Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 19-12-2022

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

Scores of people rushed onto the Lusail Stadium in Qatar to snap a photo of football icon and Argentina captain Lionel Messi and the rest of his team moments after they beat France in a nerve-shredding penalty shootout in the dramatic final match of the 2022 FIFA World Cup (Photo taken from Twitter/ Golazo Argentino)

New school for academic, Hindu studies launched at Uitvlugt

THE Guyana Chapter of the Arya Samaj on Sunday cut the ribbon for the official launch of the Maharshi Dayananda Gurukula Campus at Ocean View, Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara (WCD).

The learning centre will target academic education, while simultaneously serving as an institute of Vedic studies.

Speaking at the school’s launch on Sunday, Minister within the Ministry of Public Works Deodat Indar welcomed the initiative on behalf of the government, noting that it will play an important role in the community and country at large.

“It’s not about the building; it is about what happens in the building. In this

facility, young minds will develop, and old minds will become better with their studies,” he said.

He urged persons who will attend the school to honour its core principles so that they may set a good example for the organisation.

“In every human life, there are four seasons that every person goes through. There is the planting season, which is when you put in the hard work.

There is the growing season, where you must make sure you are not stagnant or stuck in your life; you have to grow, and become better as a person. Then there is the reaping season; this is where all your efforts culminate, and you start seeing the benefits.

And after you have reaped, there is the diminishing season; everyone has to die at some time,” Minister Indar said, adding:

“But within that cycle of life, every one of us has a responsibility to do good; to help others, to speak for those who don’t have a voice… It is our responsibility; individually. That is what the Vedic study is about; how to be a better human being.”

The minister conveyed the government’s commit -

ment to embracing all religious practices, and noted that all of Guyana’s major religions are represented in the Cabinet, which is a testament to the diversity embraced in Guyana.

In January 2021, the Maharshi Dayananda Gurukula launched its Online classes for persons interested in

learning Hindi and Sanskrit. The second phase will see the completion of the building, addition of furniture, and the expansion of courses to cater to several age groups.

Persons of all religious persuasions are invited to register, once the school commences operation.

(DPI)

Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar cutting the ceremonial ribbon to commission the school alongside Indian High Commissioner to Guyana, Dr. K J Srinivasa

‘More money in people’s pockets’

–– President Ali says more than $31B saved with govt’s tax cuts

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali said that the Guyanese people saved some $31.4 billion following his government’s decision to slash more than 200 taxes since taking office in August 2020.

The President made this statement while speaking at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) 33rd Annual Awards Presentation and Gala, held recently at the Marriott Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown.

The Head of State explained that when his government took office, several drastic measures were implemented to help reboot and revitalise the economy. One of those measures included the removal of the more than 200 burdensome tax measures.

“We saw this as a critical policy measure in boosting disposable income at the household level,” President Ali said.

Before the tax cuts, President Ali said that the average growth rate of tax from 2016 to 2019 as a result of those over 200 taxes, was just around 14 percent.

Dr Ali added that if this 14 percent is applied to the 2019 tax figures and that amount is compared to what was collected, it is evident that removing these tax measures meant that Guyanese could save billions of dollars.

In fact, President Ali said, “Removing the 200 plus burdensome tax measures has saved the people around $31.4 billion in taxes… at the household level this meant that

roughly $180,000 per family was saved with the removal of these taxes.”

Earlier this year, it was reported that returns from VAT and excise taxes declined by 10.2 percent following tax reforms being instituted to cushion the rising cost of living.

This was according to a report from the Bank of Guyana, which said that the receipts from VAT and excise taxes were only about $22.7 billion.

The tax reforms form part of the government’s wider agenda to improve the quality of life in Guyana and address immediate economic challenges that affect Guyanese. These include the removal of VAT from water, electricity, building and

construction materials, basic food items and household necessities.

Additionally, the mining industry has benefitted from tax reliefs valuing some $1.9 billion. This was a result of the removal of 10 percent tributors’ tax, the reduction of the final tax and the removal of VAT on lubricating oils.

The government, in addressing the issue of the rising cost of living, has been working aggressively to tackle the issue and examine the best approaches.

The provision of cash grants to provide people with more disposable income and help stimulate the local economy was among additional measures implemented to provide some redress to people

‘Amazonia Sandals’ part of President’s big plans for tourism sector

By Shamar Meusa

WITH extensive transformation taking place in Guyana’s tourism and hospitality sector, President Dr. Irfaam Ali said that the government is eyeing novel, profit-making ventures that will sustainably exploit Guyana’s natural beauty, and capitalise on new partnerships.

The President made this statement while delivering the feature address at the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)’s Annual Awards presentation and Gala held recently at the Marriott Hotel in down-town, Kingston.

As he spoke on the growing industry, he noted that the government is currently in the planning phases for a new hospitality training institute which will cost some US$11 million, and with eight new hotels under construction, that will mean some 1,300 new rooms being added to the burgeoning tourism and hospitality sector.

Noting that novel products are crucial to any sector, President Ali said that while people hear of resorts like Sandals, with its blue waters and white beaches being promoted by other Caribbean countries, Guyana, too, has something unique to offer; and that tourism product is poised to become a massive income-earner.

“We have something to offer, too; we have blue waters, white sands, black water, white silica sands and the greatest eco-tourism product to complement it Just imagine, the first Amazonia Sandals in the world!”

Sandals is an internationally-recognised luxury hotel and resort chain, and the Head of State believes that Guyana’s ecotourism product could be perfect for a novel Sandals resort.

As such, he urged those present at the event that evening to come together and move ahead with such a project. And already, he believes that the elements need-

ed for this venture exist right in Linden and the wider Hilly, Sand and Clay-belt region of the Upper Demerara-Berbice zone, officially referred to as Region 10.

Moreover, the President said that this idea is no lofty ambition, but one that could be well-exploited when direct flights between Guyana and the United Kingdom (UK) start next year. According to him, the UK is the largest market for Guyana’s eco-tourism, and this venture would surely entice British travellers.

“This is no joke! This is impactful transformation! One of us can’t do it; but if 400 of us come together, we can do it! 400 of you in the private sector knock on the government’s door and say we want to do this; tell us what we have to do! Let us build this together, because it has to be done by 2030; it must be done!” President Ali said.

Aside from this venture, the President reminded all that Guyana will be hosting

the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for the next three years, while many new and exciting tourism products are being launched. This is part of his government’s efforts at pushing entertainment in Guyana.

“We are looking to make Guyana the premier entertainment capital in the Caribbean,” he said.

Late last year, President Ali said that with the level of visibility that the oiland-gas sector has brought to the country, this will be used to make tourism and other sectors competitive.

He added that Guyana has a quality tourism product which is sustainable, long-lasting and impactful.

At the time, he’d indicated that marketing Guyana as a tourism destination is not just the responsibility of the government, as the mere thought of what that portends should imbue a sense of pride and patriotism within all Guyanese.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali

New pumps deployed to flood-affected East Bank communities

SEVERAL pumps have been installed along the East Bank of Demerara ( EBD), Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica), corridor to provide relief to flood-affected communities, Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha said on Sunday.

Minister Mustapha, during an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, said a new pump was installed at the Peter’s Hall, EBD, sluice. The pump, he noted, will complement the sluice to assist with draining the flooded areas.

“There were a lot of inundated areas of concern on the East Bank [including] Providence, Grove and Diamond. I visited a number of areas there yesterday [Saturday], I put some systems in place there, I put some additional pumps there,” Mustapha said.

On Sunday, Minister Mustapha along with the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority’s (NDIA) Chairman Lionel Wordsworth and several engineers returned to the flood-affected communities.

“I have started to do some work in Little Diamond area, empoldering that area there where they can pump out the water.

Also, there is some flooding at the West Bank of Demerara, at the Canal and at the Belle West area, I have asked NDIA to look into the situation.”

Mustapha noted that the ministry will continue to the monitor the communities that have been affected to ensure that there is adequate drainage to limit the effects of flooding.

“I am hoping that we don’t have any major rainfall today, so that water can recede and the areas that were inundated yesterday [Saturday], the water would recede.”

Earlier this month Guyana’s Hydrometeorological

Service had cautioned that the upcoming rainy season, December-January, will not be favourable, with ‘wetter’ than usual weather conditions.

