Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 31-08-2023

With over 25,000 house lots already being distributed, the government plans to develop 14,000 new house lots, over the next three years, in Region Three; 1,000 new homes and 1,000 new lots in Region 10; 1,000 new lots in Region Seven; 4,000 new lots in Region Six; 1,000 lots in Region Five; 20,000 in Region Four; 250 in Region One; and 1,000 each in Regions Two and Nine. The are also committed to building 500 homes in the hinterland

‘The mantle of leadership must remain steady’ – President tells new GDF officers

- calls on new officers to lead with integrity, dedication

By Celestine Juan

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali expects defence officers to lead with integrity, discipline and dedication to ensure the safety and stability of the nation on land and at sea.

In a solemn and symbolic ceremony at the Guyana Defence Force’s Commissioning Parade for Standard Officers

Course #54, the Head of State addressed the newly commissioned officers, underscoring the immense responsibility that comes with their roles within the Defence Force.

In a country where the security of land and marine resources is of paramount importance, the President highlighted the need for a professional, steadfast, and forward-looking force.

“The mantle of leadership must remain steady. There must never be a vacuum or void in the leadership structure. Lines of authority must be clear and understood. The first leadership must remain poised and ready to confront contemporary challenges,” President Ali declared with conviction.

He acknowledged the evolving challenges facing the defence force in Guyana and the wider region. With geopolitical dynamics shifting and security threats constantly changing, the new officers were reminded of the pivotal role they will play in safeguarding not only the nation’s

territorial integrity but also its marine resources.

“Our wealth, the security of our marine resources, is just as vital as that of our land base resources. Effective leadership is the only means by which we can ensure the safety of these resources,” President Ali asserted.

The President said that the officers are tasked with embracing the nation’s commitment to democracy, the rule of law, and peaceful cooperation with neighbouring countries, while also ensuring Guyana’s preparedness to defend itself against any potential threats.

“Your success is about how you take this training forward. It is about your loyalty to this institution and your country. It is about your commitment to this institution and your country. It’s about your commitment to the rule of law. It is about your commitment to the upholding of our democratic principles and values. It is about your commitment to the oath that you will take.

Your commitment to putting your country first. Your commitment in giving more of yourself, selflessly for your country and people,” President Ali said to the officers.

He reiterated the importance of discipline, not just in a military context, but also in personal conduct and representation.

“Your responsibility remains the same in and out of uniform, your life and your

example will impact the level of respect and regard extended to you, your family, and the institution you represent,” the President remarked.

President Ali touched on the broader context of Guyana’s defence strategy, as he emphasised the nation’s commitment to maintaining civilian control over the military and fostering stronger connections between the defence force and local communities.

He also pointed out the ongoing modernisation efforts within the force, aimed at enhancing its capabilities and preparedness for various scenarios such as search and rescue operations, disaster response, infrastructural development, safeguarding border communities, addressing medical emergencies and supporting the development of sport and wellbeing of citizens.

The Commander-in-Chief also stressed the imperative nature of safeguarding Guyana’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty, particularly in light of the ongoing border controversy with neighbouring Venezuela.

The President alluded to the historical context of this dispute, one that harks back to the Arbitral Award of October 3, 1899.

“While safeguarding Guyana’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty remains your primary duty… Our stance is one of peace and co-

operation with neighbouring and other countries. Those who underestimate our determination to safeguard our patrimony or interpret our commitment to peace as a sign of weakness are making a grave error.

“This is why our drive to establish a professional force remains resolute. This is why a combination of a professional defence force, active defence diplomacy including regional collaboration, serves as our first line of defence against threats and aggression. We will continue to embrace a peaceful approach and place our faith in international law,” he asserted.

President Ali’s address drew the connection between the new officers’ responsibilities and the historical context of Guyana’s border dispute with Venezuela.

The case is currently before the International Court

of Justice (ICJ), where Guyana seeks a final and binding judgment affirming the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award. This award, which delineates the land boundary between the two countries, is a cornerstone in Guyana’s claim to the Essequibo region.

Against this backdrop of international legal proceedings, President Ali’s emphasis on a professional defence force takes on added significance. The officers were urged to embrace these principles, not just in their professional capacities, but also in their conduct as individuals.

“Leading encompasses setting an example. Not just issuing commands. I implore you to be mindful of the example you set as officers in and out of uniform. Your responsibility remains the same in and out of uniform. Your life and your example will impact the level of respect and

regard extended to you, your family, and the institution you represent,” President Ali said.

The President’s address concluded with a resounding call to duty, as he reminded them that as they “pursue a career within the force, opportunities for personal growth and development will be assured.”

Twenty-seven ranks competed the Standards Officers Course #54 with Guyana Prison Service (GPS) topping the course for the first time in history.

Brandon Thomas became the first Prison Officer to graduate as Best Student of the Standards Officers Course, which started some 54 years ago.

Thomas, who joined the Course on August 27, 2021, received the coveted Sword of Honour from President Ali at the passing out ceremony, held at Drill Square, Base Camp Ayanganna.

Hinterland water access projected at 85 percent by year-end

- aggressive housing programme also underway

By Shamar Meusa

WITH the government on a quest to achieve 100 per cent access to water across the hinterland by 2025, Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal revealed that there is currently 75 per cent coverage, which is expected to increase to 85 per cent by the end of 2023.

The minister made these remarks on Wednesday, as he made a presentation on the government’s plan in the sector at the ongoing National Toshao’s Conference, at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

Croal told the gathering that the government has a mandate to provide access

to clean water in all communities across Guyana. While the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (six) aims to provide clean and sustainable water for all by 2030, the Housing Ministry is aiming to achieve this target by 2025.

Against this backdrop, he added that more than $2 billion has been invested in the hinterland since the government entered office in 2020 and another $1.4 billion is being invested this year.

He added, “Prior to August 2020 the hinterland coverage was only at 46 per cent of the population. It has already been increased to 75 per cent by the end of 2022 and targeted to achieve 85 per cent by the end of 2023.”

The Minister noted that they hope to achieve 100 per cent access to water services to all riverine and hinterland communities by 2025.

Thus far, he noted that over 40 new wells have been completed to provide service to over 15,000 persons for the first time. This includes the construction of elevated storage systems with tanks, photovoltaic systems and service connections to residents.

Along with this, he added that 40 new wells are expected to be completed in 2023 and another 40 in 2024 in the hinterland regions. Giving a breakdown, he said that 14 wells are set for Region One, six in Regions Two, Four and 10, five in Region Seven,

four in Region Eight and 11 in Region Nine.

Meanwhile, on the housing side of things, Croal revealed that the government has committed to pushing an aggressive hinterland housing programme. In this first phase he noted that the

CDC in some areas that were previously affected by floods had asked for assistance in relocating residents.

However, he noted that for villages that have not had engagements for the housing programme, within one month’s time all com -

munities will be engaged for consultation as part of this aggressive housing drive.

Across Regions One, Seven, Eight and Nine, some 300 houses are expected to be allocated as part of the first phase with house types being elevated timber and flat clay brick.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal

A section of the gathering at the third day of the National Toshao’s Conference (Japheth Savory photos)

Prison Officer Thomas received his award from Commander in Chief Dr. Irfaan Ali

Empowering Rural Communities: Rosamund Benn named ‘Leader of Rurality’ by IICA

ROSAMUND Benn, a farmer who has encouraged dozens of rural women in Guyana to process and market their crops to improve their income and quality of life, was named a “Leader of Rurality of the Americas” by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

Benn, a wife and mother of five, will receive the “Soul of Rurality” award, which is part of an initiative by the agency specialising in rural and agricultural development to recognise the men and women who are leaving their mark and making a difference in the rural areas of the Americas, a region that plays a key role in global food and nutritional security and environmental sustainability.

Benn is the President of the Women Agro-processors Development Network (WADNET) in Guyana, an organisation that provides rural women with crucial support to overcome daily obstacles.

In Guyana, the majority of food is transported by water. And climate change, which has increased the frequency and intensity of floods and droughts, has become a difficult reality to navigate.

In this South American country, known as “the land of many waters”, most of the population live on or near the Atlantic coast. Rosamund, however, grew up in one of the hinterland communities, located in the forest area outside of the coastal plain. When she met her husband, she moved to Pomeroon-Supenaam, one of Guyana’s 10 administrative regions, which has a seacoast and large rivers and is known for its fruit farms, which primarily grow coconuts.

“I come from a farming family, but production in the hinterland is completely different from that on the coast. I moved to the Pomeroon when I met my husband, with whom I have farmed for almost 40 years. When we got married, we owned 5 acres of land, where we started growing vegetables, coconuts and bananas. Over the years, we expanded and now own 50 acres, on which we carry out large-scale coconut production”, recalls Rosamund.

IICA grants the Leaders of Rurality in the Americas award to those who play the irreplaceable dual role of being guarantors of food and nutritional security,

while also being guardians of the planet’s biodiversity through production in any circumstances. The award also highlights positive examples for rurality in the region.

An entrepreneur who created her own brand

Coconut can be used to produce a variety of products. Together with her husband Rudolph, Rosamund started producing virgin coconut oil in the 90s. The process is labour intensive: coconuts are broken and pulp is extracted and grated by hand before it is processed.

The family sells its virgin coconut oil, a high-quality product with medicinal properties, to wholesalers

as well as small and large businesses throughout the country. “Our product is sold in almost every supermarket in Georgetown, the capital”, she says. The family’s brand is called Pomeroon Rose.

Rosamund explains that coconuts require patience. They grow quickly and reach a good size in the rainy season, but take a long time to grow when there is little rainfall and it is very hot. In that regard, the extreme weather events caused by climate change have had grave consequences for Guyana’s farmers.

In 2021, the country was hit by devastating floods, as a result of heavy rainfall that caused rivers to overflow, destroying countless rice, sugar, fruit, vegetable and livestock farms. In response to the situation, the government declared a national disaster, assisted numerous vulnerable communities with food and medicine, and was forced to request international assistance.

“Many of us lost our crops and had to leave in search of higher ground on which to continue producing. Overall, the situation is quite challenging due to climate change, in addition to the difficulties we face in transporting our products, which has always been one of our greatest concerns”, recalls Rosamund.

