Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 26-11-2022

Code Orange set in motion

- raft of measures implemented to tackle violence against women, children

GENDER-Based Vio lence (GBV) is viewed as a scourge that must be eradi cated and the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Per saud emphasised, on Fri

day, that the government is quite serious about tackling this issue in Guyana.

The Minister said this as she addressed Guyana’s launch of the ‘16 Days of Activism’ global campaign,

which, according to the United Nations (UN), is meant to raise awareness on GBV, and encourage actions that counter the issue.

There are sobering global statistics that underscore the

need for this campaign. Min ister Persaud noted that the UN found that an average of five girls or women are killed every hour.

“The (UN) report that came out and gave a snap

shot of 2021 really brought home that every day, within 60 minutes, five women and girls are killed. If that is not alarming, then I don’t know what else can shake us to our core, and remind us that you

need to make every effort to end the scourge of violence against women and girls,” the Human Services Minister lamented.

$13.6M contract signed for new community centre in North Sophia

– to create employment opportunities for youths, residents

IN keeping with the gov ernment’s commitment to providing employment op portunities for all, the Min istry of Local Government and Regional Development has signed a $13.6 million contract with the North Sophia Community De velopment Council (CDC) to develop a community centre.

Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Ministry, Prema RamahahRoopnarine, and Chairman of the CDC, Uriah France signed the contract at the North Sophia playground on Friday afternoon.

The execution of the project will be undertaken solely by members of the community, with supervision from the ministry. Labour

and materials will also be sourced from within the community.

Local Government Minister Nigel Dharamlall, while delivering remarks, said part of President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s vi sion of “One Guyana” is to ensure everyone benefits from the support of govern ment including employment opportunities.

Apart from the construc tion of the centre, persons will be employed as com munity enhancement work ers shortly.

“People must also ben efit in terms of the employ ment landscape. In North Sophia and many other com munities, we have quite a lot of unemployed people or underemployed persons. So, we would like Mr. Chair man that quite a lot of these

More APNU+AFC corruption uncovered

- contractor allowed to walk away with millions of dollars

MORE information continues to point to corrupt practices under the APNU+AFC re gime, as the Auditor-General (AG), Deodat Sharma has exposed several questionable deals that have cost taxpayers several millions of dollars.

One of many such cases highlighted in the AG’s 2021 report relates to the upgrade of portions of the East Coast Dem erara (ECD) road.

In the first case highlighted by the AG, the sum of $100 million was overpaid on the contract for the upgrading of the road from La Bonne Intention (LBI) to Beterverwagting, ECD.

According to the AG’s re port, the total sum overpaid by the APNU+AFC administration was $120.683 million, of which sum, $20.683 million was repaid by the contractor.

Budget officials within the then Ministry of Public Works have stated that reminder letters

were sent to the contractor in February of 2019 and January of 2020. However, there have not been any additional recoveries during the reporting period.

“Therefore, the Contrac tor’s indebtedness remains at $100M,” the AG report stated.

However, the AG report pointed out that based on an agreement, dated 20 May 2021, between the contracting firm and the Government of Guyana, Section 1.5 states: “… various Ministries & Departments and servants/agents shall forebear from taking any steps to recover monies, debts and liabilities of the company until the expiry of seven years from the date hereof.”

Further, the AG flagged the sum of $112 million overpaid on the contract for the upgrading of the road from Beterverwagting to Triumph, also on the ECD.

According to the AG’s re port, the total sum overpaid was

$132.649 million, of which, $20.649 million was repaid by the contractor.

The Head of Budget Agency had stated that the contractor was written to make restitution of outstanding debt on Septem ber 11, 2019 and January 29, 2020. However, no response has been received to date.

According to the AG’s re port, the Head of Budget stated that despite a reminder letter being sent to the contractor in January 2020, there has been no further recoveries for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

“Therefore, the Contractor’s indebtedness remains at $112 million,” the AG report stated.

In this instance as well, the agreement between the govern ment and contractors dated May 20, 2021 underscores: “Various ministries & departments and servants/agents shall forebear from taking any steps to recover monies, debts and liabilities of

the company until the expiry of seven years from the date hereof.”

The AG report also men tions that the sum of $14.806 million, which was advanced to a contractor for the upgrading of the highway from Triumph to Mon Repos also on the ECD, was still not recovered.

According to the AG, the advance payment bond expired on December 12 2015 while, the performance bond which covered $32.892 million, also expired in December 2015.

The Head of Budget Agency had stated that the company was dissolved and advice was sought from the Ministry of Legal Affairs.

During investigation, the AG found that the contracting company was dissolved and the company won judgement in the matter, thus making the collection of $14.806 million a virtual impossibility.

youngsters within the com munity, whether male or fe male that you are contracted, you’re given a job on this project, you’re going to be paid,” Minister Dharamlall stated.

He noted that this is the biggest government invest ment that will be executed at the community level and the CDC must provide the government with names of persons who are employed on the project.

“It can’t be people from outside the constituency, it got to be people from this area and I am sure they have a lot of skilled people as well as people who de serve to work,” the minister pointed out.

Minister within the Of fice of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Pub lic Affairs, Kwame McCoy, in his remarks, described the signing of the contract as ‘significant’ and demonstra tive of another commitment fulfilled by the PPP/C Gov ernment.

During past outreaches to the community, residents raised the need for a commu

nity centre to be established for the younger generation to benefit educationally and socially.

Minister McCoy iterated the government’s commit ment to the development of every Guyanese.

“We are committed to your development, we are committed to working with you, it doesn’t stop here, it will continue but as I said we need each one of you in this community onboard and we need you to be onboard as a community in a united fash ion,” the minister expressed.

Tourism Minister Onei dge Walrond also shared similar sentiments, and said the Centre will provide a safe space for children.

Meanwhile, the chair man of the CDC commend ed the government for de livering on its promise, and assured that everyone will be involved in the execution of the project.

France urged mem bers of his community to come and work together and do what’s best for the development of their com munity. (DPI)

Courts cancels ‘Black Friday last call’ after security threat

COURTS Guyana, after recording a historic blow out sale due to its enticing Black Friday deals, had to cancel its “last call” activ ity between 22:00hrs on Friday to Saturday mid night because of serious security threats.

A video, which was cir culated on popular social media platform, Tik Tok, showed persons charging into the store, and snatching whatever was within their hand-reach.

While the Guyana Chronicle was unable to ascertain whether it was a case of theft and vandal ism, the company, shortly after the video was posted

on Friday evening, re ported on its Facebook page: “In an effort to guar antee the safety of all our customers and staff, and on the advice of our se curity personnel, please be informed that we are cancelling the “Last Call” segment of our Black Fri day sale schedule.”

The store, according to its Facebook post, contin ued with all other existing offers until it was closed at midnight.

Many Guyanese, from Friday midnight, were able to capitalise on the deals, which entailed up to 80 per cent discounts on select items.

Scores of persons were able to capitalise on the Black Friday deals offered by Courts Guyana from Friday midnight to Saturday midnight despite security threats that forced the company to change its plans (Elvin Croker photo)

Permanent Secretary in the Local Government Ministry Prema Ramahah-Roopnarine and Chairman of the North Sophia Community Development Council Uriah France signing the contract, as, standing from left and looking on are: Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall; Minister of Tourism Industry and Commerce Oneidge Walrond; and Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister Kwame McCoy (DPI photo)

Code Orange set in motion

- raft of measures implemented to tackle

GENDER-Based Vio lence (GBV) is viewed as a scourge that must be eradi cated and the Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Per saud emphasised, on Fri day, that the government is quite serious about tackling this issue in Guyana.

The Minister said this as she addressed Guyana’s launch of the ‘16 Days of Activism’ global campaign, which, according to the United Nations (UN), is meant to raise awareness on GBV, and encourage actions that counter the issue.

There are sobering global statistics that underscore the need for this campaign. Min ister Persaud noted that the UN found that an average of five girls or women are killed every hour.

“The (UN) report that came out and gave a snap shot of 2021 really brought home that every day, within 60 minutes, five women and girls are killed. If that is not alarming, then I don’t know what else can shake us to our core, and remind us that you need to make every effort to end the scourge of violence against women and girls,” the Human Services Minister lamented.

She added: “As we con tinue to look at what we are tackling in our world today and in our country, we are fully aware, again, from that report by UN Women that 81,000 women and girls would have lost their lives in 2021. That’s an enormous number of women and girls!”

Alarmingly, she high lighted that 45,000 of those 81,000 women and girls would have lost their lives at the hands of a family member. As such, she con tended that violence is close to home.

But stark global statistics are not divorced from the reality in Guyana. The Hu man Services Minister ac knowledged that GBV is an issue here, but posited that it is one that her Ministry, and by extension, the govern ment has been serious about combatting.

“... this brings home the many steps that we need to take to eradicate violence against women and girls,” Dr. Persaud said.

