Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 17-09-2021

FRIDAY 17th September, 2021

' No.106487

Over 73 per cent of Region Nine adolescents get first dose of Pfizer

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Over 17,000 private school learners to benefit from education cash grants 03 PAGE

–– additional $320M to be expended, says President Ali

President Dr. Irfaan Ali

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and several high-level government officials on Wednesday met with a delegation from Abu Dhabi Ports at the Office of the President.

Abu Dhabi Ports is a ports, industrial zones and logistics operator based in, Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (Office of the President photo)

Doctors could face sanctions Hospitals to be repurposed Court orders removal for spreading misinformation to cater for increasing of President Ali’s 08 about COVID-19 vaccines 02 COVID-19 cases 05 name from PSC case PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

Doctors could face sanctions for spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines AS Guyana continues to record an increase in cases of COVID-19, the Guyana Medical Council has said that physicians who use their position of authority to denigrate the COVID-19 vaccination drive are not only “constitutionally unethical, but also unprofessional and dangerous”.

The actions of such doctors are even more severe, because Guyana has over 3,000 active cases of COVID-19, and vaccines continue to demonstrate excellent effectiveness against severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalisation and death.

“Medicine is a noble and respected profession.

We are all held accountable for our decisions and actions.

“Any doctor who provides disinformation about the COVID-19 disease and vaccines contradicts our ethical and professional responsibilities. Expertise does matter, as facts outweigh opinions. Our physicians have stayed current in their fields of interest by submitting annual CMEs (continuing medical education) for re-licensure,” the Council said in a statement on Thursday.

The Medical Council of Guyana recognises that all physicians registered and licensed to practice medicine in Guyana are held to a high degree of public trust. This is due

Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony to their many years of specialised training, and gaining knowledge and experience to care for the sick, the vulnerable, all age groups and genders, regardless of their economic status.

“However, any doctor who spreads disinformation, misinformation and falsehoods to the public during a time of Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) goes against what we represent. COVID-19 is a potentially lethal illness,” the Council posited.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) had declared COVID-19 a PHEIC back in January 2020. Since then, the entire world has been significantly affected with increasing deaths, disabilities and economic turmoil.

“This grave medical emergency requires our community of physicians to continue their commitment to science, the

art and practice of evidence-based medicine, and the provision of the very best, most accurate and timely information available to their patients and families,” the medical council said.

The regulatory body went on to state: “The fact that we have safe, effective and widely available vaccines against COVID-19 is outstanding, given the many challenges faced.”

As a result of the government’s aggressive vaccination campaign, from sourcing to administration, persons in Guyana have had the benefit of being vaccinated with one of six vaccines: Oxford-AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, or Pfizer.

The Government of Canada, like many other countries and institutions across the world, has said that vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect families and communities from COVID-19.

“Evidence indicates that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalisation and death from COVID-19, including against the Alpha and Delta variants of concern. Recent reports in Canada indicate that less than one per cent of those who were fully vaccinated have become sick with COVID-19,” the Canadian government

has stated on its official website.

POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE Agreeing with global findings, and basing her comments on the evidence at hand, Dr. Karen Cummings, who served as a junior minister in the former Public Health Ministry, said: “We in the APNU+AFC continue to reiterate that vaccines provide a powerful and effective public health tool to prevent serious infectious hospitalisation and deaths.”

This has been something which the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony has stated time and again, all in an attempt to encourage Guyanese to embrace the government’s vaccination drive and response to COVID-19.

“Once people are vaccinated, environments will be safer, and we have to create a safe environment if we are to push back against the virus,” the Health Minister had said.

In a comment which contrasted the view of not only the minister, but also his colleague A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Parliamentarian, Jermaine Figueira has advocated for the use of herbal remedies to treat persons infected with COVID-19, even with there being no evidence to substantiate the effec-

tiveness of this method of treatment.

With there being no approved herbal medication for COVID-19, the authorities have warned, time and again, that self-treatment is not safe.

And while the prowess of herbal medication in the treatment of certain ailments is undeniable, there is no evidence to suggest that this is the case when it comes to dealing with COVID-19.

Uncertainty, rumours and misinformation are things which Dr. Cummings criticised the government for not addressing adequately, but reports show that several members of the APNU+AFC have been actively participating in the misinformation campaign.

Opposition Leader Joseph Harmon, who is fully vaccinated, had hosted a press conference and called for the administering of the Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine to be suspended, claiming that it could be fake. It is the same vaccine that he himself had been inoculated with.

Nonetheless, Harmon’s utterances were soon put to rest, as the manufacturers of the vaccine responded with documentation attesting to the authenticity of the ‘jabs’.

Although Figueira and Harmon are not registered medical practitioners, their influence in society has

affected the vaccination drive in some parts of the country, according to the authorities.

On the other hand, the Medical Council of Guyana has said that it supports the position taken by the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) that proposes to take disciplinary action against any “certified doctor” who spreads disinformation about the COVID-19 disease and vaccines.

“We have all sworn to uphold the Hippocratic Oath to “do no harm”, and as such we should not promulgate treatments that are demonstrably ineffective and harmful,” the medical council related.

The Guyana Medical Council has acknowledged all the “good work” that has been done by the community of physicians to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Guyana.

Logo of the Medical Council of Guyana

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, septembER 17, 2021

Over 17,000 private school learners to benefit from education cash grants –– additional $320M to be expended, says President Ali

THE approximately 17,000 learners in the private school system will now benefit from the $15,000 “Because We Care” cash grant and the $4,000 uniform grant, following an announcement by President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Thursday, that the grant has been extended to parents with children in private schools.

Through this extension, another $320 million will be given out to the parents, and it will add to the $3.3 billion already distributed to the parents of the more than 175,000 learners attending public schools.

“The initiative was originally only applicable to parents of children in the public school system, but a number of parents from private schools had asked for the programme to be extended to their children. After consultation, a favourable decision was made,” a statement from the President’s Office noted.

The “Because We Care” programme is a welfare initiative geared at providing support for parents in procuring school supplies, and

she is overjoyed since more persons will benefit.

She said: “The private school children are Guyanese children. I am very happy to serve them however we can. We already do through very many different agencies, sharing of curriculum and training and so on.”

Following the re-commencement of the grant initiative in August, parents with learners in private schools lobbied for the benefits to be extended to them as well, given that they also, at times, face difficult circumstances.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali part of a wider initiative by NU+AFC while they were in the government to address office from 2015. school dropouts.

It has since been restartThe programme, which ed by the new PPP/C govis a brainchild of the Peo- ernment, with higher sums ple’s Progressive Party/Civ- being disbursed. ic (PPP/C), enjoyed wideSpeaking with the Guyspread popularity over the ana Chronicle following the years, with parents receiving announcement of the exten$10,000 each year until it sion, Minister of Education, was discontinued by the AP- Priya Manickchand, said

“We were acutely aware of the very heavy call of private school parents… this is something they wanted.

As you know, this is a very responsive and responsible government, so we have responded by extending this to private schools, which is something we have always wanted to do. I am very, very happy about this and pleased that we are answering the call of parents and that is how we operate,” Minister Manickchand related.

She also noted that the distribution of the grant to learners in private schools

will also face thorough scrutiny, as was the case during the distribution of the grant to learners in public schools.

During this exercise, auditors from the Audit Office of Guyana monitored the distribution.

“This is going to be scrutinised and audited in the same way that public schools were scrutinised and audited. There will be the same requirements.

The child will have to be on the register of the school and the parent will have to turn up,” Minister Manickchand said.

Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand (leaning) observing the procedure during a “Because We Care” distribution activity

Sugar industry exploring use of drone technology to boost productivity

THE Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) has commenced an evaluation of the use of drone technology, an e-smart agricultural initiative, as part of its strategy to modernise the operations of the sugar industry.

This move by GuySuCo is aimed at advancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of its operations in wake of the numerous challenges as a result of the rapid labour force attrition, and climate and demographical changes which the industry is experiencing.

A statement from GuySuCo quoted the company’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sasenarine Singh, as saying the corporation is leaning towards the use of e-smart agriculture as a mechanism to retain and attract young people to the industry.

“…half of a per cent of the workforce in the fields are not coming back, which means that in 10 years’ time about five per cent of the workforce in the field is going to disappear, a concern we are moving to address urgently,” he said.

At GuySuCo’s operating estates in Regions Three, Five, and Six, there is a continuous decline of available manpower for critical field operations, especially in the area of chemical weed control, where there is a shortfall in manpower requirement by 70 per cent.

This affects significantly the control of noxious weeds which impact negatively on sugar cane yield. The other objective for technological advancement is to attract younger individuals who are “tech savvy.”

Apart from the labour

A drone being tested by GuySuCo deficit, Singh said that the ongoing demographical changes in communities surrounding GuySuCo’s estates have expanded the ‘no fly’ zones, resulting in the corporation’s inability to conduct effective aerial reconnaissance and maintenance of its cultiva-

tions using the traditional Crop Duster aircraft.

It is anticipated that on completion of the current evaluation of the drone application method, there could be a review of the ‘no fly’ zones by the Pesticide and Toxic Chemical Control Board

(PTCCB); this will enhance GuySuCo’s capability to address weed infestation and maximise the use of ripeners.

Added to this, the increasing challenges of climate change inhibit GuySuCo’s ability to monitor and evaluate its field operations, especially in areas where access is limited as a result of the high cost for the use of aircraft reconnaissance.

This was demonstrated during the recent unprecedented floods in Region Six (East Berbice- Corentyne), which resulted in the corporation’s largest cultivation and sugar producing estate, Albion/ Port Mourant, being inundated for over 65 days.

During this period, the corporation was limited in its ability to traverse the cultivation to ascertain the magnitude of the damages in-

curred and take timely action to mitigate the impact where possible.

Adopting the use of drone technology would reduce the laborious physical assessments and provide frequent and high-resolution data of crops and field conditions which are vital for the transformation of the Sugar Industry.

Singh said: “Generation X wants to do drones and high-tech utilisation of technology in agriculture and I want to say that funding for this project was approved by the National Assembly.

Through the support and intervention of the Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, GuySuCo is now working along with the experts from the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to further develop the use of drones.”

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

Covid-19: France suspends 3,000 unvaccinated health workers

(BBC) ABOUT 3,000 health workers in France have been suspended because they have not been vaccinated against COVID-19.

A new rule, which came into force on Wednesday, made vaccination mandatory for the country’s 2.7 million health workers and fire service staff.

But French Health Minister, Olivier Véran, said, on Thursday, that “most of the suspensions are only temporary”.

Many are now agreeing to get ‘jabbed’ because “they see that the vaccination mandate is a reality,” he said.

The rule applies to all doctors, nurses, office staff and volunteers.

President Emmanuel Macron first gave workers notice of the rule change on July 12, warning them that they needed to get at least one ‘jab’ by September 15 or resign from their jobs.

“I am aware of what I am asking of you, and I know that you are ready for this commitment; this is part, in a way, of your sense of duty,” he said at the time.

