Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 28-01-2024

28th JANUARY, 2024

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See Inside No.107337

Amended NRF withdrawal rule, revised debt ceilings before the House for approval

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Time for mechanism, structure to secure reparations

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— President Ali urges African leaders; encourages immediate action during African Prosperity Dialogues

President, Dr Irfaan Ali with other officials at the African Prosperity Dialogues in Ghana (Office of the President photo)

Over 3,000 persons VP Jadgeo: There is ‘PPP/C administration's trained in ICT from a difference between planning not static… it ‘quality-of-life metric’ and 2020 to now – PM Phillips evolves’ - Dr Singh ‘fixed income metric’ Local African groups, stakeholders congratulate President Ali for 'milestone' award that recognises his stellar leadership SEE PAGE

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SEE PAGES 5,12,14

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

Time for mechanism, structure to secure reparations — President Ali urges African leaders; encourages immediate action during African Prosperity Dialogues

By Trina Williams

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has noted that time is of the essence and advancement must be made towards creating a mechanism that leads to reparations.

During a panel discussion at the African Prosperity Dialogues, the President told African leaders who were present not to allow themselves to fall into the discussion of whether slavery has been recognised as a grave human violation, because it already has.

But instead, he said they must focus on getting the guilty party to move from the apology stage to creating a mechanism.

He related: “The very fact that we have took hundreds of years to move to the stage of an apology also signifies that the recognition has been made by those who are guilty, and the guilty party has moved towards an apology. So, we should never again take this debate back to whether there is recognition.”

He added, “What is needed now, is the mechanism, the structure, how are we going to move from apology to a mechanism that leads to reparation and that definitely cannot take another 100 years; that has to be dealt with now and that should be the only part that should be the focus.”

The Guyanese Head-ofState, while stressing that there is nothing to gloss over, rhetorically asked the fellow leaders if they planned to wait another hundred years to usher in the mechanism for reparations.

“No, we must move to the mechanism now!” he said.

The African Prosperity Dialogues is a three-day conference. It concluded Saturday and was centred on the necessity of putting up specific recommendations that will enable Africans to achieve prosperity on the continent.

The event highlighted the special opportunity that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers Africa and the people to break free from the widespread perceptions of poverty, unemployment, and underdevelopment with which the continent is so often associated.

It is organised in close

President Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at the African Prosperity Dialogues in Ghana

A cultural presentation during the African Prosperity Dialogues in Ghana

President Dr Irfaan Ali and other officials at the event (Office of the President photos)

collaboration with the AFCFTA Secretariat, which is based in Ghana’s capital, Accra. Dr. Ali, over the past years, has been championing several causes, many of which involved the maintenance of peace and unity.

The Guyanese leader has also been vocal on matters that involve the global disparities faced by developing countries, as well as matters of women’s and children’s rights.

In a previous address at a high-level meeting to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action that was held under the theme, “Reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent,” President Ali told world leaders: “Guyana is committed to gaining international reparations for the

crime of African enslavement. Reparative justice must not only include a full and unconditional apology from those responsible and/ or who benefitted from the transatlantic trade in captive Africans and their consequent enslavement, but must go beyond apology.”

The President said that it is in this regard that Guyana will continue to support efforts being made within the Caribbean Community to press for the convening of an international summit to demand reparative justice for the victims of the transatlantic slave trade, African enslavement, and its enduring effects.

The Head of State also reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to the implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action and said that the

country was pleased to join in adopting the Declaration.

President Ali said that the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action is a comprehensive, action-oriented document that proposes concrete measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance.

He also emphasised that equality and non-discrimination are not only fundamental principles of international human rights and international humanitarian laws, but are also at the root of political, social, and economic development.

He said that as global leaders collectively strive to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they must be conscious that the overarching objectives of poverty eradication, protecting the planet, and building

a peaceful world cannot be achieved without addressing all forms of inequality.

“Despite advances made over decades of struggle, racism and racial discrimination continue to be sources of conflicts and inequalities among people in all regions of the world.

“I am proud to belong to a country that honours and celebrates its ethnic diversity. Our people seamlessly participate in each other’s religious and cultural festivals and traditions. In many ways, we can be a wonderful example to the world,” President Ali said.

Notably, last year, heirs of the late British slave owner John Gladstone- the father of 19th century Prime Minister William Gladstone- issued an official apology to Guyana for the historical injustices of both slavery and

indentureship.

Charles Gladstone, representing the family, expressed deep shame and regret for their ancestors’ role in these crimes during the launch of the Centre of Migration and Diaspora Studies at the University of Guyana.

“It is with deep shame and regret that we acknowledge our ancestors’ involvement in this crime. With heartfelt sincerity we apologise to the descendants of the enslaved in Guyana,” Gladstone stated.

Noting that slavery was a crime against humanity, Charles said that his family has pledged to improve Guyana and forge meaningful relationships with the nation. John Gladstone owned 2,500 enslaved Africans on his plantations.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

VP Jadgeo: There is a difference between ‘quality-of-life metric’ and ‘fixed income metric’

GENERAL Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has rubbished misguided commentary on a ‘minimum threshold’ of basic needs required for a decent life, at his weekly press conference at Freedom House.

At the time, the General Secretary was addressing misconceptions presented by a columnist regarding Dr. Ashni Singh, a senior Minister responsible for Finance and Public Service within the Office of the President, during his budget presentation on January 15.

He said, “First and foremost, we are building a Guyana where every single Guyanese family will be in a position to meet their most basic needs relative to a minimum threshold required to enjoy a decent life.”

During his news conference on Thursday, Jagdeo said, “We need to ensure that people understand the Minister said ‘minimum threshold’. First of all, in the budget, the Minister defined two key objectives of what we are working towards – first, this minimum threshold that we must work to accomplish for all our people; and secondly, creating the conditions for wealth creation. So, two

General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo

objectives that we are working toward – he [Minister Ashni Singh] defined it as an expansion of household wealth…it is a concept that is impregnated with a lot of ideas. It is a broad-reaching concept and unfortunately, the person who wrote this missed that”.

The Vice President added, “…the Minister made it clear that we must not view the minimum threshold – and I quote ‘through narrow and simplistic monetary and fixed income lenses. The columnist quotes this, but then proceeds to do exactly that…to view the definition of minimum threshold as a fixed income or

monetary threshold, when the Minister made it clear – and I have spoken about this as well – that we are redefining these concepts.

“For example, in the health sector, we are redefining primary health care to include a higher level of care, which would include higher access to CT scans, free CT scans, access to free ultrasound, access to several free tests, which in the past you had to pay for and were defined as tertiary care. We are moving it from tertiary, paid care, delivered by the private sector into the category of primary health care now, because we want the quality of primary health care to grow and that is one of the objectives of us building out the news hospitals, with new facilities, to ensure that we can deliver on this redefined object or redefined concept of primary health care.”

Jagdeo, who was a former President of Guyana, said, “Similarly, we have said that every Guyanese in this country must have a minimum threshold in terms of the quality of life. It is not a minimum income. It is not a minimum fixed income. It is not a monetary target that we are heading towards, but a minimum threshold for quality of life and quality of services delivered by the State – that the State would almost guarantee. And that involves, as the Minister pointed out, several things.”

CLEAR CONTEXT

Additionally, Minister Singh had said: “First and foremost, we are building a Guyana where every single Guyanese family will be in a position to meet their most basic needs relative to a minimum threshold required to enjoy a decent life. I hasten to add that this threshold is not to be viewed through narrow and simplistic monetary and fixed income lenses, but instead is to be viewed from a multi-dimensional perspective”.

He had said: “Every single Guyanese family should have access to decent housing including the potential to own their own home; sufficient nutritious food to experience zero hunger; good quality healthcare from conception to old age; relevant educational and skills training opportunities to equip those of employable age for the world of work; potable water and sanitation; and recreational facilities to support healthy living. It will be noted that these necessities matter not only for current comfort but, even more importantly, for longterm economic empowerment.”

OBJECTIVE ONE The PPP General Secretary explained that the focus on a minimum threshold relates to a quality-of-life metric.

“It is not a fixed income metric. However, this column confuses the whole issue, because they didn’t read carefully what the minister said…sometimes people miss the concepts and they go

back to their old understanding of things,” the General Secretary noted.

Explaining objective one, the minimum threshold of deliverables that the Government must work towards delivering to all Guyanese, Jagdeo said, “We want to eliminate poverty totally.

We want to ensure that every Guyanese is living in a decent place that they own or can afford to rent. We want to make sure that we have high-quality health care for all our people. We want to make sure that every child or every adult, if they want to study and improve themselves, that there are opportunities for them to do so. We want to make sure that everybody lives in safety by investing in the security sector [so] that they can live free of fear.

We want to ensure that people live in a democratic society. This is the minimum threshold that we are talked about.”

He clarified that the PPP/C administration believes that the State “must guarantee this minimum” to all Guyanese.

OBJECTIVE TWO On objective two, creating the conditions for wealth creation, he noted that the PPP/C government is committed to creating the conditions for the Guyanese citizenry to succeed.

