with more skills training, support for entrepreneurs, other investments in Guyanese
Dr. Singh, Minister Hamilton highlight at commissioning of
Construction progresses on 4MWp solar farm at Hampshire
Work advances on homes at Palmyra Young Professionals Housing Scheme
Work is progressing on the construction of homes at the Young Professionals Housing Scheme in Palmyra on the Corentyne.Upon completion, 100 families are expected to benefit from the homes in the first phase of the project. The initiative is being executed by the Ministry of Housing and Water through the Central Housing and Planning Authority. It forms part of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s housing mandate, which has already achieved the significant milestone of allocating 50,000 house lots to Guyanese citizens Once
–– with more skills training, support for entrepreneurs, other investments in Guyanese
–– Dr. Singh, Minister Hamilton highlight at commissioning of new $55.4M BIT centre in
THE Government of Guyana continues to advance its investments in education, job-creation and skills training initiatives, with the commissioning of another skills development and certification centre in Region Six.
The facility which costs $55.4 million adds to those already constructed and opened by the government across the country.
Since the President Irfaan Ali-led administration assumed office in August 2020, it has remained committed to investing in and advancing educational opportunities for persons
address at the event, Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance and the Public Service Dr. Ashni Singh explained to those at the event that with Guyana being the fastest growing economy in the world and more investments and expansion, there would be more jobs being created and more opportunities available.
The minister indicated that “we are seeing more investments in every single sector in the economy than any other time in the history of our economy. We are seeing more skills being demanded than in any other
persons to not only seek employment to work for others, but also to open their own businesses, with opportunities available even in the online advertising and marketing sector especially since the government liberalised telecommunications when it assumed office in 2020.
“So, the Guyana that we are building, there are several pieces to this-the economic growth means more people are investing, more people are creating jobs and looking for people with skills, more people are working and earning incomes and spending and
in the country.
Referring to when the PPP/C assumed office in 2020, Minister Hamilton explained, “When we went into communities, many did not know BIT existed… under the previous government, they trained about 6,000 persons in five years.
In five years, we would have trained 15,000 people, one hundred per cent and more, and importantly, 60 per cent of those persons are female, and we have moved into what we call non-traditional areas. From Regions One to Ten, BIT is now visible.”
Minister Hamilton re-
as well as announced that it would cover the cost of up to eight subjects for students sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).
Phase one of the Guyana Technical Training College (GTTC) at Port Mourant was also completed and commissioned with a second cohort of 32 students having graduated from this institution recently, while the first National Hospitality and Training Institution is under construction in Berbice to assist in upskilling
Region Six
to create over 500 jobs, as well as a new nursing school for persons to acquire training, the international stadium being constructed at Palmyra, international hotels, malls and restaurants being constructed and the business and employment opportunities being created in Region Six.
He had also indicated that it is government’s intention to make Port Mourant the technical and vocational capital of the region.
Between 2020 and 2025, Government’s BIT invested $1.14 billion in skills training to the benefit of over 15,000 persons across the
The Government of Guyana continues to advance its investments in education, job creation and skills training initiatives, with the commissioning of another skills development and certification centre in Region Six
across the country with more than 82,000 persons trained to date and 60,000 jobs created.
This year, the government allocated a further $175 billion in the 2025 budget to improve the quality of education being delivered to all Guyanese.
In the area of technical and vocational training, the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Labour has been constructing training facilities to strengthen its community-based TVET initiatives.
In February this year, a $44.8 billion BIT Skill Development and Certification Centre was opened in Region Six and this second facility commissioned at Corriverton will add to the growing number of these facilities opened by Government to help bridge the country’s skills gap.
Delivering the feature
point in time in the history of our country, we are seeing more people working than any other time in our country.”
He alluded to President Irfaan Ali’s words that ‘we are living in the era of opportunities” as he reminded that today, education is being provided from nursery to university free of cost while training is provided free of cost across all technical and vocational institutions. He also noted that there are more employment and entrepreneurial opportunities than at any other time.
“You have a greater opportunity now more than at any other time in history to set up a small business, not only to get employment, and if you think about it, you have people who have been trained in food preparation, cosmetology and electrical installation,” Dr. Singh highlighted.
He further encouraged
consuming differently, and then we are training people so that we can get the skills that we would be able to meet the needs of the new economy. We are training, and we are certifying you and we have taken off VAT off of data and off of your devices so that you may advertise your services,” he added.
Minister Singh then concluded that under the PPP/C Government led by President Ali, the Guyana that is being built is a Guyana that will be ripe with opportunities for every single Guyanese.
THOUSANDS BENEFIT
Addressing those in attendance at the opening ceremony, Minister of Labour Joseph Hamilton alluded to the thousands of persons who have already been trained, graduated and have been adding to the growing labour force
lated that government then moved into another phase of constructing training units and thus these training facilities are being constructed at Corriverton, New Amsterdam, Unity, Tuschen, Port Kaituma, Mahdia and Lethem in Region Nine. He noted too that in Region Seven, Government is tasked with training 2,400 for one of the largest gold mines being developed there.
This year, in addition to its many other initiatives to improve the lives of young people, Government also made access to the University of Guyana free of cost to the benefit of 11,000 current students and future students, as well as launched the UG loan write-off programme.
Additionally, the administration has removed the tuition fees from every government technical and vocational training institute
the skills gap within the tourism industry.
MORE
OPPORTUNITIES
During a public meeting recently in that region, Minister Singh explained that the groundwork has already begun by the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) government to alter the socio-economic landscape of Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) to create more opportunities in the various development sectors such as oil and gas, tourism, health, and education.
He noted that the PPP/ C’s vision is to transform the lives of every citizen across the country, while noting that works are being executed already to achieve this.
Dr. Singh alluded to ongoing construction in Region Six of a new hospital in New Amsterdam expected
country of which almost 3,000 persons benefitted in Region Six through partnerships with technical institutes, community organisations, private workshops, and beauty and catering enterprises.
This effort spanned over 35 villages, including New Amsterdam, Port Mourant, Rose Hall, Canje, Albion, and Black Bush Polder.
The commissioning of the centre today symbolised the government’s sustained commitment to decentralising TVET, enhancing workforce readiness, and fostering a more inclusive, skilled society.
Also speaking and in attendance at the commissioning ceremony were Regional Chairman of Region Six, David Armogan and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Board of Industrial Training, Richard Maughn.
Corrupt cops will face courts as police reform takes hold
–– Deputy Commissioner Budhram says
–– vows no cover-ups for rogue officers
IN a country where rumours of corruption have long dogged the uniform, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ravindradat Budhram, is drawing a firm line: the Guyana Police Force (GPF) will not tolerate officers who abuse their badge.
Appearing on Safeguarding Our Nation this week, Budhram, who has served the Force for three decades in some of its toughest commands, laid out an unflinching stance on corruption as the GPF undergoes sweeping reform.
“Let’s be honest,” he said. “Some still think every police officer can be bought. But that’s simply not true, and we are proving it.”
Budhram confirmed that rogue elements have been arrested in recent months, including officers caught with
illegal firearms and narcotics.
Those cases, he said, are now before the courts, and serve as an unmistakable message that wrongdoing will not be swept under the rug.
“We have zero tolerance for misconduct,” he stressed. “Our job is to protect, not abuse power.”
NEW TRAINING
The fight against corruption begins, Budhram explained, with better training and recruitment.
Unlike 30 years ago, when he first joined, today’s recruits must pass tests that weigh integrity, judgement, and problem-solving, not just academics. Once in the Force, every officer now undergoes mandatory ethics training.
But it’s not only about
punishment, it’s about building a professional culture from the inside out. “When you create clear paths for promotion based on merit, you remove the temptation for shortcuts,” he said.
Episode 6 also highlighted how the GPF is investing in its people — and their families — to ensure officers have the support to serve with integrity. More than 600 officers have been sent for overseas training in areas such as modern investigation techniques, cybercrime and domestic violence response. Some are even pursuing legal studies abroad.
At home, the Force is rebuilding stations to include proper living quarters and providing scholarships for officers’ children. “If the family is strong, the officer is strong,” Budhram said. “That
means better performance on the job, and fewer reasons to go astray.”
The push for accountability is matched by a push for representation. Budhram recalled a time when Indigenous officers were almost unheard of. Today, more than 380 Indigenous ranks are deployed throughout Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, bridging language and cultural divides that once hindered
policing in the hinterland.
Women, too, now occupy roles across all departments, a shift from when they were an exception in uniform.
“Any young woman or man who is disciplined, smart and willing can join the Force today. The door is open,” he said.
At the heart of this transformation is a shift from policing by force to policing by partnership. Across Guyana, more than 450 Community Policing Groups and over 85 youth groups are working with the GPF to tackle crime and rebuild trust. Officers are trained to defuse conflicts — especially in cases of domestic violence — with empathy and restraint.
“We don’t resolve every issue by force,” Budhram explained. “We engage. We listen.”
ACTIONS WILL MATCH WORDS
“Today, there is no corner of this country that our officers can’t reach,” he said.
“We are a national force, present in all ten regions, with the same commitment to every citizen.”
For Budhram, the message is simple but non-negotiable: a police force worthy of trust demands more than uniforms and patrols — it demands honesty, accountability and community. And while there’s a long road ahead, he believes the signs of change are real.
“At the end of the day, our actions matter more than our words,” he said.
“We want Guyanese to see that we’re serious about protecting them — and protecting the integrity of this uniform.”
The changes aren’t just in the city. Budhram’s early days as a hinterland commander taught him how isolation, language barriers and poor transport once kept rural communities at the margins of policing. Now, 19 new patrol boats ensure riverine and interior regions have the same presence — and standards — as the coast.
Deputy Commissioner of Police, Ravindradat Budhram
‘Unleash-ability’ Summit unveils core principles to better serve persons with disabilities
By Shamar Meusa
SEEKING to better serve and support persons living with disabilities in Guyana, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, on Tuesday, unveiled its core principles, which it hopes to introduce across institutions in the country.
This was unveiled during the “Unleash-ability” Summit, which was held in collaboration with various stakeholders, at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, delivering feature remarks noted that the summit brought to the forefront the importance of not only acknowledging persons living with disabilities, but also celebrating their strengths and accomplishments, while listening to them to be able to draft inclusive policies and programmes.
“This is the first of its kind, a conference bringing adults and children living with disabilities together in the same room with key
stakeholders… our local partners, our international partners, and also our agencies of government and the private sector, to understand how we can achieve what it is we’re setting on to do, which is to have you not only buy into it, but commit to the core principles of engaging with persons living with disabilities,” she said. Against this backdrop, Dr Persaud told those gathered that the summit is of importance as when they sign the core principles of how to engage persons with disabilities, they will understand why it is imperative that every member
of their agency must be trained to be able to engage professionally, ethically and compassionately with persons living with disabilities.
