Guyana Chronicle E-Paper 17-06-2022

friday 17th june, 2022

No.106756

International CoI

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–– into attempted rigging of 2020 elections

–– members will be named before dawn on Tuesday, President Ali announces ‘We, particularly your President, promised an international CoI, so I say to all those who struggled and sacrificed; all those who worked in protecting the democracy, that we have, in your honour, before dawn on Tuesday, your President will name the members of that international CoI…. Those who subverted democracy, those who cannot present their SoPs [Statements of Poll], and those who struggled against the will of the people, the CoI will set the truth free’ --President, Dr. Irfaan Ali

President, Dr Irfaan Ali lays a wreath at the Enmore Martyrs’ Monument on Thursday (Carl Croker photograph)

12,000 acres of land to be cultivated with citrus at Onderneeming 09 PAGE

$60,000 minimum wage approved for 03 private sector workers PAGE

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

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International CoI to investigate attempted elections rigging –– members will be named before dawn on Tuesday, President Ali announces

By Naomi Parris

THE members of an International Commission of Inquiry (CoI) who will investigate the five-month period where attempts were made to rig the March 2, 2020 elections will be named next Tuesday, President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali said on Thursday.

The President made the announcement during the commemoration of the 74th Anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs at the monument site.

“In honour of your sacrifices, I’ve committed that we will have an international CoI into the last elections,” he said adding: “We, particularly your President, promised an international CoI, so I say to all those who struggled and sacrificed; all those who

worked in protecting the democracy that we have in your honour, before dawn on Tuesday, your President will name the members of that international CoI.” The inquiry is anticipated to provide a foundation on which the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) can fix the electoral system.

The findings will also be used to hold persons accountable, especially if they are found to be involved in illegal activities.

“Those who subverted democracy, and those who cannot present their SoPs [Statements of Poll], and those who struggled against the will of the people, the CoI will set the truth free,” President Ali said.

“Before down on Tuesday, the CoI will be in place, and another victory for de-

President, Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali mocracy will be sought,” President Ali reiterated.

In his inaugural speech as President, Dr. Ali had committed to reviewing the events relating to the protracted electoral process, which concluded on August 2, 2020 after Guyanese cast their votes on March 2 that same year.

The citizenry had to endure an unimaginable wait for the results of the General and Regional Elections, as they witnessed unlawful acts, and a slew of legal challenges.

Earlier in the electoral process, Attorney-at-Law Charles Ramson Jnr. had filed criminal proceedings

against Region Four Returning Officer Clairmont Mingo, and Volda Lawrence, a former Public Health Minister in the A Partnership For National Unity +Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) Government for allegedly forging documents, so as to defraud the nation.

It was reported that the particulars of the offence state that Mingo, having been procured by Lawrence, on or about March 5 at the Command Centre for GECOM, on High and Hadfield Streets, uttered to the Chief Elections Officer (CEO) Keith Lowenfield, the results for Region Four, knowing it to be forged, with intent to defraud the people of Guyana.

And, in more recent times, Lowenfield appeared before the Georgetown Mag-

istrates’ Court to answer to three private criminal charges brought against him for alleged fraud and misconduct.

He was granted $450,000 bail.

Lowenfield appeared before Magistrate Faith McGusty, and was not required to plead to the indictable charges. There were two offences of conspiracy to commit a felony, and one charge of misconduct in public office.

He was granted $150,000 bail on each of those charges.

The CEO is expected to make his next court appearance on August 24.

On May 6, 2020 GECOM began a recount exercise, and at the conclusion, it showed that the PPP/C had won the elections with a majority of the votes.

$60,000 minimum wage approved for private-sector workers THE government has approved a 36 per cent minimum wage increase for private sector workers, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali announced on Thursday.

“Cabinet has agreed with the recommendation of the tripartite committee, and that is, we are in support of the minimum wage; that is, the $60, 000,” he said.

He made the announcement while addressing the 74th Anniversary of the Enmore Martyrs at the monument site at Enmore, East Coast Demerara. During his address, the President hailed Lallabagee Kissoon,

Pooran, Rambarran, Dookie, and Harry, who were fatally shot by the Colonial State’s agents in 1948, as brave men who created a platform for Guyana to achieve Independence.

“The blood of sugar workers was shed in pursuit of human dignity, and I want us to understand today that the blood of those sugar workers was not just for the sugar industry. It was for human dignity; it was for honesty; it was for us to rise as a nation. It is what gave us the platform for the achievement of Independence, and it is in their honour that we come here

every year,” the President told the large gathering at the monument site.

The sugar workers, he said, did not only fight for the revolution of Guyana’s sugar industry, but also for advancing the country as a Democratic State.

President Ali also noted that as the nation continues to honour the strides and struggles of the Enmore Martyrs, it is important for all to be cognisant of their contributions in achieving human dignity and fairness for workers across the country.

“It is very important for us to reflect, in a spirit

A section of the gathering at the commemoration of the Enmore Martyrs’ death anniversary on Thursday (Office of the President photo)

of honesty; in the spirit of fairness, and in the spirit of dignity,” he said.

President Ali also stated that his government will continue to make investments that will benefit all workers.

“As we become better, economically and financially, the workers must feel that benefit. We must not take away from them, but we must give to them,” he said.

The President committed to ensuring that the working people of Guyana are respected and awarded for their service.

“We are not sitting down and waiting; we want the working people to have ease. That is why we set aside $5B. We are working with every single group of fishermen and women, our farmers, our differently-able; every segment of the population,” he said, adding: “I commit to you, as a President, hand-inhand with the representatives of workers, never ever to allow these attributes, and this founding philos-

ophy of the government I serve to be lost.”

It is in the honour

of the martyrs that the government continues to make investments in its people for a better life, President Ali said in closing.

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Schoolgirl dies after alleged rape

A FAMILY is mourning the loss of their teenage daughter who died on Wednesday night after an incident where she took matters in her own hands.

The teen resorted to the action after she was allegedly raped by a taxi driver.

The 31-year-old hire car driver has since been charged and remanded to prison. The Guyana

Chronicle understands on the day in question, the teen was on her way to school when she saw the driver who offered her a drop.

Given that she recognised him as a hire car driver, she sat in the back seat of the vehicle with the hope that he will drop her off to school; however, he instead activated the locks of the car doors and

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drove past her school and despite her pleas for him stop, he refused.

He then drove towards a lonely dam, where he stopped the vehicle and went to the back seat and forced himself on the teen.

After committing the act, the suspect dropped the teen at the head of her street and drove away. She subsequently made her way home but

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, june 17, 2022

told investigators she was “ashamed” to confide in her mother.

Her mother was asleep when she committed the act and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

Relatives said the teen had a promising future and was doing well in school.

She was described as smart, caring and quiet and loves school.

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‘They paved the way’

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

of sugar workers were positively transformed.

Even to this day, he said, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government is working strategically to alleviate the social and economic hardships being experienced by people in Guyana.

As Dr. Anthony recalled, during the colonial rule, secondary education was a luxury that not many could have afforded, but thanks to

Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony (fourth left) and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Nigel Dharamlall (sixth left) along with members of the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union (GAWU) at Thursday’s wreath-laying ceremony

By Jared Liddell AS Guyana continues on its path of development and transformation, Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, on the 74th anniversary of the murder of the Enmore Martyrs, reminded those in attendance that it was their sacrifice that played a pivotal role in shaping Guyana’s social support system.

The Health Minister spoke on Thursday morning at the wreath-laying ceremony for the five martyrs at the Enmore, East Coast Demerara (ECD) site of the monument dedicated to them.

June 16, 1948 was the date in British Guiana when five sugar workers: Rambarran, Lall called ‘Pooran’, Lallabagie Kissoon, Surujballi called ‘Dookie’, and Harry lost their lives while on strike at Plantation Enmore, ECD. They were killed by colonial police.

The resistance put up by sugar workers then demonstrated the importance they placed on improved working conditions and a better quality of living.

Dr. Anthony reminded his audience that without this act of bravery, Guyana could have been on a different trajectory of development.

Recalling that 1948 was a year when the country was strangled by social and economic hardships; the burdensome “cut and load” cane harvesting system, and a situation where labourers were deprived of having a union of choice to represent them, Dr. Anthony said that sugar workers were forced to mount protest actions after their fair demands were continuously ignored by sugar producers.

It was the selfless actions of these five men who gave their lives on that fateful day 74 years ago that was to greatly influence the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan, Dr. Anthony said.

Turning his attention to

the sterling contributions of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) to the struggle of the Working Class, Dr. Anthony said that the Dr. Jagan-led PPP government worked assiduously to ensure that the negative experiences

Fresh wreaths placed at the site honouring the five Enmore Martyrs on their 74th death anniversary (Photos by Elvin Croker)

…Dr. Anthony declares at Enmore Martyrs memorial service

the PPP, not only is it easily accessible, but so, too, is healthcare, which has, over the years, been significantly improved.

The Health Minister highlighted, in particular, the government’s commitment to investing in public infrastructure, among other areas, which he said the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan believed was pivotal for the collective national well-being.

“We have been able to give universal primary education; universal secondary education. We are now working at the tertiary level to ensure that people can have better access to tertiary education,” Dr. Anthony said, adding: “But what is even more significant is that we are able now to give thousands upon thousands of scholarships, and we want people to take advantage of this.”

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, june 17, 2022

Enmore Martyrs

JUNE 16 marks the 74th Anniversary since the shooting to death of five sugar workers by colonial police.

These five sugar workers -- Rambarran, Pooran, Lallabagee, Surajballi and Harry -- are now immortalised as the Enmore Martyrs, and a national monument, has been erected in their honour at Enmore, where they were murdered. In some important respects, the death of the sugar workers turned out to be a defining moment in the political and industrial landscape of the country.

The death of the five sugar workers and the injuries sustained by several others did not go in vain. For one thing, it served as a catalyst for the formation of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), which came into being on January 1, 1950, a mere two years after the sugar workers were killed. In 1947, Dr. Cheddi Jagan had won a seat in the Legislative Council as an independent, but he recognised the need for a political party to advance the workers’ struggle.

Indeed, it was at the gravesite of the slain sugar workers that Dr. Cheddi Jagan made a silent pledge that he would dedicate his entire life to the cause of the working people of Guyana. Dr. Jagan and his wife Janet, along with Ashton Chase and HJM Hubbard were founding members of the Po-

litical Affairs Committee (PAC), which was formed in 1946. The PAC can be considered as the forerunner of the PPP, and played a key role in raising the political and ideological awareness of the then British Guianese people. The PAC was also instrumental in mobilising resources for the striking sugar workers, who were demanding better working and living conditions, and recognition of the Guyana Industrial Workers Union (now GAWU) as their recognised union.

The response by the colonial police against the sugar workers was nothing short of brutal, bloody and cowardly. Unlike European countries, where non-lethal methods were used to disperse protesters, the police here used live rounds of ammunition against the protesting workers, who were, in the main, peaceful and non-violent, and as such, posed no security threat to them or the management of the Enmore Estate. Because of widespread condemnation of the shootings, a Commission of Inquiry was appointed by the then Governor, Sir Charles Wooley.

The Commission, as expected, justified the shooting, but criticised the colonial police for their excessive use of force, and not applying measures such as the use of teargas to manage the crowd. The Commission found, also, that the shooting went beyond

what was reasonable.

“We are, therefore, of the opinion that the evidence has established that after the first few shots, there was firing, which went beyond the requirements of the situation, with the result that Pooran, notably, and some others received shots when in actual flight.”