In 2020, months after the Irfaan-Ali government took office, Dr. Persaud said Guy ana signed on to the UN’s Spotlight Initiative, which led to the creation of a com prehensive referral pathway

to tackle violence locally.

One of the first initia tives, part of that comprehen sive anti-violence pathway, was the establishment of a toll-free 914 hotline to report domestic violence in Guy ana. The minister said that a total of 11,327 calls were made to that hotline. This year, the figure increased.

“... that number will con tinue to climb, but I feel bet ter about it, because it means people are taking reporting seriously, and I believe that’s the first step in this fight. We must report every instance of violence and abuse,” Dr. Persaud underscored.

Another initiative was the creation of the novel iMatter mobile app which offers resources to those in need. Those resources, the minister highlighted, range from a 914 panic button for immediate assistance to edu cational information for any person to access and digest.

Because inadequate po lice officers’ responses to cases of domestic violence have been rife, Minister Per saud reminded that police training has also been a key intervention. So far, her min istry has been able to train 1,476 policemen under the ‘CopSquad2000’ initiative;

violence against women, children

partner to the level that we want to be at to deliver the services across the length and breadth of our country,” the Human Services Minister underscored.

On Friday, at the launch of the ‘16 Days of Activism’ campaign, a new “Orange Avenue” was created on Camp Street, Georgetown. Orange is the internationallyused colour for anti-domestic violence efforts, and Minister Persaud hopes the avenue can be a permanent fixture, where people can learn about the services being offered by the ministry and its partners.

a total of 2,000 officers have been targeted.

“I know we haven’t got ten to 2000, but we’re work ing on it, and these are the kinds of steps that we’ve taken as a government, as a country, and as a ministry to be able to let people know you are not alone.

“There are services like shelters, rent that we can pay for you, linkages that we have developed between you and the women’s inno vation investment network, to take women to financial independence and so many

of our other services. The point is, we are all involved. We are all united, and that constitutes activism at its fin est,” Minister Persaud said.

Other key initiatives launched include the devel opment of a survivors’ ad vocate programme, and the provision of much-needed legal services, pro bono. And all of these initiatives, she said, signal the importance of partnerships and community involvement in tackling a national issue.

“... We must work with every partner, and take every

She also hopes that it would be able to stimulate further conversation on the importance of ending vio lence, thereby encouraging people to meaningfully act to combat that violence.

Aside from the Orange Avenue created, the Min istry of Human Services and Social Security will host several activities to commemorate the 16 Days of Activism in the coming days. Consultations on a new Family Violence Bill, which seeks to address the gaps in Guyana’s existing Domestic Violence laws, are among the forthcoming events.

Emergency works, constant monitoring ongoing to mitigate flooding

HEAVY rainfall across Guyana poses the threat of flooding, but the govern ment, through its various agencies and ministries, is constantly monitoring drainage structures and en gaging in emergency works as needed to counter any flooding.

The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) has intensified its operations to ensure floodaffected areas across the country are drained within the shortest possible time, a release from the Ministry of Agriculture noted on Friday.

Earlier this week, NDIA engineers and other work ers were dispatched across Georgetown to monitor the drainage pumps and sluices amid heavier-than-usual rain fall recorded. Since then, those structures and equip ment have been constantly monitored and regulated to guarantee that no part of the city becomes inundated.

“Our engineers have been working around the clock to ensure these pump stations and sluices are functioning effectively. We know for a fact that the entire Coast is below sea level and with climate change contributing to higher water levels and

unpredictable weather con ditions, the Coastal Regions have become even more vul nerable,” Agriculture Min ister Zulfikar Mustapha was quoted as saying.

Importantly, he added that the ministry is putting a number of other systems in

place to assist with effective ly draining affected areas. He also issued a call to residents to desist from dumping gar bage in the waterways since those can damage the costly drainage structures.

Despite the government’s constant monitoring, the Cowan Street, Georgetown sluice door collapsed on Fri day night. It is unknown what triggered the collapse, but workers were immedi ately dispatched to fix the structure.

Minister of Local Gov ernment and Regional De velopment Nigel Dharamlall, who was at the scene on Fri day, stated that this sluice is one of Georgetown’s main drainage outlets, and as such, fixing it is of paramount im portance.

Public Works Minister, Bishop Juan Edghill said that when the tide recedes, the engineers at the site would be able to remedy the situation. He promised that there would

be no major flooding in the area because of the damage.

The Agriculture Minis try’s Hydromet Department’s daily weather update urged citizens to take the necessary precautions, noting that with the current forecast condi tions, flash flooding and flooding are very likely over low-lying and flood-prone areas.

The advisory also said that in areas of thunder storms, heavy winds and possible lightning strikes can be expected.

Earlier this month, the Hydromet Department is sued an advisory forecasting wetter than usual rainfall conditions across all regions of Guyana for the months of November 2022 to January 2023, Guyana’s secondary rainfall season.

The advisory predicted that the usual secondary rain fall season will be augmented by persistent La Nina condi tions during the season, and

that rainfall is expected to increase considerably from mid-November, and continue at least to January 2023.

During the upcoming rainy season, water levels in conservancies, reservoirs, and inland rivers across Re gions One (Barima-Waini) to Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) and Ten (Upper Demerara-Ber bice) are likely to increase, with a high risk of flooding.

On the other hand, Region Nine (Upper Ta kutu-Upper Essequibo) would continue to be dry, but can expect more than the usual amount of rain days. The highest amount of rainfall is projected for Regions One, Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Three Essequibo IslandsWest Demerara), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), and the northern reaches of Eight, with increasing concerns for Regions Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Five (Mahaica-Berbice).

Minister of Human and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha and team inspecting the sluice at Cowan Street, in Georgetown, on Friday night (DPI photo)

First Lady’s Menstrual Hygiene Initiative gets US$50,000 boost from UNFPA

THE Menstrual Hy giene Initiative un dertaken by First Lady Arya Ali to end period poverty in Guyana, was given a significant boost on Thursday, with a do nation of US$50,000 worth of sanitary pads from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

“Removing barriers to access basic sanitary products for girls allow

them to exercise their reproductive rights. UNFPA is therefore pleased to support the excellent period pover ty initiative of the First Lady as it addresses the right to health, dig nity and gender equal ity,” UNFPA Liaison Officer for Guyana, Adler Bynoe said dur ing a simple handing over ceremony at State House.

Describing the do

nation as “significant”, Mrs. Ali thanked the UN agency for its sup port, and highlighted how important it is for the issue of period pov erty to be recognised and actioned by inter national organisations like the United Na tions.

The UNFPA will also be partnering with the Office of the First Lady next year to conduct sensitisa tion workshops on sex ual and reproductive health, and the imple mentation of a public education and aware ness campaign.

Last year, Mrs. Ali announced her inten tion to end period pov

TO PAGE 8

UNFPA Liaison Officer for Guyana, Adler Bynoe delivers the sponsorship cheque to First Lady Arya Ali (Office of the First Lady photo) TURN

Better representation, enhanced community development expected

By Shamar Meusa

MINISTER of Local Government and Re gional Development, Nigel Dharamlall on Friday said that several local authorities have officially been reverted to their 2016 constituency boundaries to foster better representation in those areas.

At a press conference on Friday, Minister Dhar amlall said that the gov ernment has been stead fastly working over the last two years to prepare for Local Government Elections (LGE).

According to the min ister, LGE is slated for March 13, 2023, and as such, changes were made,

and these will contribute to the maintenance of democracy at the local government level.

Adding that local de mocracy is essential to the overall development of communities, the min ister said that the chang es that were made were done in consultation with residents of the commu nities, and will result in a positive outcome.

In Region One (Bari ma-Waini), the bounda ries of the Mabaruma township have been extended to include the Wauna area, which was left out of an institution alised administration.

In Region Two Pome roon-Supenaam), the Kit ty/Providence and Moru

ca/Phoenix areas in the lower Pomeroon will be merged into one Neigh bourhood Democratic Council (NDC), based on the small population size.

In Region Three (Es sequibo Islanda-West Demerara), Dharamlall said that the government has extended the Toe vlugt/Patentia NDC to capture residents beyond the area.

In Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), the boundaries will also be reverted to the 2016 boundaries. The A Part nership for National Uni ty + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) admin istration made heinous decisions to consolidate areas in Region Four,

so that there would be less representation or

In Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice), the Woodlands/Farm NDC was extended to include De Hoop, along the De Hoop access Road, and Little Biaboo and Big Biaboo communities.

Meanwhile, in Region Six (East Berbice-Coren tyne), it was stated that the No. 52/No.74 NDC area will now be split into two NDCs, these be ing, No. 52 to No. 63 and No. 64 to No.74. This, he said, would allow for better management.

ries. We believe that at the end of local govern ment elections on March 13, there is going to be better representation for the people,” Minister Dharamlall said, add ing that as a result of these changes, there will now be an increase in the complement of council lors within the 80 local authority areas, these being the 70 NDCs and 10 municipalities.

support for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)

“There are 14 ar eas that were affected in 2018, and we have decided that for better representation, those ar eas go back to the 2016 constituency bounda

In 2018, there were some 1,192 council lors across the coun try in 596 constituen cies; however, for the upcoming 2023 LGE, there will now be 1,220 councillors within 610 constituencies across Guyana.