She added that as they listen to the work of the government across agencies, they would see that there has been a sharp focus on ensuring that persons not only dream of a quality of life but have that quality of life.
“We will continue to work with all our partners to listen to their recommendations and their ideas on policy, so that as a government we continue to have
a kind of transformational impact for that community,” Dr Persaud said.
Among some of the core principles for engaging people, including children with disabilities, is, ensuring services are delivered respectfully, safeguarding individual privacy and protecting personal information.
One aspect outlines that high standards of personal and professional conduct must be maintained while reporting incidents that involve a breach of conduct.
Further, the Government of Guyana acknowledges and respects the evolving capacities of persons, in -
Verifiable facts expose AFC’s false claims
‘Indigenous rights and land denied’
THE Alliance For Change (AFC) is misrepresenting the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government’s extensive work in securing Amerindian rights to land ownership.
Although the AFC prime ministerial candidate, Laura George, claimed that ‘Indigenous rights and lands are denied,’ these assertions fly in the face of verifiable facts. The truth is, the PPPC administration has made significant efforts to acknowledge the rights of the First Peoples, increase land ownership and support communities nationwide.
Far from denying rights, Amerindian land ownership accounts for about 16 percent of Guyana’s territory, a testament to the PPP/C’s commitment to prioritising this critical initiative.
Achievements include: The Amerindian Land Titling (ALT) Project, funded through the Guyana-Norway Agreement, is actively advancing demarcation and extension of lands with full community consultation.
33,241 Amerindians have secured land ownership through the ALT Project since its inception.
Over 13,363 square miles of land are legally
titled, safeguarding Indigenous heritage for future generations.
Before the ALT project began, 96 absolute grants and 70 Certificates of Title had been issued. The project targets an additional 45 Absolute Grants and 67 Certificates of Title. As of today, the project has reached about 50% of its target, with 21 Absolute Grants and 30 Certificates of Title.
Between 2020–2024, 15 villages were demarcated; 10 have received Certificates of Title (COTs), with five pending finalisation by the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission (GLSC).
It must be noted that under the APNU+AFC coalition (2015-2020), one of the political parties that Laura is aligned with, critical investigative reports and demarcation processes initiated before 2015 were completely ignored, halting progress on Amerindian land rights and betraying the very communities they now claim to defend.
The AFC’s use of divisive rhetoric, juxtaposed with the real progress being achieved under the PPP/C administration, reveals an undisputable attempt to deploy misinformation for political gains. (DPI)
working with persons across different regions and has conducted a survey on persons living with disabilities.
There are over 24,000 persons across Guyana living with various disabilities, including learning disabilities.
cluding children, with disabilities, recognising their right to self-determination.
Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony, during brief remarks, told the summit that his ministry has been
As such, the ministry, he said, has tailored programmes with various stakeholders to provide support for those persons, be it the provision of prostheses and assistive devices, among other things.
With this, he said that the summit serves as a forum to identify and address gaps that exist in this regard.
The eight core principles for engaging people, including children, with disabilities
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud (Delano Williams photo)
Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony (Delano Williams photo)
Clear and Present Danger
THE recent remarks by US Ambassador Nicole Theriot regarding the possible election of sanctioned businessman Azruddin Mohamed to Guyana’s Parliament should alert every Guyanese citizen.
The consequences of US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions are serious. We can see the immediate impact as banks close accounts for anyone connected to sanctioned individuals. This threat to our nation is clear.
We already see the evidence. Multiple banks, including Demerara Bank and the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), have quickly shut down accounts of candidates linked to Mohamed’s We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party.
These actions are not just political; they are smart business choices driven by strict international banking rules. Banks must protect their relationships with US institutions and access to the SWIFT system, the global platform for money transfers. To do this, they often cut ties with anyone linked to sanctioned individuals.
The reach of OFAC sanctions goes well beyond individual issues. Reports are that these measures come with heavy
Tiwarie
penalties. Fines can hit up to $20 million, and violations may lead to prison sentences of up to 30 years.
Financial institutions also face tough consequences, with civil penalties hitting $250,000 per violation under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
This explains why local banks, such as Citizens Bank and Republic Bank, quickly closed the accounts of sanctioned former Permanent Secretary Mae Thomas after her designation.
Ambassador Theriot’s warning that US companies might reconsider their relationships with Guyana if a sanctioned person enters government is not just political posturing. It reflects the legal reality that US persons cannot do business with sanctioned entities.
The ambassador mentioned Afghanistan as an example of how sanctions can ruin a country’s investment climate. This comparison should terrify every Guyanese, especially given the more than US$15 billion in American investment that has come into our economy over the last four years. This amount makes up 96 percent of our foreign direct investment.
The economic implications are enormous. ExxonMobil has already shown how sanctions compliance can affect business by leaving a consortium with
the Mohameds after their designation.
If Mohamed were to take office, similar departures could ripple through our economy, forcing companies that fuel our remarkable economic growth to shut down.
More than 3,000 US small and medium enterprises are currently doing business with Guyana. The impact would be devastating for employment, government revenue and our global reputation.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo rightly pointed out that banks must take US sanctions seriously or risk losing access to the global financial system.
The “de-risking” trend he mentioned has already caused many Caribbean countries to lose banking relationships with US institutions. For a nation that relies heavily on international trade and investment, this kind of isolation would be disastrous.
The geopolitical effects extend beyond economic concerns. Sanctions lead to diplomatic challenges that would limit our ability to work with international partners. As Ambassador Theriot noted, US officials would be legally barred from working with any sanctioned parliamentarian, creating difficulties for bilateral cooperation.
This situation would weaken our strategic partnerships at a time when we need maximum diplomatic coordination, especially regarding regional security issues such as Venezuela’s territorial claims.
Former President Forbes Burnham’s clash with US power in the 1970s led to economic collapse, a situation that took decades to recover from. We cannot afford to make such mistakes again.
The financial sector’s reaction to these sanctions shows a clear warning of broader consequences. When banks prioritise compliance over customer relations, it highlights the seriousness of potential violations.
The closure of accounts for WIN candidates illustrates how widely sanctions compliance affects associated individuals. This trend would only grow if a sanctioned person gained governmental authority. The impact goes beyond symbolic protest votes; it could undo the economic progress that has made Guyana one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
The evidence is overwhelming and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Guyana’s future relies on maintaining our reputation as a trustworthy international partner devoted to the rule of law.
does not need Burke’s permission to decorate his vehicles with PPP/C
Dear Editor,
RICKFORD Burke should know that business-tycoon Brian Tiwarie is his own man.
Brian does not need government funds to decorate a bus and a truck with PPP/C colours during this election cycle. His support for a second term for President Mohamed Irfaan Ali is his free choice and his democratic right.
Burke has conveniently forgotten that the same Brian Tiwarie supported the APNU+AFC five years ago. Ironically, the same bus was used in the 2015 elections. Mr Tiwarie wanted to give a
chance to the PNC-led APNU+AFC. But the APNU+AFC made a mess of Guyana. Instead of moving the country forward, they left a trail of corruption and broken promises behind.
Two hundred taxes were placed on the backs of families and businesses. They took away the Because We Care cash grant from 200,000 children. They took away the one-month tax-free bonus from the Disciplined Services. They levied huge fees on farmers and miners. They fired 7,000 sugar workers and almost destroyed the bauxite industry. They fired 2,000 CSOs from the Amerindian communities. The destruc-
tion, including the mismanagement of COVID, was endless. In the meantime, corruption was rampant.
The PPP/C took office and removed all the taxes. They restored the Because We Care cash grant, and increased it from $10,000 to $50,000. They restored benefits to pensioners, farmers, miners, the Disciplined Services and removed the 200 PNC/APNU taxes.
Under the PPP/C, Guyana, in the words of Bill Clinton, has become a construction zone, with physical infrastructure – roads, bridges, hospitals, schools, energy supply, among others, moving full-speed forward.
colours
Editor, let me end by saying that while Burke is scribbling irrelevant nonsense in New York, Brian Tiwarie is making an immense contribution to building a better Guyana. He has done so for decades in the areas of construction, sea defence, shipping, quarrying, farming, security, and aviation. And today, he has freely and openly embraced the PPP/C because of its record in office, its policies, and programmes.
Yours truly, Alvin Hamilton
Political parties’ promises
Dear Editor,
THE current political landscape in Guyana is becoming quite dynamic as the election campaign gains momentum.
As the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) and the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)/A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) outline their economic and social plans, the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party seems to be struggling to present a clear vision for the future.
Azruddin Mohamed, the leader of the WIN party, has garnered attention lately for a somewhat controversial promise, securing a “get-out-of-jail” card from the United States government should he be elected president.
This raises significant questions about the motivations behind his campaign and the priorities for the WIN party. It appears that their focus may not be on addressing the needs of the Guyanese populace, but rather on safeguarding Mohamed’s interests amid the legal challenges he faces.
This unique position has left many Guyanese wondering whether the aspirations of the WIN party reflect the values and needs of the nation, or if they are primarily centred on Mohamed’s desire for legal immunity.
The PPP/C has made several key commitments to the Guyanese people in the last couple of weeks, centreing on investment and sustainability, including a $200 million fund for small and medium-sized enterprises.
This fund aims to bolster local businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation among Guyanese.
Support for these enterprises is crucial for economic diversification, particularly in a rapidly growing economy heavily influenced by the oil and gas sector. Improving infrastructure is a critical component of enhancing the quality of life for all citizens.
This expansion is likely to focus on transportation, healthcare and education systems, which are essential for fostering a productive workforce and attracting additional investment.
This past week, President Ali recognising the importance of agriculture, particularly rice- farming, committed to providing support for this sector.
The promise that rice farmers will not have to pay for crop insurance for the next three years is particularly significant, as it reduces financial burdens during a time of fluctuating market conditions. Investments in efficiency and technical skill development also point to a future-oriented vision.
President Ali also announced that a new medical school and engineering programmes will be developed in Region Two, demonstrating a commitment to building a skilled labour force that can contribute to various sectors of the economy. Education is foundational to long-term sustainability and will empower individuals to pursue diverse career paths.
On the other hand, the PNC/APNU seems to focus predominantly on immediate financial benefits for citizens through cash grants and expanded pension awards, funded by the lucrative oil revenues emerging in Guyana.
While these measures can alleviate short-term economic distress and provide immediate support to families, critics might argue that the party’s vision lacks an emphasis on sustainable growth and long-term development strategies.
The fundamental divergence between the PPP/C and the PNC/APNU is striking. The PPP/C emphasises long-term nation-building and self-sustainability. The PPP/C’s proposals suggest a comprehensive approach to development that seeks to prepare Guyana for future challenges, while laying down a robust infrastructure and a skilled workforce.
