Guyana_Chronicle_Epaper_25_07_2020

SATURDAY 25th July, 2020

' No.106071

Major int’l COVID-19 support soon 09 PAGE

…Minister Jordan says Guyana receiving favourable responses to requests

Guyana records 20th COVID-19 death

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‘Scores show up for CEO’

Gold price climbs past US$1900 per ounce

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…as court hears private charges of alleged fraud …grants him $450,000 bail ---attorneys say case political, personal, of nuisance value

Chief Elections Officer Keith Lowenfield exits the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court compound to loud cheers from a crowd of supporters (Carl Croker photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Guyana records 20th COVID-19 death GUYANA has lost yet another precious life to the Novel Coronavir u s ( C O V I D - 1 9 ) , t a king the total number of COVID-19-related deaths to 20.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the victim is a female from a hinterland community, but further details were unavailable on Friday.

In just over a month, the country has recorded eight deaths and a consistent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases. There are over 150 ac-

tive cases, with four of those cases being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Among those who died recently are 74-year-old Milton Paul; Geerjadai Jagnarine; and 76-year-old May Portsmouth.

The Guyana Chronicle had earlier reported that the COVID-19 disease has proven to be a “real killer,” especially in cases involving persons who have co-morbidities. This was according to doctors of the GPHC. At the time, Guyana had

recorded six deaths due to the COVID-19 disease, and while the loss of life is never pleasant, doctors had said most of the persons who died had co-morbidities.

In medicine, co-morbidity is defined as the presence of one or more additional conditions co-occurring with a primary condition; in the countable sense of the term, a comorbidity is each additional condition. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that 81 per cent of the persons who contract the virus will have mild symp-

toms, while 14 per cent will have severe symptoms, and another five per cent will need intensive care.

“Most of the people who passed have [sic] co-morbidities; some had diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and one of them even had severe pneumonia, which, without COVID-19, can also cause death… These, coupled with the complications related to COVID-19, can be dangerous,” said Head of the Department of Internal Medicine at GPHC, Dr. Genellys Camps, during a past

interview with the Guyana Chronicle.

Among those whose demise were ruled co-morbid are 25-year-old Lethem schoolteacher, Donna Ambrose-Greaves; 34-year-old Abdool Khan, a resident of Bartica, who was asthmatic; and local ‘drag-racer’ Deryck Jaisingh, called ‘Mad Dog’.

Guyana’s first COVID-19 victim, 52-year-old, Ratna Baboolall, was also hypertensive and a diabetic. Jermaine Ifill, an emergency medical technician (EMT), who had also succumbed to the dread-

ed disease, was also being treated for pneumonia.

Two other persons who died from the disease were Osa Collins, a 78-year-old resident of New Amsterdam; and 77-year-old Colonel John Percy Leon Lewis.

Forty-five-year-old Lennox Williams, who also had underlying conditions, died because of COVID-19. And, a diabetic patient, 67-yearold Samuel Morris, also lost his life.

COVID-19 update…

Guyana records two more recoveries

--with one new case in last 24 hours AS Guyana continues to record a consistency in the increase in the number of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, so too has been the rate of recovery, with the latest figures being two within the past 24 hours.

Recovered cases refer to

persons who were affected with the disease but have now been cleared by virtue of two negative results 24 hours apart, and no signs and symptoms of the virus.

Reports are that persons who recover from COVID-19 are no longer infectious, meaning that

while they cannot spread the disease, they can, however, be re-infected.

Health authorities have so far tested 4,057 persons for COVID-19, with 3,705 being negative and 352 testing positive. Of the positive cases, 178 persons have recovered, and 20 persons

Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle

have died, but there are 154 active cases, and those are being monitored by the authorities. Four of those active cases are being treated in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Considering the existing situation, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), Dr. Karen Boyle has said that persons need to remain responsible and vigilant, especially now that persons are back on the job and students will soon be returning

to school.

“The Ministry of Education will take the lead on decisions regarding students’ return to school, and how they will operationalise the workplace guidelines,” Dr. Boyle said.

She, however, advised that students, teachers and any person entering a school must wear a mask, and that all entrances and strategic places around the premises should have hygiene blocks, comprising sinks with run-

ning water and liquid soap or hand sanitizing stations.

Screening must also be done at entrances, and temperatures should be taken with the laser thermometer.

Regarding classroom layout, social distancing and other pertinent guidelines, it has been suggested that the education ministry, through officials of the various schools, identify focal points and establish joint committees to consider the best way forward, in terms of creating the safest environment for students.

JOINT RESPONSIBILITY Parents and teachers should take joint responsibility for the policing of students during school hours, to ensure adherence to guidelines.

With public sector employees “back on the job,” the DCMO said employers need to create measures and systems to ensure that employees remain safe while at work.

“Employers should rearrange office space to facilitate six-foot distancing; reduce in-person meetings to barest essentials (technology such as Zoom can be used to conduct meetings),” Dr. Boyle said, adding: “Discourage employee congregation at (water dispensers, coffee station, dining room and rest rooms) lunch period/breaks should be staggered and staff where possible can be encouraged to have lunch at their desks.”

Employees also have a role to play, and this includes using private transportation whenever possible. She believes employers could also aid in this area by facilitating the transportation of employees to and from work, in order to reduce the probability of exposure when using public transportation.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Lowenfield gets $450,000 bail

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---attorneys say case political, personal, of nuisance value

CHIEF Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, was granted $450,000 bail on Friday, following his appearance in the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court to answer to three private criminal charges brought against him for alleged fraud and misconduct.

However, lawyers representing the CEO blasted the prosecutors for being ill-prepared, attempting to remove opponents from the case and failure to raise their concerns with the Guyana Police Force (GPF) for investigation. The charges in question were filed

by People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member, Desmond Morian, and by General Secretary of The New Movement (TNM), Daniel Kanhai, on June 30, 2020.

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 charge.

The CEO was represented by Senior Counsel Neil Boston and Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes while Morian and Kanhai were represented

by Attorney-at-Law, Glenn Hanoman and others. The charge filed by Kanhai against Lowenfield for ‘Conspiracy to Commit a Felony contrary to the Section 34 of the Criminal Law (Offenses) Act Chapter 8:01’ while the other filed by Morian is for ‘Misconduct in Public Office contrary to The Common Law’.

Earlier this month, Magistrate McGusty issued a summons for Lowenfield to attend court and answer to the charges. When the case was initially called, the CEO was a no-show, primarily because he was not served. However, he was eventually served on Thursday, July 23.

PLOY DIVERTED Leaving the Court, Hughes and Boston gave comments to the media amidst the shouts of APNU+AFC protesters for “valid votes only” and heavy police presence. They both believe that the charges laid against Lowenfield were baseless and political.

In fact, Hughes criticised Hanoman for his ill-prepared-

Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield (first right) approaches the Georgetown Magistrates’ Court with his lawyers Senior Counsel Neil Boston (centre) and Attorney-at-Law Nigel Hughes (Carl Croker photo)

Attorney-at-Law, Glenn Hanoman, speaks with Senior Counsel, Neil Boston, just before the matter was called (Carl Croker photo)

Some of the police officers present at the Court on Friday (Carl Croker photo)

APNU+AFC supporters protest for “valid votes only” as Attorney-at-Law, Glenn Hanoman, leaves the Court

ness to face the Court and for his attempts to get the Court to remove Mr. Boston from the case.

"Mr. Hanoman, literally two minutes before the Court was convened had a very casual, professional discussion with myself and Mr. Boston where he indicated that he wanted to call Mr. Boston as a witness for the prosecution.

He then went into the Court

and indicated to the Court, after Mr. Boston had entered in appearance as lead of the team, that he was objecting to Mr. Boston because he intended to call him as a witness. Naturally, we had very strenuous objections to this,” Hughes stated.

He explained that it is expected that statements from witnesses are prepared beforehand and if Boston was

required as a witness that he would be made aware of this in advance as basic courtesy.

Hughes said: “I think the ploy was disclosed for what it was.

It was attempting to get Mr. Boston off the case; it was attempting to gain some level of mileage.” When the objection was made by Hanoman, Boston defended himself.

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Attorneys Nigel Hughes and Neil Boston speak to the matter after exiting the courtroom (Carl Croker photo)

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Tropical Storm Gonzalo expected to make landfall in the Caribbean on Saturday TROPICAL Storm Gonzalo is expected to make landfall in several territories of the Windward Islands as well as Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

And although the storm is not likely to have a heavy impact on Guyana, the Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has issued several advisories to the general public during and before high wind conditions.

According to the National Weather Watch Centre at Timehri, on Saturday the country will experience light to moderate showers while on Sunday thundershowers are forecasted with rainfall measuring 30 millimeters. Similar conditions are expected on Monday.

As regards the storm, the local weather facility did not provide any information and according to a National Communications Network (NCN) report, the storm is not expected to heavily impact Guyana.

However, the CDC issued precautionary measures for persons to observe prior to or during heavy winds.

These include the strengthening of roofing, packing of wood or plastic materials not intended for use around the house as well as the securing of livestock.

According to the National Hurricane Centre in Maimi, last evening at 20:00hrs, the centre of Tropical Storm Gonzalo was located over the Atlantic Ocean about 340 miles (550 km) east of the southern

Windward Islands. “It's moving toward the west near 18 mph (30 km/h). A general westward to west-northwestward motion is expected for the next couple of days. On the forecast track, Gonzalo will move across the southern Windward Islands Saturday afternoon or evening and over the eastern Caribbean Sea on Sunday,” the centre said.

Maximum sustained winds were near 40 mph (65 km/h) with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the centre. Some slight strengthening is expected before Gonzalo reaches the southern Windward Islands.

“Weakening is expected after Gonzalo moves over the eastern Caribbean Sea and the

Veteran teacher Minerva Daniels-Persaud passes on

system is forecast to dissipate early next week,” the centre said.

Gonzalo is expected to produce total rain accumulations of two to five inches, with isolated maximum amounts of eight inches in Barbados and the Windward Islands through Sunday night.

The centre said that Gonzalo is also expected to produce total rain accumulations of two to four inches in Trinidad and Tobago as well as one to two inches over northeastern Venezuela. Rainfall in Barbados and the Windward Islands could lead to life-threatening flash floods, the facility noted.

MINISTER of Social Cohesion Dr. George Norton has extended sincerest condolences to the relatives, friends and students of Mrs. Minerva Daniels-Persaud, a 53-year-old teacher who recently passed away.

Daniels-Persaud who hails from Ampa Bay, on the right bank of the Essequibo River, was a beloved educator who created academic support systems for not only her students, but for the children within all the communities of Makouria, Falmouth, Ampa Bay, Rivers View, Bartica and Parika/Salem as well. Many of Mrs. Daniels-Persaud’s students have now moved on to become doctors,

Guyana records two more...

According to Dr. Boyle, “All entrances to public and private workplaces should have screening and hygiene blocks. Screening will entail taking temperatures with the

laser thermometer; hygiene blocks should comprise sinks with running water and liquid soap or hand sanitising stations.

“Workplaces must decide

Saturday July 25, 2020 –– 08:00hrs

on their policies regarding persons with elevated temperatures…referral for further investigation or returning home and seeking further medical advice.”

While most of the commercial and public sector operations are conducted in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), other regions like Regions One (Barima-Waini) and Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) need to be cautious as well.