After the president’s announcement, Doctolib, the website people used to book their jabs, crashed as many people tried to

Friday, 17 September 00:30hrs - 02:00hrs

secure appointments.

But with the mandate now in place, and thousands still refusing to get the vaccine, there are fears of a disruption to healthcare services.

In just one hospital in Nice in southern France, for example, almost 450 workers have been suspended - sparking protests outside the building.

And in another southern city, Montélimar, one hospital confirmed that it had already begun cancelling non-urgent operations because of a shortage of vaccinated anaesthetists, AFP news agency reports.

“We have to keep these people on the job until they have been replaced,” Christophe Prudhomme, an emergency doctor and left-wing MP, said.

But Véran told French RTL radio, on Thursday, that “the continuity of care and the security of care and quality of care were assured yesterday [Wednesday] in all hospitals and medico-social

Last month, healthcare and fire service workers protested against France’s COVID-19 “health pass” (BBC photo) facilities,” although a few services, such as MRI scans, were impacted for a few hours.

He added that the suspensions mainly affected support staff, and a “few white coats.” There have also been “a few dozen resignations” across the country, he said.

When the vaccines were first rolled out globally, France was one of the most vaccine-sceptical

countries in the world.

Then, about 40 per cent of eligible people said they planned to get immunised, according to a survey by Ipsos. At the same time, research from BBC Monitoring found that the number of followers of French-language pages sharing anti-vaccine content grew in 2020, from 3.2m to almost 4.1m likes.

But since the introduction of a COVID-19 “health pass” in July, France has become one of the world’s most vaccinated countries.

Almost 90 per cent of all adults have now had at least one jab. France has also started vaccinating children aged 12 and over, and is administering booster jabs to vulnerable people.

VACCINE MANDATES ELSEWHERE IN THE WORLD France is not the only country to introduce a vaccine mandate.

Italy is also making an anti-COVID “green pass” mandatory for all employees from October 15, meaning that workers who can’t show proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test will be penalised.

“The government is

ready to speed up on the ‘green pass’... (for) not just the public sector, but private too,” Regional Affairs Minister, Mariastella Gelmini, said on Wednesday.

The green pass is already required for anyone in Italy who wants to eat indoors at restaurants, go to cinemas and sports stadiums, and take certain public transport or flights.

It is also already mandatory for teachers.

In Greece, unvaccinated public and private sector employees have to have COVID tests once or twice a week, at their own expense. The rule came into force on September 13.

And last week, the US made vaccines mandatory for federal government workers and contractors, and for all businesses with more than 100 employees.

The rule affects about 100 million workers.

US President Joe Biden warned that if people didn’t get vaccinated, they should be prepared to undergo weekly testing for COVID-19.

“This is not about freedom, or personal choice, it’s about protecting yourself and those around you,” he said as he unveiled the plan.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

Hospitals to be repurposed to cater for increasing COVID-19 cases

By Jared Liddell

WITH more persons becoming infected with COVID-19 and more hospitalisations as a result of this, the Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, has said that the government intends to repurpose hospitals so that the country’s capacity to treat persons would be adequate.

In making this announcement during Thursday’s edition of the COVID-19 update, the minister said that reprioritising health services is necessary since the country has over 3,192 active COVID-19 cases, with 150 of those persons being hospitalised.

Of the active cases, 43 persons are at the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Infectious Diseases Hospital, Liliendaal, while a total of 107 persons are receiving general treatment at the facility.

The Infectious Diseases Hospital has the capacity to accommodate 200 persons and has an ICU capacity of 40 patients.

Dr. Anthony had previously related that the government is working to expand

the capacity at the Infectious Diseases Hospital and will also utilise the field hospital, which was donated by Qatar to boost Guyana’s response to COVID-19.

Even with the expansion plans in place, Dr. Anthony, on Thursday, affirmed that the government has enough contingencies to cater to any increases in hospitalisations.

He said that the ministry is already exploring the possibility of having sections of hospitals repurposed to focus on COVID-19 patients and their needs. To support this initiative, staff and resources will be redeployed.

“We’ll have to reprioritise because the more people we get sick with COVID and the more people that are coming down with the more severe form of the disease, we’ll have to reprioritise and maybe those non-essential kinds of services, we’ll have to close those and redeploy staff and resources to treat with the severe cases… so we have a number of contingencies in place and we’ll activate them as necessary,” Minister Anthony said.

Although there are contingencies, the minister said that persons have to be re-

sponsible and take all the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the deadly virus.

Minister Anthony reminded citizens that they should not depend solely on authorities such as the COVID-19 task force to enforce the guidelines, but must also take it upon themselves to be responsible, especially when in public spaces.

He said that with the Delta variant proven to be more transmissible, persons must be cautious when in spaces where persons are in breach of the COVID-19 guidelines.

He reminded citizens too that it is necessary to take precautions to protect themselves against COVID-19 and this includes wearing masks, social distancing, sanitising, and vaccination.

The Health Minister made a special plea to those persons who have comorbidities, noting that since they are “at-risk” for being badly affected if they contract the virus, they should ensure that the necessary precautions are taken to ensure protection.

“That’s one of the reasons why they need to get vaccinated because they are

The infectious diseases hospital at Liliendaal at risk, they are at increased plus age is also a risk factor. so far are older people so risk of getting the negative “While we have seen if you’re older, you have effects of COVID. So, if you younger children being af- to take those additional have these risk factors then fected with Delta, we’re precautions,” Minister Anyou should get vaccinated, seeing a lot of the deaths thony said.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

Teacher Welfare

THE Ministry of Education has initiated a series of measures to bring relief to the nation’s teachers.

Teachers can now take advantage of a plethora of welfare benefits which include a low cost health and insurance coverage, a revolving mortgage fund for teachers to access up to $12 million in financing, discounts at over 150 businesses, and the establishment of a Teacher Benevolence Fund, among others.

Additionally, the annual National Teachers’ Award will be reinstated with more attractive prizes and an inaugural teachers’ conference aimed at greater capacity building and networking.

These are indeed laudable benefits to our teachers who have played, and continue to play, a key role in molding our nation.

As the African saying goes, no nation can advance beyond the level of its teachers.

Apart from imparting knowledge, skills and attitudes, they also serve as role models especially among children and youths.

This is why no amount of emoluments or benefits given to our teachers can be considered too much. Indeed, it is not possible to compensate teachers to the full extent of their contribution to society. Teaching,

it has to be said, is one of the oldest and noblest of professions. And yet teachers throughout the world are not considered to among the high earners in society. To a large extent, teachers have been subsidising the full cost of education by working for relatively modest salaries and it is only fitting that society should, to the extent possible, reciprocate.

Teaching, we are so often reminded, is not simply a job. It is a vocation or what some refer to as a calling. It is about changing lives and inculcating knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for society to advance socially, economically, culturally and technologically. And even though the salaries and benefits may not measure up to the full value of their contributions, it is that intrinsic joy of watching children grow and develop intellectually, emotionally and cognitively that has a compensatory element of gratification.

Our teachers are deserving of our respect. But such love and reverence must not be taken for granted. There are also high expectations by the wider society that teachers are required to live up to, having regard to the norms and ethics of the profession, which essentially is to put the inter-

est of our children ahead of political or partisan interests. This, it would appear, is not the case with the Guyana Teachers’ Union (GTU) which, under the current leadership of Ms. Coretta McDonald, has openly and unashamedly placed political affiliation above that of the national interest.

Teachers are being encouraged to act against their own interests and those under their charge. One would have thought that as a responsible union, teachers would have been encouraged to take the scientifically-validated vaccines against the COVID-19 virus. Instead, the union has fallen prey to an opposition narrative that seeks to project the government’s vaccination drive as a violation of the concept of ‘free choice.’

Nothing could be further from the truth. And that truth is that our children and the society are put at risk by not taking the COVID-19 vaccines. Instead of recognising that truth and prevailing on its membership to become fully immunised against the killer virus, the union is singing from an opposition hymn book. Even more disturbingly, it is joining an opposition chorus that seeks to denigrate the Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand, for

the principled and forward looking stance she has taken on the issue of vaccination.

The attack on the character and integrity of the Education Minister by a video posted

by Opposition Member of Parliament Sherod Duncan has been condemned by several organisations, including the Women and Gender Commission who described the attack as ‘vile and repugnant’.

But not a single word from the Guyana Teachers’ Union which from all indications has now sunk to a new level of moral depravity. Despite the several initiatives taken by the government to improve the quality of education delivery and the well-being of our teachers, there has not been any form of acknowledgement by the union which seems to be moving in high gear along a path of non-cooperation and confrontation.

This is certainly not in the best interest of our teachers, students and the society as a whole.

Our Minister of Education, Ms. Priya Manickchand, must be commended for standing firm on the issue of visionary leadership, integrity and principles, despite the attempts by reactionary opposition elements to stand in the way of progress.

St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots youths fire them to victory Dear Editor, AS the senior players Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis and skipper Dwayne Bravo all failed to reach double figures, the young players Dominic Drakes, Joshua Da Silva, Fabian Allen and Sherfane Rutherford sparkled as they took the 2021 Caribbean Premier League title to the Patriots.

It was indeed an exciting and thrilling finish to the highly competitive 2021 CPL. All thirty-three games were keenly contested. It was a tough struggle to get into the final four for the semi-finals play off.

The powerful Barbados Tridents failed to reach in the semi-finals and they were at the bottom of the points table. The powerful Jamaica Tallawahs were also denied a place among the top four teams. However, it was the elimination of the defending champions Trinbago Knight Riders and the Guyana

Amazon Warriors removal at the semi-finals that really gave the Leewards and Windwards Islands teams the opportunity to give the home crowd joy and satisfaction.

At the end of the 2021 CPL, the Franchise owners must take a serious look at their investment. Sport is a business and while the sportsmen/ the players are looking forward for their money’s worth, the franchise owners, who are putting their money and time into the event, must demand results. While it is clear that only one team can win each year it is imperative that the administrators and the players give of their best and bring that fair amount of satisfaction to all.

A careful look at the GAW reveals that the batsmen were a total failure. The top four batsmen, Shimron Hetmyer, Brandon King, Chandrapaul Hemraj not to mention the inclusion of Mohammad Hafeez and

Shoaib Malik, failed to bat consistently. The inclusion of Anthony Bramble in the team created a vacuum, with one less prominent batsman. Three players who were expected to play as batsmen and score runs failed miserably. As for the bowling, Romario Sheperd is our lead bowler and the certainty in the team. Whenever, we need a pinch hitter the first choice must be Sheperd. Odean Smith is a pretty good fast bowler but he needs to be nurtured and assisted so that he could be a match winner. With only two quick bowlers in the team the franchise must find a genuine quick bowler in the team.

As for the spinners, we must take into consideration of the fact that the CPL will be played in the Caribbean. Hence, the team must have very good spinners. Gudakesh Motie is our best spinner; he is a very good fielder and a reliable lower order batsman.