Persons in low-lying, riverine, and flood- prone areas were advised to take the necessary precautions against flooding, as over-topping is likely from above-normal high tides.

Further, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) urged persons to place sandbags where necessary, unplug all electrical items that are likely to come into contact with water, and elevate all household items.

The commission is also advised persons to relocate livestock to higher ground, and use purification tablets as prescribed.

Persons are also urged to report floods, damage to sea defences, overtopping and landslides to the National Emergency Monitoring Systems (NEMS) by telephone: 226-1027, 2261117, 600-7500 (Whatsapp) 604-9929.

Engineers conducting works at the Peter’s Hall sluice (Ministry of Agriculture photo)

Guyana inching closer to targets in fight against HIV

PROGRAMME Manager of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), Dr Tariq Jagnarine said 93 per cent of persons infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in Guyana know their status.

Speaking recently with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Dr Jagnarine said Guyana is close to meeting its 9595-95 goal, set out by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS.

“ There is the 95-9595 goal that most countries are trying to achieve. We’ve been doing well. We have closely met our first 95. We’re currently at 93 per cent where persons living in Guyana who are HIV positive know their status, 93 per cent of them know their status.”

For 2021 and 2022, there was a slight increase in infection in men, which was some 1.5 per cent overall, and 1.3 per cent for women. He said the 15 to 25 age group is predominantly affected by HIV.

Deaths were minimal for the year and were di-

rectly related to tuberculosis, HIV, and mother-tochild transmission.

“There is a lot of work that needs to be done,” Dr. Jagnarine said.

In fact, he pointed out there is a rapid increase in cases of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) including Syphilis, Hepatitis B, and Gonorrhoea.

In response, interventions are being put into place to sensitise persons about HIV, prevention, treatment plans, getting tested for HIV, and much more. And the NAPS Programme Manager noted that a lot more needs to be done regarding prevention, risks, and getting tested for HIV. These include access to condoms, safe sexual practices, and HIV self-testing.

Further, Dr Jagnarine said the face of HIV is changing as it is no longer life-threatening. Free treatment plans are also available.

“As long as you know your status, you can go on treatment, and stay on treatment… You can get as much as four to six months of supply of drugs. Home delivery is

available. A family member can uplift the medications for the person as well,” the programme manager explained.

He noted that persons living with HIV should not be ashamed of their status.

“I hope that one day, we can have a society where we will have zero stigmas and discrimination. A lot of people are afraid to go to the health facilities within their communities. When you go, people see them and once people see them, that’s when they leave the clinic.”

The guidelines for HIV and other STIs were changed by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organisation last year.

The programme manager highlighted that new treatment options for HIV are available in Guyana which include Tenofovir, Lamivudine, and Dolutegavir (TLD).

TLD is a dilutable-based drug that has faster viral-load suppression and is more convenient to take. It is a

smaller tablet that is taken once per day and is associated with fewer drug interactions. This means that compared to other regimens, it is easier to administer TLD with the most commonly used medications.

“ Your immune system is boosted rapidly and you start recovering faster. Most importantly, there are no major side effects… If you ask any person out there that [sic] has been in the fight who gets HIV four decades ago, when you took tablets for HIV, sometimes you had to take 11 or 12 huge tablets. Now, we have tablets that are a lot simpler, one tablet, simple, no side-effect,” Dr Jagnarine added.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (or PrEP) is a medicine taken to prevent HIV infection. PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV when taken as prescribed. PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99 per cent. Dr Jagnarine also indicated that male circumcision can also help to reduce a male’s chances of acquiring HIV. (DPI)

Programme Manager of NAPS, Dr Tariq Jagnarine (DPI photo)

Improving Lives

THOSE persons who are still living now and who would have been alive under the People’s National Congress’s (PNC) control before 1992 can speak to the modernisation that took place during the 23-year rule of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), which transformed Guyana.

The number of projects and their beneficial effects on Guyanese lives cannot be listed in this space. The National Stadium, the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, the University of Guyana Tain Campus, several hospitals, schools, critical road networks, and uncountable initiatives to better the welfare of all Guyanese are projects that may be seen with only a casual glance.

Additionally, the development of the private sector and the installation of multiple facilities, including banks across the nation, have improved transactional convenience. The housing initiative and development boom during the PPP/C government are significant and exceptional. To enable common people to own homes, enabling conditions had to be created, including those through financial institutions. This went beyond simply providing a piece of land.

The freedom and independence that come with home ownership as a result are unfathomable. In turn, prospects for furthering the growth of people and families were made possible by the acquisition of collateral. For many Guyanese who

might not have been able to own their homes otherwise, that event alone profoundly altered their lives. It would have been the fulfilment of many, if not all, of those people’s hopes.

The improvement of Guyanese lives through social or infrastructural interventions was the top priority for the 23-year PPP/C administration’s tenure, from 1992 to 2015. And it remains the case as the Dr Irfaan Ali-led administration continues its stellar work which started in 2020, after they overcame the painstaking and nerve-wracking protracted 2020 General and Regional Elections.

Guyana was a deeply indebted, impoverished nation in 1992, but has since seen years of uninterrupted economic progress and is

now regarded as a developing nation.

Guyana was hailed as the Caribbean’s shining beacon during those 23 years. Those accomplishments weren’t a coincidence; rather, they were the result of wise and forward-thinking leadership that was committed to making life better for all Guyanese.

The PPP/C government has set the foundation for many Guyanese to have a way out of poverty by fostering the conditions that enable common Guyanese to possess not only homes, but also cars, machines, and other items essential for growth and development. Thousands of lives have improved as a result. Sadly, this direction was altered, and development stalled from 2015 to

2020 under the APNU+AFC administration.

Against the backdrop of what happened in 1992 and then in 2020, it appears as though history had repeated itself; rebuilding was essential on both occasions in the wake of economic destruction and mismanagement by the APNU+AFC and its preceding expressions.

The PPP/C government has been swiftly advancing the nation down a trajectory of prosperity for the past two years, putting it on the verge of additional revolutionary growth that will eventually lead to the realisation of inherent potential.

Many more Guyanese aspirations are also becoming a reality. Several people have received house lots over the past two years. When

compared to the APNU+AFC government’s whole fiveyear term, the number allocated within this period is astounding. It’s significant because the dispersion spans populations of all ethnicities and is not restricted to a single location.

On another front, thousands of Guyanese are obtaining online scholarships with the explicit goal of developing human potential for both personal progress and to fulfil the expanding expectations of the country in this transformative phase

The ability to improve lives has been demonstrated to be a distinguishing characteristic of the PPP/C government, in sharp contrast to the APNU+AFC, and is essential to the progress of Guyana.

Growth of Georgetown hindered by APNU+AFC-controlled City Hall’s incompetence, mismanagement

Dear Editor,

THE Mayor, along with APNU has, for a long time, hindered the growth of Georgetown through incompetent leadership and mismanagement of our urban space. In the Mayor’s recent trip for scoring cheap political points, he made irrational and reckless comments that could lead to racial and religious division, and caused some degree of public unrest.

Mr. Narine and Mr. Aubrey Norton, the leader of the APNU, have shown their natural ability to politicise every issue and play the race card as the first line of defence, displayed their lack of knowledge of the law and showcased their mentality of exploiting Guyanese for their own vile political agendas, apparently at all cost.

“At all cost” being the

obstruction of traffic for a neonate needing Intensive Care Unit services, a mother in labour, an individual involved in an motor vehicle accident and losing blood fast, a child with a sickle cell crisis or asthmatic crisis or anyone seeking medical assistance.

I recall these vendors on the New Market Street since medical school days and I recall that a portion of time when the APNU held power, that very strip of New Market St. was cleared of vendors and “taxi only” signs were erected up to a point.

However, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I noticed a few stalls popping up back along the stretch of roadway and then caravans and other stalls opened up, putting the taxi zone out and leaving a narrow space for motor vehicles

to pass.

Mayor Narine would have not have done his job over the two years and his reactions support the theory that this was with the pure intention of gaining political points. As for the game plan, same as usual, to creating unrest by putting racism and division into people’s minds and to give people false hope at the cost of peace and unity.

This shows the gross exploitation of people who are vulnerable and with limited understanding of the laws and its procedures.

