Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 18-10-2021

MONDAY 18th October, 2021

' No.106518

Disability does not mean inability –– visually impaired Afeefa Ally beats odds to excel at NGSA

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03 Afeefa Ally

Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo meets with Ken Ofori-Atta, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning of Ghana. Jagdeo arrived in the African nation last Friday for a three-day working visit. Amongst other objectives, the Vice-President and his delegation are in Ghana to learn about the country’s experiences in the oil and gas sector, with particular reference to local content and participation, the legal framework, and general best practices in the exploration for hydrocarbons and exploitation of hydrocarbon finds

Four dead in 09&11 Hundreds of new 02 Catholic on horizon Standard’s separate accidents jobs –– as more shore bases expected to come on stream EiC 14 passes away PAGES

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Catholic Standard 's EiC, Colin Smith

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Hundreds of new jobs on horizon

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

–– as more shore bases expected to come on stream

AS the petroleum sector continues to grow, the country is expected to further benefit from the establishment of several new shore bases and port facilities, which are expected to come on stream in the next few years, creating hundreds of new jobs and bringing the government one step closer to delivering on its promise to provide 50,000 new employment opportunities by 2025.

Public works Minister, Juan Edghill, on Saturday, said that the new facilities will not only serve the burgeoning oil and gas sector, but also the operations of

other key industries, including agriculture.

At a career fair hosted by the Guyana Shore Base Incorporated (GYSBI) on Saturday, Minister Edghill indicated that a component of the government’s employment drive is the granting of no-objections for several more shore base facilities, in addition to what is being constructed

by Guyana Shore Base Inc. OilNow has since confirmed the interest of eight investors who are looking to build new ports onshore Guyana.

Minister Edghill was quoted by the government’s Department of Public In-

formation as saying that the need for more shore bases is expected to increase, as ExxonMobil Guyana prepares to embark on massive exploration projects, especially within the lucrative Stabroek block offshore Guyana.

“GYSBI cannot alone handle everything that will be happening, everything that will be happening in the oil and gas sector… GYSBI was the first and they are doing well,” Edghill said.

In elaborating on the growing need for more facilities, Minister Edghill said that the oil exploration and extraction operations have resulted in a significant increase in the number of ships traversing the Demerara River on a weekly basis.

More specifically, it has quadrupled, according to Edghill. According to the government’s information department, the number of ships entering the Demerara River is projected to grow exponentially as ExxonMobil prepares to welcome its floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO), the Liza Unity vessel, which is slated to come on stream next year.

“So, you’ll need more ports. We will need definitely more lay down yards. We will need more warehouses.

We will need more berthing facilities for ships coming in,” Minister Edghill noted.

He expressed hope that these new ports will be established not only along the Demerara River but also the Berbice and Essequibo Rivers as well.

In addition to the petroleum sector, the new facilities are also expected to serve the booming agriculture industry, especially as President Dr. Irfaan Ali endeavours to return Guyana to its former glory of being the breadbasket of the Caribbean region.

MORE FACILITIES NEEDED “We will need facilities to deal with agricultural supplies, both for airlift capacity for fresh vegetables and shrimp and fish or even poultry, but we will also need other facilities for our rice, our sugar; if we become a new producer of poultry feed, with our interventions in soya and corn, we need a lot of waterfront facilities,” Edghill noted Meanwhile, construction of the West Demerara Shore Base (WDSB) is slated to commence later in the year at Versailles.

The investor company, Tristar Incorporated, had said that all regulatory approvals have already been given and that the project was on course for a 2023 completion.

The WDSB will be built

on a 70-acre site on the West Bank of the Demerara River. When completed, the project will be a dedicated oil and gas shore base with six-berths.

The WDSB is the brainchild of Guyanese businessman, Krishna Persaud – founder and sole shareholder of Tristar Inc. After a successful stint as a stock market investor and real estate developer in the United States, Persaud has returned to Guyana with an aim of providing opportunities for Guyanese living on the West Bank of Demerara, where he was raised.

The project is projected to bring a much-needed economic boost to several West Demerara communities that suffered “dislocation” due to the closure of the Wales Sugar Estate in 2016.

In addition to creating hundreds of direct employment, the WDSB will also utilise a supply chain of Guyanese suppliers and Guyanese sub-contractors, thereby increasing the number of employment that the project will create.

Tristar in a statement earlier in the year had said that the project will be in keeping with the company’s commitment to the people of Guyana. “The WDSB will also mean more competition in the shore base services landscape which will lead to lower prices

Public works Minister, Juan Edghill for companies engaged in offshore exploration and development activities; this ultimately redounds to the benefit of the Guyanese economy,” Tristar Inc noted.

Additionally, it said that the Versailles area is one that is not congested with traffic, houses and businesses. “Being located up the Demerara River means that the facility will not be subject to coastal wave action.

Its location is also just opposite existing development: Guyana Shore Base Inc. (GYSBI), together with the WDSB, could create a sustainable economic cluster,” the company said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

Disability does not mean inability –– visually impaired Afeefa Ally beats odds to excel at NGSA

By Nafeeza Yahya WITH great determination and a supportive family, Afeefa Ally, 12, of Number 76 Village, Corriverton, East Berbice, Corentyne, who is visually-impaired, has proven that being born with a disability does not mean one cannot achieve his/her dreams or have a relatively normal life.

Ally, who scored 502 marks at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), is ranked second at her school, Corriverton Primary, and has secured a spot at St Stanislaus College in the Capital City.

Ally was delivered prematurely at six months and was initially told she had cancer but was later diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity, an eye disorder cause by abnormal blood

vessel growth that rendered her legally blind.

Despite an attempted corrective surgery in the United States, Ally can only differentiate darkness from brightness. This, however, did not put a damper on her dreams of becoming a writer or inventor.

With the support of her family, especially her grandmother, interesting ways were crafted to make her work easier.

“I studied and revised my work but I didn’t do too much in one day. I try to spread it around, Math was a bit tricky. I was able to understand better for the other subjects with the diagrams grandma made with play dough,” she told the Guyana Chronicle.

Despite being a bit disappointed because she did not get to achieve the marks

for Queen’s College, the soft-spoken but eloquent preteen sees her achievement as an inspiration for every child living with a disability. Living with a disability does not limit a person’s capabilities, she said.

“Not because you are disabled means that you can’t do what normal people do. Just put your mind to it; you can do anything. Reach for the sky. Whatever you put your mind to, you can achieve.

You just have to try and never give up. Every journey begins with a single step but don’t get frustrated if you didn’t do well at first; continue to try,” was her inspiring message to others.

WORK WITH YOUR CHILDREN Meanwhile, Afeefa’s parents, both of whom are teachers, are encouraging

parents to work with their children, especially those with disabilities.

“We don’t limit her with her disabilities; a lot of kids with disabilities may be at home as parents would be skeptical of sending their children to school. When we started to send her to school, we weren’t hoping so much in terms of education. we want her to socialise, and we want her to have a normal life. In time we realise she has this ability that she could learn and so we try to strengthen that ability; God has blessed her with a fantastic memory. Parents need to find that strength in their children and work on them.

Most parents may look at the disability and fail to see the strength in the children and they may never be able to accomplish anything. Accomplishment is not only in the

sense of education they need to find. They need to search for that strength that a child has and help them nurture it,” her mother Afsana, said.

The overjoyed parents are also thankful to the Ministry of Education for providing worksheets and text books that were instrumental in assisting Afeefa to be successful at her examinations.

“We are happy; we have been working with her; we just hope that her story can inspire others to work with their children despite their disability,” the proud mother said.

Afeefa, instead of attending St Stanislaus College in the City, will continue her education at the Skeldon/Line Path Secondary, which is not far from where she lives.

“I want to be a writer or inventor; I love creating things. I want to be able to

Afeefa Ally work and be independent,” the young lady said confidently.

When she is not studying, Afeefa spends her time playing with friends, cousins, younger sibling and listening to her audiobooks.

CXC endorses 2021 NGSA and marking process

–– Education Ministry rejects APNU+AFC’s claims

THE Ministry of Education has expressed disappointment with regards to a statement issued by the A Partnership for National Unity+Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) on the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results.

The ministry, in a release, said the Coalition was unable to unreservedly congratulate the students, parents, teachers and Education Ministry, who, in the midst of a pandemic, persevered and conducted and sat the assessments.

However, the Ministry said it thanks the party for acknowledging publicly that the process was clean and bears the integrity any exam should. APNU/AFC, by stating that the process “could have been brought into disrepute” is clearly and openly acknowledging that the process was not brought

into disrepute, the ministry contended.

“As of 2016, the NGSA has been administered by the Caribbean Examinations Council, the premier regional examination body whose examinations most Guyanese have written to start their careers and further studies locally and internationally. This year, in the interest of a fully transparent process that carries the CXC mark of integrity, the role of that examining body was expanded to conduct the exam from the beginning to the end. Far more than they were contracted to do under the APNU/ AFC. To bring this reputable examination body into disrepute of being unable to run an examination without interference is a slap in the face of this entity, CARICOM, and hard-working Guyanese. It also brings into question the foundation of

many people’s lives,” the ministry said.

The process was entirely a CXC process and “the way the exam was conducted and marked is fully endorsed by CXC”, CXC Director of Operations, Dr. Nicole Manning said.

This year Guyana’s children performed well in harsh circumstances, the ministry related.

“We should all be celebrating that. If the APNU/ AFC had listened to the children who wrote the exams they would have heard almost all of the public-school children and many of the private school children crediting for their success, the NGSA Booster programme on the Learning Channel, text books they received, The QuizMe platform and the consolidated curriculum, none of which existed prior to August 2020.