He was certainly not properly utilised in

the competition. Kevin Sinclair and Ashmead Nedd are two bowlers with talent and potential. The franchise holder must be careful with the aging Imran Tahir, and we must look for a better bowler than Naveenul-Haq. The leadership must accept that in one match the Warriors put down seven catches.

While in many ways the fielding was good, the GAW must be better in the field. In the CPL, we must have less dot balls. The batting team must score off almost every ball while the bowlers must bowl to their field and stifle the batsmen.

While the GAW did not fail, they certainly did not pass. Come on leadership, it is time the Warriors bring home the silverware.

Yours sincerely, Neil Kumar

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

The PNC took the AFC for a joy ride into oblivion Dear Editor, MY engagement with academicians and many who supported AFC had felt just a year after the Coalition came into office that APNU and AFC dug their own political grave by their blunders and mis-governance.

In contrast, a year later, the PPP/C administration has been fulfilling manifesto promises. Voters have embraced the Presidency of Irfaan Ali, whose approval ratings are much higher than David Granger during the same time in his presidency.

Respondents in a survey I conducted back in 2016 said that the PNC returned to the old ways -- done out of natural instinct, noting that’s how the PNC behaved and governed between 1966 thru 1990. (Hoyte tried to change the PNC between 1990 and 1992, but he went right back to the behaviour of the old PNC after the cremation of Jagan’s body in 1997). Those who cheered for change in 2015 were the ones who concluded that it was in the political DNA of the PNC to govern the way it did between 2015 and 2020 – victimisation and vindictiveness against non-traditional supporters. The PPP/C, on the other hand, historically has embraced non-traditional supporters with inclusive governance.

Granger, Moses Nagamootoo, and the entire political leadership of PNC, AFC, and WPA disappointed a large number of their supporters. In particular, ‘AFCites’ and ‘PPPites’ who crossed over from PPP/C and voted for Granger in May 2015 to give him the presidency felt betrayed. The voters gave Granger a chance and the ‘AFCites’ and ‘PPPites’ supported him (with favourable approval ratings) through the first year, realising afterward that he would not run a racially

inclusive government. Those who supported AFC and PPP/C and had moved over to the Coalition in 2015 became dejected and felt betrayed and moved away from Granger, gravitating back towards Bharrat Jagdeo who had become leader of the PPP/C replacing Clement Rohee and Donald Ramotar. The PPP/C’s cross over (so called floating) voters accepted they erred in supporting APNU and PNC thinking it was a changed party. In politics, perceptions matter whether or not they are rooted in reality. And the perception of the APNU (PNC)-led government was it was PNC II, which was seen as a replay of PNC I under Burnham. The PNC failed to recognise that since 1992, under the long period of PPP/C democratic governance, there has been the emergence of a vibrant civil society, which was not prepared to accept authoritarian rule or bad governance as quietly as they did pre-1992. The PPP/C made errors and paid the price in 2015. APNU and AFC failed to recognise that PNC II would not be accepted post 2015, and that the US would not close its eyes to rigged elections as it did pre-1992. And in 2020, the US rejected the attempt to rig the elections to stay in power.

The AFC allowed itself to be taken for a political ride. A small number of those at the pyramid of the AFC did have a joy ride with the trappings of office. After a few months, they themselves were complaining of their lack of influence and holding PNC accountable. They became ineffective in representing the interests of their supporters. They resigned themselves to being rubber stamps, accepting corrupt deals, undermining their own political survival. They were politically blind by the perks of office. Very early on, they should have recognised it would be a one -term government and took measures to counter the

PNC to remain relevant in politics. Had the leadership of AFC acted professionally and with integrity, they could have saved Granger, the Coalition government, and the AFC. But they were crippled by the material trappings of power. Nagamootoo, a seasoned politician with widespread appeal and political sympathy, disappointed the most for failing to speak out against racial discrimination and the closure of the sugar estates and the neglect of agriculture where he had cut his political teeth. He could have reigned in Granger and the hard core anti-Indian elements of the PNC. But he was silent.

As Freddie correctly penned, Granger was a Burnhamite incapable of changing even when so many Indians embraced him.

He repressed his Burnhamite characteristics and instincts (Freudian sublimation and Freudian repression as Freddie calls it) as Opposition Leader and only displayed them at the right time when he was fully entrenched into the presidency. It would also be his undoing. He made no attempt to reform the PNC or the State or the Constitution, all of which he had committed in the 2015 campaign. Indians bitterly complained they faced harassment and discrimination when PNC was in power pre 1992 and felt the same experience under PNC II. Granger made virtually no attempt to embrace Indians who supported him, not even those in North America and Guyana who welcomed him in their homes. Almost all of them were in shock at his behaviour as President in failing to run a non-discriminatory State and felt betrayed. The ethnic composition of the government was diverse but power and distribution of resources were glossed over

by PNC’s ethno nationalists. The almost total exclusion of resources for Indians, Chinese

and Portuguese were bound to blow back in the long-term. If the PNC were wise, they would have focused on healing the wounds of its past governance and include credible Indians who were marginalised pre-2015 and who embraced change, crying for good governance. It did neither, allowing the racial division to grow wider. The PNC seemed programmatically incapable of reforming itself and running an inclusive government in doling out resources the way PPP/C did for 23 years and has been doing since August 2020.

As Freddie analysed, Jagdeo read the political tea leaves right. Jagdeo, a seasoned politician and master strategist, recognised the blunders of the PNC and AFC. He quickly began revamping, reforming, and rebuilding the PPP/C after he replaced Rohee as General Secretary, readying the party to take the reins of government. Meanwhile, the ruling Coalition was in destructive mode and was unable to recognise its own mistakes, even refusing to accept it made errors when told by their own analysts and independent thinkers.

Granger has taken a leave. The general conclusion among the public is there will not be a return of a President Granger. The Coalition has to find a replacement, a personable, charming leader. That would be a difficult task as activists from the opposition have been routinely involved in some kind of personal, crude attack on opponents.

The party or its principal leaders is yet to dissociate or condemn the vulgar attack on Priya Manickchand who is more likeable and popular than anyone in the opposition.

Yours truly, Vishnu Bisram

Boston’s death should not be used by opportunistic politicians to score political points Dear Editor, THERE is no doubt that the death of Essequibo businessman, Orin Boston, sent shockwaves throughout the region.

Statements being issued about his death by various parties seem to contradict each other and as concerned citizens, families and friends, we deserve clarity on what really happened. At this time, the circumstances surrounding the killing of Mr. Boston by police are not entirely known. As such, I am calling on the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police to ensure that there is

an impartial and speedy investigation into the matter. If there is evidence of wrongdoings, it is important that those found culpable face the full brunt of the law.

I cannot even begin to imagine what Mr. Boston’s family is going through at this time.

I personally want to express my sincere condolences to everyone who was a part of Mr. Boston’s life, especially his family. Death is never something easy and it has a lasting impact. I pray that God gives everyone the strength to go on and to keep Mr. Boston’s memory alive. I would also like to urge the family to steer clear of those individuals who

may want to use Mr. Boston’s death to push their own agendas. It is very clear that there are opposition politicians who are actively trying to hijack and misuse the family’s loss and suffering at this time to perpetuate racism and score political points.

Such actions should be condemned not only by Mr. Boston’s family, but also everyone affected by his death. It is distasteful to say the least that at such a sad time, opposition politicians would desperately try to shift attention to further their own political agendas. It just shows how low they are willing to stoop.

In closing, I just want to reiterate my call for there to be a speedy investigation into Mr. Boston’s death. I trust that the Minister of Home Affairs and the Commissioner of Police would prioritise this so that in the event that there was any wrongdoing on the behalf of the police ranks, they are held accountable for their actions.

Once again, I express my sincerest condolences to Mr. Boston’s family and friends and hope that we can all get closure soon.

Yours respectfully, Alvin Hamilton

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

Court orders removal of President Ali’s name from PSC case –– says a sitting Head of State is ‘immune’ from civil proceedings

By Clestine Juan

HIGH Court Judge Gino Persaud, on Thursday, ruled in favour of an interlocutory application filed by the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C, and ordered the removal President Irfaan Ali as a respondent in a case filed by the Public Service Commission (PSC).

The judge, in his ruling, said the naming of the both the President and the AG as respondents in the commission’s Fixed Date Application (FDA) was “impermissible” and “wrong in law.”

He agreed with the submissions made by Nandlall, who had said that according to Section 10 of the State Liability and Proceedings Act, except in exceptional instances, “proceedings for the

enforcement of any claim by or against the State shall be brought by or against the Attorney-General and may be instituted … in all cases, in the High Court in accordance with the High Court Act.” Judge Persaud relied on Article 89 of the Constitution which explicitly states that the President is the “Head of State, the supreme executive authority, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces” and therefore any action brought against him should only be done in the name of the Attorney-General.

Additionally, Article 182 of the Constitution notes that the President shall not be personally answerable to any court for the performance of the functions of his office or for any act done in the performance of those functions and no proceedings, whether

To back up his ruling, Justice Persaud cited several cases including a Guyanese case – Baird v Public Service Commission (2001) 63 WIR 134 — in which former Chief Justice, Ian Chang, at page 164 said: “The immunities which attach personally to the President under article 182 of the Constitution are for the limited purpose of ensuring effective performance of the functions of his high office, and not for the purpose of granting immunity to the State for any wrongdoing. The State would still

President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali criminal or civil, shall be instituted against him in his personal capacity in respect thereof, either during his term of office or thereafter.

November 10 was set for the hearing of oral submissions.

The PSC’s application was filed in July, after President Ali, based on advice from Prime Minister, Brigadier (ret’d) Mark Phillips, and in accordance with Article 225 of the Constitution of Guyana, suspended the PSC Chairman and its members, pending the findings of a tribunal that was to be established.

The PSC, with the aid of its attorneys, Selwyn Pieters, Dexter Todd and Dexter Smartt, filed a constitutional action which is praying that the court grants a declaration that the purported June 16 suspension of its Chairman, Paul Slowe and commissioners, Michael Somersall, Claire Alexis Jarvis, Vesta Adams, and Clinton Conway, from performing the functions of their respective offices in the Commission, were in violation of the Constitution of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana Articles 225(6) and 210(3), and therefore of no force or effect.

The applicant is also

Justice Gino Persaud

violation of, and ultra vires, the Constitution, and in particular Article 225(2), being made on grounds other than inability to discharge the functions of office or misbehaviour.

In June, Acting Chief Justice, Roxane George S.C., had struck out the legal challenge brought by five senior police officers against the PSC over the 2020 year-end police promotions. Following the CJ’s ruling, the Government of Guyana through the Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs issued a statement rejecting the PSC’s promotion list as unlawful and illegal.