Jagdeo said, “The second objective, do we only want the minimum for our people? We believe that the State, but beyond the minimum, we want every Guyanese to become wealthy, through their own efforts. So, the State guarantees the minimum, and then you create the conditions

for people to grow their wealth – personal wealth, household wealth, business wealth – whatever their endeavours are; you create the conditions for them to grow income and wealth”.

The Vice President said, “… we would like to see all of our people become wealthy and we believe that they can do so. So they are not bound by the minimum threshold that the State will guarantee…you’re not bound by that…through your own efforts – through investments or through higher education to make yourself more marketable and get higher income…. these are the two key objectives that we are working towards.”

The PPP General Secretary charged that the PPP/C government’s efforts, policies, programmes and initiatives have been, and will continue to be people-centred.

“When the Opposition says it is not a people-centred budget, or it is not a Budget for poor people, they miss the concept. The concept explains it all. They lost sight of that because they probably are deluded by similar thinking (as the columnist),” he declared.

The PPP/C government on January 15 tabled its fifth national budget – a $1.146 trillion budget for 2024 – in the National Assembly, making history, as it is the biggest budget to date, which contains a mix of people-centred measures while forecasting positive economic performance for the upcoming year. It was also fully financed with no new taxes. (DPI)

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

President Ali's visionary leadership recognised with Global Africa Leadership Award

IN a significant recognition of his outstanding leadership, President Dr. Irfaan Ali has been awarded the prestigious Global Africa Leadership Award during his official visit to Ghana and the Region Three Private Sector Inc. (R3PSi) acknowledges Dr. Ali's transformative impact not only within Guyana but across international borders.

“President Ali’s exemplary leadership as a true statesman, marked by his unwavering dedication to unity, inclusivity, and shared

— Region Three Private Sector

prosperity, has not only transformed Guyana, but has also inspired nations far beyond its borders. His commitment to fostering a cohesive society under the banner of ‘One Guyana’ serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of visionary leadership,” the R3PSi Head, Halim Khan noted in a statement.

Moreover, Khan explained that President Ali’s steadfast resolve and princi-

R3PSi Head, Halim Khan

pled stance during times of adversity, particularly amidst the heightened tensions surrounding the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela, exemplify his unwavering commitment to the welfare of his nation and its people.

“As he embarks on this significant journey to Ghana, we commend President Ali for his remarkable achievements and contributions to

the advancement of Africa’s prosperity and global leadership. We have no doubt that his participation in the Presidential Dialogues and the Africa Prosperity Dialogues Summit will further enrich the discourse on regional co-operation and sustainable development,” the R3PSi Head noted.

In honoring President Ali with the Global Africa Leadership Award, Khan

stated “we not only recognise his outstanding accomplishments but also reaffirm our collective belief in the transformative power of visionary leadership.

May President Ali’s journey continue to inspire us all as we strive towards a future of unity, prosperity, and shared progress. Congratulations, President Ali, on this well-deserved honour.

Your leadership continues to illuminate the path towards a brighter tomorrow for Guyana, Africa, and the world.”

Over 3,000 persons trained in ICT from 2020 to now — Prime Minister says; discloses that 1,500 will be trained this year

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret'd) Mark Phillips has reported that a significant number of individuals, exceeding 3,200, have undergone training in diverse communities across Guyana from 2020 onwards.

Moreover, it is anticipated that an additional 1,500 individuals will receive training in 2024.

On the final day of the budget debate, the Prime Minister expressed the government's steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life for all citizens of Guyana.

He said: “Significant resources are allocated to provide ICT training to communities across Guyana. From 2020 to now, over 3,200 persons have been trained in communities across Guyana through several ICT training programmes including community-level basic ICT training, innovation camps, train-the-trainers, the Guyanese Girls Code, and training for persons who are blind.”

Adding: “In 2024, a further 1,500 persons will be trained in areas including basic IT, animation, coding, programming, and artificial intelligence.”

Despite facing interruptions from the opposing side, Phillips remained steadfast

Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips

in illustrating the significant progress Guyana has made under the leadership of the People's Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) since assuming office in August 2020.

“This is all part of a holistic vision of growth. Our responsibility is to manage the oil revenues wisely,” he said, stressing that the diversification of the nation’s economy is a top priority of the government.

Stressing that this year’s fiscal package is “transformational,” he also said: “The allocations in this budget all form part of the necessary and imperative plans of our

government.”

He went on to say: “Mr. Speaker, before August 2020, our nation was grappling with numerous challenges,” adding that these obstacles that stood in the way of the country’s development included poor economic infrastructure, inadequate policies and services, among other deficiencies.”

Reflecting on the state of Guyana under the previous

APNU+AFC administration, Prime Minister Phillips said that the current government has worked assiduously to return “our country and our people to a state of hope.”

“Total neglect with zero opportunities for economic growth and the improvement of the lives of our people,” was the hallmark of the period 2015-2020, according to Phillips.

He underscored that the

PPP/C administration could “talk the talk and walk the walk,” so the party’s pledges always materialise.

The Prime Minister said that Budget 2024 further serves as an example of the PPP/C’s commitment to delivering on its promises. He said it is a vehicle to foster transformation and more opportunities for all.

Phillips also related that with the massive allocations to propel growth, the annual fiscal plan will “fast-track” development.

The Prime Minister debunked the opposition’s claim that the budget is solely about distributing wealth.

He argued that it serves as a vessel for strategic investment for the country’s foundation to craft a better future.

Moreover, while refuting the arguments from the APNU+AFC Parliamentari-

ans concerning the funds set aside for infrastructure, the Prime Minister outlined how it could create opportunities for all Guyanese.

He then set the record straight and pointed out how a significant amount of money is being allocated to the education and health sectors to bolster their capabilities.

Prime Minister Phillips outlined how the government is crafting a robust framework, and did not shy away from pointing out that the government’s investments are being praised by persons regardless of their political affiliation.

Even though the Prime Minister, within his presentation, called for the Opposition to join with the government and support them in building out Guyana to benefit all citizens, he was met with resistance to unity by the APNU+AFC.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

An Evolving Society

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been bestowed with the Global Leadership Award in Ghana for his strong and transformational leadership since assuming the presidential office in August 2020.

To say that President Ali has done an outstanding job in promoting Guyana on the international stage would be an understatement. Indeed, he has demonstrated that when it comes to global leadership on fundamental issues affecting humanity, size does not matter. Guyana, with a population of less than

one million people have been making waves on the international stage.

In accepting the award, President Ali said: “I accept this award on behalf of all our great ancestors who came from Africa and lay their bones on our shores in the name of freedom, just to realise human dignity; just to achieve freedom from the worst system the world has seen, that is a system of slavery. And I ask all of us to applaud our ancestors and what they have done to create a better world for us.”

President Ali has certainly done our ancestors

proud. Only recently, he has been advocated strongly for reparations to be paid to Caribbean states that were involved integrally in slave trade.

Africa, despite the challenges consequent upon the impact of colonialism and neo-colonialism, has come a long way in terms of economic growth and development. This is well documented by the late Dr. Walter Rodney in his seminal work 'How Europe Underdeveloped Africa'.

It is indeed significant that African leaders have seen it fit to give such a prestigious award

to Guyana's President Dr. Ali whose strong advocacy for a new global order has been unrelenting. The Award also took into account the strong and unwavering commitment of President Ali to his 'One Guyana' vision based on the lofty principles of national unity, inclusivity and shared prosperity. It also recognises his strong leadership during the period of heightened tension due to the border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

In his acceptance speech, President Ali shared some thoughts on

the commonality of the historical struggles Africa and Guyana encountered, one that was based on divide and rule machinations and imperial domination.

But society has evolved a long way since those years. Indeed, as pointed out by President Ali, there is today a much higher level of tolerance and acceptance along the lines of oneness and multiculturalism. The fact that Guyana now has a Muslim President in the person of President Ali is one such manifestation. Muslims as we know is a minority religious group in Guy-

ana but was elected by an overwhelming majority to the highest political office in the land.

There are regrettably some who are still stuck in the past and are finding it difficult to rise above parochialism and ethnocentrism. They still continue to harbour illusions of a divine right to control the narrative on the issue of race, ethnicity and politics. Time and history, however, is moving past such thinking and those harbouring such views will certainly be being left behind.

Shameful demand by racist organisations for recall of global award to President Ali

Dear Editor,

THE Ghanaian people are celebrating a great Guyanese son for the transformational leadership he has shown for Guyana and as a voice for the developing countries. President Irfaan Ali carries on the tradition of PPP presidents globally recognised for their leadership on the global social justice agenda.

The Ghanian headquartered African Prosperity Network (APN) has awarded its 2024 Global Africa Leadership Award to President Irfaan Ali. The vast majority of Guyanese have greeted the news of the award with pride. But inevitably there will be dissidents, even if the dissidents are a small group of bitter Guyanese, infected

with the virus of racism.

Eleven organisations that claim to represent Afro-Guyanese have demanded that APN withdraw the award they have honored President Ali with. Those who oppose the award to President Ali include PNC-leaders Hamilton Greene and Vincent Alexander. They accused the APN of trying to curry-favour the President in the hope of gaining business benefits.

Alexander further insulted the APN referring to them as “some aliens from Ghana”.