“Even though the numbers in Region Four are higher, you are on average 9.5 times more likely to be infected in Region One than in Region Four, and you are seven times

more likely to get infected in Region Seven than in Region Four,” said Dr. Boyle during a virtual COVID-19 update on Tuesday.

The reason for the high likelihood of infection in those regions is the fact that the concentration of infections by population is far higher than in Region Four.

So, while the government has relaxed some of the control measures, Dr. Boyle said restrictions such as the initial curfew of 18:00hrs to 6:00hrs still apply to Regions One and Seven.

In addition to those regions, the DCMO said Region

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nurses, teachers, and law enforcement officers.

Minister Norton, who knew Mrs. Daniels-Persaud personally, considered her to have been not only a strong role model, but also a significant contributor to nation-building.

“She has done so much for the children of this nation, and her passing will definitely be a loss to all of Guyana. She was an incredible woman who has left behind a notable legacy, one that I hope her past students will carry on,” Dr. Norton said in his message of condolence.

Mrs. Daniels-Persaud is survived by her four children and three grandchildren.

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Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) is also “under the radar”, as cases have been rising consistently there over the past two weeks.

Considering the prevalence of the disease, Dr. Boyle, in advising persons, said: “I plead with you not to tire of wearing your mask, washing your hands and staying six feet apart. These simple activities are the key to protecting ourselves and others.”

She reminded persons that a collective effort is needed in order for Guyana not to be overwhelmed by the highly-infectious coronavirus

disease.

COVID-19 remains a serious issue not just here in Guyana, but globally as well, and according to global statistics, there are 15 million cases of COVID-19, with over 619,000 deaths.

And, with no approved treatment or cure, there is no assurance that persons will survive after contracting the disease. In the absence of approved medications, governments and authorities across the world have employed a number of preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Gov’t planning virtual Emancipation celebrations GUYANESE will soon enjoy a week filled with exciting virtual activities as the Department of Culture hosts its Emancipation celebration under the theme “Overcoming challenges over innovation”.

Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain, told DPI, due to the current situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Emancipation celebration – similar to Independence - will utilise technology to share the various events with citizens.

Boatswain said this year’s programme will focus on the African Guyanese and African Diaspora’s experience

during slavery. “The whole idea behind the celebrations is to get people to understand the history and experience of the African diaspora and African-Guyanese in particular. So, they can get a better appreciation of their struggles and why they celebrate.”

The Culture Director added that the programme will feature panel discussions, animation videos on African history which will chronicle the experience of African-Guyanese, and how-to-do video including drumming, various interactive programmes and a soiree on July 31, among others.

A cultural showcase is

Director of Culture, Tamika Boatswain

scheduled to be broadcast on August 1 – Emancipation Day. “We also have a new feature called the African

Kitchen where we will highlight how to prepare a variety of African-Guyanese dishes.

Plans are also on stream for

a talk show where people can share their emancipation moments as well as spotlight African-Guyanese in politics, business, culture,” Boatswain added.

Another highlight the viewers can look forward to is a concert - Sounds out of Africa - showcasing the music that has come out of the African experience in the Caribbean post-emancipation. It will be aired on August 2 on NCN. This year’s Emancipation programme will be aired on the National Communications Network (NCN) Channel 11, it can also be viewed on the Department of Culture’s Face-

Lowenfield gets $450,000...

POLITICAL AND PERSONAL Meanwhile, speaking to the media, the Senior Counsel said that Hanoman had set out to bring politics into the Courtroom, an intention which was not tolerated by himself or Hughes. "Mr. Hanoman made a political speech… I thought he was at Babu Jaan or he was at Lusignan,” Boston said. Furthermore, the lawyers said that the attacks on Lowenfield were not based primarily on the law but on personal matters that have nothing to do with the charges filed.

Hughes stated: “Mr. Hanoman said he had no objections to bail but then proceeded to make a series of what I would consider political statements suggesting that somehow or the other Mr. Lowenfield was going to remove official documents

from GECOM to which we took strenuous objections.

One of the concerns that we had in the Court, that we repeatedly expressed to the Court, was the fact that we did not want the Court to become the forum for a political battle and they were sufficient senior lawyers who were present to keep this within the confines of the law.”

Added to this, Boston said that, while not objecting to bail, Hanoman argued that the CEO should be asked to pay a large sum given that he had property at Wales on the West Bank of Demerara (WBD) and more than one house.

However, Boston corrected the attorney: “That's not how it is done. The whole issue of bail is to ensure that the accused returns to Court to stand this trial…

[Hanoman] made all kinds of outrageous allegations based on hearsay…it must be a political thing if the charges, to me, have nuisance value, nothing else. There’s no substance in the charge.”

UNPREPARED Hughes said that, eventually, the Magistrate granted Mr. Lowenfield bail in the sum of $150,000 on each offence. However, after bail had been granted, Hanoman indicated to the Court that he had 800 statements to take from various witnesses.

“We, of course, naturally had an objection to that because we thought that if he had taken the time to bring the charges he would be ready and prepared to start.

He asked for an adjournment that was a month away. The Court, however, granted an adjournment to mid-August

for him to produce whatever statements that he has,” Hughes said, adding: “It is evident to us at this point in time that 1) they are not ready and 2) if they have the concerns they say they have, even though not objecting to bail, that those concerns should have been raised with the Guyana Police Force and any appropriate law enforcement agency.”

When Hanoman, Morian and Kanhai exited the Court, the media pressed them for a response on what took place but the presence of a jeering crowd of APNU+AFC supporters convinced the men that it was best to leave. The newspaper later sought out Hanoman at his office but was made aware that he was absent.

The particulars of the offence as sworn to oath by Morian states: “The accused,

between 5th March 2020 and 29th June 2020, while performing his duty as the Chief Elections Officer of the Guyana Elections Commission, without lawful excuse or justification, willfully misconducted himself…by ascertaining results of the 2nd March 2020 General and Regional Elections for Guyana, knowing the said results to be false, the said willful misconduct amounting to a breach of the public’s trust in the Office of the Chief Elections Office of the Guyana Elections Commission.”

Meanwhile, the particulars of the offence as sworn to oath by Kanhai state: “The accused, between the 5th day of March 2020 and 23rd day of June 2020… conspired with person (s) unknown to commit the common law offence of fraud, to wit, by represent-

book page. There will also be programmes for radio and features in the newspapers. The events will begin on July 24 and conclude on August 2. A detailed schedule of the Emancipation programme will be made available by this weekend on the department’s social media page. This year’s observance is a collaboration between the Department of Culture, Guyana Reparations Committee and the International Decade for People of African Descent Assembly (IDPADA-G) and African Cultural & Development Association (ACDA). (DPI)

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ing to the Guyana Elections Commission, that tables attached to his Election Report dated 23rd June, 2020, accurately reflected the true results of the said election, in order to materially alter the results of the said election, with intent to defraud, knowing the said tabulation to be false.” The CEO is expected to make his next court appearance on August 14.

Since the breakdown in the tabulation of Region Four Statements of Poll (SOPs) in early March 2020, members of the collective Opposition have pointed fingers in several directions, one of which was Lowenfield’s.

The charges in question are based on the CEO’s Elections Report submitted to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on June 23.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Alternative energy

SOLAR energy forms an integral part of any country’s plan in addressing alternative energy.

Where Guyana is pursuing a Green Economy, as a matter of its primary developmental thrust, whenever a business or individual switches to this form of energy, such act takes the country closer to the goal. Alternative energy, such as solar power, plays a significant role in protecting the environment. This is so, given that it replaces the consumption of fossil fuel which gives off emissions that have been scientifically proven to be harmful to the environment. As the consumption of fossil is reduced, the air we breathe becomes healthier and will help in enhancing the health of citizens and nations. According to the watchdog group, Union of Concerned Scientists in its 2011 Report (which was revised in November 2014), Guyana is among the 20% “rest of the world” countries where each’s share of total carbon dioxide emission comes from energy consumption.

The top emitters are China at 27%, United States 17%, Russia 5%, India 5% and Japan 4%. Specifically to Guyana, ac-

Stop abuse of GECOM chairperson Dear Editor, THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has observed the increasingly ugly abuse and threats appearing on Facebook and directed at the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, as the time fast approaches for GECOM to meet and finally declare the results of the General and Regional Elections held on 2nd March, 2020.

These scurrilous and extremely threatening Facebook posts have followed the written directions issued by the Chairman of GECOM to the Chief Elections Officer to submit his report from the results of the recount. It is clear, therefore, from where these posts have emanated and that they are a deliberate and criminal attempt to influence the decision of GECOM with regard to the declaration of the results of the elections.

The Private Sector Commission calls upon the Commissioner of Police to investigate, pursue and bring an immediate stop to this despicable exploitation of Facebook to carry out this criminal endeavour, clearly amounting to the worst form of cybercrime.

The Private Sector Commission is extremely pleased to note, with respect, that the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party has firmly condemned this cybercrime and calls upon all the other political parties as well as the leadership of the APNU+AFC to do the same.

Regards Private Sector Commission

cording to the World Resources Institute, as at 31st December 2012, our Greenhouse Gas Emissions, excluding land-use change and forestry, was 3.60. When land-use change and forestry are added to the equation, however, the figure is closer to 7.64.

As a signatory to the United Nations Climate Agreement comes the responsibility of helping meet the international timetable of goals for reducing emissions. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) also has its own Energy Thrust, which Guyana has helped shape and has a responsibility to bring to fruition. Government, in last year’s National Budget, committed to granting concessions to those desirous of benefitting from alternative-energy technology. This opportunity not only helps in harnessing the natural energy at our disposal, but also creates a more reliable source of energy than presently obtains. Further, such a pursuit would realise reduction of overhead expenses over time, new opportunities for employment and economic opportunities, and Guyana elevating its image as a credible nation among members-states, regional and extra-regional. The government has set itself the lofty but not unachievable goal

that by 2025, the country will achieve renewable energy and energy-efficiency status. With eight years remaining to achieve this goal, and in the midst of evident public delight with reported fossil fuel finds, such aspiration may not be taken lightly, which may require a re-focusing of interests and energies. While the government has targeted for special attention areas to be retrofitted, where businesses and private citizens are following suit, they are deserving of commendation, even as all efforts must be made to encourage others. We have seen in the past the Nand Persaud Group of Companies going fully solar when it commissioned a $110M system at its Tain, Corentyne call centre. The Demerara Bank Limited’s Camp Street headquarters was also fully converted. In 2016, a team from Toronto, Canada met with ministers of the government, seeking to explore opportunities to establish a solar farm here, with the aim of working in tandem with the Guyana Power and Light to augment our electricity supply. Though the present status of this engagement has not been made public, when citizens continue to suffer from daily outages, realisation of such a

project would be looked forward to with much anticipation. The Government has constructed Guyana’s first solar farm at Mabaruma in the North West District. Four acres of land had been allocated for this ambitious 400-megawatt project. When it becomes operational, it would afford an additional 17 hours of electricity to the 3,000 residents. The Demerara Bank Limited, in addition to going ‘green’, is providing support for others to do likewise. Though in our society, where there can be little dispute, habits are hard to change and the full appreciation of alternative energy is yet to be grappled with, this Bank is helping the process of changing behaviour by making funding available at reasonable cost. At an eight per cent interest rate, the impetus is there to act. Retrofitting homes and other buildings creates new types of jobs and other economic opportunities, direct and indirect. For home owners, opportunities are presented to opt for going fully solar or creating a hybrid system.