In that regard, she considers that the Network of Women Agro-processors, created in 2012, has pro -

vided fundamental support.

“When we share our experiences and aim to collectively solve problems, things start to work better. IICA has also been of great source of support to women in the network”, she explains.

“Women always face more barriers than men. For instance, most of them do not own the land on which they work, so they face greater obstacles accessing credit to grow their businesses”, she adds.

Rosamund is constantly conveying the value of agriculture to youth: “I tell them that the economic rewards will not come immediately, and that they will never get rich, but they will be able to live well. They will be able to guarantee food for their families and sell the surplus to earn money. If you have clear goals and don’t give up in the face of obstacles, you can achieve anything”.

She also encourages other farmers to reach out to young people and pass on their knowledge of good food production practices.

“I always say that the only way to keep young people in the countryside and involved in agriculture is for the older generations to pass on their knowledge. We have to take care of agriculture; without it, humanity has no future. Many people pursue other professions, but teachers, doctors and lawyers must eat when they get home, so they rely on agriculture”.

Rosamund and her husband Rudolph began producing virgin coconut oil in the 90s

Rosamund Benn is the President of the WADNET in Guyana

Community integration a critical part of hinterland development drive

— PM Phillips says special attention being given to technological, energy divides

PRIME Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips highlighted the government’s commitment to integrated community development, bridging the technological and energy divides and improving access to critical government services throughout Guyana.

He made these remarks on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre on the second day of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference.

“Everything that we’re talking about now that falls under the Office of the Prime Minister, is geared towards integrating your community that is located mainly in the hinterland

with all that is happening on the coastline.”

He highlighted the critical role that both the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA) and the National Data Management Authority (NDMA) play in reaching the country’s goals, specifically ensuring that every Amerindian village has electricity and access to the internet.

According to the Prime Minister, there have already been notable successes, including 120 locations that the NDMA has equipped to provide free Wi-Fi. He noted, too, that the government will address challenges wherever they exist.

“We are committed

to working through all the challenges to ensure that 100% connectivity is achieved to ensure that wherever you’re located, you have some form of renewable energy project to change the way people live,” he said.

In addressing the pressing need for sufficient bandwidth in some areas, the Prime Minister reassured attendees that appropriate solutions are being sought, adding that the government is “working with some providers to increase the bandwidth for you.”

So far, 120 ICT connectivity hubs have been completed, with 80 more scheduled for completion

by the end of the first quarter of 2024. According to the Prime Minister, who holds responsibility for the sector, the 120 ICT hubs have not yet been outfitted to provide internet access, but gave the assurance that the government is working towards having the requisite funds allocated to have it done.

To further bridge the energy divide, the government has invested US$7.2m, or about G$1.5b, to purchase 30,000 household solar systems. He said, “Our focus right now is on completing [the distribution] in Regions One and Nine.”

Touching on the role of women in management

of the hubs and the solar systems, Prime Minister Phillips explained that training will be done with communities and extended an invitation for more women to participate.

“We want to encourage more of our women folk to come forward and receive the training so you can be part and parcel of the development that is taking place in your com-

munity.”

Several heads of agencies that fall under the purview of the Office of the Prime Minister, including the National Data Management Authority, ICT Access and eServices project for Hinterland, Poor and Remote Communities and the Guyana Energy Agency, were in attendance.

A section of the gathering at the NTC conference

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d), Mark Phillips addresses the gathering at the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

A Biological Treasure Trove

GUYANA, often referred to as the "Land of Many Waters," is home to one of the world's most valuable and biodiverse ecosystems—the Guyana rainforest.

Stretching over 85 per cent of the country's territory, this vast expanse of lush, pristine wilderness plays a crucial role in global climate regulation and biodiversity conservation.

Moreover, it also serves as a source of revenue through the sale of carbon credits, offering a unique opportunity to fund essential environmental and social initiatives, especially those benefitting indigenous communities.

Guyana's rainforest is a biological treasure trove. It harbours an astonishing array of wildlife, from jaguars and tapirs to countless species of birds and insects.

This biological diver-

sity is not only vital for maintaining global ecological balance, but also offers countless possibilities for scientific discoveries that could contribute to medical breakthroughs and the advancement of our understanding of life on Earth.

Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, has said that the country’s forest conservation is a “rare commodity,” and the efforts undertaken by the country’s officials will see Guyana playing a pivotal role in providing credible leadership in Dubai at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference/Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC also known as COP 28.

One of the most compelling aspects of Guyana's rainforest is its role as a carbon sink. The dense vegetation here stores vast amounts of carbon dioxide,

thereby helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

As the international community becomes increasingly aware of the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, the rainforest stands as a global asset. Guyana's commitment to preserving this vital ecosystem has already positioned it as a leader in climate action.

The sale of carbon credits, generated by the capacity of the rainforest to sequester carbon, represents a unique economic opportunity for Guyana.

Guyana’s forests store approximately 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon and President, Dr. Irfaan Ali has said that the country should be paid more for its carbon credits. The price for a tonne of carbon trapped by the trees should be about US$70, instead of the current price of about US$7.

By participating in international carbon-credit markets, the country can receive more financial rewards for its ongoing efforts in rainforest conservation. This not only incentivizes the government and local communities to protect their natural heritage, but also highlights the potential for sustainable economic development.

However, what makes Guyana's approach truly remarkable is its commitment to ensuring that the benefits from carbon-credit sales trickle down to indigenous communities that have been the stewards of these lands for generations. A significant portion of the revenues generated from carbon credits is being disbursed to communities after they would have submitted their development plans; this is in addition to other funds being injected into the

communities to improve the livelihoods and well-being of these communities.

Guyana's exemplary model demonstrates that environmental conservation and economic development need not be at odds. By harnessing the value of its rainforest through carbon-credit sales, the country is not only protecting its natural heritage but it is also setting a precedent for the rest of the world.

This holistic approach, where conservation efforts directly benefit the communities most affected by environmental changes, is a testament to the power of sustainable development.

In a world facing an escalating climate crisis and rapidly diminishing biodiversity, Guyana's rainforest serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. It showcases the potential for nations to preserve their natural

treasures, combat climate change, and improve the lives of their indigenous populations simultaneously.

As the international community grapples with the dual challenges of environmental degradation and social inequality, Guyana's commitment to its rainforest and its people provides a shining example of what can be achieved when sustainability and compassion drive policy decisions. Those examples will be further shared with stakeholders at COP 28.

Guyana undoubtedly showcases a sustainable model that other nations should emulate. In doing so, we can collectively strive to preserve our planet's biodiversity and combat climate change, while ensuring the well-being of all its inhabitants.

Mr. Norton has a lot of work to do in order to make an impact

Dear Editor,

“I WOULD not shake hands with those who oppress my people!” This was a prophetic response to a question posed by Dr Dhanpaul Narine to Opposition Leader, Mr. Aubrey Norton on Thursday August 24, 2023 at a Town Hall meeting in Little Guyana (pseudonym for Greater Richmond Hill, Queens, New York City).

Except for about 25 residents who carried protest placards outside the build-

ing, Guyanese residents went about their business as usual. The thought that the Guyana Parliamentary Opposition Leader would visit Little Guyana at 6:30 pm to provide an update on Guyana’s political situation was never an attraction.

Nevertheless, some residents’ feelings were captured in the display of placards outside the Starlite Pavilion Hall, where the meeting was held. A sample of placards read: “Guyana need builders not dividers;” “Still waiting for the 2020 SoPs;” and

“election fraudsters.”

Under a dark overcast cloud with intermittent light showers, which was not enough to dull their enthusiasm, a group of “One Guyana” supporters ensured that Mr. Norton, who was making his first public appearance in Little Guyana, received a frosty reception.

The meeting was to provide the APNU leader with the opportunity to reach out to Guyanese who do not ordinarily support his party. He also wanted to discard the notion that

he is a one-ethnic group party leader.

It is by reaching out to all ethnic groups and advocating national unity that one becomes a national leader.

Despite much of their support is from Indo-Guyanese, the PPP/C says that it has enough significant support from the other ethnic groups to justify it as a multi-ethnic party. They cite the results of LGE 2023 as evidence to support this multi-ethnic party’s claim.

Mr. Norton understands

that this is a path that he must travel to enhance his chance of leading his party to electoral victory.

The small crowd of about 60, comprising mostly of Mr. Norton’s party supporters who do not reside in Little Guyana, listened carefully as he stated that he is fully committed to equity and equality of opportunity.

He blames the PPP/C government for race and political discrimination; corruption; questioned the 250,000 school children grants; expressed uneas -

iness about public safety with increase in crime; lamented the inadequate old age pension payments; and accused the PPP/C government of not doing enough for farmers in regions Seven, Eight, and Nine. How the PPP/C’s performance in office compares with the APNU+AFC’s was avoided.

A member of the audience asked him to produce evidence to back up his allegations. He did not.

OP-ED A gender-equal society will move us all forward

I AM extremely fortunate. I was born in Dominica to a father who was part of a generation of great Caribbean men. He believed in equality, and he believed in me. To him, his daughters were just as exceptional as his sons, and with my mother, he loved us and supported us while teaching us about duty, responsibility and service.

Throughout my life and career, I have learned that, whether in the home, in work, or in political and economic systems, this enabling environment for women is not the norm. We have seen huge progress through the decades of my life, but gender equality remains far from being a reality. This is not just a concern for people who advocate for women’s rights; it impacts everyone, shaping the world we all share.

The World Bank estimates that inequality in earnings between women and men is costing our world $160 trillion–equivalent to around $23,620

per person. This figure is yet another reminder that when gender inequality persists in our society, we all lose. But it does not have to be this way.

Right now, there are exceptional leaders across the international system.

From great Commonwealth Heads of Government including, Mia Mottley (Barbados) and Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa (Samoa), to my dear sister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, leading the World Trade Organization, women leaders are driving real progress despite formidable challenges.

But they remain exceptions rather than the norm. Unfortunately, most women are disenfranchised, not by choice, but by prevailing structures. They struggle to provide for their families, face barriers to education and are constrained from taking up leadership roles in society.