Mocha squatters given final notice to move

- with alternative housing options available

THE government, through the Ministry of Housing and Water, has warned the five remaining Cane View/ Herstelling (Mocha) squatters that it will be forced to demolish their structures unless they move immediately.

These squatters, alongside others who have already moved, constructed housing structures on a govern ment reserve between Mocha and Herstelling, East Bank Demerara (EBD).

That reserve is part of the forthcoming Ec cles to Great Diamond, EBD highway, and to continue work on this crucial road link, people residing on the reserve need to move.

Already, the Housing Ministry said more than 20 families have relocat ed, having received full compensation for their properties, and been giv

en both free house lots and a grace period to fa cilitate the construction of their new houses.

The five remaining squatters have, howev er, rejected the govern ment’s offers and contin ue to occupy the reserve. In a notice published in the daily newspapers, the Ministry of Housing and Water has warned that further action will be taken, given the “harsh, baseless and irrational resistance”.

The notice, dated No vember 24, 2022, goes on to say, “The Govern ment of Guyana, and by extension the Ministry of Housing and Water, stands ready to work with all Guyanese in their best interest. “How ever, we will no longer stand by and allow a na tion’s development to be held hostage by illegal activities of any sort.

“Should the last offer be rejected by these il

legal squatters, the Min istry will have no other choice but to proceed with a demolition exer

cise.”

Some of the resi dents who were re located to the FarmHerstelling housing areas have begun

construction of their new homes, while others have already completed theirs. But the five squatters at reference are ada

mant that they will not move, and have rejected a two-week notice from Novem ber 5, 2022 to vacate the reserve.

- with adjustment of constituency boundaries, Minister Dharamlall says

Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall

Ending Gender-based Violence

ON Friday, Guyana joined the international community in observ ing International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. At the same time, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Se curity rolled out its 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Notably, with a high number of local domestic violence cases, the Hu man Services Ministry continues its focus on raising awareness and making persons more con scientious about reporting Gender-Based Violence and supporting victims of domestic violence.

Under the theme “UNiTE! Activism to end

violence against women and girls,” Minister of Hu man Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Per saud, stressed that there is need for a shift in attitude and culture as well as for a more proactive move ment towards reporting, support, and intervention.

She lamented the fre quency of domestic vi olence occurrences and underscored that everyone must support survivors of domestic violence.

Against this backdrop, Minister Persaud is pilot ing the new Family Vio lence Bill in the National Assembly, which seeks to address shortcomings in the current domestic vio lence laws and implement necessary measures to tackle and eventually end

GBV in Guyana.

The new draft Bill will redefine interpersonal re lationships, adjust powers ascribed to the police and the courts, and implement new punitive measures for perpetrators.

The Bill also proposes new punitive measures and expands the mean ing of interpersonal rela tionships to include the extended family when it comes to prosecution, so that more people can be held accountable.

Currently, GBV is reg ulated by the Domestic Violence Act, 1996. The Act, which is also hailed as one of the most pow erful in the world, par ticularly because at its core are three significant Orders – Protection, Ten

ancy and Occupation – is specifically designed not only to safeguard abused women and their children, but also to ensure that they are not displaced from their homes.

The core concepts of GBV – gender, harm, power, control and rights – are defined and dis cussed. It is interesting to note that power is not seen as bad unless the individual with the power abuses it, while control is recognised as being used to retain dominance.

However, the whole gamut of gender-based violence is explored and some popular myths are examined and dispelled, such as the view that “If women are treated as equal to men in a relation

ship, it causes domestic violence.”

It is also categorically stated that “All human beings, whether men, women [or] children, have equal human rights. The government has a role of providing equal protection to all its citizens whether they are men, women or children.”

Notably, over 40 pro posed amendments, in cluding expansion of the definitions of ‘domestic violence’; inclusion of more comprehensive ex planations of ‘economic, emotional and psycholog ical violence’; updating the penalties for breach of protection orders; and inclusion of batterer-inter vention programmes and counselling as remedies

under the law, were rec ommended.

The Family Violence Act is drafted in conjunc tion with several legis lations proposed by the government to tackle do mestic violence and offer a rehabilitative approach.

Consultations on the Family Violence Bill will be held during the minis try’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which con cludes on December 10, International Human Rights Day.

By filing complaints at police stations, abused women should receive better attention, result ing in more convictions and decreased domestic and gender-based vio lence.

Ms Lynch is a remarkable diplomat

I COMMEND Her Ex cellency Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch for hosting Thanksgiving with Guyanese seniors at her private residence. I believe it is the first by an American Ambassador; it was a wonderful ges ture, building better re lations between America and Guyana.

Guyana is grateful for her actions over the last three years as Ambassador and when she departs next year, the nation will miss her enormously. She is a leading heroine in Guyana and an outstanding diplo mat. Her voice carries a lot of weight in Guyana and Washington.

I travelled worldwide in a private capacity to conduct research and am

an avid reader of interna tional news in countless countries. In my experi ence as a reader and trav ell er and as a specialist (PhD) in international re lations and foreign policy, rarely does a country re ceive an envoy who coura geously speaks out against corruption and mal-admin istration like Her Excel lency Sarah-Ann Lynch.

She has been consist ent in her advocacy on good governance and anticorruption ever since she arrived on our shores over three years ago. In addi tion, she has proved to be highly effective in help ing to shape the policies Washington has pursued towards Guyana, as well as in winning the personal and professional regard of the Guyanese people and

the government of the day.

As someone who stud ied US foreign policy, Ms Lynch comes across as a very skilled diplomat and one of America’s fore most strategic thinkers as an envoy in the region. She is held in high regard countrywide as well as region-wide, obtaining praises from Guyanese as well as regional leaders for the stance taken to salvage the March 2, 2020 vote.

Ms Lynch has played a distinguished role in our country in saving de mocracy. In fact, she is known as the saviour of democracy in Guyana post the December 21, 2018 no-confidence motion, and in particular, combat ing the attempted electoral fraud of the March 2, 2020 elections.

Had she not come out so strongly against fraud, egged on by those of us who were also combat ing the fraud, the election would have been rigged. An unpopular, illegitimate government would have been installed. Of course, those who lost power and perks as a result of a free and fair election would not be favourable towards the very popular envoy.

Ambassador Lynch is viewed not only as the best American Ambas sador ever in Guyana, but perhaps the best of all envoys. She is the kind of person that every develop ing country should have as their emissary, no, as their leader (President, Prime Minister). Guyanese love her dearly.

Following the debacle

of earlier elections and violations of basic rights, upon her arrival, Lynch aggressively promoted democracy and clashed frequently with those who were on course towards authoritarianism and or corrupt practices. She spoke out. She is com mended for speaking out against bad governance and attempt at electoral fraud and violations of the constitution.

Ms Lynch is a very strong-willed person who did not and does not cower or show any weakness to threats and character as sassination. She stood her ground on principle on the issue of right over wrong, for democracy against authoritarianism, for the right to count every ballot against disenfranchising

legitimate votes.

Clearly, her position was the count must reflect the will of voters. When ever called upon to combat electoral fraud, she was there. She was present at many press conferences relating to the election.

Ambassador Lynch has been a superb, extraordi nary, skilful, good-natured, friendly chief of mission. Guyanese also gave her top ratings on likeability and presence better than her predecessors.

She has a presence almost everywhere, vis iting every corner of the country and interacting with folks of all status. If she were to run for office in Guyana, she would win a landslide.

Yours sincerely, Dr Vishnu Bisram

Dear Editor,

Sterling, Nand Persaud acquire

‘Made in Guyana’ accreditation

THE Guyana National Bu reau of Standards (GNBS) has certified two major manufacturing companies to use the Made in Guy ana Standards Mark on their locally manufactured products.

The companies, Sterling Products Limited (SPL) and Nand Persaud & Com pany Limited, were certified this week under the GNBS’ Made in Guyana Certifica tion Mark Programme.

According to a press release from GNBS, Ster ling received its certifica tion at a simple ceremony hosted at the GNBS Head office, Sophia Exhibition site, Georgetown.

In his remarks, Sterling’s Business Development and Quality Assurance Manager, Anthony Ross said that the company is proud to be as sociated with branding that conveys quality.

“This occasion is cer tainly a step in the right di rection in achieving greater success,” he said.

The Standards Mark will

be placed on the packaging of 22 products manufac tured under the “Mighty Foam” brand including powdered and liquid deter

gents, dish washing liquids and more.

Executive Director (ag) of the GNBS, Ramrattie Karan congratulated the

company on achieving this milestone.

She encouraged them to expand their scope of certification to include other products produced by SPL.

Also present at the event was the President of the Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) Rafeek Khan.