A lot of water, as it were, has flowed under the bridge since that fateful day. The formation of the PPP in 1950 had advanced the worker’s struggle to a higher political level, and the workers’ union, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers’ Union had since been recognised, but not before a strong and sustained struggle, waged by the PPP and GAWU against the then People’s National Congress (PNC) dictatorial regime. Under the PNC, the sugar industry was literally drained of its profits by way of an unconscionable high levy. The industry suffered from decades of mismanagement and incompetence, which resulted in low and declining levels of production and productivity. And, to further compound the situation, the previous APNU+AFC administration closed down a number of grinding sugar estates, including the Enmore estate.

Today, 74 years later, the industry is still fighting for its very survival, despite sig-

nificant injections of money and capital by the PPP/C administration to restore the industry to economic viability. Only recently, President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, at a meeting with senior management staff of the Sugar Corporation had cause to, as it were, read the riot act, and make it clear to executives that “it cannot be business as usual” insofar as efficiency and productivity of the industry is concerned.

For his part, President Ali has given a firm commitment to ensuring the survival of the industry, which, he said, goes way beyond financial viability. According to the President, we have to look at the economic and social impact of the industry on workers and their communities.

The industry, undoubtedly, is experiencing a number of daunting challenges, both at the international and domestic levels.

The withdrawal of subsides on sugar by the European Union, and less than favourable prices on the world market for sugar have placed the industry in a less than favourable position, but, with new and innovative management strategies, product diversification and valued-added initiatives, it is possible to restore the industry to profitability, and economic and social viability.

The Enmore Martyrs remain an inspiration to us all

Dear Editor,

THE GAWU is pleased, once more, to be associated with these observances as we pay tribute to Lallabagee Kissoon, Pooran, Rambarran, Dookie and Harry, who are known, nationally, as the Enmore Martyrs.

For our Union, the Enmore massacre represents a monumental turning point in our history. It reinforced that through our collective efforts, there was no obstacle that was insurmountable. Indeed, in the years that followed Enmore 1948, we, as a people and a nation, have scored several victories, and realised many aspirations.

As we pay tribute to these National Heroes, we are re-

minded of the injustice and oppression that the Martyrs, their colleagues, and, indeed, our foreparents endured. The Enmore struggle began on April 22, 1948, as workers along the East Coast protested the imposition of the cut-and-load system of cane-cutting. As the struggle widened, with Enmore becoming its epicentre, the workers expressions grew to denounce, justifiably, their squalid living conditions, and deteriorating working conditions. They also heightened their calls for the recognition of the Guiana Industrial Workers Union (GIWU), the forerunner of the GAWU, as the Union of their choice.

As in previous episodes of workers activism, the plantocracy, aided by the colonial

masters, sought to brutally crush the struggle. It was a stereotypical response intended to ensure that the then colonial subjects remained docile, as the plantocracy and colonialists extracted maximum value. Indeed, Comrades, it may have worked in several previous episodes.

But, alas! Enmore 1948 was different!

The Enmore struggle emerged when discontent among the workers in the colony was growing. In April 1947, a 64-day strike by bauxite workers at Mackenzie and Ituni called attention to the racial discrimination and segregation perpetuated by the owners of the Demerara Bauxite Company (DEMBA). In late February 1948, the Transport Work-

ers Union stood up against the arbitrary transfer of its leaders from Georgetown to different parts of the colony with an effective strike. Not only were the transfers cancelled, but the authoritarian Colonel Teare, who ordered the transfers, was hurriedly recalled by the Colonial Office. Apart from workers struggles during the 1940 – 1950 period, there were also significant developments.

Notably, the formation of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) by Dr. Cheddi Jagan and others in 1946, out of which emerged the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950. Among the new political party’s immediate priorities were heightening the call for universal adult suffrage, and its bold challenge to the

rule of the colonial masters and their local capitalist associates. Winning a seat in the Legislative Council in 1947 gave Dr. Jagan an opportunity to advance pro-people, and particularly pro-worker measures, and thus awakened the political consciousness of the people.

It was against that background that the Enmore incident and the martyrdom served, in many quarters, as an awakening call. Dr. Jagan and his colleagues saw to that, and former President Janet Jagan had expressed that the brutal massacre sent a “thunderbolt” throughout the society, and invigorated the liberation struggle that followed.

Indeed, the brutality of Enmore 1948, unlike the

past, did not daunt the workers nor dampen their spirit.

Their militancy in the sugar industry grew, and political awareness and activities expanded. Sugar workers right to be represented by a union of their choice was won in 1976. Under the aegis of GAWU, sugar workers have taken part in several struggles.

They championed the nationalisation of the sugar industry, stood up and fought for the restoration of democratic elections, and later challenged estate closure, and the minimisation of the industry. These struggles took place sideby- side with other struggles to improve wages and see page 8

Reparations for Indians?

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, june 17, 2022

By Earl Bousquet

SHOULD Indians in the Diaspora demand reparations for Indentureship?

That’s the interesting question behind an equally interesting article entitled The Word ‘Indentureship’ Does Not Exist In CARICOM Ten Point Plan For Reparatory Justice by Lomarsh Roopnarine in the Chronicle’s June 12, 2022 issue.

Careful about being accused of misinterpreting or misunderstanding a word or words of what I read from what was written about what was seen and heard by the esteemed author, I noted his following points: • The word ‘indentureship’ was not included in the title or text of the CARICOM 10-point Plan of Action for Reparatory Justice • “…Reparations is, of course, with reference to Africans in The Americas…”

• Victims of slavery and indentureship had “a common oppressor…”

• “Achieving any form of reparation will require an approach of unity rather than being the victim of the divide and rule that so epitomised the colonial period.”

• There are “some challenges to overcome with the common oppressor’s understanding of reparation…”

• “…the unity approach of achieving some forms of reparation from the wrongs of slavery and indenture…”

• “…The Indian presenters were simply begging to have a seat on the reparation table and to be more actively included…”

• “Each historical wrong, whether based on ethnicity, race, class, or gender, should be discussed, planned, and executed on an individual basis rather than collectively since each of them, although sharing a common experience, is different…”; and • “My suggestion is to examine the Indian indentured contract as it evolved/ devolved during the indenture period to determine the induced violations or infractions and build a case that can potentially be heard in a court of law…”

I agree and disagree, understand and don’t accept some of these offerings, but I respect the writer’s right to

his every view and will not here engage in any counter-argument(s).

Indentureship qualifies for Reparations and the issue is very much alive in discussions on CARICOM’s pursuit of Reparatory Justice from Britain and Europe for Slavery and Native Genocide, with a member of the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) also participating in the recalled panel discussion.

The CRC, on which Guyana is also represented, is discussing the issue, while CARICOM is also reaching-out to India and Africa with a view to joining forces in common pursuit of Reparations for Slavery and Indentureship.

Reparations from Britain for India have for some time been discussed in the Indian Parliament and CARICOM and India are looking at synergy of approaches to pursuing reparations from the “common oppressor”.

CARICOM’s unprecedented decision in 2013 to jointly seek reparations from common former European colonisers that built empires through the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade has re-ignited similar collective initiatives elsewhere, especially in the USA, where the birth in 2015 of the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC) eventually also gave rise to the adoption of a similar 10-point Action Plan for Reparations, modelled on CARICOM’s and tailored for America.

CARICOM’s current engagements with African nations also led to the first CARICOM-African Union (AU) Summit last September 7, to be held annually on that date, also declared Africa-CARICOM Day. Indentureship is a Caribbean-wide issue and not limited to Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago, as the slave ships also delivered indentured labourers to every other British West Indian colony where legal abolition of slavery demanded substitute labour -- and hence the six-year Apprenticeship period of free labour to the former masters that was a condition for each ‘emancipated’ slave, a period that also gave the British time to arrange the Indentureship system.

Indeed, Guyana played a leading role in initiating Indentureship as a new

system of slavery when John Gladstone, a British planter with much interest in British Guiana, successfully gained permission in 1837 to import “free labour” from India to ensure the survival of his sugar plantations after slavery was abolished.

Gladstone’s British Guiana initiative initiated Indentureship in the Caribbean and the issue is still one that needs public discussion in Guyana today, as evidenced by Mr Roopnarine’s article.

CARICOM’s 10-point Action Plan for Reparatory Justice, like Guyana’s Constitution, does not mention the word ‘Indentureship’, but that does not (in any way) mean that CARICOM or Guyana cannot or shouldn’t be interested in also pursuing reparatory justice for Indentureship, which lasted until 1917 in Trinidad & Tobago.

Besides the 10-point Action Plan, CARICOM has also adopted a template (based on the blueprint outlined in W. Arthur Lewis’ Labour in the West Indies (1939) to ensure that economic aspects of Reparatory Justice being sought reach all CARICOM citizens.

Indeed, the reparatory justice being sought by CARICOM is not just about money, but more about building sustainable development for all the region’s people, including those of African and Indian descent -- and not excluding any other.

Guyana has a central role in the ongoing discussion on reparations for Indian indentureship and it’s a subject the country’s active national reparations body can join the University of Guyana (UG) to arrange a series of lectures by distinguished presenters on the related themes, in

honour of Sir Arthur Lewis (UG’s first Chancellor) and through the restored Walter Rodney Chair.

The question equally applies to the descendants of Guyana’s First People, the indigenous so-called ‘Amerindians’ who, like the fellow Guyanese of African, Chinese, European, Indian and Portuguese origin that share the national patrimony of one nation with many people.

Also qualified to be considered for reparations from Europe are the Garifunas, originally from St. Vincent & the Grenadines and now 800,000 of whose descendants are concentrated between Belize, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Ditto the citizens of the French Caribbean colonies (Overseas Territories) of French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, etc., where, in

many cases, popular calls for reparations from France preceded CARICOM’s historic 2013 move, including those of African and Indentured Indian descent.

Saint Lucia, Grenada, Trinidad & Tobago were also colonised by France during slavery, so their legal case has to be against both London and Paris.

Reparations, therefore, isn’t only about “Africans in the Americas…”

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No citizen owes Exxon $9M

guyana CHRONICLE friday, june 17, 2022

–– no debt guarantee issued to Exxon by Guyana, says VP Jagdeo VICE-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo has clarified that Guyana has not issued a guarantee for any debt contracted by ExxonMobil, and therefore neither Guyana nor any citizen owes any money to the company.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at the Office of the President (OP), the Vice- President sought to clarify the issue surrounding a report in another section of the media, which quoted a

financial analyst who claimed that citizens would end up owing Exxon.

“I’m hearing they’re saying that ultimately the debt becomes that of the government. How does that happen?

It’s the company’s debt,” the Vice-President said.

Dr. Jagdeo explained that notwithstanding having shares in a limited liability company, there is no recourse to any assets when no personal guarantee was extended.

Guyana has not given

such guarantee.

“Now if I own a company. If I have and I invest as an individual, I invest in a company that someone owns, which is a limited liability company, if I don’t give a personal guarantee, which we have not done, the State has not issued a guarantee for any debt contracted by Exxon, then if that company has to pay back a debt they don’t have recourse to my assets.

I don’t have to payback that debt. How would I have to

pay back that debt? Because it’s a limited liability company,” Dr Jagdeo reasoned.

According to the Vice-President, if the company does borrow, they would do so on the strength of the company and it is not a liability to the investors.

“So although I have shares in it, once I don’t give a personal guarantee, my liability is limited to that company,” he noted.

Dr Jagdeo as such rejected assertions that “every

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo citizen of the country owes Exxon $9 million”.