A recent study reveals that 2.7 billion women are legally restricted from having the same choice of jobs as men. There is still a

substantial pay gap, which is compounded by the fact that women also shoulder a disproportionate share of unpaid domestic and care work. While women are advancing in managerial roles, the transition to senior management and boardrooms remains sluggish – even though research has repeatedly shown that firms with more women in senior leadership perform better.

In our world grappling with the ever-constant threat of climate change, it is women and girls who bear the heaviest burdens and recover most slowly. About 80 per cent of those displaced by climate change are women. A closer look at the evidence shows that those women, who stay behind in affected areas, are more likely to experience increased poverty, loss of livelihoods and health issues. These are worrying trends, which should not be ignored in disaster response and recovery.

At the same time, the confluence of weak global growth, stubborn inflation

and rising debt is creating a lethal threat, which is fuelling poverty and limiting public investment in human capital, disproportionately impacting women. Such disruptions are alarming signs that the gains made so far, as well as progress urgently needed, are under severe threat. In fact, at the current pace, the goal of gender equality is 300 years away.

It was in this context that I convened the Commonwealth Women’s Affairs Ministers Meeting in The Bahamas last week. Our goal was to assess the current status of gender equality in the 56 Commonwealth countries and share perspectives to accelerate progress on this shared priority.

Together, we developed a new roadmap, geared towards better delivering for our 1.25 billion women and girls. The roadmap encompasses critical areas such as greater involvement of women in climate action, increased support for women with disabilities, better representation of

women in leadership and stronger action on ending violence against women and girls.

In particular, our focus is on strategies to prioritise women in climate action – solutions that can concurrently address climate injustice and gender inequality, while benefitting society. The proposals from this meeting will be considered by leaders at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa next year.

What remains clear is that for gender equality to become a reality, the responsibility has to be shared across the political sphere, public and private sectors, and civil society. This mandates all of us to pool our expertise and resources to dismantle oppressive structures and build new ones that are inclusive, leaving no one behind.

We know gender equality will eventually become a reality one day, but the question remains whether we should wait 300 years. The Commonwealth is determined to

lead by example, defying this prediction.

Through mutual support and collaboration, my intention is to work with leaders to build a future for the Commonwealth, where we all move forward. It is together that we shape a future for our women and girls that is prosperous, just, meaningful and full of promise.

About the Author: The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC is the 6th Commonwealth Secretary-General. She was born in Dominica and was their candidate for the post at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta in 2015. She is the second Secretary-General from the Caribbean and the first woman to hold the post.

From page 6

Mr. Norton advocated for two meals per day for each school child. He argued for an increase in wages for public service workers and rejects the government’s excuse that it would lead to inflation. He calls for a national transportation system, but he did not provide details. He insists on biometric screening of voters at the 2025 national and regional elections. “If this is not done, the results could be rejected.” (Demerara Waves: 8/24/23).

There was a lively exchange between Mr. Norton and prominent Commu-

nity Leader Dr Dhanpaul Narine, who observed: “It was clear that the Brooklynites (at the meeting) did not know a great deal of what the government is doing to develop Guyana. They are bombarded with anti-government information. I explained to them about the housing policies of the government, the cash grants, the progress in education, and the tax cuts, but they remain unconvinced.”

When asked if “his party is anti-Indian,” he denied that and introduced Riaz Roopnarine (at the head table) who is a member of his party.” Probing further, Mr. Norton was asked if the PPP/C won

the 2020 elections and why he refers to them as an installed government.

“If this is so, then how come you, Mr. Norton, is the legitimate leader of the opposition? Which constitution are you working with? “Mr. Norton said there were electoral irregularities in 2020. Dr Dhanpaul then asked him: “Why don’t you shake the hands of the President, and let’s move on?” He replied that he does not shake the hands of those that oppress his people.

Throughout the meeting, although it was his supporters who constituted 80 per cent of the audience, he appeared too mechan-

ical and uncharismatic. In politics, image could be more important than message.

If Mr. Norton is going to make any impact on Little Guyana, he must produce evidence to back up his allegations, do some damage control, work on boosting his image, and provide alternative policy options, where practicable. Although he had no convert from Little Guyana, he must be given credit for coming there and sharing his thoughts and position in a PPP/C stronghold.

Yours respectfully,

Dr. Tara Singh

Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC

Why black hair matters to people of African descent!

TODAY, Thursday, August 31, Guyana and the world observe International Day for People of African Descent (IDPAD) and on Sunday (September 3) Saint Lucia will host a Black Hair Matters (BHM) event to highlight issues affecting Black hairstyles in Saint Lucia and other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member-states, where students have, of late, been refused entry to school with “dreadlocks.”

Today too, I recall a recent Texas Tribune article, headlined “Texas House passes CROWN Act,” highlighted a new law banning discrimination based on certain hairstyles

— like braids, dreadlocks and twists — in schools, workplaces and housing.

The article, by Alejandro Serrano and dated April 13, 2023, reported that the Texas legislature had overwhelmingly passed the bill (by 143-5).

The vote was inspired by the experiences of two Black high-schoolers near Houston who were threatened with discipline in the 2019-20 school year if they didn’t cut their locks.

The bill was filed by state Rep. Rhetta Bowers (D-Garland), who said, after its passage: “I believe how the hair naturally grows out of our heads should have nothing to do with what is inside… and

the time is now for Texas to take up this civil rights legislation and protect the people from racial discrimination.”

The CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act has been adopted throughout the USA since 2019, when school administrators ordered two young men in Mont Belvieu, about 30 miles east of Houston, to cut their hair.

Dakari Davis, a Black police officer who testified in support of the bill, said people shouldn’t be reprimanded for sporting styles that are natural for their hair or specific to certain cultures.

Davis, who has corn -

rows, said he was suspended from duty and prevented from engaging with the community he protected for almost a year before being cleared of violating department policy with his hair.

According to the Tribune article, “Anecdotal accounts of discrimination like Davis’ have emerged sporadically since the incident in Mont Belvieu drew international attention to the issue.”

In another case, it reported, “Administrators at Barbers Hill Independent School District told De’Andre Arnold and his cousin to cut their locks or be disciplined. Both refused and sued the school district over its dress code policy in a matter that is not yet resolved.”

The article continued: “A federal judge in 2020, once Arnold had graduated, found the policy discriminatory and stopped the school district from enforcing it.”

The students’ experience inspired laws that have since been adopted in 20 American states.

The Tribune article shows how relatively easy it can be to get change when lawmakers sit on their hands while the poor citizens suffer from application of ridiculous rules – like depriving students of education because of how they wear their hair.

In Saint Lucia’s case, that same hair matter was positively dealt with some 40+ years ago, when then Education Minister Louis George upstaged principals (who refused to accept students wearing dreadlocks) by instructing that they be accepted at all schools island-wide – bar none -- once their hair was covered.

Alas, the Minister has long died and no one seems to remember his

edict, which was loudly and publicly welcomed and praised, in the local press, by the then-emerging local Rastafarian community.

One can only wonder whether it ever occurred to any of the parents of recent Caribbean student victims of hairstyle discrimination to even think of considering suing.

TV and online advertisements (in other parts of our world) feature legal firms inviting viewers to ‘Call Toll-Free’ with any case of discrimination they feel they have enough evidence to win.

This ‘pro bono’ approach (lawyers taking cases and getting paid only if they win) has worked well for most of victims of killings of the many Blacks in America that led to the launch of the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement in 2020.

But not so in our part of the world, apparently, where so many still suffer so much, just because they cannot afford the costs of pursuing their rights in court.

Legal aid? Pro Bono? Those too are in very-shortsupply across and around CARICOM.

So, will the Texas ruling and the fact that this Black Hair matter has been settled in over 20 US states encourage Caribbean victims, lawyers and legislators to change their stances to improve chances of representation and justice for human right victims who (largely) cannot afford the cost of taking schools to court for hair discrimination?

These issues are also being addressed today by the Saint Lucia National Reparations Committee (NRC) and the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF), which jointly sponsor another regional ‘Con-

versation’ in observance of IDPAD and Emancipation Month 2023.

The discussion, on the National Television Network (NTN) from 11am to 12:30pm, will also address the return of the hair issue to Caribbean schools and societies, through the theme ‘Black Hair Matters’.

Panelists will include:

Hon, Ambassador Dr. June Soomer (CARICOM Representative on the UN Permanent Forum for People of African Descent), Nkrumah Lucien (History lecturer, Reparations Advocate and NRC Executive Member) and Senator Alison Jean (Legislator and mother of Black Lives Matter martyr Bothan Jean).

They’ll also speak about CARICOM’s support for a call by members of the UN’s Permanent Forum for a Second International Decade for People of African Descent, as well as why Black Hair Matters sufficiently for violations to be seen and treated in the Caribbean as human rights issues.

Sunday’s Black Hair Matters engagement – to be held at the Corinth Estate Museum and Health Retreat (now renamed BelleVi Dou) with its sugar mill remnants and other historical and illustrated artefacts, will feature “displays of African and African-inspired garments and hair care products, performances, model showcase, African food, etc.”

The free day-long event and related cultural performances will also be livestreamed, as with all other events on the 2023 National Emancipation Month calendar.

Meanwhile, CARICOM-African Union (AU) Day will be observed for a second time on September 7.

Korea Forest Service intrigued by Guyana’s forestry achievements

THE Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) organized a two-day trip to Guyana for a delegation from the Korea Forest Service. The purpose of the visit was to examine a potential collaboration initiative on mangrove restoration that was submitted by the Korea Forest Service (KFS), and a second area on exploring REDD+ cooperation project with the Government of Guyana.

The Korea Forest Service has expressed interest in collaborating on REDD+ initiatives in nations around Latin America and the Caribbean, including Guyana, since its initial visit in March 2023. Guyana has been involved in REDD+ which means avoided deforestation in Guyana’s context, since 2009 and has a high percentage of forest cover (over 87%) as well as a low rate of deforestation (an average of 0.06% annually over the last 10 years).

During this visit, the KFS delegation met with high-level

officials in Guyana, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Forestry Commission, senior officials within the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Agriculture, including the Head of the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), to evaluate possible projects of joint interest in the short, medium, and long term, including an invitation to participate in capacity-building courses for the development of national REDD+ capacities; basic research for REDD+ cooperative projects; and technical training for satellite-footage utilization and analysis.