Then the APNU’s leader Mr. Norton attempts to cover his racial remarks by comparing two scenarios which are completely different but have one common factor: all ethnicities were involved in both instances.

Mr. Norton should be ashamed to even mention

the brutalisation and vandalisation which took place at Mon-Repos since it was his very derogatory and racial divisive remarks and non-expert opinion on the outcomes of a case which fuelled people to behave the way they did. Arrests were made and examples were made of those and same goes for this instance where the law was upheld and procedures were followed as prescribed.

The Police Force must be at a relief to be working in their own space and on their own orders and not the orders of power drunk APNU+AFC high-office holders as highlighted in the Commission of Inquiry on the GRE 2020 rigging attempts.

Noteworthy is the fact that Mayor Narine was arrested for “inciting racial

division” and nothing about his religious blasphemy was pronounced upon. So I am of the opinion that Mayor Narine should stop taking pictures with denominations and talking about religion, but instead face the City he tries effortlessly to divide and the people he leads astray, and apologise to them.

Enough damage has been dealt to our once beautiful City which the PNC has controlled for years.

And, the Leader of the Opposition continuing to call the private sector “stooges” is laughable because this further shows their pea-brain mentality from the “top brass” and him not recognising the valued role of the free market economy.

As a young citizen of Georgetown, I am doubling the calls for the Mayor to resign with immediate ef -

fect after the court has made its decision on his case. I reiterate the calling for more independent candidacy and for candidates who are on the ground daily and in the trenches with the people, our people and following up daily.

Georgetown needs stern leadership and leadership with the capacity to have compassion in correcting and setting people on the right path. The true potential of Regent Street can be seen once these political quacks are removed through the democratic voting at Local Government Elections, 2023.

I urge the Georgetown vendors to assist Guyana and do what is right by her. Hand wash hands make hands clean.

Yours Respectfully, Dr. Josh Kanhai.

Health Ministry blasts Kaieteur News for ‘reckless’ report

THE Ministry of Health in a statement issued on Sunday dismissed a report published by the Kaieteur newspaper, stating that the contents of a report were reckless and incorrect.

The report, bearing the headline, “Government tells IDB not to disclose all information on $97M loan for Health Sector,” was published in Sunday’s newspaper. But the Health Ministry said that the headline is inaccurate and pointed out several inconsistencies in the report.

“Beyond the misleading headline, KN then proceeded to state all the details of the loan that the headline claimed the government asked not to be disclosed,” the ministry’s statement highlighted.

It added, “The Ministry of Health (MoH) completely rejects the headline and unequivocally makes it clear that the MoH has never requested the IDB not to disclose any information relating to this project.”

In an attempt to offer clarity on the loan and the government’s engagements with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the ministry’s statements detailed pertinent information on the agreement.

On December 7, the statement noted, the board of the IDB approved a project as part of a $160M CLIP loan. The project is for a $97M loan(and) has three components, all of which KN reported from the IDB published information, the statement read.

Component One is an infrastructural project which will see new construction and upgrading of seven hospitals. The hospitals to be reconstructed or upgraded include four hinterland hospitals, the Linden hospital, the New Amsterdam hospital and the Georgetown Public Hospital.

Then, Component Two will continue to build on digital health and expand telemedicine in the country.

Outside of the telemedicine programme, which the government recently has been piloting in four remote health posts in Region Nine (Upper Takutu- Upper Essequibo), it was noted that the IDB project expects to see the programme expanding to remote health posts and centres around the country. The project will also ensure that all hospitals and polyclinics with diagnostic imaging becomes part of the teleradiology programme and

Promote peace and unity across Guyana

Dear Editor, THE United Republican Party stands strong with the motives of promoting peace and unity across Guyana. We encourage Guyanese, at home and the diaspora, to be mindful of your speech and reactions towards your fellow brothers and sisters

We witnessed through the media, not so long ago, a brazen attempt on the highest office of the country and this sight shook the town. We’ve heard numerous voices thanking God that worst didn’t happen and we are moved by that. The maturity of some Guyanese after this brazen act shows progress; it shows that there is potential to live together as one guyana.

We look toward the major opposition, the APNU+AFC, with disappointment. Your organisation was basically birthed from the independence of this country and to this day, you have consistently misled the people, misuse your powers and displeased the population with the acts

you try to pull off; they embarrass all of Guyana locally and internationally.

Inciting racial division should now be a thing of the past, history! The cabal should not speak if they don’t have anything of substance to say in their defences. All of the speech coming from the mouths of the top APNU+AFC officials are vile and cause people to become excited for violence, saying openly statements like “Guyana will burn.”

The URP is pleading with the APNU officials to desist from race baiting. You are misleading people for your own political gains and that is never what politics was taught to be.

We wish a speedy recovery to the President’s guard and thank him for his act of bravery. We encourage an uneventful season filled with joy, peace and unity. Season’s greetings from the United Republican Party.

Yours Sincerely, Dr. Vishnu Bandu, Leader of the URP.

that up to 20 centres become part of a teleophthalmology programme.

Finally, Component Three will focus on strengthening the health system, including strengthening the supply chain and ensuring that the package of services from the Health Ministry is imple -

mented across the country, supporting the government’s push for equity.

The details of the reconstruction and upgrading will be developed as part of the project. Technical consultants will be contracted to create the reconstruction and upgrading work. However,

the government has already indicated that every region and several sub-regions in the hinterland will see hospitals reconstructed and upgraded to deliver Level Four services. The government has indicated that upgrading and reconstructing hinterland hospitals and the Linden Hospital will

be a priority for this project.

“This loan adds to the government’s drive to transform the health sector. Every hospital in Guyana will be upgraded as part of the total transformation of the health sector that the government announced in August 2020,” the statement further noted.

I created a fatherless home

CHILDREN raised in a home without a father do not recognise the imbalance or realise that someone is missing. After all, they cannot miss the presence of a father they never had, so their world consists mainly of the people who provide and care for them. When father figures are portrayed in stories, or other children speak about their dads, children from fatherless homes become aware that their father is absent. They ask questions and form ideas and images of the elusive person who assisted in

their creation.

It is usual for children to want to know their fathers. They like to know what traits and features they inherit from him and may want to meet their relatives on his side of the family. Although children spend most of their time with their mothers, fathers have equal importance. The relationship between father and child should be encouraged and maintained even if parents separate. Unless the father is a child abuser or puts the child’s safety or well-being at risk, fathers should have access to their

offspring.

A grown woman recalls: The memories I have of my father carry no substance or worth. He was just a man who showed up now and then, but he never hugged me or talked to me about anything of value. I received no birthday cards from him, and he never took me out or showed an interest in how I progressed at school or as a person. He was my father by title only.

My mum tried her best. She even gave us the odd birthday party when she could afford to, but she was rushed off her feet with

work and maintaining the family, so my bond with her wasn’t the greatest. Without even realising it, I raised my children in a fatherless home, although it didn’t start that way. I didn’t get along with their father and thought nothing of leaving him behind when our marriage broke down and caring for my children on my own.

I thought I was doing something sensible; I am a strong woman who could make it without the help of a man. It never crossed my mind to consider the children’s feelings and ensure

they maintained a good relationship with their father. He came to see them now and again, which was good enough for me – it was more than I ever got from my father.

When I heard their dad had met someone new and was expecting a baby, I felt happy for him; he was moving on in life. Little did I know, this new event would change his relationship with our boys. His visits became sparse as the boys grew into adolescence. They were good boys, well-mannered and disciplined with their education. They didn’t give me much trouble. I must admit, though, it dawned on me that they needed some male input. I began to see where a father figure could give additional strength, support and influence along the way. When I realised that young men do not confide or speak about certain things with their mothers, their father was completely taken up with his new family, and the bond between him and our boys lay in tatters.

Years later, when the boys were in their twenties, I heard through my youngest son how much he had been affected by the break-up and separation. We were having a slight disagreement one day, nothing heated or disrespectful, when it all came pouring out – it was as if he had kept it inside for years. In a passion, he blamed me for leaving his father and spoiling his life. He said nothing was the same when we moved away and left his dad. As a child, he never felt protected with me as head of the home and would wake up in a panic after crying himself to sleep.