“I don’t owe [any] $9 million, nor does any citi-

zens of this country owe $9 million that has to be paid back by the company,” Dr Jagdeo said.

The Enmore Martyrs remain... from page 6

working conditions throughout the industry, and for other improvements. Additionally, workers in more recent times, stood up against discrimination meted out to them by the former Government.

GUYANA TODAY Now 74 years after the brutality at Enmore, 56 of which we have been in the driver’s seat, how have we fared? Undoubtedly, we

have accomplished several objectives, and life for our people has improved.

We are heartened by such developments, and see this as a fitting tribute to the Martyrs. Though we take solace in such developments, we recognise there are still several objectives yet to be attained.

We recognise active efforts aimed at bettering the lives of Guyanese. The GAWU supports economic advancements, and all-

round development which ensures that our wealth is equally distributed to the benefit of all Guyanese. A major achievement stemming from the martyrdom was the attainment of Independence, and later Republican status. The martyrdom reminds us of that period when our wealth was shipped abroad to enrich our masters while we languished. We need not repeat such pitfalls as an independent nation. We, of

course, want to see Guyana prosper, and our people flourish. However, as history has taught us, such goals can only be attained when we stand together, remain principled, and ensure that our genuine concerns are not ignored or downplayed.

As we draw parallels from the martyrs, we recollect the heightening living costs the working-class of that period faced. Renowned Cde Ashton Chase, in his seminal work, The History of Trade Unionism in Guyana: 1900 to 1961, documented that the cost of living had jumped significantly arising from the Second World War. Today, our people are also victims of another conflict being waged far away from our shores. In recent months, a confluence of factors has occasioned a substantial jump in prices, placing tremendous challenges on our working-people and their families. We must say we are not unmindful of the efforts furthered to bring reprieve to our people. It should not be forgotten that among the calls of the Enmore Martyrs was the cry for improved wages.

Against that background, we reiterate, once again, our call for the improvement in the National Minimum Wage, as approved by the National Tripartite Committee.

At this time, we believe a higher wage is necessary, given current circumstances, but we believe the long-outstanding improvement will allow our low earners to breathe a little easier.

THE SUGAR INDUSTRY At the centre of the martyrdom was the sugar industry.

Today, the exploitative character of the industry has been condemned to history.

Under the ownership of the State, the industry’s wealth played a meaningful role in developing our nation after enriching our foreign masters for hundreds of years.

This, undoubtedly, is one of the lasting legacies of the Martyrs. Such feats, of course, cannot be separated from the successive struggles of the workers.

Today, the industry remains in a difficult situation. The spiteful closure of estates during the term of the Coalition Government can never be forgiven nor forgotten. For tens of thousands of Guyanese, it remains a scar that may never heal. Indeed, those who authored and executed such policies deserve our widest condemnation. We are certain that when that chapter of national history is written, it will not be kind to them.

Presently, we are aware of the commitment of the His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali and his government to revitalise the industry. This has been tangibly demonstrated, and we see efforts of several estates to improve capacity and capability. We are encouraged by those developments.

We also note, too, that at some former estates, there are commitments to pursue re-development which may take us in another direction.

In reflecting on sugar, we remain apprehensive as we consider the recentlyconcluded First Crop; it simply was the lowest firstcrop output in the history of the Corporation. We have heard the explanations of weather, labour and machinery. Such rationales, we contend, are over-exemplified.

Cde President, you summed it up rightly when you said revitalising the industry is serious business.

CONCLUSION: Comrades, the Enmore Martyrs remain an inspiration to us all.

The event reminds us of the adversities we have overcome, and tells us how far as a people we have travelled. We believe that the lessons and struggles of the Enmore Martyrs remain useful in our present times. It reminds us that for us to win respect, and bring an end to exploitation and oppression, we must stand together. Today, given the present situation, the heroism of the Martyrs remains an inspiration to us all. It is incumbent upon us all to ensure that the legacy of their sacrifice remains an eternal guide.

Once again, GAWU is pleased to honour the Enmore Martyrs, and acknowledge their abiding role in Guyana’s more recent history.

Yours sincerely, Seepaul Narine President of GAWU

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guyana CHRONICLE friday, june 17, 2022

12,000 acres of land to be cultivated with citrus at Onderneeming

SOME 12,000 acres of virgin lands at Onderneeming backlands, Region Two, will be utilised for citrus cultivation, Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha said during a recent meeting with rice farmers in the boardroom of the Regional Democratic Council in Anna

Regina.

Minister Mustapha related that during a recent Cabinet outreach by President, Dr Irfaan Ali, residents had requested lands in Onderneeming to be made available for farming.

The minister said that the government has listened to residents and currently a

road leading to the 12,000 acres of land is under construction. The $58M road and will provide easy access to the lands.

There is a demand for local fruits and vegetables, said Minister Mustapha.

“That is why we are investing in the agro-facilities, we are currently

Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha interacts with Region Two farmers enhancing same; this will increase farmers’ competitiveness,” he said while noting that nine such facilities will be built this year.

One will be built at Charity to complement the one at Anna Regina.

“The agro-processing business for us under the

Ministry of Agriculture will be one of the most important activities that we will embark on to bring value to our farmer’s produce,” Minister Mustapha said.

He is hoping that the Anna Regina agro-processing plant can make a big difference to the lives of

farmers there and in surrounding communities.

“Places like Barbados and other eastern Caribbean countries want our produce badly, even Trinidad and Tobago who used to refuse… now they are asking us to supply their market,” he said.

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Coding to be introduced at primary schools –– software development for secondary schools

GUYANA is expected to introduce coding, the process of writing computer

programmes, to pupils at the primary school level in public schools across

the country, President, Dr. Irfaan Ali said.

Speaking at a govern-

ment outreach on Wednesday in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni Mazaruni), the President noted that as society becomes increasingly technologically inclined, understanding computer programming is increasingly becoming a necessary skill.

He believes that Guyanese children should have the opportunity to be just as inclined towards an aptitude to be creative and innovative using technology, regardless of where in the country they reside.

“What we have to do is create the opportunities

to give our child a shot at this. I’ve asked the Ministry of Education to work on programme that will see every primary school child be introduced to coding at the primary level. So that when you leave primary school you must be introduced to computer coding,” the President announced.

Aside from the primary school pupils, he noted that the ministry was also being tasked with developing a programme for the secondary schools that will further build on coding knowledge the students developed in primary school.

According to the President, this is part of the government’s plans for the development of the country’s human resource.

“When you leave sec-

President, Dr. Irfaan Ali ondary school, every single child must have an opportunity to have some development at least in intermediate software development. This is the future we are talking about for Guyana.

A different future, a complex future, a multi-faceted future, a diverse future, a future in which we can all be proud of,” he said.

Liza Unity safely commissioned in industry-leading time –– New Destiny Flash Gas Compressor being installed, planned start up in mid-July The gas compression and injection systems on the Liza Unity Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel have been safely commissioned in around half normal industry time, achieving background flare as designed and within the 60-day period outlined in the Liza Phase 2 Environmental Permit.

According to a release, the start-up period involved temporary, non-routine flaring to safely commission the production and gas compression systems.

“This achievement is a testament to the team’s dedication to steady, safe operations. It also demonstrates ExxonMobil’s capabilities as an industry leader and our commitment to operational excellence,” ExxonMobil Guyana Production Manager, Mike Ryan said.

The Liza Phase 2 project design eliminates routine flaring by using produced gas to power the FPSO and by reinjecting gas into the reservoir to conserve the gas and to improve oil recovery, thereby reducing emissions compared with traditional methods.

The team was also able to commission the water-injection system, which is now online and operational. The next step is to start up additional new

ExxonMobil Guyana Production Manager, Mike Ryan wells in the ramp up to full production of 220,000 barrels of oil per day during the third quarter.

Meanwhile, a new, redesigned Flash Gas Compressor for the Liza Destiny FPSO has arrived in country fo-r installation after extensive testing in Germany. The team is working towards start up in mid-July with the aim of also achieving background flare on that vessel as designed.

“We have relentlessly pursued a solution to this highly complex issue and have never lost sight of that goal. We are pleased that the newly designed machine is now offshore and the teams are methodically removing the original

machine in preparation for the upgraded Flash Gas Compressor installation and startup,” the production manager indicated.

Over the last several months, the performance of the second- and third-stage flash gas compressor on the Liza Destiny has been stable and more than 96 per cent of the gas produced was reinjected and/or used to power the vessel.

“Recent optimisation tests have confirmed the performance of the previously upgraded equipment and we were able to boost production to more than 140,000 barrels of oil per day, while maintaining the flare rates to a minimum,” Ryan added.

“Contrary to reports, with the previously installed machine, production on the Destiny would have had to be zero in order to achieve background flare.

Since start up in December 2019, we have managed production in a manner that balances the environmental commitment and economic needs of the country, in alignment with government priorities.”

ExxonMobil Guyana continues to work with the relevant government agencies to ensure compliance with regulations and responsible development of the country’s natural resources, the release noted.

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The WPA betrayed Walter Rodney, says VP Jagdeo

VICE-PRESIDENT, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo, has accused the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) of betraying the memory of Guyanese historian and political activist, Dr. Walter Rodney, given the WPA’s non-action during its time as a member of the A Partnership for National Unity

Vice-President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo (APNU) Coalition.

Speaking during a recent press conference at the Office of the President (OP), Dr Jagdeo noted that the WPA has “re-emerged from the grave” to “now want a political solution for Guyana”, but remained silent when injustices were exacted against Dr. Rodney’s memory under the APNU during its time as part of the APNU+AFC Coalition Government.

Dr Jagdeo cited the particular example of the removal of Dr. Rodney’s name from the “Walter Rodney National Archives” in 2019 under the APNU+AFC government.

“The APNU removed that, with the WPA as part of the Coalition, they allowed that to happen. We have put it back in place. We changed the death certificate so no longer will it be that by misadventure, he was assassinated,” Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo noted.

After being silent for years, the WPA left the APNU Coalition in August 2020 after the party was ousted from government. In a statement, the party said it had to “live with PNC’s decisions being imposed on the rest of the APNU.

The People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) is the largest party in the APNU Coalition”.

A revered Guyanese academic, Dr. Rodney was killed on June 13, 1980 by a bomb in his car. It is widely believed that he was assassinated for his opposition to the then PNCR Government of Linden Forbes Burnham.

Dr. Jagdeo noted that the People’s Progressive Party/ Civic (PPP/C) has done much to restore and preserve the memory of Dr. Rodney and what he means to Guyana and Guyanese and on that point contended that “The WPA betrayed Walter Rodney.”

“Walter Rodney, who meant so much to this country, people don’t even realise that. All of his works are now placed in archives in

Guyanese activist, Dr. Walter Rodney different universities around the world. So that he can have his rightful place in all our records and in our history.”

In 2021, the PPP/C Government undertook a number of initiatives to recognise Dr Rodney’s life’s work and in honouring his legacy.

Rodney’s gravesite and memorial were declared national monuments under the administration of The National Trust, his death certificate which had described him as “unemployed” was corrected to read ‘Professor’ and his work incorporated into the national school syllabus by the Ministry of Education.

His major works,

noteworthy ‘A History of the Guyanese Working People’, ‘Guyanese Sug-

ar Plantations in the late Nineteenth Century’, and ‘How Europe Underdevel-

oped Africa’, were made available at the University of Guyana Library while

the Walter Rodney Chair at the university was re-established.

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FAO endorses new strategies on Climate Change, Science and Innovation

THE Council of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has endorsed two thematic strategies that will guide the organisation’s work on climate change and on science, technology and innovation over the next decade.