A Korean group visited Guyana for a two-day mission in March 2023 as a follow-up to the country’s initial scoping mission, which had been successful in facilitating several significant discussions, engagements, and contacts. Members of the commercial sector and Korean Forest Service officials made up the high-ranking delegation from

Korea.

The discussion of potential areas of cooperation between Guyana and Korea was the visit’s primary goal. Meetings with senior officials were held during the visit in order to better comprehend the needs and potential for cooperation in the country’s growth and to fortify ties in the forestry sector.

The visiting delegation which included Dr. Bae Jae Soo (President of the National Institute of Forest Science) and other senior officials from the Korean Forest Service such as Ms. Kim Jina (Director of the International Cooperation Division), Mr. Min Byeongsan, (Deputy Director, International Cooperation Division), Ms. Ju Youngran (Assistant Director, International Cooperation Division), Mr. Yang Hwajin (Programme Officer, National Institute of Forest Science), Mr. Hong Seong Hoa (former Ambassador to Mexico), Mr. Yoo Hee suk (Vice President, SK Forest Co.), Ms. Lee Sookyoung (Team Leader, SK

Forest Co.) and Mr. Maeng Churl kyu (Senior Manager, Global Infrastructure Business & Marketing Team, Hyundai Engineering Co.), discussed the potential for cooperation and partnership in the reforestation of mangroves, as well as the sharing of technology and capacity, with officials from the Ministry of Agriculture under the direction of the Permanent Secretary Ms. Delma Nedd.

The KFS indicated interest in collaborating with the government to protect against this effect of climate change, realizing the need for coastal defence against rising sea levels, particularly for vulnerable countries such as Guyana.

By fostering an environment that will lead to managed natural mangrove restoration is a main goal. More conversations about this concept took place during the visit. Representatives from both teams went to the project sites after the meeting to see firsthand the area of the proposed intervention.

The delegation also went to a third site that had been restored, where mangroves had grown naturally as a result of a different kind of intervention. Mangrove depth in this location has expanded from 50 to 300 metres from the coast during a period of two years following the intervention. In

order to demonstrate the effectiveness of treatments and to personally demonstrate their effectiveness, a visit to this place was made.

To discuss cooperation between the two nations and the various agencies, the group also met with Guyana’s minister of foreign affairs. These efforts will lead up to the World Expo 2030 in Busan, which plans to concentrate on three themes, which was one of the topics of debate. 1) The effects of climate change; 2) the drawbacks of the digital revolution; and 3) inequality between countries.

In order to propose further collaboration in reforestation, training, and economics, the team also met with top representatives from the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFC) and the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC).

Representatives include Mr. Nikolaus Oudkerk (DECC), Mr. Edward Goberdhan (GFC Commissioner), Ms. Vaness Benn (GFC Chair), and other GFC executives.

During the discussion, the national MRV system for the nation, REDD+, and Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy 2030 were highlighted. The topics of further conversation included the exchange of information between the two nations’ pro-

grammes, national policies, and the carbon market. The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) provided support, the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the gathering, and the Guyana Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Commission provided the venue.

At the conclusion of the visit, the KFS agreed to extend the participation of technical officers from Guyana to take part in a summer training session in Korea in the form of knowledge exchange in REDD+ and MRV. Additionally, the KFS expressed hope to invite Guyana to take part in the 50th anniversary of the reforestation programme it will be hosting later this year.

With technology and capacity exchange included, the potential funding opportunity for mangrove replanting has progressed; a formal answer is anticipated later this year.

The government of Guyana also promised to extend invitations to attendees of the various conferences and give the government of Korea the chance to send representatives. Both nations have agreed to foster their relations and work together.

(This is part of a weekly series on LCDS.) The author can be contacted at cparkinson0206@gmail.com.

Tour operators, hoteliers benefit from energy management training

SEVERAL persons within the hospitality industry are now better informed on energy consumption as they benefitted from a recent one-day Energy Management Practices training which was hosted by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) in collaboration with the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA).

During the training which was held in GTA’s training room, the tour operators and hotel proprietors were taught how to calculate energy, how it is consumed, and how they

can conserve it.

One of the participants, and Chief Executive Officer of Jubilee Resort Inc., Navindra Narine, said the training was educational as he learnt a few techniques to conserve energy.

“I love alternative energy because it helps the environment and Guyana is one of the most frontier countries left in the world…So, it is very important for us. I learnt a lot of stuff that you can actually use to reduce electricity costs in the environment,” Narine said.

With this added knowledge, Energy Engineer at GEA, Brian Constantine, said proprietors will be better able to choose appliances while still providing customers with the best experiences.

“The objectives of the presentation are to raise awareness on energy use, cost, practices, energy conservation and also what potential exists in terms of savings when using technologies,” he noted.

With the proper use of bulbs, air conditioning units and water heaters, the energy

efficiency can be sustained.

Meanwhile, Training and Tourism Development Officer of GTA, Chetnauth Persaud, stated that the programme will help organisations to think ahead.

“It was also done to help persons to start thinking in a sustainable manner. So, we wanted to bring this idea that we can actually do tourism and you know, do it in a more sustainable manner by using our natural products,” Persaud explained. (DPI)

Some members of the Korea Forest Service observing the mangrove plants in Guyana

Chetnauth Persaud, Training and Tourism Development Officer, GTA

Navindra Persaud, one of the participants

We, not you, know what is on the mind of Guyanese

LIFE in this country has always been funny. Yesterday, I spent a long time at the Georgetown Hospital assisting someone to receive medical attention. You meet a lot of people at that hospital because there are lots of people there. And people want to chat with you, and since the waiting period is long, you tend to chat with them.

It is through these avenues, you come to know what the things are that interest Guyanese. In all my encounters, each day in this country, I have not met a soul who is not delighted that this country has become an oil country and that money will be coming in from that source for a long time in the future. Several fears I received is that the money will not trickle down to the sections of Guyanese society that really need it.

My response is that I believe it will. I am not doubting that companies and individuals will be enriched, but I believe President Irfaan Ali is going to

follow in Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s footstep. People that do not like the government either for ethnic, political or class reasons will criticise the Ali presidency.

One has to expect that and it is their right to do so, but there are also many in society who should offer explanations that expose such a political agenda because people want to hear such explanations.

When you engage Guyanese, what you find out is the enormous difference in what the detractors of the government say and the things Guyanese believe in. I haven’t met a human in this country who wants Guyana to stop oil production.

All they want is for oil money to come their way. Of course, you can’t blame them. But their dream is a far cry from what the anti-government critics want. For example, as we sat waiting for the doctor, one patient explained that he hopes oil money will allow the government to buy more machines for the hospital because the exam-

ination he was there for, he had to wait a long time to receive.

The point is people want oil money. But there are those who want us to get out of oil production because they feel that of all the nationalities in the world, it has fallen on the lap of Guyanese to save the Planet Earth.

They try to emulate fossil fuel critics from developed countries whose very transition into modern living was made possible by the fossil fuel industry and whose wealth is so massive that countries like Guyana would not see that in the foreseeable future.

For example, a cable car system between Italy and Switzerland built recently cost 65 million American dollars. That is 14 billion Guyanese.

It is interesting to note that the foreign-based Guyanese that want Guyana to save Planet Earth by going out of oil production do not say even one word of condemnation of the war efforts by developed countries.

The US has over 250 military bases all over the world that use an enormous amount of oil and gas. The foreign minister of Germany is from the Green Party and is one of the world’s most ardent supporters of sending arms to Ukraine’s war and Germany is doing just that.

You would think the last person to be a warmonger is someone from the Green Party. So we have a German born Guyanese, by the name of Andre Brandli. He writes often on Guyanese issues from his home country in Germany.

He wrote that in the 2020 election, 98 percent

of the electorate voted. GECOM made public the amount on the electoral roll for the 2020 election. It was 660,998 electors. In the election 468,184 persons voted. If 98 per cent of a list of 660,998 persons voted, then actual ballots were 647,778. If official voting numbers were 468, 184, then where are the missing 179, 594 ballots?

Up to this day, a man who lives way in Germany, never visited Guyana on polling day in March 2020, never visited Guyana during the five-month election saga cannot state where the extra 179,594 votes are. See my column

of December 3, 2022 titled. “Professor Brandli: Qualifications do not prevent one from writing nonsense.”

But people like Brandli, Isabelle DeCaires and a school of foreign-based Guyanese signed a letter on November 17 last year demanding that Guyana cease oil production immediately. But we are yet to hear their condemnation of their governments’ continuation of the fossil fuel industry. Not one word about that. Not one word about their governments’ use of fossil fuel to fight a war in Ukraine.

Mainstay Motocross Park: Catalyst for economic growth in Region Two

TOURISM activities are attracted to Region Two's inherent characteristics, making it a magnet, according to Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, while delivering the keynote address at the official opening of the Mainstay Motocross Park on Saturday last.

Minister Singh noted that the government is keen on developing nonoil sectors of the economy and highlighted tourism as one of the sectors that

could bring economic benefits to the region.

Dr. Singh explained that the region has great potential for water sports and grass-track activities, which could also benefit local businesses.

“We want in the runup to regatta, in the runup to races, the hotels must be full, you must not be able to get a room. The restaurants must be filled. The taxis and the transportation providers must say business is good.

The supermarkets must be moving goods off of their shelves. That is the vision

of sporting tourism for Region Two,” Minister Singh stated.

He noted that the vision of the park’s Managing Director Joel Fredericks falls in line with the government’s developmental agenda.

“President Ali has outlined a national vision that will see all of Guyana being transformed and there is a reason why he wanted to be here today because the opening of this park [and] the holding of this event fits squarely within his vision of a modern Guyana.”

President Ali’s vision for Guyana, the minister pointed out, is one where every sector of the economy and every region enjoys prosperity and modernity.

Additionally, the senior minister noted that the establishment of the park is a fine example of what could be replicated in all parts of the country.

Meanwhile, the grand opening of the park featured grass-track races, which attracted hundreds of persons to the new recreational venue.