It noted that in the circumstances, the purported list of promotions will be ignored since the PSC was suspended. “The said decision of the President can only be rescinded, revoked, set aside or reversed by the President himself, or by a court of competent jurisdiction. No person, let alone a constitutional commission, will be allowed to become judge, jury and executioner in our constitutional democracy. The Rule of Law simply does not permit it,” the Attorney-General had said in a statement, adding: “The attempt of the Police Service Commission, therefore, to countermand, disobey and disregard the President’s decision, not only amounts to an effrontery to the highest Executive office in this land, but is simply absurd. If anyone had any doubts about the independence and rectitude of this grouping who constitute the Police Service Commission, those doubts should now be put to rest.”

seeking another declaration from the court that the commission remains competent and responsible to fulfil its constitutional mandate including appointments to any offices in the Police Force of or above the rank of inspector in accordance with Article 212(1) of the Constitution.

Additionally, the applicant is seeking a further declaration from the court that the Prime Minister’s recommendations to the President for the removal of the PSC Chairman and its members from their respective offices at the commission were in

Attorney-at-law, Selwyn Pieters

Attorney-General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C. be liable for the President’s wrongdoing, even though the President himself would be immune from the curial processes. It is the President who is immune from the curial process, not his acts.”

Further, Judge Persaud said that based on the “common sense interpretation” of the aforementioned laws, a sitting President is immune from facing civil proceedings.

As such, the judge said that the removal of the President as a respondent will not hinder the case, since the AG is also a named as a party in FDA. It was later ordered that the PSC pays $200,000 in court costs to the AG. During the proceedings, the AG informed the court that during the morning hours he filed another Notice of Application asking for the PSC’s FDA to be struck out.

Timelines for written submissions from both parties regarding the substantive matter were fixed before

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, septembER 17, 2021

Over 75 per cent of GPF ranks receive first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine –– 31 per cent fully vaccinated

MORE than 75 per cent of Guyana Police Force (GPF) ranks have received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine while just over 31 per cent have taken both doses and are now fully vaccinated, Commissioner of Police (ag), Nigel Hoppie, disclosed on Wednesday.

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and the Guyana Prison Service (GPS) recently revealed their vaccination numbers.

Some 90 per cent of GDF ranks have received their first dose while some 43 per cent have taken both doses. Regarding the GPS, 60 per cent of the officers and staff members have taken both doses, while more than 50 per cent of prisoners have received at least one dose.

Woman Deputy Superintendent Jewel Sullivan has noted that the GPF

GPF Welfare Officer, Woman Deputy Superintendent Jewel Sullivan has taken a proactive approach to encourage its ranks to become vaccinated against the deadly virus.

Sullivan, who is the force’s Welfare Officer, made this disclosure during Tuesday’s virtual ‘Police and You’ programme.

She noted that the force has employed several strategies to ensure that all ranks feel comfortable and are informed before taking the vaccine. Sullivan explained that one of the recent initiatives instituted by the force is the on-call doctors who are available to answer any questions ranks may have about the vaccination

Police Commissioner (ag), Nigel Hoppie process.

Another initiative aims to bring the vaccination sites closer to the ranks as there are reports of time constraints being a factor that prevents them from becoming vaccinated.

“We do not just send them to go and get vaccinated. What we do now, is bring the vaccination site to Police Headquarters. So, for persons that are probably not getting the opportunity to go and get vaccinated…messages are sent out so they always know when the team would be coming and when the vaccination team comes, a doctor or two is there so persons can have individual discussions with those doctors in terms of the best way forward for them,” Sullivan said.

She further noted that given the various medical issues ranks have, doctors are available to clear up misconceptions.

Sullivan highlighted that since these new initiatives were launched, the force has seen a significant rise in the vaccination rate.

“We are aware that some persons might have medical issues that they are afraid to take the vaccine, so the doctor is there to alleviate, to try to show them that it would not affect you in that way or this way or this is the better one or that is the better one.

But so far, we have been doing well.

For the period, we have been proactively been pushing for all police ranks to be vaccinated.

We have come a far way and we are still pushing to ensure that every rank is vaccinated,” she stated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

Essequibo business community urges Dartmouth protestors to clear road

PRESIDENT of the Essequibo Chamber of Commerce (EECI), Aadil Baksh has issued a call, on behalf of the Region Two business community, for the residents of Dartmouth to clear the blocked road so that the free movement of commuters and vehicles can resume.

A fiery protest **erupted on Wednesday after Orin Boston, who operates the “Ease Meh Stress” bar in the region, was shot by an officer of the Guyana Police Force’s

special weapons and tactics (SWAT) unit during an operation at his Dartmouth home.

Residents started burning debris on the main access bridge, thereby preventing the free flow of traffic. Pedestrians were also barred from passing.

On Thursday, the situation remained the same as commuters and vehicles were once again barred from entering or leaving the community. More ranks were sent to the area to monitor the situation, and maintain peace

and order. No injuries have been reported.

Baksh, during an interview with this publication, said the current “vandalism” of the roadway and blockage of traffic by the protestors must be swiftly resolved, so that the people in the region can enjoy free movement.

“We believed that the protestors’ refusal to deny fellow Essequibians access to services and goods will result in harm to the most vulnerable among us, especially the farming residents of riverine,

Burning debris on the roadway at Dartmouth outlying areas, who depend on this roadway to sell their produce and essential supplies,” Baksh said.

He said the ECCI is, therefore, calling on all parties affected during this “emotional time” to consider these actions which are going to affect everyone. He used the opportunity to also urge the relevant authorities to secure the roadway and restore its function in a manner that is safe and decisive.

Meanwhile, when this publication visited Dartmouth on Thursday morning, several burning tires and other debris were blocking the roadway.

The circumstances sur-

rounding the shooting of the young father of two have angered Boston’s relatives and residents.

The protestors are demanding justice. They have said they want the officer who fired the fatal shot to be charged.

The rank according to senior members of the force, is currently under close arrest and is cooperating with investigators.

Police in a press release issued several hours after the shooting, had said ranks were conducting an anti-crime operation in the Police Regional Division 2 during which, at about 04:40 hrs, they went to Boston’s home to conduct a search.

“During the search, there was a confrontation between Orin Boston and the police, resulting in his being shot in his upper left arm. Orin Boston was rushed to the Suddie Public Hospital, where he was pronounced DOA,” the release said.

Boston’s wife, Feona Boston, has claimed that her husband was asleep in bed when he was shot.

Acting Commissioner Nigel Hoppie has since assured residents and relatives that “no stone will be left unturned” to get to the bottom of the matter and that a thorough investigation will be conducted.

Over 73 per cent of Region Nine adolescents get first dose of Pfizer APPROXIMATELY 73.6 per cent of adolescents in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) have received the first dose of the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

The region’s adult population also recorded a 70.5 per cent vaccination rate; this is according to the region’s Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr. Cerdel McWatt, during a recent interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI).

Dr. McWatt said the immunsation drive has been receiving positive responses from residents in the region but more needs to be done.

He said the uptake in vac-

cines, especially after the early reluctance to the vaccination drive, is due primarily to the health department’s assistance in the fight against COVID-19.

“I would like to encourage all to be a part of the process…this is not a forceful activity, but we expect persons to act with a great deal of responsibility to do the right thing, getting their jabs done at their earliest convenience.

“This will reduce the burden of COVID-19 in the region and the country, as a whole. We know that this is a worldwide issue, and so the faster we achieve herd immunity, then we can be back to some norm,” Dr. McWatt said, adding that the health

Regional Health Officer (RHO) of Region Nine, Dr. Cerdel McWatt department will continue to educate persons about the importance of the vaccine.

Early this year, the vaccines were made available at fixed vaccination sites at the Lethem and Aishalton Hospitals, the Annai Health Centre and through mobile units.

But health centres across the region are now equipped to provide this service. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

COVID-19 claims two more lives

THE Ministry of Health has said that two more persons have died after contracting the dreaded novel coronavirus (COVID-19), taking the country’s death toll to 703.

According to the ministry, the latest fatalities are an unvaccinated 60-yearold male and a vaccinated 70-year-old female, both from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica). They both succumbed while receiving care at a local medical facility.

Additionally, the Ministry of Health reported that 299 new cases were recorded from 1,794 tests conducted between Sep-

tember 14 and September 15. Those new cases took the overall number of confirmed cases to 28,831.

New cases were recorded in Regions One (eight), Two (22), Three (50), Four (157), Five (12), Six (eight), Seven (one), Eight (23), Nine (three) and 10 (15).

Up to Thursday, there were 34 persons in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), 156 in institutional isolation and 3,182 in home isolation.

All Guyanese are reminded to observe the protocols of the COVID-19 Emergency Measures (NO.21), which are in effect until September 30, 2021.

This order emphasises the need for correct and consistent use of a face mask when leaving your home; the importance of maintaining six feet of physical distance from others, and the need for good hand-hygiene to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.

If anyone is displaying any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or need any additional information, kindly contact the COVID-19 Hotlines 231-1166, 226-7480 or 624-6674 or visit the Ministry of Health online at www.health.gov. gy

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

Father of three dies in motorcycle accident at Johanna Cecilia

A fifty-nine-year-old father of three, Sugrim Singh, died on Wednesday evening, after he lost control of the motorcycle cycle he was riding and crashed into a lantern pole at Johanna Cecilia, Essequibo Coast.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that, around 20:30hrs, Singh, who resid-

ed at Perseverance Estate, was riding his motorcycle CE5133 north along the western side of the Public Road, reportedly at a fast rate of speed, when he lost control and crashed into a lantern pole.

After the collision, public-spirited persons rushed to the man’s assistance, but they found him lying

motionless on the ground.

With limited options available, persons decided to take Singh to Suddie Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

The man’s body remains at the Suddie Mortuary, where a post mortem examination will soon be conducted.

Dead: Sugrim Singh

Sugrim Singh’s motorcycle on the ground next to the lantern pole which he crashed into

School for Lusignan inmates

––female prison at New Amsterdam to be relocated, says Minister Benn

MINISTER of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, has announced a range of new projects that will transform several agencies within the security sector.

Addressing residents of Anna Regina, during a recent Cabinet outreach to Region Two, Minister Benn said the ministry will be rolling out a host of new initiatives that will see improvements across Guyana.

Included in the plans for development, is the construction of a facility that will be used as a school for inmates at the Lusignan prison. Minister Benn said the correctional facility which houses some 1,200 individuals, aims to reform inmates.

“We want to rehabilitate those persons; Minister of Home we want to intercept and Affairs, Robeson Benn mitigate issues. We have to make provisions in case things go bad, so that we deal with some people who need rehabilitation,” Benn said.

He said also that the female prison located in New Amsterdam, Berbice, will soon be relocated to the East Coast of Demerara. (DPI)

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

Region Nine road works to be closely monitored

MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, has assured village representatives of Region Nine that road works being undertaken by the government will be closely monitored to ensure quality.

Village leaders expressed their concerns about the quality of road work executed by the previous coalition administration in the region, during a recent engagement with Minister Indar.

“The contract that they had was a grade and shape contract, so all they were doing was grading and shaping; so you keep grading and shaping, you keep

taking off the top. What happens after that? You’re left with nothing, that is what the previous government did,” Minister Indar said.