The possibilities for using alternative energy are limitless, and Guyanese are being encouraged to take advantage of the opportunities.

Have you ever heard a court anywhere in the world having to make such a statement ?

Dear editor,

IT is without doubt that any process where there is a continuous change in standards will forever produce nothing but confusion.

In my humble opinion this is exactly what is playing out in our elections. The sad reality that I’ve come to accept, is that the moving goalpost is not down to the natives, rather, it is because of external forces. And this inordinate and externally driven process has brought to the fore the true patriots -- the “patriotic” Guyanese. The very characters who once excluded me from making any political comments since I failed the minimum criteria of paying taxes in Guyana. For them, being born in Guyana was not good enough. Being Guyanese was not good enough. One must be a payer of taxes. So it was with great shock and awe when I heard these very voices now demanding that external, non-taxpaying forces with no links to Guyana, intervene in our electoral process. And all that was required to make them shed their veneer of patriotism was the lubricating power of oil.

And one of these external forces alluded to is the CCJ. Many would recall the jurisdiction/ no jurisdiction case that was laid to rest by our Appeal Court. The fact is that most legal scholars argued that the CCJ’s jurisdiction is as good as a Jagdeo third term.

But that was not to be as the CCJ armed themselves with political shovels, dug up the Appeal Court ruling and in the process gave themselves jurisdiction. And like that,

the dead has resurfaced, causing many of us nightmares with the notable exception of those who have an affinity for the electoral dead. So with the dead on their judicial table, they provided a conflicting entanglement of a ruling. One of their legal entanglements that was and still is at variance with common sense is their definition of valid votes, as votes which ex facie appear valid. And that was it. Clearly out of political expediency, legal myopia or a combination of both, they ignored the fact that we are no longer on the surface. The moment we dug six feet deep into those ballot boxes we have entered the belly of fraud which cannot be ignored. As a result, in my humble opinion the CCJ should have taken that into account and define valid votes not simply as votes which appear valid on the surface, but rather votes which on the surface appear valid minus the fraudulent votes. The fact is that we have all seen the fraudulent votes. The death certificates. The immigration records. The missing documents. I must be missing something; hopefully not my two cerebral hemispheres. Why can’t they see it?

Then it got more bizarre. GECOM too armed themselves with powers via Order 60 to address anomalies that occurred during the recount process. In effect, Order 60 was the legal sledgehammer that broke the seals of the ballot boxes. So on entering the ballot boxes, GECOM discovered more anomalies than that of children born in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the nuclear bomb. Most right-thinking Guyanese thought that if Order

60 was used to address anomalies from the count, then surely it should be used to address the anomalies from the recount. The GECOM Chairperson, retired Justice Singh had other ideas. She concluded that GECOM has discovered enough anomalies for this election cycle. And with that Order 60 was placed to rest and the anomalies transferred to an election petition court. This clearly made no sense to most of us. Without doubt, we have seen the fraud in the recount and the constitution does not permit declaration of fraudulent votes. Or it may be that only APNU+AFC has seen the fraud, since everyone else has retinitis pigmentosa, rendering them blind.

So after the CCJ ruling they released a statement to reaffirm their independence and the fact that they remain unaffected by political or external forces. Seriously CCJ? Have you ever heard a court anywhere in the world having to make such a statement? Why is the statement being made a few weeks after their recent legal gymnastics? Why is it a few weeks after their President Justice Adrian Saunders has petitioned other CARICOM countries to make the CCJ their apex court? In my opinion this is not coincidental.

The mere fact that a court has to state what is considered to be a given would make me concerned.

An analogy is you entering the operating room and the first thing the surgeon says is that he would not kill you.

Regards Dr. Mark Devonish

Op-Ed

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

By Lincoln Lewis

THE Guyana Elections Commission’s (GECOM) Order 60 of 2020 dated 4th and 29th May embarked, as stated in said Order, on a national recount of all 10 electoral districts in agreement with the President, Leader of the Opposition and all contesting political parties as “a means of assuaging the contesting parties and determining a final, credible count.”

This principal objective was noted in Paragraph 38 of the judgement handed down by the Caribbean Court of Justice on 8th July. This Order failed to achieve its declared intent.

It is of grave concern:i.

GECOM has failed to ensure full compliance with said Order as expressly outlined in its intent and as evident in its actions. In so doing, the Menu of Measures the body committed to Guyana and the political parties fell short of its intended purpose. ii. One is likely to think that the commission, which was responsible for draft-

GECOM Order 60 of 2020 failed to achieve its declared intent

ing and gazetting the Order, knew from the outset a “credible count” which goes beyond a simple numerical count as outlined in the Order, is of import to all Guyanese. As a matter of fact, the goal to achieve a “credible count” was as a result of a demand made by U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on 20th March with an underlying threat stating the the U.S. wants “adherence to free, fair and credible electoral processes in Guyana.” On 16th March, President David Granger and PPP/C General -Secretary Bharrat Jagdeo heeded the call for “credible results” and signed an agreement for a national recount. iii.

1. b. of the Order declares “…the Commission shall … serve as the final arbiter of issues not resolved at lower levels in the established procedure.”

This role was observed in the breach. There are reports counting agents could not seek resolution at the upper levels due to these officials not always being present or available. Further, the chief elections officer in his report

expressed concern about the absence of standardisation in the tabulating process. iv. The final whereas in the Order outlines that, the Order, “…seeks to remove difficulties…relating to the conduct of the aforementioned recount ...including reconciliation of the ballots issued with the ballots cast…; statistical anomalies; occurrences recorded in the Poll Book.” This was honoured in the breach. It is herein noted, GECOM through its counting agents determine the validity of the votes after polling, and in the passage of the Order with a specific declared intent, the body sought to conduct a national recount to satisfy no less standards of rigour with which it trains returning officers and polling agents to apply in arriving at credible results. It stands to reason that one would expect the recount to produce no lesser a standard and no lesser credible results to those challenged in the contested Region Four declarations leading to a recount. Though at the commission level there has been acknowledgement

of “irregularities” during the recount exercise, and such was vocalised by the Chair, Justice Claudette Singh on 16th June, the commission failed to honour its Order to attend to same. Said commission, surprisingly stated and much to the shock of Guyanese that such is not its purview to review, but is instead that of a court of law-the High Court--by way of an election petition. This meant that a legal order was used, perhaps intentionally to mislead Guyanese of GECOM’s intent (as outlined), which GECOM had no jurisdiction to preside over and therefore no intent nor ability to deliver on, and which served only to thwart justice and deliver election results favourable to one side. v. Further and again, in the instance of the final “whereas,” GECOM did not seek legal advice or seek to disregard same relating to the scope and permissibility of its intent as outlined the said Order. It is further recognised that this final “whereas” cannot be discarded because it is of equal import/weight to the Order

and declared intention of GECOM. Said “whereas” expressly states, GECOM “... seeks to remove difficulties connected with the application of the Representation of the People Act, Chapter 1:03, in implementing its decisions relating to the conduct of the …recount….”

The acting chief justice in her recent ruling stated the recount supersedes the 10 declarations. The argument proffered therefore ,is, if the recount supersedes the 10 declarations then it should be subjected to no less rigour than the 10 declarations were subjected to under the Representation of the People Act. That is, a physical and discriminatory count of all ballots that separate valid from invalid votes as occurred at the time of counting by the presiding officer and other polling agents after the poll.

A recount to supersede the original count cannot be inferior in substantive quality to the count and would not satisfy GECOM’s declared intent. The logic is, one cannot seek to correct something that is bad or wrong with something that is worse

Lincoln lewis and of greater wrong. The recount is of no value insofar that it fails in “…assuaging the contesting parties and determining a final, credible count.” It has proven to be of less value and not worthy of superseding that which came before. I have said before, for democracy to stand GECOM cannot afford to fail. Guyanese have exercised tremendous patience throughout the elections.

The recount exercise, based on an Order written by a bipartisan commission, headed by a consensus chair, has made matters worse and contributed to a mockery of justice, GECOM, presidential goodwill and the people of Guyana.

A disease-riddled electoral process, producing not just one bad outcome but a far worse second outcome are both disastrous foundations for peace and stability in Guyana.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Political parties must condemn social media threats – PSC

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has called on political parties to publicly condemn social media threats by their supporters against Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

In a press release on Friday, the PSC stated that the threats it has witnessed are “increasingly ugly” and this has led

the PSC to call on the commissioner of police to investigate, pursue and bring an immediate stop to the social media threats.

“These scurrilous and extremely threatening Facebook posts have followed the written directions issued by the Chairman of GECOM to the chief elections officer to submit his report from the results of the recount. It is

clear, therefore, from where these posts have emanated and that they are a deliberate and criminal attempt to influence the decision of GECOM with regard to the declaration of the results of the elections,” the PSC stated, adding: “The Private Sector Commission is extremely pleased to note, with respect, that the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party has firmly con-

demned this cybercrime and calls upon all the other political parties as well as the leadership of the APNU+AFC to do the same.”

The commission believes that serious interest must be placed on the matter even as Guyana moves closer towards a declaration of the results of the March 2, General and Regional Elections.

South Rupununi body calls for increased COVID-19 testing in villages … knocks Stabroek News over inaccurate article

THE South Rupununi District Council (SRDC) is calling on the health authorities to increase COVID-19 testing in the area and the body has expressed its willingness to work with the regional task force.

According to a statement from the body, the authorities should increase the amount of testing supplies available in the region as well as to carry out tests on those persons with COVID-19 symptoms immediately. The body also called for contact tracing to be done immediately in the affected villages.

The body said that it is deeply saddened by the deaths of two senior citizens in Potarinao Village, ages 68 and 80, both of whom had been in contact with those who tested positive for the coronavirus. The men have been identified as George Ignace and Frederick Matthew. One of the men is said to be related to a man who has tested positive for the virus recently.

“We further urge the Regional Task Force to work with the SRDC to closely monitor the vast open border to prevent further spread of this disease into our communities from Brazil. Anything less threatens serious and irreparable harm to our communities,” the body said.

The SRDC said that the Toshaos have been overwhelmed in trying to keep their communities safe. The SRDC said it has, with support from villages under its umbrella, in particular, Potarinao and Sawariwao, have made regular monitoring trips to the 180km border, with little support coming from the Task Force or government, to try and prevent illegal border crossings.

The body was critical of “inaccuracies” which it noted were published in a Stabroek News article earlier this week entitled, “Region Nine COVID-19 patient escapes before being quarantine.”

The SRDC explained that it has been closely monitoring the situation in

Potarinao, Shulinab and Sand Creek and their satellites, including Katuur, and the information provided to the newspaper by the Regional Executive Officer (REO) did not reflect the true situation on the ground in Potarinao and in Katuur.

The SRDC noted that only on Thursday, that a medical team is visited the latter village.

The body said that a statement in the article, which indicated that there was a positive case coming from Katuur, South Rupununi and travelling to Tiger Pond, South Pakaraimas “is premature and causing confusion among villagers and the overworked village council of Potarinao.”