Senior Minister in the Office of the President with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh interacts with a young grass-track participant

Guyana to champion calls for more regional financing at COP 28

- President Ali says, carbon credits could increase on world market

By Naomi Parris

GUYANA is expected to host a side event at the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference/ Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC also known as COP 28 and the country’s Head of State, Dr. Irfaan Ali has signalled plans to lobby for more regional financing to support climate change efforts.

Dr. Ali on Tuesday during a candid conversation with former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Tony Blair, who is currently visiting Guyana said the price for a tonne of carbon trapped by the trees should be about US$70 instead of the current price of about US$7.

Guyana’s forests store approximately 19.5 gigatonnes of carbon and the President candidly said that the country should be paid more for its carbon credits.

Not only will he be lobbying for Guyana, but for the entire Caribbean Community (CARICOM) as well.

“I am from a Region, the CARICOM region and I do not see our prosperity separated from CARICOM’s prosperity,” Ali said during the discussions held at the University of Guyana Tur-

keyen campus.

Dr. Ali frankly noted that there must be a concrete financial framework to address not only the climate crisis, but also many other crises in the Region and globally.

“We must be able to deal with the climate-vulnerability fund, we must be able to deal with the reform of financial systems to address climate vulnerability and climate financing. We must be able to

find a formula through which we raise the pledge [sic] resources for adaptation.”

He added, “These are first and foremost on my mind as a regional leader and championing these regional issues is key for me and for Guyana.”

The Head of State further pointed out that the Region requires $2.3 trillion to achieve the essential Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

“As Guyanese, I also say we must never forget we are part of a wider collective whole.”

Similarly, Mr. Blair said that it is his hope that COP 28 will see global leaders advancing a framework that provides the necessary funding to players such as Guyana in the climate-change fight.

“I hope that this COP comes out with a significant and improved framework

whereby the developed world realizes its job is to help that process of financing the energy transition in the energy world.”

According to Mr. Blair, as development continues particularly in America, Europe and in Southeast Asia, combined emissions could be roughly 20 per cent by 2030.

GUYANA’S CARBON SALE

In December 2022, the Architecture for REDD+ Transactions (ART), issued the world’s first TREES credits to Guyana.

This marked a milestone as it was the first time a country was issued carbon credits specifically designed for the voluntary and compliance carbon markets for successfully preventing forest loss and degradation — a process known as jurisdictional REDD+.

Following the completion of an independent validation and verification process and approval by the ART Board of Directors, ART issued 33.47 million TREES credits to Guyana for the five-year period from 2016 to 2020.

This paved the way for a historic agreement between the Hess Corporation and the Government of Guyana, whereby the oil giants opted

to purchase about one-third of all Guyana’s credits (issued and anticipated) up to 2030.

The agreement will generate a minimum of US$750 million for Guyana over the coming decade and represents a major milestone on the journey towards a vision first set out in 2007.

Carbon credits, also known as carbon offsets, are permits or tradeable licences that represent the removal or reduction of carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for emissions made elsewhere.

A way to value the carbon trees store is by issuing forest carbon credits by independent verification organisations.

Companies can purchase these tradeable credits as a way of recognising that carbon stored in forests is one aspect of the solution to achieve a global climate, where one tonne of carbon dioxide has been decreased, avoided, or sequestered for every carbon credit.

Over 200 Indigenous communities in Guyana have begun benefitting from the sale of carbon credits.

Minister Manickchand, Cuban Ambassador explore special education and language programme

MINISTER of Education, Priya Manickchand, recently met with the Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Jorge Fancisco Soberon

Luis, discuss expansion of the Special Education Centre and about possible collaborations regarding the teaching of Spanish in

school.

Present during the meeting was Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Special Edu-

cation Needs and Disability (SEND), Mr Keon Cheong.

Minister Manickchand and Ambassador Luis discussed services offered by the centre, along with plans to provide additional support to expand those services to the Caribbean region.

Also discussed was the collaboration with Cuba to provide Spanish teachers for Guyana’s education system.

Following the meeting, Cheong guided Minister Manickchand and Ambassador Luis through the Regional Special Education Needs/Disability Diagnostic & Treatment Centre, located in the Cyril Potter College of Education’s compound, where they interacted with the staff.

From left: Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Jorge Fancisco Soberon Luis and Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for SEND, Keon Cheong, in discussion during a tour of the Regional Special Education Needs/Disability Diagnostic & Treatment Centre located in the Cyril Potter College of Education’s compound

Former UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and President, Dr. Irfaan Ali in conversation at the University of Guyana’s Turkeyen campus (Delano Williams photo)

'I will continue to fulfil my mandate'

- President Ali says the Opposition leader’s, attitude will not hinder his work

By Naomi Parris

PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan

Ali has made it clear that he will continue to fulfil his constitutional mandate and obligations to citizens including those in the opposition despite the APNU’s Opposition Leader, Aubrey Norton’s refusal to co-operate with the government.

“As President of Guyana, I have responsibility for the people of Guyana. Including the leader of the opposition and I take responsibility for all the people in Guyana including the leader of the opposition very seriously,” the Head of State said on Wednesday at the sidelines of an event.

“I will continue to fulfil my mandate as is expected of me in line with the Constitution and rule of law,” the President added.

In fact, the President revealed that standing members of the opposition have

engaged him on several occasions, however, the party’s leader has refused to meet with him to discuss matters of national development.

“The leader of the opposition’s attitude and his demeanour towards me would not in any shape or form influence my attitude towards the people of Guyana … every time we try to engage, every time we try to reach out. Engagement is not in the public domain. Engagement is about building relationships. Engagement is about nurturing relationships. Engagement is about building trust.”

He referenced several times in the past when Norton refused to shake his hands and acknowledge him on public occasions.

The President said himself and the previous Opposition Leader, Joseph Harmon, would engage in discussions.

Further questioned by the reporters, if he will facilitate

an engagement, President Ali referenced the legal hurdles his government have encountered, alluding to the opposition’s attempt to halt consultations.

“Engagement is not a

public spectacle,” the President said.

Key among the disputes is the delay in appointing a substantive Chancellor and Chief Justice. Norton, who assumed the role of

Opposition Leader in April 2022, expressed willingness to meet on this issue.

However, the lack of progress led Opposition Member of Parliament, Vinceroy Jordan to file a case challenging the perceived delay.

Justice Damone Younge ruled that both the President and the Leader of the Opposition bear the responsibility of reaching an agreement on appointments.

Although the Constitution does not impose a specific timeline for consultations, Justice Younge emphasised the importance of acting swiftly.

Norton has been criticised for the opposition’s refusal to engage in other constitutionally mandated consultations. The appointment of crucial positions such as Police Commissioner and the Police Service Commission (PSC) were met with the opposition’s inaction.

Additionally, the opposition’s failure to contribute meaningfully to important legislative amendments, including the Representation of the People Act (RoPA) and the new Production Sharing Agreement (PSA), has raised concerns about their commitment to the well-being of Guyanese citizens.

President Ali, determined to uphold his responsibilities despite the ongoing disputes, proceeded with the appointment of constitutional commissions despite Norton’s legal threats.

The Opposition took legal action to challenge the appointments of the PSC, Clifton Hicken, and the Natural Resource Fund Bill. However, these legal challenges were ultimately dismissed by the courts, validating President Ali’s actions as lawful and within his rights as the Head of State.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

Agencies sign MoUs to strengthen fight against financial crimes

By Celestine Juan

PRIOR to the on-site evaluation and examination by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) evaluation, law enforcement and supervisory agencies, on Wednesday, signed two memoranda of understanding (MoU) for co-operation and information sharing.

Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, during the signing ceremony held at the Sleep Inn International Hotel, on Wednesday, said that the events mark a significant step forward in the country’s commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring global security.

The heads of the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Guyana Police Force, the Guyana Wildlife Conservation Management Commission, Special Organised Crime Unit, the Customs Anti-Narcotics Unit, Guyana Defence Force Coast Guard, Guyana Revenue Authority, Central Immigration and Passport Office, Bank of Guyana, Guyana Gold Board, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission, Gaming Authority, Chief Co-operatives Development Officer, Registrar of Friendly Societies, Commercial and Deeds Registry, Ministry of Home Affairs, Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs and the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions signed that MOU on co-operation and information sharing between the agencies.

Highlighted the profound shifts in the global landscape, Nandlall explained that “We live in a radically different world now. And in a world where there are global regulators of important activities;

- to fix damage done by APNU+AFC

crime and security are foremost considerations on the global stage.”

At the centre of this effort stands the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global intergovernmental body focused on combating money laundering, terrorist financing, and other related threats.

The Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) is a regional affiliate that plays a crucial role in supervising and regulating financial activities in the Caribbean.

Nandlall pointed out the CFATF’s role in “establishing peripheral regulatory agencies across the globe” to effectively manage and monitor financial transactions.

Nandlall explained the urgency of this collaboration, emphasising that no corner of the world is entirely immune to criminal activities. He acknowledged that “the marauding criminal gangs of the world have assets... located at every corner of the globe,” necessitating a unified and coordinated response.

The Attorney General went on to discuss the evolv-

ing nature of criminal conduct, noting that criminals are quick to adopt advancements in science, technology, and information technology to carry out their illicit activities.

He emphasised that the fight against financial crimes requires constant adaptation and updating of legislation. “Constantly, we have recommendations that are churned out almost on an annual basis, which require all countries to keep updating the laws,” Nandlall stated.

Against this backdrop, Nandlall pointed out that Guyana’s journey to regain its global standing has been an arduous one, marked by legislative oversights that left the nation vulnerable to financial crimes and international sanctions.

During the period of 2011 to 2015, the joint opposition, comprising the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and Alliance For Change (AFC), held a precarious oneseat majority in the National Assembly.

He explained that this

power dynamic proved detrimental, as a series of critical legislative changes were voted down, leading to the nation’s placement on the grey list and causing severe ramifications that still linger today.

Nandlall lamented the missed opportunities during those years, highlighting the fact that global regulators of significant activities demand utmost attention to matters of crime and security.