Such is their bitterness that Alexander even blamed the Ghanian for slavery, insisting that ancestors in that country sold their countrymen into slavery. The dissidents’ shame knows no bounds.

Anytime an Afro-Guyanese dared to show their inde-

pendence, the organisations opposing the award to President Ali deem them “house slaves” and “soup drinkers”.

The dissidents now extend the same characterisation to the Ghanian President and his people and to the entire APN. For decades these people have huffed and puffed about racial discrimination by the PPP, always without an iota of evidence. More and more, their supporters are not just tired of the baseless and false allegations, they are now convinced that the PNC and their cohorts in organisations such as those demanding the recall of the Global Leadership Award are false prophets. Moreover, many Afro-Guyanese who loyally voted for the PNC before are horrified and insulted that these charlatans take them

for fools.

All eleven organisations claim to speak for Afro-Guyanese, even though there is evidence that none of them speak for more than a handful of people. They claim ownership of every Afro-Guyanese and will not tolerate any Afro-Guyanese not bending down in absolute fealty. But these barefaced people now essentially deem the Ghanian people and the APN house slaves and soup drinkers.

For these reprehensible organisations, it is a betrayal that the APN would honour an Indo-Guyanese. It is from this prism that they do not object to subsidies which have rightfully been granted to the citizens living in Linden and Kwakwani for electricity, but they object to subsidies given to GUYSUCO. Linden

and Kwakwani are mostly populated by Afro-Guyanese, while GUYSUCO workers are mostly Indo-Guyeanese.

While Hammie Greene, Vincent Alexander and the eleven organisations demanding recall of the APN Award to President Ali are recklessly promoting division among our people, they are checkmated by their own supporters who reject their call. Just like their supporters rejected the PNC-sponsored mysterious form of voodoo mathematics that 32 is more than 33 during Election 2020, those same supporters reject their efforts to racialise ‘ONE GUYANA’.

The dissidents cannot erase the despicable history of the PNC in Guyana and the racist agenda of many of the organisations they represent.

It is not yet even two weeks since the Leader of the Opposition stated publicly that if given an opportunity to govern Guyana again, which he claimed will be soon, he will ensure that the PNC-led Government fire all the PPP supporters. When the PNC and the PNC leaders speak about PPP supporters it is code word for Indo-Guyanese. He claimed that the David Granger-led PNC made a mistake by not firing more of the PPP supporters between 2015 and 2020, even though thousands of PPP supporters, mainly Indo-Guyanese, were fired or forced to resign or demoted during the terrible years of 2015 and 2020.

But Aubrey Norton is not the first to promise mass discrimination, targeting PPP Continued on page 7

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

Shameful demand by racist organisations for recall of global award to...

From page 6 supporters. Please recall that in November 2018, after a massive defeat at the LGE 2018, Volda Lawrence had stated publicly again that she only had PNC friends and that the PNC must only employ PNC people.

These demands by senior leaders of the PNC are not concoction of wicked opponents. Lawrence was caught on camera talking to a party group. In the case of Aubrey Norton, he was addressing a public meeting. The PNC’s policy has always been mass discrimination. When they closed sugar estates between 2016 and 2018, they targeted mainly Indo-Guyanese they saw as PPP supporters, although they ended up also hurting some Afro-Guyanese.

The Afro-Guyanese that were affected by the malicious action targeting Indo-Guyanese were collateral damage in the books of PNC. One of the then Vice Presidents, Khemraj Ramjattan, admitted in Parliament that the action was directed at PPP supporters.

But they also fired more than 2,000 Amerindian CSOs (Community Service Officers).

Even though the PNC has consistently accused the PPP of discrimination, they depend entirely on hearsay anecdotal arguments. They claimed that Afro-Guyanese who were Permanent Secretaries (PSs) were fired by the Ali-government after he was sworn in on August 2, 2020. In 2015, the contracts of PSs were terminated by the PNC-led government, with all but one of them replaced.

When President Ali’s government took over in 2020, several PSs were replaced by qualified Guyanese that reflect roughly the diversity of Guyana. While the PSs in the PNC-led APNU/AFC were almost exclusively Afro-Guyanese, the new PS class today, slightly majority Afro-Guyanese, is broadly reflecting Guyana’s ethnic diversity.

While most of the scholarships granted by the PNCled APNU/AFC Government to students during 2015 and

2020 were Afro-Guyanese and family and friends and even ministers, the more than 22,000 Guyanese awarded scholarships since August 2, 2020 reflect Guyana’s diversity. These are the facts, not some anecdotal story. It is why even organisations that are inclined to support the PNC are unable to publicly support the bogus claim of discrimination.

President Ali has visited every region, every sub-region in Guyana. He has visited communities that have never been visited by a president before. Whether communities have traditionally voted for the PPP or for the PNC, President Ali has visited, some more than once. In some communities, PNC-led activists have tried to intimidate people, but whether it is in Linden or Mocha or Hopetown, people invite and swarm President Ali. It is no accident that communities that once voted almost 100 per cent with the PNC are now calling President Ali their “Comrade President”.

It is why more than 70 per

cent of the seats in LGE 2023 were won by the PPP. President Ali’s government has invested everywhere. In five years under APNU/AFC, the PNC-led coalition built 29 streets and virtually all in communities which represented their strongholds, communities which were largely majority Afro-Guyanese, in Region Five. In just 2023 alone, President Ali’s government has built 169 streets in the same region. In Region 10, a fortress for the PNC, a region that has been loyal to the PNC and in which Afro-Guyanese dominates, President Ali’s government in 2024 is providing $5B to continue the electricity subsidy for the residents of Linden and Kwakwani.

The PNC-led APNU/AFC Government had promised in Election 2015 to construct a new Wismar Bridge. For five years between 2015 and 2020, they dilly-dally and only announced the construction of a three-lane bridge.

But even that silly talk never materialised. It is President

Ali’s government that has started the construction of a four-lane Wismar Bridge.

They closed a call centre that provided jobs and today President Ali’s government has brought back those jobs.

Linden is undergoing an economic rebirth, courtesy of the PPP Government, following the PNC-instigated economic stagnation.

More Afro-Guyanese, as well as more Guyanese overall, are today benefitting from small business loans, scholarships, support for their children, support to meet catastrophic payments for illnesses such as kidney diseases through the dialysis subsidy program which grants $600,000 annually and which pays for all tests and medicines, bringing the subsidy to more than $1M annually. Every child, no matter what race or religion, or where they live or who

their family voted for, more than 204,000 children in school, will receive $45,000 in 2024, a grant that was ruthlessly taken away from them by the PNC-led coalition in 2015. Just in 2021, more Afro-Guyanese got house lots from President Ali’s government than they did between 2015 and 2020.

President Ali’s award in Africa is an award also for Guyana. ONE GUYANA is here to stay. The unity of 1953 was no mirage, but the dream was temporarily distracted. President Ali has relit the flame and ONE GUYANA is our compass as we embrace UNITY in DIVERSITY. Congratulations President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, our beloved President.

Sincerely, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy

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Things I would like to see in Guyana in 2024 A guaranteed future from oil revenues for the next 30 or more years seems likely, and Guyana needs to move in a direction that maximises the general interests of the Guyanese. Each country does that.

No country, maybe except a very tiny few that are literally dependent on big powers for their existence, would implement policies for their population that their citizenry does not want.

This is not sovereignty. It is slavery. Countries must move in a modern direction but they must do so with the approval of their people. I repeat – all countries do so. In another column, I will look at major legal immigration changes that would drastically reduce the intake of non-White people in France, the UK and Canada.

The United States deports any person who is convicted of a criminal offence once the person does not have American citizenship despite the fact they may have come to the US as a

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

five-year-old and is now 45. For the US, that is in American interests. Many strong post-colonial countries chose not to approve of sanctions against Russia because they felt that the Russia/Ukraine issue was a Western security controversy and for the Third World, matters of disadvantages in global trade are exigencies for them rather than an isolated war in Europe.

Guyana must pursue policies that the Guyanese people want, not what other nations want us to do. The standard bearer of this perspective is Kenya. President Obama went to Kenya and urged it to accept homosexual rights.

The Kenyan President said that is a decision best left to be considered by the Kenyan people.

President Obama joined a long, long list of his predecessors who never failed to say: “What the American people want.”

What do the Guyanese people want? Do they want the abolition of the death penalty?

Should they not be consulted?

The European Union for over

40 years has been pressuring post-colonial states, including Guyana to abolish the death penalty. We have not resumed hanging maybe because of this pressure. The last hanging was under President Hoyte’s government more than 35 years ago. The EU cannot single out Guyana when there are countries in the world that are extremely closer to the EU nations than Guyana and they have the death penalty. On Thursday last, the US executed a man in Alabama.

Justice Kissoon last month sentenced a group of fishermen to death for the horrible pirate attack at sea in which the victims were cruelly tortured and thrown into the sea to die. If the appeal deadline was not met, those men should be hanged. There is no philosophical argument I can think of that says the death penalty is irrelevant in situations where men have become worse than jungle predators.

In 2024, I would like to see Guyana revert to a foreign policy that both Cheddie Jagan

and Forbes Burnham shaped for Guyana after Independence. I will never be a fan of Burnham.