“Still, the ministry believes it was doing what it is mandated to do: respond as the needs arose, a matter about which the ministry remains proud. That party can make itself useful and would be serving its constituency sensibly if it were to encourage parents and students alike to make good use of those products in the absence of normalcy in the school environment and in preparation for next year’s NGSA. “The APNU/AFC oddly questions why statistics were not given. This year, for the first time, CXC prepared and presented the report and more statistics than are usually given were presented on a screen, no less, complete with bar graphs and charts. The ministry would be happy to help the opposition interpret those statistics.

The Ministry of Education

is also pleased to say that within the next few days any member of the public would be able to access the performance of any school to see the progress/ decline thereat for the last few years. We will do this with great pride and in the interest of transparency and accountability,” the ministry said.

The ministry also noted that “we do not believe we can advance if we do not all acknowledge where we are” and pointed out that “This is a marked departure from the APNU+AFC not publishing the education digest for any of the years it has been in office, a practice the PPP/C government had made normal for all almost its years in office”.

In addition, the ministry made clear that if a mere, routine visit in the presence of cameras and close to 500 persons, all of whom

have camera phones, by a minister, whether it be Minister Manickchand or Rupert Roopnaraine who also visited the marking centres several times, could bring the process into disrepute, then the entire process should be thrown through the window and start again.

“Except we do not.

Because there is nothing wrong with any such open visit. For the APNU+AFC to have suggested otherwise was an illogical, mischievous, politically opportunistic position that was adopted which simply does not reflect the truth and which they now accept was a flawed position even as they continue to offer enough suggestions to create doubt,” the ministry said as it called on the Coalition to stop playing politics with the education of the nation’s children.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

Dozens missing in deadly Indian floods

AT least 26 people have been killed in floods in southern India after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, cutting off towns and villages.

Five children are among the dead. There are fears the death toll could rise further as many people are missing.

Several houses were washed away and people became trapped in the district of Kottayam in Kerala state.

Video from the area showed bus passengers being rescued after their vehicle was inundated with floodwater.

Days of heavy rainfall in Kerala have caused deadly landslides and the Indian military has joined rescue efforts.

Helicopters have been used to fly in supplies and personnel to areas where people have been trapped under debris by the landslides, officials said on Sunday.

In one tragic incident, a family of six -- including a 75-year-old grandmother and three children -- were confirmed dead after their home

Sections of some roads were washed away (BBC/GETTY IMAGES) in Kottayam was swept away, news agency PTI reported.

The bodies of another

Monday, 18 October 13:30hrs - 15:00hrs

three children -- aged eight, seven and four -- were also found buried under the debris

in Idukki district, where the search continued for at least five other missing people, the

agency said.

Fishing boats are being used to evacuate survivors

trapped in Kollam and other coastal towns, as sections of road have been swept away and trees uprooted.

Local residents joined rescue teams on Sunday to help remove mud, rocks and fallen trees from affected areas as the search for survivors continued.

Refuge centres have been set up in various areas across the state.

It is not uncommon for heavy rainfall to cause flooding and landslides in Kerala, where wetlands and lakes that once acted as natural safeguards against floods have disappeared because of increasing urbanisation and construction.

In 2018, some 400 people died and more than one million others were displaced by the worst flooding in Kerala in a century.

An assessment carried out by the federal government that same year found that the state, which has 44 rivers flowing through it, was among the 10 most vulnerable to flooding. (BBC)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

Haitian gang blamed for abducting missionaries A notorious gang is behind the kidnap of a group of North American missionaries near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, officials say.

The five men, seven women and five children were returning from a visit to an orphanage when they were abducted on Saturday.

Officials say they are being held by the 400 Mawozo gang also blamed for the kidnap of Catholic clergy in April.

Haiti has one of the highest rates of kidnapping in the world.

This year has been particularly bad, with more than 600 kidnappings recorded in the first three quarters of 2021, compared with 231 over the same period last year, according to a local civil society group.

The rise has come in the wake of President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in July, as rival factions fight to gain control of the country in the face of a struggling police force.

The Catholic Church has previously described the situation as “a descent into hell”, with gangs taking people from all walks of life, both local and foreign.

According to Gedeon Jean, director of the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights, based in Port-au-Prince, the vast majority of kidnappings were carried out by the 400 Mawozo gang.

Haitian police inspector Frantz Champagne told The Associated Press news agency it was thought the gang was also behind Saturday’s kid-

nap of the missionary group - 16 US citizens and one Canadian. News agency AFP said an unknown number of locals had also been taken.

The missionaries -- who had travelled to the country with the Ohio-based Christian Aid Ministries -- were seized shortly after leaving the town of Croix-des-Bouquets, an area controlled by the gang.

Jean said it fit with the “type of kidnapping that 400 Mawozo do”, telling the Miami Herald that taking an entire bus load of people was known as “a collective kidnapping”.

The Washington Post said one of those abducted posted a Whatsapp message calling for help.

“Please pray for us!! We are being held hostage, they kidnapped our driver.

Pray pray pray. We don’t know where they are taking us,” it said.

The 400 Mawozo gang normally demands a ransom.

In April, it demanded $1m (£722,000) for the safe return of the Catholic clergy.

It is unclear if any demands have been made for the return of the missionaries.

Christian Aid Ministries, which supports Haitians largely through donations and supplies s h e l t e r, f o o d a n d clothing to children and helps to fund their education, said in a statement on Sunday it was “praying for those who are being held hostage, the kidnappers, and the families, friends, and churches of those affected”. (BBC)

More than 600 kidnappings were recorded in the first three quarters of 2021 (Photo credit: BBC/GETTY IMAGES)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

Infrastructural Overhaul

THE physical infrastructure of Guyana is undergoing a major overhaul.

It is no exaggeration to say that the physical landscape of Guyana is rapidly changing, some of it, but certainly not all, driven by the emerging oil and gas industry.

One indication of growth and development is the extent to which people can travel from one place to another with reasonable comfort, and also the ease of communicating with family and friends over long distances.

On both fronts, the country is doing well.

This is evident from the several new roads under construction in all parts of the country and the upgrading and expansion of communication infrastructure. So far, over $8B has been spent on infrastructural development and billions more are earmarked for spending before the end of this fiscal year.

Guyana may still be some distance away from that of highly developed nation status, but the indications are there for all to see that we are well on the road to such an eventuality.

Those who travel to and from Guyana cannot fail to notice the modernisation initiatives at the country’s international airport

at Timehri, the Cheddi Jagan international Airport. Gone are the days when passengers have to climb the stairs of waiting aircraft, at times during heavy downpour or scorching heat. That has now been fully modernised according to industry standards and further modernisation works are currently underway.

The roadways to and from the airport have also been expanded and resurfaced, not to mention the enhanced ambience of the areas surrounding the airport. One recent innovation has been the floral roundabout on the approach to the airport, thanks to the initiative of First Lady Arya Ali. A new international hotel is also earmarked for construction close to the airport, which will further add to the changing landscape.

These are just a few of the several major projects in Guyana which when completed will have a transformative impact on the Guyanese community. The Sheriff StreetMandela Road Network and Expansion Project, which included the asphaltic paving of Sheriff Street from the Rupert Craig Highway to Durey Lane has been substan-

tially completed. To that must be added the East Coast to the East Bank bypass road and the Mandela Road to Diamond bypass roads, which when completed, will make life much easier for commuters.

Guyana is going places in terms of infrastructural development which will position the country to take advantage of new opportunities arising out of our new status as an oil and gas producer. Completion of the deep-water harbour in the mouth of Berbice River, the construction of a bridge linking Guyana and Suriname and the resurfacing of the Linden to Lethem Road will be major catalysts for greater trade and commerce among our neighbouring countries of Suriname and Brazil.

In all of this, our hinterland communities have not been left behind. Close to one billion dollars has been allocated to the upgrade of hinterland roads, some of which were badly damaged by the recent floods.

In addition to roads, several bridges have also been earmarked for construction. As pointed out by Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill, the recent floods have highlighted the fragility of timber bridges and the

need for more climate-resilient structures.

The Government of Guyana must be commended for putting resources in the area of infrastructural development, which is so necessary for overall national development.

Investors are much more likely to invest in a country that has the requisite supporting infrastructure in place such as roads, bridges, harbours, telephone service, electricity and hotel accommodation, among others.

It is worth noting that most of the infrastructural development works currently underway were initiated under the previous PPP/C administration. After the APNU+AFC Coalition took power in May 2015, the momentum was slowed down and in a few cases, the projects were aborted.

Now that the PPP/C is back in power, there has been a rekindling of that momentum.

The landscape of Guyana is changing.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has already hinted that his administration will move to create a modern Guyana which will see new poles of development and a new infrastructural network which will catapult Guyana to a new era of prosperity for all.

Vijaya Dashami (Dussehra) celebrated at ICC and across Guyana

GUYANESE Hindus celebrated the cultural festival of Vijaya Dashami on Friday evening with great vigour and excitement at mandirs and at the Indian Cultural Centre in Bel Air, Georgetown.

The celebration concluded the observance of Navratri, nine days of fasting and spiritual uplifting, which actually ended Thursday evening. The fasting period was followed by relaxation and entertainment and classical dancing the next day, known as Vijaya Dashami, more popularly called Dussehra among Indians in the diaspora. Hindu Guyanese also celebrate Dussehra in the Guyanese diaspora and in Guyana at the conclusion of Ram Leela plays when the effigy of Ravan is burnt. During this period, Ramleela plays are staged nightly during Navratri.

The Indian High Commission, under the esteemed leadership of Dr. K.J Srinivasa, a bio-chemist and doctor, hosted Dussehra celebrations on Friday evening at Swami Vivekananda’s Indian Cultural Centre in Bel Air. There was the traditional lighting of the lamp to inaugurate the festivities, cultural

dances, and singing laced with speeches.

Dr. Vindhya was the chief guest of honour with Attorney-General Anil Nandlall as the keynote speaker and UG Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paloma Mohammed as a guest of honour.

There were also several other distinguished guests, including Haji Dr. Roshan Khan.