“Many of you will recall during the period of 2011 to 2015, the joint opposition using the one-seat majority voted down a series of legislative changes, which we were required internationally to effect to our AML/CFT legislative framework,” he said. He said that consequences of the opposition’s actions were severe and far-reaching as Guyana found itself on a grey list, a designation indicating that the country was not in full compliance with international anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards.

Nandlall explained the re-

percussions were not limited to a mere stain on the nation’s reputation; they manifested as tangible losses.

“The banking sector is here, and they will tell you that they lost correspondent banking relations. Those who are here representing the money transfer agencies will tell you that when persons turned up at Grace Kennedy in New York, they had to show their source of income,” he said.

This meant that loss of correspondent banking relations and the increased scrutiny faced by money transfer agencies had a direct impact on the ease of financial transactions and international trade. Guyana’s economic landscape suffered, and its global financial credibility was undermined.

“There were a slew of sanctions that were imposed upon Guyana. We have not yet fully recovered from those sanctions” Nandlall said as he explained the extent of the damage, stating,

However, the People’s Progressive Party Civic-led

government have made efforts to address the situation.

Over the last few months, the National Assembly passed comprehensive legislative changes, including the AML/ CFT Amendment Bill, the Real Estate Agents and Brokerage Bill, and a National Compliance Bill.

Nandlall said that these legislative updates were aimed at rectifying the deficiencies that had led to Guyana’s grey list status and subsequent sanctions.

Acknowledging the uphill battle that lies ahead, he said, “We have to ensure that we bring our legislative requirements up to speed.”

He said that the global landscape of crime and criminality is constantly evolving, necessitating continuous adaptation and improvement of legislation.

“To meet the evolving, dynamic change, or changes that afflict the global landscape when it comes to crime and criminality,” he said while adding, “more and more [effort] becomes more intensifying.”

President Ali envisions Guyana as global hub for pharmaceutical innovation

By Naomi Parris

IN Guyana’s lush forested lands, thousands of Indigenous peoples have long relied on the healing properties of medicinal plants in their traditional healthcare practices. Passed down through generations orally, President Dr. Irfaan Ali envisions a future where the forest becomes a source of pharmaceuticals for modern healthcare.

Speaking at a recent dis-

on Guyana’s forestry preservation at the Univer-

sity of Guyana's Turkeyen Campus, President Ali emphasised the potential of the country's vast forest resources.

“Our forest has tremendous potential in pharmaceuticals; the indigenous community has already demonstrated their reliance on the forest's pharmaceutical values through what we term traditional medicine,” President Ali remarked during the engaging discourse with patrons and students.

He revealed plans for the establishment of an in-

novation centre to facilitate research and development efforts in this direction.

“As a country, one of the initiatives we're working on is the establishment of an innovation centre where research and development can transition into innovation, followed by the development of marketable products,” he explained.

However, the President stressed the importance of redefining perspectives on research and its role in driving progress.

“We need a clear path

from research to action; research without action is futile,” he emphasised. He challenged the notion that research should merely occupy shelves, stating that its true purpose is to stimulate transformation, growth, and

opportunity.

He asserted that Guyana's focus should be on leveraging research outcomes to effect change and enhance development.

“Our policy position is to position Guyana as a global

hub for the study of biodiversity, ecosystems, and notably, pharmaceuticals,” President Ali emphasised.

The establishment of an innovation centre reflects Guyana's commitment to harnessing its natural resources for the betterment of healthcare and scientific advancement. As the nation looks towards the future, the blending of traditional wisdom with modern research holds the promise of unlocking new horizons in pharmaceuticals and holistic healthcare.

Key law enforcement and supervisory agencies at the MoUs signing (Adrian Narine photo)

cussion

Enhancing Passenger Experience: CJIA progresses with state-of-the-art commercial centre

THE Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) is currently undergoing construction to facilitate a state-of-the-art commercial centre designed to further enhance the travel experience of passengers.

This is part of the government’s comprehensive approach to transforming the airport in alignment with the country’s recently elevated stature.

Works on the modern commercial centre are 50 per cent complete with a March 2024 deadline.

Chief Executive Officer of

CJIA, Ramesh Ghir, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Tuesday that the upgrade is in line with providing passengers with a first-class experience.

“Passengers usually dwell at the airport for long periods of time and so they look forward to these concessions and services, which are available at the airport as part of their airport experience. It is a custom that is currently experienced at airports worldwide and forms part of the passenger expectation.

“The duty-free shops,

restaurants/bars, kids’ play area and other amenities are what contribute to an enjoyable and convenient way to spend time at the airport for the passengers. We believe that by offering passengers an expanded and convenient location to shop, dine, and relax during and before their flights, we can create a more positive and memorable airport experience. This is in line with our commitment to providing a world-class service to our passengers,” he explained.

The facility will house 15 concessions including currency-exchange facilities, a restaurant and bar, food concessions, duty-free shops, kids’ play area, and ATMs. It will also include business, VIP, and executive lounges, as well as a presidential suite and a state-of-the-art conference room.

Additionally, the CEO noted

that the upgrade will create new avenues for major investments.

“The commercial centre is expected to enhance Guyana’s image as a modern and progressive country by creating opportunities for investment and further boosting the economy. It is also expected to create jobs, generate revenue, and improve the airport’s infrastructure.”

Meanwhile, the government has added an extended boarding corridor with two additional boarding bridges along with an extended runway, which has significantly enhanced the airport’s capability to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Boeing 777, the Dreamliner, AirBus, and other trans-Atlantic aircraft.

The security systems have seen tremendous improvements when compared to previous years.

In addition, the government

is working to digitise the entire immigration processing system by introducing biometric kiosks and electronic gates. This project has commenced and is expected to be completed in early 2024.

Also, passenger numbers have increased exponentially for 2023 with more than 405,000 passengers, which is 14 per cent higher than 2022.

As such, the CEO said, “We anticipate that our passenger numbers will continue to grow further with the hosting of Cricket Carnival in September.”

The modernisation of CJIA is a major investment in the future of Guyana as it is a critical transportation hub for the country, and the improvements will make it a more efficient airport operation for passengers and visitors.

Boosting hinterland agriculture: 170 tractors distributed to Indigenous Villages

TO advance agriculture development and food security, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs distributed 170 tractors and trailers to hinterland villages and Amerindian settlements across Guyana.

The vehicles currently offer support in the labour-intensive aspects of agriculture, while also serving as a means of transportation for residents in remote villages.

This update was provided by the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, during an interview on the sidelines of a recent visit to Rewa, North Rupununi, Region Nine.

“We are awaiting a balance of 20 [tractors] to come into the country that were purchased this year. All the matters of manufacturing and shipping usually take a while, so we expect that shipment to come in before the end of the

year,” the minister said.

She stated that the total distribution cost signifies a $700 million investment towards providing the tractors and trailers, including implements to these villages.

The government has acknowledged the hinterland’s comparative advantage in the agriculture sector; hence, the

much-needed support being provided to the indigenous villages.

It also seeks to advance the villages’ economic fortune and provide employment opportunities to youths.

A total of 202 communities are expected to receive the vehicles as part of the beneficial initiative.

One of the many scenes at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport

Chief Executive Officer of CJIA, Ramesh Ghir

A tractor and trailer which were provided to the Masakenari Village being utilised

Jehovah’s Witnesses launch special campaign

— spreading hope through God's Kingdom message

DURING September, a special campaign will be carried out by Jehovah's Witnesses in Guyana.

Local Witnesses are among nearly nine million Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide who are volunteering in a global campaign to bring attention to a universal solution to a better government: God’s Kingdom.

At a time when political reform is on the minds of many people, the Witnesses will feature a special edition of The Watchtower magazine, available in over 780 languages in print and online, with the theme, “What Is God’s Kingdom?”

Says one participant, “I’m eager to share this special magazine with my neighbours because it offers hope for the problems we are all facing. God’s Kingdom is the solution and I think our community will respond very positively to this message.”

Throughout the centuries, millions of Jesus’ followers have prayed the words “thy Kingdom come” but wonder what this means. The Witnesses’ special-edition magazine will reference key Bible passages.

Designed to appeal to both new and experienced Bible readers, the articles will provide clear and simple explanations for: Why Do We Need God’s Kingdom? When Will God’s Kingdom Rule the Earth? and What Will

God’s Kingdom Accomplish?

“It’s no secret that many people feel we need better rulership, but few can agree on how to achieve this,” said Andre Darrell, spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “The good news is, Jesus, will be the perfect ruler who can and will solve all the problems we are facing here on earth. Our campaign will bring this much-needed message of hope to our communities.”

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jehovah’s Witnesses distributed millions of this special-edition magazine through letters, even sending copies to thousands of government officials worldwide. Now that they have returned to their door-to-door public ministry post-pandemic, this will be the first in-person campaign where they can discuss the important and timely subject with their neighbours.

A free digital copy of this special issue of The Watchtower and information about Jehovah’s Witnesses’ activities is available at jw.org. The Witnesses’ official website offers practical Bible-based content for people of all ages and beliefs in over 1,070 languages.

For more information, please visit jw.org or contact Andre Darrell on 617-9089 or ADarrell@JW.ORG.

Jehovah’s Witnesses’ September campaign to bring attention to a universal solution to a better government: God’s Kingdom

GUYANA CHRONICLE,

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Thursday August 31, 2023)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD - 83 Garnett Street, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158)

Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Chris Gayle - 111* (JT vs Zouks) (2) Krishmar Santokie - 4/11 (GAW vs Zouks)

Today’s Quiz:

Who were the two losing teams from the Qualifying round of CPL 2014?

Who were the captains involved in the CPL 2014 final?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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Marsh, David, Sangha star as Australia rout South Africa

(ESPNCRICINFO) -

Matches between South Africa and Australia are as one-sided as this one only once in a blue moon; and the only one of 2023 hung over Kingsmead like a bad omen for the hosts. They returned to international action after almost five months, appeared undercooked with both bat and ball and were no match for an Australian XI that featured four debutants and a new captain. Australia registered their biggest margin of victory over South Africa to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Mitchell Marsh, in his first game as Australia captain, led from the front with a career-best 92* off 49 balls to help Australia post their highest T20I score against South Africa, and sixth highest in the format.