A contract was recently signed between the Ministry of Public Works and Jr. Ranch Inc. for works on the same stretch of road.

“We put in that 39,000 metres cube of laterite to be placed, so they have to put laterite and other materials and then grade and shape, so you build up back the road,” Minister Indar said.

A committee was recently formed in the region to closely monitor all road projects. The unit is chaired by the Regional Executive

Officer (REO) Karl Singh, and includes representatives of the Ministry of Public Works, the town council, and the Rupununi Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In response to a suggestion that road works be given to Brazilian contractors, the minister noted that this would not be fair to locals.

“In Region Nine, the business community and the contractors that pay taxes in Guyana would take umbrage to that because they have been doing the work… the only thing we have to ensure is that we up our monitoring capabilities,” Minister Indar noted.

He added: “I believe the problem can be reme-

Part of the Lethem to Annai Road

died that way, rather than outsource it to a foreign company… simple things that we can do in Guyana.”

A contract was also signed for upgrades to the St. Ignatius Road. The Toshaos took the opportunity to raise several issues pertaining to village roads, bridges, culverts, airstrips and other works in the region.

The concerns were noted and the minister promised to do follow up visits. An engineer will visit several areas to make assessments of the works needed, after which representation will be made for it to be included in Budget 2022. (DPI)

Minister within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

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60,000 masks donated to Education Ministry for learners

THE Ministry of Education on Thursday received some 60,000 face masks from N & S Mattai’s Food Market for distribution to learners across the country.

The masks, valued at $500,000, were presented to Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, who accepted the items on behalf of the Education Ministry.

Minister Persaud extended his gratitude to Mattai’s for the donation, which he said will protect thousands of learners against COVID-19.

“For the number of years that I have known the Mattai’s, they have always been good corporate citizens. Today is no different, in the sense that they have remembered our children, especially at a time when COVID-19 is wreaking havoc not only in Guyana, but throughout the world.

“I think it is an excellent gesture, and I want to thank him on behalf of Minister Priya Manickchand and the children of this country. I know they will benefit

from this, because you know the schools have been reopened not fully.

But those children will be more protected at this point in time,” Minister Persaud said.

In an invited comment, co-owner of the food market, Bharati Mattai reiterated the importance of safety measures, as well as ensuring the population is inoculated against the deadly disease.

“We are contributing; we are donating all these masks again for the safety of the public, because we need to have herd immunity, and it’s not going as fast as we would like it to go, so, we are doing our part to ensure that we can all be safe in Guyana, and as such, worldwide…

So this is one of the little things we are doing at the moment,” the city businessman said.

The Ministry of Education has collaborated with the Ministry of Health to immunise adolescents against COVID-19. A number of initiatives have also been rolled out to ensure the safety of children returning to school at this time. (DPI)

Minister within the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development, Anand Persaud, receiving the masks from Bharati Mattai and Harry Mattai, owners of N & S Mattai’s Food Market, at their Georgetown location (DPI photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

‘Melody’ takes two young musicians under her wings -exciting listening party slated for tonight at the Garage Bar management as Amelia and will also be performing tonight at the listening party.

Apart from training them in overall music development, Amelia explained that her intention is formally introduce Thorne and Denhert as vibrant, young Guyanese artistes who are still relatively new to the local music scene. “… and letting people know that I’ll be working with them.

Now that we’re a family in the same label together, I want to educate them on their publishing and their royalties and how they can make money from their music,” Ameila said.

Now, under the management of leading music teacher and producer Burchmore Simon, the Reggae and R&B singer wants to create an arm under Kross Kolor Records

‘Demerara Dreams’, she said, features a mixture of genres from the Caribbean and all the songs were written by Amelia, while she was in Demerara; hence the album name. “It will show my versatility as an artist in the kind of music I make because it’s a multi-genre album,” she pointed out. Her ‘Reggae and Blues’ - a compilation of singles – is right now available for download.

Having returned from London three years ago to live in Guyana, the 33-year-old mother of two had previously told Buzz she has a plan to help alleviate the troubles, financial and otherwise, of local artistes, who find it extremely difficult to get their music online and published. “They seem to think it’s so difficult to do here in Guyana because we don’t have a licensing agency here. So, it’s really hard for artists,” the singer/songwriter and producer expressed, adding, “I want to make it easier for them to come to me and publish their music and have an agency that can collect royalties on their behalf.”

Thomas is a pioneer in royalty management and music licensing through her previous employment as a music licensing agent for a company in London and aims to educate artists, music businesses, and music users alike, on the benefits of protecting their work.

Amelia ‘Melody’ Thomas

ALMOST all of the artistes in the entertainment industry here in Guyana will tell you that they wish more measures were in place to have them adequately compensated for their talent, especially those in the music industry who often have to whip out a lot of money to produce songs and videos that will ultimately end up selling for next to nothing on the streets.

This is not the case with Amelia Thomas, though; she knows how to make money off of her music, and she is determined to show others how to do it. In fact, since her return here from London a few years ago, she has been working on her idea to develop a publishing and distribution company that will significantly aid her fellow artistes in being compensated for their work.

Tonight, at the Garage Bar in Georgetown – said to be a beautiful, open-air venue with a musical vibe, stage, lighting and seating to get you in the mood for some soulful sounds – Amelia and other big names in music will be performing live and will be introducing two youngsters to the industry.

Amelia, who formerly went by the stage name ‘Miss Melody,’ said that she couldn’t be happier at the opportunity to help groom the youths. In fact, doing so is in keeping with her plan to help with training young people, once her company becomes a reality.

The boy to be introduced tonight is former Calypso star, Jovinski Thorne, age 20, while the girl, Theodora ‘Kyra’ Denhert is 16. They have both been signed under the same

Jovinski Thorne

where young artistes can go for help with specific things pertaining to pushing and distribution of their music and how to improve their voice, etc.

Amelia is encouraging persons to come down and meet their favourite artiste tonight as the event will feature such well known personalities as Charmaine Blackman, Kunchi, Mark Batson, Diana Chapman and a host of other VIPs. “Kross Kolor Records and House of Melody present Melody Thomas’ Reggae and Blues Listening Party. Come down and listen to my catalogue of released tracks as well as exclusive unreleased songs from my upcoming album ‘Demerara Dreams,’” Amelia encouraged.

Theodora ‘Kyra’ Denhert

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

Indigenous culture dazzles Met Gala fans

The Met Gala, which is basically a nickname for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute Gala, is an iconic event that attracts celebrities from many parts of the world; most especially, Hollywood.

Meghan Decker of Refinery 29 reported that the theme for Monday night’s affair was “In America”, and the celebrities who attended the illustrious event interpreted the prompt in every possible way.

In her article, Decker painted a clear picture of the icons who graced the evening. She writes that Billie Eilish paid homage to Marilyn Monroe, while Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez wore a gown with “Tax The Rich” painted in red across the back, and Kim Kardashian went incognito in a full-body Balenciaga blackout hoodie; Guyanese on social media have been jokingly referring to Kardashian as a healthy dose of “black out”.

Nonetheless, as was captured in the many photos emanating from the event, 19-year-old Indigenous

model and activist Quannah Chasinghorse was the one who stood out amid the star-studded guest list, which also included our very own, RiRi. The teen was praised by a host of social-media commentators for choosing to embrace her roots, and more particularly, for “understood the assignment” of American representation.

As Guyana celebrates Indigenous Heritage Month, the young lady’s representation was much welcomed, and served as a beautiful motivation for young Amerindian girls to embrace their cultures, and the traditions of our Indigenous ancestors.

Decker in her writing, continued that Chasinghorse, who goes by Quannah Rose on Instagram, identifies with her Indigenous ancestry, both Hän Gwich’in (from Canada and Alaska) and Native American Oglala Lakota (from South Dakota). Vogue recently profiled the up-and-coming model, calling her one of fashion’s “freshest new faces.” Visually stunning, even without a bit of makeup, Chasing-

Quannah Chasinghorse with her grandmother and mother (Photo by Patrick Phillips/Courtesy of IMG Models

horse is recognized for her traditional Hän Gwich’in face tattoos: lines dashed down her chin and extending out from the corners of her eyes. The hand-poked lines

are called Yidįįłtoo, and they symbolize life events. “The lines represent overcoming generational and personal traumas,” Chasinghorse told Vogue. (See page 18)

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Indigenous model, Quannah Chasinghorse at the Met Gala 2021 (Refinery 29 photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

Indigenous culture dazzles Met...

(From page 17) Of course, given the Met’s sky-high standards, Chasinghorse worked with an entire styling team for the evening. She wore a gold cut-out gown by Peter Dundas for Revolve and authentic Navajo turquoise jewelry (that her

aunt flew in to NYC).

Makeup artist Gucci Westman, the founder and creator of makeup label Westman Atelier, created a statement beauty look focused on glowing skin (courtesy of products from 111SKIN), intensified eyes, and a soft nude lip.

“Quannah is a strong, passionate, beautiful woman — and I really wanted the makeup to enhance that,” Westman explained.

To “really define the tear line,” Westman used a duo of black eyeliners from Chanel, Le Crayon Eye Definer and Liquid

Liner in Noir. Then, she used her Westman Atelier Eye Pods eyeshadow in Noir, a metallic black, with Bonne Chance, a khaki green shade, and swept the cream powder across Chasinghorse’s lower lash line. For the lips, she used a mix of rosy tones pulled from her Westman Atelier Lip Suede palette in Les Nudes. (Original article

by Meghan Decker of Refinery 29).

OUR GIRL RiRi IMPRESSED AS EXPECTED As has become known, Robyn Rihanna Fenty is an icon of the Met Gala. If there is anything that fans lookout for every year, its definitely who and what RiRi wears, and according to Christopher luu of ‘In Style’ magazine, Rihanna always understands the assignment when it

comes to the Gala.

In his article, Luu writes that as celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Gigi Hadid, and Whoopi Goldberg made their way up the hallowed stairs of the Met Gala this year, there was one thing on everyone’s mind — even red-carpet co-host Keke Palmer.

Where was Rihanna? She posed the question to a few of her guests, who all said that they were waiting with bated breath to see what RiRi would bring to the carpet after her bright yellow Guo Peo gown and her papal Margiela look.

When Rihanna did make her presence known at the gala, fans had already seen peeks of her look on social media, where videos appeared of her wearing a beanie over a shimmering headpiece and what looked

like a huge jacket. Some speculated that there’d be a big reveal when she arrived at the big event alongside her beau ASAP Rocky, everything in the videos was there, down to the beanie. The jacket did have a traditional gown silhouette, complete with a dramatic train and portrait collar — and Rihanna did add some sparkle with a shimmering choker.

While other guests shrugged off the question of how their ensembles fit within the Met’s exhibit, Ri skipped out on the interviews, so fans may have to wait for an explanation.