The SRDC said it has been in daily contact with the Toshao and others from Potarinao and satellite villages, and can confirm that no patient in Katuur had even been tested for COVID-19 until Thursday.

The SRDC said that it has made

several recommendations to the Region Nine COVID-19 Task Force for a more effective COVID-19 response, and to date nothing much has been done in relation to those recommendations.

“Instead, at the latest Task Force meeting, the REO recommended that Toshaos now be charged for hiding their villagers who cross into Guyana. Toshaos were told that if case numbers rise in their villages, they can expect little help from the regional authorities,” the body said.

The body said that the REO’s statement mischaracterised the source of the virus’s spread into the communities and the entity said that his statement was a direct threat “to violate our human rights and to deliberately abandon the government’s responsibility to protect the health and welfare of its citizens.”

The SRDC called for collective action to be taken in combating the spread of the coronavirus.

Stanley Ming disassociates self from Facebook post attacking GECOM chair Dear Editor, IT is apparent that someone, most likely a troll, is attempting to link my name to a social media posting that seeks to besmirch the good name and character of Justice (Ret’d.) Claudette

Singh.

When I originally saw the post, I commented that such ludicrous statements as contained therein, are reprehensible and totally unwarranted.

Furthermore, I was asked by numerous persons, during the past several

months, what was my opinion of Ms. Singh, in her position as the GECOM Chairperson, and I hold a singular position.

‘She has attained her status, as a highly respected member of the legal establishment through years of hard

work and dedication to her profession, and is unlikely to compromise her honesty and integrity at this juncture of her life, for anyone.

Regards Stanley Ming

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Local NGO’s emergency response bringing relief to fire victims THERE have been a number of arson and other fires in recent months and in an effort to bring relief to a number of families, ‘Youths for better living’ (YBL), a youth group and non-governmental organisation has commenced an emergency response programme.

The programme is a second entity of the organisation, aimed at quick response to assist families who have been affected by fires during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Chairman and founder of YBL, Kelvin Fortune, also known as ‘SelfieBoss’, related that, “The initiative is part of our emergency 100 response where we also render assistance in food supplies to fire victims, yesterday we visited another fire victim in ‘A’ field Sophia…most of the fires that happened recently during COVID-19, we have been reaching out to the victims with food supplies,” he stated.

Fortune disclosed that the NGO has managed to assist some thirty households that were affected by fires and other disasters during the health crisis. He noted that the organisation focuses mainly on persons who live

Chairman and founder of Youths for Better Living (YBL), Kelvin Fortune along with the Mon Repos, East Coast Demerara family that lost their home to a fire earlier this week

in squatting areas and reside in shacks and so forth. “We started [donations] in dams or reserved areas, we targeted communities on the East Coast mostly, we have also targeted areas,” he said.

Despite the organisation being small he noted that he does his utmost best to assist others as well as persons who reside out of the region who reach out to him and the YBL team for help.

“We have even had persons from out of town let’s say from Linden and Berbice who would need food supplies but because of transpor-

tation, we would have them to come and sometimes if they cannot afford the transportation, we would supply them money,” Fortune said.

Fortune disclosed that the organisation was launched in the height of the coronavirus pandemic, just days after Guyana recorded its first case of the virus in March.

He noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic the YBL team has managed to donate some 1,978 hampers to single parents and senior citizens, 398 to nurses and frontline workers, along with a certificate of appreciation to

honor their hard work.

Additionally, YBL was able to distribute hampers to three major hospitals and 10 health centres across the country.

The YBL group to date has some 70 Volunteers and will be carrying out a series of donations as well as other voluntary work during these trying times to help as many vulnerable households. Those who wish to contribute or lend a helping hand can contact Fortune via WhatsApp on the number: 592- 661-4580.

‘It’s not business as usual’ …Region 9 REO appeals to residents to adhere to COVID-19 regulations …says many flouting guidelines; involved in people-smuggling

By Naomi Parris The Regional Executive Officer (REO) of Region Nine, Carl Parker, on Friday, disclosed to the Guyana chronicle, that, despite the rising number of cases within the region, reports have been made of residents smuggling and hiding their relatives who crossed over the Brazil border illegally.

Additionally, he stated that authorities also received reports of persons flouting the mandatory social distancing rule and hosting social gatherings.

Parker noted that such was revealed during a meeting held by the regional committee earlier in the week, “We had our regional health emergency operations committee meeting on Wednesday, where the Toshao for Aishalton and we did report at that meeting that residents are smuggling their relatives from across the border illegally and are hiding them in the village.”

He added, “Apparently, these guys are just bringing in their relatives at night or whenever and hiding them in

the village.”

Despite having a system in place to screen and isolate persons travelling from Brazil in order to combat the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), Parker stated that there is not much the health authorities can do since they have limited resources and it’s difficult for them to cover a border of over 1,000 miles.

“There is nothing much we can do about that, we have 57 villages and one municipality [overlooking] twenty three thousand square miles and that is a challenge in itself. In addition, we have a very large border with Brazil…we in the region here don’t have adequate equipment. We are trying here with what we have, but we can certainly do with more,” Parker said.

He added that while the respective authorities are working around the clock there is only so much, they can do, hence persons should adhere to the guidelines and desist from carrying on with life as if it is per normal in an abnormal situation.

However, the REO disclosed that, in an effort to

secure the border, authorities had employed residents to assist with securing the borders and border patrol. However, persons have managed to find ways to enter into the country illegally.

“When COVID-19 started the RHEOC [Regional Health Emergency Operations Centre] agreed to employ the services of the Amerindian community that are located on the border to assist in the fight against COVID-19 but we are losing that fight,” Parker said.

Additionally, the REO related that he is baffled as to why residents are still not adhering to the COVID-19 guidelines as the RHEOC had a vigorous education and awareness campaign, sending messages in all forms as well as in several different languages including, Macushi, Akawaio, Wai-Wai, Spanish and Portuguese.

“I don’t think it's the lack of knowledge, because, at the beginning of this pandemic, we have been sending out constant messages via radio, flyers and other media.

Nevertheless, Parker disclosed that the RHEOC is in the works of collaborating

with a non-governmental organization, Break Through, and the Guyana Tourism Authority to adopt a communications strategy to create specific messages to target those villages that are not adhering to the necessary guidelines.

Parker added that he is hopeful that, with the completion and implementation of a new and advanced communications strategy, the RHEOC will be able to educate more hinterland residents about the virus and its effects.

As to date, Brazil has over 2.1 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 81,487 deaths according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Meanwhile, Region Nine has confirmed 18 COVID-19 cases of which 11 were imported from Brazil. Of the 18, there are 13 active cases, one death and four recoveries.

Contact tracing revealed that over 250 persons in the North and South Rupununi have been in contact with the persons who later tested positive for COVID-19.

Major int’l COVID-19 support soon …Minister Jordan says Guyana receiving favourable responses to requests

THE Government of Guyana has engaged a number of its multilateral partners for COVID-19 mitigation support and has received favourable responses with two “major approvals” expected very soon.

“So far, those discussions are in various stages. Two of them are extremely advanced and very soon, if I’m still here, I’m hoping to announce major approvals from these international institutions,” Finance Minister, Winston Jordan announced, on Thursday, during an interview with the National Communication Network (NCN).

Jordan opted not to disclose the names of these institutions but noted that the Government is well-aware of the challenges faced by citizens and within many sectors since the emergence of COVID-19 and has been working overtime to obtain international financial and material support.

He said: “In another two of them, we are talking about adjusting existing loan balances to assist with COVID-19 responses and those, as far as I’m concerned, are going pretty well. We have exchanged paperwork and so forth and we’re seeking to answer additional questions.”

At the bilateral level, Jordan said that the United States (U.S.), China, United Kingdom (UK), European Union (EU), Canada and Korea have either provided or pledged assistance while assistance is soon expected from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).

The latter will come in the form of COVID-19-related procured materials worth between $US200,000 to US$300,000.

Added to this, Colombia has donated US$80,000 to Guyana, currently in the country’s bank

account, and this will also go to aid the fight against the pandemic.

Minister Jordan also provided an update on the requested funds from the World Bank.

Back in March 2020, Guyana had requested US$5M of the World Bank under its Rapid Response Facility to aid in the early fight against COVID-19.

Though the Bank has not met the request under the said programme, in May 2020, under the Pandemic Emergency Financing Facility (PEF), it presented Guyana with a US$1M fund. The paper work for the release of this fund to Guyana was submitted on Wednesday.

Jordan said that much has changed with Guyana’s COVID-19 situation since then and Guyana is now in discussion with the World Bank for the conduct of a Needs Assessment Mission.

During recent interactions, the World Bank has also indicated to the Government that Guyana will be the recipient of approximately US$64M Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) over the next 3-4 years. This allocation comes under the International Development Association (IDA) which is a part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries.

“This is absolutely, very cheap money. I believe its 1 per cent interest rate payment and, in the context of this Needs Assessment Mission, we can maybe see how that money can be programmed over the next 3-4 years,” he said.

On the local level, he said that Government Ministries and agencies continue to deliver hampers and sanitisation materials. He said that this will continue to the extent that the government’s domestic resources allow, given the absence of a 2020 budget.

Political parties must condemn social media threats – PSC

THE Private Sector Commission (PSC) has called on political parties to publicly condemn social media threats by their supporters against Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh.

In a press release on Friday, the PSC stated that the threats it has witnessed are “increasingly ugly” and this has led the PSC to call on the commissioner of police to investigate, pursue and bring an immediate stop to the social media threats.

“These scurrilous and extremely threatening Facebook posts have followed the written directions issued by the Chairman of GECOM to the chief elections officer to submit his report from the results of the recount. It is

clear, therefore, from where these posts have emanated and that they are a deliberate and criminal attempt to influence the decision of GECOM with regard to the declaration of the results of the elections,” the PSC stated, adding: “The Private Sector Commission is extremely pleased to note, with respect, that the General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party has firmly condemned this cybercrime and calls upon all the other political parties as well as the leadership of the APNU+AFC to do the same.”

The commission believes that serious interest must be placed on the matter even as Guyana moves closer towards a declaration of the results of the March 2, General and Regional Elections.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

‘The Constitution is unambiguous’

….AG tells Appeal Court it is the CEO who must advise Elections Commission, not the other way around …Maintains Recount Order in conflict with Constitution

By Svetlana Marshall ATTORNEY General Basil Williams said that, contrary to the decision of the High Court, it is the Chief Elections Officer (CEO), Keith Lowenfield, who is constitutionally bound to advise the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) on the results of the General and Regional Elections, and not the other way.

In his July 11 Elections Report, the Chief Elections Officer had advised the Elections Commission that, based on the March Declarations, the A Partnership for National Unity + Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) had won the General and Regional Elections held last March, but the Chairman of the Elections Commission, Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh, in rejecting that report, said that the Elections Report must be compiled using “valid votes” tabulated during the May-June National Recount.

In her High Court decision in the case Misenga Jones v the Guyana Election Commission and others, the Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wilt-

shire, said the Chief Elections Officer is “not a lone ranger,” and is therefore subject to direction and control of the Elections Commission as indicated in Section 18 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act. Indirectly, the Chief Elections Officer was ordered to adhere to the command of the Chairman of the Elections Commission.

Both Jones and the Attorney General are now challenging the High Court’s decision.