The strategies are designed to drive the implementation of FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-31, which steers FAO’s efforts to transform agrifood systems and promote a food-secure world for all, as envisioned by the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

They were endorsed on Monday and Tuesday in Rome by the 170th session of FAO’s executive body, at a time of rising hunger numbers and growing threats to global food security.

“These two strategies are the extraordinary result of our collective efforts,” FAO Director-General QU Dongyu told the Council.

“The Strategy on Climate Change will guide FAO in providing strengthened sup-

port to members in their ambitions to address climate change in agrifood systems, and in the implementation of the Paris Agreement,” the Director-General said.

“The Strategy on Science and Innovation will benefit the billions of small-scale producers and their families who are urgently in need of the best available science, technologies and innovation to play their part in transforming our agrifood systems.”

The two thematic strategies deal with the entire global agrifood system, which covers the journey of food from farm to table – including when it is grown, fished, harvested, processed, packaged, transported, distributed, traded, bought, prepared, eaten and disposed of.

Agrifood systems also encompass non-food products, such as forestry and aquaculture, including the sustainable management and conservation of related ecosystems, as well as all the activities, investments and choices that play a part

in getting us these food and agricultural products we need.

CLIMATE CHANGE Resilient and productive land and aquatic ecosystems are the foundations of sustainable agrifood systems.

The latest scientific evidence from the UN’s Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirms the unequivocal and unprecedented climate risks that the planet is facing from intensifying heatwaves, heavy precipitation and droughts, fires and tropical cyclones.

Increasing weather and climate extreme events have already caused economic damages and exposed millions of people to acute food insecurity and reduced water security. Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are at particular risk due to warming ocean temperatures, ocean acidification and rising sea levels.

Given the already tangible impact of extreme weather events on food security,

The 170th session of the Rome (FAO photo) nutrition and poverty, “the urgency to address climate change has significantly increased,” the Council was told.

Global agrifood systems are responsible for about a third of total greenhouse gas emissions and are one of the major victims of climate change. The FAO Strategy on Climate Change 20222031 presents them as part of the solution.

Agrifood systems are envisioned to be sustainable, inclusive, resilient, and adaptive to climate change and its impacts, contributing to low-emission economies while providing sufficient, safe and nutritious foods for healthy diets, as well as other agricultural products and services, for present and future generations, leaving no one behind.

The strategy aims to address a broad range of interlinked challenges, including the loss of biodiversity, desertification, land and environmental degradation, the need for accessible, renewable energy, and food and water security.

It is organised under three pillars: i) Global and regional levels (strengthening global and regional climate policy and governance); ii) Country level (developing countries’ capacities for climate action); iii)

FAO Council is taking place at FAO Headquarters in Local level (scaling up climate action on the ground).

Its guiding principles include empowering and engaging farmers, livestock keepers, fishers, aquaculturists, Indigenous Peoples and forest-dependent people, embracing both traditional good practices and innovations, and building on science-based evidence.

The strategy is informed by science, prioritises innovative solutions and inclusiveness, and recognises the importance of scaling up both finance and investment.

SCIENCE AND INNOVATION FAO sees science and innovation as a powerful engine to transform agrifood systems and end hunger and malnutrition.

But it needs to be accompanied by strong institutions, good governance, political will, enabling regulatory frameworks, and effective measures to promote equity among its actors.

Important strides have been made in a range of scientific and technological fields, including in biotechnology, data analytics and nuclear techniques in food and agriculture. Public-private partnerships are on the rise in research and development. At the same time,

market concentration has heightened concerns about unequal access to resources and knowledge, both between countries and within social groups.

The challenges in harnessing science and innovation for agrifood systems range from underinvestment in research, to gaps in using science and evidence for decision-making.

The FAO Science and Innovation Strategy focuses on three Pillars: i) Strengthening science and evidence-based decision-making; ii) Supporting innovation and technology at regional and country level; iii) Serving Members better by reinforcing FAO’s capacities.

Achieving the strategy’s vision means that all countries have access to the science and innovation they need to overcome the complex social, economic and environmental challenges facing their agrifood systems.

Achieving this vision in a globally equitable, inclusive and sustainable manner requires the active involvement of under-represented stakeholders – such as women and youth.

The two thematic strategies will be operationalised through Action Plans and are due to receive a mid-term review by the Council five years after their adoption. (FAO)

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3,000 to be trained to enhance tourism se

AS Guyana experiences steadfast economic growth, the tourism sector is providing correlative transformative programmes as more foreigners flock the country.

In response, the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA) has tailored a number of programmes to capitalise on this influx of visitors and to upskill Guyanese.

Three thousand Guyanese are being targetted by the Guyana Tourism Authority

(GTA) to undergo training to dispense the quality of service expected by tourists. Some 700 persons have already undergone training in the various programmes available.

GTA’s Deputy Director, Kamrul Baksh, in an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI) on Tuesday, encouraged Guyanese to take advantage of the training programmes.

“We are well on target to achieve that 3,000. There are

various training programmes that the Guyana Tourism Authority and its stakeholders host for the sector at large … the private sector, communities, as well as youths and other persons who are interested in the tourism programmes.”

He further highlighted a plethora of programmes offered that are fundamental to the delivery of quality service.

In 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, GTA

focused heavily on hygiene and sanitation training for hotels, lodges, resorts, and restaurants and bars. On the road to recovery the agency realised that it was important to ensure stakeholders were prepared and equipped to meet travellers’ needs.

This shifted the focus to hospitality training and service delivery. These programmes underpin the hospitality business assuring tourists a full experience of Guyana’s culture and its

tourist destinations.

For the first time ever, the agency conducted a wilderness responder programme which consists of a number of components in jungle survival. This was done under the first aid and CPR safety training programme geared at ensuring tour guides, and operators are equipped with the skills to combat any accident or adversity that might occur during a tour or nature trip.

Similar in nature is the guiding programme honed to enhance the traveller’s experience through interpretation and storytelling.

Mixology training is another programme added this year. Mixology is the skill of mixing various drinks and ingredients to create a cocktail. Baksh noted that following the conclusion of the Agri-expo and forum, the programme was conceptualised from tremendous demand received.

“People clamour for this, and a big part of it is how you mix the drink, how you serve it, it is how you explain it, and since we did our booth at the Agri-expo and forum there has been a tremendous demand for this training because we had one of the best mixologists on site doing cocktails and mocktails util-

ising local ingredients so that was the main draw,” he said.

As a result, GTA recently concluded training in mixology at the Aruwai Resort and in Region Five. The agency has also reached out to corporate Guyana to facilitate training. The programme will be conducted in every region to train bartenders and mixologists with the skills to utilise local ingredients, provide quality drinks and service to ensure tourists and citizens have a memorable experience.

Culinary training is another programme being offered to hone the skills of chefs while amplifying local dining experiences.

Baksh noted that, “It is all about the way you present it, and we are utilising and encouraging persons to use local ingredients. It is the way you use the ingredients, and we have been doing a lot of training in culinary because persons want to go and have a dining experience. Guyana restaurant week is coming up at the end of this week; of course again we are going to see a lot of participating restaurants utilising the experience and this is very, very important for us.”

Meanwhile, GTA will soon be launching a new

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ervices

GTA Deputy Director, Kamrul Baksh curriculum. The agency has been developing eight new modules to meet the demands in the tourism industry. These include housekeeping, financial management, food and beverage, customer service and events management training.

The training programmes are being rolled out countrywide and interested persons can visit GTA’s website to take advantage of them. (DPI)

Excel secures exclusive distribution agreement for HAMAC Global

EXCEL Logistics and Management Services (Guyana) Inc. has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with HAMAC, a leading global manufacturer with 30 years of experience in producing high-quality and reasonably priced machinery.

According to a release, Excel’s Chief Executive Officer, Kris Sammy, described this partnership as an important step forward for the country’s accelerated development and infrastructure plans.

“With HAMAC’s global production facilities, our clients will have reliable access to the equipment to build Guyana’s infrastructure,” the release said.

Through this distribution agreement, Excel’s Procurement Division will be able to provide Guyanese contractors with access to essential industrial machinery such as earth-moving machines, precast concrete equipment, and asphalt mixing plants.

HAMAC is known for

providing machinery that is made of superior materials and have a long service life, low maintenance rate, and low failure rate. Ingrained in its operation is its dedication to research and development to continuously improve its products and ensure that they are proactively responsive to the needs of the clients, the release said.

The release noted that Excel’s leadership has more than 30 years of experience in building businesses in Guyana and the CARICOM region.

With more than 10 years of local presence in Guyana, it has established networks in Canada, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina.

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cKush looking to mentor youths

Lewis engaging children at a local nursery school

KAREEM Lewis, known also as ‘cKush’ in the entertainment industry, knows all too well the good that can result when young children receive support and mentorship. As such, he has come up with a plan to visit as many schools as possible to

offer words of encouragement.

As a proud “ghetto youth” growing up in Lodge, Georgetown, the 25-year-old said he wants to also send a message to young people that where you come from has nothing to do with the ‘heights’ that you can

reach in life.

Speaking with BUZZ recently, Lewis recalled his long walk along the musical path as a writer and performer. It was during his school days that he found his voice. At age 13, Lewis said he was part of the Drama Club at his

alma mater, Central High School.

At the time, his brother and cousin were also into writing music. When a teacher told him that there was a ‘Mash’ concert coming up and that he should think about participating, it was not difficult to decide. Lewis performed a Calypso that became his first major writing project.

“I kept writing since then and eventually released my first single and then took the radio station over by storm,” he reflected.

When he debuted, Kush didn’t quite understand the music industry in Guyana, and the possibility of earning income from his music. So, he spent some more time writing and continued to increase his knowledge in the music business. He was on the hunt.

Lewis released his first music video last Independence Day titled, “Welcome to Moco Moco.”

It was inspired, in part, by his love for Guyana.

“I came across an image of a young lady going up some

stairs in Lethem and when I did some research I realised it was the Moco Moco falls,” he shared.

He believes that a career in music in Guyana is definitely possible provided there’s a love and passion for the work. “I plan to continue to work and do what’s necessary for my progression and see how far it will take me,” he expressed.

Stigma “I am a ghetto youth but I love to make mention of it because there is a stigma attached to the ghetto,” Lewis pointed out.

He said he had seen how many young people were afraid to say that they are/were from areas considered to be the ghetto.

Lewis said he just wants youths to know that they can be successful regardless of where they’re from. “The area does not define the heights that you can climb. You have a ghetto boy performing in parliament, meeting with ministers [of government] and other individuals with high societal status,” he said.

He recently visited the Harpy Eagle Nursery in Georgetown, which was the first in a line of schools he plans to visit where he will offer words of encouragement.

“I plan to visit as many schools as possible. If I can go to all, I would. I would just pop up and have a conversation with them,” he related.

Lewis speaks to the children on how they can develop and use their talents and balance them with their academics. The message he sends is also for them to believe in themselves and understand that attending school is necessary in order to obtain the best possible foundation of being able to function in society.

“Education is paramount… merge it with your talents and skills; be innovate and use it to benefit your society and your country as a whole,” he said, adding that it was equally important to be authentic and the best version of themselves.

Beyoncé announces her first album in six years, Renaissance (BBC) - BEYONCE has announced what appears to be her first solo album in six years, Renaissance, due out on July 29.

It will be the follow-up to 2016’s Lemonade, a meditation on black identity and marital infidelity that topped multiple end-of-year lists.

Fans had been waiting for the news ever since Beyoncé deleted her social media profile pictures last week.