I had no idea his childhood was so traumatic;

I saw no outward signs of the grief he felt at the time - I guess I was working too hard to notice. My immediate impulse was to put my arms around him to comfort the boy inside the man, but I realised that would not take away his pain. I tried to explain that, at the time, I did what I thought was best for all of us. My children needed me, and I could not function in an unhappy marriage. If I could go back and change the circumstances to give him the peace of mind he deserves, I would – it was never my intention to cause my children harm.

Although filled with emotion, our conversation ended amicably. We cannot change the past, but we can heal from trauma with love, patience and understanding. My trauma took the form of neglect from my father; I allowed it to shadow the decisions I made.

Over time I learnt to put the past in perspective - it isn’t easy, but it is necessary to move on and progress in life. There is no point in remaining bitter about the past. It is better to lay it out in front of you and examine the contents, learning from things that happened.

If my son needs me, I am here to help, but only he can self-heal in his way over time. I pray that one day he will find the same peace with the past that I found.

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

$13M Smith Creek housing project to benefit vulnerable residents

VULNERABLE residents and pensioners of Smith Creek, Region One (Barima- Waini) will benefit from a new $13 million project to construct 10 wooden, elevated houses under the Ministry of Housing and Water’s Hinterland Housing Programme.

Three contracts for this project were inked on Saturday on the sidelines of a community outreach activity spearheaded by Housing and Water Minister Collin Croal at the Mabaruma Learning and Resource Centre in Region One.

Each unit will consist of three bedrooms and measure approximately 20 by 25 feet. Importantly, vulnerable persons and pensioners identified by members of the community are being targetted to benefit from the housing project.

Minister Croal, according to the Department of Public Information (DPI), said the project is in fulfilment of a commitment made by

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali when he visited the riverine community during an election campaign in 2019.

He noted that the initiative is part of a process to upgrade the environment in which the people of Smith Creek live. Beyond this project, he committed to improving the community’s access to water access so as to mitigate water-related health issues.

“We will seek to assist that area, or bring some semblance of relief to Smith Creek with the assistance of some houses to be constructed. The environment of Smith Creek cannot continue how it is, and, similarly, we will be making interventions to ensure that they have a proper source of water so that we can eliminate some health concerns,” Minister Croal stated.

Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC), Sherman Lewis expressed satisfaction that

the Irfaan Ali-led administration is honouring its commitment to the people of the community.

“They tell us that if they only go into power, they will transform that environment… and also build some houses,” Lewis said, adding: “Since they got into power, they will go to-

wards it. And I had a meeting with engineers from the ministry that came in and looked at the place. So, the people really feel proud to know that the commitments and the promises will come to reality, and the majority of the community will be involved like in building the houses,

cutting the material, so they will earn money.”

The implementation of the hinterland housing project will utilise a model similar to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)-funded Sustainable Housing for the Hinterland Programme that was previously implemented

by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA).

The programme was very successful in improving the living conditions of over 500 hinterland households in Regions One and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo).

Minister of Housing and Water Collin Croal (seated right) inks one of the contracts awarded for the construction of new houses at Smith Creek, Region One (DPI photo)

Over 1,000 GOAL scholarship awardees join MoE’s Literacy Mentorship Programme

A TOTAL of 1,032 Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship awardees will receive training and participate in the Ministry of Educa-

tion’s National Literacy Volunteer Mentorship Programme.

According to a post made on Facebook by GOAL, the awardees will undergo

a three-day training to provide the requisite skills and competencies needed to deliver the programme. This mentorship programme will commence in January 2023.

others, either through mentoring or community projects,” the post stated.

GOAL scholarships are free of cost but awardees are encouraged to participate in volunteer activities to aid Guyana’s development.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education’s National Literacy Department, in October, first launched a threeday training workshop, the National Literacy Volunteer Conference at the Ramada Princess Hotel at Providence, East Bank Demerara (EBD). This programme saw 132 persons from throughout the country being equipped with the skills needed to aid citizens to acquire functional literacy skills.

An assessment was conducted earlier in the year whereby over 600 children and their parents gathered to assess what skills learners had, as they were preparing to return to school after the schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This assessment proved that children needed additional support in all areas.

Assistant Chief Education Officer with responsibility for Literacy, Samantha Williams, speaking at the launch said that pre-COVID evidence suggests that more than half of the world’s population of children were not acquiring basic skills in reading and math and had very low literacy levels.

“The National Literacy Department of the Ministry of Education is delivering on one of the promises made by our minister. We are happy to say that we will be training approximately 132 volunteers who will join the fight

with us to aggressively work to eliminate illiteracy,” she said.

This volunteer programme will help to concretize the level of support that can be given to students through intervention.

She also added that the volunteer programme was part of a broader national rollout as they partnered with GOAL to provide training for all awardees who are interested in becoming volunteers.

“As you may be aware, persons who were awarded scholarships have to do community service. So, we are teaming up with GOAL to ensure that the community service that persons do would be to support literacy,” she said in October.

Williams added: “So we are going to train the awardees and they are going to become literacy educators in the same way that you will become literacy edu cators and they are going to contribute as well to the changes that we will see in another couple of years.”

She said that by the end of the training, they want volunteers to leave with general, broad ideas, such as knowing how to execute the reading programme and being able to assess where students are, as well as understand the importance of ensuring that learners acquire literacy skills.

“So, a part of this programme is not just based on getting them to become good readers, but [also] generally getting them to become better citizens. So, we’re going to focus on those virtues and values that we need to transmit and inculcate,” she said.

“GOAL reminds awardees that community service is empowering, as it connects awardees to the community as a means of motivating and transferring knowledge to

Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL) scholarship applicant (DPI photo)

‘Greens’, meat prices remain stable amid Christmas rush

- Agriculture Minister warns industry players against price gouging

By Naomi Parris

MARKET prices for vegetables, fruits and meat products appear to be returning to a more

on Sunday morning visited several municipal markets in Georgetown and spoke with vendors who confirmed the decrease in prices for some vegetables

at several stalls, while the price for a piece of pumpkin varied from $340 to $460. Ochroes were priced at $200 per pound.

$360 per pound.

Beef at several stalls was being sold at $460 to $1000, while pork was being sold at $640 to $700 per pound.

Speaking with this publication, vendor at the Bourda Market, Annie (only name given), highlighted that prices for many commodities are stable. She, however, said some fruits and vegetables are “scarce” on the market and within the new week consumers may see prices fluctuating due to this.

“Some fruits right now scarce because of the rain, so prices might go up later in the week, ’cause you know a lot of people going to be shopping and everybody going to want their grapes and apples and them things that for Christmas,” Annie said.

cel of four apples is being sold at $400, while grapes are being sold at $1200 per pound.

Ivan, a vendor at the La Penitence market, said

sales have been slow in recent weeks but he anticipates an increase in business within the week.

“The market right now

affordable cost during the ongoing Christmas season, but Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha warned vendors against increasing the cost of goods again.

The Guyana Chronicle

and meats. Vendors usually set their prices based on how much they paid for the goods; other factors are sometimes taken into consideration.

The price for a bundle of bora was $200

Meanwhile, a tray of eggs is priced at $1600 while chicken is priced at $460 per pound. At the Guyana Marketing Corporation (GMC) a tray of eggs is priced at $1200 while chicken is priced at

Bananas are being sold at $200 per pound, a par-

Greens being sold at the La Penitence Market

Beef, pork and other meat products being sold at the Bourda Market

UNCTAD: Global trade growth turns negative after record year

GLOBAL trade is set to reach almost $32 trillion this year, but inflation has reversed some of the gains made in recent months.

That’s according to UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD, whose analysts said that global growth “turned negative” during the second half of 2022.

The UN agency said that trade in goods and ser-

vices is expected to reach $25 trillion and $7 trillion respectively, by the end of the year.

The downturn began in the third quarter of the year, with goods trading about one per cent lower than from March to May.

VALUES DIP DOWN

In its global trade update, UNCTAD said that, although services actually increased by 1.3 per cent in

the third quarter, both goods and services are expected to fall in value in the run-up to the end of the year.

Demand for foreign goods “proved resilient” through 2022, the trade and development update said, with trade volumes overall increasing by three per cent.

Trade volumes of East Asian economies have shown resilience, while South-South trade lagged during the third quarter.