In his written submissions to the Appellate Court, the Attorney General submitted that Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution is “unambiguous,” explaining that there are three mandatory requirements in the Article – one, the Presidential Candidate with the most votes be deemed to be elected; two, the Chairman of GECOM shall declare the Presidential Candidate to be elected President and thirdly, the declaration is based on the advice of the Chief Elections Officer.

“Nothing in Article 177 (2) (b) speaks to the Chief Elections Officer being directed by the Chairman or the Commission in tendering his advice

or the Chairman making a declaration based on anything other than the advice of the CEO,” the Attorney General, through his Lawyer, Maxwell Edwards, said.

In support of his position, Edwards alluded to the book ‘Understanding Statutes’ and the case of Vandertoll v Kentucky. He submitted like “shall” the words “acting only in accordance” must be given their plain meaning in order to arrive at the true intent of the legislature.

“The role of the CEO under the Constitution must be seen as separate from his day to day administrative functions where he is under the direction of the Commission. The promulgation of this specific advisory role to the level of the Constitution must not be viewed as ordinary and taken lightly as elections are to be seen as being free of interference even the interference of the Commission which are made up of political Commissioners.

Accordingly, the words ‘acting only in accordance with the advice of the Chief Elections Officer’ are deliberate and clear and have to be given itheir true meaning,” Edwards

told the Court.

He submitted that the Chairman of the Elections Commission does not have a discretion as Article 177 (2) (b) of the Constitution clearly states that she must act solely on the advice of the Chief Elections Officer.

In issuing her instructions to the Chief Elections Officer, the Chairman of GECOM had relied heavily on Section 18 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act but the Attorney General, through his Attorney, argued that Section 18 is not superior to the Constitution – the supreme law of the land.

Article 8 of the Constitution states: “This Constitution is the supreme law of Guyana and, if any other law is inconsistent with it, that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be void.”

Further in support of his argument, Edwards alluded to the case – Collymore v Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago (1967), which indicates that “no one, not event Parliament, can disobey the Constitution with impunity.” As such, he argued that Section 18 cannot be used to curtail the significant role of the Chief Elections Officer under the Constitution.

He further submitted that Section 18 is a plain breach of the separation of powers doctrine for Parliament to purport to transfer legislative functions of amending prin-

cipal or primary legislation to an executive body – GECOM. It was also submitted that Article 177 and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act, when read together, empower the Chief Elections Officer to determine valid votes, and only him.

The Attorney General, through his lawyer, told the Appellate Court that based on the Elections Report submitted, Justice Singh was constitutionally bound to declare the Presidential Candidate of the APNU+AFC List of Candidates, David Granger, President elect.

“It is therefore submitted that the Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM had abdicated her duty to have declared the Presidential Candidate on the APNU+AFC list as the elected President, she being obliged to act only on the advice of the CEO, tendered to the Commission pursuant to Article 177 (2),” he argued.

Edwards also rejected the High Court’s contention that it could not have invalidated Order No. 60 – the instrument used to facilitate the National Recount. Such an Order, he argued, could not have been invoked by the Elections Commission because it is inconsistent with the Article 177 (2) (b) and Section 96 of the Representation of the People Act. He had also rejected the High Court’s decisions that the

issues raised in Jones’ case are res judicata.

But the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) General Secretary, Bharrat Jagdeo and Presidential Candidate, Irfaan Ali, through their lead attorney Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Counsel, Douglas Mendes, asked the Court of Appeal to uphold the High Court’s decision.

While the Attorney General has argued that it is the CEO, who is legally bound to advise the Elections Commission, Mendes told the Court that, as an officer employed by the Elections Commission, the CEO is subject to the direction and control of his employer.

Further, he said GECOM can remove any of its officers.

“GECOM is empowered to remove and exercise disciplinary control over him, is specifically mandated by the Constitution to supervise him and, to remove all doubt, he is rendered by section 18 of the Elections Law (Amendment) Act subject to the direction and control of GECOM. There is no provision in the Constitution or any other law which gives the CEO the power to direct GECOM. Indeed, by Article 226(1) of the Constitution, GECOM is not to be subject to the direction or control of anyone,” Mendes argued.

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Budget 2020 must be activated soon ---Minister Jordan warns of far-reaching implications THE Government needs to get to Parliament soon to set Budget 2020 into motion as failure to do so could pose far-reaching implications. Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan, shared his concerns on the matter, on Thursday, as he noted that the Constitution does not cater for flexibility in this regard.

“I would express a bit of a concern that Budget 2020 is in some amount of jeopardy… even if assuming Parliament were to open sometime in late August or thereabout, a budget is due maximum three months thereafter. So, that will take you to November, if you can get a budget presented and passed. [Then], the year is finished and you start back again. A new budget will be 2020-2021 [and it] could have its problems trying to get it within the timeframe within 90 days of the new year after just bringing out a new budget,” Jordan said in an interview with the National Communication Network (NCN).

He added: “The Constitution doesn’t allow for flexibili-

ty where that is concerned. So, I think this is an area that we’ll have to think very carefully about pretty soon. Parliament needs to open pretty soon so that the clock on the 2020 Budget could start ticking.”

The country has not had a 2020 budget due to the passage of the December 2018 no-confidence motion and the subsequent elections yet to be concluded.

The Finance Minister had noted in April 2020 that the government will turn its attention to stimulus packages for vulnerable Guyanese affected

by COVID-19 after the country moves past the electoral impasse. However, several court battles later and a national recount, the elections are yet to be declared.

With no budget for 2020, the Government has been unable to mitigate the financial effects of COVID-19 to the best of its ability. The Finance Minister reminded that a number of spending in key areas require Parliamentary approval within the context of the budget. The Government has been restricted in a number of areas

to only one-twelfth (1/12) of the expenditure because of the emergency funding invoked for COVID-19.

“Almost everything that is being asked for has budget implication. Most of them, if not all of them, are expenditure increasing or revenue reduction and those two things are going in the same direction downwards…we still have to mind the gap – so to speak – we still have the economy to run and COVID-19 or not we still have to run the economy in the context of sound economic management,” Jordan said.

Even as the nation awaits an end to the elections, Minister Jordan is optimistic that the Half Year report will be completed within the timeframe, which is by the end of August annually.

He expects that, due to the very little activity, there will be some negative variances with the previous period.

Still, the Finance Minister said he will await the final numbers and let them speak for themselves.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

UG celebrates the life of anthropologist and artist George Simon THE University of Guyana joined the artistic community of Guyana and the Caribbean to acknowledge the loss of painter and anthropologist George Simon, one of the great artists of the contemporary era.

The University, in a recent press release, noted that the institution commiserates with Simon’s widow and immediate family, while recognizing, at once, that this untimely vacuum is equally felt in a much wider circle: the University itself, the Guyanese nation and the institutions in the international community among whom his work and influence were significant.

George Simon was a painter extraordinaire, a conceptualist in artistic theory, an archaeologist, anthropologist, researcher and lecturer in whom reposed an innate consciousness, shaped by a conceptual vision, that drove and made limitless, the frontiers of the art of the Indigenous presence in Guyana. A great part of this continuing contribution was realised during his distinguished tenure at the University of Guyana. This partnership started humbly when he was recruited as a part-time lecturer in Art in the Division of Creative Arts.

He later served as a full

member of the Faculty of Education and Humanities as

field and at the Walter Roth Museum of Anthropology

The late George Simon

Lecturer in the Fine Arts and research in the Amerindian Research Unit and being, at one time, its Coordinator. George’s service to the nation was outstanding. He earned degrees in both art and archaeology, but was a student of the legendary Denis Williams, with whom he worked widely in the

and Archaeology, in mapping the pre-history of the Guianas. Most recently, he represented the University of Guyana as part of a team with English-American professor Neil Whitehead in partnership with the University of Wisconsin, the national Department of Culture and the UG, investigating the

‘The Constitution is ...

Though the PPP/C had withdrawn the contempt of proceedings case initially filed by the late Reeaz Holladar in March due to lack of evidence, Mendes nonetheless submitted to the Court that the Region Four Returning Officer, Clairmont Mingo, had inflated the numbers in favour of the APNU+AFC. “This has now been confirmed by the recount conducted under the direct supervision of the CEO,” Mendes told the

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Court. He said it was the controversy surrounding Mingo’s declaration that resulted in the birth of Order No. 60 and by extension the National Recount. “The recount was to be carried out under the supervision of the CEO who was required to report on the results of the recount,” he posited. Mendes is adamant that the Order No. 60 and the National Recount are legal, and therefore must be upheld by the Court.

recently discovered agricultural mounds off the Upper Berbice River, unleashing the mysteries of an ancient Guyanese community more than 5,000 years old. That service to nation building, however, was to multiply itself several times in the boundless advancements in the field of art. Simon was born in St. Cuthbert’s Mission on the Mahaica River, where he benefited from scholarships organized by priests for his studies in England. But he was to repay that patronage by training and motivating groups of young artists in his native village as well as at the ER Burrowes School of Art. He organized and led the Lokono Artists who rapidly soared to national prominence at the helm of new developments in a branch of Guyanese art that is older than Columbus, but suffered centuries of colonial submersion before its gradual resurgence in the twentieth century. George Simon was a major protagonist in theories of Amerindian art in the

Caribbean.

The importance of this innovator to Guyanese art is well celebrated. He was a part of that area of art characterized by inter-textuality. The visual arts and literature engage each other in analysis and interpretation of Guyanese society through paintings by Bernadette Persaud, Stanley Greaves which interrogate the works of Martin Carter and Edgar Mittelholzer. Simon’s preoccupations have engaged Wilson Harris and Pauline Melville to reinforce a development that deepened the power of Simon’s art and of Amerindian art, which included excursions into the rainforest, animism, spiritual beliefs, mythology, the landscape, the grotesque and the Kanaima.

Simon was to probe even further forward with his explorations of shamanism and the mythology of other societies such as Haiti, Chad, and the Sudan; then most recently Mexico and Spain.

This painter and intel-

lectual has made his mark indelibly on the Turkeyen Campus of the University with the famous mural “Palace of the Peacock: Homage to Wilson Harris” (2009) painted jointly with Philbert Gajadhar and Anil Roberts. However, that is but a replica of the impact on the art and consciousness of the nation. The similar stamp he imposed on the Caribbean region is captured in one of his most prominent marks of recognition – the Anthony Sabga Caribbean Award for Excellence which he gained in 2012. The nation honoured him with the Arrow of Achievement (AA).

Yet, the power of his art and the infinite breadth of his imagination have imposed their influence upon the art of the twenty first century, rendering them an immortal ingredient in the making of humanity.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

‘Women must be appreciated and respected’ -Says Chronicle’s acting GM, as company honours its ‘backbone’

AS the popular saying goes, “behind every successful man, there is a woman,” but the ‘man’ in this case is the Guyana National Newspapers Limited (GNNL), a company, like many others, which has benefited immensely from the contributions of exemplary women.

Women have proven time and again that they are equally powerful and capable as men, and this has been evident over the years at GNNL, where women have a hand in the operations of every department.

In recognition of their unwavering support and perseverance throughout their years at the organisation, management thought it best to celebrate and honour those women through a simple appreciation ceremony, on Friday.

The celebration, which was initially set for International Women’s Day in March, was postponed because of the dreaded Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). But, General Manager (ag) of GNNL, Ganesh Mahipaul said women are deserving of appreciation and praise, regardless of the day.