My dislike for Mr. Burnham is based on three pillars – theoretical, actual totalitarian practice and personal vendetta against me. But I acknowledge Burnham had a brave, realistic and nationalistic foreign policy.

Guyana must look at its slow evolution from a poor nation that got poorer from the 1970s through to the beginning of the 21st century and go out into the global forum from 2024 and maximize its foreign policy based on what is good for Guyana, what can bring Guyana advantages and what can strengthen Guyana’s future.

The world where a country

Don’t wait, get help OVER two decades ago I became friendly with a multi-talented woman – able to play several musical instruments well – and so came into contact with her mentally unwell son.

The eldest of four boys, Mike was bright, had done well at school, then began showing signs of mental imbalance. According to his mother the boy, who loved drawing became erratic, and unfocussed and his condition continued to deteriorate to the point where she was forced to keep him at home.

His behaviour change was so alarming that his mother began to wonder if someone had ‘tampered’ with him. She

was referring to ‘obeah’, which many of us blame for the mental instability we may witness in a friend or family member – ‘Somebaddy do e’.

However, family members had a different recollection of this young man’s illness and its origin, saying the youth was an ‘oddball’ as a child and also a loner. He had experienced a particularly traumatic event, when, as a young boy, he woke up to find the grandmother he stayed with dead in the bed beside him. This certainly would have added to his emotional turmoil.

Whatever the cause, and whether Mike’s condition progressed slowly or rapidly, by

stuck with a friend because that was the only friend it knew when it emerged as an independent state has gone forever and will not return. Guyana emerged from the bosom of India, Africa, Portugal and China. Those are the sources of our people from foreign lands. We were colonised by the UK. Then the USA became an integral part of Guyana’s existence, especially through migration.

But our foreign policy must not rest on those foundations only. The world is wide with more than 200 nations and we must seek closer relations in economics, finance, technology and science with countries whose partnership Guyana needs. Asia, the Arab world, Africa but par-

ticularly China and Brazil are nations that Guyana must seek closer partnership with.

Small, poor countries like Guyana cannot secure a future based on the traditional foreign policy we knew when it was a colony.

There is nothing better I would like to see in 2024 than a South African Embassy in Guyana. This is a great country that in 2023 showed the world the courage and philosophical mind a country must have. South Africa was the definitive country of 2023.

I will look at other things I need to see in Guyana in a forthcoming column.

the time I met him it was clear to me that he was severely mentally challenged. He would walk up and down the stairs in their two-storey home and pace the rooms wringing his hands.

He seemed oblivious to his surroundings and would appear to be looking through rather than at me.

He did not go out and had little interaction with anyone outside of his immediate family. The relative commented that while he may have been exposed to some level of medical attention the treatment did not continue.

Another young man who comes to mind is one I would pass regularly stooping or sometimes standing at the side of the main road in Golden Grove on the East Bank, where, until recently I had been living.

This fellow was clean and properly dressed, always with a broad smile on his face as if amused by some private joke.

He spoke to no one and would remain stooping for such extended periods that I wondered how his knees coped with the strain, though he somehow seemed quite comfortable. I had no idea of where in the area he lived but felt it was close to where I would often see him.

His neat appearance indicated that someone was taking care of him, but I doubted he was

receiving any treatment. He was a regular on the corner.

I mention these two young men primarily to urge parents to seek professional help for their children as soon as they observe signs of abnormal behaviour. Ignoring the problem will not make it go away, neither will living in denial. Things just get worse and treatment may have to be more prolonged. An old, familiar saying on another subject seems appropriate in this case - ‘a stitch in time saves nine’.

It strikes me that in Mike’s case, his mother probably paid insufficient attention to his condition until it became obvious that something was wrong and she could no longer ignore it.

Though she still sought to grasp the notion that her son was the victim of ‘outside wuk’.

Whether we feel other forces are at play or not, our first action when we notice uncharacteristic or odd behaviour in our children is to seek professional advice or arrange a consultation. What we should not do is ignore it.

Perhaps 20 years ago options were limited, but now several hospitals and clinics around the country offer free mental health counselling.

Also, when treatment has begun it must be continued to be effective.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

What’s behind the early grounding of the CDB’s high-flying president?

ONCE upon a time, news reports were based on who did what, where, why and how, but with the advent of the internet and online news gathering and dissemination in the past three decades, two more requirements are added today: what ‘platform’ and which ‘language’.

It used to be too, that journalists reported only verifiable facts and left out rumours until confirmed or denied, but it’s quite acceptable today that a rumour could be reported as a headline, based on ‘unconfirmed’, ‘usually-reliable’ or invisible sources who allegedly ‘requested anonymity’.

Take the Caribbean Media Corporation’s (CMC) published ‘scoops’ about the highly controversial decision by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to send its President, Dr Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, on ‘Administrative Leave’ until April.

On January 19, 2024, the CMC published a report headlined: ‘CDB President’s computer, tablet seized as he’s sent on Administrative Leave until April!’

Days later, Times Caribbean Online followed up with another headline: ‘CDB President Dr. Hyginus Leon sent on leave amid explosive allegations of intra-office affair’.

Then came another Times Caribbean Online report, also

carried by St. Vincent Times. com, headlined: ‘OECS leaders voice shock and disappointment as CDB President sent on leave’.

As expected, the CMC’s original story grew long legs and tentacles, with readers everywhere responding to the saucy headlines on Facebook, Instagram, Tik-Tok and other global online platforms.

The reports were pregnant with what would yesteryear have been described as innuendo, including quoted claims by invisible ‘inside sources’ that the President may have employed unauthorized, irregular or illegal means of getting to Guyana for meetings with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett and its new Chair, Guyana’s President Dr Irfaan Ali. Guyana’ Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo was also asked at a press conference to comment on the rumors and unconfirmed reports.

In likely response to the CMC’s reports questioning why the postponement of the CDB’s annual regional press conference to an undefined date, the bank announced it will take place in February -- and President Leon won’t be attending.

A week after the original CMC report, the rumors, claims and unsubstantiated allegations continued to

snowball from molehill to mountainous proportions, no one sure whether it was a storm in a teacup or deliberate stoking of a red ants’ nest.

The published reports have also raised pertinent issues and questions regarding intent and effect, many wondering and pondering whether it’s a case of regional media houses going after the highly-respected head of a top regional institution, mindless of the effects on the institution and/or the integrity of its leadership.

The stories brought countless ‘likes’ on Facebook and otherwise met the objective of ensuring being read and spread as far and wide as possible, but with the CDB and its President unable to entertain CMC and other press demands for official confirmations, denials and other details while the investigation was underway.

For starters, when Dr Leon was appointed President based on his qualifications being superior to other applicants, word got out that many nationals at different levels at the Barbados-based CDB headquarters felt annoyed that ‘another Saint Lucian’ had succeeded Sir Arthur Lewis when it was supposed to have been ‘Barbados’ turn now…’

The thing is, though, while the top position has been held by non-Barbadians

over time, it isn’t ‘given’ on rotation and Dr Leon gained his ten-year, two-term position based on being – by far -the most-qualified applicant.

President Leon’s first year coincided with the accidental fact that Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister Philip J. Pierre, between 2022 and 2023, served as Chairman of the Boards of Governors of both the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and the CDB, during which the CDB’s 2023 Annual General Meeting was also hosted in Saint Lucia.

There were claims too that in his first year on the job, President Leon seemed to enjoy a higher level of regional and international press coverage than all his predecessors and should have been more quiet than loud in his efforts to explain the bank’s mission and vision, under his watch.

So then, were the original CMC report and others that followed aimed at quickly quieting the President, or

were they simply reports demonstrating the potent power of the press to pursue any story without consideration of its ultimate effects?

Whether it was a case of ‘publish or de damned’ or some other inexplicable intent to bring Dr Leon to his knees in and before the court of Caribbean public opinion before the investigation is over, will probably never be known – at least not yet.

However, it’s also bothered many in the regional public square that any Caribbean media would have allowed themselves to be accused of setting out to pluck President Leon’s feathers ahead of the investigators deciding he should or shouldn’t be baked on a slow fire, over 100 days, from January to April.

But in this new information age, coverage is not as much always aimed at ensuring that the truth is told as aimed at increasing online ‘likes’ over competitors.

It’s unfortunate that at

a time when over 117 Arab journalists have been targeted and killed in Gaza for doing their job of pursuing and telling the truth, Caribbean journalists would feel free to target the President of the region’s premier banking entity in the way Dr Leon has been treated by the CMC, et al.

Even worse is the speculation that the original intent of the early release of selected saucy personal titbits was to put Dr Leon in a position where he’d be forced into considering resigning, in shame or disgust, irrespective of the eventual findings.

The CMC will most likely argue that in pursuit of its scoops, it needed not to consider the consequences of its original reports pointing accusing fingers at the head of the region’s most important development banking entity, but those questioning its intent are equally right to be highly-suspicious that there could be more in the CMC’s mortar than just the president’s pestle.