Overall, “geopolitical frictions, persisting inflation, and lower global demand are expected to negatively affect global trade during 2023”, said UNCTAD in its report highlights.

NEGATIVE FACTORS

Among the negative factors teased out, are lower economic growth forecast through 2023 due to high energy prices, rising interest rates, sustained inflation in many economies and the depressive impact of the war in Ukraine.

Prices of components and consumer goods are expected to dampen demand for imports and lead to a declining volume of inter-

national trade.

Record levels of global debt and increased interest rates, “pose significant concerns for debt sustainability”, increasing pressure on those governments most in debt, and “amplifying vulnerabilities”.

POSITIVE FACTORS

On the upside, ports and shipping companies have adjusted to the supply chain crunch provoked by the COVID-19 pandemic, with new ships entering service, and port congestion, largely resolved, said UNCTAD.

Recently signed trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive

Economic Partnership in the Asia-Pacific (RCEP), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), “should come to fruition and provide some momentum” for the whole international system, the report highlights.

Risk and uncertainty continue to be high for global supply chains overall, but efforts towards forging a greener global economy, are expected to spur demand for environmentally sustainable products, said UNCTAD, while reducing the demand for goods with high carbon content, and for fossil fuels. (UN News)

A ship passes through a section of the Panama Canal, one of the busiest trading routes in the world (UN News/Jing Zhang)

Six more small business owners in Reg. 6 get much-needed grant

about 130 just for this region, Region Six. We have people in a variety of small enterprises and we give out about $150,000 each grant and these grants are all within the plans of the small business bureau to promote sustainable growth and to help with poverty reduction within the entire region.

“This is one of the major aspects and we focus on helping these small businesses grow,” Ibrahim said.

Meanwhile, young businessman Devindra Ramnarine, is excited to finally receive his grant.

“I have been waiting months now and I finally

grant. “This sum of money that we can put into our business and it would help especially me -- a mother of two -- to expand in my business,” she said

ANOTHER six small business owners in Region Six (East BerbiceCorentyne), on Saturday received the $150,000 small business grant from the Small Business Bureau (SBB) and will be

able to boost their businesses.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the SBB, Mohamed Ibrahim, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the distribution is only part

of the support the agency gives to small businesses in Guyana. The SBB assists persons with grants, training, business development and loan guarantee.

“We are here distributing grants and we did just

The distribution was done at the business incubator at Belvedere, East Berbice. And several beneficiaries related how these grants will enable them to expand their businesses.

“I think it’s good, it’s great, at least it’s a help for starting a small business,” said Bibi Rahaman, who owns a grocery business.

get it and this will help me to restock my shop…I receive $150,000,” he said.

Subike Solomon, a mother of two, was also grateful for receiving the

The SBB, a release from the DPI noted, will be in several other regions shortly to distribute more small business grants.

Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Bureau (SBB), Mohamed Ibrahim, poses with some of the beneficiaries (DPI photo)

The Small Business Bureau’s CEO, Mohamed Ibrahim, handing over a cheque (DPI photo)

Billions invested in salary increases part of long-term economic strategy- VP Jagdeo

IN alignment with its commitment to improving the livelihood of all Guyanese, the government, for 2022 has invested over $11 billion to facilitate the increases in wages and salaries across the public sector.

This was disclosed by Vice-President, Dr Bharrat

Jagdeo, during an interview on Friday. Responding to criticisms about the eight per cent retroactive increase provided, the VicePresident said that the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration has a comprehensive strategy that will see increases in disposable income and

overall economic viability in the long-term.

“This country has to have a viable economic strategy and an economic strategy cannot be all about the recurrent budget…You have to plan for the future. You have to create the conditions to create future wealth,” the VP noted.

One of the moves the government has made since returning to office is reversing some $40 billion in taxes imposed on Guyanese by the APNU+AFC government during its tenure. This is in addition to incentives in various sectors to buffer the rise in cost of living.

“By having conducive

policies moving forward, like in some of the sectors we have further reduced taxes like in education and health; we removed the corporate tax consistent with our manifesto promises. And thirdly, infrastructure. Infrastructure helps to lower unit costs and the costs of doing business… so that’s the balance we strike.

“You improve people’s lives by reducing the taxes so they pay less taxes now. So, they have more disposable income and we’ve done that. You increase their salaries, that’s disposable income, which we’ve done, and then you also create conditions for more people to be employed, like the 11,000 part-time workers who now earn about $6 billion more. They were never earning that before,” he pointed out.

SALARY ADJUSTMENTS

Reference was also made to the salary adjustments for the joint services and health sector workers, as significant and instrumental in the administration’s move to fix the disparities in salaries and wages in those sectors.

“So, in the joint services, across the disciplined services the four agencies, there were big disparities between comparable positions. So, like a corporal, might be earning significantly less than a corporal in another agency… so what we did, we tried to raise the bottom up. So, the minimum salary for constable went up. So, you raise people at the bottom and secondly, you try to fix the disparities between comparable jobs across the services, the joint services. The same thing in the health sector,” the VP explained.

Dr. Jagdeo said while the opposition only looks at

certain aspects, the government continues to manage the economy from a sustainable standpoint, which will ensure citizens have more money in their pockets.

“When you manage a country, you have to look at all the parts and find balances so that we can do this over the long term, over the long term keep increasing the wages our people get, get more of them employed, get better working conditions, grow the economy, so if the oil and gas sector collapses or the prices drop significantly, we don’t have a big shrinkage in terms of economic viability,” he highlighted.

Since returning to office, the government has afforded public servants, a seven per cent across-theboard increase in 2021; the restoration of one-month tax-free year-end bonuses to the disciplined services totalling more than $1 billion per annum; an increase of some 40 per cent in the monthly old-age pension from $20,500 to $28,000, providing a total pension payout of more than $21 billion to senior citizens; an increase of 55 per cent in public assistance payments from $9,000 to $14,000 monthly, which provided a total of more than $3 billion in annual income support to the beneficiaries of the programme, among other interventions.

Other noteworthy incentives include the restoration of the cash grants to the parents of schoolaged children, totalling some $6 billion in direct cash transfers, and an increase in the minimum wage for private sector employees by 36 per cent to $60,147, in keeping with the recommendations of a tripartite committee. (DPI)

Vice President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo (DPI photo)

‘Celebrating the real reason for the season’

- Zadok Ministers Fellowship brings JESUS 2022 events across country

ZADOK Ministers Fellowship- a network of pastors, ministers and other church officials- hopes to remind people that Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season and, as such, familyfriendly events are being hosted across the country.

The network, in a press release, explained that its “JESUS 2022” events are being hosted in all 10 administrative regions. The events started in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro- Siparuni), on Thursday and they continued every day since.

“JESUS 2022 is a freeof-cost event for the entire family, wherever it is hosted in the 10 Regions of Guyana. The programmes include dances, praise, worship, caroling, songs, poetry, drama, steel pan band, motorcade,

distribution of toys, spoken word and much more to bring glory and honour to the birth of Jesus Christ,” the release noted.

It added, “The idea and intent of JESUS 2022 is to bring a sober and conscious reflection to all Guyanese on the real reason for the season - the birth of Jesus Christ, the saviour who saves people from their sins.”

This evening, JESUS 2022 events continue. They will be hosted at the Faith Miracle Ministry in Tuschen, Region Three (Essequibo Islands- West Demerara); the Bartica Community Centre, Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni); and at the Lusignan Tarmac, Region Four (Demerara- Mahaica).

Then on Tuesday, events will be hosted at Anna Re-

gina Tarmac, Region Two (Pomeroon- Supenaam) and the Ministry of Education’s compound, Vreed-en-Hoop, Region Three.

On Wednesday, JESUS 2022 will be at the Kingston Seawall Band Stand, Georgetown, Region Four. And on Thursday, the event will be at the Soesdyke Junction (open lot), Region Four. Finally, the suite of events will conclude on Friday, December 23, at Republic Avenue, Linden, Region 10 (Upper Demerara- Berbice).

The release noted that all are welcome to join the celebrations aimed at giving recognition to Jesus Christ. Additional details can be accessed on the Fellowship’s Facebook Page: Facebook.com/Zadok MinistersFellowship

‘Greens’, meat prices...