Marsh set the match-up well in the Powerplay along-

side Matthew Short and then shared a 97-run fifth-wicket stand with Tim David, off just 52 balls, to ensure Australia's total was insurmountable.

South Africa's attack was experimental and their inexperience in the absence of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Keshav Maharaj, showed. They only used five bowlers in this match and all were expensive. Lungi Ngidi conceded at more than 12 runs per over and the lines and lengths of the entire attack were inconsistent.

Still, a good Kingsmead pitch meant the score was chaseable but South Africa were never in the hunt. They were 69 for 5 inside nine overs and could not recover from there, despite Reeza Hendricks' seventh half-century in nine T20Is. Marcus Stoinis impressed with the new ball and took 3 for 18 in three overs but the hon-

ours belonged to debutant leg-spinner, Tanveer Sangha, whose middle-order strikes put the result beyond doubt.

Smashing Powerplay records

Before this match, Australia held the record for the highest T20I Powerplay score at Kingsmead and after it, they still hold it, albeit with a new one. The top four plundered 70 runs in the first six overs while South Africa's attack sprayed the ball all

over the place. Travis Head got the boundary count going with a six over point off the second ball of the innings but was dismissed off the next ball; Marsh took 20 runs off Lungi Ngidi's first over and Matthew Short hit Marco Jansen onto the grass embankment. But the shot of the Powerplay was when Marsh struck a 93-metre six over the roof of the grandstand and onto Masabalala Yengwa Avenue. The ball could not

be retrieved. Australia lost Short and Josh Inglis in successive overs, but that didn't stop them. David brought his big-hitting to the middle order and dispatched a second ball into the street, on his way to a 24-ball fifty.

Bavuma (the fielder) is back

His T20 batting form has been one of the biggest talking points of the last year but even before he had the opportunity to show what he can do in that department, he was called into action in the field. David was on 64 when he tried to slice Tabraiz Shamsi over the off side. Bavuma ran to his right from wide long-off, leapt to his right and judged the swirling ball well to take it over his head. Equally important, at time when grounding the ball before it was established as under control, Bavuma held on to it as he landed to end an innings from David that was

threatening to take the total beyond South Africa. But Bavuma the batter…. Not so much. Stoinis opened the bowling for the second time in his T20I career and even on a humidity-less Durban night found substantial swing. Hendricks left the first two balls alone and then drove the third through mid-on. The first ball Bavuma faced cut him in half as he lost balance when it straightened and the second seamed in, snuck through the batpad gap and bowled Bavuma for his third T20I duck in nine innings in the last 11 months. Stoinis enjoyed the wicket so much he chose to use his celebration to have a go at another South African, Lizaad Williams, who had Stoinis caught on the pull earlier. Williams celebrated with a salute and Stoinis replicated that to send Bavuma off.

England power to seven-wicket win over NZ

(ESPNCRICINFO) - En -

gland's rejigged T20I team powered out of their mothballs with a crushing seven-wicket victory under the floodlights at Chester-le-Street, as they hunted down a sub-par target of 140 with six full overs to spare.

A fine home-town debut from the seamer Brydon Carse denied New Zealand any momentum despite a misleadingly run-laden first over from Finn Allen, whereupon a brace of forceful knocks from Dawid Malan and the inevitable Harry Brook allowed Jos Buttler to sit back in the dressing-room with his feet up, resting up for more meaningful contests to come.

In their first white-ball outing since the tour of Bangladesh in March, England showed once again that their depth of options is second-to-none in the world game. Despite losing two prospective fast-bowling debutants, Josh Tongue and John Turner, to injury, and resting a third, Gus Atkinson, for later in the series, England's line was led instead by Carse and the left-armer Luke Wood, who claimed three wick-

ets apiece.

In reply England never looked like letting their grip on the contest slip, despite the firstover loss of Jonny Bairstow, and once Malan had anchored the chase with his 17th fifty-plus score in 56 T20I innings, Brook and Liam Livingstone, with a huge blow for six over deep midwicket, closed out the chase in short order.

False dawn in the powerplay

Allen's most recent on-field act, in the green of Southern

Brave, had been to slam 69 from 38 balls in a riotous (but unsuccessful) opening onslaught in last week's Hundred Eliminator. And so the die seemed to have been cast when he climbed into a massive yahoo at Wood's second delivery of the match. He didn't connect on that occasion, but each of the next three flew out of the park - one down the ground, two high over midwicket - in an apparent signal of another powerplay charge.

What followed, however,

was a near-complete lockdown from England's new-look seam attack. Sam Curran applied the handbrake with a five-run second over before the debutant Carse conceded a solitary run off the bat with his relentless deck-thumping approach.

A switch of ends for Wood then paid early dividends as Devon Conway snicked a drive with no footwork to fall for 3 from 8, and after Carse had burst through Allen's defence with an 87mph leg-stump-seeker, Wood made it two in three overs as Tim Seifert was suckered by the angle from round the wicket to lose his off stump for 9.

New Zealand's powerplay thus amounted to 18 for 0 from three balls, and 20 for 3 from the remaining 33, to set in motion a batting display that was never able to recover any poise.

Spin turns the screw

With the introduction of spin in the seventh over, New Zealand's innings suffered a similar false dawn. Mark Chapman picked Adil Rashid's first-ball leg-break and smoked him over midwicket for six… but his team

managed just five more runs in the next nine before Moeen Ali, a scourge of left-handers, bowled Chapman with a beauty that held its line from round the wicket to take the top of off stump.

At 49 for 4, New Zealand were once again in need of a big performance from Daryl Mitchell, but on this occasion, even his long levers couldn't turn the tide.

Liam Livingstone entered the attack with a startlingly sharp legbreak that leapt past Mitchell's edge, and - seemingly spooked - Mitchell climbed through the line of his very next ball, but could only pick out Brook on the long-off boundary. Rashid was then rewarded for an unremarkably excellent three-over spell with the soft dismissal of Mitchell Santner, who toe-ended a cut to point.

Carse applies the coup de grace

Thereafter, it was all about the scramble to the bottom of the innings. Glenn Phillips was New Zealand's best hope of a competitive total, but his subdued 41 from 38 was ended by

the sharpest take of the innings, as Curran in the covers read the fade on a sliced drive at a Wood slower ball, and leapt to his left to cling on in both hands.

Adam Milne and Ish Sodhi then landed a six apiece off consecutive balls to at least hoist England's target past a run a ball, but Carse was on hand to shut down the innings in style. His first ball of the 20th over was an inch-perfect off-cutter, on that hard in-between length that skidded past Milne's wipe to leg; his fifth was fired into the toes, demanding that Sodhi took on the longest boundary, and he duly failed.

Carse had opened his account with 1 for 3 in his first two overs. Now he closed the innings down with 3 for 23 all told, his best in all T20s, and delivered with that familiar pitch-battering poise that Liam Plunkett once brought to England's white-ball attack. For a man who wasn't initially picked for this T20I squad, it was quite the way to celebrate becoming England's 100th cap in the format.

Brydon Carse claimed a wicket in his second over on debut (Getty Images)

Mitchell Marsh registered his career-best T20I score (Getty Images)

Joseph hits ton as Munroe Road CC ends tour on a high

By Sean Devers

The Munroe Road U-18 cricket team of Trinidad and Tobago, on Tuesday, ended their six-match tour of Guyana on a high when they beat Everest in their own ‘backyard.’

The victory was led by an accomplished unbeaten 107 from opener Jaden Joseph.

The tourists played three 50-over and three T20 games; beating Rosehall Canjie by a run and Everest by 85 runs.

Former T&T U-19 player Anil Basant, the father of the team member Aaron Basant, said it was not all about winning.

“This was a developmental tour for us and while winning is good, the most important thing we achieved from the time we spent in Guyana was the mental development and the experience gained by the players.

We had some close games and we played some good cricket while the game at Everest was the best venue and cricket conditions” said Coach Basant, who played from 1994-1996 at the Regional U-19 level.

“It was an enjoyable trip… the boys to see Berbice while we played our first at

the famous Bourda. I believe that our club will have at least two players from this team being selected for next year’s T&T’s U-17 team,” Basant said.

The T20 segment began in Berbice, when Rosehall Canjie made 120-7 with Deviskar Persaud making 79

Tyrrell powers to...

From page 24

while the ‘Trinis’ were restricted to 118-4 despite 57 from Joseph while Justin Ramjohn made 33.

At QC, the home team won by one run with MYO making 147-7 as Marlon Bowen scored 61 not out before Munroe Road reached 146-7 with Basant, the leading scorer in the 50-over format, making 47 and Ramjohn getting 25 while in Tuesday’s game Everest could only manage 109-7.

Basant had two wickets while Adriane Boodram took 3-22.

Munroe Road batted first and made 192-3 as Joseph’s unbeaten hundred lasted just 60 balls and, along with Ramjohn who made 34, added 71 for the first wicket before Basant made 21.

Before the game, Speaker of the National Assembly and President of Everest CC, Manzoor Nadir, hosted the visitors for lunch.

Former Sports Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, Manohar Ramsaran and Nadir spoke to the gathering of players, supporters and Media during a short ceremony.

Johnson’s hundred helps Windies U-19 level series

CMC – Left-hander

Jordan Johnson hit a stunning hundred while Joshua Dorne and Tarrique Edward carved out contrasting fifties, as West Indies Under-19s crushed Sri Lanka Under-19s by 195 runs to level their three-match Youth One-Day International series.

Behind Johnson’s 79-ball 105, West Indies U-19s piled up an impressive 320 for eight off their 50 overs here Wednesday, Joshua Dorne chipping in with a measured 56 from 73 balls and number eight Tarrique Edward lashing a breezy unbeaten 53 from 36 balls.

In reply, Isaiah Thorne (3-18) and Deshawn James (3-30) produced three

wickets hauls while leftarm pacer Nathan Edward claimed two for 17, to wreck the hosts’ run chase and leave it in ruins at 125 all out in the 31st over.

The two teams will meet again in the series decider on Friday at the same venue.

Sent in, West Indies

Under-19s suffered an early setback when they lost their captain, Stephen Pascal, cheaply for six in the third over with seven runs on the board, bowled by left-arm spinner Vishwa Lahiru.