She put them out of their misery on Thursday morning, by sharing the words “act i … RENAISSANCE” on her accounts.

Streaming sites including Spotify and Apple Music swiftly posted artwork for the record, offering fans the chance to pre-save the release.

Tidal, the company owned by Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z, also shared the information but, crucially, it will not carry the album as an exclusive.

Lemonade, by contrast, was a Tidal exclusive for three years.

Beyoncé’s joint album with Jay-Z, Everything Is Love, was an exclusive for just two days in 2018.

Now the relationship has

been severed, a recognition that the streaming service - which has about a 2 per cent market share - cannot deliver the numbers Beyoncé needs to dominate the charts.

A listing on Apple Music suggests that Renaissance will contain 16 songs. It is not clear whether the title “Act i” means this will be the first of a multiple-album project, or whether the 16 tracks will be released in multiple parts.

Beyoncé’s charitable foundation ‘BeyGOOD’, tipped fans off that something was coming earlier this week, when it shared a montage of album covers to celebrate Black History Month in the US. Hidden amongst the records was an image of a gloved hand pointing to the Brandy album ‘B7’ - the codename Beyoncé’s latest record had been given by her followers.

Last year, the 40-year-old confirmed to Harper’s Bazaar that she had begun working on new music. “With all the isolation and injustice over the past year, I think we are all ready to escape, travel, love, and laugh again,”

she said.

“I feel a renaissance emerging, and I want to be part of nurturing that escape in any way possible. I’ve been in the studio for a year and a half.”

She also discussed her habit of collaborating with dozens of people to construct songs; refining and shaping the music in her own image.

“Sometimes it takes a year for me to personally search through thousands of sounds to find just the right kick or snare.

One chorus can have up to 200 stacked harmonies,” she said.

“Still, there’s nothing like the amount of love, passion, and healing that I feel in the recording studio. After 31 years, it feels

just as exciting as it did when I was nine years old.

Yes, the music is coming!”

The star launched her career as part of the R&B girl group Destiny’s Child in 1997, before going solo in 2003. With hits like ‘Crazy In Love’, ‘Single Ladies’ and ‘Hold Up’, she is one of the most successful and influential recording artists of her generation.

Over t h e

Beyoncé’s last major project was the 2018 “Homecoming” concert at Coachella (Credit to GETTY IMAGES)

course of her c a r e e r, s h e has won 28 Grammy

awards and 79 nominations, more than any other female musician.

In the six years since her last album, she has curated a soundtrack for Disney’s Lion King remake and staged an historic performance at the 2018 Coachella Music Festival, which celebrated the culture of historically black colleges and universities in the US. The concert was immortalised in a Netflix special, ‘Homecoming’, which itself won a Grammy for best music film.

Her most recent musical release was the surprise single, ‘Black Parade’, which came out in 2020 as Black Lives Matter demonstrations spread across the world.

The track included powerful lyrics about black history, police brutality and the George Floyd protests, with the star singing: “Put your fists up in the air, show black love/Need peace and reparation for my people.”

The song was released on Juneteenth, a holiday marking the official end of slavery in the US.

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Miss Teen Scholar open for applications AFTER two years of virtual hosting, the Miss Guyana Teen Scholar Pageant (MGTSP) will return to an in-person show in 2022.

The search for the next queen has already started with applications set to close this Sunday.

BUZZ caught up with the MGTSP Executive Director, Wasim Khan, who shared his joy seeing the pageant return to a physical stage on September 3 at the National Cultural Centre (NCC).

“Everybody likes the production, the stage, the glitz and the glamour. So, I’m excited to get back into the feel of things. I’m really looking forward to it,” he shared He further added: “I am very excited for us to return to the stage. But at the same time, I am proud of what the team has done over the last two years.

“Not only proud of the team but for the delegates that signed on during the two years and saw the process through to the end. When

COVID-19 hit, we did not stop. We just went back to the drawing board, re-evaluated our position, and took a new course,” Khan said.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic which caused restrictions on large gatherings, many pageants, both in Guyana and internationally, were forced to cancel in-person shows. During this time, MGTSP hosted a digital programme in 2020 and a virtual pageant in 2021.

With most COVID-19 restrictions lifted now, things are returning to normal.

Interested applicants can access the application online using the hyperlink: https:// forms.gle/ZneNjeoCvqpzME6z7 Applicants can also print and submit their applications at Medical Choice Pharmacy on Camp Street (three doors south of Burger King). The application fee is $1,000.

In order to be considered for the pageant, applicants must be at least 13 years of age and must not have

attained their 20th birthday before August 31, 2023.

Guyanese citizenship and residency are a must.

The Miss Guyana Teen Scholar Pageant is a skillsbased training programme for the social and gender development of adolescent girls. The current reigning Miss Guyana Teen Scholar, Shequana Holder was crowned in 2021.

Candidates in this programme compete in a pageant for a scholarship that covers their expenses in any tertiary education institution in Guyana during their year of reign.

The queen will also manage a community development fund for her outreach and voluntary projects and will speak as a role model to encourage other girls to pursue their education and ambitions.

“All candidates of the programme are prepared to navigate the world beyond academics, from self-awareness sessions to challenging

(BBC) - MEGAN Thee Stallion wants Tory Lanez “to go to jail”, after he allegedly shot her after a party in the Hollywood Hills in 2020.

The 27-year-old says she “never would’ve thought he would’ve shot at me at all”, in a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine.

Tory, 29, was arrested at the time and charged with assault with a firearm and carrying a loaded firearm in a vehicle.

The rapper, real name Daystar Peterson, denies shooting Megan in both feet.

The case is expected to go to trial on 14 September.

Tory Lanez faces up to 23 years in prison if convicted.

She says she still has fragments of the bullets in her feet today.

Meg a n , r e a l n a m e Megan Pete, ini-

gender barriers as young women. The programme seeks to empower girls and young women to take up leadership roles in their communities,” the pageant’s Executive Director shared.

Candidates who do not win the MGTSP scholarship are assisted and referred to other scholarship and grant opportunities.

The MGTSP is owned by Imperial House (TIH), which is a Guyanese non-profit social enterprise organisation working to develop and coordinate programmes for the development of young people and their communities.

Since its formation in 2016, the organisation has produced three pageant programmes, where scholarships for adolescent girls were offered. This led to the mentoring of a total of 42 girls.

The organisation has also hosted six community outreaches and charitable events, 26 volunteer-led projects, and five stage productions. (Tamica Garnett)

Miss Guyana Teen Scholar 2021, Shequana Holder

Megan Thee Stallion living with bullet fragments in feet after shooting tially told police she had injured her feet by stepping on broken glass af-

(Credit to GETTY IMAGES)

ter the party, The Los Angeles Times reported.

She then posted on Instagram to say she’d been shot

by Tory, but many of the tracks on his 2020 album, Daystar, claim he’s being framed.

Megan says she wanted to protect Tory Lanez by keeping the shooting private, but the spread of jokes, memes and rumours became too much.

Megan felt she and Tory Lanez “had a real connection”.

“I never did anything to him.

There was an argument, people argue every day. Friends argue every day.”

There have been both physical and mental scars,

she says.

“What nobody knows is, I had to get the surgery the same night. I stayed in the hospital in California for maybe four days.”

She says she “could not walk” and still has “bullet fragments in my feet right now”, and was scared she would no longer be “able to be Megan Thee Stallion no more”.

Megan blames herself for what happened and feels “shame, a little bit”.

“Because even after he shot me, I still was thinking about everybody else in the car,” she says.

Megan criticises the false rumours that have spread online about what happened.

“I think it’s so crazy that people are able to get online or publish anything that is not 100% fact. That really is messing with my life.”

She praises her fans, who she describes as “Thee Hotties” for caring about her mental health.

But she says there are also abusive comments, including people saying they “would’ve shot” her too.

“In some kind of way I became the villain.”

Megan says she’s “trying every day to get through it and be good” and doesn’t want those against her to see her cry.

“I don’t want them to know that I feel like this, because I don’t want them to feel like, ‘Oh, I got you.

I’m breaking you.’”

She feels the same way about Tory Lanez.

“I feel like you’ve already tried to break me enough. You’ve already shot me. So, why are you dragging it out like this?”

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

Kevin Spacey granted bail over sexual assault charges

(Credit to REUTERS)

(BBC) - US ACTOR Kevin Spacey has been given unconditional bail after appearing in a London court on four charges of sexually assaulting three men.

The 62-year-old is also facing a fifth charge of causing a man to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent.

He was not asked to enter pleas for the alleged offenses from 2005 to 2013.

Mr Spacey’s next appearance will be at Southwark Crown Court on July 14 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

Ahead of the short preliminary hearing, the Hollywood star was steered by his legal team and two police officers through a mass of photographers and camera crews towards the court entrance.

Mr Spacey, dressed in a pale blue suit, dark tie, and wearing glasses, was seated in the dock. His case was heard by deputy chief magistrate Tanweer Ikram.

Patrick Gibbs, QC, who is defending Mr Spacey, said: “Mr Spacey strenuously

denies any and all criminality in this case.”

MEDIA SCRUM The actor arrived at the court surrounded by an enormous scrum of cameras and journalists as he tried to get into the building.

Security had to clear a path as he was jostled by photographers trying to film him.

In Court One, Mr Spacey, wearing a light blue suit, sat in the dock. He was asked to stand and give his name, address and date of birth.

He said he was called Kevin Spacey Fowler and was addressed by the court as Mr Fowler although his own lawyer called him Mr Spacey.

Asked by the magistrate if he’d prefer to be called Mr Spacey, the actor gave a small smile and shrug, and said either was fine.

The charges were read out to him. He wasn’t asked at this first court appearance to plead guilty or not guilty but his solicitor said he denies all and any criminality.

The magistrate told him

he would be granted bail.

After a court hearing of just half an hour, Mr Spacey left the building to face the cameras again.

The charges he is facing are: Two counts of sexual assault on a man in March 2005; Sexual assault on a man and causing him to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent in August 2008; and Sexual assault on a man in April 2013.

The most serious charge of causing a man to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent is an indictable-only offence, meaning it can only be tried in a Crown Court.

Mr Spacey lives in the US where he has family and a nine-year-old dog, the court heard.

In his decades-long career in films and on stage, Mr Spacey has received Oscars for American Beauty and Usual Suspects, and won acclaim for his appearance in the long-running Netflix hit, House of Cards.

He was also artistic director at London’s Old Vic theatre.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

After 26 years, GOA to get new president — GOA General Council moves to add an age limit of 70

By Rawle Toney

THE current president of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA), Kalam Juman-Yassin’s plea fell on deaf ears last evening, as the General Council voted in favour of an International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommendation in its new constitution for an age limit of 70 for severing members of its Executive Committee.

Yassin, 75, a former Chief Magistrate, was seeking another term at the helm of the GOA despite serving in the capacity since 1996.

The country’s longest-serving sports administrator at yesterday’s Special General Meeting which was called for the ratification of the new constitution, sought to overly emphasise his notion that the IOC’s inclusion of an age limit was not in keeping with the best practices of Olympic Committees globally.

However, after much deliberation and exchanges, 29 associations voted in favour of the age limit, while 13 opposed it.

Yassin, after last evening’s proceedings, accepted the council’s decision.

Meanwhile, the GOA will now have its finances audited, after which elections will be held. Chronicle Sport was reliably informed that elections can be held within two months.

In May, Chronicle Sport had reported that Yassin was at odds with his executive committee members on several issues related to the important sports institution.