Conversely, the PNC/APNU’s plan appears reactionary, focusing on short-term monetary awards without investing in the broader economic framework needed to ensure resilience and self-sufficiency in the years to come.
As the elections approach and the political discourse intensifies, the contrasting narratives presented by each party prompt voters to reflect on their priorities for the nation.
The challenge for the Guyanese people is to discern not only which party offers promises that resonate with their immediate needs, but also which party is genuinely invested in crafting a sustainable and prosperous future for all citizens.
In this context, the WIN party’s emphasis on personal immunity rather than a robust and actionable nation-building agenda raises significant concerns. It poses a critical question for the electorate: who truly prioritises the well-being of the nation over individual interests?
As the campaigns unfold, it will be interesting to see how these narratives evolve and how the Guyanese people respond in their quest for a brighter future.
The PPP/C appears to be presenting a vision that Guyanese across the land can embrace and seem to make good economic and social sense.
Yours truly, Dr Tilokie
Massive Emancipation celebrations expected in Macedonia Joppa
Dear Editor,
ON Friday, August 1, 2025, the Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee (MJVC), a registered non-profit organisation on the Corentyne, will celebrate 187 years of Emancipation to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Guyana in 1838.
The abolition of slavery ended 400 years of brutality, inhumanity and savaging of African people. The holiday is significant not just as a calendar event, but it marks 200 years since the first African slaves were brought to Guyana.
It is also a time for national unity and a call to all Guyanese to participate in the transformation of a nation besieged by racial strife and poverty.
It will be a day of remembrance and tributes and an opportunity to reflect on the courageous efforts and deadly sacrifices made by Kofi Badu, known as Cuffy, and other enslaved men and women in the fight for their freedom.
This year, the MJVC will mark the occasion with the largest celebrations ever seen in Berbice and a special tribute to Cuffy and Accara who led the slave rebellion, known as the 1763 Berbice Slave Uprising.
The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee began organising Emancipation celebrations on the Corentyne three years ago and all were well attended by the residents from across the region and beyond.
This year’s celebration is expected to attract thousands of people in and out of the region, from as far as West Coast Berbice to Moleson Creek on the Corentyne and beyond.
This year’s Emancipation celebration is expected to be the largest ever and only celebration of its kind in East Corentyne.
It will be an all-day gala family celebration starting at 7:00 AM with a two-mile road race of both males and females and a road march from Brighton to the Eversham Village Community Centre Pavilion.
The day will also feature something for all the residents: African cuisine, games, cook-up
and metemgee competitions, dominoes, fashion displays, and several cultural, social, and educational activities, including the recital of poems, educational quizzes on slavery, the singing of folk songs, dancing to a variety of music, drumming, African dancers and African dishes to highlight the significance of Africa’s tribal traditions and its vibrant cultures. The day’s activities will culminate with a beauty pageant and dance.
Most residents from the Macedonia Joppa district and elsewhere are expected to join the road march under the theme of “GUYANA
THE BEAUTIFUL.” The revellers will be decked out in a dazzling array of colourful African attire of green, white, black gold, and red, representing the colours of the Golden Arrowhead, and depicting Guyanese culture, lifestyle, and heritage.
Residents of all ages and from all walks of life, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity or social status from the Macedonia Joppa villages comprising No. 35, No 36, Brighton, Kiltearn, Ever- sham, Epsom, Dingwall, No.
41 Bengal and No 43 villages, will line both sides of the roadways to view the colourful display of costumes and the rich and stylish outfits.
They will dance to the rhythm of the lively and customary Soca music supplied by the region’s most popular DJ, Yard Vybz.
However, Emancipation is not only about partying, eating, drinking and dancing in the streets, all of which are part of our culture and heritage.
It is also a celebration of the freedom of enslaved Africans and a time for all Guyanese near and far to put aside their differences and biases and join to celebrate as one people, one nation.
The Macedonia Joppa Voluntary Committee invites all in the district and elsewhere to join and participate in the celebration on Friday August 1, 2025. Free meals will be served to all.
Sincerely, Dr Asquith Rose, MJVC Chair
How much more can the West Indies public endure?
Dear Editor,
AT last, the West Indies cricket fans’ nightmare has come to an end. Darren Sammy’s tenure as overall coach and selector has presented us with an enviable result of 0-3 in test and 0-5 in T20 against Australia.
And for good measure, add the disgraceful lowest score in the history of cricket for the West Indies of 27 which Australia inflicted at Sabina Park.
It is important to put things into context because he took over a young team that drew test series in Australia and Pakistan after about decades.
That team was coached by Mr Andrew Coley and it comprised a bunch of young
players who demonstrated grit and determination and the capacity to dig deep when needed.
In fact, it was under coach Coley that confidence was shown in Shamar Joseph who bowled West Indies to victory after the stubborn DaSilva and Sinclair battled the pink ball at Brisbane to give West Indies a competitive total to defend, which they eventually did.
In fact, against this same bowling attack at the GABBA in Brisbane, an Australian fortress, the then young West Indies middle order in the first innings produced 206 runs out of a first innings total of 311 and in the second innings 138 out of a total of 193.
The top three scorers were Kaveem Hodge, Joshua DaSilva and Kevin Sinclair.
And we all know that Shamar Joseph took seven wickets to give West Indies that famous victory over Australia in Australia after 27 years.
Against Pakistan at Multan in January 2025, the then young West Indies team defeated Pakistan in the second test to level the series on a spin-friendly pitch tailor made for the Pakistani spinners.
In that match Gudakesh Motie top scored with 55 in the first innings, after West Indies were 8-54. Kemar Roach and Warrican gave him good support and they ended up with a competitive total of 163. Significantly, in the second innings Tevin Imlach, Kevin Sinclair, Motie and Warrican held things together and West Indies ended up winning by 120 runs.
Motie, who opened the bowling, got three wickets while Warrican and Sinclair got five and three respectively. It was the last series for Andre Coley as coach.
Then came Dr Shallow with his lunacy. He replaced Andre Coley with Sammy as the head coach and chief selector, who in a brilliant display of idiocy, dismantled the young team that was building a reputation as a fighting bunch and replaced them with tested, and proven test failures with absolutely nothing to demonstrate any improvement in their techniques.
Kavem Hodge, Athanaze, DaSilva, Imlach, Sinclair and Motie were all discarded and replaced by Chase, who was made captain, Warrican as his vice-captain, Hope and Campbell.
Despite brilliant bowling performances by Shamar Joseph, Seales and Alzarri Joseph, the West Indies middle order of Carty, Chase, Hope and Greaves were exposed as total failures. In fact, apart from taking 22 wickets in the series, Shamar Joseph scored the second highest runs in the test series, second only to Hope by five runs.
Even the smallest child will tell you that the middle order failed the West Indies and their performance was exactly the same as before they were dropped two or three years ago. In fact, their modes of dismissal were identical to the previous years and how and by what criteria they gained selection is a question only Sammy can answer.
Dr Shallow in response to calls for Sammy’s axing declared in disgusting arrogance that the only reason why people were calling
for Sammy’s axing was because he was from St. Lucia.
You got the distinct impression from his ramblings that he had high expectations that West Indies would have fared better in the T20s, which we all now know ended up in another embarrassing thrashing.
Australia basically playing a team void of big stars except the captain, demolished West Indies in such a disgraceful manner that it was just as painful as the historic 27 test total. The results were very similar to the embarrassment they faced in England in June and even a first-year student can tell Dr Shallow that his and Sammy’s credentials make a mockery of leadership.
When you look at those T20 matches, their strategy has been the same as what caused them to lose the T20 World Cup, the series against England and now Australia.
I will be the first person to acknowledge technical issues with some of the batsmen, but how can you justify WI’s dismal and embarrassing performances when a young team that Sammy dismantled, fought and levelled a test series against this very opposition and these recycled failures cannot even make 30 runs in an innings?
Tell me in God’s name, how can you justify sacking a coach who took a young team and created history against Australia and Pakistan and replace him with someone who cannot even win a single T20 on home ground?
It is very clear to me that Dr Shallow, who is blaming insularity for the call to sack Sammy after disgraceful performances, used the same insularity to appoint him in the first place.
There was no justification for sacking Andre Coley. There was no justification for Sammy to kick out the young players who made history and replace them with tested and proven failures.
The West Indies public needs to tell these charlatans to get the hell out of West Indies cricket and let successful, knowledgeable legends take over.
This embarrassment is too much to bear and we deserve better. It’s time to say ‘GOOD RIDDANCE’ to Shallow and Sammy.
Yours truly, Eric Whaul
Aubrey Norton and Nigel Hughes: Wrong strategies
BOTH Norton and Hughes seem to be getting advice from incompetent strategists. Let’s start with Nigel.
His latest commercial is bound to backfire on him. Someone advised Nigel to return to the saccharine era of the AFC when it appealed to Guyanese to distance themselves from the two traditional big parties (PPP and PNC) and persuaded Guyanese that the future of Guyana lies in the hand of a third party.
The appeal resonated with Guyanese. Substantial numbers in the 2005, 2011 and 2015 elections wanted a third party to be sandwiched between the two Leviathans. It worked and the AFC secured power in 2015. But the passion, purpose, persuasion and power of the AFC dissolved soon after office was attained.
There is only one word to describe the functionalism of the AFC in office – Faustian. The AFC collectively sold its soul to the devil. Then the final nail in the coffin came. This futuristic party that wanted to purify Guyana’s democracy participated in an attempt in March 2020 to resuscitate Burnhamite permanence. This party wanted Guyana to return to the era when one party ruled forever.
The new campaign commercial of Nigel is a self-destructive act. Nigel copied meticulously the appeal of the AFC between 2005 and 2011. When you listen to him, two expressions fly into your mind.
The first one is that you had your chance with that very appealing aura and you threw it away, why come back again? The second expression is, should
we trust you?
You can’t help feeling sorry for Nigel. The man’s strategists are either incompetent or sabotaging him. Why would you reminisce about the AFC’s glory days when those days are about gore not glory?
You need to obfuscate the third-party emotion completely because each time you bring it up, you remind people that the third party had its day in the sun and the sun melted the collective minds of the AFC leadership.
It is best not to emphasise the value of the third party because the AFC personifies all that is malignant about third parties. Do not take my word for it. See the commercial for yourself and you will see that Nigel is living in the past. It is bad optics for the election campaign. From here onwards it would be wise for Nigel to talk about anything except the value of third parties.
Aubrey Norton does not have the same strategists as Nigel but they are equally incompetent. Aubrey fired a salvo at Azruddin Mohamed that is bound to backfire. The PNC and the AFC nurtured Mohamed during the Adriana Younge scandal. They embedded themselves in the world of Mohamed for two reasons.