Guests were decked out in traditional Indian outfits. Attendees joined in the traditional Garba Dance (also known as the stick dance that is very popular in India and among Indians worldwide) which is performed at Dussehra. Dr. Paloma was honoured at the festivities by the High Commissioner for her outstanding leadership and educational linkage with India. India has been very supportive of UG, inking several agreements beneficial to the institution, including scholarships to Guyanese students for advanced degrees and technical training.

Dr. Vindhya, Attorney General Nandlall, and High Commissioner Srinivasa spoke eloquently about the meaning and significance of the lovely festival. Following the formal programme, a hot traditional Indian vegetar-

ian meal was served to the guests. There was much excitement and folk dancing, following and during dinner. Local Guyanese as well as Indian nationals displayed their talent at the cultural presentation and during the Garba folk dance.

Navratri is the annual Hindu festival that pays obeisance to the universal mother during the fall and early spring. The festival was observed from October 6 thru the 16 with fasting and intense devotion by Hindus globally. Navratri commenced at the end of Pitri Paksh, praying for the souls of the departed ancestors and paying tribute to their contributions to society. Navratri is associated with the Universal Mother (Durga and her two feminine aspects Goddesses Laxmi and Saraswati) and it celebrates womanhood – a unique feature of religious faiths. As pundits explained, it is the mother who provides her children with sustenance and as such, as pandits explained, Goddesses and women must be propitiated, respected, honoured, and celebrated.

The end of Navratri is Dussehra, during which an effigy of the evil Ravan is burnt to signify the triumph of good over evil. The

destruction of evil must also be in thoughts, deeds, and actions. As Pandit Ravi of the Alexander Village temple explained at his katha or discourse on Friday evening, “Dussehra is much more than about Lord Rama slaying Ravan. It is also about overcoming so many challenges, problems, adversities by Shri Ram. More relevantly, it is about destroying the demons within ourselves and our communities.” Pandit Ravi also appealed to worshippers to take the vaccine. He said life is worth living; he urged them to be safe, to mask up, practice social distancing and disinfect.

There were traditional Guyanese Dussehra celebrations in the diaspora including in New York, where there were packed temples.

Dussehra is a holiday in India and Mauritius, setting the stage for the Diwali festival which falls on November 5 or 6, depending on location. Diwali is a public holiday in several countries.

Yours sincerely, Vishnu Bisram

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

Even the deaf will hear, the blind will see and the dumb will talk Dear Editor, GUYANA’S Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, has indicated that charges may be brought against the country’s former Finance Minister under the previous APNU+AFC government, Winston Jordan, over the handling of the US$18M signing bonus paid by ExxonMobil, if an imminent investigation proves wrongdoing.

A clever Shemaine Campbelle google introduced by the skipper at a strategic moment for a game mixer. After much coaxing, cajoling and calling, a statement replying to this enquiry was issued. The former minister’s response, “These allegations are false, baseless and repugnant. As on a previous occasion, circa November 2020, I say without fear that they are designed to impugn my character, tarnish my image and lower my esteem in the eyes of my family, friends, admirers, well-wishers and the general public.” Surprised by the ball or the turn of events? Quite a mouthful from a learned person who immediately resorted to playing on the back foot to a turning ball, shooting at his feet and middle stumps. Would Clive Lloyd react to such a delivery in a similar fashion? In a social media post, the Attorney-General purported, “You will recall the Finance Minister, at the time, denying that we ever received that US$18M bonus, and then we subsequently found that it was deposited in

some account at the Central Bank, authorised by him in writing… and then of course he took that money and invested it somewhere in the United States… it is unclear where that money is.” Now, that’s a Colin Croft’s yorker, direct, dangerous and delivered to hit you right where it hurts. Trust the Attorney-General to do his groundwork before committing himself to any speculation. In a defensive mode, the brazenness of Winston Jordan emerges with, ““Moreover, they are intended to intimidate me, in light of my scathing criticism of the government’s approach to development of my beloved country. I cannot and will not be intimidated,” Playing down temperamentally, Leonard Baichan’s shot is executed much to the delight of Geoff Boycott, but rattled by this hyped attack. A brave soldier like David Granger would urge a forward march while maintaining his cool distance in the rear. The battle continues with World War 11 in secession. When India faces Pakistan in any form of the cricket game, you can be assured that battle gears are fashionable and weapons of destruction are deployed to ensure that each team is fitted with the best armour.

Which ground will play out this magnificent game between the Attorney-General and the former Minister of Finance? Will it be the former internationally renowned grass-rooted splendour of Bourda, or, the New Providence Stadium, with a larger and modern facility enhancement? Why mention our penultimate High Court or the grand finale, CCJ? This is

not election time, as yet, but, a preparatory influenza to castrate and castigate the corrupted concomitants at large. How biased or unbiased will be the umpires? Will they be supportive of facts and figures or persons and personalities?

Mr. Anil Nandlall also stressed the paramount importance of the nature of the accusation and the degree or extent of its implications. This is spreading a wide field at the boundary waiting for the catch. This matter remains a burning issue with the Guyanese public at large, regardless of political affiliation, creating much strife and uncomfortableness from the former administration, especially when caught with their pants down, exposing a juicy tenderness which is appalling and uncouth. Andy Roberts warming at the northern end. When the aggressive PPP/C party was in opposition, it did promise to investigate and reveal all the wrongdoing and corrupt practices of the APNU+AFC government and investigate all the many speculated and suspicious transactions, which yielded creditable and profitable rewards to many players in office and their affiliates, much like a mean and vicious Michael Holding attack. Currently, much hoodwinking is suspiciously being entertained and, there is a big appetite to create indigestion. Careful with the slow and lanky Lance Gibbs. The room for manoeuvrability is flexibly in pursuit as circumstances consistently present themselves in different colours, flavours and sizes. Viv Richards in his day playing left, right and centre.

Guyanese ingenuity is remarkably sustained

by creative initiative and glibly undetected in secrecy and disguise. The unorthodox new lifting of the ball by the batsman and playing over the wicket-keeper is a calculated risk.

Such intuition is innovatively original and far from being argumentative, not imitative.

The former and formidable batsmen will play conventional shots and strokes, except Rohan Kanhai, who mastered the hook shot. This war of words is the former Caribbean’s cavalier approach to take the fight to the opponents.

Remember Alvin Kallicharan attacking the beastly and ferocious Lillee in the famous first World Cup cricket game at Lord’s in 1975?

Oh, the days of West Indies glorious cricket days are in jeopardy, and yes, now played overseas and not at home. Someone mentioned big bucks, huge payoffs and offshore banking as a lure to invite local destabilisation, perks and kickbacks. The cars are fastly approaching the goose neck turn and the horses are entering the last stretch home.

A conclusive point of consideration has the laser beam arrow pointing towards an APNU+AFC administration denial, acceptance, acknowledgement and confession, which speaks volumes.

Even the deaf will hear, the blind will see and the dumb will talk. Should we be talking about Suriname’s US$100M signing bonus?

led the flood-relief effort at three distribution centres (public schools) – West Demerara, Leonora, and Meten- Meer Zorg. Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat led the effort at four schools Parika and Greenwich, and surrounding areas – all cash-crop farming areas -- while Attorney-General Anil Nandlall led the effort on the West Bank also at four schools. Nandlall served the most recipients at Saturday’s exercise.

The three ministers engaged farmers and household heads at 11 distribution centres.

Over 5,000 farmers and households benefited from the grant relief on Saturday. Over $400M was distributed on Saturday Oct 16.

Last Saturday, farmers in the riverine areas and islands received their flood-relief grants.

President Irfaan Ali, as announced by Minster Mustapha at his three meetings as well as the other ministers at their meetings, committed in early June to provide relief assistance to farmers who lost crops and livestock during the floods. Over 50K farmers and home-owners suffered flood-related damage.

Farmers who suffered losses in rice, cash-crop, and livestock during the floods

were entitled to grants once their information was verified by several staff who fanned out around the country to assess damage and losses. Last July, the government passed a bill committing $7.6 billion for the relief programme that was rolled out in August.

Minister Zulfikar said the money is a huge injection to spur the economy that has been affected by COVID and several natural calamities. Minister Zulfikar explained that the relief grant is not compensation for losses, but a grant to assist the farmers to get re-started in farming and livestock production.

Region Three is among the most affected by the floods with over 300 rice farmers and 300 livestock owners losing crops and animals in the billions of dollars. “This region is one of the most important regions in terms of agriculture with over 5,000 farmers benefiting from this initiative,” Minister Mustapha told the large gathering at the West Demerara Secondary School. The remark was repeated at the other two centres. He told the three gatherings that Guyana can be the breadbasket of the Caribbean that has been importing over US$5 billion worth of food annually

from outside the Region. Guyana had lost out on exports because of the policies of the previous administration. He also noted that under the preceding regime, Guyana had ceded agricultural status and honours to St. Vincent. But the PPP government has been making gains to recapture agro markets.

He said under the PPP, agriculture is occupying its rightful place as the leading food producer in the Region.

The minister assured those whose names were not on the list to receive grants will be added thereto, once they provide the information and it is verified by staff investigators. “If your name is not on the list, make representation at the problem desk.

Once your claim is verified that you were affected, you will get your relief. I make that commitment to you.”

Farmers from the payout at the various centres said that the grant will assist them to return to the land to restart their operations. Most plan to purchase, seeds, seedlings, chicks, fertilisers, and related items to get them back into farming.

Yours respectfully, Jai Lall

Gov’t delivering on promises to farmers

Dear editor, GUYANA’S Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha spearheaded the government’s ongoing flood-relief cash grant distribution exercise in Region Three, West Demerara, on Saturday.