In response to a letter sent by Yassin to members of the GOA (associations) on April 29, the executive members collectively chastised Yassin for what they considered an attack

on some of the officials, the GOA’s proposed new constitution and several other wide-ranging matters that are considered imperative to the good governance of the institution.

The letter in response to Yassin’s April 29 missive, seen by Chronicle Sport, pointed out that the new Constitution was drafted by a committee and then sent to the IOC for their comments.

Jerome Poivey, the IOC’s Associate Director, Institutional Relations and Governance of the NOC Relations Department, said he had carefully ex-

amined the GOA’s draft given the Olympic Charter and the basic principles of good governance.

The Executive Committee Members said all of Poivey’s recommendations which were based on the Olympic Charter were accepted, with one exception – the GOA president.

Despite this, the executive members of the GOA said they remain committed to doing all that they were elected to do and will support the president in any decision or initiative that follows the principles of good governance.

West Indies bowlers lead first day...

From page 28

beginning so obviously you wanted to be a little bit fuller.

There were some grass patches there and some ridges that we tried to hit and I think we did that pretty well.

“Shakib played well for his fifty but I thought overall, the bowling group did a good job.”

Roach, a late addition to the squad after passing a fitness test on Wednesday, set the tone for the morning, knocking over opener Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Najmul Hossain both without scoring to leave Bangladesh on three for two in the third over.

Mahmudul sparred at the second ball of the game and was caught by Bonner diving to his right at gully and left-handed Najmul pushed forward tentatively and lost his off stump.

Seales, who only arrived this week from the one-day tour of Pakistan, then rammed home the advantage when he got lefthander Mominul Haque to edge to Jermaine Blackwood at second slip also without scoring.

Veteran opener Tamim Iqbal resisted with 29 off 43 balls including four fours, adding 25 for the fourth wicket with Liton Das (12) to carry the innings to drinks at 41 for three.

However, Tamim perished in the first over after the resumption, feathering a leg side catch to wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva off Joseph, the first of four catches for the Trinidadian gloveman.

Mayers, also fresh from the tour of Pakistan, struck twice in his first over to account for Das and Nurul Hasan (0) and plunge the Bangladesh innings into further strife at 45 for six.

First, he got Das to play down the wrong line and edge behind to Da Silva and two balls later, watched as Nurul shouldered arms to one that came back enough for an lbw judgement.

With wickets tumbling, Shakib threw caution to the wind, lashing half-dozen fours and a six in nearly an hour-anda-half at the crease.

Crucially, he put on 32 for the seventh wicket with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2) in a stand which saw his side to lunch without further loss.

Hopes of a late revival were dashed afterwards as Seales and Joseph combined to rout the tail.

Seales claimed Mehidy via a leg-side catch to Da Silva in the first over after the break before also sending back Mustafizur Rahman (0) edging behind.

The left-handed Shakib struck a few lusty blows before holing out to Roach at long on off Joseph who grabbed the final wicket of Khaled Ahmed without scoring in the same over, caught low down by Bonner in the cordon.

Searching for a sound start, West Indies crawled to tea on 15 without loss but lost Campbell 45 minutes afterwards, playing on to Mustafizur after he had put on 44 with Brathwaite.

Left-hander Raymon Reifer, playing only his second Test five years after making his debut, made 11 before nicking a peach from seamer Ebadot Hussain behind.

SOCRE BOARD

BANGLADESH 1st Innings Tamim Iqbal c wkp Da Silva b Joseph 29 Mahmudul Hasan Joy c Bonner b Roach 0 Najmul Hossain Shanto b Roach 0 Mominul Haque c Blackwood b Seales 0 Litton Das c wkp Da Silva b Mayers 12 *Shakib Al Hasan c Roach b Joseph 51 +Nurul Hasan lbw b Mayers 0 Mehidy Hasan Miraz c wkp Da Silva b Seales 2 Mustafizur Rahman c wkp Da Silva b Seales 0 Ebadot Hossain not out 3 Khaled Ahmed c Bonner b Joseph 0 Extras (b1, lb4, w1) 6 TOTAL (all out, 32.5 overs) 103 Fall of wickets: 1-1, 2-3, 3-16, 4-41, 5-41, 6-45, 7-77, 8-81, 9-103, 10-103.

Bowling: Roach 8-2-21-2 (w1), Seales 10-2-33-3, Joseph 8.5-233-3, Mayers 5-2-10-2, Motie 1-0-1-0 WEST INDIES 1st Innings *K Brathwaite not out J Campbell b Mustafizur Rahman R Reifer c wkp Nurul Hasan

N Bonner not out 12 Extras (lb4, nb2) 6 TOTAL (2 wkts, 48 overs) 95

42 24 b Ebadot Hossain 11

To bat: J Blackwood, K Mayers, +J Da Silva, A Joseph, K Roach, J Seales, G Motie Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-72 Bowling: Mustafizur Rahman 12-6-10-1, Khaled Ahmed 9-4-150, Ebadot Hossain 12-4-18-1 (nb2), Shakib al Hasan 8-2-20-0, Mehidy Hasan Miraz 7-1-28-0.

Position: West Indies trail by eight runs.

23

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

Jamaica snatch Women’s T20 Blaze title after Barbados stumble in final round

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) – Jamaica crushed Leeward Islands to lift the Women’s T20 Blaze after defending champions Barbados suffered a shock upset to Trinidad and Tobago in a dramatic final round at the Guyana National Stadium here Tuesday.

Barbados appeared to have one hand on the trophy after trouncing Jamaica in the battle of the only two unbeaten teams in Sunday’s penultimate round, to take sole possession of the lead.

However, while Jamaica pulled off a 124-run victory in an utterly dominant performance in their final fixture, Barbados slumped to a 19-run defeat – both teams ending on 16 points.

Following an anxious overnight wait on Cricket West Indies’ statisticians, Jamaica were announced early Wednesday as

the new champions courtesy of a superior net run rate – 2.170 to second place Barbados’ 1.428.

“After seeing Barbados losing to Trinidad, we were wondering what was the calculation [of net run rate],” captain Stafanie Taylor said.

But I just said to the players, let’s go out there [and] if we do win the toss, bat first, post a big target and at least we know that’s something we could control.”

And Jamaica executed perfectly, gathering a tournament-high 170 for five off their 20 overs with West Indies batsman Natasha McLean blasting 83 from 54 balls with nine fours and three sixes and Taylor, 56 off 51 deliveries with five fours.

The pair added 145 for the second wicket after Rashada Williams was run out for six in the fourth over with only 11 runs on the board.

Newly-crowned Women’s T20 Blaze champions Jamaica

McLean perished in the penultimate over, holing out to a brilliant running catch at long off by Rozel Liburd off medium pacer Saneldo Willett (2-31) while Taylor followed two balls later in the same over, tugging a catch to mid-wicket.

In reply, the Leewards’ chal-

Spirited Sri Lanka level ODI series CHAMIKA Karunaratne and the rest of Sri Lanka’s bowlers struck at regular intervals to power the home side to a series-levelling 26-run win against Australia in the second ODI. The visitors could only muster 189 in pursuit of a rain-revised target of 216.

After play resumed, Australia started on an aggressive note with David Warner thwacking three boundaries off Maheesh Theekshana. He also pulled Dushmantha Chameera to the boundary hoardings. Just when Australia seemed to be edging ahead in the game, Dhananjaya de Silva won an LBW decision against Aaron Finch.

The Australian skipper took the review but to no avail.

Theekshana could have also picked up a wicket but Sri Lanka didn’t opt for a review for an LBW appeal against Warner. The ball-tracker later projected the ball would have crashed into the middle-stump.

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De Silva, though, ensured the missed review wouldn’t prove to be costly as he castled Warner with the one that stayed a tad low. Steven Smith, who came out to bat at No.3, looked in fine touch, employing lofted shots against the spinners. However, Karunaratne dislodged Smith as Australia slid to 93 for 3. Dunith Wellalage then dented Australia further by dismissing both Travis Head and Marnus Labschagne.

At that stage, Glenn Maxwell once again raised hopes of charting a memorable win by collecting three boundaries off Wellalage. Just in the nick of time, Karunaratne picked up the prized scalp of Maxwell with a well-directed short ball.

Chameera and Karunaratne then combined to run through the lower order and provide the finishing touches.

Earlier, Australia’s trio of Pat Cummins, Maxwell and the debutant Matthew Kuhnemann had shared eight spoils between

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them as Sri Lanka were restricted to 220 for 9 in 47.4 overs. At the fag end of the home side’s innings, play was stopped due to rain. Eventually, the rain relented but the target was revised.

After being inserted into bat, Sri Lanka lost their openers in quick succession, with Kuhnemann and Cummins taking a scalp each. Sri Lanka’s mainstay in the first ODI, Kusal Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva resurrected the innings with a timely stand of 61. Cummins could have broken the stand but Travis Head spilled a catch to give Dhananjaya a reprieve.

Cummins, though, was rewarded for his persistence when he dislodged Dhananjaya with the slower short ball.

Chamika Karunaratne (18) and Dunith Wellalage (20) also chipped in with useful scores down the order to take the side past the 200-run mark, a score that proved to be enough in the end. (Cricbuzz)

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lenge never got off the ground, restricted to 46 for three off their 20 overs.

The real drama had earlier unfolded in the Barbados game when the leaders unexpectedly faltered in their pursuit of an ordinary target of 109.

Even despite losing captain Hayley Matthews cheaply for 18, Barbados still looked excellent bets to pull off the run

chase at 64 for three after 13 overs with Aaliyah Alleyne (26) and Kyshona Knight (23) at the crease.

However, T&T captain and veteran West Indies off-spinner Anisa Mohammed (3-11) turned the game on its head in the 14th over when she trapped Knight lbw and three balls later, removed Naijanni Cumberbatch without scoring, to a catch at short mid-wicket.

The innings was tottering on 77 for six at the start of the penultimate over and the 32 runs required for victory proved out of Barbados’ reach.

T&T had earlier rallied to 108 for seven thanks to Rachael Vincent’s 22 not out and Britney Cooper who also made 22, while Mohammed chipped in with 20.

With T&T slumping at 72 for five in the 14th over, Mohammed and Vincent put on a crucial 34 for the sixth to inject momentum into the innings.

“I thought we had a really good all-round performance to come out and score 108. I thought we did really well after reshuffling our batting order,” said Mohammed.

“Credit must also be given to our bowlers – I thought we bowled really well to the Bajans and even in the field we had a good day.”

In the other game, hosts Guyana chased down 86 to beat Windward Islands by six wickets, with West Indies stroke-maker Shemaine Campbelle finishing unbeaten on 29 from 30 balls.

Left-arm spinner Kaysia Schultz had earlier taken three for 13 to restrict Windwards to 85 for seven off their 20 overs.

T&T finished third in the standings on 14 points, Guyana ended fourth on ten points while Windwards were one from bottom on four points.

Leewards failed to register a single point after losing all five games.

24

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

Bailey’s magic earns ECB brings Reggae Boyz Gold Cup spot charges over

KINGSTON, Jamaica, (CMC) – Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey’s early first half goal proved enough to earn Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz a share of the points in a 1-1 draw with Mexico here Tuesday night, and a place in next year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. The 24-year-old struck in the fourth minute to hand the hosts the early lead in the Group A contest of League A at the National Stadium before Luis Romo equalised in first half stoppage.

Major League Soccer standout goalkeeper Andre Blake made a string of top saves to preserve the scoreline as Jamaica climbed to the top of the group on five points, while remaining unbeaten in three outings.