The second company, Nand Persaud & Company Limited, was certified to use the mark on its parboiled long-grain rice, and white long-grain rice.

At a ceremony hosted at the company’s #36 Village, Corentyne Berbice location, Chief Executive Officer, Mohindra Persaud said the company’s intention has always been to produce quality products and excel lent service.

“Thanks a lot for recog nising that we should have the GNBS stamp on our packages. This is a proud moment for us to have an additional certification, add ing to our ISO 9001 certifi cation,” Persaud said.

The certificate was handed over by Techni cal Officer of the GNBS Certification Department, Rosmarie Liliah, who con gratulated the company on

its achievement.

The companies will commence including the standards mark on their packages.

The Made in Guyana certification mark is a reg istered mark that aims to provide recognition to lo cally manufactured products on a national, regional, and international level.

It focuses on creating competitiveness for authen tic Guyanese products certi fied under the programme, while creating a framework for the development of qual ity systems.

The certification is valid for one year and GNBS will conduct surveillance visits to ensure the approved qual ity is maintained throughout the certification period in keeping with the respective terms and conditions.

The GNBS has im plored more businesses to sign up to be a part of the Made in Guyana Certifi cation Mark Programme to give their products that competitive advantage in the local and internation al markets. Application forms can be accessed at https://gnbsgy.org/certi fication/made-in-guyanacertification/

CEO of Nand Persaud & Company Ltd Mohindra Persaud with his staff following the handing over of the certificate

Business Development and Quality Assurance Manager of Sterling Products Ltd., Anthony Ross (centre) receives the Made in Guyana Certificate from GNBS Techical Officer Yan Yi Zhu

First Lady’s Menstrual Hygiene Initiative...

FROM PAGE 4

erty in Guyana, an issue which adversely affects

women and girls in the hinterland, and restricts access to education.

Sanitary pads are currently being dis tributed in secondary

schools across all ten administrative regions. More than 30,000 stu dents will receive one year’s supply of pads.

Mrs. Ali highlight ed, too, that the initia tive started with a focus on school-aged girls, many of whom were unable to attend school when they had their menstruation because they either could not af ford or access sanitary products.

“So, we started with

the schools, providing coverage to all schoolaged girls, and then we will move to providing coverage to women, beginning with the most vulnerable,” the First Lady stated.

This year, the gov ernment provided $50 million of the $60 mil lion required to pro vide full coverage to all school-aged girls. Donations, sponsorship and fundraisers have helped to compensate

for the remaining sum.

With full coverage provided to all schoolaged girls, attention will now be on provid ing sanitary products to women in vulnerable situations, with the aim of expanding coverage countrywide.

In the long-term, the project seeks to ensure that every woman and girl in Guyana is provided with free sanitary products.

Trade delegation from massive Canadian energy association to explore local opportunities

collaboration between the High Commis sion of Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service, the Canada Guyana Chamber of Commerce and the Centre for Lo cal Business Develop ment, and it seeks to identify opportunities and make connections to increase trade.

neering technologies and featuring the top leaders in energy from around the world. The Energy NL Conference 2022 had Guyanese presence and looks to build on the mar ket synergies for even greater participation,” the High Commission said.

several of the members of Energy NL creating partnerships and link ages in Guyana.

GUYANA continues to be a hub for inves tors, as evidenced by a planned visit here by a trade delegation from Canadian Ener gy NL, Newfoundland and Labrador’s largest energy industry association.

According to a press

release from the Ca nadian High Commis sion, the trade delega tion will be engaging the Government of Guyana, the business community and other key stakeholders from November 28 to De cember 2.

This trade visit is a

Energy NL has more than 460 members who provide products and services for the energy sector.

“Energy NL also or ganises the world- re nowned energy confer ence in Newfoundland and Labrador, focused on industry trends, pio

This current trade mission comes on the heel of five previous missions to Guyana from Newfoundland and Labrador that saw

This year’s trade mission will be focus ing on multiple busi ness sectors, includ ing renewable and non-renewable energy, cleantech/oceantech, digitalisation and infra structure.

“Canada has, for years, been Guyana’s largest trade partner prior to oil and gas, therefore the continu

ance of these trade missions seek to wid en the trade partner ships between Canada and Guyana, using Canadian expertise and Guyanese en trepreneurial spirit to meet the needs of Guyana’s growth trajectory,” the High Commission said.

It was reported in July this year that Canada-Guyana merchandise trade totalled some $238.2 million last year.

Cop gets 10 years for sexual activity with 14-year-old girl

HIGH Court Judge, Sandil Kissoon, on Friday, sentenced a 28-year-old interdict ed police officer to 10 years in prison for engaging in sexual ac

tivity with a 14-yearold girl.

Wayde Padmore, formerly of Lamaha Park, North Ruimveldt, Georgetown, was sen tenced at the Sexual

Offences Court of the Demerara High Court Last month, Pad more was found guilty of committing the of fence during October 2020.

However, the jury could not arrive at a verdict against him for engaging in sexual pen etration with the girl in December 2019. He will have to be retried at the next practical sitting of the Deme rara Assizes for that offence.

The jury found him not guilty of causing a child to view a sexual act.

The state was repre sented by prosecutors Cicelia Corbin, Caressa Henry and Paneeta Per saud. Padmore was rep resented by attorney-atlaw, Clyde Forde.

During the sentenc ing hearing, Padmore maintained that he was innocent and the crime was “concocted” against him.

In his deliberation on sentencing, Justice

Kissoon took into con sideration the circum stances of the matter, including the breach of the victim’s trust by a man in uniform, who was supposed to serve and protect her.

The judge also con sidered the traumatic impact the incident has

left on the victim and also the fact that the cop showed no remorse for his actions.

As part of the 10year sentence, the convicted man will be required to attend counselling for sex of fenders.

According to the facts of the case, Pad more is known to the victim and her family and was a frequent visi tor to their home.

It is alleged that dur ing the month of De cember 2019, Padmore visited the teen while she was alone at home and raped her.

Further, during the month of Octo ber 2020, after he failed in his attempt to rape her a second time, he proceeded to masturbate in front of her.

Wayde Padmore

Housing Ministry honours employees’ children in bursary awards ceremony

academic journey and move into the world of work, the minister assured the youths that the government is trans forming Guyana to make the best opportunities avail able. With Guyana being an oil-producing nation, he also encouraged students to pursue careers in the oil-andgas sector.

Meanwhile, in his con gratulatory remarks, Per manent Secretary Ally em

phasized the importance of also pursuing extra-curric ular activities to become well-rounded and successful individuals.

CEO Greaves also ap plauded the students and lauded the parents/guardians of each student for making the best efforts to advance their children and for their daily contributions to the agency.

While a number of

distractions may present themselves, Director of Op erations, Denise King-Tu dor, who spoke on behalf of Minister within the Minis try of Housing and Water, Susan Rodrigues, urged the awardees to remain focused and strive to be the best. Each student was presented with a certificate of achieve ment and special incentives to aid their educational development.

Minister of Housing and Water, Collin Croal, delivered the keynote address to the students and pupils at the agency’s boardroom

TWENTY children of em ployees at the Ministry of Housing and Water- Cen tral Housing & Planning Authority (CH&PA) were recently honoured at the 2022 Bursary Awards Cer emony for their stellar per formances at the Nation al Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and Caribbean

Secondary Education Cer tificate (CSEC) exams.

The ceremony was held at the agency’s boardroom.

Minister of Housing and Wa ter Collin Croal delivered the keynote address to the pupil and srudents.

Permanent Secretary An dre Ally; Chief Executive Officer of CH&PA, Sherwyn

Greaves and Director of Op erations, Denise King-Tudor, also shared words of encour agement.

Minister Croal com mended the students for their remarkable achievements and urged them to continue pursuing excellence in every aspect of their lives.

As they continue their

Cuba could supply Guyana’s construction sector

THE Cuban Minister of Construction, Rene Mesa Villafana and a high-level official from his Ministry assured President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Timothy Tucker, and Guyana’s Ambassador to Cuba, Halim Majeed,

that Cuba could supply different types of materials for Guyana’s construction sector.

The two Guyanese of ficials met with the Cuban Minister and his team at the Havana International Trade Fair (FIHAV) held last week on the EXPO CUBA Fair

Grounds.

The GCCI President and Ambassador Majeed also sat down with high-ranking representatives from Cemen tos Cienfuegos S.A, a Cu ban-Spanish Cement Compa ny, COMETAL, a steel- pro ducing company, and other Construction Companies to

understand their production capabilities and quality of product, among other things. Tucker

ety

— Says Cuban Minister of Construction

CubaPLUS magazine launched in Georgetown

— Aims to give new Guyana, Cuba perspective

THE CubaPLUS Guyana Magazine, which aims to give new perspectives on the arts, culture, fashion, sports, tourism, and folk lore, among other exciting features of both countries, was recently launched at a special reception at the King’s Hotel on Middle Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

The publisher, Dominic Soave, President of TAINA Publications based in Havana and Santo Domingo, was on hand for the event, which included a number of prominent Cuban well-wishers and friends of Cuba.