One is that they needed his resources to fund the Adriana Younge saga so it could burst into anti-government flames that could bring political mileage. That happened on April 28 when scrapeheads tried to create mayhem in Regions Three and Four after the Younge post-mortem
results.
Once the PNC needed the Adriana Younge factor to enliven its moribund activism it had to embrace Mohamed and in doing so, PNC constituencies saw Mohamed as their boy. Mohamed became a symbol of hope for PNC constituencies, a real ghoulish irony in the history Guyanese politics.
The second motive is that they saw Mohamed as a crucial factor in the anti-PPP game. He was Indian, he and the PPP are at loggerheads and the more he is allowed space then that would be to the detriment of the PPP. But a macabre contradiction played out.
PPP constituencies didn’t see Mohamed as a bright spot. They saw him as being tied up with the PNC. The politics of incredibleness came into play. The PNC loose Mohamed on the PPP but PPP supporters didn’t flock to him because they saw him as being bound up with the PNC.
This is really too incredible to contemplate. Here you have the PNC encouraging Mohamed to go after the PPP
but instead of Mohamed enticing PPP supporters, it was African Guyanese that was flocking to Mohamed. What the PNC did then was to self-destruct. They created a creature to swallow the PPP, but the PPP was not the victim. It was the PNC that got devoured.
Norton has decided that he will go after Mohamed thus at a public meeting without naming him, he made a sly reference to Mohamed’s tax evasion scandal and concluded that the leopard cannot change its spots.
This was a subtle way of telling his audience that it was Mohamed he was talking about. But it will backfire. If the PNC begins to badmouth Mohamed, PNC supporters will not find that acceptable. They will accuse Aubrey of ingratitude. In fact, they are saying so already.
DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Guyana National Newspapers Limited.
Chief Justice dismisses cases challenging Guyana’s electoral system
–– Attorney General says ‘frivolous, vexatious’ applications were clearly intended to delay elections
TWO separate cases challenging Guyana’s Proportional Representation electoral system by chartered accountant and Attorney-at-Law Christopher Ram and Vishnu Bandhu were on Tuesday dismissed by acting Chief Justice, Roxanne George.
Speaking to members of the media following the hearing, Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C., disclosed that both applications were found to be frivolous, vexatious and without merit.
Nandlall stated that both cases challenged the country’s electoral system and certain sections of the Representation of the People Act
(RoPA), with the applicants asking the court to set aside certain sections of the act, along with declaring unconstitutional certain aspects of the electoral framework.
Delving into the case filed by Ram, he noted that his case argued that article 160 provides for a candidate as opposed to a list of candidates to contest the election and that the RoPA is inconsistent with that article.
However, the Attorney General said Ram’s reading of the Constitution was legally flawed.
“We countered that his reading of Article 160 was completely inaccurate. Article 160 makes no provision
whatsoever for an independent candidate to run. Article 160, first of all, entrenches in the constitution and establishes an electoral system called Proportional Representation,” he explained.
Nandlall added: “Proportional representation, by its very character, does not allow for independent candidates to run… Article 160 in its entirety clearly stipulates that a candidate can only run if that candidate is part of a list system.”
According to Nandlall, the courts had previously affirmed Guyana’s proportional representation system as democratic.
“We referred to many
cases decided by our court system over the years where the system, the electoral system, was examined, interpreted, interrogated, inspected and found to be democratic,” he noted.
Nandlall related that they were able to persuade the Chief Justice that the case had no merit and, as such, it was dismissed with the court awarding costs against Ram in the sum of $500,000.
Meanwhile, he noted that Bandhu’s case was slightly different, with the leader of a small political party being represented by Attorney-at-Law Roysdale Forde. He said that Bandhu, through his attorney, argued
first that the structure of the country’s constitution was wrong and undemocratic.
However, he stated that they abandoned that argument and then sought to focus on Articles 147 and 160 of the constitution.
“His argument essentially was that Article 160 permits a political party to contest the elections. Article 147, he says, guarantees his client a fundamental right to participate in an election in any manner that he feels, however, provisions of ROPA restrict his client to a particular way, because ROPA says that you can only participate in the election in accordance with the provisions of ROPA,” the Attorney General noted.
He further said that, for example, Bandhu wants to contest only one seat, and ROPA mandates that he contests a minimum number of seats before he can qualify to contest elections.
With this, Bandhu argued that he has the right to belong to a political party and contest the elections, citing Article 147 as the basis. However, his argument noted that if he cannot contest the election in the manner he wants to contest, then the political rights guaranteed to him by Article 147 of the constitution are being violated.
Against this backdrop, the Attorney General noted that they clinically examined Article 147 for the court and showed that while it guarantees certain freedoms, it does not permit, in any form or fashion, the right of a person or does not confer the right of a person to participate in election.
“That’s what Mr Forde is saying, that he’s enlarging the right to form a political party and a right to belong to a political party, to include a right to contest elections in a manner that he wants to contest and that is enlarging the language of the Constitution beyond what the drafters intended,” he said.
The Attorney General added: “Now, if the drafters intended to confer that right, then the drafters would have said so. [They] would have said expressly that you have a right to participate in elections and to participate in elections, I suppose, how you wish or how you deem fit.”
Further, Bandhu also relied on the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to bolster his case, but Nandlall argued that international treaties cannot override constitutional requirements.
“If you were able to allow international conventions to be used to amend the Constitution… then a government… can sign on to a convention and amend the Constitution without going to the Parliament… and that would be an unholy way of amending the Constitution,” he said.
The court ultimately agreed, finding that the convention could not be used to override the constitutional framework while also striking out other aspects.
The court, in the end, dismissed Bandhu’s application as well, with costs being awarded to the tune of $250,000 to the Attorney General and $250,000 to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
Attorney General, Anil Nandlall, S.C.
GBTI begins closing accounts of US-sanctioned Mohamed’s WIN candidates
THE Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI) has started severing ties with candidates of US-sanctioned Azruddin Mohamed’s political party, We Invest in Nationhood (WIN).
The Guyana Chronicle was reliably informed that this action is aligned with the bank’s usual risk assessment procedures.
This follows last week’s report that Demerara Bank had closed the personal accounts of several WIN candidates.
WIN candidates Natasha Singh-Lewis and Duarte Hetsberger had confirmed they both received the same letter from the bank stating that the decision stems from an internal policy of the banking institution.
Executive member of the WIN party, Odessa Primus, claims that the financial sanction placed on the party’s presidential candidate could be the reason why the bank has taken steps to sever ties with WIN candidates.
In August last year, the Bank of Guyana confirmed that all banks in Guyana have closed accounts they had with the Mohamed family and
their businesses following U.S. sanctions for their alleged roles in public corruption.
Azruddin, along with his father, Nazar Mohamed and their businesses, namely Mohamed’s Enterprise, Hadi’s World and Team Mohamed’s Racing, on June 11 2024, were sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which oversees sanctions against individuals and entities tied to illicit activities and hostile foreign governments.
In a June 2024 statement, the OFAC stated, “Azruddin and Mohamed’s Enterprise evaded Guyana’s tax on gold exports, and defrauded the Guyanese government of tax revenues by under-declaring their gold exports to Guyanese authorities.
Between 2019 and 2023, Mohamed’s Enterprise omitted more than 10 thousand kilogrammes of gold from import-and-export declarations, and avoided paying more than US$50 million in duty taxes to the Government of Guyana.”
President Ali engages new Republic of Korea ambassador on areas of mutual co-operation
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali received the Letters of Credence from the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Guyana, Seijoong Kwon, at State House, on Tuesday.
President Ali, in welcoming the new ambassador, expressed his desire to see stronger progress in bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
He said that the opportunities for enhanced collaboration have reached a stage where they can transition from potential to reality.
He noted that Guyana is currently experiencing a significant phase of transformative development.
The President proposed that the two nations deepen cooperation in several areas, including technology, private sector investments, manufacturing, and value-added products.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, was also at the accreditation ceremony.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali received the Letters of Credence from the Non-Resident Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Guyana, Seijoong Kwon, at State House, on Tuesday (Office of the President)
CNOOC, Natural Resources Ministry partner to provide more petroleum science scholarships
FOR the third year in succession, four top Guyanese students have been awarded scholarships to study petroleum sciences at leading Chinese universities.
According to a press release, this year’s scholars are Una Herman, Anna Jeffers, Rondel Rutherford, and Tanika Sam, who will be arriving in China next month to join the two other batches of students that have already started their studies in China over the previous two years.
The current batch of students were awarded their scholarships at a ceremony hosted by CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited (CPGL) at the company’s High Street, Kingston, Headquarters.
In attendance were Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, and China’s Ambassador to Guyana, Madame Yang Yang.
As China’s largest investor in Guyana, CPGL is one of the three major oil producing companies
in Guyana. Its collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has resulted in the four additional scholarships being awarded.
The selection of candidates was conducted by a joint panel composed of MNR and CPGL experts. In keeping with its Corporate Social Responsibilities, CN OOC will fully finance the costs of education, transportation and living expenses for the students while in China.
Upon completion of their degrees, all scholar-
ship recipients will commence working in Guyana’s oil industry, ensuring that their newly acquired skills would benefit their country, as well as themselves and their families.
The initiative represents a joint effort between the Natural Resources Ministry and CNOOC to develop skills, build up capacity and to increase local content within Guyana’s petroleum sector.
At the ceremony, the President of CPGL, Lian Jihong, challenged the young scholars to make full use of
that the scholarships were a reaffirmation of CNOOC’s long term commitment to developing local content and capacity building in Guyana.
Remarks were delivered by Chinese Ambassador, Madame Yang Yang, who stated that there is a strong bond of friendship and cooperation between China and Guyana. The Ambassador commended CPGL for engaging in various local community development programmes.
this unique opportunity.
He reminded them that it would transform their lives, fulfil their aspirations and make a positive impact on society. Lian disclosed that CNOOC introduces programs to create social benefits in all the countries where it operates.
He noted that education has always been a key pillar among these initiatives. CPGL’s education-focused initiatives in Guyana have been focused on creating a lasting impact on the students and society.
Mr. Lian emphasised
She highlighted the ongoing training and collaboration initiatives currently in place in the sectors of agriculture, engineering, health and artificial intelligence. In addition, contributions are being made by Chinese companies to Guyana’s development in sectors such as infrastructure, construction, information technology and natural resources.
Meanwhile, Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat thanked CPGL for fulfilling its corporate social responsibility
through this scholarship programme, and numerous other initiatives in Guyana.
He remarked that Guyana has one of the best managed Oil and Gas sectors in the world among new producers, and emphasised that the Government of Guyana was building out the sector while ensuring strong local content with an emphasis on capacity building.
He urged the scholarship winners to stay focused, study diligently, make their parents proud and return to serve their country.