On Friday, Oct 15, the minister also spearheaded the flood-relief effort in Region Two, Essequibo, where he was accompanied by Local Government Ministe, Nigel Dharamlall and other members of the government, as well as the Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture. The minister rolled out the flood-relief grant programme in August in Region Six, promising to expand it to all regions. The minister has kept his promise. Zulfikar Mustapha has been the most visible minister on the ground addressing issues affecting farmers. Opinion polls revealed that he has been the most effective Agriculture Minister since independence, championing farmers’ interests. Since August of 2020, the government has been providing all possible assistance to farmers to boost food production.

On Saturday Oct 16, Minister Mustapha

Yours sincerely,

8

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

Scenes from Vice-President Jagdeo’s visit to Ghana

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo and team held discussions with H.E. Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice-President of Ghana and a team of technical officials

9

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

50 more cops trained to handle gender-based violence cases

FIFTY more police officers are now more equipped to deal with gender-based violence and domestic violence after undergoing training at the Police Officer’s Training Centre.

The second and third batches of graduates from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s and United Nations Populations Fund COPSQUAD 2020, aim to improve the efficiency of the Guyana Police Force in dealing with these cases.

In September a batch of 18 graduated.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security launched the initiative in August with the hope that 2,000 persons will be trained before the end of this year.

Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn and Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Per-

saud were in attendance for the event.

“We will have to admit if we are looking at the statistics that it isn’t working itself out in ways which we would want it to work out as quickly as we would want it to happen and hence, we have these training programmes.

We have many of these new aspects of training for police … and education and training because we know the range of policing interventions are much more than what it used to be,” Minister Benn stated.

Gender-based violence covers sexual violence, sexual exploitation and abuse, child marriages and early union, child abuse, trafficking in persons and intimate-partner violence.

Minister Persaud told the graduates that she has confidence in them to work towards changing the statistics.

Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud, presents a certificate to one of the participants (DPI photo)

“This course came in a timely manner and gender-based violence, domestic violence, intimate-partner violence is [sic] very prevalent in our society and the reality is, a lot of people go through this and they don’t speak,” Sergeant Fields said.

“Let us go out there and be the difference, let us change lives, let us educate people and let them

know that there are places for them to go to, there are professionals for them to talk to,” he urged his fellow graduates.

Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie said seven women have been killed by their partners for this year up to October 15, 2021, compared to 11 for the same period last year.

(DPI)

Two dead after car plunges into Mahaicony Branch Road canal Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn pins a badge on one of the participants (DPI photo) “I would like to challenge dressed the gathering. all of you, to channel and “I have learnt a new way harness your energies so that to interview a survivor of they could be utilised effec- domestic violence and most tively to make that tangible definitely I will continue to impact. Wherever you are, move in a swift manner to let your name be that name ensure that justice is served that is called for all the good and that persons are comfortthings that will happen in able,” she added. the police stations or in the Constable Guwraft Bisoffices or in the communities sessar, another beneficiary of where you find yourself,” the programme, also respondshe said. ed positively to the training.

Several of the graduates “When I return to my place of the five-day training ex- of work, I will educate the pressed enthusiasm for re- public along with police offiturning to work and putting cers about the different ways into practice what they have and means of dealing with learnt from the training. domestic violence and their “I am pleased to say that speedy response to domestic … there are many options violence,” he said. available for a survivor who Sergeant Kevin Fields, encounters gender-based vi- who is attached to the Fiolence or any form of vio- nance Department of the lence that falls under gen- Guyana Police Force, is der-based,” said Constable also grateful for what he has Tanesha Johnson as she ad- learnt.

Home Affairs Minister, Robeson Benn; Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud and other officials with the graduates (DPI photo)

TWO persons are now dead following an accident on Saturday evening at Mahaicony Branch Road, East Coast Demerara, where a motorcar plunged overboard after the driver lost control of the vehicle while speeding, and was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

Dead are Deocharran Dass, a 38-year-old male of New Providence, Mahaicony, the driver of the motor vehicle bearing registration number PFF3940, and Bhickram Singh, a 31-year-old male of Mortice Branch Road, Mahaicony, who was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident.

According to police reports, Dass, Singh and another occupant of the vehicle, 27-year-old Vishan Motie of

The motor vehicle bearing registration number PFF3940 partially submerged in the canal Mahaicony Branch Road were all consuming alcohol at a friend’s house.

After leaving the location, Dass was proceeding south along the eastern side of the Mahaicony Branch Road at an alleged fast rate when he failed to negotiate a sharp left turn and instead plunged into a canal located on the southern side of the road which caused the vehicle to flip over and become submerged in the canal.

Motie, who was seated in the front passenger seat, managed to escape; however, Dass and Singh were trapped and were unable to exit the vehicle. They were subsequently removed in an unconscious state by public-spirited citizens and rushed to the Mahaicony Cottage Hospital.

Dass and Singh were seen and examined by a doctor on duty at the hospital who pronounced both of them dead on arrival. The bodies are at the hospital’s mortuary awaiting post-mortem as police continue their investigations.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

Do you have a teenager?

Names have been changed to protect identities WHEREVER teenagers are in the World, the majority tend to go through the same pattern of development when they hit adolescence (sometimes even earlier).

A part of adolescent development is self-image.

Teenager care deeply about how others see them, especially their peers. It can become all-consuming, and, for them, seem like the most crucial thing in the World. Children who grow with little love from parents and family and even less input and guidance, have no structure to form their adolescent years.

Subsequently, they lack

self-esteem and often selfworth. Working out who they are, what they need to do and where they are heading in life could take any shape or form. Inevitably, many adolescents end up making major irreversible mistakes. Some experiences mar them for life.

Selina’s story could happen to any child, in any village, in any part of Guyana. We are sharing her story to highlight the immaturity of adolescent choices and the importance of positive parental guidance. Maybe you can prevent the same from happening to your child or someone you know.

A Child Protection Officer shares Selina’s story.

Selina’s mother had no time for motherhood; she left the 6-month-old baby with her biological father and his mother. The two did their best to raise the child in a family setting where brothers, cousins, and other relatives were constantly coming and going. For Selina, there was no one-to-one attention, love, encouragement, nurturing or care. On occasions, Selina grew fond of the families who rented the upper apartment, but they would move on, and once again, Selina felt alone.

When Selina’s mum

visited, they never bonded the way mothers and daughters do. The elder did not embrace and cherish her child, and the child had no clue that something was missing from her existence.

Like all children, she accepted and strived in her circumstances.

When a distant relative invested in Selina’s private school education, she felt special for a while. At last, someone noticed and wanted to help her. But due to her grandmother’s failing health, Selina dropped out of school to run errands, do chores and care for her grandmother.

It was an uncle who

spotted 15-year-old Selina leaving the empty upper apartment with a boy. The family made a big fuss when the uncle revealed his observation. Family members sat Selina down and questioned her. Next, they tried to advise her. ‘If you need condoms, we will give you condoms’, they concluded, in their manly efforts to patronise the girl, who, of course, denied that anything sexual took place. There is no need for condoms or worry, she persuaded them, and everyone forgot the incident in time.

Even Selina didn’t know how she managed to hide her pregnancy for as long as she did -which bears testament to her unmonitored existence.

Somewhere in her second trimester, an upstairs tenant brought the same to her father’s attention.

He ranted and raved at the girl before calling her mother, who wasn’t the least bit interested. After a while, however, mother and father concocted a plan to purchase ‘something’ to ‘help’ Selina.

A day later, Selina writhed in pain on the kitchen floor, clutching her stomach. The ‘plan’ was working. Twisting this way and that, she tried not to ‘holler’. Her frantic father on the phone asked the mother what to do? What to do? Her reply, ‘wait ‘til tomorrow and carry she hospital’. The tenant from upstairs, overhearing the commotion, knocked on the door to advise immediate hospitalisation.

Fifteen-year-old Selina lay on a hospital trolley after experiencing the most significant trauma of her life. She felt dazed, tired and distressed when a nurse entered the spacious delivery room carrying a bundle. It was Selina’s perfectly formed baby girl.

She was dead but, did Selina want to see her? Selina took the light bundle from the nurse and opened it.

Holding the soft body close

to her, she broke down and cried. For the first time, through her confusion and trauma, she realised and felt love. Afterwards Selina said. ‘I cried because she was small and helpless; that is how I’ve felt all my life. She needed someone to care for her and love her.

That is what I have needed all my life’.

Selina is now 19 years old with a two-year-old son. She resumed her education and is on a 5-year contraceptive plan. ‘My son wasn’t an accident’, she says, ‘I had to fill the emptiness after my daughter, with love and hope.

My son’s name is Alain which means precious because that is what he is to me’.

As adults, we need to understand beyond a doubt that young people need us to be there for them. Even if they don’t seem to be listening to us at the time, we still need to be open to talking and listening to them - while finding different ways to make our point.

One day the penny might/will drop, and the person will think, ‘Oh, so that’s what my Father or Mother was trying to explain to me?’ or, ‘That’s why Granny told me to stay in school and get an education’.

The advice and care might be well-timed and work appropriately. But even if it doesn’t, you would have done your best.

And the child who becomes an adult will know that someone cared enough to talk to her and listen to her concerns.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@ gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY, MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

Region Six top student: ‘I could not contain my excitement’

By Nafeeza Yahya

RAPHAEL Omarao, 12, could have hardly contain his excitement when he heard his name announced on a live televised broadcast last Friday as the top pupil for Region Six at the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The announcement, he related to the Guyana Chronicle, took a while to sink in. In fact, it only did when friends and family began messaging him about the good news. At this time, the young man who scored 518 marks and will be heading to Guyana’s premier secondary school, Queen’s College, jumped as high as he could as he screamed and ran around the house in excitement.

When he settled, the former Skeldon Primary School pupil related that the examinations were “a walk in the park” and he knew that he would have done well.

Omarao spent many nights studying and was ably supported by his mother, but on occasions, he experienced a few challenges studying in a

Raphael Omarao

Jada Dhanpat

Miya Hari

Anmarie Sukhra

Rihanna Lewis

pandemic environment.