In the context of the traditional friendly ties and cooperation between Guyana and Cuba, CubaPLUS Guyana will highlight and give new perspectives of both countries.

An essential aspect of the magazine will be to enhance the promotion of people-to-people contact at various levels and to reinforce the existing mutual understanding, friendship, and collaboration.

Speaking at the reception were Dominic Soave, Publisher of CubaPLUS Guyana, Rosalinda Rasul, Head of Diaspora Affairs at the Guyana Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and His Excellency Narciso Reinaldo Amador So corro, Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba to Guyana.

and Ambassador Majeed looked at the vari

of marble tiles produced in Cuba and were assured by Jaime Hernandez Her rera, Director-General of ROCA REAL Marmoles

Cubanos, that his company would welcome Guyanese businessmen interested in Cuban marble.

Cuban Construction Minister Rene Mesa (second from left) is seen with GCCI President Timothy Tucker (extreme left), Ambassador Majeed (second from right) and President of the Corporate Group of Construction Materials, Francisco Diaz Hernandez

Get booster shots as COVID-19 cases rise

- Minister Anthony says

THERE has been a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 infections and deaths recorded locally and as such, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony has urged members of the pub lic to get their much-needed COVID-19 booster shots.

The minister, speaking

during his daily COVID-19 update on Thursday, remind ed the public that there were no documented COVID-19 deaths in October and that only 87 infections were re corded. Comparatively, the figures for November are much higher.

“In November this year,

we already have three deaths and we have 107 cases so far. So, there seems to be an uptick in terms of cases and in terms of people requiring hospitalisation,” Dr. Anthony said.

In response to this rise in deaths and infections, the Health Ministry immediately amplified its health response.

“We have put all our doc tors and medical personnel,

again on alert. The systems at Ocean View Hospital are ful ly deployed. So, really sick patients would go there. All the units that we have across the country at different re gional hospitals are available if people get really sick,” the Health Minister said.

Even with the best prepa ration, however, Dr Antho ny lamented that enough people are not taking their

COVID-19 booster shots. In fact, he said only 76,131 persons received their first booster dose while 4,276 have taken a second booster dose.

“We haven’t seen a lot of people coming forward to be vaccinated. So, let’s take over the last 24 hours: we have had 63 vaccines being administered and that’s with all the vaccination centres that we have at this point in time. We are really encour aging people if you have had your vaccines more than six months ago, or four months ago, it is time for you to come back and get either your booster shots or to con tinue your vaccination,” Dr Anthony said.

These booster shots are taken after someone has been vaccinated with their primary doses; that is, their first and second COVID-19 jabs. Persons eligible for third and fourth booster doses are encouraged to take them.

Further, Dr Anthony urged the public to stay im munised by taking a boost er shot every four to six months. This is particularly necessary for those individ

uals who have underlying health conditions and as such, are more prone to experiencing severe symp toms of the disease.

He also announced that arrangements were made to send genetic samples from the three persons who recently died for testing at the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) in Trinidad and Tobago.

During his update too, the Health Minister reminded Guyanese of the numerous strategies implemented to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and assist the country in preparation for future pandemics. These include enhancing the labora tory systems, preparing better diagnostics, train ing people, strengthening surveillance, dispersing laboratory training, and efficient response sys tems.

Security guard remanded for Laing Avenue murder

CHIEF Magistrate Ann Mc Lennan on Friday remanded a 23-year-old security guard to prison for the fatal shoot ing of Laing Avenue, West Ruimveldt resident, Dexter McFarlane.

Oyama Patterson, called Shemroy of Hardina Street, Wortmanville, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court and was not required to plead to the capital charge which read that on November 11, 2022, at Laing Avenue, he murdered McFarlane.

The prosecutor, Assis tant Superintendent of Police Neville Jeffers, told the court that Patterson’s 16-year-old co-accused will be arraigned in the new week.

According to Prosecutor Jeffers, on the day in question, Patterson and another person were allegedly involved in a physical altercation with a group of men at Laing Av enue.

It is alleged that during the altercation Patterson was in jured, but managed to escape from the men.

However, Patterson along with his co-accused later re turned with hand guns and discharged several rounds in

the direction where the men were. McFarlane was among the men.

While the men ran for cover, Patterson and his ac complice ran behind McFar lane and discharged several rounds in his direction.

One of the rounds al legedly injured McFarlane and he fell to the ground. He was picked up in an un conscious state and rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony

MURDER ACCUSED: Oyama Patterson called Shemroy

Commonwealth Law Ministers mobilise to deliver justice

AFTER three days of deliberations, the Com monwealth Law Ministers Meeting 2022 concluded Friday with a set of pro posed actions to be taken at the national and Com monwealth levels to realise equal access to justice and justice transformation for all by 2030.

Commonwealth Law Ministers endorsed the pro grammes proposed by the Commonwealth Secretariat in the Commonwealth Plan of Action on Equal Access to Justice.

The Plan of Action that Commonwealth Heads of Government endorsed in Kigali in June, 2022, in cludes the development of an access-to-justice toolkit and a small-claims court app, the Commonwealth legal knowledge exchange portal, the implementation of peo ple-centred justice projects, the development of the 100-

day toolkit for Justice Min isters, an integrated family court project and model con tracts in investment, energy and extractives.

Speaking about the work of the Secretariat, the Com monwealth Secretary-Gener

al Patricia Scotland said:

“The resources devel oped by the Secretariat and its partners are useful weap ons in every law minister’s arsenal, shortening the jour ney towards the develop ment of solutions for legal

problems. I encourage every justice minister to take ad vantage of the toolkits and resources which were shared during this meeting.

If we approach our task with the energy, unity and purpose which is the hall

mark of the Commonwealth at its best, then we will suc ceed.”

Law Ministers recognised the urgent need to deliver justice to as many people as possible in a sustainable man ner, requiring a shift to more evidence-based, data-driven justice solutions.

Some resources provided to Law Ministers during the meeting include: Environ mental, Social and Economic Development provisions in Investment contracts; the Law and Climate Change toolkit; the Commonwealth’s Anticorruption Benchmarks; Commonwealth Elections Cybersecurity Best Practice Guide, amongst others.

Senator Renuka Sa gramsingh-Sooklal, Minister in the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Le gal Affairs, Trinidad and Tobago, said:

“This meeting is very im portant to Trinidad and Toba

go because a meeting such as this is a platform that allows us the opportunity to lap up a vast amount of information and resources provided to a Small State and Member States by the Commonwealth Secretariat on key critical areas of law. Trinidad and Tobago have benefited from the toolkits that have been provided, the vast amount of resources and research data and guidance that are critical to the development of the country.”

Another key develop ment during this week’s meeting was the unani mous agreement of Law Ministers to recommend the ‘Commonwealth Prin ciples on Freedom of Ex pression and the Role of the Media in Good Gover nance’ to Commonwealth Leaders to consider at the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

A section of the Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting on Friday concluded with a set of proposed actions to be taken at the national and Commonwealth level to realise equal access to justice and justice transformation for all by 2030

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(Saturday November 26, 2022)

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) Ritchie Richardson & Brian Lara (9 centuries each)

(2) Ricky Ponting & Steve Waugh (7 centuries apiece)

Today’s Quiz:

(1) Who is the first WI batsman to crack a Test century against Australia?

(2) Who is the first AUST batsman to register a Test hundred against the WI?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

RACING TIPS

South Africa Racing Tips

Turffontein

08:30 hrs East Coast 09:35 hrs Safe Passage

10:15 hrs Under Your Spell 1045 hrs Arumugam

American Racing Tips

Aqueduct

Race 1 Caribbean Breeze Race 2 Patient Capital Race 3 Hydra Race 4 Life Changer Race 5 Dandy Handyman

Race 6 Victory Built Race 7 Photon Race 8 Factor It In Race 9 Soldier Rising

Canadian Racing Tips Woodbine

Race 1 Delightful Dream Race 2 Chairman Fox Race 3 Hal Race 4 Explode

Race 5 Executive Sight

Race 6 Boss Kaye

Irish Racing Tips

Gowan Park

08:00 hrs Minella Co cooner

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10:15 hrs Kalanisi Star 10:50 hrs Enchanted An gel

11:20 hrs Banada Vridge English Racing Tips Doncaster

08:05 hrs Lord Sparky 08:40 hrs Rare Edition

09:12 hrs Touchy Feely 09:47 hrs El Borrracho

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Hosts Qatar become first team eliminated from World Cup

HOSTS Qatar have been elim inated in the group stage of the World Cup after Senegal condemned them to a second straight defeat.

The Middle Eastern side battled valiantly but became the first country knocked out of the competition after the Nether lands drew 1-1 against Ecuador.

But African champions Sen egal are up and running in Group A.

Boulaye Dia broke the dead lock four minutes before half time, slamming home to punish Boualem Khoukhi's miscued clearance.