But the night did have another big moment: it was the first time that Ri and Rocky hit a red carpet together, putting dating rumours to rest. (Original article by Christopher Luu)

RiRi boo’d up with ASAP Rocky (Vogue photo)

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

Guyana’s SAINt JHN wins at the VMAs

Although he bagged an impressive triple nomination, Guyana’s ‘Brown Skin Girl’ singer, SAINt JHN was only successful in one category of the 2021 Video Music Awards (VMA)s.

When the winners were announced on September 12, SAINt JHN, born Carlos St. John Phillips, copped the Best Cinematography Award at the VMAs, for his hit song, ‘Brown Skin Girl. He shares this win with an iconic group of musicians led by ‘Queen Bey’ herself, Beyoncé Knowles, along with her daughter Blue Ivy Carter and WizKid. The actual cinematography of the piece was done

by Benoit Soler, Malik H. Sayeed, Mohammaed Atta Ahmed, Santiago Gonzalez and Ryan Helfant.

Just months ago, the United States-based Guyanese rapper copped two Grammy Awards. At the VMAs, he was in line to and well-positioned to claim three VMA’s, including the Best R&B Video of the Year – a nomination he also shares with Beyonce and her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter who lent their voices to the iconic ‘Brown Skin Girl’ song, which he wrote.

Outside of ‘Brown Skin Girl’, Phillips was also been nominated for ‘Push Performer’ of the Year, for his song, ‘Gorgeous’. In that category, he lost to Olivia Rodrigo, with her song,

“driver’s license.”

Previously, at the Grammy Awards, Phillips’ popular hit song “Roses – Imanbek Remix” claimed the award for Best Remixed Recording. “Brown Skin Girl” also secured Best Music Video. Phillips, who reacted on twitter at that time, said, “Two songs I wrote won Grammys today in real life.” He wrote to his 80,000 followers, “Imagine not believing in me a year ago.”

The 3x-platinum, “Roses – Imanbek Remix,” peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2020 and soared to No. 1 in countries such as the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The song also has over a billion Spotify streams, with its music video boasting 145 million views on YouTube.

The artist, who was recently in Guyana, and was interviewed on local radio station, 94.1 Boom FM mid-last year, said his homeland played a major part of his life story and who he is today. He related that during his younger years, he was bouncing between Brooklyn, New York and Dennis Street, Campbellville, in Georgetown, and had become well exposed to two different worlds. The 34-year-old artist said that Guyana helped him get to where he is.

“This is part of my story.

If I was a kid, and I was 12 years old, I wouldn’t have known that it was possi-

ble. But I promise you, the next 12-year-old kid, now they know it is possible.

Now they know they have a personal example of how it could happen,” the artist said during the interview. During his previous visit to Guyana, SAINt JHN also met with a number of officials from the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic, including First Lady, Mrs. Arya Ali. In a post on her official Facebook page, the First Lady said, “It was truly my pleasure to host this international icon who has brought much positive energy and international attention to Guyana…we discussed many issues of mutual interest; most of which were related to the welfare of children and how we can both use our platforms to help some of those vulnerable groups in Guyana.”

Mrs. Ali in her post said that Saint JHN had also expressed his desire to continue working with the Office of the First Lady, along with other groups to provide much needed support and expertise. “I am grateful for the opportunity to have been able to share my ideas with him as we both seek to build a better life for children all across Guyana,” Mrs. Ali concluded. Meanwhile, SAINt JHN has also pledged to utilise his newfound international fame to pave the way for young Guyanese to make their way to the international arena, and

Carlos ‘SAINt JHN’ Phillips with his mother at the iconic Square of the Revolution in Georgetown (Tropix photo)

share a space on the big stage. We at the Buzz are encouraged by SAINt JHN’s approach and we wish him well.

19

Two-time Grammy Award winner, SAINt JHN (DancehallMag photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, September 17, 2021

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

Government to Nine Caribbean,two create safe zones, overseas players named wellness... in Hero CPL...

FROM BACK PAGE

The lawnmowers and brushcutters handed over to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, from President Irfaan Ali.

safe zones in which families and children can come out as a family unit and they can enjoy sharing time with the wider community in a safer environment.”

The President said he wants to create wellness centres that will create opportunities and the infrastructure that would motivate people to become more health conscious, which would result in the mitigation of many primary healthcare issues.

President Ali emphasised that the Government’s model is building an integrated approach to community, sports and culture development. As a result, the President said, the Government is examining the viability and cost in developing, by the end of next year, a proper night facility in every region.

“Every single Region must have at least one proper night facility, and then we are going to build that out to ensure that in the larger Regions you have more facilities like these.

And in every NDC, and in areas where there is no NDC, in a group of villages, we are looking to put one facility that will stimulate interest in sports, stimulate interest in community health and that would advance our efforts in promoting sports and also culture.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, thanked President Ali for his continuous support towards ensuring that his Ministry is furnished with resources to bring to life the plans of the Government of Guyana for sports in the country.

Minister Ramson explained that apart from the $10M allocated to each community ground, it is important for the Communities to be able to maintain the facility.

“The President has been stressing the importance of communities in all regions and the handing over of this equipment over the next few weeks and couple of months, is really to emphasise how important communities are to the President, Cabinet and the Government,” Minister Ramson said.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday September 17, 2021)

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD 83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Patriots (2) St. Lucia Kings Today’s Quiz: (1) Who was declared Man of the Match in the Hero CPL final 2021?

(2) Who was voted Man of the Tournament in Hero CPL 2021?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

FROM BACK PAGE

across the 2021 tournament. The team heavily features young players from across the Caribbean who have been extremely impressive in this year’s Hero CPL. The team includes Ravi Rampaul who is the leading wicket taker for this season, and the World Cup bound Evin Lewis who has been excellent throughout. The two overseas players who made the team are Faf du Plessis and Tim David, both from the Saint Lucia Kings. T The performances of Rampaul and Roston Chase in the tournament has seen them gain selection for the West Indies squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. Ian Bishop, former West Indies international and Hero CPL commentator said: “The commentary panel, in selecting the team of the tournament would like to commend the teams and players for making the job a very

challenging one.

A few players stood head and shoulders above the crowd due to their high level of excellence, and their performance simply made their case impossible to ignore. With the remaining selections there was vigorous debate and sometimes splitting hairs due to the high levels of performance and competition for similar roles from experienced, mid-level and young players.

“The abundance of talent, enthusiasm and passion shown by so many players in 2021 was laudable and once again made the tournament extremely competitive and compelling viewing. We accept and welcome the view that fans will have varying opinions and debates on their favorite commend all the players for their distinguished efforts throughout the tournament.”(CPL)

CWI needs to immediately...

FROM BACK PAGE

directly and I told him to hold his head up high and continue to work hard and perform and let your performance speak for yourself.”

The Head of State said that in his opinion, Shepherd should have been in the side.

“When there is injustice, you have to speak out… It is crazy that he was not selected. As a matter of fact, I would go beyond that and say that it’s not only an issue of transparency but who owns West Indies cricket, if the people of the West Indies own WI cricket, then somebody has to be accountable to the people.”

The Head of State added that the matter should be addressed and that a resolution should be made to enhance the sport at the

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regional level.

“This is a matter for the cricket board and the authorities also to weigh in, this is not a Guyana matter, this has to be a regional matter and the region itself has to start paying attention to how people are treated…I’ve seen situations when people who are in a position to speak up, did not speak, and I see great talent fell by, great talent, we lost great talents.”

Shepherd finished with 18 wickets, the second most wickets in the CPL, one less than T&T’s Ravi Rampaul, but with a slightly better average and economy rate.

He also played his part with the bat, including a match-winning 72 unbeaten runs, with an average of over 21 runs.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

England can boycott Ashes or send second-string team to Australia: Report THE convoluted battle between the England Cricket Team, the ECB and Cricket Australia (CA) is headed towards an outright Ashes boycott or a tour by a second-string team led by a new captain, ESPNcricinfo reported on Wednesday.

According to the report, the England players are unhappy with their board's response to their demands for a partial or complete postponement of the series. These demands have originated from their fear of hard quarantines in Australia, for both themselves and their family members.

As things stand right now, the visiting group, some of whom will be coming directly from the bio-secure bubble in the T20 World Cup, will have to undergo a 14-day

quarantine.

This will include a daily permit for only two to three hours of training outside the rooms. The bubble restrictions after these two weeks are likely to be strict as well.

In response to this, some England players have floated the idea of holding the series next year or splitting it into two parts. However, the ECB is adamant to go forward with the series as planned, which has left many players disappointed.

Some in the squad are now considering a total boycott of the tour to show their displeasure. However, a few single-format players might still go ahead with the tour which could mean a depleted, second-string side will have to clash with a fullstrength Australia at home. ESPNcricinfo also reported that senior

pacer Stuart Broad might be chosen as a captaincy replacement if the latter takes place.

More clarity is expected in the coming days as the ECB has asked its players to explain their stance by September 30.

During the recently concluded India-England Test series, Joe Root had put forward his stance on the controversial issue. The skipper remained mostly non-committal and said all will depend on close communication with the ECB. He said: “I think it’s really important we keep talking about it as a squad, working closely with the ECB. There is still a lot to consider. We will keep trying to do everything we can to keep good communication through the right channels. There’s a few things we could do without

England pacer Stuart Broad

right now. But this is how things are at the moment. You have to just take it in your stride as a team."

As of now, the Ashes are set to begin on December 8 at the Gabba in Brisbane. (Sportskeeda)

AB de Villiers slams scintillating Rishabh Pant to continue as century in intra-squad practice match the captain of Delhi Capitals THE second leg of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is just around the corner and preparations of all teams are underway.

The gala tournament will resume on September 19 with all the remaining matches taking place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are one of the teams to watch out for in the season as they enjoyed a sensational run in the initial half.

With five wins in seven games, the Virat Kohli-led side was third in the team standings at the time of season suspension.

Hence, they would like to continue their sensational run to lift the elusive title. Meanwhile, RCB’s preparations look on song as several players recently participated in a warm-up game.

They were divided into two teams – RCB A and RCB B, led by Harshal Patel and Devdutt Padikkal respectively. Notably, the likes of captain Kohli, Mohammed Siraj and Dan Christian didn’t feature in the warm-up game due to quarantine protocols.

While several players shone in the game, AB de Villiers stood out with a stunning century.

Playing for Patel’s RCB A, AB de Villiers came out to bat in the first innings and put up a batting exhibition. The former South African captain went after the bowlers from the outset and scored runs all over AB de Villiers slammed 104 off just 46 deliveries. the park. He brought up his half-century balls out there,” said De Villiers after scoring a in the seventh over and continued his onslaught. magnificent hundred.