“Some days were difficult because either the Internet went off, blackout or sometimes you can’t have that interaction as you would in school and ask questions,” he said.

Now that the examination results are out and he has achieved his goal of doing well, his focus has now shifted to step two, which is to set the cement to the foundation of becoming an engineer and poet.

Young Omarao is encouraging pupils who will

be writing next year’s examination to stay focused, don’t overthink and always take their time to read and understand.

Sarah Mannu of Cumberland Primary, who scored 517 marks and will also be heading to Queen’s College, copped second place in Region Six, while Miya Hari of New Market Primary, who scored 516 marks came in third.

Hari expressed gratitude to her parents and teachers for their support. She wants to one day become a scientist

and help to cure some of the diseases that afflict the world.

In at fourth place in the region is Vishun Basdeo of Rose Hall Estate Primary with 513 marks, followed

by Jada Dhanpat of Skeldon Primary with 512 marks.

Jada, who is well-spoken, said she is extremely happy with her results.

“I knew I was going to get a school in Georgetown, but did not know [it would be] Queen’s [College] -- that was my goal but after Social Studies was a bit challenging; I didn’t know I would have

gotten it. I’m very happy,” she said, noting that she spent a lot of time studying and taking extra lessons but still managed to find a balance.

Jada hopes to become either a lawyer or teacher.

Meanwhile, Rihanna Lewis of Port Mourant Primary School attained 512 marks. She said her hard work has paid off.

“I would wake up and finish my work that my teacher sends. I would utilise the textbooks and even study late into the nights,” said Lewis, who hopes to become a sci-

entist.

She extended gratitude to her mother and teachers for their support, sacrifices and encouragement.

Miranda Adams of All Saints Primary who also scored 512 marks and Anmarie Sukhra of Cropper Primary; Charlita Jagarnath of Tain Primary; Ciel Clement of All Saints Primary and Jamier Grant of St Aloysius Primary, who each gained 511 marks, will all be heading to Queen’s College.

TWO drivers are now dead and another driver and passenger are severely injured following a serious accident on Saturday evening on the Liliendaal Railway Embankment, East Coast Demerara (ECD), in the vicinity of the Liliendaal Bridge.

Dead are Mohamed Ali of Atlantic Gardens, ECD, the driver of motor car bearing registration number PWW3133 and Devaskar Jetoo of New Road, Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara, the driver of a hire car bearing registration number HC6244.

Two dead, two injured following three-vehicular accident at Liliendaal According to Police Headquarters, Ali was proceeding west along the southern side of the Railway Embankment at a fast rate of speed and while in the process of overtaking motor car bearing registration number PMM1176 driven by Petal Northe of Arapaima Street, East La

The hire car bearing registration number HC6244

One of the vehicles involved in the accident on Saturday evening

Penitence, Georgetown, he collied with the said vehicle.

Ali then lost control of his vehicle and ended up into the path of the motor car driven by Jetoo, which was proceeding east along the said road where a second collision occurred. As a result of the collision the vehicles driven by Ali and Jetoo were extensively

damaged.

Ali was pronounced dead at the scene by Doctor Joseph while Jetoo was taken by ambulance to the Georgetown Public Hospital (GPHC) where he succumbed around 04:00hrs Sunday morning.

The third driver, Northe, and an occupant of Ali’s vehicle at the time of the accident, Evana

Seejatan, 26, of Atlantic Gardens, ECD, were admitted at the GPHC with multiple injuries.

The police reported that the mangled vehicles involved in the accident are lodged at the Turkeyen Police Station, ECD, to be examined by a licensing and certifying officer as further investigations are in progress.

12

Young women get platform to express themselves

THE voices of young women across Guyana will be amplified, creating a pathway of empowerment through the newly launched special edition ‘youths unfiltered’ initiative.

The initiative is the brainchild of Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, and focuses on providing influential young women with a platform to express themselves and find solutions to issues.

The programme was recently launched at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI) at Cove and John, East Coast Demerara by Minister Persaud.

Minister Persaud, in her address, assured attendees that the ministry will ensure their journey as young women is a good one.

“As I have the priv-

Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, interacting with several young ladies on issues they face. The interaction was held at the ministry’s headquarters (DPI photo) ilege of launching the that divide that exists dig- the National Communistoryboard and also youth itally, so that the digital cations Network (NCN). unfiltered episode one, generation can benefit The programme will I want to wish all the from digital technology f e a t u r e o u t s t a n d i n g girls everywhere, happy and truly fulfil their po- young women such as International Girl’s Day. tential using the digital Guyana’s youngest pubFrom where I sit and the tools at their disposal.” lished author, Aurelia entire team at the Ministry The ‘young unfiltered’ Sue-Ann; 15-year-old of Human Services and is a 30-minute programme Olympic swimmer, AleSocial Security, we will that will be premiered on ka Persaud and othspare no effort to make the ministry’s Facebook ers in tech, entrepreyour journey a good one. page and aired on E- Net- neurship among others.

And let us work to bridge works Channel one and (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

Motorcyclist dies in High Street crash A 48-year-old motorcyclist, Eon Howard, of ‘B’ Field, Sophia, Georgetown, died just after midnight on Saturday after he lost control of his motorcycle along High Street, Werk-EnRust, Georgetown and ended up in a concreate drain.

Police reported that Howard was proceeding south on High Street on his motorcycle bearing registration number, CK7303, at a fast rate of speed when he lost control and ended up in a concrete drain located on the eastern side of the The motorcycle bearing registration number said road.

As a result, he was CK7303 pinned by the said motorcycle but was assisted out of the drain by public-spirited citizens. Howard was examined and pronounced dead at the accident scene by a doctor attached to the Emergency Medical Service Unit.

The body of the motorcyclist was then taken to Memorial Funeral Home where it is awaiting a post-mortem.

13

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

Aspiring lawyer is Region Two’s top NGSA performer T W E LV E - Y E A R OLD Shreya Pratima Ramnarine of the C V Nunes Primary is the top performer for Region Two at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

Ramnarine, a resident of Anna Regina Housing Scheme, scored a total of 517 marks and was awarded a place at Queen’s College.

During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Ramnarine, who is the only child for her parents, said that she is aspiring to become a lawyer.

While attributing her success to self-study, she explained that studying during the pandemic was very challenging but she remained focused.

Her parents Ravindra and Lalina Ramnarine said they are very satisfied with their daughter’s performance. Ravindra is a rice farmer and Lalina is Head of the English Department at the Anna Regina Multilateral Secondary School (ARMS).

Lalina told this publication that she knew her daughter would perform well at the examinations.

The mother said that her daughter works well without much parental interference and she is truly self-motivated.

“My daughter worked on the ministry’s past papers and worksheets, did studies from her textbooks with her parents’ help at times and in her spare time read a lot of novels... never attended any extra lessons,” she added.

Ramnarine thanked her parents for their support and the teachers at the C V Nunes Primary.

Bhavin Griffith of Huist Diren Primary School, took the second spot with 516 marks which earned him a place at Queen’s College.

Griffith, an aspiring lawyer, told this publication that studying during the pandemic was very difficult. He used the opportunity to thank all those who supported him, including his parents Delroy and Malika Griffith and

his uncle Sunil Singh, who spent sleepless nights with him.

He is therefore encouraging other pupils to ensure that they stay focused and to do self- study.

Occupying the third spot is 12-year-old Aaisha Mohammed of Al Madinah Islamic School. She gained 510 marks and was awarded a spot at Queen’s College.

Mohammed said she did not expect to do so well, given the absence of face-to-face learning. She said she is proud of herself and wants to give praise to Allah.

She said she owes her gratitude to her grandmother Twahiroon Mohamed and her grandfather who helped her to study.

She also thanked her father Saeed Zameer Mohammed for his support.

Jessica Inniss of Fisher Primary School shared the third spot with Mohammed and was also awarded a place at Queen’s College.

Inniss was very happy and thanked her parents for their support. Inniss said that studying during the pandemic was very challenging, but she said she kept her focus and with self- study and extra lessons she excelled. She is aspiring to become a doctor.

Other pupils who performed well in the region are Lukesh Deonarine of Taymonth Manor Primary; Karisham Dhanoopdarie of C V Nunes Primary; Esaara Persaud of C V Nunes Primary; Kaysheena Singh of Taymouth Manor Primary and Nishanna Dial of Huist Diren Primary.

Meanwhile, Regional Education Officer Nichola Matthews, extended congratulations to all the pupils in the region and said that despite the pandemic, the pupils have made the Department of Education proud.

Matthews said she is happy with the region’s results and she used the opportunity to thank all the teachers and parents who worked with their children during the pandemic to ensure that they excelled.

Top student, Shreya Pratima Ramnarine of C V Nunes Primary

Jessica Inniss of Fisher Primary

Aaisha Mohammed of Al Madinah Islamic School

Kaysheena Singh of Taymonth Manor Primary

Bhavin Griffith of Huis’t Dieren Primary

Lukesh Deonarine of Taymonth Manor Primary

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

Catholic Standard’s EiC passes away

WELL respected journalist and longstanding Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of the Catholic Standard, Colin Smith, passed away on Saturday evening at the St Joseph Mercy Hospital where he had been hospitalised for a brief period.

Fondly known as ‘Uncle Colin’ or ‘Smithy,’ Smith spent over 25 years in the media and was also known for his hosting of the weekly Catholic Broadcast. Smith was also revered as an outstanding Roman Catholic.

“His service to the diocese was invaluable, as he covered and reported on many events across the country for more than 25 years. He was also an excellent broadcaster with an inimitable voice,” a statement from the Catholic Standard noted.

It added: “Those who worked with him at Cath-

olic Media remember him for his attention to detail, encouraging words, friendship, and humility.

Colin always encouraged young people to be the best at whatever they did.”