Looking to hit back in the second period, Qatar's hopes were dashed when former Bris tol City striker Famara Died hiou rose to flick in a glorious header just three minutes after the break.

Watford's Ismaila Sarr had an early chance on his 50th cap but struck into the side-netting, while Idrissa Gueye of Everton's rasping drive went narrowly wide.

Qatar felt they should have had a first-half penalty when Akram Afif was bundled over in the box by Sarr, but referee Antonio Lahoz pointed only for a goal-kick, much to the anger of the home supporters.

Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy made stunning reflex saves to deny Almoez Ali and Ismail Mohamad, but he could do nothing about Mohammed Muntari's powerful header.

Qatar were searching for the equaliser, but Bamba Dieng stroked in to deflate the home following and leave their team bottom of the group without a point after two games played.

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR HOSTS

Qatar made history by be coming the first country from this region to host the World Cup and now have the unwant ed record of becoming just the second home team to exit the competition at the group stage, after South Africa in 2010.

They needed a huge favour from Ecuador, who beat them in the opening game, to salvage any hope of remaining in the tournament but Gustavo Alfaro's side claimed a draw.

It means Qatar's first ap pearance at a World Cup ended in dismay, with two defeats within the space of six days, and they have just pride to play for against the Netherlands on Tuesday.

Felix Sanchez's men, who did not have a shot on target on their World Cup debut, were backed by a raucous section of supporters behind the goal.

Others dressed in traditional attire filled the stadium at the start of their weekend, but went home disappointed as their side suffered back-to-back defeats.

Senegal's class told with their starting XI featuring 10 players, who feature in Europe's top-five leagues, the exception being Sarr of Watford.

But the story could have been very different had the referee pointed to the spot for Sarr's challenge on Afif, but he left the locals outraged by failing to award a penalty.

It proved crucial as Khoukhi's scuffed clearance allowed Dia to convert the open er, and Diedhiou's unstoppable header double the advantage on 48 minutes.

Qatar, though, showed good fight to hit back via Muntari's thunderous header, which sent the partisan crowd into raptures.

But any optimism for an equaliser was killed when Di eng finished off a swift move to seal Senegal's first victory in the group.

The Qatar players were applauded by their fans at the final whistle, but some hit the deck in regret knowing their prospects of reaching the knockout stage are now over.

(BBC Sport)

Neymar to miss Brazil's next two group games with ankle injury

NEYMAR has been ruled out of Brazil's next two World Cup games after sustaining ligament damage in his right ankle, says their team doctor.

The 30-year-old forward was replaced in the 80th minute of Thursday's 2-0 win over Ser bia after a heavy tackle from Nikola Milenkovic.

Neymar sat with his face covered while receiving treat ment and pictures showed his right ankle was swollen.

Right-back Danilo will also miss the next two games with ankle damage.

Brazil face Switzerland in their second Group G game on Monday (16:00hrs GMT), before playing Cameroon next Friday (19:00hrs BST).

"Neymar and Danilo went

through a MRI yesterday after noon and we found ligament damage in the ankle of both of them," said Brazil team doctor Rodrigo Lasmar.

"It is important to be calm and evaluate day by day. The idea is to recover them for the rest of the competition."

Speaking after the win against Serbia, Brazil head coach Tite said they were "con fident Neymar will continue playing in the World Cup" and that he "didn't see he was injured - the capacity he has to overcome it tricked even me".

The Paris St-Germain striker has suffered a number of injury problems with his right foot over the past few years.

He missed the 2019 Copa America after suffering torn ligaments in his right ankle and was out for several weeks in 2021 with a similar injury.

Neymar was fouled nine times during the game against Serbia, drawing four more free-kicks than any oth er player at this year's World Cup so far. (BBC Sport)

Twenty-four women seek CONCACAF ‘C’ Licence coaching certification

THE Guyana Football Fed eration’s Education Depart ment continues to focus on efforts to grow female home grown coaching talent with 24 former and current na tional players, club, school and community coaches starting the journey towards CONCACAF W ‘C’ licence certification.

The six-day women-only course opened Thursday at the GFF National Training Centre in Providence, East Bank De merara, with a strong showing from aspiring female coaches from nine regional associations across Guyana.

Women’s Football As sociation president, Andrea Johnson, in her brief opening address said the course is a step in the right direction for women’s football development in Guyana.

“Today is a historic day for women in football in Guyana. Never before have we had 24 female participants for any coaching course. For too long we have had a male-dominat ed coaching staff for female teams, especially national teams. For CONCACAF to be here in Guyana to do a C Licence coaching course for only women means that we are making another step towards development of the women’s game.”

The first part of the “blend ed learning” programme, facil itated by Anton Corneal, CON

CACAF Coaching Educator and former Technical Director of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association, GFF act ing Technical Director Bryan Joseph and coach Linsworth Gilbert, involves online the oretical lessons followed by practical sessions at the GFF National Training Centre.

The internationally-rec ognised licence will give par ticipating coaches the skills and knowledge to design and deliver effective coaching ses sions for a wider range of play ers and scenarios, especially for youth football development through the GFF’s nationwide network of Academy Training Centres.

CONCACAF Coaching Educator, Anton Corneal, stressed that the “long-term effect is actually growing the women’s game. Countries are at different starting points and we try to meet countries where there is a need.

There is a need for women coaches. CONCACAF has rec ognised that and has decided to spend a lot of time growing the women’s game. We need this effort; we need to ignite that growth.”

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

GFF 1st vice-president

Brigadier (ret.) Bruce Lovell added: “In the foot-balling world there is a greater push to have more female involvement in football. We hear issues such as equitable access, equitable pay and so we are doing our part here at the GFF to ensure that we implement more pro grammes that will provide for greater female participation in the sport.”

Acting Technical Director, Bryan Joseph, assured partici pants that the GFF is focused on growing the proficiency of female coaches, explaining: “This is not a course at the final day we will do an assess ment to determine whether you have passed or failed; The persons who are not yet quite ready to receive the licence, GFF will continue to work with them over time and to help them develop and get to the level of competency that is required to attain the licence.”

In 2015, GFF president Wayne Forde inherited an ecosystem of coaches with no valid qualifications. The GFF Technical and Education Department has since enabled the progress of an all-time high 58 coaches to ‘D’ licence or ‘C’ licence level, as well as introduced a coaching philos ophy and pathway to ensure a uniform approach to football development across the GFF’s nine regional associations.

The course concludes on November 29.

Argentina honours Maradona on anniversary, hopes memory can spur World Cup revival

BUENOS AIRES, Argenti na - (Reuters) - Argentines honoured soccer icon Diego Maradona yesterday, the second anniversary of his death, including with a huge new painting of the striker in the centre of Bue nos Aires, hoping to spur the national team ahead of a must-win World Cup game.

The South American country, which idolises Ma radona almost as a demi god, play Mexico today in a make-or-break match after the team, led by star player Lionel Messi fell to a shock 2-1 defeat against Saudi Ara bia earlier this week.

Argentine urban artist, Alfredo Segatori, made an 11-metre high painting of Maradona, portraying him

smiling, sporting a local Boca Juniors shirt and the Argentine flag, and wearing a turban, the World Cup tro phy hanging from an earring, in reference to 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

“I hope (the painting) reaches the national team and motivates them for Sat urday,” 52-year-old Segatori said. The gold-framed paint ing shows Maradona as a regular fan supporting the team. “We all want him to be there cheering.”

The new painting, in stalled next to advertising hoardings on a central ave nue, adds to a proliferation of Maradona images in the city, including a giant mural by artist Martin Ron daubed on to a 13-storey building, completed a month ago

Maradona died of cardiac arrest aged 60 on November 25, 2020, after battling drug and alcohol abuse for years.

Widely considered one of the greatest soccer players in history, Maradona won the 1986 World Cup with Argentina and led them to the 1990 final when they lost to Germany.

“Maradona is reflected in every child, every youngster with that (soccer) passion,” said Marcos Santucho, a 35-year-old teacher. “He left a mark and we will always remember it.”

Yesterday, former team mates including Ricardo Giusti and Jorge Burru chaga also gathered in Qa tar to pay tribute to the former Napoli and Barce lona star.

Qatar's Tarek Salman and teammates look dejected after the match against Senegal (Photo: Reuters)

Neymar removed his footwear to display a heavily swollen right ankle after being substituted near the end of Brazil's win over Serbia

Wales in danger of World Cup exit after loss to Iran

WALES' first World Cup for 64 years looks set to end at the first hurdle after a gut-wrenching - but deserved - last-ditch defeat by Iran in Qatar.

Substitute Roozbeh Cheshmi struck from 20 yards nine min utes into stoppage time, before Ramin Rezaeian finished off a counter-attack to seal victory for a revitalised Iran side, who have renewed hope of reaching the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Those were decisive blows to Welsh prospects of victory, which had all but vanished when goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey was sent off with four minutes of normal time remaining, following a video assistant referee (VAR) check, for a reckless challenge on Medhi Taremi.