The four scholarship awardees will join the eight students who are already in the programme at the end of August 2025.
The awardees pledged to be diligent in pursuing their studies and future careers. They expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the MNR and CPGL for the opportunity to develop their skills and to contribute to the development of Guyana.
Norton believes large percentage of Guyana’s population ‘illiterate’
OPPOSITION Leader Aubrey Norton believes that “a large percentage” of Guyanese are “illiterate” and are therefore, incapable of adapting to a digital society.
At a recent public meeting at Bagotville, Norton criticised the government’s efforts to digitise the society, including the digital school, which is the brainchild of President, Dr. Irfaan Ali.
“But what he (President Ali) doesn’t know is if you have a population in which a large percentage is illiterate, how are you going to digitalise? How are they going to read the things?” Norton said. Norton’s statements positioned digitalisation and literacy as mutually exclusive, rather than going handin-hand.
Norton had also said, if elected, the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) will launch a national literacy programme and train citizens until Guyana has a “literate, functioning” society. Based on World Bank data, over 90 per cent of Guyana’s adult population (which according to their categorisation are persons 15 years and over) is literate.
The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has been using digital technology to transform all industries with a forward-thinking strategy that is changing the way public-sector organisations operate and bringing the country’s technical culture up to par with the best in the world.
And with the nation standing on the brink of a digital revolution, and its youth poised to take the lead, Vice-President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo recently made the call to the youth to seize training opportunities in the new digital
economy marking a turning point in the nation’s history.
As the government lays the groundwork for a modernised financial and technological landscape, this is not a proposal, but an invitation for Guyana’s youth to shape their nation’s future
The Vice-President also presented a vision to take Guyana’s financial sector “out of the stone ages,” which is both ambitious and necessary.
The initiatives to digitise core systems—like airport management, e-ticketing, and AI-driven education—reflect a strong commitment to building a
society where technology drives efficiency, accessibility, and innovation.
Furthermore, the ‘One Guyana Digital School’ initiative was officially launched earlier this year, demonstrating the government’s commitment to modernising the education system.
The programme, a unique and revolutionary concept of President Ali, aims to integrate digital
technologies into classrooms across the country and the wider Caribbean region.
The ‘One Guyana Digital School’ is being implemented in partnership with the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).
The platform is specifically designed for Grades 10 and 11 students, providing them with access to CSEC learning materials to support their studies.
GO-Invest, Procolombia formalise partnership to advance regional trade, investment
IN a move aimed at deepening regional economic integration, the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) has entered a formal partnership with Procolombia, the national investment and trade promotion agency of the Republic of Colombia.
According to a press release, the two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, establishing a joint framework for cooperation in investment promotion and private sector development.
The agreement signals a shared commitment to facilitating cross border commercial activity, enhancing market access, and creating opportunities for businesses in both countries to collaborate in priority sectors.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Peter Ramsaroop,
Guyana’s Chief Investment Officer and Rafael Cuesta, Procolombia’s Director for the Caribbean.
Also present were Graybern Livingston Forbes, Colombia’s Ambassador to Guyana, and senior representatives from both institutions.
The formal partnership is expected to accelerate engagement between Guyanese and Colombian enterprises in key sectors such as tourism, energy services, infrastructure, technology, agribusiness, and logistics.
The initiative also leverages emerging logistical infrastructure such as direct air connectivity between Guyana and Colombia creating greater ease of access for investors and trade missions.
Under the agreement, both agencies will participate in joint promotion activities, and support the creation of partnerships between Guyanese and Colombian businesses. It also provides a structured platform for institutional dialogue between the two governments’ investment arms.
The Guyana Office for Investment said it is actively pursuing partnerships that align with its strategic objective of making Guyana a premier investment destination in the Caribbean and South America.
“This partnership is grounded in a shared vision for regional prosperity,” said Dr. Ramsaroop, adding: “The Guyana Office for Investment welcomes the opportunity to work alongside Procolombia to identify viable investment opportunities, facilitate private sector linkages, and support sustainable economic growth on both sides.”
Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton
In a move aimed at deepening regional economic integration, the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) has entered a formal partnership with Procolombia, the national investment and trade promotion agency of the Republic of Colombia
Electoral fraud trial: Media to observe GECOM site visit from afar as court limits filming inside
ACTING Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty has ruled that members of the media will be permitted to film the parties entering and exiting the former Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) Command Centre at Ashmins building during today’s site visit, but no video recording will be allowed inside.
Journalists may observe from a distance and take notes, but filming or recording inside the premises is strictly prohibited.
The decision followed submissions made on Tuesday by both defence and prosecution lawyers, after a request was submitted through the Supreme Court of Judicature by members of the press seeking access to the evidentiary visit.
The request came after the court announced on Monday that the visit would be conducted on Wednesday.
Rather than issuing a unilateral decision, Magistrate McGusty invited input from both sides.
“I decided not to make a unilateral decision, but to wait for the prosecution and the defence to indicate whether or not they have any objections,” she said.
Lead prosecutor, King’s Counsel Darshan Ramdhani, responded first, affirming, “It is a public trial, Your Worship. We would have no objections.”
However, defence attorney Eusi Anderson, who represents several of the nine defendants, expressed reservations about the potential impact of full media access, warning against “the potential for sensationalism of whatever disagreements we may have.”
Anderson explained that while he respects the media’s role as the fourth estate, his concern lies in how the coverage might distort what unfolds during the site visit.
“We are humans — we will see things differently, we will measure things differently, we may measure and recall things differently,” he told the court. “My primary concern is that this isn’t put into the public domain in a manner that is inimical to the interest of justice.”
He proposed a compromise: that media be allowed to film the parties entering and exiting the site and during general observation, but not during the more detailed aspects of the visit.
He warned that full access could compromise attorney-client confidentiality — even
- prosecution calls for greater transparency, live courtroom broadcasts
through nonverbal cues picked up by cameras.
“In there, we have the room and freedom to disagree, to make submissions to you [the magistrate], and to reach compromises in terms of what we finally agree on when we get there,” Anderson said. “When we get there, it might be a charged environment; people might be saying things in a way that could inflame the situation. I just don’t want all of that to be caught on camera. I want to protect the sanctity of
The purpose of the visit is to provide context and clarify operational procedures relevant to key elements of the trial, which centres on allegations of electoral fraud during the tabulation of results from the March 2, 2020, General and Regional Elections.
In addition to the magistrate, lawyers, and defendants, only witnesses who have already testified in the proceedings will be present at the site.
Those who have testified thus far include Minister of
the court in that regard.”
While supporting the court’s final decision, Ramdhani shared a broader vision for the future.
He expressed hope that one day, court proceedings in Guyana would be broadcast live.
He underscored the importance of public hearings in strengthening the justice system, noting that the law was crafted with openness in mind, even before the advent of modern recording technology
“This law was made at a time when there was no video recording capacity or capabilities,” he noted, “but it was always intended that the world could come into a courtroom.”
“Guyana would benefit so much from this… from being able to see what actually happens in a courtroom,” Ramdhani added. “Because we all get a lot of criticisms.”
“All courts should be broadcast live,” he added, noting, “I do hope that time comes,” he emphasised.
Magistrate McGusty agreed in principle, acknowledging the value of public hearings but stressing that certain matters must remain private due to their sensitive nature.
The site visit is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Proceedings will commence first in the Chief Magistrate’s courtroom at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, before the parties proceed to the Ashmins Building, which is located just a short distance away.
votes for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C). The prosecution is expected to call approximately 70 witnesses.
In the weeks that followed the March 2, 2020, vote, Guyana’s judiciary was inundated with multiple applications and appeals filed by various political actors over the electoral process.
The saga lasted five months before a national recount, led by GECOM and a delegation from the Caribbean Community
(CARICOM), confirmed the PPP/C’s victory and ultimately led to the swearing-in of President Dr Irfaan Ali on August 2, 2020.
The recount confirmed that the PPP/C won the elections with 233,336 votes against the APNU+AFC coalition’s 217,920.
The initial elections results, announced by former CEO Lowenfield, claimed an APNU+AFC victory.
The APNU+AFC coalition
received 171,825 votes, while the PPP/C received 166,343 votes, according to Lowenfield’s election report.
Following the PPP/C’s return to office in August 2020, criminal charges were filed against the defendants.
GECOM made the decision to terminate the contracts of Lowenfield, Myers, and Mingo in August 2021, after the allegations of fraud came to light.
Local Government and Regional Development Sonia Parag, Head of the Diaspora Unit Rosalinda Rasul, Kian Jabour of the A New and United Guyana (ANUG) party, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Edgar Thomas.
During the 2020 elections, Parag served as a party agent for the PPP/C, Rasul participated as an observer with the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham), Assistant Commissioner Thomas was the Commander of Police Division 4 'A', and Jabour acted as an agent for ANUG.
The defendants include People’s National Congress/Reform (PNC/R) member Carol Smith-Joseph, former Health Minister under the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) government Volda Lawrence, former GECOM Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, former Deputy CEO Roxanne Myers, and former Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo.
Also charged are GECOM staffers Sheffern February, Enrique Livan, Denise Babb-Cummings, and Michelle Miller.
They are collectively facing 19 conspiracy charges in connection with alleged electoral fraud. All the defendants have been granted cash bail following their not guilty pleas.
It is the prosecution’s case that each defendant had a “critical role” to play in the wilful endeavour to inflate votes for the APNU+AFC, and deflate
Volda Lawrence Clairmont Mingo Carol Smith-Joseph Keith Lowenfield
Roxanne Myers
Acting Chief Magistrate Faith Mc Gusty
Ashmins Building
Guyana, DR sign agreement for large-scale cocoa, coffee cultivation in Region One
THE Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture, on Tuesday signed a historic agreement with the Government of the Dominican Republic to commence large-scale cocoa and coffee cultivation in Region One.
According to information from the Ministry of Agriculture, this milestone initiative aims to establish approximately 200 acres each of coffee and cocoa as part of Guyana’s broader efforts to boost economic diversification, enhance rural livelihoods and expand regional trade.
The agreement, the ministry said, underscores the importance of sustainable agriculture and technical co-operation, and will support the development, cultivation, processing and marketing of both crops.
“It will also pave the way for joint research and development programmes, as well as value-added production and trade facilitation in the cocoa and coffee sectors,” the ministry related.
At peak production, the project is expected to yield approximately 8,000 tonnes of cocoa. Additionally, nearly 3,000 individuals
The Government of Guyana, through the Ministry of Agriculture, on Tuesday signed a historic agreement with the Government of the Dominican Republic to commence large-scale cocoa and coffee cultivation in Region One
are projected to benefit both directly and indirectly from employment and economic opportunities generated through the initiative.