Condolences have since been pouring in from several members of the media fraternity.

The Guyana Press Association (GPA) in a statement issued on Saturday night, noted: “Smith was always well-mannered and respectful to his colleagues and across Guyana’s political divide. He brought with him to the profession, a quality of acquiring the best answers.

To his family, relatives and the Roman Catholic Church, the Guyana Press Association says thank you for giving the media landscape, Colin Smith.”

Meanwhile, Minister within the Office of the

Prime Minister with responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McKoy, recalled that he had been attempting to contact Smith just a few days prior to his death and was saddened when he heard the news of his passing.

“It is very sad. He made a tremendous contribution to journalism in Guyana. The Catholic Standard was a newspaper that we all looked forward to reading on the weekend, and he is someone that everyone was always proud about.

Now that he has departed, it has really brought sadness to those of us who worked with him,” Minister McKoy expressed.

Like many, Minister McKoy had met and interacted with Smith through their work in the media, and he was particularly touched by Smith’s willingness to always assist up-and-coming jour-

nalists in the business.

“I was a young journalist commencing my career at the Guyana Broadcasting Corporation when I met Colin. I was always impressed with his level of professionalism. He would always take time to guide younger journalists. He would always reach out to you in quiet conversations.

He would ensure that he offered words of encouragement. For many years we kept a close relationship,” McKoy shared.

Also speaking with the Guyana Chronicle was Smith’s longtime friend

William Cox, who said he had shared a friendship with Smith for over 40 years, and like everyone else, Smith’s personality left a lasting impression with him.

“Colin was always congenial, always very friendly, always has a smile; you never saw him sad. He always had nice words for you. That was Colin. He was a perfect gentleman [and a] decent, honest person. You could not find a more decent person than Colin,” Cox commented.

Cox said he had last spoken to Smith two

Catholic Standard 's EiC, Colin Smith weeks ago and had been in constant contact with his family following his admission to the hospital earlier this week.

Smith leaves to mourn his wife and other family members.

Tea and coffee: celebrating their cultural, social and economic importance

GLOBAL tea and coffee experts recently came together to explore and celebrate the cultural, social, and economic importance of the world’s two most popular beverages, including their roles in making agri-food systems more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable.

The Dialogue on Tea and Coffee, part of World Food Day celebrations hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), focused on the tea and coffee sectors and their importance as vital sources of income and employment for millions of people in developing countries.

Smallholder farmers and farming households produce an estimated 60 per cent and 80 per cent, respectively, of the global tea and coffee outputs. Both sectors underpin the lives of millions of labourers, including women and their families, and are important contributors to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“Our dialogue today constitutes a renewed commitment to celebrate peace, unity and exchange between civilisations and cultures,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu in his opening speech. “It also serves to highlight the achievements of tea and coffee farmers across the globe, and to remind all of us of the challenges that lie ahead.”

Speakers included José Dauster Sette, Executive Director of the International Coffee Organisation; Prabhat Bezboruah, Chairman of Tea Board India and Vice-Chair and host of the next Session of the Intergovernmental Group (IGG) on Tea; Jacklene Arinda, Executive Director of JADA Coffee; Shabnam Weber, President of the Tea and Herbal Association of Canada; Tom Standage, Deputy Editor of The Economist; Vanessa L. Facenda, Editor of the Tea & Coffee Trade Journal, and Andrea Illy, Chair of illycaffè and Co-Founder of Fondazione Ernesto Illy.

The event highlighted tea and coffee production as a key element of the transformation of agri-food systems and touched on issues facing the sectors, including the climate crisis, sustainability, low levels of productivity, price volatility, and the price-cost squeeze

Global tea and coffee experts come together to explore and celebrate the cultural, social, and economic importance of tea and coffee (FAO photo) faced by actors along the value chain. The conversation sparked possible solutions to overcome these challenges, avail new market opportunities and meet the sustainability issues associated with the production of both drinks.

For the tea and coffee sectors to remain viable and provide families with sustained sources of incomes, Qu Dongyu urged that “concrete solutions” be promoted on both the production and consumption sides, as well as throughout the value chains. The discussion was an opportunity to revive determination to enhance the sustainability of tea and coffee, “bringing them to the forefront of the policy action,” he said.

Considering the many benefits offered and challenges faced, tea and coffee production are an important element of the transformation of agri-food systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.

FAO’s new Strategic Framework, based on the four betters -- better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind -- aims to support the attainment of these objectives and the realisation of the 2030 Agenda. (FAO)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

NAREI pumps $602.8M into non-traditional crops cultivation

THE National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) has expended some $602.8 million, at the end of June this year, to further diversify Guyana’s production base and ensure food security.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, remains optimistic that his

toi, (Region Eight); three were constructed at Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara.

With the continued push for fruit cultivation, the agency made available hundreds of low-cost seedlings at all NAREI nurseries with 54,915 plants sold for some $13.7 million.

During the review peri-

Wakenaam, Leguan, Canal No. 2, Polder and No. 63 Village Corentyne are expected to be completed in the second half of this year.

It says, too, that “trials for intercropping in the coconut industry commenced on the coastal soil with bora and hot peppers and on the sandy soil with

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha, examines seedlings during a recent outreach

Some seedlings plants ministry will continue to accelerate efforts to meet the dietary demands of all Guyanese.

He said following his appointment as minister, it was discovered that most of the programmes to rural and hinterland communities were halted by the previous government.

“This significantly affected agricultural development in this country. Since taking office in 2020, we have not only re-started these programmes, but we have also revamped them and introduced new ones to ensure that everyone benefits.”

Already, NAREI has provided technical assistance and knowledge-sharing to hundreds of farmers countrywide.

The 2021 mid-year report shows that designs were given to farmers for the construction of 97 shade houses in all regions. Shade houses were constructed for demonstration purpose at Hosororo, (Region One), Paramaka-

od, it was discovered that technical support was provided to 16,284 farmers.

Over 1,357 farmers from Regions Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and 10 benefitted from training sessions in pest and disease management, climate smart agriculture, good agriculture practices and crop husbandry systems, among others.

Further, it was highlighted that of the targeted 1,000 acres of new coconut cultivation for the year, 766 acres were cultivated, bringing the national coconut acreage to 29,802 acres.

Minister Mustapha reiterated that government has given prominence to the coconut industry by allocating $70 million to the Hope Coconut Industry Limited to promote expansion, inter-cropping, utilisation of coconut by-products, and increase production and productivity.

According to the report, the construction of the coconut nurseries in

peanuts and red beans, with a view to expanding intercropping cultivation in the coconut fields”.

Accordingly, about 0.7 tonnes of fresh ginger roots were processed and dried at Hosororo and were sent to manufacturers to assess the quality.

In March, 655 cuttings of black pepper were distributed to the farmers of Regions One and 10 for cultivation.

To date, there are 575 black pepper cuttings at Mon Repos and 3,654 at Hosororo. There are 45 nutmeg trees in Hosororo between five farmers, with an expected yield of 1,000 nutmeg per tree per crop. In the second half of 2021, about 222 nutmeg seedlings will be planted at the Hosororo demonstration field.

Minister Mustapha said that as time progresses there will be a drastic change in the provision of extension support services.

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NGSA highflier dreams of becoming a pilot

By Jared Liddell

AMONG the many children who celebrated their success at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), was David Hackett, whose 505 marks earned him a place at The Bishops’ High School.

In an interview with the Chronicle, the 12-year-old highflier said that he is “extremely proud” of this significant achievement.

He noted that securing a spot at one of the country’s top schools is a major step towards achieving his goal of becoming a part of Guyana’s aviation sector as a pilot.

“I was very excited when I got the news that I got Bishops’ High School. I really was studying with my mom. She helped me and my teacher helped me a lot with the things I didn’t understand and I did my past papers with the QuizMe and so on,” said David, who last attended the New Guyana School.

David explained to this publication that he often dreams of soaring through the skies

GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

and has been working strategically to ensure that this dream is realised.

David’s mother Anjanie Hackett stated that he has always had a love for aviation and can always be seen watching videos and researching the aviation sector.

She stated that the pre-teen has even had aviation-themed birthday parties, signalling his love for aircraft and their operations.

“Since he was small, like five [or] sixyears-old, he said he wanted to be a pilot. I can remember for his seventh birthday we asked what cake he wanted, and he said he wanted a Caribbean Airlines cake. So, we did [a] Caribbean Airlines-themed party for his birthday. Since then, being a pilot [is] his dream and he’s 12 now and it’s still his dream. He still wants to be a pilot and as parents we nurture what he wants as a career.

We believe in his vision and we support

David Hackett with his “Hackett Airlines” birthday cake

David poses in an airplane it,” Anjanie stated.

EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS According to Anjanie, David in his typical style exceeded even her expectations.

She noted that she had a fondness for the St. Stanislaus College and was hoping that he would have gained a place there.

She told the Chronicle that she was pleasantly surprised when she received the

David Hackett at his Grade Six graduation message that he had surpassed her expectations and had secured a place at The Bishops’ High School.

It came as no surprise to her and her husband Dwayne Hackett that their son excelled at the NGSA as he has always been a dedicated student she said, adding that even though David excelled in academia, he has also been involved in extracurricular activities such as music and swimming, which provided him with an avenue for leisure while he was preparing for the exams.

Anjanie recalled that she could not contain her excitement when she was informed about her son’s performance at the NGSA. “I was super excited because I know the level of work he put in and the level of work I did with him, but I actually didn’t get the news right away. I was in a meeting at work and I was very anxious, I checked the website at 1:05 [pm] and I couldn’t get on and by the time I was half way through the meeting, I got a message and I was super excited. I couldn’t even focus on the meeting after,” she said.

Meanwhile, the future Bishopian told the Chronicle that he is extremely eager to begin his high school journey.

He said he is excited to continue his journey to becoming a pilot, using The Bishop’s High School as a stepping stone.