FROM PAGE 11

fluctuating due to the increase of rainfall that has created a damper with the sale...apart from that, sale is good,” Ivan said.

He added, “I project that as the time winds down, people will come out in their numbers and sales will pick[up].”

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, in an invited comment, noted that the Ministry of Agriculture through the GMC has been offering commodities at lower prices to maintain stability on the markets.

Beyond this, however, he warned vendors that his ministry will be monitoring the market prices in the coming days. As such, they should desist from price gouging.

“We are monitoring the markets, I have staff that are going around and they will be looking at people who are doing those things to take action. It is a very serious matter and we are trying to keep

the prices stable,” Minister Mustapha said.

INTERVENTIONS

The efforts to keep prices stable that Mustapha alluded to are part of the interventions implemented by the government to cushion the impact of global price increases and a resulting, high cost of living in Guyana.

Some $7.5 billion was expended on the COVID-19 cash grants. Under this programme, each household in Guyana was given a one-off grant valued at $25,000.

President, Dr Irfaan Ali had indicated in January 2022 that under the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) administration, persons in each of the 10 administrative regions benefitted from the programme.

He said that the programme was “…injecting critical liquidity into the economy and providing a cash lifeline to households, so many of which were thrown into distress

as a result of the pandemic.”

Additionally, cash grants have been distributed to sugar workers, private cane farmers and fishermen.

Further, government distributed $1 billion in fertilisers to farmers across Guyana as a means of absorbing the rising global costs for the commodity and preventing the costs from being passed on to consumers.

“The cost of a fertiliser has affected the production cost[s] for farmers which have translated into increased prices in the markets. In order to cushion the impact of the rising cost of fertiliser on farmers, and to limit the pass-through to food prices, my government will be purchasing $1 billion dollars’ worth of fertiliser for free distribution to farmers for use in their planting activities,” President Ali had declared in May, 2022.

India close off Bangladesh win in morning session

(ESPNCRICINFO)

- It took India only 11.2 overs on the final morning of the Chattogram Test to pick up the last four Bangladesh wickets and take a 1-0

lead in the two-match series. Their 188-run win and South Africa's six-wicket loss to Australia shortly afterwards meant India are now second on the World Test Championship points table. They have another five Tests in this cycle, and if they win four of those, they will guarantee themselves

another appearance in the final.

Bangladesh were bowled out for a mere 150 in their first innings. But, set a target of 513 in a bit over two days, they showed great resistance the second time around and finished the fourth day on 272 for 6.

Shakib Al Hasan and Mehidy Hasan Miraz,

the two overnight batters, started positively on the fifth morning, with Mehidy driving Mohammed Siraj on the up through covers in the first over of the day. From the other end, Shakib slog-swept Axar Patel for a six.

India struck back when Mehidy, once again trying to hit Siraj on the up, sliced one to

backward point.

With India into the tail now, Shakib started farming the strike. He either skipped down the track against Axar or used the slog sweep to pick up the boundaries. Against Siraj, he opened up his stance and used the pull and flat-bat shots to keep going. Along with Taijul Islam, he added 37

for the eighth wicket; all 37 runs came from Shakib's bat.

Shakib hit six fours and as many sixes in his entertaining 84 before being bowled by Kuldeep Yadav. The Bangladesh innings didn't last long after that, with Axar finishing with four wickets in the innings and Kuldeep three.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

South Africa Racing Tips

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13:30 hrs Maharajas Express 14:00 hrs Evolicatt 14:30 hrs Scramble

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Punchestown 08:40 hrs Invictus Machin 09:10 hrs Time Marches On 09:40 hrs Harmonya Maker

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(Monday December 19, 2022)

CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY

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

Answers to yesterday’s quiz:

(1) 24 T20 Internationals

(2) 8 Wins; 15 Losses; 1 NR Today’s Quiz:

(1) Which WI batsman has scored most Test runs in 2022?

(2) Which WI bowler has claimed most Test wickets in 2022?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

Cricket Academy to enhance cricket...

FROM PAGE 22

Board and they have a shared vision. He said it is his Ministry’s vision to take sports back to the highest level and will continue to make the necessary investments.

Meanwhile, the award ceremony was held after three years and it recognizes the efforts of outstanding Essequibo cricketers. Kumarie Persaud was named as the senior female cricketer of the year while the Junior Cricketer was Cyanne Retimiah. The Senior Cricketer of the year was Kemol Savory and the Junior was Bruce Vincent. Kemol Savory was named as the player of the year while the emerging player of the year award went to

Garfield Phillips

Other cricketers that were honoured for their outstanding performances in the game of cricket was Ravid Fredricks, Ethan Silas, Darrius Pearson, who emerged as the most outstanding performer at the U-13 level while Zandon Rose and Nicholas Lovelle did well for the U-15 level. Gowkarran Chullai received the award for the U-17 level. Bruce Vincent received award for outstanding performances in the U-17 and 19.

Shining in the female cricket for the U-19 level were Cyanne Retimiah and Lavina Ragobeer. Kumarie Persaud received the award for the senior level.

Meanwhile, Quintin

Sampson, Ronsford Beaton, Anthony Adams, Kemol Savory and Keemo Paul were awarded for their outstanding performances at the Senior Male Level.

Coaches Courtney Gonsalves and Forbes Daniels efforts were recognized for their contribution in cricket development while Ryan Hercules efforts were recognized as the first Essequbians for the Level 3 Coach and Senior Coach for the National team.

Jeff Jhones received an award for being the first Essequibian player to score a century in Senior Inter-County. Elbert Stephens was awarded for being the first Essequibian player to obtain a 5-wicket haul in a Final

against Berbice played at Hampton Court, while Dasroy Balgobin was recognized for being the first Essequibian National umpire.

“More Training”

President of the Essequibo Cricket Board, Daleep Singh, said that newly elected members of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) organized the award ceremony to recognize the performances of cricketers in the Region. Singh said the ECB spans from Bartica to Pomeroon and, in 2022, expanded the scope of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee into four Amerindian reservations: Moruca in Region Two; Wakapau , Kabakaburi, and Karawab in the Upper Pomeroon.

Mentions were made of President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to rehabilitate the Cricket Board Hostel at Anna Regina. He said that despite challenges, the ECB will be fast-tracking its programmes to meet cricket needs in Region Two. More indoor training facilities will be constructed in all area committees to enhance players’ development.

Persaud and Savory expressed gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Essequibo Cricket Board for hosting the award ceremony. Persaud said that she is willing to work with female cricketers in the region to further enhance cricket in the region.

Cummins, Head, Starc lead Australia to victory inside two days

(ESPNCRICINFO)

- It only lasted two days. But it was action-packed, wicket-filled and run-rare. And in the end, Australia have the series lead. They claimed victory in six sessions as 34 wickets fell in fewer than 145 overs in the second-shortest Test in Australia.

The frequency of dismissals means the unavoidable talking point will be the pitch, which was so green it was indiscernible from the outfield on day one, but it would be unfair to pin the result on the surface alone. Australia's bowlers, especially in the latter part of the first and throughout the second innings, were accurate and incisive against a South African batting line-up. In 2022, South Africa have been dismissed for under 200 in Tests eight times, their most innings totals lower than 200 in a calendar year. In this Test match, their totals of 152 and 99 with top scores of 64 from Kyle Verreynne and 36* by Khaya Zondo were not enough.

Australia also battled on the strip, which showed signs of inconsistent bounce abetted by the divots and lost four wickets in the chase, all to Kagiso Rabada. He is now the leading Test wicket-taker of the year and it will be small consolation for falling behind in a key contest. South Africa must win at least one Test to stay in contention for the World Test

Championship final, while Australia lead the points table.

The damage was done in the middle session, where South Africa were reduced to 66 for 7, level on scores after conceding an equivalent lead in the morning, but without much batting to come.

Zondo, playing in only his third Test, gave a reasonable account of

wicket and Sarel Erwee, caught in the gully for the second time in the match.