This agreement builds on President, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s strategic vision for agricultural revitalisation in Region One.
During a 2024 outreach to Waramuri Village in Barima-Waini, President Ali highlighted the region’s enormous agricultural potential and announced plans to establish a 10,000-acre coffee plantation, featuring Arabica and Liberica varieties.
He noted the government's commitment to restoring Region One as a prominent coffee-producing area through strategic investment and the distribution of thousands of cocoa plants.
This initiative aims to establish approximately 200 acres each of coffee and cocoa as part of Guyana’s broader efforts to boost economic diversification
$20M being invested to drill two wells at Santa Rosa Islands
-1,000 residents to benefit from increased access to potable water
APPROXIMATELY 1,000 residents will soon have better access to a consistent supply of potable water, as the government is investing $20 million to drill two wells at Santa Rosa Islands in Region One.
Speaking at a community meeting at Santa Rosa Islands last Friday, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, stated that the drilling of the two new eight-inch wells at Santa Rosa Islands will be carried out by Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).
These works are expected to be completed by mid-August. Currently, residents are supplied with surface water (creek water) from the Santa Rosa Pump Station.
In the past five years, over $1.5 billion has been invested to improve access to clean and safe water in Region One.
Access to potable water is set to increase for Region One residents as 51 new wells are planned this year.
Of this amount, 24 wells will be dug in Mabaruma, while Moruca will benefit from 15 more wells.
Six wells are at various phases of construction in the Moruca subregion alone.
The government is also investing $70 million to drill three new wells in Manawarin, aimed at enhancing access to potable water.
The water supply system in the Mabaruma sub-district will be upgraded, and Bumbury will have a new system to address long-standing problems.
The new water supply system will be developed at Hosororo to provide a more dependable supply of clean water to the residents.
Over $2 billion is being invested to drill new wells
and expand distribution networks to provide 100 per cent access to potable water in the hinterland by the end of this year.
Since 2020, more than $5.5 billion has been expended to expand water access across the hinterland regions and riverine communities.
Minister Croal also highlighted the other developments in various sectors, which have enhanced the living standards across the hinterland regions and riverain communities. (DPI)
Drilling of a new well in Manawarin
Tutorial High School now Austin Castello Tutorial High School
THE Tutorial High School has officially been renamed the Austin Castello Tutorial High School.
Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, on Sunday evening, presented a copy of the gazetted order to the Tutorial High School Alumni Association Guyana Chapter President, Dr. Desmond Sears, cementing the new name of the school.
According to a press release, the institution will now be known as the Austin Castello Tutorial High School.
President of the Guyana Chapter of the Alumni Association, Dr. Desmond Sears, received the plaque from Hussain.
The presentation was made during a welcome reception for former students who are participating in the Association’s 14th Triennial Reunion.
Austin Castello was the lone founder of the Tutorial High School which first opened its doors on September 1, 1939, with just seven students. The monthly fee was two British Guiana dollars (BG$2.00).
He was joined in this noble venture by his brother Joseph Castello. His motivation was to provide a full, affordable secondary level education for the children of working-class parents who had no access to the existing “elite” schools.
Secondary education was available only to the children of plantation owners and others in the upper echelons of the colonial society.
“Austin Castello left this earth in 1991, but his name, his ethos, and his determination to educate as many children as possible, has always been legend in the halls of Tutorial,” the release stated.
“The new name is another way to memorialise this extraordinary man who, with his cadre of teachers, taught and groomed countless national treasures including several jurists like the late Peter Britton and Rex McKay. “ He is being represented at the week-long reunion
(like previous reunions) by his daughter, June-Ann Castello.
This is Guyana’s turn to host the week-long reunion which commenced on Saturday July 26 under the theme: “Paying Tribute to the Founders”.
Highlights of the programme include a night of culture at the National Cultural Centre on Tuesday July 29, and a Gala Dinner and Ball at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday July 31.
All locally based former students of the Tutorial High School were invited to sign up and join their overseas-based schoolmates at these events.
Members of the various overseas chapters have already arrived in Guyana to participate in the week-long event.
The event got underway with a barbecue and lime at the school on Saturday July 25, 2025. The local and overseas-based alumni attended a church service at the St. George’s Cathedral on Sunday, and participated in a roundtable discussion on the value of artificial intelligence in education.
The highlight of the reunion will be a gala dinner and ball to be held at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Thursday July 31.
The reunions hosted by the Guyana Chapter in years past have attracted a wide assortment of former students, some of whom had the good fortune to attend when the school was privately owned by its founder, Austin Castello.
His younger brother, Joseph Castello, played a pivotal role in its development from 1946 until his retirement in the 1980’s.
The Tutorial High School came into being on September 1, 1939. It was officially absorbed into the national education system in 1976.
June-Ann Castello, the daughter of the founder, Austin Castello, is also slated to play a crucial role in the reunion and the forward trajectory of the school.
The Tutorial High School
Alumni Association is made up of chapters and support groups in New York, USA; Toronto, Canada; Georgetown, Guyana; and London, England.
The week of activities is intended to encourage networking, to help the ‘old students’ reconnect, reminisce and enjoy renewing old friendships.
Chief Education Officer, Saddam Hussain, on Sunday evening, presented a plaque cementing the new name of the Tutorial High School
Stakeholders unite to confront rise in road deaths
- launch of vision zero action plans
AMID troubling new figures showing a six per cent rise in road deaths so far this year, Guyana’s top policymakers, law enforcement leaders, and development partners gathered on Tuesday to confront the
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn
country’s deepening road safety crisis and chart a safer way forward.
At the Guyana National Road Safety Stakeholders Forum 2025, held at the Police Officers’ Mess Annexe, Eve Leary, the urgent call to action echoed through every speech and statistic.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Home Affairs in partnership with the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana National Road Safety Council (GNRSC), international agencies, and community stakeholders, the forum brought together powerful voices under the theme: “A Call for Action – Do the Right Thing.”
Opening the forum, Chairman of the GNRSC, Mr. Earl Lambert, delivered a stark reminder that behind every number is a human story — a life forever changed or cut short. The figures paint a mixed picture: 70 road deaths in 2025, up six per cent over last year; 66 fatal accidents, marking a 20 per cent increase; yet, other indicators offered a sliver of hope: 166 serious accidents, down seven per cent; 235 minor accidents, down four per cent; 428 damage-only accidents, down three per cent; and only two child deaths, a 50 per cent decrease.
Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, urged the nation to see these statistics for what they truly are: “We must not wait for the statistics to become a name we recognise or a funeral we attend. Let this forum be a turning point.”
The forum’s roadmap for that turning point is rooted in President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s Vision Zero framework — an ambitious pledge that no road death is acceptable. As part of this mission, Mr. Greg Quinn and Ms. Michelle King of the Road Safety Implementation Board unveiled seven new project plans: Deter and
Detect – stronger enforcement measures; Data-Driven Road Safety – smarter use of accident data; The National Conversation – keeping road safety top of mind; Road Infrastructure Enhancements – safer roads for all users; Clinical Response & Road Trauma Support – better emergency care and rehabilitation; Road Safety and Education Campaigns – instilling safe habits from an early age; and Pave the Way – Youth & Community Involvement –empowering citizens to lead change.
International development partners, including Ms. Lorena Solorzano Salazar of the IDB and Ms. Katy Thompson of the UNDP, stressed that road safety is not only a policing issue but also a development and public health priority. Dr. Natasha Sobers-Grannum of PAHO/WHO highlighted the hidden long-term mental and physical toll on victims and families.
One of the forum’s standout moments was the introduction of the Secure Eye App, presented by Ms. Priya Seepaul, a real-time crime and road incident reporting platform designed to enhance citizen-police co-operation. Featuring GPS tracking, anonymous reporting, and direct links to law enforcement, the app aims to help Guyanese residents become active guardians of their streets.
“Secure Eye is more than technology; it’s a tool of trust, an invitation for citizens to reclaim their streets and report recklessness, crime, or corruption in real-time,” Ms. Seepaul said.
As the forum concluded, its theme, “Do the Right Thing” emerged not as a slogan but as a rallying cry to every driver, pedestrian, policymaker, and parent: road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and the time for action is now.
APNU now promises jobs on fair basis
THE A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), which had previously said that only card-bearing members of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNC/R) and loyalists would get jobs, has now promised to provide jobs on a fair basis.
APNU candidate, Isiah Singh at the party’s recent public meeting in Bagotville, accused the government of elitism and promised that if elected, his party would create more jobs.
“We will have good jobs not a set of elite people only getting a certain job that don’t have the qualification for,” Singh said, claiming that these “elite” people only have “party cards.”
However, one of the most senior figures of the PNC/R, former Minister of Public Health and then-PNC/R Chairwoman Volda Lawrence, had openly admitted to APNU+AFC’s hiring practices based solely on political loyalty.
In 2018, Lawrence declared her intention to give work to only party supporters and friends.
“The only friends I got is PNC so the only people I gon give wuk to is PNC and right now I looking for a doctor who can talk Spanish or Portuguese and ah want one that is PNC,” Lawrence is quoted as saying.
Lawrence never denied making the statements publicly, and did not address the criticisms she received as a result of the publication of her statements.
This openly partisan stance was not an isolated situation as it reflected the wider employment policy of the-then APNU+AFC regime.
While the APNU’s last term in office left thousands of persons unemployed, the current People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) has highlighted that it restored and created in excess of 60,000 jobs since entering office in 2020.
APNU promised high salaries and worker training despite heavily taxing the working-class during its tenure in office from 2015-2020.
GPF officer, Timothy Roberts, wins two Caribbean gospel music awards
TIMOTHY Roberts, a serving member of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), has added a remarkable new dimension to his career; this time on the regional music stage.
Roberts was honoured with two prestigious accolades at the 2025 Gospel Caribbean Music Marlin Awards, held on July 27 in Nassau, Bahamas.
The Guyanese gospel recording artiste walked away with awards for Outstanding Reggae Vocal Male Performance of the Year and Outstanding Dub Recording, underscoring his versatility and growing influence in the Caribbean gospel music scene.
Roberts, who balances his dedication to law enforcement with an equally passionate commitment to gospel music, described the achievement as a deeply humbling milestone in his music ministry.
“It is with honour I take this moment to congratulate myself, not out of pride, but out of gratitude,” Roberts said following the announcement. “This recognition is not just about receiving awards, but about celebrating the journey of keeping God first, staying the course through hard work, perseverance, and faith.”
His latest wins highlight not only his talent but also his mission to inspire audiences through reggae and dub, using his music to share positive, faith-filled messages that resonate across the region.
Just one year after being elected to office, then President, David Granger was on record saying: “There is no magic wand. The government cannot provide jobs in the government service, in the police force or the defence force.”