Counteracting domestic violence

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Monday, October 18, 2021

By Vanessa Cort

THE day before my last article on domestic violence appeared in this paper, a friend was abused by her spouse, following a birthday celebration at a creek resort.

One of her adult sons, who was present at the time, had to step in and actually dealt his father a few blows, in order to stop the beating, as his mother cried out.

And herein lies one of the tragedies of domestic violence – the effect it has on children in the home, who are either forced to become involved or are innocent bystanders.

In a recent conversation on this subject with psychotherapist, Shane Tull, he recounted how one child in an abusive home blamed her moth-

er, who she said, hid the abuse from them until they eventually found out about it. She accused her mother of ‘taking them (the children) through it’.

Another young man, who reached out to him for anger management classes said he grew up watching his father beat his mother. So parents are “modelling behaviours” for their children because boys living in such an environment feel this is the way to treat a woman, while girls learn to expect this kind of treatment. So the cycle continues.

And looking at some of the reasons why women get into abusive relationships and find it difficult to leave, he said, “Women fall in love with who they think the person can be, not who the person is.” When their spouse, who may be charming and charismatic in public, turns

into a “monster” behind closed doors, they are ashamed to reveal it and often think that no one will believe them. Women also tend to have a misguided urge to try and “save” their abuser.

“It’s not your job to save people,” he chided, adding that the victim’s job is to save herself and her children.

However the psychotherapist acknowledged that domestic violence is “layered and multi-faceted”, pointing out that, “There was a time when it was considered okay for a man to beat a wom-

an.”

Then, victims, who often returned to their parents’ homes, were advised to go back to their husbands, something which is still happening today though to a lesser extent. In these cases the abuse is not reported as it is not considered serious.

“We must recognise that culture has a lot to do with it.”

TULL SAID However, while he was adamant that the abuser must take responsibility for his actions and face the con-

sequences, he also advised that the individual should receive the appropriate support and treatment, saying, “We don’t want to victimise the perpetrator.”

The consultant recommended mandatory fines and anger management classes for abusers, along with mandatory therapy and counselling sessions for couples from the time the matter is reported.

He was particularly critical of what he termed “misogynistic music”, where singers vilify women and refer to themselves and females in derogatory terms, often promoting violence and verbal/psychological abuse.

“Violence is not okay at all,” he said emphatically, posing the question, “How do we get young men to respect women?” and suggesting that this could best be

achieved by mentoring sessions where young men would also be taught to prepare for relationships and fatherhood.

Many men are ill-prepared for the responsibilities of maintaining a family and caring for children and when the pressure builds up they blame their partner and vent their frustration with violent outbursts.

Victims on the other hand need our constant support and should not be treated as if they either like or deserve to be abused. “Our job is to really support the victim,” Tull said.

It seems clear that until we do take definitive legal action, from the time abuse is reported, domestic violence will continue to plague our society and the cycle of violence will not end as our children practise what they see.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

Trinidadian weightlifting duo posthumously inducted into Pan AM hall of fame

CMC – Two legendary Trinidad and Tobago sports figures, weightlifters, Rodney Adolphus Wilkes and Lennox Kilgour, have posthumously been inducted into the Pan American Weightlifting Hall of Fame.

Wilkes, Trinidad and Tobago’s first Olympic medallist, and Kilgour will be honoured at the Hall of Fame ceremony on November 14.

President of the TT Olympic Committee (TTOC) Brian Lewis, said it is important the two sporting heroes’ significant contribution be recognised and not be forgotten by the weightlifting world.

“We are delighted that these two icons of Olympic weightlifting and sport in TT have been recognised by the continental weightlifting

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Rodney Adolphus Wilkes (left) and Lennox Kilgour

authorities,” he said in a statement.

“The recognition of the outstanding achievements of TT’s first Olympic medallists is deeply appreciated given that

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this year the TT Olympic movement is celebrating 75 years.”

Wilkes, who died in 2014 at the age of 89, won two Olympic medals in two different Games.

He was the first athlete from the twin-island republic to win an Olympic medal, getting silver at the London 1948 Olympic Games in the featherweight division. In the

1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, he won bronze, and in the 1956 Melbourne Games he finished fourth.

Apart from his medal-winning performances at the Olympics, Wilkes won the gold medal at the first Pan American Games in Buenos Aires in 1951. In 1946 he became internationally known with his first place in the Central American and Caribbean Games in Barranquilla, Colombia.

He also won gold at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

Kilgour, won the bronze medal in the medium heavyweight category at the 1952 Olympic Games, and was a silver medallist at the 1951 Pan American Games and at the 1954 Commonwealth Games.

He died in 2004 at the age of 75.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup…

Greaves leads Scotland past Bangladesh

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Scotland shook the T20 World Cup on the opening day by beating the No. 6 ranked Bangladesh by six runs. The margin doesn’t, however, reflect just how well Scotland played at the Al Amerat ground. The little-known Chris Greaves, playing only his second international match, rescued his side with a quickfire 45 after Scotland slipped to 53 for 6. Then with his quickish leg-spin, Greaves removed Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim just when Bangladesh had started to make a move towards the 141-run chase.

Greaves was calm under pressure with the bat, adding 51 runs for the seventh wicket with Mark Watt. He scrapped hard in the last five overs, which ultimately helped Scotland immensely in terms of giving them energy in the field, and then sucking the life out of Bangladesh.

Brad Wheal took three wickets while Greaves finished with two scalps. Josh Davey and Watt got one each, while Safyaan Sharif closed out the game in the last over, even though Mahedi Hasan threatened briefly with a six.

Chris Greaves picked up the wickets of Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim (ICC via Getty) Failure to launch in the end But despite the sluggish nature of the Shakib-Mushfiqur partnership, when they added 47 off 7.4 overs, Bangladesh always knew that they had Mahmudullah, Afif Hossain and Nurul Hasan to get the job done in the last five overs.

Afif survived a dropped catch in the 16th over, but he could strike only two fours in his 12-ball 18. But the bigger surprise was how Mahmudullah, Bangladesh’s main finisher, kept mistiming the ball at the death. His 22-ball stay only yielded a four and a six, as he made only 23. Hasan too

had little time to maneuver, pumping a catch to MacLeod who took three catches in all on the boundary line.

Mahedi’s final fling Sharif had to defend 24 runs in the final over, but it was only when Bangladesh required to hit only sixes in the last three balls, Mahedi swung him over square-leg for a six. Sharif kept his head in the last two balls, bringing Scotland the hard-fought win.

Coetzer’s surprise for Soumya Off the first ball he faced, Soumya cracked Brad Wheal through midwicket for a beautiful four. Was this going to be the turnaround for Soumya,

who struggled badly against Australia in August, and was mostly dropped against New Zealand in September? He had already been picked over Mohammad Naim, who himself was struggling for runs, after he had made couple of thirties in the warm-up games.

But Scotland captain Kyle Coetzer wisely put a man at deep midwicket, a standard decision in such a situation.

But when Soumya struck a similar shot off Josh Davey in the second over, the man at midwicket, Munsey, didn’t have to move an inch to complete the catch. Soumya looked rather daft for trying the same aerial shot, as it looked like he wasn’t aware of the fielding change. It wasn’t really rocket science but Coetzer looked like a genius.

Scotland keep Shakib, Mushfiqur quiet Scotland played on Bangladesh’s poor start by keeping Shakib and Mushfiqur Rahim quiet throughout their 47-run stand. Only in the ninth over Mushfiqur hammered Leask for two sixes, but the experienced duo surprisingly batted conservatively. Finally, when Shakib did hit out at Greaves, Callum MacLeod took an excellent

running catch around the deep midwicket boundary.

Spinners dominate Scotland Scotland lost their way just when the aggressive George Munsey was getting into his big-hitting groove.

Off-spinner Mahedi took two wickets in the eighth over to stop Scotland in their tracks.

He trapped Matthew Cross lbw attempting a sweep, before he bowled Munsey, who had struck two sixes and two fours in his 23-ball 29.

Shakib followed up Mahedi’s double-wicket over with one of his own, and it took him to the top of T20I’s wicket-taking chart. Richie Berrington fell trying to clear long-on, where Afif Hossain took an excellent catch.

When Michael Leask struck the fourth ball of the over to long-off where Liton Das had an easier catch, Shakib’s tally reached 108, one more than Malinga.

Mahedi further dented Scotland in the following over when he bowled Callum MacLeod for five. From 45 for 1, they slipped to 53 for 6, losing five wickets for eight runs in the space of 3.2 overs.

Greaves, Watt dig deep Bangladesh released some

of the pressure when Afif went for ten runs in the 13th over. Playing only his second T20I, Greaves showed no nerves. He hammered two sixes and four boundaries in his 28-ball 45; Scotland’s top score in the innings. Watt contributed 22 off 17 balls with two fours, before holing out to Soumya Sarkar off Taskin Ahmed.

Their 51-run stand is the highest for Scotland for the seventh wicket, crucially picking them past the 100run mark when they looked down the barrel at 53 for 6 in the 12th over.

Greaves takes down Taskin But Watt’s wicket didn’t have any effect on Greaves, who went back to work on Taskin. He cracked him past point for four before pasting him with an upper-cut for his second six. When Graves struck Taskin’s next ball for a nice cover drive, suddenly Taskin’s shoulder slouched, Mahmudullah had a frown and Scotland felt a bit better despite being seven wickets down. Davey and Sharif hammered one six each in the last two overs, which went for 21, and took Scotland to a fighting 140 for 9.

ICC Men’s T20 World Cup…

Maqsood, Jatinder help Oman to a 10-wicket rout of PNG (ESPNCRICINFO) Zeeshan Maqsood’s leftarm spin set it up, and a strong opening stand in which both Jatinder Singh and Aqib Ilyas hit unbeaten fifties, completed a commanding ten-wicket win for Oman against Papua New Guinea (PNG) in the opening game of the T20 World Cup 2021.