Jamaica were also left to rue several missed chances, however, Shamar Nicholson twice coming close while Bailey came within inches of adding a second goal.

“It was a tough opponent,” Bailey told reporters.

“Everybody knows Mexico but to be able to create so much opportunities against Mexico and getting a point out of this game which we should’ve won, it shows we have a far way to go but we’re doing well moving forward as a team.

“This is what we need going

Winger Leon Bailey … scored Jamaica’s goal

forward and we’ll continue to build on this.”

Jamaica found the back of the nets with their first real attack of the game, Nicholson racing down the left flank and whipping a cross into the box where Bailey spit defenders Jesus Gallardo and Jesus Alberto Angulo to send a powerful header past goalkeeper Rodolfo Cota.

And the hosts should have doubled their lead in the ninth minute when Junior Flemmings’ corner found Nicholson in the box but the Spartak Moscow forward could only find the crossbar with his leaping header.

Blake twice kept out Mexican attempts at the other end before Bailey came close to his second goal, driving down the right and cutting inside before

sending a curling left-footed shot inches around the far post from 15 yards.

Jamaica were left cursing their missed opportunities when Mexico drew level with the final kick of the half, Luis Chavez floating a spot kick into the area for Romo to out-muscle Damion Lowe and beat Blake diving to his right.

Full back Kevin Alvarez then cleared Nicholson’s chip off the line in the 51st minute to spare Mexico further blushes and Blake played his part in ensuring Jamaica did not slip up.

At the Estadio Olímpico Félix Sánchez in Santo Domingo, Guyana suffered a second straight six-goal thrashing at the hands of Haiti when they went down 6-0 in Group B of League B.

Fresh off a 6-2 drubbing in Georgetown last week, Guyana were once again put to the sword by the French Caribbean side, Mondy Prunier (48th, 76th) and Carnejy Antoine (87’th, 89th) before lashing in second half braces.

Alex Christian gave Haiti a 39th minute lead when he smashed home a rebound after Derrick Etienne’s free kick had struck the bottom of the uprights, a scoreline which held until the break.

The floodgates opened thereafter, however, Prunier’s point blank header at the far post doubling Haiti’s advantage and Simonsen Jeppe Friborg 63rd minute strike stretching the lead even further.

Prunier got his second from the top of the 18-yard box before Antoine scored twice in three minutes at the death.

Guyana remained second on six points, four adrift of unbeaten Haiti who have secured Gold Cup qualification and promotion to League A. Also in Group B, French Guiana edged Belize 1-0 in Cayenne while in Group A of League C, Bonaire beat the US Virgin Islands 1-0 in Willemstad and Turks and Caicos Islands defeated Sint Maarten by the same margin in Providenciales.

England batsman Joe Root returns to top of Test rankings ENGLAND’s Joe Root has returned to the top of the men’s batting Test rankings after his fourth century of 2022.

Root, 31, has overtaken Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne following his impressive 176 in England’s victory over New Zealand in the second Test.

It followed 115 not out in the first Test and scores of 109 and 153 in the first and second Tests of the tour of West Indies earlier this year.

The Yorkshireman now leads Labuschagne by five points in the rankings.

He first became the number one Test batsman

England Test batsman Joe Root

in 2015 and was last at the top in December 2021, before being leapfrogged by Labuschagne as Australia cruised past England in the Ashes.

Root became the second England batsman to score 10,000 Test runs after scoring a fine century on day four of the first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s.

He is only the 14th player in world cricket to have achieved the feat, with former captain Sir Alastair Cook the only other England player to do so.

Aged 31 years and 157 days, Root reached 10,000 runs at exactly the same age as Cook - making the

pair the joint-youngest players to reach the impressive milestone.(BBC Sport).

ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings 1. Joe Root (ENG), 897 rating points 2. Marnus Labuschagne (AUS), 892 3. Steve Smith (AUS), 845 4. Babar Azam (PAK), 815 5. Kane Williamson (NZ), 798 6. Dimuth Karunaratne (SL), 772 7. Usman Khawaja (AUS), 757 8. Rohit Sharma (IND), 754 9. Travis Head (AUS), 744 10. Virat Kohli (IND), 742

Yorkshire racism case

CHARGES have been brought against “a number of individuals” by English cricket’s governing body in relation to allegations of racism at Yorkshire.

The accused could be banned or fined by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

They have not been named but it is understood ex-England captain Michael Vaughan and former Yorkshire players Matthew Hoggard, Tim Bres-

Former England captain Michael Vaughan

nan and Andrew Gale are among the individuals charged.

Yorkshire itself has also been charged with breaching the anti-racism rules.

BBC Sport has approached the individuals for comment.

Details of abuse first surfaced in September 2020 when former player Azeem Rafiq said discrimination left him feeling suicidal.

“In matters of this nature, our normal practice is not to identify individuals charged at this stage,” said the ECB. Yorkshire said the “allegations relate to charges as far back as 2004, up until 2021”.

After being named in Yorkshire’s report into Rafiq’s claims, Vaughan, who now works as a pundit for BBC Sport and others, was stood down from presenting his BBC Radio 5 Live show in November.

The 47-year-old was then not involved in the BBC’s coverage of the Ashes but returned to the BBC’s cricket coverage in March. The BBC declined to comment.(BBC Sport).

25

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

Taylor to captain Guyana Amazon Warriors as six Guyanese in inaugural Women’s CPL

THE local players have been drafted ahead of the historic first running of the inaugural Women’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) with the tournament set to get underway on August 30.

The three teams will be captained by Hayley Matthews (Barbados Royals), Stafanie Taylor (Guyana Amazon Warriors) and Deandra Dottin (Trinbago Knight Riders).

Six Guyanese have been included in the three squads.

Shemaine Campbelle, Kaysia Schultz, Cherry-Ann Fraser and Shabika Gajnabi will play for the Guyana Amazon Warriors, while Mandy Mangru and Sheneta Grimmond will turn out for Barbados Royals and Trinbago Knight Riders respectively.

With Matthews and Taylor rated in the top 10 T20 all-rounders in the world and Dottin one of the most destructive batters in the women’s game, all three players have shown their quality for the West Indies and in competitions around the globe.

The teams have been drafted from a pool of players that was put together by Cricket West Indies’ selection committee and the 33 cricketers picked represent the best talent from across the region with the squads full of experienced internationals, as well as the next generation of female players.

Each team will also sign three exciting overseas players bringing the total squad size to 14 and further bolstering the quality of cricketers on show in this exciting new event. These overseas signings will be announced in the coming weeks.

Ricky Skerritt, Cricket West Indies President, said: “This inaugural women’s version of the CPL represents a huge upward step for West Indies cricket. I am grateful to all those in CPL and CWI who made it happen, especially the three pioneering franchises who have so willingly got on board.”

Jake Lush McCrum, CEO, Barbados Royals and Rajasthan Royals, said: “The Caribbean and particularly Barbados is a destination which has always been so deeply in-

Physical and mental abuse was rampant in British gymnastics, says report ( REUTERS) - BRITISH gymnasts were subject to widespread physical and mental abuse in a system where such behaviour was condoned in the pursuit of national and international success, an independent report concluded on Thursday.

The review, led by Anne Whyte QC, was commissioned by UK Sport and Sport England in August 2020 following allegations of mistreatment within the sport in Britain.

The 306-page report, which examined over 400 complaints, found that British gymnastics suffered from a cultural problem where young athletes were shamed for their weight while others were handed out harsh punishments for the slightest mistakes in training.

“This behaviour included physical chastisement, inappropriate training on injury, the enforcement of excessive training hours and training loads leading to physical pain and exhaustion beyond acceptable limits,” said Whyte.

Some athletes were also prevented from using the toilet and refused access to drinking water during long practice sessions.

“One wonders how many sporting scandals it will take before the government of the day appreciates it needs to take more action to protect children who participate in sport,” added Whyte.

Whyte made 17 recommendations and said that an ombudsman is “an obvious step in the right direction”.

UK Sport and Sport England accepted the findings and endorsed all the recommendations.

“The gymnasts’ experiences shared in this review are harrowing and distressing to read. No one in sport should ever be subjected to such abuse,” they said in a statement https://www. sportengland.org/news/sportengland-and-uk-sport-publish-whyte-review.

British Gymnastics added that they were committed to changing the sport for the better and apologised to the athletes who came forward.

“We will not shy away from doing what is needed.

I want to wholeheartedly apologise to the gymnasts who have suffered as a result of us not working to the standards we set ourselves.

We are sorry,” said chief executive Sarah Powell.

WORLD CUP 2026

Guyana Amazon Warriors will be captained by Stafanie Taylor

vested in cricket, and to have a team in the region which will serve as a pillar of growth for the women’s game in and around the island nation, was such an exciting opportunity for us at the Barbados Royals.

Having attracted huge popularity, not just in the Caribbean, but also in cricket-playing nations around the world, the CPL has been able to realise its value and also the impact it can create on grassroots development. With this new competition for women, it gives us the opportunity to accelerate the growth and development of female players and coaches, while attracting the next generation of talent to the sport.”

Dr. Bobby Ramroop, owner of the Guyana Amazon Warriors, said, “We are thrilled to be a part of the inaugural Women’s CPL. The Guyana Amazon Warriors

Barbados Royals captain: Hayley Matthews

Trinbago Knight Riders captain: Deandra Dottin

(GAW) family is excited to be at the forefront of advancing Women’s cricket, both in the region and worldwide, and we are hopeful that this newest format will provide a platform for empowering female athletes, as well as highlighting inspiring role models for young girls. The dynamic GAW Women’s team, led by the impressive Stafanie Taylor, is a welcome and powerful addition to the CPL.” Venky Mysore, Director, Trinbago Knight Riders, said, “We are proud to announce our first women’s team under the Knight Riders banner, and are eagerly looking forward to watching the ladies represent TKR in the inaugural Women’s T20 competition in this year’s Caribbean Premier League. We are always most supportive of such initiatives and are on a continuous lookout to expand the sport across

the globe and across demographics. We are therefore particularly thrilled to support the launch of women’s T20 in the Caribbean and would like to congratulate and thank CWI and CPL for taking the initiative to launch the Women’s editions this year.”

Pete Russell, Hero CPL’s CEO, said: “A Women’s CPL is the next logical step as we grow the brand, and we are very pleased that we have been able to make this a reality in 2022. We are grateful to the CWI, the Barbados Royals, the Guyana Amazon Warriors and the Trinbago Knight Riders for working with us on this ground breaking tournament and we look forward to showcasing the tremendous skills of all these talented players.” (Caribbean Premier League)

Mexico City’s Azteca Stadium & Los Angeles Rams’ SoFi Stadium named among 16 venues MEXICO City’s iconic Azteca Stadium and the Los Angeles Rams’ multi-billion dollar SoFi Stadium are among 16 venues to host games at the 2026 World Cup. The first 48-team World

All 11 stadiums in the US are home to NFL teams and include the New York Giants’ MetLife Stadium and $5bn SoFi Stadium that hosted this year’s Super Bowl.

Both venues are contenders to host the 2026

LA Rams’ SoFi Stadium, which hosted this year’s Super Bowl, is the world’s most expensive stadium at more than $5 billion

Cup will be held in 16 venues across 11 US cities, along with three venues in Mexico and two in Canada.

It marks the first time three countries have hosted the tournament.

The Azteca Stadium will also be the first venue to feature in three separate World Cups.

Los Angeles’ Pasadena Rose Bowl, which hosted the 1994 World Cup final, has not been included.

final, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino said world football’s governing body will take their time with that decision.

