumed the second half of the match would be a cakewalk to match the

Mohammad Nabi, playing his 150th ODI out of a possible 156 for his country, put on a masterclass in flight, drift and dip (Associated Press) 283 target that New Zealand had waltzed past in their tournament opener, those notions were scotched during a startlingly attacking powerplay from their opponents.

Jos Buttler's decision to bat second had seemingly been influenced by the likelihood that the ball would skid on to the bat under the floodlights. But instead, the evening’s conditions merely exacerbated the natural at-

tributes of each of Afghanistan's bowlers, not least Fazalhaq Farooqi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, right from the outset of their innings.

Farooqi's loosener was more than enough to cause a few sideways glances in the England dressing-room, a wicked full-length inswinger from his zippy left-arm line pinned Jonny Bairstow on the crease, and extracted a perfectly justifiable on-field

verdict from Rod Tucker, irrespective of Bairstow's stinkeye as he stalked from the crease after a seam'swidth DRS verdict.

But no such second-guessing was required for England's second victim of the powerplay: Joe Root, squared up by Mujeeb's front-of-the-hand slider, and bowled for 11 from 17 - yet another telling powerplay failure for England's faltering kingpin - as the ball kept low to rattle middle and off.

Not for the first time, Dawid Malan was the most composed batter on show, his 32 from 39 balls singlehandedly dragging England through the powerplay without further loss. But Mohammad Nabi, playing his 150th ODI out of a possible 156 for his country, was waiting for him as the fielding restrictions lifted. Nabi's fourth ball was a moment of offspinning poetry - a flighted, dipping delivery that made Malan believe his fifth boundary was on the cards, only for

Ibrahim Zadran to spring the trap at short cover.

At 68 for 3 in the 13th over, the alarm bells were ringing.

Buttler's exhortation in recent weeks has been to "attack"… but even he was powerless to practice what he had preached in such invidious circumstances. His only shot in anger was a pointed one, a bullet drive through the covers as Afghanistan's main threat Rashid Khan entered the attack in the 17th over. But Naveen-ulHaq's fiercely flicked seamers seemed to spook him from the outset, and after being beaten twice in his first four balls, he drove without conviction through a booming inswinger, and had his stumps splattered for 9 from 18.

England's diffidence thereafter was startling. Liam Livingstone never looked settled in his 10 from 14, eventually planting his front foot down the line to Rashid and burning a futile review in the

process. Sam Curran seemed focussed solely on holding up an end while Harry Brook got busy with a fighting half-century, including a handful of exquisite drives down the ground, and in the 31st over, England's first and only six of the innings, which told a tale - especially when set against the previous World Cup meeting between these teams. Afghanistan by contrast had launched eight.

With Curran on 10 from 23 balls, Nabi - armed quite rightly with a slip - returned with another collector's item to collect another left-hander, as Curran poked limply at a dipping offbreak and fenced low to Rahmat Shah. And it was only once the result was a foregone conclusion that England finally broke out of their defeatist mindset, with Reece Topley's three fours in a row off Farooqi proving to be among the cleanest strikes of a flat-lining display.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

Alexander is boys’ U-19 badminton champion - Rambirche & Beharry are triple champions

By Sean Devers THE National Sports Commission (NSC) Junior National Badminton Tournament climaxed on Saturday with Berbician Xavio Alexander beating Jonathan Debidin 21-15, 21-11 to win the Boys’ U-19 Singles title.

Mishka Beharry took the U-19 Girls’ Singles crown with a 21-9, 2113 victory over Leshaunte Berkley.

National U-11 Squash Champion Ethan Bulkan beat an emotional Joel Rambiriche 21-8, 21-8 as the multitalented Bulkan exhibited some well-executed drop shots, more seen in an older age group, to win the round-robin division.

Bulkan, who recently represented Guyana in the Junior CASA Squash Championships in St. Vincent, holds the National U-11 titles in both Sports.

A small gathering of mostly parents watched the three-day developmental

Berbician Xavio Alexander is the U-19 Boys Singles Champion programme.

The tournament was also used to highlight Breast Cancer Awareness, with the GBA asking everybody to wear pink, since this month is Pinktober.

In the U-15 Boys’ Singles, Ruel Rambirche copped the first prize, as did Malia Haley on the distaff

side.

In the U-11 categories, Ethan Bulkan for Boys’ Singles, and Anjaneysa Godette for the girls gained the first spot.

There were two triple champions coming out of the tournament in the U-15 Category.

Rambirche got gold in the Boys’ Singles, gold in the Boys’ Doubles after teaming up with Avinash Ramnarine, and in the Mixed Doubles he teamed up with Gianna Ramnarine.