Granger had said: “Employment is not something to be provided by the government. There is self-employment and we are working with the villages to generate
more employment in those villages but it is going to be agro-based employment.”
The APNU and its coalition partner, AFC, however, took persons out of jobs instead of creating opportunities, as was seen in the sugar industry.
The Marlin Awards, widely regarded as the Caribbean’s leading gospel music honours, recognise excellence among gospel musicians from across the region. Roberts’ double win places him firmly among a celebrated group of artistes who continue to expand the reach and impact of Caribbean gospel music.
As he returns to Guyana, Roberts’ success stands as an inspiration for fellow officers and aspiring local musicians alike, proving that faith, commitment, and talent can open doors far beyond borders.
Under the APNU+AFC administration, sugar workers were begging for their livelihoods to be spared, even going so far as to hold pickets with heartfelt pleas in the scorching sun, at the time.
However, the then government turned a deaf ear to the cries of those workers.
In 2017, the coalition government had announced the closure of several sugar estates across the country, leaving thousands of persons without jobs or sources of income. The move saw four sugar estates being closed and over 7,000 sugar workers losing their jobs.
APNU candidate, Isiah Singh
Timothy Roberts
Titans, Mahdia, Montra and Eccles to clash in national finals for Kares T10
SUNDAY, August 3, is expected to be a blockbuster event. Four top teams will compete in the national finals for the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast 2025 at the National Stadium in Providence.
From approximately 80 teams, it is now down to four zone champions, all of whom are now vying to be national champion.
It is Mahdia (Movements Family), champions of Essequibo, Titans All-Stars, East Coast Demerara/Georgetown, Montra Jaguars, Berbice and Eccles All-Stars, and East Bank/West Demerara.
The first semi-final will begin at 15:30 h and pit the defending champions, the Titans, against Mahdia. At 17:00h, Montra will face Eccles All-Stars.
The final is scheduled to start at 19:30h, the female match at 13:30h, and the exhibition match at 18:30h.
All four teams have immense firepower, meaning the title can go any direction.
The stakes are considerably higher in the national final, with teams vying for a massive $1.7 million grand prize, in addition to the $300,000 zone prize.
The national runner-up won’t go home empty-handed, pocketing $700,000 with a trophy and medals, while even the losing semi-finalists will be rewarded $300,000 each.
Individual brilliance won’t go unnoticed either, with a host of prizes up for grabs, including MVP ($150,000 + motorcycle), Most Runs ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Most Wickets ($100,000 + trophy + TV), Man-of-the-National Final ($75,000 + trophy + TV), Highest Strike Rate ($35,000), and Best Econo-
my ($35,000)
While admission is free, the organisers have indicated that coolers, firearms, and glass bottles are not allowed into the stands.
The main seating area will be the Green Stand, overflowing into the Red Stand. Parking is also free, and patrons are asked to access gate two for parking.
The Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast has garnered support from: Kares Engineering Inc, the Office of the President, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, KFC Guyana, Star Rentals, Banks DIH, Enet,
Guyana Lottery Company, Regal Stationery and Computer Centre, Impressions, Avinash Contracting and Scrap Metal, Shawn’s Mini Mart, Giftland Group of Companies, Kris Jagdeo Construction Company, Montra Restaurant & Lounge, Windsor Estates, The New Doctor’s Clinic, GuyOil, ANSA McAL, SuperBet Guyana, Digital Technology, Camille’s Academy, Navin and Sons Construction, Demerara Mutual Life Insurance, Continental Transportation, and Environmental & Technical Solutions.
ING TIPS SCOTTSVILLE
08:15 hrs Dee Day
08:50 hrs Lucky Dollat
08:25 hrs View The World 10:00 hrs Rosh Kedesh 10:35 hrs Among The Clouds
IRISH RACING TIPS GALWAY
12:45 hrs Magical Merlin 13:15 hrs Kolkata Knight 13:50 hrs Look To The Stars 14:25 hrs Earthwatch 15:00 hrs Post Rider 15:30 hrs Valiancy REDCAR 09:10 hrs Copperfield 09:45 hrs Circios 10:20 hrs Forest Caper 11:00 hrs Latynina 11:35 hrs Crocus Time 12:10 hrs Good Karma SOUTH AFRICA RAC -
12:05 hrs Hipop De Loire 12:35 hrs Artic Gale 13:05 hrs Redwood Queen 13:40 hrs Down Memory Lane
14:15 hrs Mont St Michel 14:50 hrs Sujet
15:20 hrs Feud AMERICAN RACING TIPS SARATOGA Race 1 Hidden Path Race 2 Stone Smuggler Race 3 Sunset Sizzle Race 4 Corruption Race 5 Noguchi Race 6 Street Sue
Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1)
GBF shifts focus to women’s basketball
…Singh looking forward to women’s team battle against Suriname
a best-of-three finals, bringing the curtain down on nearly eight months of competitive basketball involving 22 clubs from across the country.
“The One Guyana Premier League was indeed a success,” Singh stated. “I want to thank Minister Charles Ramson Jr. and His Excellency, President Irfaan Ali, for their investment in the development of basketball.”
Singh described the Linden (Royals) vs Georgetown (Ravens) finals as a throwback to the historic rivalry between teams from the two basketball hotbeds.
Joy Adams
FOLLOWING the conclusion of the One Guyana Premier Basketball League, Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) president, Michael Singh, announced that the local governing body will now turn its full attention to women’s basketball.
In a release from the GBF, Singh confirmed that all focus is now on the upcoming international women’s series, with Guyana set to host Suriname for back-to-back matchups on August 10 and 11 at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
The One Guyana Premier Basketball wrapped up with the Victory Valley Royals sweeping defending champions Ravens in
“It’s always exciting when Georgetown and Linden teams meet on the big stage. But we also saw some exciting talent coming out of Berbice,” he noted. “Now it’s back to the drawing board to identify areas for improvement and elevate the league further.”
While commending the progress of the men's league, Singh emphasised that the Federation’s immediate priority is women's basketball, pointing to the upcoming international series against Suriname.
“We’re now shifting focus to the women,” Singh said, while adding, “We have a women’s league in the pipeline, but this series will give our players valuable international exposure.”
He added, “It’s vital that we develop and showcase all areas of the sport. Alongside the Women’s Series, we’ll also be launching the Women’s League and Women’s 3x3 competition.”
Head Coach Willon Cameron has named his final roster for the Georgetown Women’s Basketball Classic against Suriname, which includes professional basketball player Joy Adams, along with the highly touted Ramlall
Hope confident for Pakistan series despite Aussie drubbing
CMC – DESPITE being on the wrong end of a 5-0 drubbing in their just concluded T20I series against Australia, West Indies white-ball captain, Shai Hope, is still confident ahead of his side’s three-match series against Pakistan, which begins on Thursday.
The West Indies will only have three days to regroup ahead of their opening T20I against Pakistan in Lauderhill, Florida.
With such a short break in between series, Hope said it was imperative that his troops forget about the wretched Australia series.
“We have to put this series behind us, literally a quick turnover, so we have to put our focus into what we’re going to do against the Pakistani opposition.
“We have our plans already and we’re going to make sure that we focus hard on them and the biggest thing that I keep mentioning is execution, so as long as our execution is 10 times better, I’m sure we’re going to win the series,” Hope said in a post-match interview following his side’s three-wicket defeat to Australia on Monday.
Reflecting on the Australian series, Hope said the regional side failed to string together
complete performances in any of the games.
“We either started well with the bat and then faltered in the back end or vice versa.
“When you’re playing against quality opposition like Australia you have to make sure you put your better games together,” Hope maintained.
“We’re all human beings and we don’t always get it right, but if you’re playing against proper opposition like that you really have to be a little more consistent in all three areas.
“We just have to be a little bit better and more ruthless when it comes to our all-around cricket,” the skipper added.
He urged West Indian supporters not to lose faith in the team, and promised that they would do everything in their power to turn the results around.
“You just have to keep supporting. We’re going out there trying to fight every single time regardless of what the result is.
“We all want to win, probably even more than you guys, so it’s just one of those things where we’re trying to get the formula right and then when we hit that success button, we’re going to keep hitting it for as long as possible,” Hope said.
Michael Singh, GBF president
sisters — Amisha, Ashna, and Arshia.
Singh expressed delight at Adams' availability, noting her professional commitments in Europe often limit her national team appearances.
“With a relatively young squad, having someone like Joy on board is invaluable. It’s important for our local girls to see firsthand
the level of commitment and professionalism it takes to play overseas. Watching her preparation and approach will be an eye-opener for them.”
Coach Cameron, who also leads the Colts Basketball Club, has assembled a balanced roster featuring both experienced and emerging talents.
Cameron will be supported by assistant coach Alisande Jaiserrisingh, who recently represented Guyana at the FIBA Americas Adelante Forum. Warren Wilson, head coach of the University of Guyana Trojans, has been appointed team manager.
Australia whitewash West Indies in T20I series
(ESPNCRICINFO) - AUSTRALIA put on a final display of their batting power to secure a 5-0 T20I whitewash over West Indies. Tim David and Mitchell Owen launched seven sixes between them, as the overall series tally ended as the second-highest for a bilateral series, with Aaron Hardie then finishing the chase after Akeal Hosein had kept West Indies' hopes alive.
The victory was set up by an excellent performance with the ball after Mitchell Marsh had won his fifth toss - making it all eight for Australia on the tour - and declining the opportunity to have his side set a target. They claimed three wickets in the powerplay to set West Indies back and kept chipping away each time a stand threatened to turn the game.
Shimron Hetmyer and Jason Holder added 47 for the fifth wicket and the former went to his first T20I fifty since August 2023 but fell the ball after reaching the landmark.
Nathan Ellis was again excellent in the closing overs, including a very sharp piece of work off his own bowling to end the innings as he under-armed into the stumps, while Adam Zampa claimed a wicket in his 100th T20I - the fourth Australia men's
player to reach that milestone.
Australia's powerplay was hectic as Holder struck twice in his first over, Mitchell Marsh was cleaned up by a beauty from Alzarri Joseph and David bludgeoned 30 off 12 balls with four sixes all inside five overs.
From there, the asking rate was never an issue, it was just a question of whether West Indies could keep taking wickets. Their chances took a blow when Joseph limped out of the attack and while Hosein was excellent, there were not enough runs to work with in the end.
DWARSHUIS' POWERPLAY INROADS
Ben Dwarshuis is building a handy record for Australia as the left-arm pace option in this attack. He may well have pushed himself to second in the pecking order ahead of Spencer Johnson, who missed this series through injury, and behind Mitchell Starc.