As they did in their opening draw with the United States, Wales started poorly and had the VAR to thank for disallowing a goal from Iran's Ali Gholizadeh for offside.

In one of the most highly charged atmospheres of this World Cup, Iran's players sang their na tional anthem this time - having declined to do so before their opening loss to England in an apparent show of support for anti-government protests in their country - but their own fans booed the anthem and some could be seen crying in the stands.

Roared on by the fervent and almost entirely Iranian crowd,

Carlos Queiroz's side were ex tremely unlucky not to score early in the second half as Sardar Az moun and Gholizadeh both struck the post within the space of a few seconds.

Wales were utterly ragged and, as they pushed forward in search of the late winning goal they desperately needed, a long ball over the top left the defence exposed and the onrushing Hen nessey brought down Taremi.

Hennessey was initially shown a yellow card, but it was changed to a red after the ref eree was advised to check on the pitchside monitor, with the 35-year-old becoming only the third keeper to be sent off at a

World Cup.

That set the seal on Wales' fate for this match and, in all like lihood, their hopes of reaching the second round.

While Robert Page's men were just as disjointed as they were against the USA, Iran were unrecognisable from the team thrashed 6-2 by England in their first match and fully deserved this win.

Wales now face the formida ble challenge of needing to win their final group match on Tuesday against England, who take on the United States later on Friday.

It is not impossible but, based on how the Group B teams have fared so far in Qatar, Wales' first World Cup for 64 years looks like it is in serious danger of ending at the earliest stage.

WALES RUE ANOTHER SLOPPY PERFORMANCE

Having been absent from World Cups since 1958, Wales marked their emotional and long-awaited return to football's grandest stage with a 1-1 draw against the United States at the same stadium on Monday.

They seemed overawed by the magnitude of that occasion during a first half in which they were overrun and outplayed by the USA, but were much improved after the half-time introduction of Kieffer Moore.

The Bournemouth striker

started this time and, while his presence gave Wales an added dimension in attack, they were still as worryingly porous in midfield, as they had been against the US.

Iran sensed that weakness and pressed their opponents high up the pitch, prompting panic among Wales' midfielders and defenders, particularly on the break.

Despite their vulnerability through the middle, where Page had stuck with the same selection, Wales looked more dangerous when they played with width, and it was Moore who stood to benefit.

Connor Roberts found the 6ft 5in forward with a fine cross from the right in the 13th minute and, although Moore stretched to con nect with a volley, it was straight at goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.

Roberts' next involvement three minutes later was less dis tinguished, as his cross-field pass was cut out near his own penalty area, allowing Sardar Azmoun to tee up Gholizadeh, who finished into an empty net. There was no flag at first but, after a swift VAR check, the goal was disallowed for offside.

Azmoun headed the next chance over as Wales struggled to get a hold of the game. Fortu nately for them, as energetic and well-drilled as Iran were, they did not create much in the way of genuine scoring opportunities. (BBC Sport)

Stunning Latham’s ton floors India in ODI series-opener

A STUNNING century from Tom Latham and Kane Wil liamson's unbeaten 94 helped New Zealand chase down 307 in the series-opener in Auckland against India yesterday.

Latham and Williamson joined forces with a huge task ahead of them and eventually got the job done with ease in the end as their unbeaten 221-run stand gave New Zealand a 1-0 lead.

New Zealand didn't get off to the greatest of starts. Finn Allen and Devon Conway did take on Arshdeep Singh to score 25 off his three overs but runs were hard to come by at the other end. Shardul Thakur had an excellent opening spell and that resulted in a wicket as he picked up Allen two balls after he was given a reprieve by Yuzvendra Chahal.

(Scores: India 306-7 in 50 overs (Shreyas Iyer 80, Shikhar Dhawan 72; Lockie Ferguson 3/59) lost to New Zealand 309-3 in 47.1 overs (Tom Latham 145*, Kane Williamson 94*; Umran Malik 2/66) by 7 wickets)

Umran Malik then impressed on debut with his pace and Wash ington kept the runs in check to mount the pressure on New Zea land. It resulted in Conway suc cumbing eventually as he chased a full and wide delivery from Umran to edge behind.

Daryl Mitchell fell in similar fashion as he too chased a wide de

livery from Umran to mistime it as the fielder near the point boundary took a simple catch to hand India the advantage by the halfway point. But slowly, things did change.

Williamson for a change looked quite fluent after his prolonged lean patch but it was Latham who stunned the visitors.

He played second fiddle initially, rotating the strike to good effect but once he got closer to fifty, Latham shifted gears.

The left-hander, who is re nowned for playing spin well in the middle overs, took charge as he fetched a six and a four off suc cessive deliveries against Umran to signal his intentions.

The game was still in the balance with 11 overs left in the chase but the 40th over completely shifted the game in New Zealand's favour.

Shardul Thakur was ripped apart by Latham as he fetched four fours and a six to not only bring up a 76-ball century but also bring down the equation to 66 from the final 10. From thereon, the result was pretty much a foregone con clusion.

Latham kept exploiting the shorter boundary on the leg side clearing it with ease as he took full toll of a shell-shocked Indian bowling unit to finish unbeaten on 145 to help his team chase down the total with 17 balls to spare.

Earlier in the day, half-cen turies from the top order coupled with Washington's cameo right at the death powered India to 306-7. The total did appear to be par on a surface where batting became easier as the innings progressed especially with the shorter bound aries either side.

Gill and Dhawan made a watchful start in the powerplay with the new ball moving around. With the surface under covers for a long time, Kane Williamson had no hesitation in opting to bowl first and his decision was vindicated.

Dhawan did fetch a couple of boundaries in the opening three overs but quickly went into a shell

with Matt Henry posing problems. After the first ten overs, India had only 40 on the board. Even though runs slowly started flowing post that initial period, the openers had a lot of catching up to do at a ven ue where the square boundaries were very short.

Both Dhawan and Gill even tually went past fifty and the latter was severe in his approach once he settled down. With the pair raising more than 100, New Zealand badly needed a wicket and Lockie Ferguson obliged.

Gill timed one perfectly to get caught near the boundary whereas Dhawan fell in the following over. India were forced to retreat once again after Ferguson removed Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav in the same over.

Iyer then joined forces with Sanju Samson to get India going again. Even though New Zealand gave him a couple of reprieves, Iyer managed to recover to register a crucial fifty whereas Samson at the other end managed to settle down as well. At 240-4 after 44 overs, India were primed to go past 300 before Samson fell.

Washington then took over and came up with some incred ible strokes at the death to stun New Zealand with an unbeaten 37 off just 16 balls. It was good enough to carry India past 300 but not sufficient to prevent going 1-0 down.

Renshaw nudges selectors with unbeaten century

(Scores: West Indies 235 (Chanderpaul 119) and 35 for 0 need 274 more runs to beat Prime Minister's XI 322 and 221 for 4 (Renshaw 101*t, Handscomb 75)

Captain Josh Inglis declared the Prime Minister's XI's second innings at 221 for 4, four balls after Ren shaw reached his ton, with the Queenslander scoring 101 not out off 218 balls.

West Indies were set 309 for victory and were 35 for 0 at stumps after 16 overs, with Kraigg Brathwaite on 19 and Tagenarine Chanderpaul 15, requiring an other 274 on the final day.

Renshaw, who has been restored to the top of the Queensland order this season after some time in the middle order, notched the 17th first-class century of his career and his second of the season, following an unbeaten 200 against New South Wales.

The 26-year-old, who played the most recent of his 11 Tests in 2018, added 145 for the third wicket with Peter Handscomb, after the tourists had reduced the home team to 13 for 2.

Renshaw, who top-scored with 81 in the first in nings, struggled for touch early on and notched just one four off his first 88 balls. Watched by Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, Renshaw played with more fluency as the innings progressed, finishing with nine boundaries.

Handscomb, who scored 55 in the first innings, was bowled five minutes before the dinner break by spinner Brathwaite. He did give a couple of chances, on 41 and 54.

The PM's XI accumulated runs steadily off 70 overs after quickly finishing off the West Indies' first innings for an 87-run lead.

Resuming at 234 for 7, the tourists added just one run from a no-ball before their innings ended in the second over of the day.

Paceman Mark Steketee (3-33) trapped Joseph lbw and two balls later had Jayden Seales well caught at second slip by Handscomb. With Raymon Reifer unable to bat, West Indies ended on 235 for 9.

By the time the PM's XI had their lead reach 100 they had already lost two wickets. Marcus Harris edged a Seales delivery into his stumps and Henry Hunt was caught behind slashing at a Joseph delivery.

Joseph and Seales were the most impressive bowlers, while spearhead Kemar Roach conceded just 10 off nine overs. (AAP)

MATT Renshaw sent another strong message to Australian cricket selectors with an unbeaten hundred on day three of the pink-ball tour game against West Indies at Manuka Oval.