He ended up scoring 104 off just 46 deliverBesides De Villiers, Mohammad Azharudden ies. Notably, his sensational ton was laced with 7 scored 66 runs off 43 ball as RCB A posted 212 boundaries and 10 sixes. while batting first. Chasing the mammoth total, “When we arrived and I got out off the bus, captain Padikkal and KS Bharat provided a rolI thought it’s crazy that we’re trying to play a licking start to RCB B. cricket game in the middle of the day. Luckily The latter scored 95 off 47 balls as RCB B the breeze came up, I told Azharudeen that it’s achieved the total on the last ball, winning the much better now and the pitch will get flatter. game by seven wickets. RCB’s official InstaWe had fun out there, I’m pleased with the runs gram page shared the highlights of the game. on the board. It was very stretchy for the first 20 (CricTracker).

of the IPL. This brought the talks of Delhi Capitals captaincy into the limelight.

There were speculations that as Iyer has returned fit from the injury, he might lead the team in the UAE leg of the IPL. But the franchise has made an official announcement and ended all the questions swirling in the wind.

The Delhi Capitals took it to their official Twitter account to make an announcement about the same. “OFFICIAL STATEMENT JSWGMR co-owned Delhi Capitals today announced that Rishabh Pant will continue as Captain for Rishabh Pant to continue as Delhi Capitals captain. the remainder of the #IPL2021 season.#YehTHE second leg of the Indian Premier HaiNayiDilli.” The Tweet League (IPL) is all set to commence read. The Tweet received a lot of reactions from September 19 in the UAE. from Twitter users.

Ahead of the start of the tournament, Under Pant, Delhi Capitals had a Delhi Capitals have announced that the splendid run in the first leg of the Indian team will continue with Rishabh Pant as Premier League. The team is currently their captain for the remainder of the IPL. placed at the top of the points table with In the Indian leg of the IPL, Pant 12 points to their account. Delhi Capitals was handed over the responsibility to be have won six matches from the eight they the skipper of the team in the absence of have played in the tournament so far. The Shreyas Iyer. Iyer had to undergo shoul- team has thus decided to continue with the der surgery after he injured himself in the star keeper-batter as the captain. home series against England. Owing to Pant would be all raring to take the this injury he missed the IPL which was charge of the field for the Delhi Capitals cut short as Covid hit the camps of several and make an impact for the side. He is franchises. a pivotal part of the Indian side and However, Iyer is now recovered com- will be keen to get some form to his side pletely from the injury and seemed to be ahead of the high-profile event of the perfectly fit to feature in the remainder T20 World Cup. (CricTracker)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

Kohli to step down as India T20 captain after T20 World Cup VIRAT Kohli will step down as India's Twenty20 captain after the men's T20 World Cup in November.

The 32-year-old said he needed to "give himself space" to be "fully ready" to continuing leading India in Test cricket and one-day internationals.

Kohli, who has scored 3,159 runs in 90 T20 appearances for India, will continue to play in the format.

The T20 World Cup takes place from 17 October to 14 November in the United Arab Emirates and Oman.

Kohli was appointed limited-overs captain in 2017, three years after taking over the Test captaincy.

He was named player of the series in the 2016 edition of the T20 World Cup under the captaincy of MS Dhoni.

"Understanding workload is a very important thing and considering my immense workload over the past eight to nine years, I feel I need to give myself space," Kohli wrote in a statement on Twitter.

"I have given everything to the

Virat Kohli averages 52.65 in 90 T20s for India.

team in my time as T20 captain and I will continue to do so for the T20 team as a batsman moving forward."

Kohli led India to a 2-1 lead over England in the recent Test series before the final Test was cancelled, with

the resolution of the series still to be determined.

He will captain Royal Challengers Bangalore (RACB) when the Indian Premier League resumes on Sunday. (BBC Sport).

Simone Biles condemns U.S. Olympic Committee, FBI for sex-abuse crisis WASHINGTON, (Reuters) Olympic gymnast Simone Biles held back tears on Wednesday, as she told lawmakers how the FBI and U.S. gymnastic and Olympic officials failed to stop the sexual abuse that she and hundreds of other athletes suffered from former doctor Larry Nassar.

"To be clear, I blame Larry Nassar and I also blame an entire system that enabled and perpetrated his abuse," she said before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee alongside fellow gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman and Maggie Nichols.

Biles added that USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee failed to act while the FBI "turned a blind eye."

The emotional hearing painted a

England beat New Zealand in ODI opener

damning picture of FBI, which botched the Nassar investigation so badly that he was able to continue abusing more victims for over a year before he was finally arrested.

FBI Director Chris Wray made no excuses and said the bureau had fired one of the agents who had falsified the details of Maroney's 2015 interview about the abuse.

"On no planet is what happened in this case acceptable," he said, later adding that the conduct of the agents who botched the case "was beyond the pale."

With anger in her voice, Maroney recalled how in 2015 she spent three hours on the phone telling the FBI the details of her story that her own mother had not even heard, including accounts of sexual abuse she endured during the

Olympic gymnast Simone Biles

Olympic games in London by Nassar, whom she described as "more of a pedophile than he was a doctor."

Nassar, who is also a former employee of Michigan State University, has been found guilty in three separate cases, with one of the prison sentences running up to 175 years.

England move up to third in FIFA’s men's world rankings ENGLAND are up to third in FIFA's men's world rankings, equalling their highest ever position.

Following their defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final in July, England beat Hungary and Andorra 4-0 in World Cup qualifying earlier this month before drawing with Poland.

Gareth Southgate's men move above world champions France, who drop to fourth after two draws and a win.

The last time England were ranked third was in September 2012.

Belgium remain in top spot, while Brazil are second.

Wales stay in 19th after a victory against Belarus sandwiched between draws against Finland and Estonia.

Scotland, who lost in Denmark before beating Moldova and Austria, rise four places to 45th.

Northern Ireland are also up four spots, wins over Lithuania and Estonia and a draw with Switzerland lifting them to 47th.

The Republic of Ireland have fallen from 47th to 50th after defeat by Portugal and draws with Azerbaijan and Serbia.

The FIFA rankings were first introduced in December 1992. (BBC Sport)

Heather Knight drives during her half-century (Getty Images)

ENGLAND women overcame a stuttering batting performance to beat New Zealand by 30 runs in a close first one-day international in Bristol.

The hosts looked on the verge of victory with New Zealand reduced to 177-9, chasing 242 to win.

However, Amy Satterthwaite's superb, unbeaten 79 took the game deep, and her 34-run stand with Leigh Kasperek for the last wicket kept New Zealand's hopes alive.

It took a stunning direct hit from Lauren Winfield-Hill to run out Kasperek and dismiss New Zealand for 211 with 21 balls to spare, giving England a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Earlier, England captain Heather Knight made a sublime 89 but the hosts twice collapsed after being asked to bat first.

They fell from 109-1 to 140-5 and then subsided from 228-5 to 241 all out, with three balls remaining.

Off-spinner Charlie Dean became the first England player to have been born in the 2000s when she was presented with her cap by former captain Charlotte Edwards before play.

Both sets of bowlers were crucial but this match ultimately came down to two batting performances, with Knight just edging out Satterthwaite.

The second ODI takes place at Worcester on Sunday.

The tone for New Zealand's innings was set inside

the first seven overs, with Katherine Brunt bowling four maidens and the White Ferns scoring just nine runs.

It was not as though New Zealand needed to hit boundary after boundary; simply rotating the strike would have shown more positive energy, rather than allowing England to bowl at them.

Suzie Bates was the first to succumb to the pressure, sending a thick outside edge off Nat Sciver to Knight at second slip, before the struggling Lauren Down edged the same bowler behind.

It would have taken the experience and collective calmness of Satterthwaite and Sophie Devine to guide the tourists over the line and for a time it looked as though they would.

Satterthwaite was the more aggressive in the 78-run stand and Devine's dismissal, lofting the excellent Kate Cross to mid-on, did not stop Satterthwaite as she moved to a half-century.

Strong on the sweep, she was able to pick the gaps in a way the other players could not, twice crashing Dean through the covers to pick up boundaries.

Her partnership with Tahuhu, who smacked 25 off 14 balls, and last batter Kasperek took New Zealand closer than they might have imagined.

But England's discipline with the ball - and New Zealand's earlier collapse from 109-3 to 143-8 - ultimately won out.(BBC Sport)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

FIFA claims majority of fans support the idea of a World Cup every two years A majority of football fans favour a change of frequency in the World Cup, according to a survey commissioned by FIFA. Fifty five per cent of respondents from 23 countries across the world – including England – favoured a change, as FIFA continues its consultation on playing the World Cup every two years instead of every four.

Of the 55 per cent, the most popular option was biennial World Cups.

However, in every age group, the highest percentage was in favour of the status quo – ranging from 37 per cent among 18-24 year olds to 58 per cent among those aged 55 and over.

The world governing body has developed hugely controversial plans to shorten the gap between its showpiece event from four years to two, with former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger championing the changes.

The Football Supporters Europe group is opposed to the idea and wrote to UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, who replied to say he had “grave concerns” about the plans and has since told The Times that European countries could boycott the World Cup if the change is made.

However, FIFA says that global-

ly there is support for the plan, and said the enthusiasm was greatest among younger fans in “developing markets” outside Europe.

“A survey has provided feedback as part of the feasibility study regarding the frequency of the men’s FIFA World Cup,” FIFA said in a statement.

“The findings of this online survey, conducted in July 2021, will be used as part of a wider consultation process involving fans, which will take place over several phases.

“Fifteen thousand respondents were identified as expressing an interest in football and the FIFA World Cup, from a broader market research survey involving 23,000 people in 23 countries, across six confederations, commissioned via IRIS and YouGov, independent industry experts.

“Based on initial results, the following conclusions can be drawn: “The majority of fans would like to see a more frequent men’s FIFA World Cup; of this majority, the preferred frequency is biennial; there are considerable differences between the so-called traditional markets and the developing football markets; and younger generations in all regions are more open and interested in change than older generations.”

It is understood only respondents who expressed an interest in

Arsene Wenger, right, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino (Handout from FIFA/PA).

football and the World Cup were asked the question about World Cup frequency. The 23 markets which were selected included England, with around 1,000 targeted in each market.

FIFA said the results of an expanded survey involving over 100,000 people in more than 100 countries is under way and would be published in due course.

South American confederation

CONMEBOL has joined UEFA in speaking out against the plans, while world players’ union FIFPRO has warned the proposals will not have any legitimacy without the support of its members.

European Leagues – an umbrella group which includes the Premier League and all of the continent’s major domestic competitions – has expressed firm and unanimous opposition to the plans. That appears

to be a major obstacle for FIFA to overcome, as its clubs employ the majority of the players who play in World Cups.

The European Club Association – which includes all of the continent’s big clubs except for the Super League rebel trio – has also warned FIFA against any “unilateral” decision.

The idea for a biennial World Cup was first floated by the Saudi Arabian football association, and a feasibility study was given the goahead after a vote at FIFA Congress in May. Wenger, FIFA’s head of global football development, says it provides more meaningful matches for players who do not operate in Europe’s big leagues, and also cuts down on international travel during the season, with international breaks cut to one or at most two.

He also believes it gives national teams more chances to qualify, although the likelihood is that the same teams would simply play in World Cups more often, if they entered.