“There are still some discussions to go on and we’ll certainly choose the best cities for the openings and the finals,” he said on Fox Television.

“But every match will be a final at this World Cup.”(BBC Sport).

26

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

Infantino says soccer will be America’s best sport by 2026 World Cup

By Amy Tennery NEW YORK (Reuters) – FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said he expects soccer to be North America’s most important sport in time for the 2026 World Cup, as the tournament host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico were announced on Thursday.

World football’s governing body FIFA has announced the 16 cities – 11 in the United States, three in Mexico and two in Canada – that have been selected from among 22 entries presented at a special event at Rockefeller Center in New York.

However, there was no indication of where the opening game or the final would be played.

“By 2026, soccer or football will be the number one sport in this part of the world,” Infantino boldly predicted as fans in the newly named host cities celebrated.

The United States, which hosted the tournament in 1994, will host matches in Seattle, San

have an exciting tournament,” Infantino said.

He added that no decision had been made on the venue for the final.

“There are still discussions to go on and we will definitely choose the best cities there also for the opener and the final, but every game will be a final in this World Cup,” Infantino said.

Cincinnati, Denver, Nashville, Orlando, Washington DC/ Baltimore and Edmonton are the six cities that missed out.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino

Francisco, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami and New York/New Jersey.

Mexico, which hosted the World Cup in 1970 and 1986, will host matches in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, while Canada, which is hosting the men’s event for the first time, will do so in Vancouver and Toronto.

“It was the most competitive process for a FIFA World Cup, we’ll bring the world here, we’ll

UNDULATING FANS Cheering fans waving American, Canadian and Mexican flags gathered outside the venue in New York, with US national team member and 23-year-old Chelsea striker Christian Pulisic among those present for the announcement.

Levi’s (NYSE:) Stadium in San Francisco held a private watch party and New York City Mayor Eric Adams was expected to attend a watch party at New Jersey’s Liberty State Park.

Canadian national team

player and Toronto native Jonathan Osorio says as a child he couldn’t have imagined seeing a World Cup in his home country.

“It’s amazing – it’s amazing that the World Cup is finally coming to Canada…it’s an incredible achievement for the whole country,” he said.

Celebrities such as Michael Buble (representing Vancouver), Magic Johnson (Los Angeles), Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City), F1 driver Sergio Perez (Guadalajara) and Gloria Estefan (Miami) played on-screen messages celebrating the inclusion of their hometowns.The 2026 tournament is expected to break World Cup attendance records, which peaked at 3.6 million when it was held in the United States in 1994.

It will also be the first time that 48 teams will take part in the tournament, an increase from the 32 that will take part in this year’s event in Qatar.

“Being part of it (the Qatar World Cup) and then having one in this country is going to be amazing,” Pulisic said.

PCL draft set for today as teams build towards Super50

Cricket West Indies (CWI) will stage the players draft for the upcoming Professional Cricket League(PCL) season today, which will form part of the busiest year of cricket in the region.

The event will be held via Zoom and will feature two rounds, with each of the six franchises already pre-selecting 13 players.

Roland Holder, CWI’s Manager for Cricket Operations, said hosting the draft was yet another signal that CWI remained in the forefront of developing talent across the region and was also committed to making progress despite the challenges faced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have just completed the West Indies Championship four-day first-class matches, which returned after a two-year break due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a truly great five rounds of matches as the players demonstrated their hunger for red ball cricket and the tournament had a number of outstanding performances. Now the next

Matthews and Bruce lift Bajans to big win in CG United Women’s Super50 opener

HAYLEY Matthews fell just one run short of a century while Shanika Bruce snatched four wickets which led Barbados to a big win over Windward Islands in the first match of the CG United Women’s Suer50 Cup on Thursday at the Providence Stadium.

Matthews demonstrated her immense class form the start of her innings and hit eight boundaries off 133 balls.

With the landmark in sight she fell trapped in front to seamer Pearl Etienne she fell for 99 – with the score at 192-2 at the start of the 44thover.

Matthews added a record 177 for the first wicket with left-hander Kycia Knight, who made 72 off 108 balls before she fell caught at short mid-wicket off Jannillea Glasgow.

Kyshona Knight then struck three quick boundar-

ies on her way to 27 not out off 35 balls, not out with her at the end of the Barbados innings was teenager Alisa Scantlebury on 10 not out as Barbados amassed 227-2 from their 50 overs.

The Windwards innings never got going as they plummeted to 9-6 in the eighth over7.5 overs. Shamilia Connell and Bruce tore into their top and middle order.

Then came a 32-run partnership between Japhina Joseph and Glasgow before Glasgow fell for 11, Joseph departed not long after for a top-score of 18.

Etienne delivered with the bat as the last batter, hitting a quick 16 before she was caught off Aaliyah Williams.

Windward Islands were all out for 78 in 23.1 overs.

Bruce finished with figures of 9-2-48-4 and Connell 5-29-3.

Mohammad Amir returns to Gloucestershire for T20 Blast

GLOUCESTERSHIRE have re-signed former Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir for the remainder of this season’s T20 Blast campaign.

Amir, 30, returns to the county having signed on a threematch deal earlier this season in the County Championship.

The left-arm pace bowler has made 50 Twenty20 appearances for his country and taken 59 wickets.

He replaces bowler and compatriot Naseem Shah who returned to Pakistan this month because of a family illness.

Amir played for Gloucestershire in the recent draw with Surrey and defeat by Hampshire, with the team currently sat at the bottom of the County Championship Division One table without a win.

In the T20 Blast, Gloucestershire sit fourth in the South Group having won four out of eight matches.

Amir most recently played

for Galle Gladiators in Sri Lanka and helped his side reach the Lanka Premier League final.

“He’s a proven international performer and to have his experience available to us for the remainder of the Blast tournament will be invaluable,” said Gloucestershire performance director Steve Snell.(BBC Sport).

This will be Mohammad Amir’s second stint with Gloucestershire this season

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER (Friday June 17, 2022)

The immediate focus following Friday’s draft will be the Super50 Cup later this year (Photo: CWI Media)

step is looking ahead to the summer of cricket across the region and from there we plan for the marquee CG United Super50 tournament, which will see the participation of all six franchise teams,” Holder said.

“Therefore this draft will be significant as the teams look at their resources for both white ball and red ball cricket, as well as develop-

ment of their young talents for the future. The draft continues to demonstrate that CWI remains committed to our professional cricket structure and system and the growth of our players.”

Barbados Pride were crowned champions in the West Indies Championship, when they won in Trinidad earlier this month, to retain the Headley/Weekes Trophy

named in honour of legends George Headley and Sir Everton Weekes.

Trinidad and Tobago Red Force are the defending champions in the CG United Super50. They won the title in 2021 and took the Sir Clive Lloyd Trophy, named in honor of the great captain who led West Indies to the World Cup triumphs in 1975 and 1979. (CWI).

COMPLIMENTS OF CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD -83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz: (1) Shai Hope-127 (First ODI, Multan) (2) Babar Azam-103 (First ODI, Multan) Today’s Quiz: (1) Which WI bowler claimed most wickets in the recent ODI series versus Pakistan?

(2) Which Pakistani bowler took most wickets?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

27

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

Slingerz FC makes winning return to football — Pouderoyen beat Wales 4 – 1

AFTER much hype and fanfare, Slingerz Football Club made their return to the pitch for the first time in six years, and their fans were not disappointed.

A massive crowd showed up at the National Track and Field Centre at Leonora for the inaugural Guyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League Champions in their first game in the West Demerara Football Association (WDFA)’s stage-sponsored league.

Deon Alfred netted a double, while national U17 player, Matrim Martin scored the other in the side’s 3 – 0 one-sided encounter with Uitvlugt United.

It was a physical but

entertaining match in which Slingerz FC dominated from the opening whistle.

Had Slingerz FC been more clinical in their finishing, the score could’ve easily ballooned to one that would’ve been classified as a ‘trashing’.

Nonetheless, Slingerz FC Head Coach, Vurlon Mills said the positive results is all they needed to start their quest for supremacy in Guyana’s football.

“The first game is the most important game, and that three points will set the tempo for us going forward in the season,” Mills said following his first win as the side’s Head Coach.

Mills said taking the team’s preparation leading

up to the game on Wednesday, he’s not too worried about how the team played, since “It was our first game together; we have a very young team.

Our average age is 19.

We have a few U16, U17 and U20 players, mixed with some seniors, and to bring away a 3 – 0 victory is a tremendous achievement for the bunch, playing at the senior level.”

Before winning the 2015/2016 STAG Elite League, Slingerz won backto-back WDFA league titles in 2013 and 2014.

Meanwhile, in the opening game of the WDFA double-header, Pouderoyen Football Club brushed aside Wales Football Club, 4 – 1.

Dwayne St. Kitts, Corwin Wright, Tyshawn Halley and Eon Sullivan were the scorers for Pouderoyen.

Wales United was the beneficiary of Pouderoyen’s generosity, after Alex Softliegh scored an own goal.

T h e W D FA S TA G League will continue on Father’s Day (Sunday) with four matches.

From 12:00 hrs, Pouderoyen will come up against Eagles, followed by Uitvlugt battling Wales from 14:30 hrs.

Den Amstel is set to play Bel West FC at 18:00hrs, and Slingerz FC will look to score three more points against #1 All-Stars from 20:00hrs.

National U17 player Matrim Martin (L), along with Deon Alfred after Slingerz FC 3 – 0 win

28

GUYANA CHRONICLE Friday, June 17, 2022

After 26 years, GOA to get new president See page 22

— GOA General Council moves to add an age limit of 70

President of the GOA, Kalam Juman-Yassin during Thursday’s deliberation of the new constitution (Adrian Narine photos)

Former GOA Secretary General Ivor O’Brien performed the duties of returning officer during the GOA’s voting of its new constitution

West Indies bowlers lead first day domination of Bangladesh

West Indies bowlers had an excellent day in the field (Photo: CWI Media)

NORTH SOUND, Antigua, (CMC) – West Indies produced a stellar exhibition of seam bowling to bundle Bangladesh out cheaply, and then made a steady, albeit sluggish reply, as they dominated the opening day of the first Test here Thursday.

Taking advantage of a friendly surface after choosing to bowl first at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, West Indies sent the tourists tumbling for 103 all out, 40 minutes after lunch, before grinding their way to 95 for two at the close.

Phlegmatic captain and opener Kraigg Brathwaite was unbeaten on 42 off 149 balls with four fours and accompanied by Nkrumah Bonner on 12, the pair having laboured over a 23-run, unbroken third wicket stand.

Left-handed opener John

Campbell chipped in with an uncharacteristically reserved 24 which required 72 deliveries and included a four and a six.

Alzarri Joseph (3-33) and Jayden Seales (3-33) had earlier finished with three wickets apiece and Kyle Mayers (2-10) and Kemar Roach (2-21) two wickets each, to wreck Bangladesh’s innings.

Captain Shakib-al-Hasan counter-attacked in top-scoring with 51 off 67 deliveries but was one of four wickets to fall after lunch, after Bangladesh found themselves tottering at the break on 76 for six.

“The guys adjusted well.

Obviously it’s a pretty tough pitch to bowl on in terms of finding your length,” Roach said afterwards.

“It was very slow at the

Continued on page 22

Infantino says soccer will be America’s best sport by 2026 World Cup Printed and Published by Guyana National Newspapers Limited, Lama Avenue, Bel Air Park, Georgetown. Telephone 226-3243-9 (General); Editorial: 227-5204, 227-5216. Fax:227-5208

See page 26

FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 2022