The rights of women and

General Manager (ag), Ganesh Mahipaul addressing employees during the appreciation ceremony (Adrian Narine photo)

Some of the women who were recognised and honoured for their contribution to the success of GNNL (Adrian Narine photo)

their contributions to society are often recognised and honoured on International Women’s Day, and it was no different, on Friday, when the company awarded 13 female employees for their contribution and hard work.

Among the awardees were Donna Todd for outstanding

leadership; Onika Gentle for being overachiever; Desiree Bannister for having an exemplary character; Yogeeta Sooklall for team work; Lisa Hamilton for innovations; Svetlana Abrams for mentorship; Linda Rutherford for being extraordinary; Lynette Griffith for her loyalty; Nevla

Jackson for customer service; Marcelle Ali for being meritorious; Moshamie Ramotar for management and leadership; and Regina Paul for being the most improved employee.

“We, men need to recognise women in everything that they do…it calls for extraordinary strength to not only

work, but to be a housewife and care for children,” said Mahipaul in his address to the awardees and other employees of the company.

He believes that the true strength of a woman is unknown and possibly limitless, and for this and other reasons, women must always be appreciated and respected.

It is also for this reason that Mahipaul said men must never consider themselves “above” women, but instead see women as equals and always appreciate their efforts.

Similarly, Editor-in-Chief of the GNNL, Nigel Williams said women are valuable assets in any organisation. They make up majority of the workforce in many organisations.

“This is, therefore, a fitting tribute for your perseverance, hard work and dedication to the Guyana Chronicle,” said Williams, adding that persons, who were not awarded, should not be discouraged, but instead continue to work hard and know that they will always be appreciated.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Appeal ‘vexatious’, amounts to abuse – GECOM Chair tells Appellate Court

DESCRIBING the appeal filed by Misenga Jones as “frivolous” and “vexatious”, Chairman of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), Justice (Ret’d) Claudette Singh made a case for it to be dismissed on the grounds that it lacks merit, and amounts to an abuse of the Court’s process.

Jones, a Tucville, Georgetown voter, is challenging the High Court’s decision to uphold Order No. 60, and by extension the National Recount. Chief Justice (ag), Roxane George-Wiltshire, in handing down the decision on July 20, said the 10 Declarations made in March by the Returning Officers have been overtaking by events; and that aside, the majority of the issues raised were res judicata having been dealt with by both the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice.

However, Jones, in her application, told the Appellate Court that Order No. 60 was never challenged in the Courts, and therefore the principles of res judicata could not have applied.

Further, Jones, through her battery of lawyers led by Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Counsel John Jeremie, said that the Declarations made by the 10 Returning

Officers, were done in accordance with the Representation of the People Act, and therefore could not have been set aside.

But the Chairman of the Elections Commission, through her Legal Counsel Kim Kyte-Thomas, told the Appellate Court that the Chief Justice’s decision ought to be upheld, explaining that the appeal cannot be determined by way of Judicial Review but rather an Election Petition in accordance with Article 163 of the Constitution. Election Petitions could only be brought before the High Court after the declaration of the results of an election. Close to five months after General and Regional Elections have been held in Guyana, the official results have not been declared by the Elections Commission.

Further, she argued that the issues raised in Jones’ appeal are res judicata as indicated by the High Court.

In support of her argument, Kyte-Thomas referenced to the decisions of the Court of Appeal in Moore v GECOM and Others; and of the Caribbean Court of Justice in Ali & Jagdeo v David & Others. Jones, the Legal Counsel said, is attempting to re-litigate issues already determined in both the Court

of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice, and such, should not be permitted.

“It is respectfully submitted that this Appeal lacks merit and ought to be dismissed, since the findings and decision of the Honourable Chief Justice represent the long-established jurisprudence of electoral laws and the electoral regime in respect to the issues raised before the court. In the circumstances, the Appeal filed herein is frivolous, vexatious and amounts to an abuse of the Court’s process,” Kyte-Thomas told the Appellate Court.

A key part to Jones’ application is the constitutionality of Section 22 of the Election Laws (Amendment) Act, which grants the Elections Commission the powers to amend the Electoral Laws to remove any difficulty that arises in connection with the application of the Representation of the People Act during an electoral process as deem necessary.

It was Section 22 that the Elections Commission used together with Article 162 of the Constitution to bring Order No. 60 into effect so as to facilitate the National Recount but Jones is of the strong opinion that the Law is unconstitutional.

But the GECOM Chair,

through her Lawyer, rejected Jones’ position. Kyte-Thomas, in her written submission, told the Appellate Court that the power given to the Commission under Section 22 relates only to subsidiary legislation and not to any parent Act. Further, Kyte-Thomas, while submitting that Order 60 is lawful, said such an Order cannot be used to facilitate acts that are not compatible with the Representation of the People Act such as invalidating ballot papers on the basis of missing poll books. While the statutory documents were missing during the National Recount, the Attorney told the Court that poll books were available at the polling stations on Election Day (March 2).

“Put simply, by necessarily purporting to disenfranchise close to 116,000 electors, Section 20 (1) (C) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Act, Cpt 2:01 prohibits this,” she argued.

It was also submitted that it is within GECOM’s functions to resolve the controversies that arose during the electoral process in keeping with its responsibilities to deliver the results of the elections.

“In carrying out its re-

sponsibilities, GECOM must uphold the Constitution and the rule of law,” Kyte-Thomas told the Appellate Court.

She added: “In light of the evidence brought before the High Court and having regard to the power of GECOM conferred by the Constitution and the ROPA it would be unlawful for GECOM to surrender its supervisory function over the election process, more particularly over the recount of ballots cast at the March 2nd elections.”

In inviting the Appellate Court to have a closer look at the Recount and Order No. 60, the Attorney submitted that in the Ulita Moore Case, the very Court endorsed the National Recount. A similar position, she argued, was taken by the Caribbean Court of Justice in the Bharrat Jagdeo and Irfaan Ali v Eslyn David and Others Case.

“Unless and until an election court decides otherwise, the votes already counted by the recount process as valid votes are incapable of being declared invalid by any person or authority,” a section of the summary of the CCJ’s judgment reads.

Kyte-Thomas said it was based on the decisions of the Courts, that the Chief Justice made it pellucidly clear that

the Recount Order could not have been invalidated.

“It is respectfully submitted that the Court of Appeal and the Caribbean Court of Justice have already determined the validity of the Recount process and the recount Order and found that the process was transparent and in keeping with the Constitutional powers of GECOM as well as the legislative framework of our electoral system,” Kyte-Thomas told the Appellate Court.

On that basis, the Attorney also rejected the contention that the CCJ had invalidated Order 60. Kyte-Thomas said the Courts have established that the primary intention of the Order was to determine a final credible.

Further, she reminded the Appellate Court that it was the Chairman of GECOM’s decision that the March 13 declarations cannot be used since they were replaced by the votes tabulated during the National Recount at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre (ACCC).

This decision, she posited, was endorsed by the Chief Justice, who in her judgment, said that the March Declarations were overtaken by events, and are no longer useful at this stage of the electoral process.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Plasma treatment ‘likely’ to become permanent in fight against COVID-19 -Following successful treatment of three ‘seriously ill’ patients

By Navendra Seoraj A MAJOR breakthrough in the fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), in recent days, has been the success of a “convalescent plasma treatment,” something, which, because of its success in treating

three “seriously ill” persons, could become permanent in the fight against the deadly disease.

A few weeks ago, four seriously ill, COVID-19 patients, of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), consented to be part of a clinical trial involving

the transfusion of antibodies of a convalescent patient (recovered person) to their bodies.

It is public knowledge that there is no vaccine/cure for COVID-19, and with the success rate of the plasma treatment still undetermined here, at that time, some

would say it was a bold step by those patients and even the medical professionals.

Monoclonal antibody therapy, as the treatment is called, is defined as a form of immunotherapy that uses monoclonal antibodies to bind monospecifically to certain cells or proteins. The obCardiologist, Dr. Mahendra Carpen

jective is that this treatment will stimulate the patient’s immune system to attack those cells.

And, according to the World Health Organisation, since the last century, passive immunisation has been used for the prevention and treatment of some human infectious diseases. The serum of convalescent patients is the treatment of choice in cases of Argentine Hemorrhagic Fever.

In addition, WHO said it was used during outbreaks of Ebola in Africa and also during the SARS and MERS outbreaks, as no other therapeutic options existed.

“Experience to date with the use of convalescent plasma for the treatment of COVID-19 is limited, but preliminary results indicate potential usefulness. Several controlled clinical trials are underway, to collect more quality scientific evidence to confirm the safety and efficacy of this intervention,” said the international health organisation.

Guyana was fortunate enough to be selected as one of the first countries in the Caribbean to be part of the clinical trials.

And, with the participants on board, authorities commenced the treatment, which, in the end, produced a high success rate. Three of the four patients recovered in a matter of days, but one patient died, said Cardiologist, Dr. Mahendra Carpen, who is in charge of the trials.

In referring to the patient who died, Dr. Carpen told this publication: “Unfortunately that was the very first person we tested, and it was a last stage or what we call compassionate treatment, but that person did not make it.”

For those who recovered, the doctor said persons may argue that the patients would have recovered either way, but he said Guyana’s case is only a small sample size. And, if persons look at the overall results from an international perspective, they will see there is definite benefits through the plasma therapy.

Recovery is measured and determined by the reduction in symptoms, reduced requirement for support care, and the negative results from repeat testing for COVID-19.

When asked if the results

are enough to determine if the treatment will be permanent, Dr. Carpen said: “It is likely that it will be permanent…we are learning a lot about the benefits from this…we know the science behind this therapeutic approach is solid and now we have decent results to back up the science.”

Recovered patients have already started to volunteer their blood for the clinical trials, but Dr. Carpen said there is no immediate need to use the treatment again in other patients. The treatment, however, once utilised, is compounded by other supportive therapeutic options.

“We have limited resources but we use what we have… the more sophisticated therapeutic options are not available here or in the Caribbean, but we are doing our best,” said the doctor.

Guyana recorded its first case of COVID-19 in March, 2020 and since then, the country has seen a consistent rise in cases, with 351 cases being recorded so far.

Of those cases, 176 persons recovered and 19 persons lost their lives, but there are still 156 active cases, which are being monitored by authorities.

The disease has forced change in society, with persons now either confined to their homes or mandated to wear a mask in public, among other things.

And, while the World Health Organisation (WHO) said most people infected with the COVID-19 disease will experience mild to moderate respiratory illnesses and recover without requiring special treatment, there are older persons and those with underlying medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer, who are likely to develop the serious forms of COVID-19.

The WHO believes that the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is to be well- informed about the virus, the disease it causes and how it is spread. Personal initiatives compounded by control measures instituted by authorities will increase the chances of fending off the deadly scourge.

GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Gold price climbs past US$1900 per ounce …heads for 2011 record

THE price of gold, on Friday, climbed past the US$1900 per ounce mark, a record high since 2011.

Pundits have attributed the rise in the price of the precious metal to a weakening United States dollar coupled with geopolitical issues, mining platform, Mining. com has stated.