Oil and Gas Driving Guyana’s Economic Growth

GUYANA’S economic development forecast for 2024 is off to a robust start, with exponential growth of 33 per cent recorded in 2023 and a stronger-than-expected expansion of 11.7 per cent in non-oil real Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Minister of Finance, Dr. Ashni Singh in his recent presentation of the 2024 National Budget spoke to the overall economic growth in 2023 and credited this to the continued growth of oil and gas activities, which are slated to intensify in 2024 with the Prosperity FPSO ex-

pected to achieve production of 220,000 barrels per day

by March.

This unprecedented growth was a result of several factors, the most notable being the Local Content Act, which increased the number of Guyanese hires in the industry and contract awards to local suppliers for the provision of services. The implementation of the Act has spurred the creation of joint ventures and partnerships to support the industry, with many local businesses forming alliances to provide a range of services including

shore bases, machining and fabrication services, offshore support vessel services, offshore helicopter services, offshore catering services and hazardous waste management. As the industry continues to expand, more Guyanese are expected to support its operations. The Prosperity FPSO’s arrival and commissioning in the Payara field also contributed to the growth in the number of Guyanese supporting oil operations.

According to the minister, the oil and gas sector experienced exponential growth

estimated at 45.9 per cent in 2023, with greatly increased production numbers that rose from 101.4 million barrels in 2022 to 142.9 million barrels of oil in 2023. This growth can be attributed to the improved performances of the Liza Destiny and Liza Unity FPSOs, which recorded production numbers of approximately 142,000 and 235,000 barrels per day. As a result, the Natural Resource Fund received US$1,398.9 million in profit oil, US$576.6 million from Liza Destiny’s production and US$822.3 million from Liza Unity’s

production, with US$218.1 million in royalties received from ExxonMobil Guyana.

To fund the government’s national development priorities, just over US$1 billion was withdrawn from the Fund and allocated to the budgets for the other sectors such as construction and education.

The oil sector also recorded an estimated 18 per cent growth in export earnings to US$11,631.5 million, contributing to an estimated 40.2 per cent surge in export volume. These figures reflect activities in the petroleum sector only and do not account

for how the emergence of the sector impacted the growth of the other sectors of Guyana’s economic framework.

Meanwhile, the construction sector saw great expansion with the number of roads and infrastructural projects that were executed in tandem with the national developmental agenda, which was supported by revenue from the oil and gas industry.

A substantial increase in the demand for sand and stone was recorded in 2023, with 7.8 million tonnes of sand extracted across 31 legal Continued on page 10

Playing with fire 10

Put aside the budget debates for a moment and let’s talk about the Opposition Leader Aubrey Norton's seeming call for violence at the next general elections slated for November 2025.

Norton, while speaking to not more than 300 supporters at an APNU+AFC rally about the cost of living, hinted at his plan for the upcoming elections if the party doesn’t win, basically.

Using covert language and linguistics, Norton told the crowd that “... He who can handle the gun is in a better position” and “to let the PPP start feeling.” He also said, “When we finish beating them, we gon got to take them on.”

The Opposition Leader continued to preach about his plans for winning the upcoming election using very strong, emotive language, and clandestine “isms.” He said everything to get the crowd incensed and to make them feel discriminated and sidelined by the PPP/C. Also, he clearly distinguished himself from the former party leader and former

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

President of Guyana David Granger when he spoke to the issue of employment in the government, should his party win the next poll.

He said, “When we were in government, I remember David Granger saying ‘we didn’t ask you which political party you support. We kept you to work. All we want you to do is to serve the people’…

Many of them sabotaged us.

I’m saying to you that won’t happen again.”

Norton continued to hint at the use of violence to remove the PPP/C from government throughout his time on the podium. Norton is serious and should be taken

seriously.

This is a man who is so fixated on power and control, he doesn’t care about the consequences of his words or approach. He does not care about the PNC/R or its infamous history with rigging elections or violence.

Surely, he doesn’t care about law and order. From his perspective, the only path to getting that power again, is by seeming blood and struggle; that is why he used the analogy with the “gun.”

Norton means every single word if he is to be the presidential candidate for the opposition. The saying goes, “what a sober mind conceals,

a drunken mind reveals,” and Norton may have not been drunk in this particular instance, but the Guyanese public was given insight into his mind and manner of thinking. This is the core philosophy of Norton.

The Vice President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo did the right thing on Thursday when he drew attention to Norton’s seeming sinister utterances and said that the full force of the law will be in place, should they do as Norton is hinting.

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) must keep its antennas up and be on the lookout for politi-

cians like Norton who is bold and testy with his utterances which are almost criminal and divisive. The ERC, like the police, can ill afford to have these politicians or parties say such irresponsible and ethnically loaded utterances. They must come down on the language and rhetoric of the politicians before they get a chance to act.

The ERC and police must not issue a statement. That is not enough. Both agencies have Heads that must be seen having meetings and articulating the policies with regards to this kind of violence and race mongering. They must get out of their comfortable offices and be seen.

They are way too important to be hidden away.

Guyana has matured and our democracy is strong.

Norton and other politicians must know that the Guyanese public is not going to respond to any call for violence or anything that will affect the peace, tranquility and safety of the country. Norton should be condemned for this seeming rally to violence.

Africans, in particular, should shun him because

Norton is disrespectful to bring that sort of language and linguistics to them at this point in time when people are constantly trying to better themselves and lives.

He is underestimating the intelligence of every African adult and young person that forms part of the electorate next year.

Guns are not the answer.

The fighting and violence are not the answer. The Guyanese public wants to hear about policies, programmes and ideas to fix the problems existing in the public sector and other sectors. They are an educated population that is in no way interested in politics of violence and will choose peace every time.

Norton can play with violence if he wants to but it will not secure him a place in the hearts of the Guyanese public. He will get no closer to the presidency. It will not disabuse the public from looking to a modern, stable and forward-thinking opposition leader who doesn’t think impulsively or emotionally.

Oil and Gas Driving Guyana’s Economic...

From page 9 operations. Overall, the construction sector is estimated to have grown by 26.6 per cent in 2023. The country saw an increase in import payments of 83.1 per cent.

According to the government, the Prosperity FPSO contributed approximately 26.6 per cent to total import payments for 2023.

It is projected that Guyana will experience real GDP growth of 34.3 per cent in 2024, which is primarily attributed to increases in oil production from the Prosperity FPSO. Once this project is achieved, the country will record its fifth consecutive year of economic growth exceeding 20 per cent each year. Additionally, the nation can expect the operationalisation of specialised subsea services in February through a joint venture between a local company and a Norwegian company.

Moreover, Guyanese can anticipate a paid internship programme from ExxonMobil Guyana’s Tier 1 contrac-

tors, under which approximately 100 paid internships will be offered. Other developments to further enhance the efficiency of the industry are the development of an enhanced digital platform to allow immediate notification of employment opportunities and procurement needs and local content sensitisation workshops to spread awareness of opportunities made available under the Local Content Act. On the regulatory front, the government intends to carry out survey studies on the offshore blocks to better assess the potential petroleum resources available for development and production.

The discoveries of the Lancetfish-1, Lancetfish-2 and Fangtooth-1 SE wells in the Stabroek Block and the Wei-1 well in the Corentyne Block also contributed to the growth in proven resources. With Guyana poised to become a leading provider in the global energy industry, the coming onstream of additional projects, such

as Uaru and Whiptail will intensify the country’s production numbers, resulting in increased revenue earnings.

The non-oil sectors that were boosted by the demand from the oil and gas sector in 2023 are also projected to experience growth in 2024.

While the services industry as a whole is forecast to expand by 6.9 per cent, the subsectors such as wholesale and retail trade and repairs, administrative and support services, information and communication, and transport and storage are expected to increase by 8.3 per cent, 8.6 per cent, 12.9 per cent, 8.2 per cent respectively.

As the petroleum industry continues to grow, so do the prospects of Guyanese, particularly suppliers and businesses. 2024 promises to be a year of national growth and development and the benefits of the sector are expected to reach Guyanese far and wide, propelling the nation even further on its development trajectory.

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

‘PPP/C administration's planning not static… it evolves’ - Dr Singh affirms — challenges Opposition’s claims with facts about government's crucial decision-making process

THE People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s plans to development Guyana is not static but it evolves based on various critical factors, according to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh.

Closing the Budget 2024 debate in fine style and with great passion, the minister responded to the many claims that were peddled by the Opposition in the National Assembly.

Addressing the criticism from the Opposition surrounding Guyana’s future, Singh boldly stated: “A good plan can’t be a static plan. You adapt, you adjust [and] you evolve depending on changing circumstances.”

He added: “So, the planning processes, I don't think you need to be a nuclear scientist, or a cardiologist or a neurosurgeon to know that planning is a dynamic and living process.”

Responding directly to the Opposition’s argument about planning, Dr Singh highlighted how the APNU+AFC adminis-

ana were shelved, including the Amerindian Land Titling Project, the Hinterland Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Project, among others.

When the PPP/C assumed office in August 2020, after a

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and Public Service Dr. Ashni Singh

tration had scrapped the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which was tailored to improve the lives of Guyanese.

Instead of using the work that had already been done to advance national development, the then David Granger-led coalition government developed their own “Green State Development Strategy” which, Dr. Singh said, did absolutely nothing for Guyana and its citizens.