Having been rested for the fourth match, he returned with a brace of early inroads, responding to a pair of boundaries from Shai Hope by spearing one through him, then having Brandon King taken at midwicket to bag West Indies' in-form openers. His figures were dented
in his final over that cost 19, including a big full toss to Hetmyer which resulted in a free hit that was sent for six. Next ball, Hetmyer went to his half-century from 30 balls but couldn't stay to finish the innings when he was well caught by Sean Abbott running in from long-off to give Dwarshuis his third wicket.
MAXWELL'S MATCH-UP WIN
It wasn't quite as memorable a night for Glenn Maxwell. He dropped a sitter at mid-on to reprieve King (although it did not prove costly) and would later collect a first-ball duck when he edged Holder to short third. However, he did have one key moment when he won his brief match-up with Sherfane Rutherford as the left-hand batter, who has struggled for form since last year's T20 World Cup, was threatening to turn the innings around. Rutherford had moved to 35 off 16 balls, lifting West Indies from 32 for 3 inside the powerplay, when he exposed the stumps to Maxwell against a delivery that slid on. He was aiming too square with his stroke and the ball cannoned into middle stump. With one of the left-hand batters gone, Maxwell's work with the ball was done for the night.
CPL to adopt ICC’s playing conditions
THE Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will adopt the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) T20 International playing conditions starting with the upcoming season.
This strategic alignment brings CPL matches in line with the global standard, ensuring the tournament remains one of the premier cricketing showcases in the world.
The recent updates to the ICC’s T20I playing conditions - particularly the stricter over rate rules - have led to notable improvements in match completion times across international cricket.
By adopting these same rules, the CPL aims to ensure more predictable match durations, enhancing the experience for fans, broadcasters, and all stakeholders involved.
The Caribbean Premier League (CPL) will adopt the International Cricket Council’s T20 International playing conditions
“We’ve observed how impactful the ICC’s over rate regulations have been in reducing delays during T20 Internationals,” said Michael Hall, CPL’s Tournament Operations Director.
“We are committed to delivering a worldclass product that is efficient, entertaining, and in step with the global game.”
The CPL has always served as a critical platform for nurturing Caribbean cricketing talent. Aligning with ICC T20I standards ensures that players, especially emerging stars, operate under the same conditions they will encounter on the international stage.
This move is designed to streamline the transition for players entering or returning to the West Indies national setup.
Guyana Hockey Board hosts first indoor tournament of the year
THE Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) is pleased to announce the hosting of its first indoor hockey tournament for the year, scheduled for Tuesday, July 29 to Sunday, August 3 at the National Gymnasium. The tournament is made possible through the support of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport under the One Guyana initiative.
The competition will feature Open and Under-19 Divisions for both males and females.
The ladies competition is expected to be of a high quality as it will showcase a number of players in both the senior and U-19 divisions who are currently preparing for the junior Pan American Games in Peru this August.
GBTI GCC has been the dominant team in la -
dies hockey over the past several years and will once again feature Captain Gabriella Xavier along with under 21 stalwarts Sarah Klautky, Kirsten Gomes, Madison Fernandes and Abosaide Cadogan.
National midfielder Clayza Bobb leads a strong Saints contingent littered with Under-21 internationals while Old Fort’s Carolyn Deane and Temmara Clarke will add experience to an otherwise youthful side. The Hikers will round out the ladies table with Captain Kenisha Wills and former nationals Maria Munroe and Marisha Fernandes.
Men’s powerhouse, the Pepsi Hikers will once again be led by national captain Robert France, and supported by internationals Jamarj Assanah and Andrew Stew-
Archery Guyana wins right to host 2026 CDC
GUYANA has been awarded the hosting rights for the 2026 Caribbean Development Archery Championships (CDC), a proud and historic milestone for the nation’s sporting landscape.
There are 32 member federations under the umbrella of World Archery Americas.
However, only a subset of these were eligible to vote in the selection process for the CDC 2026 host: specifically, those English-speaking Caribbean federations that have participated in the CDC in the last three years or are English-speaking countries but have not yet competed.
Following a competitive bid process between Guyana and Jamaica, Mr. Sergio Font, Secretary-General of World Archery Americas confirmed that following the vote, Guyana has been awarded the hosting rights for the upcoming Championship.
This success follows Archery Guyana’s recent readiness exercise at the Leonora Track and Field Facility, where the federation hosted its 2025 Outdoor National Championships where the Federation demonstrated its growing capability and infrastructure to support high-level competition.
President of the Federation, Mrs. Vidushi Persaud-McKinnon stated: “We are humbled and honoured by this opportunity to host the 2026 Caribbean Development Archery Championships. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Archery Guyana, we express our deepest thanks to our regional colleagues for their support and trust. This moment belongs to all of Guyana, and we now look forward to working with stakeholders at every level to ensure an unforgettable and world-class event.” To celebrate this momentous occasion, Archery Guyana is also proud to unveil the official mascot for 2026 Championships:
The official mascot for 2026 Championships is Kai the Keen-eyed
“Kai the Keen-eyed Kiskadee”.
A vibrant embodiment of Guyanese identity, Kai is a Kiskadee, a bird common to all parts of Guyana, widely recognised and admired across the country. Named in homage to Kaieteur Falls, one of the most iconic and powerful waterfalls in the world, a symbol of Guyana’s natural beauty and strength, Kai brings charm, focus, and vibrant energy to our proposed hosting. Kai’s eyes are large, animated, and focused, symbolising the discipline and precision of archery.
“Kai reflects the spirit of the Championships, bold, keen, and unmistakably Guyanese” said local designer, Mr. Nicholas Hing. With this exciting opportunity ahead, Archery Guyana extends an open call to all archers, partners, sponsors, volunteers, and proud Guyanese to come on board and help make the 2026 Championships a bold statement of what Guyana can offer to the region and the world.
Let’s unite to deliver a warm Guyanese welcome to the Caribbean and Americas....... with Kai leading the way!
World Aquatics Championship…
Noel tops heat with
art. National junior captain, Shaquan Favourite leads a bevy of up-and-coming Old Fort stars including Simeon Moore and Nkosi Saul. Saints emerge as strong contenders also in the men’s division with the four Garnett boys, skillful midfielder Shakeem Fausette and penalty corner specialist Jabari Lovell. Bounty GCC, SHC S Team and the GCC Outlaws round out the men’s division.
Saints in the girls U-19 division and SHC Snipers in the boys U19 are the runaway favourites for the gold in the junior competitions which features a range of players from junior internationals to players making their debut.
The competition runs all week with the finals set for Sunday, October 30, from 17:20hrs.
national 200 butterfly record
GOLDEN boy and Guyanese Olympian, Raekwon Noel, produced his best 200 meters butterfly swim on Monday in his event at the ongoing World Aquatics Championship in Singapore Noel going into the event with a personal best time and national record of 2 minutes 01.34 (Indy Summer Cup in the USA last month), broke the 2-minute barrier to outlast his rivals in the race.
He touched the wall in a blistering time of 1 minute 59.89 seconds which reset Guyana’s national record in the event. Second place went to Xavier Ventura of El Salvador with a time of 2 minutes 02.86 seconds with Belhassen Ben Miled of Tunisia third in 2 minutes 03.17
Olympic swimmer, Raekwon Noel
seconds.
However, his finish was only good enough for 27th overall out of 37 swimmers
in the Asian capital as he missed qualification for the semifinals round with the top 15 swimmers advancing. The fastest qualifier was USA’s Luca Urlando with a time of 1 minute 52.71 seconds with the last qualifier being New Zealand's Lewis Clareburt. Noel is also set to compete in the Men’s 100 meters Butterfly on August 1st. His countrymate and fellow Olympian, Aleka Persaud, is set to compete in the women's 100 meter freestyle tomorrow, an event for which she holds the national record. The swimmers are accompanied by Coach Sean Baksh and Guyana Amateur Swimming Association president, Yolema Phillips, who is attending the World Aquatics Congress.
Kiskadee
Slingerz FC to defend home turf against Western Tigers on Sunday
AFTER a two-year absence, the GFF Elite League makes its long-awaited return to the National Track and Field Centre, Leonora, and Slingerz FC Head Coach, Jamaal Shabazz, sees Sunday’s doubleheader as a moment for the West Demerara community to reunite through football.
Slingerz FC, the league leaders and unbeaten this season, will put their flawless record on the line in the feature match at 9:00 pm against second-placed Western Tigers.
The opening match at 7:00 pm sees Den Amstel looking to claim three crucial points against bottom-of-the-table Mainstay Goldstar.
“This is what football is all about,” said Shabazz, who praised Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr., for
facilitating the return of top-flight football to one of Guyana’s premier sporting venues. Sunday’s clash will mark Slingerz FC’s first home game since rejoining the Elite League last season.
“Playing at home, given the challenges that we’ve had over on the West Side in the past months, is a good way to knit back the community…getting the fans coming back out, with the activation of football at Leonora again,” Shabazz said.
Commenting on the venue, the former Golden Jaguars Head Coach said, “The pitch is in excellent condition, and credit must go to the Ministry of Sport for the outstanding work done on the ground.”
Shabazz, who has been turning heads this season with Slingerz FC’s commanding performances, believes all is set for a memorable night of football, “Now
…GFF Elite League returns to the National Track and Field Centre
it’s up to the teams, Slingerz and Den Amstel, to deliver quality performances and connect with the fans.”
Both fixtures carry major implications for the standings. Slingerz FC defeated Western Tigers 3–1 in their first-round encounter, with two goals from the league’s top scorer Kemar Beckford and a strike from Leo Lovell. That result remains Western Tigers’ only loss of the campaign, and the West Ruimveldt side now sits second, four points behind their Vergenoegen-based rivals.
Three points are vital for Slingerz FC to maintain their lead at the top, while Western Tigers will be gunning to close the gap and keep their title challenge alive.
For Den Amstel, the stakes are high as they sit seventh on the table with eight points, tied with Fruta Conquerors but ahead on
DIRECTOR of Sport, Mr. Steve Ninvalle, yesterday, sealed the National Sports Commission's support for the third annual NSC/ Mocha Emancipation dominoes competition.
NSC has supported the competition from its inception. Ninvalle handed over the sponsorship cheque and trophies to Acosta Agard. The competition slams off on Saturday, August 2.
goal difference. A win is essential to stay clear of relegation trouble.
Meanwhile, Mainstay
Goldstar will be desperate to secure their first points of the season. The Essequibo Coast side has endured
a rough campaign, conceding a staggering 94 goals in ten matches while managing just five in return.
At right is Ms. Cristy Campbell, Vice Chairperson, National Sports Commission. From left, Kevin Agard and Fidel Millington.
Titans, Mahdia, Montra and Eccles
Robert France
Shai Hope was cleaned up by Ben Dwarshuis•Jul 28, 2025•AFP/Getty Images
Action from last weekend’s Essequibo Zone of the Kares One Guyana T10 Tapeball Blast 2025