According to the Guyana Gold Board’s (GGB’s) Facebook page, gold price on Friday morning was fixed at US$1893, with the record in sight. By Friday afternoon the price stood at US$1902 per ounce. The price eclipsed the US$1800 mark on July 8, as stated by the GGB. According to Bloomberg, while eclipsing US$1900 mark, the price edged closer to an all-time high with “flaring geopolitical tensions and concern over global growth

driving demand for haven assets.”

In 2011, the price of gold rose to a record high US$1921 per ounce.

The Business Insider has noted that the United States’ surprise order for “China to close its consulate in Houston” is a factor in the issue, noting that the move revived tensions between the two superpowers on Wednesday and spooked risk markets.

“Soaring coronavirus case counts throughout the US have slowly turned calls for a swift economic recovery into concerns of a lengthy downturn,” it added.

Last June, the price of gold reached a record US$1400 per ounce high and tensions between the US and China as well as US and Iran were tied to the rise at the time.

Rupununi woman dies after being bitten by rattlesnake

The remote village of Achiwib is located close to the Brazilian border

A FARMER from the Deep South Rupununi village of Achiwib died, on Friday, after she was bitten by a snake late on Thursday.

Dead is Mathilda Ignacio who was said to be in her late 50s.

Reports from the Rupununi are that the woman was on her farm with her children when she was bitten by a rattlesnake.

She was rushed to the

village by her sons. She was taken to two health centres located several hours away from her village but the woman's relatives noted that the gates to the facilities, including one at the village of Karaudarnau, were locked.

She succumbed to her injury, on Friday morning.

Achiwib is located close to the Brazilian border, south west of Aishalton.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Pope, Buttler...

CONTINUED FROM BACKPAGE

in Rahkeem Cornwall for Alzarri Joseph, the tourists were relieved when Gabriel returned to the field after the first drinks break after a stretch to alleviate “some general tightness”.

It was West Indies’ other spinner, Roston Chase, who struck from the field to remove Root. As Burns steered Cornwall towards third man, Root set off for a quick single but Chase swooped on the ball and fired it into the keeper’s end, removing the bail with a direct hit that caught Root short of his crease.

Stokes, who admitted on the morning of the match to having felt better after injuring his quad muscle while bowling late on the final day of the second Test, in which he played a starring role with bat and ball, was thrust into the action perhaps before he would have liked with Root’s dismissal. He reached 20 before Roach struck again with a gem of a delivery that beat Stokes’ forward defence and crashed into middle and off stump.

Burns had been ticking along nicely before he fell thanks to the sharpest of slip catches by Cornwall, thrusting his hand out to snatch a top edge from an attempted cut off the bowling of Chase to leave England 122 for 4.

While Burns had shared in promising partnerships with Root, Stokes and Pope, England had to wait until Pope and Buttler came together for their first 50plus union of the match, and their unbroken stand of 136 was just what England needed.

Pope survived an appeal for lbw to Gabriel, which was adjudged not out before West Indies’ review. HawkEye showed the ball, which

hit Pope just above the knee roll, was clipping the bails and the decision stayed with the on-field umpire’s call.

Pope responded with a four off Gabriel two balls later to move to 47 and brought up his fifty with a boundary off Jason Holder in the next over.

Another West Indies review went Pope’s way when Cornwall, making his first appearance in this series, struck him on the pad and shouted heartily in appeal but replays showed the ball was turning too much and missing leg stump.

From there Pope and Buttler scored reasonably freely, Buttler bringing up his fifty with two runs punched through the covers off Chase.

Buttler, who sacrificed his wicket chasing much-needed quick runs for his side during England’s second innings in the previous Test, mixed control with his trademark free hitting, his innings including five fours and two sixes.

West Indies took the second new ball in the 83rd over but the batsmen, both now set, navigated the remaining 3.4 overs before bad light stopped play.

The opening day of the Test was designated #RedForRuth Day, and helped raise in excess of £280 000 for the Ruth Strauss Foundation, a charity set up in honour of former England captain Andrew Strauss’ wife, who died in 2018 from a rare form of lung cancer.

The charity aims to fund research into the disease and provide support for families facing the loss of a parent. Players and staff from both sides wore red caps before play commenced to mark the occasion.

CRICKET QUIZ CORNER

(SATURDAY JULY 25, 2020) COMPLIMENTS OF XTRA ENERGY DRINK - STABROEK BAZAAR (Tel: 683-9500) &CUMMINGS ELECTRICAL COMPANY LTD-83 Garnett Street, Campbellville, Georgetown (Tel: 225-6158) Answers to yesterday’s quiz (1) 269 dismissals (250 catches/19 stumpings) (2) Andy Sandham-325 (ENG vs WI, Jamaica,

1930)

Today’s Quiz: (1) Who took the Man of the Match Award in the

first Test of the current WI/ENG series?

(2)Which WI player was known as ‘Corentyne Thunder’? Which one was known as ‘Super Cat’?

Answers in tomorrow’s issue

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Henderson wins Football Writers’ Association Men’s award (BBC) - Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has won the Football Writers’ Association Men’s Footballer-of-the-Year award.

The 30-year-old midfielder, who led Liverpool to their first league title in 30 years this season, received more than a quarter of the votes.

“As grateful as I am I don’t feel like I can accept this on my own,” he said.

“I owe a lot to so many people but none more so than my current team-mates, who have been incredible and deserve this every bit as much as I do.”

Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk and Sa-

dio Mane, Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne and Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford also finished in the top five.

On Wednesday Henderson, who is recovering from a knee injury, received the Premier League trophy from Reds legend Sir Kenny Dalglish at a near-empty Anfield.

Henderson added: “I accept (the award) on behalf of this whole squad, because without them I’m not in a position to be receiving this honour. These lads have made me a better player - a better leader and a better person.

Sir Kenny Dalglish presented Jordan Henderson with the Premier League trophy on Wednesday.

Klopp says no arrogance in clinching PL title

line I didn’t like from their bench, not Jurgen Klopp, people behind the bench, which I felt crossed the line, and that’s what got me agitated.”

Chelsea’s English head coach Frank Lampard (L) greets Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (R) at the end of the English Premier League football match at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on July 22, 2020. (Photo by PHIL NOBLE/POOL/AFP) (BBC) Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp While Lampard apologised for his says his staff were not arrogant in language, he does not regret the passion their 5-3 win over Chelsea and that he showed and wanted to make clear he Frank Lampard has to learn to “close had no issue with how Liverpool celethe book” on touchline arguments. brated as they were handed the Premier A heated exchange took place League trophy. between Chelsea boss Lampard and Lampard added: “I’ve seen the the home bench when the Reds won video. These things get replayed on a free-kick from which Trent Alexan- social media a lot, I’ve got two young der-Arnold scored. daughters who are on social media, so “We are not arrogant. We are I regret that. pretty much the opposite. You cannot “In terms of regretting having throw that at our bench,” Klopp said. passion to defend my team, no. I could Lampard said he “regrets” his have handled it maybe slightly differlanguage. ently, to keep that language in.

Klopp, whose side cantered to the “I need to be clear about this: some Premier League title this term, says of the reporting said that I was upset he respects the Chelsea manager’s with the celebrating of the Liverpool competitiveness but was unhappy that team. Far from it, I think Liverpool Lampard chose to continue his com- should celebrate as much as they want plaints after the match. with the season they’ve had.

“Frank was in really competitive “They can celebrate like they did mood, I respect that a lot. For me, after after the game, after every goal they the game, it’s completely over,” he said. scored, and they will celebrate one “What he has to learn is to finish more time with their fans when they it with the last whistle and he didn’t can. I would have had a beer with do that. Speaking after the whistle is Klopp after the game. not okay.”

“But there were things on the

“If anything I hope those who voted for me did so partly to recognise the entire team’s contribution.”

Henderson had also lifted the FIFA Club World Cup trophy for the first time in December.

Off the pitch, Henderson has helped raise money

for the NHS as part of the #PlayersTogether initiative.

Arsenal and Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema was named the Football Writers’ Association Women’s Footballer-of-the-Year earlier this month.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

I’ve learnt from my mistakes - Shakib

(ESPNCRICINFO) - Shakib Al Hasan has admitted to having “made mistakes” that led to his ongoing ban from international cricket. In an interview on ESPNcricinfo’s Cricketbaazi series, hosted by Deep Dasgupta, Shakib said he wanted to serve as a cautionary tale for other players.

Last October, Shakib accepted three charges of breaching the ICC anti-corruption code, for failing to report corrupt approaches in two tournaments in 2018: an ODI tri-series in January and an IPL match when he turned out for Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will be free to return to international cricket from October 29.

“You have to be honest,” Shakib said. “You just can’t lie to the people and pretend different things. Whatever happened has happened. People are bound to make mistakes. You are not

100%.

The important thing is how well you can come back from those mistakes. You can tell other people not to make those mistakes. Tell them the path so that they never take those paths.

“It could have happened to someone else and I would have learned from him, but it happened to me so other people can learn from me. I wanted to be honest from the first day. I didn’t hide anything from the guys when they were asking me questions. I will say the straightforward things. I made mistakes.

It shouldn’t happen for a player like me. I apologised for it, and I want to move forward, I want everyone to learn from it and never make these mistakes.”

Shakib said he has seen many controversies ever since he was first made captain in 2009.

He had trouble with the board chief, selectors and the media,

Shakib Al Hasan addresses the media, Dhaka, October 29, 2019. (BCB) mainly about selectoral decisions and not being made permanent captain between 2009 and 2010.

He believes those experiences have changed him as a person over time.

“I think (it’s) a combination of both (controversy following him, and vice-versa). I got the responsibility so early in my

career, I was bound to make mistakes. I was captain when I was 21. I made a lot of mistakes, and there are so many things that people think about me. Now I realise that it was my fault in some areas, and in some I was misunderstood. But I get it completely. It is part and parcel in the subcontinent.

“Of course I will try to minimise (my mistakes) as much as I can, but by the time I got married, and now I have two kids, I understand the game and life better. It has made me a calmer person than I was in my twenties.

I have changed quite a lot. People won’t see me doing a lot of mistakes now. My two daughters changed my life completely.”

Shakib also spoke about his experience in the Bangladesh dressing room as captain, during a period when he had to lead other seniors like Mohammad Ashraful and Mashrafe Mortaza.

Mashrafe and Shakib exchanged captaincy stints during a difficult phase for Bangladesh cricket over 18 months leading up to the 2011 World Cup. Mortaza suffered from a few injuries between 2009 and 2010, which meant a young Shakib found himself taking charge in the middle of matches or series.

BCB never named anyone captain for more than a series at a time, leaving Shakib fuming with several decisions.

Even after he was named captain in 2011, he lasted only seven months after an indifferent World Cup campaign and series losses to Zimbabwe.

“I never had to face difficulties due to senior players,” Shakib said. “It was never a problem. We were a team struggling to win consistently, so our focus was to improve our game.

Off the field, there were always issues. If you say something in the media, it diverted into another direction. I feel that I needed those things in that time, and it helped me to bring me where I am now.”

Shakib will most likely return to international cricket during Bangladesh’s proposed Test series against Sri Lanka in October.

England release five players from bio-security (ESPNCRICINFO) - England have released five players from the bio-secure bubble at Emirates Old Trafford. Joe Denly will move over to the white-ball training group down at the Ageas Bowl ahead of the Ireland series, while Dan Lawrence, Craig Overton, Ollie Robinson and Olly Stone have returned to their counties.