PNG had shrugged off a nightmare start when they lost two wickets and remained scoreless for 11 balls, building a good recovery through Assad Vala and Charles Amini, but unravelled from a healthy looking 102 for 3 in 14 overs to 118 for 9 in just 20 balls, with Maqsood being the demolisher-in-chief.

Maqsood took three wickets in the 16th over, his second of the innings, to rip the heart out of PNG’s innings. He ended with 4 for 20, even bowling the final over, as PNG were restricted to 129 for 9 on a good batting deck, having looked on track

Zeeshan Maqsood picked up three wickets in the 16th over of the PNG innings (ICC via Getty) for 150-plus.

Oman then bossed the chase, with Jatinder in particular unfurling an array of strokes against the Oman bowlers, particularly square of the wicket on either side.

Jatinder ended the chase with a thumping six over midwicket to finish with an unbeaten 73 off 42 balls. Ilyas was more sedate, but did his role with 50* off 43, as Oman

got to victory in a mere 13.4 overs, giving their net runrate a significant early boost.

Vala, Amini shrug off poor start Bilal Khan and Ka reemullah removed one opener each in their first overs, and only an inside-edged single off the last ball of the second over prevented PNG from starting their innings with two wicket-maidens.

But after that start, Amini and Vala settled down and the early wobble had no effect on how they went about constructing the PNG innings. Amini was particularly free-flowing, regularly finding the fence. Vala too got into his groove and both men had taken PNG to 81 for 2 in 11.2 overs when disaster struck. Vala was unable to work a length ball from medium-pacer Mohammad Nadeem away, and it rolled back down the pitch perfectly for the bowler to collect it on his follow through. Amini, perhaps eager to get on strike since he was hitting the ball so well, had hared halfway down the pitch thinking a single was on. He had to scramble and turn back, but was never going to be in time to beat a direct hit, which is what Nadeem achieved. The 81-run stand had taken just 60 balls, and while Amini and Vala were going strong, even 160 seemed within reach.

The collapse For a brief while after

Amini left, Vala took up the reins of quick scoring. The over after Amini was out, Vala was involved in a collision with Maqsood at the non-striker’s end when the bowler moved to his right to field a ball, and though the contact was not heavy, Vala seemed to fall awkwardly on his ankle and needed treatment. After that, he noticeably looked more aggressively for boundaries, biffing balls from the crease, rather than his previous mix of boundaries and runs. That perhaps brought about his downfall too, and his was the first wicket to fall in Maqsood’s adrenaline-rush 16th over. Maqsood struck with his first, third and fifth balls in the over, and suddenly, PNG went from still looking like putting up a reasonable score to battling to avoid being all out early.

Jatinder tees off In the defence of a subpar total on a good batting deck, PNG needed discipline from their bowlers.

However, almost every over had a loose delivery, and Jatinder ensured he cashed in on practically each one. If offered width he stroked and cut through the offside, and if the bowlers dropped short, he pummelled them in the arc between square leg and long-on.

The powerplay brought 46 runs for Oman and the match as a contest was quickly dwindling. Initially, both Jatinder and Ilyas kept the same pace, unhurried because of the target but brisk nonetheless. Gradually, the tempo shifted to Jatinder pulling out the big hits, middling the ball beautifully, while Ilyas slipped into the supporting role. Jatinder reached fifty in 33 balls, in the middle of a whopping 17-run over against Damien Ravu which lasted nine balls.

Ilyas eventually got to the landmark too, taking 43 balls, and one delivery later, Jatinder had finished things off with fourth six.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Monday, October 18, 2021

Wilson and Persaud spur Phoenix CC to a 53-run victory FORMER US U-19 cricketer, Randall Wilson, and national cricketer, Akshaya Persaud led US-based Guyanese side, Phoenix Cricket Club, to a 53-run victory against King’smen CC when action continued in the New York National Cricket League (NYNCL) Cricket Zone T20 Cup in New York on Saturday.

Phoenix CC won the toss and elected to bat and the two Guyanese led the attack.

Wilson, who faced most of the bowling, spanked 14

fours and two sixes from 74 balls for an unbeaten 104, while Persaud, who has been in good form, scored seven fours for a 49-ball 63. He actually lost his wicket from the last ball of the innings, which left the score on 189-1.

Needing to score 190 for victory, a few King’smen batsmen had starts, but they were undone by the spin of Persaud, who broke a 57-run second-wicket partnership via caught and bowl with the dismissal of skipper, Andrew Whyte (31). He also took the wicket of opener, Dexroy

Mendez for 27, to finish with 2-22 from his four overs.

Former Demerara U-19 off-spinner, Sewsaran Sookdeo, then spun his way to 4-15 from three overs to clean up the middle order.

Jonathan Rampersaud supported with two wickets towards the end, which helped to restrict King’smen for 136-9 from their allotted overs.

Saturday’s victory is the fourth consecutive for Phoenix CC. They are currently in the first position in Group B.

Randall Wilson (right) and Akshaya Persaud did the damage for Phoenix CC.

G GA S u p p o r t s C a n c e r Awareness for 5th Year -tournament set for October 29

THE Guyana Golf Association (GGA) for the 5th year will be throwing its full support behind Cancer Awareness Month, with its upcoming tournament set for October 29.

Some five years ago, president of the GGA/ Nexgen Golf Academy, Aleem Hussain, engaged the Cancer Institute of Guyana and proposed that the sport of Golf be a vehicle for awareness and fund-raising for cancer.

That year, with the help of Gord Ramkissoon

and a few Canadian-Guyanese golfers, the goal was realized and it has become an annual activity, increasingly more successful in recent years as the number of players has increased.

Another event will be hosted on Friday, October 29 by the Nexgen Golf Academy for golfers of all ages and skill levels.

Action ‘tees’ off from 16:00hrs and up until 20:00hrs (in keeping with the COVID-19 curfew) with prizes and trophies up for grabs.

Persons can opt to take part in the competition or simply cheer the players on while enjoying the outdoors, with great food and beverages, with the proceeds going towards cancer awareness. (Reservations are preferred to maintain control of the number of participants.)

Hussain said it was important to ensure that golfers and corporate Guyana realize that giving back is necessary and thanked the companies and players who have

always been a part of the initiative.

“Dr. Joaan Deo, Captain Chen, players and caddies from Lusignan and dozens of new players, including many expat families, have been a part of the drive to use Golf for cancer awareness.”

He emphasized that it was because of their support that this has become an annual event and a success, in part owing to the staunch support of these major companies: Assuria General Insurance; Copa

Airlines; Service Guyana HVAC; TMK2020 Inc; SUPERGRAPHICS; Splashmin’s Fun Park; Tristone Investments; Trophy Stall; Toolsie Persaud Ltd; Sunshine Snacks; Ram & Mc Rae; AR Printery; CS World Cargo & Logistics; the Shafura Hussain Foundation; Maraiko Bay; and New Trend Auto.

Under the guidance of the Academy, golf has become the fastest growing sport in the country with the support of the Ministry of Education Allied

Arts Unit, since it was introduced into the school system in January 2020.

It is estimated that more than 6,000 students now have access to the sport which was once viewed as only for the elite.

Persons interested in learning more about golf, learning to play or participate in the Cancer Awareness event may call 645 0944, visit Nexgen Golf Academy on Facebook or Instagram or stop by the Academy on Woolford Avenue.

Green Machine finish 5th at RAN 7’s Jamaica trounce Mexico 14 – 0 in final to reclaim title

It certainly wasn’t the return to international Rugby coach Theodore Henry envisioned, but the Green Machine will leave Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, with a fifth-place finish at the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 7’s championship.

This year’s RAN tournament marks the return of international rugby to the Caribbean for the first time since the COVID-19

global pandemic began in 2020 and acts as a qualifier for next year’s World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series.

Jamal Angus captained coach Henry’s team which includes Godfrey Broomes, Osei McKenzie, Rondel McArthur, Lancelot Adonis, Avery Corbin and Peabo Hamilton.

Phibian Joseph, Tyresse Prescod, Oniel Charles, Jonathan Garnett and Li-

onel Holder are the other players on the team that were tasked with reclaiming the RAN trophy since Guyana surrendered the title to Jamaica in 2017.

Guyana opened the tournament with an impressive 36 – 5 trampling of newcomers Belize but ended day one with a 7 – 15 defeat to Bermuda.

Yesterday, in a clash with nemesis Jamaica, the Green Machine failed

to score while giving up 24 points to the ‘Reggae Ruggers’.

In their encounter with the men from the ‘Land of the Flying Fish’, Guyana surrendered 26 – 5.

However, in the team’s final game on the day, the Green Machine stormed to a 43 – 0 win against the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

“I’m a little disappointed as a successful outing

at these tournament for us was at least a top four finish,” Coach Henry said.

He added, “however, I’m satisfied with the performance of our debutants who in my opinion is the next generation of Guyana rugby. They proved my confidence in them right and I’m excited to see what the future holds for them. In my honest assessment, Guyana rugby will be a headache for op-

position sooner than they think.”

Meanwhile, the men from the ‘Land of Wood and Water’ played undefeated to claim their fourth RAN 7’s title, having won their first in 2005.

In fact, the BVI is the only team to score against Jamaica in this year’s tournament, as the 2017 and 2018 winners edged Mexico 14 – 0 in the finals.

G GA S u p p o r t s C a n c e r Awareness for 5th Year tournament set for October 29

SEE PAGE 23

Flashback! Last year’s tournament saw proceeds going directly towards the local fight against cancer

Green Machine finish 5th at RAN 7’s Jamaica trounce Mexico 14 – 0 in final to reclaim title

SEE PAGE 23

Guyana’s Rugby 7’s team, the ‘Green Machine’ at the 2021 RAN 7’s championship.

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MONDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2021