Bavuma and Zondo batted together for 99 balls and scored 42 runs between them, many of them nervy. They were beaten at least a dozen times but there were also some signs of form, such as when Bavuma leaned into a cover drive off Cum -

moved away slightly and Steven Smith completed the catch at second slip. Two balls after that, Boland bowled Marco Jansen with an away-seamer. On the stroke of the scheduled tea break, Starc bagged another when Keshav Maharaj nicked off. South Africa were still two runs behind. They levelled scored by the tea break, but

into a half-volley and drove Rabada down the ground to put the hosts ahead. Green repeated the shot two more times in Rabada's next two overs to force him out of the attack early, but that did not work to Australia's advantage.

Marco Jansen replaced Rabada and struck twice in his first over to clip Australia's brisk start. Green re -

that confirmed he had hit both glove and shirt. His 96-ball innings finished on 92, and ultimately, proved a significant difference between the two sides.

Australia's lead was only 30 runs at that stage, and it was up to Alex Carey and the lower order to push that past 50. Starc lofted Jansen over mid-off and pulled Nortje through mid-wicket and put on 31 with Carey for the eighth wicket. Carey ran well in his short innings, with no boundaries in his 30-ball 22, but 12 singles, two threes and a four, which he and Starc ran.

They took Australia's lead to over 60 before Ngidi was introduced after the first drinks' break and broke through. Starc hit Ngidi's first ball in the air through mid-on for four and then drove the last ball aerially as well. Ngidi got down low in his follow-through and completed a good return catch.

his ability especially against the short ball but only had support from Temba Bavuma, with whom he shared a 42-run fourth-wicket stand.

By the time the pair came together, South Africa were 5 for 3 and has lost Dean Elgar, lbw to Pat Cummins, Rassie van der Dussen to a Mitchell Starc beauty that seamed in at pace and snuck through the bat-pad gap to give Starc his 300th Test

mins and then Scott Boland and when Zondo swivel-pulled Cummins behind square. They were 19 runs short of erasing the deficit when a Nathan Lyon delivery stayed a touch low and struck Bavuma on the pad. He was given out and reviewed, with replays showing it was going on to clip leg stump.

In the next over, Boland found Kyle Verreynne's outside edge with a delivery that

they did not appear to be building much of a lead when Cummins removed Rabada and Anrich Nortje in successive balls. Zondo farmed the strike for much of the time Lungi Ngidi was with him but Ngidi also got a couple away and South Africa set Australia 34 to win.

Earlier, Australia took the lead in the first five deliveries as Rabada completed his overnight over. Cameron Green tucked

ceived another half-volley, off Jansen's second ball, and he attempted a booming drive. He only managed a thick edge that flew to Keshav Maharaj at third slip. Maharaj parried the ball up and Sarel Erwee, from first slip, ran behind him to take the catch. Two balls later, Travis Head was given out caught down the leg side. Head reviewed and though there was nothing on hotspot, snicko revealed a spike

A pumped-up Rabada then bounced Cummins out, with three short balls in a row. The first popped up to point and Cummins was given out but reviewed successfully. Replays showed the ball had hit the arm guard. Cummins nearly edged the second and then pulled the third to mid-wicket, where Nortje was waiting. In this next over, Rabada had Lyon caught at midon to finish with four wickets in the innings.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have a chat • Associated Press

England takes first innings lead

a third run when Azhar Ali prepared to throw the ball in from deep midwicket, but scurried back to the keeper's end with Stokes already charging down towards him.

who overturned an early decision that went against him and calmly rotated the strike through the afternoon session.

and crunching Abrar through extra cover.

(ESPNCRICINFO)

- Harry Brook made the third hundred of his extraordinary series as England took a 50-run first-innings lead on the second day of their third and final Test against Pakistan. Nauman Ali and Abrar Ahmed shared eight wickets between them but were made to toil on a slow, dry pitch, bowling 64.4 out of the 81.4 overs in England's innings.

Pakistan's openers, Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood, had cut the deficit to 29 runs by the close, seeing out nine overs of spin. On Monday, they will look to set England a challenging fourth-innings target as they attempt to avoid being whitewashed on home soil for the first time.

Brook reached three figures in the afternoon session with a backfoot punch through the covers off Abrar, prompting a standing ovation from Karachi's National Stadium and the England balcony.

He added 117 in a vital sixth-wicket stand with Ben Foakes, who made a watchful 64 in his first innings of the tour. Brook's afternoon had started in calamity as he ran out his captain, Ben Stokes, in the second over after lunch.

Brook worked Mohammad Wasim into the leg side and initially started coming back for

As Wasim whipped the bails off at the other end, Brook managed to sneak his bat over the popping crease just before Stokes, who responded by throwing his head back before giving Brook a calm thumbs up, as if to exonerate him for his role in the mix-up. At that stage, England were 145 for 5 and still trailing by 159 runs on first innings.

But Brook pressed on unfazed, rifling a pull through the leg side off Abrar to get his innings back up and running and reaching a 73-ball half-century with a top-edged sweep. He found an able partner in Foakes,

Foakes was given out on 9 when struck on the pad by Abrar's wrong'un, as the ball popped up to short leg. He was unsure whether he had been given out caught or leg-before, but in the event, he survived on both fronts: there was no inside edge, and ball-tracking technology predicted the ball would have missed his leg stump.

By the second drinks break, Pakistan had gone flat in the field and Brook recognised he had the opportunity to cash in. He pumped Abrar back over his head for a straight six and looked at ease against both spinners, reaching a fluent hundred off 133 balls by standing tall

Brook's hundred was his third of his nascent Test career, in only his sixth innings. When he passed 94, Brook also broke Alastair Cook's record (450 runs in 2015/16) for the most runs by an Englishman in an overseas Test series against Pakistan. He eventually fell for 111, trapped lbw by Wasim - his maiden Test wicket on debut - as the ball began to reverse.

England lost another wicket shortly after, as Rehan Ahmed hacked his third ball to short midwicket, but Mark Wood made a handy 35 in a 51-run stand with Foakes and a last-wicket partnership worth 30 between Jack Leach and Ollie Robinson meant Pakistan faced a significant deficit.

Earlier, with the pitch showing more

signs of variable bounce on the second day, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope had looked comfortable in bringing up a 50-run stand for the second wicket. Wasim, on debut, conceded three early boundaries and was whisked out of the attack by Mohammad Rizwan, who stood in as captain for the first hour with Babar suffering from a headache.

Faheem Ashraf, the other seamer in the Pakistan line-up, bowled a solitary over in the day. Pope was busy, nudging singles and punching either side of the wicket, while Duckett continued to sweep regularly as he has throughout the tour and brought up a 50 partnership when skipping down to loft Abrar back over his head for a straight six.

Harry Brook reached his third hundred of the series at Karachi • Getty Images

Cricket Academy to enhance cricket in Guyana - Minister Charles Ramson

- Kumarie Persaud, Kemol Savory are outstanding senior cricketers

He was at the time delivering the feature address at the Essequibo Cricket Board’s Dinner and Award ceremony held Friday evening at the Anna Regina Town Council office.

out Guyana; this has shown to be beneficial and more persons are getting involved in sports,” Ramson said.

MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, said that the Cricket Academy that is currently under construction will tremendously enhance cricket in Guyana.

He said that his Ministry has received the largest budget and, as such, investments were made in three stadiums at Anna Regina, Mc Kenzie, and Albion. He said that he is sure that before his tenure is done Guyana will be able to benefit from five stadiums –three of which will be dedicated to cricket.

“The Ministry has been investing in the upgrading of command grounds through-

Speaking on the Cricket Academy, Minister Ramson said that it is expected to be completed by Mid- February 2023, and made the commitment that once it works then the Academy will reach all three counties.

“The Cricket Academy has a very unique design so that instead of having an indoor facility we are having real cricket pitches with actual clay. What we did is that we are putting a transparent roof over the pitches so you have six pitches, so that net

Suriname’s Dongo out of medal hunt

By Sean Devers

The second night of the Terrence Ali National Open Boxing Championships on Saturday was marred by four walk-overs and a no-show of the GDF Band Corps.

On another cold and windy night, the fair-sized gathering saw three of the four walk-overs by police boxers, reportedly due to being overweight.

The night’s proceedings started with Kendal Demonic of the Forgotten Youth Foundation (FYF) beating Rose Hall Jammers’ (RHJ) Okenwa Bushel, and Euancy Marshall of VGJ (a Suriname club) defeating Matthew Thomas of RFJ in the School Boys division.