The draft version of the LCDS 2030 was launched in October 2021. It was built from the 2009 version of the strategy, which was also up-

dated in 2013.

The LCDS subsequently underwent months of national consultations during which community-level engagements took place along with engagements with national stakeholders.

Guyana was well-positioned as a global leader on the subject of low carbon development just prior to the PPP/C demitting office in 2015.

Upon the APNU+AFC’s assumption to office, all of the projects that were intended to benefit the people of Guy-

Continued on page 12

glaring attempt by the coalition to influence the outcome of the elections, the LCDS was restored.

The world’s first TREES credits were notably awarded to Guyana by the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions

(ART) in December 2022. It was the first time a nation had received carbon credits created especially for the voluntary and compliant carbon markets for effectively preventing the loss and degradation of forests, a procedure known as jurisdic-

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

Global Africa Leadership Award recognises President Ali’s exceptional leadership THE Association for Democracy and Human Rights proudly joined the nation in celebrating President Dr. Irfaan Ali's receipt of the Global Africa Leadership Award in Ghana, commending him for steering Guyana towards a transformative path.

This esteemed rec-

— Association for Democracy and Human Rights says

ognition, bestowed by the Africa Prosperity Network's (APN) Africa Prosperity Champions Awards, has been described as a moment of pride for every individual from Guyana.

In a press release, the organisation said: “President Ali’s leadership since taking up office in August

2020 has been nothing short of transformational, steering our nation to become the fastest-growing economy globally. His dedication to principles of equity and probity resonates deeply APN and all Guyanese.”

They went on to say: “His vision of a unified ‘One Guyana,’ transcend-

made it possible for Hess Corporation and the Guyana government to reach a historic deal in which the oil giants decided to buy one-third of all Guyana’s credits—both issued and projected—up until 2030.

With these new heights, Minister Singh said: “Those resources are being used to execute land titling projects, drainage and irrigation

projects [and] solar electricity projects [and] are benefiting the people of Guyana today as we speak.”

The Finance Minister also reminded the National Assembly of the former APNU+AFC administration’s introduction of new taxes, and the implementation of policies which saw the removal of disposable income from the citizens’

ing racial and cultural

divides, is particularly laudable since his vision aligns with our goals of promoting cultural harmony and understanding.”

Furthermore, it was stated that the award serves as recognition of the president’s exceptional leadership as it relates to the “Essequibo territo-

rial controversy.”

They deemed the award a “testament to his steadfastness and integrity.”

T h e re l e a s e t h e n read: “The Association congratulates President Ali and looks forward to continued progress and unity under his leadership.”

distribution of the $10,000 cash grant that was being offered to citizens during the PPP/C’s governance.

Similarly, Dr. Singh noted that many public servants, such as members of the Joint Services, lost millions.

Unlike the APNU+AFC, the Finance Minister said: “We will deliver the things we promised, and we will continue to work through

Budget 2024, 25, 26 and beyond … We will craft the budget in a particular frame where no other time in our country’s history entrepreneurial opportunities so abound.”

He added: “For years, even perhaps decades, we in this country have been engaging in successive processes to prepare plans and identify priorities.”

‘PPP/C administration's planning not static… it evolves’...

From page 11 tional REDD+, which was a significant milestone.

Guyana received 33.47 million TREES credits from ART for the five-year period between 2016 and 2020 after the Board of Directors of ART approved the project and concluded an independent evaluation and verification process. This

pockets.

Providing a realistic example of what obtained, Dr. Singh noted that the previous government took away an estimated $9 million from households during its five years in office.

In another example, he said a family comprising three school-aged children lost about $150,000 when the opposition discontinued the

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

Guyana attains ‘significant milestone’ with Global Africa Leadership Award

— Afro-Guyanese Union says — commends President Ali for championing domestic, int’l issues

DESCRIBING it as a “significant milestone,” the Afro-Guyanese Union expressed their appreciation for President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s acceptance of the esteemed Global Africa Leadership Award conferred upon him by the Africa Prosperity Network (APN) in Ghana.

“This award is a significant milestone in recognising Guyanese leadership on the global stage,” a press release

read.

The unprecedented economic growth that Guyana is underxxxxxgoing, according to the organisation, has been the hallmark of President Ali’s leadership since he assumed office in August 2020.

Additionally, it was acknowledged that in light of the country's progress, the President is ensuring that this is accomplished while upholding the utmost standards of human dignity and unity.

“President Ali’s efforts to promote ‘One Guyana’ have been especially impactful in our diverse society, fostering a sense of unity and inclusiveness,” the press release read.

Dr. Ali's dedication to advocating for both domestic and international matters, particularly his steadfast endorsement of global reparations and restorative justice, serves as evidence of his commitment to rectifying

historical injustices and promoting a just and equitable global framework.

It was stated that this initiative is a manifestation of his comprehensive vision for reconciliation and restoration, encompassing Guyana and the global African communities, with the objective of healing and promoting

progress for Afro-descendants.

The organisation then stated: “The APN award recognises President Ali’s role in the handling of the Essequibo controversy and highlights his capabilities in handling complex international challenges with poise and dignity.

His diplomatic skills and

unwavering commitment to justice and equity have set a standard for leaders worldwide.”

“The Afro-Guyanese Union applauds President Ali’s achievements and is honored to witness a leader of his caliber representing Guyana on the global front.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

IDPADA-G - an ‘appendage’ to APNU — African and other civil society stakeholders say they have lost respect

The protest letter authored

by Olive Cummings Sampson, Chief Executive Officer for the International Decade for People of African Decent Assembly - Guyana (IDPADA-G), has been dismissed by numerous African and civil society stakeholder organisations and activists.

They have expressed their backing for President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s Global Africa Leadership Award in Ghana.

The correspondence entailed a request for the revocation of President Ali's accolade.

To this, the stakeholder organisations and activists said: “The organisation’s dispatch is wholly temerarious, reprehensible, and objectionable. We therefore wish to expostulate our firm position on this important matter.”

“In consideration of the foregoing and with due regard to the august reputation of your organisation and its informed nominations criteria, we offer our full and unequivocal support to President Irfaan Ali, on his most deserving GALA award,”

they said in a letter to the Chairman and Members of the African Prosperity Network (APN).

President Ali was on Friday bestowed with the Global Africa Leadership Award in Ghana for his strong and transformational leadership since assuming the presidential office in 2020.

Dr. Ali, over the past years, has been championing several causes, many of which involved the maintenance of peace and unity.

The Guyanese leader has also been vocal on matters that involve the global disparities faced by developing countries, as well as matters of women’s and children’s rights.

Most recently, the Head of State has been vocal about the need for reparations to be paid to Caribbean states that were major hubs during the Atlantic Slave Trade.

The letter by the stakeholder organisations and activists read: “IDPADA-G has effectively relinquished its UN based mandate and has become appendaged to the political opposition movement of Guyana, with open support and partici-

pation in the destabilization and ethnic-polarization campaigns of the political opposition.”

It added: “The organisation has lost our respect and support and therefore does not represent us nor our national interests as a legitimate ‘People of African Decent’ representational body, nor in any capacity whatsoever.”

While rejecting the claims from IDPADA-G, they said: “We emphatically reject accusations against President Ali of racism and discrimination as contrived, false, baseless and without any merit whatsoever,” while attesting and supporting claims of inclusivity and non-discrimination.

The group then spotlighted that IDPADA-G, since its inception, has populated its Board of Directors and executive with known members

and supporters of the opposition party, the People’s National Congress-Reform (now APNU), and openly demonstrated support for the undemocratic efforts of the Coalition Government, of which the APNU was the principal actor in the rigging of the 2020 General and Regional elections.

These brazen efforts which plunged Guyana into a five month long constitutional crisis, were roundly condemned by the international community of election observer nations and bodies.

“The organisation has since attached itself to a vigorous national and international campaign of destabilisation of the Ali Admin-

istration and ethnic division of the Guyanese society,” the letter read. “In 2023, the organization and its key financiers and political sponsors presented a dossier of race related and discrimination falsehoods against the PPP/C Government, to the US State Department and Congressional Black Caucus, which was roundly rejected as baseless.”

Notwithstanding this, the group highlighted the numerous initiatives by the PPP/C administration to better the lives of all Guyanese.

For instance, they underscored that in 2020, the government removed Value Added Tax (VAT) on water for all pensioners, the subsi-

dy of which amounts to over $523 million annually and increased monthly pensions by 75 per cent between 2020 and 2024.

It was also said that the government also provides annual electricity subsidies to residents of Region 10, a predominantly black bastion of the ethnic political support base of the opposition.

The total amount of subsidies exceeds $100 billion since its establishment. It is important to highlight that this is the sole geographic and administrative area that benefits from such a subsidy. Moreover, the region has been allocated a local budget of $7 billion for 2024, marking a significant increase of over 100% since 2020.

These were a few of the government's efforts that were highlighted by the group.

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Amended NRF withdrawal rule, revised debt ceilings before the House for approval

IN a move emblematic of its commitment to transparent and accountable governance, the PPP/C Government tabled the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the National Assembly on January 26. This bill, consistent with promises outlined in Budget 2024, aims to update withdrawal rules and debt ceilings, reflecting the government’s dynamic approach to economic management.

Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh tabled the Fiscal Enactments (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Assembly.

This Bill includes proposals to amend the First Schedule of the NRF Act, 2021, to reflect an updated withdrawal rule, as well as updated ceilings on domestic and external debt.

In Budget 2024 which is currently being considered by the National Assembly, Dr. Singh underscored the need to

maintain a “flexible approach to financing the accelerated transformation agenda, which includes a ramped-up PSIP and accelerated delivery of social services and social safety nets to improve the lives of all Guyanese.” He added that “these circumstances require an optimal and dynamic financing mix, taking into consideration the volume of financing mobilised with the cost of that financing.”

Once approved by the National Assembly, the revised rule will take effect from this fiscal year and will replace the conservative rule that currently exists in the Act. Similarly, the updated debt ceilings will take immediate effect and will provide government with the flexibility needed to adapt the financing mix, depending on the evolving global and domestic economic situation, particularly given global uncertainties

Senior Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh

regarding interest rates.

In the case of the NRF rule, while allowing for greater financial resources to be available to support intensified public investment and accelerated delivery of social services, the amended rule, as with the existing, will ensure that as production and revenue ramp

up further, an increasing share of the inflows into the NRF will be saved relative to the share transferred to the Consolidated Fund to finance these national development priorities.

The Bill proposes that the First Schedule of the NRF Act, 2021, be amended to reflect revised calculations for the ceiling on annual withdrawals.

Under the revised proposals, a sliding scale is proposed for withdrawals from the first US$5 billion of deposits paid into the Fund in the immediately preceding fiscal year.

Beyond the first US$5 billion, 90 percent of deposits in the immediately preceding fiscal year will be saved, benefitting generations and generations of Guyanese for years to come.

It would be recalled that the NRF Act 2021 was passed in the National Assembly on December 29, 2021, and represents one of the most significant steps taken to bring greater accountability and transparency in the management of Guyana’s oil resources, replacing the illegitimate APNU+AFC caretaker administration’s NRF Act 2019. The original NRF

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

- aimed at accelerating public goods, services delivery to Guyanese - optimises financing mix with sound fiscal management

Act 2019, was rushed through the National Assembly after the APNU+AFC Government had already lost the no-confidence motion (NCM) and had therefore lost their mandate to govern.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in its publication titled “Economic Institutions for a Resilient Caribbean” included a detailed assessment of Guyana’s NRF Act 2019 (pages 268-274).

Amongst the observations made by the IDB were: • “The objectives and design of the NRF raise several issues. The fund on its own cannot achieve the objectives that have been set for it.

The rigid withdrawal rules may do little to foster stabilisation or saving, but may entail fiscal costs” (p. 270) • “The formula for the maximum permissible withdrawal is among the most complex operational rules for a resource fund in the world.

Its design departs from good practices”. (p. 271) • “State-of-the-art advice based on international experience and good fiscal

management principles emphasises simplicity, flexibility, transparency, and close integration with the budget and public asset-liability management.

The rule’s complexity may also conspire against fiscal transparency and public understanding.” (p. 271).

The current NRF Act 2021 which was piloted by this PPP/C Government contains several enhanced clauses, including the establishment of a Board of Directors which is responsible for reviewing and approving the policies of the fund and monitoring its performance, thereby separating the management of the fund from the Minister responsible for Finance. The NRF Act 2021 not only requires the government to seek parliamentary approval for withdrawals from the fund, but it also sets out new, simplified calculations needed for ensuring that the fund achieves its purposes. Another key improvement is that the minister could face up to 10 years imprisonment if he fails to disclose in the Official Gazette the receipt of any petroleum

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Amended NRF...

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revenue received by government within three months of receipt of such monies. These positive actions of the PPP/C government in management of the NRF are also recognised and commended by the IMF in its Article IV December

2023 report, which states: “The governance of the NRF was strengthened through the appointment of three critical entities in 2022: the NRF Board of Directors, the Public Accountability and Oversight Committee, and the Investment Committee. Furthermore, to ensure full transparency and

accountability, notifications of receipts of petroleum revenues have been published in the Official Gazette…”

The PPP/C’s transparency and accountability ensures that the public and relevant regulatory bodies are always duly informed and made aware of all receipts into the fund, unlike the previous APNU+AFC administration that unscrupulously hid the US$18 million

signing bonus.

Similarly, this PPP/C Government has ensured transparent debt management by ensuring parliamentary approval of revised debt ceilings as required by the evolving circumstances of the economy, including the country’s enhanced debt-carrying capacity, while at the same time maintaining debt sustainability and macroeconomic stability. This contrasts

against APNU+AFC’s incurrence of an illegal overdraft which they then concealed by failing to include the overdraft in their reported debt figures, thereby avoiding the necessity to report what would have been a breach of the debt ceiling at the time.

Senior Minister Ashni Singh reiterated that “the PPP/C Government will maintain its transparent and

accountable management of the oil and gas sector and of the economy as a whole, including by maintaining strict fiscal discipline, strategic vision, and economic stewardship that will ensure that the funds will be used for financing investments that will reap high dividends for current and future generations.”

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

GVF welcomes sport sector allocation in 2024 budget

THE Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) has welcomed the $4.6 Billion sport sector budget with wide open arms.

In a release issued last week, the Federation said the allocation will work as

a catalyst to further develop and improve volleyball as it did in 2023.

“The budget has permitted the Ministry in giving it’s ardent and unwavering support, which assisted the GVF to achieve renewed

overseas participation in Brazil, Barbados, French Guiana and Suriname, as well as the hosting of international invitational male and female matches with French Guiana, Suriname and Trinidad,” the release

said.

According to the release, notwithstanding the continued support of coaches and players of the Academy, which saw massive turnouts at the National Gymnasium from Regions

Five (Mahaica-Berbice) and Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and the Hinterland, the sport has seen growth in 2023.

Some 200-odd new faces, both males and females, were trained, some

of whom are now participating in the senior competitive category.

The volleyball fraternity looks forward to the continued support from the ministry, which is a surety.

GBA’s Senior Developmental Championships…

Four bouts fail to go the distance on the opening night

By Sean Devers

FOUR stoppages were registered on Friday’s opening night of the Guyana Boxing Association’s (GBA’s) Senior Developmental twonight Championships at the National Gymnasium.

A handful of fans watched as the night commenced with three youth match-ups which included the new Bailey’s Boxing Gym (BBG), which was opened late last year and is located in West La Penitence, popularly known as “The Island.”

Forgotten Youths Foundation’s (FYF) Fidel Persaud used his height advantage to beat Rosehall Town Jammers’ (RHTJ) Troy Lindore in the 46-48 kg category, while in the 49-51kg division Travis Sancho beat his club mate Shawn Sabolo, who was disqualified for not being willing to fight.

For over a minute in the first round, Sabolo, who sprayed his hair blond, stood

Patrick Harvey (left) is hit with a wicked right from Emmaunel Sancho in the most entertaining bout of the night (Sean Devers photo)

and took a series of tame punches to his head without attempting to retaliate, forcing the referee to halt proceedings.

In the other youth bout, Leon Albert of Andrew “Six Head” Lewis Gym (ALBG) beat GBB’s Clifton Jackson in the 55-59 kg category.

In the Elite Bantamweight Semi-finals, Police pugilist Kevin Isaacs was all over his GDF opponent

Melroy McPherson.

McPherson, the shorter of the two, was hit to his head and body with crunching combinations before he was staggered by a well-executed straight right to be given his first eight-count in the first round.

The soldier tried to counterpunch but Isaacs caught him with a powerful right hook to his head, resulting in the referee administering a

second standing eight-count as McPherson wobbled on the ropes.

McPherson got in a few shots of his own but did little damage to Isaacs, who threw a flurry of punches with McPherson backed up on the ropes, but the bell rang to save him from a possible knockout.

The contest was however stopped in the second round as Isaacs advanced to last night’s final.

Mark Crawford was clinical in his one-minute, 15 seconds second round knockout of GDF’s Colin Hinds.

Crawford was relentless as he peppered his man with brutal shots from all angles.

Hinds resorted to ‘tying up’ his opponent before Hinds with a three-punch combination of shots to the midsection, the last of which was below the belt, to send Hinds sprawling to the canvas.

The ring doctor rushed into the ring to attend to the fallen soldier who was deemed to have been knocked out by the referee

to start celebrations from Crawford’s Albouystown supporters.

The Cruiserweight contest between FYF’s Brian Harris and Police’s Hullman Bovell was stopped in 1:36 seconds of the second round when the south-paw Harris suffered a laceration (cut) to his cheek.

In the Super Heavyweight brawl between the monstrous Troy Glasgow and his GDF stable mate Zidan Wray, both fighters brought their heavy artillery but in the end, it was Glasgow who emerged victorious by way of a second-round TKO. On a night in which the atmosphere lacked intensity, the Welterweight contest between Police’s Emmanuel Sancho and Patrick Harvey of FYC produced the most entertaining fight of the night.

Harvey, fighting out of the blue corner, was pushed backwards by Sancho who used his jabs to set up punishing right crosses as the pair went toe to toe in the

first round.