The GBA hasn’t had a Boys’ Triple Champion since Narayan Ramdhani.

The other triple champion in the Under-19 Category is Beharry, who secured gold medals in the U-19 Girls’ Singles, Doubles with Leshaunte Berkeley, and Mixed Doubles with Xavio Alexander.

The Guyana Badminton Association thanked the Director of Sports and the National Sports Commission for sponsoring the tournament.

Mishka Beharry is the Girls’ U-19 Champion The overall winners are: UNDER 11 – MIXED DOUBLES 2nd Liam Brumell & Rio Aexander 1st Joel Rambirche & Anjaneysa Godette UNDER 11 – GIRLS SINGLES 3RD Arianna Bassier 2nd Rio Alexander 1st Anjaneysa Godette U-11 – BOY’S SINGLES 3RD Liam Brummel 2nd Joel Rambirche

1st Ethan Bulkan UNDER 15 – MIXED DOUBLES 2nd Avinash Ramnarine & Gabrielle Felix 1st Ruel Rambiriche & Gianna Ramnarine UNDER 15 – BOYS’ DOUBLES 3RD Mohamed Farouk & Lamar Lewis 3rd Jaquan Nedd & Micah Holder 2nd Egan Bulkan & Ethan Bulkan 1st Ruel Rambiriche & Avinash Ramanrine UNDER 15 – GIRLS SINGLES 3rd Aaliyah Bacchus 3RD Gianna Ramnarine 2nd Gabrielle Felix 1st Malia Haley UNDER 15 – BOYS SINGLES 3rd Sergio Alexander 3RD Egan Bulkan 2nd Avinash Ramnarine 1st Ruel Rambiriche UNDER 19 – MIXED DOUBLES 3rd Nikolas Pollard & Malia Haley 3rd Frank Waddell & Leshaunte Berkley 2nd Jedidiah Uwagboe & Neveah Eastman

1st Xavio Alexander & Mishka Beharry UNDER 19 – GIRLS DOUBLES 3RD Aaliyah Bacchus & Tyra Gomes 3rd Gabrielle Felix & Gianna Ramnarine 2nd Neveah Eastman & Malia Haley 1st Mishka Beharry & Leshaunte Berkley UNDER 19 – BOYS DOUBLES 3RD Tristian Gouveia & Adeeb Zaman 3rd Jedidiah Uwagboe & Haresh Persaud 2nd Raah Russell & Jonathan Robinson 1st Joanathan Debidin & Frank Waddell UNDER 19 – GIRLS SINGLES 3rd Genvieve Bookram 3RD Neveah Eastman 2nd Leshaunte Berkley 1st Mishka Beharry UNDER 19 – BOYS SINGLES 3rd Raah Russell 3RD Frank Waddell 2nd Jonathan Debidin 1st Xavio Alexander

Everest wins GSA Enet Club Championships

THE unbeaten Georgetown Club Tro j a n s s u f f e re d their only defeat in the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) Enet Club Championship when they lost 3-1 to Everest in Saturday’s final at the Georgetown Club’s Squash Court on Camp Street.

Everest had fought their way to the final after a 3-0 victory over the GSA junior team.

Saturday's match commenced at 14:00hrs with Everest’s Dwayne Yan beating Reagan Rodrigues 9/11 11/9 11/6

7/11 11/4 Trojans’ Dennis Dias defeated Miguel Wong 11/6 6/11 4/11 11/7 12/10 to level the score 1-1 while Avinash Odit beat Joe Mekdeci 11/0 11/3 14/12 to put Everest ahead 3-1 Everest’s Rob Edwards got the better of Nar Singh, 11/3 10/12 11/5 11/2 to give the Camp Road club a 4-1 lead, while the final match between Georgetown Trojans’ Khalil Ali and Jacques Foster from Everest was not played.

(Sean Devers)

...beats Georgetown Trojans 3-1

Courts Optical Pee Wee football tournament…

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Redeemer, Marian Academy move on to next rounds

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 16, 2023

This Delano Williams photo shows the action in the 2023 Courts Optical Pee Wee Football tournament

SEE PAGE

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Alexander is boys’ U-19 badminton champion SEE PAGE

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The players show off their hardware (Sean Devers photos)

- Rambirche & Beharry are triple champions

Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship….

Petterson-Griffith emerges champion GUYANA’S Carlos Petterson-Griffith emerged champion of yesterday’s Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship held at the National Park.

Petterson-Griffith beat out the challenges of Donovan Dongo and Wilson Balansi to take the trophy.

Details in tomorrow’s edition.

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Some of the participants from yesterday’s Kares CrossFit Caribbean Championship

| MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023