Gareth Bale cannot hide disappointment as Iran score two goals in added time to leave Wales in deep trouble yesterday

Matthew Renshaw brought up a century against West Indies ( Getty Images)

Tom Latham cracked a splendid 104-ball 145 (Getty)

Dazzling Duffy wins record fourth world title

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (CMC) – Bermudian superstar Dame Flora Duffy beat her younger British rival Georgia Taylor-Brown by more than a minute to clinch a record fourth women’s world title, successfully defending her World Triathlon Champi onship Series (WTCS) crown with a thrilling victory in an epic grand finale in the Abu Dhabi heat yesterday.

Duffy, who also won in 2016, 2017 before adding a third world title last year, said she was “really, really proud of this one”.

Sending a warning to her rivals, she added “I’m still en joying it, so I’ll keep going.”

Much of the pre-race focus was on the highly anticipated showdown between Duffy, the 35-year-old Olympic champi on – second in the standings heading into the final – and Taylor-Brown, 28, who held a 69-point advantage over her rival after missing the previous race in Bermuda, which Duffy won.

Fittingly, the race came down to a straight shoot-out be tween the pair, with Duffy, who twice overcame COVID-19 ear lier in the year, again producing when it mattered most, making the decisive move at the start of

the third lap of the 10-kilometre run and surging ahead of her ri val to give herself a crucial lead.

With daylight opening up between herself and the only person who could stop her date with destiny, Duffy went on to cross the line in 1 hour 53: 24 minutes, with Taylor-Brown sec ond in 1:54:28 and Germany’s Lena Meissner, claiming a first podium finish, third in 1:55:59.

“I’m really, really proud of this one,” said Duffy, who topped the final standings with 5 106 points, just 25 ahead of Taylor-Brown. American Taylor Knibb, fourth yesterday, finished third overall on 4,179 points.

“It was a difficult start to the year for me coming out of

the Olympics and COVID and everything and it took a lot of work to get my mind back into it so I’m thrilled.

“Of course, it came down to the two of us. I smiled a few times when it was just me and Georgia, I feel like she brings me to another level.

“It was an absolute battle out there; we don’t really give each other an inch and I just wanted to stay safe because it was super hot out there.

“When I got a little bit of a gap on the third lap of the run it was a little sooner than I antici pated but I thought, ‘Well, gotta go now’, and just had to keep pushing.

“I’m definitely getting up

there (in age). I think I’m pretty much consistently the oldest in these races, but I’m still enjoy ing it, so I’ll keep going.”

Duffy’s latest triumph in a title-laden career, sees her move clear of Australian Emma Snowsill – who won three world crowns between 2003 and 2006 – in the record books, cementing her status as the most successful short-course female triathlete in history.

Taylor-Brown said: “I gave absolutely everything I had. It’s just been a hard few months per sonally and I’ve just tried to put everything in a box and forget about it all and concentrate on the race.

“I’m really proud of myself for putting myself out there today and just emptying every thing and doing what I could.

“We laughed at one point (she and Duffy) and I said, ‘It’s just me and you, kid’. We were just battling it out to the end and I wouldn’t have it any other way and I don’t think she would. It’s fun racing with her and like I said, I gave it absolutely everything.

England labour to goalless draw aginst USA

ENGLAND laboured to a drab draw against the United States to miss the chance to seal qualification for the World Cup knockout stage.

Gareth Southgate's side were second best for long periods as they failed to match the energy and intensity of the USA, who have their own hopes of making the last 16.

England, with Harry Maguire outstanding in defence, were unimpressive and rode their luck when Weston McKennie missed an easy chance and Christian Pulisic struck the bar in the first half.

Mason Mount brought a fine save from USA goalkeeper Matt Turner just before the break but this was an undistinguished display that carried none of the attacking verve that saw the Three Lions thrash Iran in their opening game, and leaves them heading into their match against Wales with their fate undecided.

… I’m still learning ev ery race that I do and I still want to take that world title one day.”

“

England remain firm favourites to qualify for the knockout stage, knowing they only need to avoid a four-goal defeat against Wales to progress.

Valencia scores as Ecuador draw with Netherlands

ENNER Valencia scored his third goal of the World Cup before being taken off on a stretcher as Ecuador drew with the Netherlands to leave Group A wide open.

PSV Eindhoven forward Cody Gakpo had given the Netherlands the lead after just five minutes and four secondsthe quickest goal so far in Qatar - when he struck a shot beauti fully into the top of the net.

But the Dutch struggled to build on their lead, with Ecua dor's Pervis Estupinan having a goal disallowed on the stroke of halftime.

Ecuador fans were bouncing with excitement throughout the second half at the Khalifa International Stadium as they equalised just after the break and continued to create chances against a rattled Netherlands side.

The entire Ecuador squad ran over to the corner flag to celebrate with Valencia after he poked in the rebound from Estu pinan's parried shot in the 49th minute - and Gonzalo Plata hit the crossbar with a long-range effort shortly after.

Captain Valencia, who scored both goals in Ecuador's victory over hosts Qatar on the opening night of the World Cup, was a constant threat but

his evening was cut short due to injury.

The former West Ham and Everton striker went down in the final minute of normal time and

was taken off on a stretcher, but was seen hobbling to his seat in the dugout.

The result means three teams from Group A will be bat tling it out for a place in the last 16 in the final group match - the Netherlands, Ecuador and Sen egal - with all three capable of going through as table leaders.

With the Netherlands as heavy favourites going into their final group game against bottom side Qatar, all eyes will be on a showdown between Ecuador and Senegal, which will dictate the table order.

"If you want to become world champions then of course you need to improve a lot as some of the opponents we are yet to face are playing at a much higher level," said Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal.

"We simply need to improve our game in terms of ball pos session and we are working on that. Whether we'll make it in this tournament I can't guarantee that. But I think so."

Gakpo's opener was the first goal Ecuador had conceded in 701 minutes across all compe titions - and a first since March

- but the Netherlands struggled to create much as the game wore on.

Estupinan was left frustrated at halftime, with several of his team mates remaining on the pitch to chat to the officials af ter his goal was ruled out when team-mate Jackson Porozo was offside and obstructing the view of the goalkeeper.

van Gaal brought on Mem phis Depay at half-time - a planned move as the Barcelona forward continues his return to fitness following injury - but it made little difference as Ecua dor were unlucky not to pick up all three points.

Ecuador leader steps up again but at what cost?

The celebrations at fulltime were subdued from Ecua dor fans after a deserved point against strong opposition.

Valencia, who had an aura about him all evening and had the crowd on their feet on nu merous occasions, has scored all three of Ecuador's goals so far at the tournament and they will need him on Tuesday for their crucial group decider with Senegal.

His injury in the final mo ments of the game will cause concern for Ecuador boss Gus tavo Alfaro but otherwise it was a good evening for his side.

"(Valencia) is a top-level player when he wears the Ec uador jersey. I tell him that he will be successful in the World Cup even if he wasn't so much in the qualification campaign," said Alfaro.

"He is going through such a good spell. He is the captain."

Ecuador will be frustrated not to come away with more having had 14 shots in totalincluding four on target - and limiting the Netherlands to just the one, which was Gakpo's early opener.

Gakpo was on the score sheet again having scored in the victory over Senegal, only en hancing his reputation in Qatar, but he failed to have an impact on the game afterwards.

The Netherlands have looked ropey in both of their group matches so far but are still in with a strong chance of progressing as group winners. (BBC Sport)

Olympic champion Flora Duffy

Ecuador's Enner Valencia scores a goal during a World Cup Group A match against the Netherlands, at the Khalifa International Stadium, in Doha, yesterday. (RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP/Getty Images)

Inter-Guiana Games

Suriname top Guyana in female volleyball on Day One

SURINAME took honours on day one of the female volleyball when the action commenced at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday.

Guyana went down 11-25, 19-25, 16-25 in straight sets and would be hoping to bounce back today in round two against the Surinamese.

Guyana could hold themselves in high esteem as they got better the longer they played; they got in unison but still needed to find ways to score off their serves. The boys faced Suriname in the next match but up to press time, results were not available. Matches continue today and the finals are on tomorrow.

Twenty-four women seek CONCACAF ‘C’ Licence coaching certification

Argentina honours Maradona on anniversary, hopes memory can spur World Cup revival

Suriname take top honours in Cycling

took to the one-mile track with five each from Guyana and Suri name.

However, it was the Dutch-speaking country that emerged top of the podium after Dimitri Madamsir registered an impressive 4 minutes 10 seconds to finish ahead of the Guyanese.

Alexander Leung (4 minutes 12 seconds) and Aaron Newton (4 minutes 13 seconds) finished up the podium in second and third, respectively.

Cycling

team

GFF and CONCACF officials with some of the participants of the coaching course

Part of the action between Guyana and Suriname in the IGG female volleyball

Inter-Guiana Games 2022

A general view of posters of Argentina's Diego Maradona on the second anniversary of his death at a fan zone devoted to the Argentine at Doha's international airport on November 25, 2022. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

The cyclists took a photo-op before the race began