Additional World Cups would, in theory, mean extra revenue for FIFA to share among the member associations who elect the FIFA leadership, and it has been seen by some as a means for Infantino to solidify his power base. (PA Sport)

Michael Holding to retire from cricket commentary ..Forthright with opinions, unafraid to show emotion, he brought the same grace to broadcasting as his run-up during his playing days

MICHAEL Holding is set to bring to a close one of the most distinguished modern broadcasting careers when he hangs up his mic at the end of this season.

Holding has been part of Sky Sports commentary team for over two decades now, a role he has fulfilled with at least as much distinction as his playing career. Holding is widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest pace bowlers, playing 60 Tests and 102 ODIs for West Indies from 1975 to 1987, and becoming an integral part of the all-conquering West Indies’ sides of the era.

He began his commentary career in 1988 in the Caribbean, and quickly brought the same grace to the commentary box as his runup during his playing days, an approach so smooth it earned him the nickname of ‘Whispering Death’. But Holding, 66, never held back from expressing some forthright opinions on the game, not least that he wouldn’t commentate in domestic T20 leagues because he thought it wasn’t cricket.

Modern viewers would have seen another side of Holding last year. Having been keenly aware that the significance of the West Indian teams he played for went far beyond the field

Former Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler Michael Hoding began his commentary career in 1988 in the Caribbean

of play, the Black Lives Matter movement in the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd

last year, became a moment for Holding’s voice to be heard loud and clear once again.

His eloquent, heartfelt and personal piece to Sky’s cameras on racism and inequality became one of the broadcast highlights of the year, eventually winning two broadcast awards in the United Kingdom.

Holding won the Royal Television Society (RTS) Award for Sports Presenter, Commentator or Pundit and the channel, the best Sport Programme award. The RTS said Holding “captured the mood of the event perfectly, bringing a personal perspective to bear on a moment of huge significance” when talking about Floyd’s murder and the movement it sparked.

That led, this year, to his acclaimed book, ‘Why We Kneel, How We Rise’ dealing with racism in sport.

Holding was unafraid to show the emotion that he did in that piece of programming.

Pakistani fans and viewers will remember his broadcast in the aftermath of the spot-fixing scandal in 2010, a summer in which he was commentating and admiring the skills of Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir.

The pair were found to have been in-

volved in spot-fixing during the Lord’s Test.

Holding, who had been on air during one of Amir’s bigger no-balls, needed a moment to compose himself when he talked of the sadness of a talented 18-year-old bowler getting dragged into fixing.

That combination of insight, empathy and the gravitas of a celebrated career meant that Holding was one of those rare ex-players who was on air even when the national team he represented wasn’t playing. He was part of the panel for England’s recent Test series against India, but had already indicated last year that he was near the end of his broadcasting career.

“I am not too sure how much further than 2020 I will be going with commentary. I cannot see myself going much further down the road at my age. I am 66 years old now, I am not 36, 46 or 56,” Holding was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India on a radio talk show.

“I told (Sky) that I could not commit to more than a year at a time. If this year gets totally destroyed, I might have to think about 2021 because I can’t just walk away from Sky, a company that has done so much good for me.” (Cricinfo)

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

Windies Women Government to employ former facing whitewash National athletes in Community after 35-run loss

mentorship programme

Opener Rashada Williams drives stylishly during her top score of 42. (Photo courtesy CWI Media)

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – West Indies Women were left to confront their worst fears of a whitewash when they lost their fourth straight One-Day International to South Africa Women, with a 35-run defeat here Thursday.

Though the visitors could only muster 185 for six off their 50 overs at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, the target proved to be out of the hosts’ reach, and they stumbled to 150 for nine to be well short in the end.

Opener Rashada Williams once again showed enterprise with 42 while experienced all-rounder Deandra Dottin chipped in with 22 but for the umpteenth time, the batting collapsed without so much as a whimper, to leave West Indies Women with a 4-0 deficit in the five-match series.

Sent in, South Africa Women stumbled initially but recovered to reach their eventual target thanks to an unbeaten 65 from Mignon du Preez, 30 from Tazmin Brits and Sinalo Jafta’s 28.

They lost the in-form Laura Wolvaardt for one with as many on the board in the second over but rebuilt through Brits who put on 35 for the second wicket with Lara Goodall (8) and a further 21 for the third wicket with captain Dane van Niekerk (20).

Brits, who struck four fours, perished in the 20th over with South Africa Women on 57 for three but du Preez anchored three key stands to frustrate the home side.

Firstly, she posted 31 for the fourth wicket with van Niekerk, then added 30 for the fifth with Chloe Tryon (12) before putting on 63 for the seventh with Jafta.

Du Preez struck five fours in her 91-ball knock.

In reply, West Indies Women slumped to 19 for two in the third over but made a slight recovery through Williams who added 29 for the third wicket with Dottin, 22 for the fourth with Hayley Matthews (14) and 41 for the fifth with Kycia Knight (15).

But Williams batted slowly, hitting four fours off 90 balls and when she was run out in the 39th over, West Indies Women were 115 for five and facing a required run rate of nearly seven runs per over, which proved insurmountable.

Leg-spinner Dane van Niekerk finished with three for 23.

THE Government of Guyana, behind President Irfaan Ali, will be reaching out to former athletes to work with his Administration as part of his push to develop sports from the Community level.

“Another programme we are going to launch is a programme that will focus on physical education at a community level and at a school level. At a school level we will have a concentration of schools serviced by a professional coach,” President Ali said yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium.

The President said that he has already tasked the Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, with looking at ex-athletes from the various sporting disciplines that have retired to be brought back to be trained in a mentorship and coaching programme.

This, President Ali emphasised, has to be a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport.

According to President Ali, the former National athletes “will be part of transforming the mind, the mind-set, transforming the sporting environment and also our interest in sports across the country. It is very important we give a very high interest in sports.”

“Countries can develop and focus on everything else but if you don’t make the investment on sports development then you will lose the interest in different

President Irfaan Ali during a presentation exercise at the Guyana National Stadium

sporting activities along the way and we don’t want that to happen,” the Head-ofState said.

The President also noted that the Government and the Ministry by extension is taking a “bottom up approach” to the development of sports and culture, adding that “the entire approach by

the Government and the Ministry is community engagement, community involvement, community participation, community ownership, community spirit, and once we build this type of integration across all the communities it will resound to the one Guyana that we want to create.”

Ashwin was selected in T20 WC squad as a consolation prize - Gavaskar SENIOR spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was selected in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup that will take place in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) this year. But then, Indian cricketing legend Sunil Gavaskar is not sure whether Ashwin will find a place in the Indian playing XI in the multi-nation tournament.

Terming Ashwin’s return to the Indian squad as a ‘good thing’, Gavaskar reckoned that it remains to be seen if the Tamil Nadu spinner will get a place in the playing XI. Gavaskar also added that Ashwin was chosen in the squad for the Test matches against England as well, but did not get to play even a single match in the whole tour.

“Ashwin’s return is a good thing but we’ll have to wait and see if he gets a place in the playing XI. You have selected him in the 15, that’s alright, you chose him in the squad in England as well but did not give him the chance in the XI,” said Gavaskar while speaking to Sports Talk.

Sunil Gavaskar further opined that selecting Ashwin in the T20 World Cup squad was like giving him a consolation prize for not being included in the Indian playing XI during the entire Test series against the England side. The 72-yearold former Indian captain concluded by stating that only the passage of time will reveal whether Ashwin finds a spot in the Indian playing XI during the T20 World Cup. “So, he’s perhaps just given a consolation cup to make up for the disappointment that he might have from here (in

Government to create safe zones, wellness centres

England). Will he play in the XI? Only time will tell,” concluded Sunil Gavaskar.

Ashwin is currently the third-highest wicket-taker for the Indian side in T20I cricket and has scalped 52 wickets in 46 matches at an average of 22.94 and an excellent strike rate of 19.70. The last time Ashwin played a T20I match for India was way back on 9th July 2017, against the West Indies outfit at Sabina Park. (CricTracker)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE, Friday September 17, 2021

President Irfaan Ali, is joined by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, during an inspection of the Lawnmowers that were handed over to the Ministry as part of the Government's Community Ground Enhancement Programme.

Government to create safe zones, wellness centre for children, families—President Ali …says the government is mulling setting up night facilities in every region President Dr Irfaan Ali yesterday said that in developing the sports sector in Guyana, his Government is aiming at creating safe zones and wellness centres for children and families to motivate communities to be more health conscious.

Part of this holistic programme will also be the development of night facilities in every

region and a physical education programme that will be integrated on the community and school level.

President Ali made statements after he handed over 12 lawnmowers and 17 brushcutters to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport that will be distributed to various communities around the country as part of the

Government’s Community Ground Enhancement programme.

The Head of State praised the Ministry for its “very aggressive and determined work” in building sports and culture from the “community up,” According to President Ali, “this is the beginning of numerous investments that we

CWI needs to immediately publish the criteria for selection—President Ali -Says he told Guyanese cricketer Romario Shepherd to hold his head up high PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali has thrown down the gauntlet at Cricket West Indies (CWI) for not executing its duties in a more transparent manner and in the best interest of citizens of the region.

The Head of State, who is an ardent cricket supporter and a “great West Indies cricket fan”, said that the exclusion of Guyanese all-rounder Romario Shepherd from the T20 World Cup squad has left more questions than answers.

“West Indies Board (CWI) need to publish immediately the criteria for selection for all levels of cricket. Because if you have the regional tournament as the tournament that selects the West Indies team and you have bowlers coming out of the regional tournament with the most wickets and can’t find a place in the team, what happens? Then there is no incentives to being the best bowler in the tournament, you have batsmen coming out with high average and they are not part of the team, it is time the people of the region know what criteria the board is using to select teams.”

SUPPORT FOR SHEPHERD President Ali set social media alight on Sunday when he questioned why the 26-year-old, who has had a superb all-round performance at this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) was excluded.

are going to make all across the country. Every single NDC [Neighbourhood Democratic Council] will see tremendous investment and upliftment in their sporting facility.”

“But much more than creating sporting facilities; we want to create wellness centres, TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

Nine Caribbean,two overseas players named in Hero CPL team of the tournament

CPL team of the tournament Guyana Amazon Warriors all-rounder Romario Shepherd

Yesterday afternoon, at the Handing Over ceremony of grounds enhancement equipment to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport at the National Stadium, he reiterated his sentiments and indicated that he has recently spoken to the Guyanese cricketer.

“This is a superb talent. This is an all-rounder that I think has a great, great future ahead of him. I spoke to him TURN TO PAGE 23 ►

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THE 2021 Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) team of the tournament has been announced. The team was selected by the Hero CPL commentary team – Ian Bishop, Danny Morrison, Daren Ganga, Simon Doull and Samuel Badree.

The team features nine Caribbean players and two overseas stars and selection rewards consistent performances TURN TO PAGE 23 ► FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021