However, Dorne repaired the damage, first in a 41-run, second- wicket stand with opener Adrian Weir (32) and then in a superb 160-run, third wicket partnership with Johnson.

Dorne hit half-dozen fours while Johnson, one of the stand-outs in the recent West Indies Under-19 championship, belted a dozen fours and three sixes.

When both batsmen fell in the space of 11 deliveries, it triggered a slide which saw five wickets tumble for 41 runs, to leave the innings tottering on 249 for seven at the end of the 42nd over, with off-spinner Sineth Jayawardene the main destroyer with four for 36.

Edward arrived to turn the tide, unveiling an excellent counter-attacking knock with two fours and three sixes, and inspiring a 60-run eighth-wicket stand with Nathan Edward (13), to ensure the tail wagged.

The 16-year-old James then struck key early blows for the visitors, bowling both Sineth Jayawardene (4) and Ravishan Nethsara (0) in successive overs, and when Thorne removed both Dinura Kalupahana (18) and Sharujan Shanmuganathan (0) to catches at the wicket in the 10th over, Sri Lanka Under-19s were in strife at 34 for five.

Malsha Tharupathi conjured up a last-ditch effort, blasting four fours and four sixes in a 35-ball knock, as he put on 46 for the seventh wicket with Supun Waduge (8).

Once Edward had Waduge caught at the wicket in the 21st over, however, Sri Lanka U-19s lost their last four wickets for 39 runs.

squat attempt at 227.5kg, just over 500 lbs. He got it on the second attempt but failed his third attempt at 232.5kg. Already on the board though, Tyrrell placed that behind him and was focused on the bench press which saw him getting all three lifts, the highest being 140.0kg. It kept him in the fray and despite not challenging for the top podium spots overall, Tyrrell knew that he had something special coming in his pet lift -- the deadlift.

With a very eye-catching routine, before he attempts every deadlift, Tyrrell’s first attempt was the highest by any lifter in both flights, 300.0kg. It was a successful attempt that propelled him into the gold medal spot for this lift. Fans in the competition arena and, indeed, those in Guyana and around the world were anticipating an even bigger attempt for his second attempt but that was not to be as he timed out that second attempt. His third and final attempt was 310.0kg but he was not able to lift it off the platform. That was the exact weight that India’s Aren Joy Fernandes achieved on his second attempt to land the deadlift gold medal.

Tyrrell’s first attempt was solid enough for the silver whilst his Total of 667.5kg was good enough to seal him the 10th position overall in the world out of the 20 competitors.

In an invited comment after the medal presentation, Tyrrell said he loves to be very frank with analysing his performances, and in this instance, it was the worst that he has had at the competition level since he started the sport.

“It was the first time that I have gone into a competition and not hit the numbers or anywhere near the numbers that I was planning to hit. It was the first time that I didn’t make any progress with my total since I started powerlifting. All things considered, I definitely have a lot of room to improve and I definitely should have put a better foot forward.”

He further noted that there were a number of challenges he had encountered prior to getting to Romania and clearly being in a weight class that is too low, was a challenge.

“It’s about time that I move up to 83kg which is my plan. I’m definitely too tall for this weight class. All things considered, I’m happy that I am the 10th strongest lifter in the world, I am the second-best dead-lifter in the world and to have accomplished that on my worst day possible, I am not mad at all. I am contented and glad that Guyana’s flag was able to fly at least in some regard.”

Tyrrell has expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport; the National Sports Commission, the Guyana Amateur Powerlifting Federation, Mr. Oudit Seenarain and his family for making his dream a reality.

Meanwhile, Alberto Herraiz Frances of Spain, who won the squat (267.5kg) also took the overall Gold with a total of 710.0kg, Silver went to Bobby Kian Tong Tan (702.5kg) of Singapore, who was the Gold medal winner of the bench press contest with 190.0kg while the overall Bronze medal was presented to Thomas Bouyer of France (700.0kg) who was also the Bronze medal winner in the bench press with 170.0kg.

Silver in the squat was taken by Alessandro Pastorello (255.0kg) of Italy, and the Bronze went to Frances’ colleague, Marcos Albaladejo Castro (152.5kg). The bench press Silver was won by Laszlo Pota of Hungary (175.0kg). Sy James Emmanuel of the Philippines was the deadlift Bronze medallist.

Jaden Joseph scored 107 for the touring T&T team in their final game (Sean Devers photo)

The talented Aaron Basant scored the most runs for MRCC

GCC Men’s Hockey team wins ‘Banks Festival’ title in B’dos

Coach Scott describes feeling as ‘Amazing’

By Sean Devers

The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC), the Caribbean’s oldest cricket club, created history when their Men’s Hockey team became the first ever Guyanese team to win a title at the Barbados Hockey Federation (BHF) Banks Hockey Festival over the weekend.

GCC beat NY Islanders 3-2 in thrilling penalty shootout in a riveting Men’s final on Sunday while Hickers of Guyana lost in the mixed division finals; going down 2-0 to Rockets.

“It's an amazing feeling to be the first Guyanese team to have won this prestigious tournament. It is the highest rated regional club outdoor tournament attracting teams for USA, Canada and Europe. This year's tournament

featured one Male USAbased team and multiple players who are active in Europe and the USA,” informed Coach Dwayne Scott.

Scott explained that GCC's sole reason for winning was desire.

“Our biggest challenge was adopting to the surface and the style of play, particularly for the player doing this for the first time. Fortunately, we have a good mix with mature and current nationals, so the process was not as difficult as with some teams in the past” Scott continued.

Scott informed that some of the players that's stood out were the Sargeant siblings, Mark and Meshach, along with Jamaraj Assanah, goal-keeper Medroy Scotland, and Andrew Stewart, all of whom are national players.

GCC became the first Guyanese team to win Banks Festival Hockey title in Barbados

The surprise, Scott said, came from players such as Tariq Nelson and 17-year-old Anthony Harry, who were extremely

Rebel Tennis Club marred by Flight issues in St Lucia

Four players from the Rebel Tennis Club competed in the SAGICOR/ St. Lucia COTECC tournament from August 4th to 11th.

Kimora Erskine won the consolation competition and teamed up with her cousin, Niomi Erskine, to reach the U-12 Doubles final. They lost by walkover due to flight issues.

Nathan DeNobrega, who is ranked 21 in COTECC, lost in the quarter finals of the main draw. He also reached the U-14 Doubles final

However, after rain delays, he was unable to compete the match since it was scheduled to be replayed on the day he was departing St. Lucia.

Niomi Erskine also reached the main draw and lost in the semi-final of the Girls U-12. She reached the final in the U-12 Doubles.

Christin Richmond reached the main draw for the second time in three regional tournaments but lost in the first round.

Coach of the Club,

Andre Erskine, would like to thank his strong support team, especially the parents of Rebel Tennis Club.

(Sean Devers)

dependable throughout the tournament.

“We are hoping that these results (GCC & Hickers) highlight the potential that exists in Guyana. We came up against seasoned players who play on the special surface daily while we play on grass. If we were to be afforded the same resources, we can definitely develop more players and at a higher level.

We would like to ex -

press appreciation to all stakeholders that contributed to these successes. Special thanks are extended to Branderz Guyana Inc and Extra Energy and Beer for their contributions,” Coach Scott, who previously participated in swimming, concluded.

Meanwhile, GCC will host a weekend of Sports on September 9 & 10 to bring many different sports to its facility.

According to com -

mittee member Jonathan Yearwood, thirteen Sports associations will showcase their Sports disciplines. Entry fee to the pavilion is $200 while the Rohan Kanhai Stand is free.

The Sports Associations involved are Football, Hockey, Tapeball cricket, Softball cricket, Badminton, Archery, Darts, Table Tennis, Volleyball, Netball, Karate, Brazilian Jui-Jitsu and Tennis.

Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League Amazon Warriors’ Taylor raring to go

The Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League begins today at the Kensington Oval from 15:00hrs with the Guyana Amazon Warriors playing the host nation, Barbados Royals.

The three team women’s segment of the tournament also features the Trinbago Knight Riders.

Ahead of today’s game, captain of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, Stafanie Taylor, was optimistic about her team’s chances. “I’m really happy about the group of players in my team and I look forward to working with them all and hopefully

lead us to winning the title. I know the season will be exciting with the new overseas players that have been added to the competition and I’m just raring to go.”

She added, “Franchise cricket for women is on the rise and I am happy that the CPL has made it possible for the Caribbean women to compete…”

Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews, captain of the Barbados Royals, said, “It is great to be back with the Barbados Royals for this year’s WCPL. Obviously, we are hoping to go one

step further than we did last year but with the calibre of players within the squad this year we think we have a really good shot of doing that.

The inclusion of foreign internationals throughout all the teams will help improve the standard of the competition overall. Within the Royals we have a really good blend of experience from the local girls as well as the girls coming in from overseas which should, hopefully, help us gel well together with the youngsters as well.”

(From left) Kimora Erskine, Nathan DeNobrega, Niomi Erskine & Christin Richmond

Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League

Amazon Warriors’ Taylor raring to go

See page 23

IPF World Sub-Junior and Junior Powerlifting C/ships… Tyrrell powers to deadlift silver

- Ends 10th overall in the 74kg Category

See page 22

Johnson’s hundred helps Windies U-19 level series

Even though he described it as the worst performance ever since he began his powerlifting career, Guyana’s Dominic Tyrrell ended his participation at the 2023 edition of the World Men's Juniors and Sub-Juniors Classic Championships in Cluj Napoca, Romania with a silver medal in the deadlift. The day for the 23-year-

old, T&T-based strongman, who is now destined for France where he has landed a job, did not lift off well but ended glowingly with him announcing to the world that Guyana is a nation to be reckoned with in the powerlifting world.

Lifting in the second of two flights of lifters, 10 in each, Tyrrell failed his first

Continued on page 22

Jordan Johnson celebrates his brilliant hundred in the second Youth One-Day International against Sri Lanka Under-19s on Wednesday (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

Junior world 74kg deadlift Bronze medallist, Guyanese Dominic Tyrrell (left) with India’s Aren Joy Fernandes (Gold medal) and Sy James Emmanuel of the Philippines who took Bronze