The pair, displaying good techniques, traded punches and counterpunches with Sancho scoring with cleaner shots.

The second round saw both fighters ‘upping the tempo’ with Sancho in particular hurting his opponent with well-crafted uppercuts as Harvey retaliated with a few good shots of his own.

With both boxers sporting funky dread hairstyles, the action slowed down as tiredness stepped in and Harvey employed the ‘holding tactic’ but when the dust had settled, it was Sancho who had outboxed his man and was adjudged the winner in the only elite contest to go the full three rounds.

The action was expected to continue last night with the finals.

This was the GBA’s second card for the year following its Pepsi Under16 School Boys/Girls Boxing programme at the Andrew “Six Head” Lewis Boxing Gym in Albouystown.

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Answers in tomorrow’s issue ………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………… ………………………………………

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

Joseph cleared of toe fracture after Starc yorker

(ESPNCRICINFO) Shamar Joseph has been cleared of a fracture to his toe after retiring hurt following a blow from a Mitchell Starc yorker, raising the prospect that he could yet play a part on the fourth day at the Gabba as West Indies aim to defend 216 for a famous victory.

Starc speared the delivery into Joseph's boot and it was initially given lbw before the third umpire called a no-ball, but by then Joseph

was already on the ground in pain. He quickly took off his shoe and sock as the physio came out and it was soon decided he couldn't continue and was helped off the field.

His retirement brought an end to West Indies' second innings. After initially being iced in the dressing room, it was later confirmed he would be heading for scans and they brought good news later in the evening.

"He will continue to be monitored by the medical

team and assessed tomorrow," a statement posted on X said.

Shamar Joseph's injury had left West Indies with just two frontline quicks, Kemar Roach and Alzarri Joseph, supplemented by allrounder Justin Greaves and the offspin of Kevin Sinclair as they tried to earn a first victory in Australia since 1997 in what would go down as one of the biggest upsets of all time. By the close they had removed Usman Khawaja and Marnus

Labuschagne to keep their hopes alive, although Steven Smith was looking solid.

Alazarri Joseph said they were all wishing for the best for Shamar, but had to focus on the task at hand and retained belief they could secure victory.

"At the end of the day the game has to go on and we have a job to do. Can't worry about who's not there," he said. "Think we bowled pretty well. It's just for us to come tomorrow and keep

pegging away. We still have eight wickets to get, you never know what could happen on the fourth day. As long as we bowl the ball in the right areas we can still win this game.

"I like the fight the boys have put in with bat and ball," he added. "We'll take quite a bit of confidence from this series but the game isn't done yet, so there could be more."

Shamar Joseph became an overnight sensation on his

Test debut when he claimed Steven Smith with his first ball in Adelaide and went on to finish with 5 for 94. He also impressed with the bat at No. 11, making 36 in his first innings.

In Brisbane, he removed Alex Carey in the first innings as West Indies threatened to secure a big lead before Australia drew nearly level before declaring.

West Indies have ‘outside chance’ of rare victory against Australia (CMC) - Two wickets before the close have given West Indies an outside chance at a rare win against hosts and world champions Australia, after another feeble batting performance on Saturday undermined the gains they have made in their day-night second Test.

A handful of batsmen, led by left-hander Kirk McKenzie whose 41 was the top score, got starts without carrying on, and the Caribbean side were dismissed for 193 in their second innings in the first hour after tea on the third day of the match at the Gabba to set the Australians 216 to win.

West Indies, minus fast bowler Shamar Joseph, who was injured while batting, then got the scalps of Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply, and Australia reached 60 for two in their second

innings at stumps, having declared on 289 for nine, in reply to the visitors’ first innings total of 311.

Strike bowler and West Indies vice-captain Alzarri Joseph made the breakthrough in his third over when he got left-handed opener and newly-minted World Test Player-ofthe-Year Usman Khawaja caught behind down the leg-side for 10.

Pace bowling all-rounder Justin Greaves followed up five overs later when he condemned Marnus Labuschagne to another low score in the series, squaring him up with a well-pitched delivery and caught at third slip for five.

The Caribbean side continued to make good use of the night-time conditions, but they failed to make further inroads into the Australia batting with makeshift opener Steve Smith, not out on 33, and beanpole all-rounder Cam-

eron Green, not out on nine, batting through almost nine overs to the close.

West Indies trail 1-0 in the two-Test series after they were beaten by 10 wickets inside three days in the first Test in Adelaide, and they are seeking their first win Down Under in a Test since Brian Lara and Curtly Ambrose spearheaded a 10-wicket

THE Guyana Harpy Eagles will be under the stewardship of Kevlon Anderson for their 2024 regional four-day campaign.

Anderson was yesterday announced as captain of the side following the final trial game on Friday at the Meten- Meer – Zorg ground.

He will make his debut as captain along with several new players.

Spinner Steven Sankar will be among the new faces in the team, following a breakthrough year with the ball at the domestic level.

Opener Raymon Perez, following his immaculate batting form which rolled over from 2023, will also have his first shot at the senior level.

In-form fast-bowling all-rounder Ronaldo Alimohamed is the third fresh face in the Harpy Eagles side, having played 50-over cricket for Guyana at the senior level.

Alimohamed, Perez and Sankar will likely make their debut, while middle-order batsman Akshaya Persaud makes a return to the Harpy

Eagles unit.

Young batting sensation Matthew Nandu will be Anderson’s deputy as they lead a well-balanced side featuring a few veterans among the new faces.

First-Class cricket’s leading spinner Veerasammy Permaul, Anthony Adams and West Indies latest Test player, Kevin Sinclair will run the spinner’s show for Eagles.

Fast-bowler Ronsford Beaton, Nial Smith and Alimohamed will make up the front-line seam unit, which

Alzarri Joseph celebrates after picking up Usman Khawaja•Jan 27, 2024•Getty Images

triumph 27 years ago in Perth.

“I think we bowled pretty well, and it’s just for us to come [Sunday] and keep pegging away and putting the ball in the right areas,” vice-captain Joseph told reporters after play.

The visitors got a solid start to the day after they continued from their overnight total of 13 for one and McKenzie took

charge after he joined their captain Kraigg Brathwaite and they put on 50 for the second wicket.

Brathwaite drove half-heartedly and was caught at cover off Green for 16 on the stroke of the first hour, and McKenzie was lbw to off-spinner Nathan Lyon essaying a sweep, and West Indies reached dinner on 106 for three, leading by 128.

Runs came at a premium for the Caribbean side after the interval, and they reached 183 for six at tea, extending the lead to 205, with Lyon wheeling away, while the pacer worked their way through short spells because of the heat.

Left-hander Alick Athanaze edged an ill-advised, loose drive and was caught at slip off Lyon for 35, Kavem Hodge was run out for 29 when he played Lyon to short-leg and fielder Travis Head gathered and threw down the stumps

in one fluid motion to find him with his bat in the air, and Joshua Da Silva, top scorer in the first innings, was caught at gully off left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc for seven.

There was token resistance from the rest of the West Indies batting after tea, and the innings limped to a premature close when Shamar Joseph was forced to retire hurt on three after he was hobbled by a toe-crushing yorker from Starc.

Cricket West Indies later reported on X (formerly Twitter) that scans on Joseph’s foot showed no fracture, and he will continue to be monitored by the medical staff and assessed on Sunday to determine if he can bowl.

Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the Australia bowlers with three for 23 from 14 overs, and Lyon finished with three for 42 from 22 overs.

Bhagoo as their Analyst and Albert Clements as Manager.

Meanwhile, this year’s four-day championship will have a significant increase in prize money as the winning team will pocket the US$250,000 first-place prize, while the runners up will receive US$100,000.

The GHEs commence their title defence when the West Indies Championship bowls off in St Kitts on February 7.

Guyana Harpy Eagles four-day team: Kevlon Anderson (Cpt), Matthew

Nandu (VC), Nial Smith, Ve e r a s a m m y P e r m a u l , Anthony Adams, Kevin Sinclair, Ronsford Beaton, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Akshaya Persaud, Raymon Perez, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Steven Sankar, Kemol Savory.

Under the new Cricket West Indies ‘Player Movement Policy’ each territory is required to name six priority players.

The GHEs’ six priority players will be announced shortly.

Anderson named Harpy Eagles captain adds to their star-studded batch of spin bowlers.

Test opener Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Nandu, Sinclair, Perez, Anderson and Persaud will look to carry the Eagles batting unit.

Kemol Savory will be the wicket-keeper for the first two rounds until Tevin Imlach returns from West Indies duties. Savory is also expected to play a key role in the batting department.

The Harpy Eagles Head coach is Ryan Hercules and the Assistant Coach is Garvin Nedd; with Ryerson

SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024

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SUNDAY CHRONICLE, January 28, 2024 FYF’s Mark Crawford (right) scores with a right to head of GDF’s Colin Hinds before knocking him out in the second round (Sean Devers photo)

GBA’s Senior Developmental Championships…

Four bouts fail to go the distance on the opening night

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Shamar Joseph retired hurt with a damaged toe • Getty Images

Joseph cleared of toe fracture after Starc yorker

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Anderson named Harpy Eagles captain

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| SUNDAY, JANUARY 28, 2024