England’s three-Test series against West Indies had featured an enlarged squad, with a number of players retained as reserves in the event of COVID-19 substitutions being required. Six back-ups remain at Emirates Old Trafford after England named their XI for the

third Test: James Bracey, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ben Foakes, Jack Leach and Mark Wood.

Denly, who played the first Test of the series before being dropped following the return of Joe Root from paternity leave, will join the white-ball group on Monday, with the first of three ODIs against Ireland taking place on Thursday, Stone, who had suffered a hamstring injury during the intra-squad match prior to the series, was already back in action with Warwickshire on Friday, picking up a couple of wickets after lunch on day one of a two-day friendly against

Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston.

Should any of those released from the group be called up again for the Tests against Pakistan, they will have to undergo a five-day isolation and return two negative COVID-19 tests before rejoining the bio-secure environment.

Although there is only a one-week gap between the end of the third West Indies Test and the start of the Pakistan series, England’s Test group are expected to be granted some time out of the bubble, subject to various conditions, in order to visit their families.

Joe Denly arrives at training. (Getty Images)

PL, EFL seasons set for September start (BBC) - The 2020-21 Premier League and English Football League seasons will start on September 12.

In the top flight, the campaign will end on May 23, while the Championship, League One and League Two seasons will culminate on May 8 and 9.

Next season’s play-off finals will take place on the final weekend in May. The current Premier League season will end on Sunday after it was suspended for three months because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The regular Championship season concluded on Wednesday, with the playoffs finishing on August 4.

Liverpool were crowned 2019-20 Premier League champions.

Most League One and League Two teams have not

played since March.

The Premier League

said it would “continue to consult” with the Football

Association and EFL “regarding the scheduling of

all domestic competitions”.

However, the start date for teams still playing in European competitions is still under discussion.

It remains possible they will be given a delayed start, given they could be playing well into August.

Last-16 ties in the Europa League - featuring Manchester United and Wolves - resume on August 5, with the final scheduled to take place on August 21.

Remaining Champions League last-16 ties resume August 7, with Manchester City and Chelsea still in the competition.

The final will take place on August 23.

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GUYANA CHRONICLE Saturday, July 25, 2020

Savory hungrier than ever after reflecting on last season … Jags keeper says family time, training kept him focussed during lockdown

By Clifton Ross Young Guyana Jaguars wicket-keeper/batsman Kemol Savory is eager to get back onto the cricket field following a lengthy time off, admitting that he’s more focussed after reflecting on his debut season.

One of Guyana’s future Jags players and the only genuine wicketkeeper next to Anthony Bramble, admitted the last 5 months away from cricket had given him a refreshed mind state and more courage to try and establish himself as a main player in either the Jags Super50 or 4-Day dynasty team.

The Jags backup keeper said while COVID-19 has robbed him from time training and playing; he was grateful for the opportunity granted to spend with his wife and new baby.

“Well I actually got the time to spend with my family espe-

cially my son. I enjoyed every moment and now can’t wait to get back onto the cricket field,” he said.

The left-hander made his national debut last season during the Regional Super50 after dominating the Jaguars Franchise league with runs and sublime glove-work. After making his match-winning 71 not out on debut, he endured a few rough games but returned home to put in more work than ever.

Giving insight into how difficult the past few months were with regard to keeping in shape and working on his glove-work, the left-hander told Chronicle Sport that there were a few obstacles; but none he couldn’t overcome.

“Yes it’s challenging, but you have to be mentally strong because your body is already accustomed to training outdoors.

I’m training with the Guyana

Guyana Jaguars wicketkeeper/batsman Kemol Savory is keeping himself in good shape ahead of the 2020-21 Regional season.

Jaguars on live Zoom and also doing some training behind the scenes”.said the Essequibo franchise player.

Crediting his brother Carlos as well as other family members for helping to keep him in shape during difficult times, Savory continued, “I also have some good friends like Samuel Anderson and my brother-in-law Hassan, who actually is my net bowler in my yard; so I’m constantly doing some wicket-keeping work home.”

With restrictions slowly lifting and live action starting to resume globally, the local cricket scene has earmarked September as the projected time to have some normalcy and the Jags player said he was keen on being in peak condition mentally and body-wise when that time arrives.

“My plan is to just stay fit,

keep working hard and improve in my glove-work. I also want to get back to making runs whenever the lovely game of cricket resumes. Because of my training and the work I have been putting in over the past couple of months, hopefully I shall get some good performances and maybe a recall to the Super50 or even a first-class call-up,” he said.

Wrapping up his comments regarding time spent during lockdown as well as future plans, the 23-year-old said the key thing was to use the time off to reflect and review his last season.

“It’s important as a player that I get to look back at some games I played. Looking at the last Super50 I played in made me want to work even harder to be a better wicketkeeper, batsman and player going forward in my career,”. Savory ended.

US, Mexico, Brazilian GPs called off (BBC) - Formula 1 has called off the US, Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix this year as a result of the coronavirus crisis in the Americas.

With infection rates rising in the three countries, F1 bosses believe it would be irresponsible to hold races there.

Instead, three further races in Europe are to be added to the calendar.

These will see a return for Germany’s Nurburgring and Imola in Italy, and an F1 debut for Portugal’s Portimao track.

The US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, had been due to be held on October 23, with the Mexican race in Mexico City a week later and Brazil on November 13.

But F1 officials have accepted that it will be impossible to hold the races.

Any hopes of reviving the Canadian race, original-

ly scheduled for June and postponed in April, have also been abandoned.

The coronavirus has a much lower prevalence in Canada, but the country has local restrictions and travel rules that make it impossible to hold a race.

An F1 statement said: “Due to the fluid nature of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, local restrictions and the importance of keeping communities and our colleagues safe, it will not be possible to race in Brazil, USA, Mexico and Canada this season.”

The grand prix at the Nurburgring, which last hosted a race in 2013, will be held on October 11, when it will be vulnerable to bad weather.

The date is the latest in the year a grand prix has ever been held on the historic track in the Eifel Mountains, where snow has been known to fall even in

the summer, and certainly cannot be ruled out in October.

Portimao, on the Algarve, will follow on October 25, with Imola on November 1. Imola will be a two-day event, meaning there will be no Friday practice.

Imola has long, historic connections with F1. It replaced Monza as the home of the Italian Grand Prix in 1980 and had a permanent home on the calendar as the San Marino Grand Prix from 1981 to 2006.

It is also notorious as the track on which Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger were killed on consecutive days in 1994.

Portimao is to be one of the first races to allow spectators this year - following the decision of the organisers of the Russian Grand Prix on September 23-25 to sell tickets to the event in Sochi on the Black

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2019.

Sea coast.

F1 still does not have a full calendar, but says it remains hopeful of being able to have “between 15 and 18 races this year and end in the Gulf in mid-December”.

The additional three races at the Nurburgring, Portimao and Imola will

take the calendar to 13, and the season is expected to conclude with two races in Bahrain and one in Abu Dhabi in November and December.

And F1 is working on one or two races in Asia in early to mid-November.

The new street circuit

in the Vietnamese capital Hanoi, which had been due to make its debut as an F1 venue in April, is expected to hold a race, and there is a possibility of a return to Malaysia’s Sepang track, which held a grand prix from 1999 to 2017.

Pope, Buttler

stand strong after early Windies inroads (ESPNCRICINFO) - A steadying innings from Ollie Pope rescued England in the face of some threatening West Indies bowling early on the opening day of the series-deciding Test at Emirates Old Trafford.

At the close of play, and with rain expected to feature heavily today, Pope was unbeaten just nine runs shy of his century with England 258 for 4 after they had been 47 for 2 before lunch and 92 for 3 after the break.

Rory Burns contributed 57 but, with England effectively a batsman down after leaving out Zak Crawley to accommodate an extra seamer in the likely event that Ben Stokes was unable to bowl, the hosts ideally needed someone to convert a start, especially after a shaky beginning to their innings.

Kemar Roach did the most damage, claiming 2 for 56

Ollie Pope acknowledges his half-century. (Getty Images)

Ben Stokes is bowled by Kemar Roach. (AFP)

including the important wicket of Stokes, as he moved within one wicket of becoming the ninth West Indies bowler to reach the 200-mark in Tests.

Jos Buttler helped England’s cause and his own, having come into this match under pressure after a year in which he has averaged 21.26 from 12 Tests and scores of 35, 9, 40 and 0 for this series. On this occasion, he managed 56 off 120 deliveries, his first half-century in a Test since September 2019 some 15 innings ago.

Pope had been quiet in the previous two matches also, with a high score of 12*, but he went into his 10th Test with an unbeaten century and a fifty under his belt this year, against South Africa, and a career average of 39.41.

His innings was assured, coming off 142 balls and including

11 fours. He came in with his side three wickets down, with England’s batsmen having all moved up a place after Crawley’s omission, leaving Joe Root back at No.3 rather than his preferred berth at No.4.

Dom Sibley, whose marathon 120 helped set up England’s 113-run victory in the second Test, was out for nought on the sixth ball of the match, lbw to an excellent Roach delivery that angled into the stumps off a length and straightened slightly.

A wave of concern surely rippled through West Indies’ ranks when Shannon Gabriel pulled up two balls into his fourth over, the eighth of the day, with an apparent leg problem. Having won the toss and elected to bowl with two spinners, bringing

SEE PAGE 20

Brathwaite keen on Windies pulling … says morning session things back on 2nd day crucial for tourists

By Clifton Ross

off-spinner for stemming the flow of runs.

WEST Indies opener Kraigg “I thought it was good for him, Brathwaite says getting early (Cornwall) the pitch was spinning wickets in the first session is the and I think he controlled the runs. key to securing the driver’s seat He didn’t get any wickets but I heading into day 2 of the third and thought he did well.” final Test at Old Trafford.

Although Pope and Buttler’s England piled on the runs after century partnership helped dig Enbeing reduced to 92-3 at one point. gland out their hole, the right-hander Opener Rory Burns (57), Olli Pope was adamant that a disciplined ap(91*) and Jos Buttler (56), were the proach today will help the Windies primary run-getters. pull things back.

Speaking to the media via Zoom “We don’t have to rush; we just conference post-match conference, have to build pressure once we limit at the end of play on the first day, boundary balls. Once we could keep the opener believed that day 2 will it tight in the morning session, I be an important day for the tourists. think that pressure will bring wick“I thought we started well but ets,” he believed. they had a good partnership between In all when day 2 resumes, Buttler and Pope who batted really Windies will need to break the well. So in the end we have a lot of partnership and take a few wickets. hard work to do tomorrow. We had Brathwaite was firm on the Cariba plan to bowl first, it was a pretty bean side keeping their cool and even day but we have to start back maintaining composure throughout well and limit them” to the least pos- the day. sible runs”, Braithwaite pointed out.

“We started well. Tomorrow, West Indies brought in spin- early wickets will be crucial but if ning all-rounder Rakeem Cornwall, we don’t get early we have to stay who bowled 21 overs for 71 runs in it. We also have to be very diswithout capturing a wicket. De- ciplined when we start out in the spite going wicket-less in the first first session today,” Brathwaite day, Braithwaite hailed the burly ended.

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SEE PAGE 23 SATURDAY,JULY 25, 2020