In the Elites Minimumweight (48 KGs) Richard Subratee of FYF beat GDF’s Ronaldo Sutton to advance to last night’s final.

The diminutive Sutton kept rushing forward and throwing a barrage of punches with most of them missing their target.

A ‘right’ found Subratee’s head but it was a glancing blow and the fighters ‘tied up’ each other on the ropes

to end the first round.

The second started in similar fashion to the first but Sabratee, by far the taller of the two, landed more measured shots to his opponent’s body and worked Jabs to Sutton’s head.

The third and final round saw the GDF Boxer lounging forward and being caught with a right hook to his head and a body dig to his ribs.

But that did not stop him coming forward throwing some wild shots and towards

the end of the round he used up all of his energy.

The Lightweight bout between Joel Williamson of RHJ and GDF’s Michael Maynard was an entertaining contest with the Berbician taking a crunching body blow and being given a standing 8-count.

Williamson looked calm and clinical as he found the mid-section with perfect body digs and penetrated Maynard’s defence with well executed straight rights re-

sulting in the contest being stopped in 1.4 seconds of the second round.

The welterweight battle between FYF’s Mark Crawford and Policeman Donavan Richardson was also well received by those in attendance.

Both fighters were warned for ‘slapping’ and not keeping their heads up as both went toe-to-toe with good combinations to the body and head.

In a contest which had

plenty of counter punching, the pugilist from the Albouystown gym (FYF) emerged the winner.

The most entertaining bout of the night was in the Super Heavyweight clash with Suriname’s Leandro Dongo versus Aubrey Headley, representing defending Champions the GDF.

The tall and strapping Dongo tried to intimidate the soldier and as he was being introduced even made a gesture of cutting off the head of his opponent.

But when the bell rang it was Headley who was the aggressor, hammering away to Dongo’s unprotected stomach much to the delight of the fans in the stands who were on their feet.

The Suriname fighter tried to retaliate and scored with some telling shots to the head of the shorter Headley but Headley was in a dominant mood hitting leftright combos to the head of Dongo.

Dongo, nicknamed the ‘quiet storm, never really gathered speed.

A powerful right cross resulted in the ‘baby Hulk’ being given a standing 8 count as the Guyanese bat-

tered Dongo into submission.

Headley faced VBG’s Kevin Harris in last night’s final after beating GDF’s Trevon King on Saturday night.

In the other matches, Police’s Clifton Graham beat GDF’s Colin Hinds in the Light middleweight division while GDF’s Desmond Amsterdam won his fight over Corwin D’anjou by abandonment

Emanuel Pompey from WPBG beat GDF’s Dwayne July in a Heavyweight battle.

GDF’s Troy Glasgow wasted little time in stopping Police’s Christopher James in 10 seconds of the first round in the Super Heavyweight fight

Richard Howard of FYF beat GDF’s Jermaine Grant while Clifton Graham from FYF beat Colin Hinds from GDF.

Police Boxers Cartlon Wong (against Komal Kissoon GDF), Danile Melville (Vs Colin Lewis GDF) and Dexter Wray (Vs Deron Williams Police) provided walkovers while GDF’s Orlando Grenville failed to show up for his fight against RHJ’s Jamal Eastman

sessions will be at 365 days” Minister Ramson said. He said that his Ministry has a strong relationship with the Guyana Cricket

Desmond Amsterdam hurts Corwin D,anjou during Saturday night’s action (Sean Devers photo)

President of the ECB Daleep Singh posing with outstanding players in Region Two

Minister Charles Ramson speaking at the award ceremony

Terrence Ali National Open Boxing C/ships

Messi and Argentina are world cup champions

(BBC) - Lionel Messi finally achieved his World Cup dream as Argentina won their third crown on penalties in one of the greatest finals in the tournament's history.

Argentina won the shootout 4-2 after a spectacular game which developed into the much-anticipated confrontation between the 35-year-old maestro Messi and his France opposite number, Kylian Mbappe.

France's own superstar scored a hat-trick -- the first in a Fifa World Cup final since 1966 -but still ended up on the losing side at Lusail Stadium.

Messi looked to be securing the one major honour missing from his glittering collection in comfort as Argentina cruised into a two-goal lead.

But then an explosive intervention from Mbappe, who scored two goals inside two minutes late on.

Messi had given Argentina the lead from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute following Ousmane Dembele's foul on Angel di Maria. It made him the first player in World Cup history to score in the group stage, last 16, quarter-final, semi-final and final of a single tournament.

He then contributed a delicate touch within a magnificent counter-attack that ended with Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister setting up Di Maria for the second 13 minutes later.

Argentina were untroubled until the closing stages, only for Mbappe to give France a lifeline

from the penalty spot with nine minutes left - then restore equality with a magnificent volley moments later.

Messi bundled Argentina back in front in extra time, but Mbappe completed his treble from the spot two minutes from the end of a frantic, chaotic added spell.

And so it went to penalties, with the two greats opening the scoring. But Argentina and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez saved from Kingsley Coman, before Aurelian Tchouameni missed, leaving Gonzalo Montiel to win the World Cup.

Messi, a World Cup winner at last, collapsed to his knees in the centre circle and was engulfed by jubilant Argentina team-mates.

Tearful Messi reaches peak Messi stood at the pinnacle of his career as Argentina closed out time in the World Cup final, only for great rival Mbappe to threaten to knock him off

and leave him in despair.

Instead, this World Cup - which will now have Messi's name attached to it forever, along with a final that will rank alongside the greats -gave the iconic Argentine the conclusion he wanted.

Messi was imperious for 80 minutes in his final World Cup game as Argentina exerted complete control over a strangely laboured France, scoring his penalty with ease before contributing crucially to a second goal which was a team creation of beauty finished off by Di Maria.

And then came Mbappe. And then came France.

In an atmosphere of disbelief among the massed ranks of Argentina fans who were starting to celebrate victory, Lionel Scaloni's team had to lift themselves once more from the double blow inflicted by Mbappe.

Inevitably, it was Messi who gave them hope again, showing he

was happy to do the dirty work by turning home a scrambled finish in the box in the second period of extra time - only for Mbappe to answer again. But Argentina prevailed on penalties and Messi was the centre of attention when Montiel sent the decisive penalty past France keeper, Hugo Lloris.

Amid wild scenes of

celebration, Messi fell to his knees in tears and raised his arms to the skies, before disappearing beneath a mountain of team-mates.

Messi then took to the microphone to address Argentina's jubilant fans, his Holy Grail reached, another piece of evidence assembled in the argument that would have many declare him the game's greatest player.

Mbappe the history-maker in defeat

Mbappe cemented his status as one of the game's modern greats with only the second hattrick in a World Cup final, following Sir Geoff Hurst's when England beat West Germany in 1966. But the 23-year-old still suffered the pain of defeat.

Mbappe was as anonymous as most of his team for the first 80 minutes, ill-served amid an unfathomably poor France display - which they put in despite seeking to become the first side to retain the trophy

since Brazil did so 60 years ago, and only the third ever after Italy won in 1934 and 1938.

Manager Didier Deschamps even made two substitutions before halftime, replacing Olivier Giroud and Dembele with Marcus Thuram and Randal Kolo Muani.

And yet it was Mbappe who revived France in those sensational seconds when they went from looking like timid losers to potential winners, then getting his third from the spot after Messi had put Argentina back in front.

In a stunning period of extra time during which both sides exchanged chances, France could have won but for a superb last-gasp save by Martinez with his outstretched boot from Muani.

Instead, Mbappe will find history no consolation as he was embraced by his team-mates and French President Emmanuel Macron at the end of this enthralling spectacle.

10 Kylian MBAPPE (fra) during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

11 Angel DI MARIA (arg) during the FIFA World Cup 2022 Final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)

Suriname’s Dongo out of medal hunt

Messi and Argentina are world cup champions

Aubrey Headley (right) scores with a right hand to the body of Leandro Dongo during Saturday night’s action. (Sean Devers photo)

21 Paulo DYBALA (Arg) - 11 Angel DI MARIA (Arg) - 10 Lionel MESSI (Arg) during the FIFA World Cup 2022

Final between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Anthony Bibard/FEP/Icon Sport via Getty Images)