Angry citizens burn hotel, buildings, cars, trucks
Family calls for independent probe President orders special investigation team Govt. hires Barbadian forensic pathologist Police admit releasing
false report about abduction
Family members of the now-dead 11-year-old
Adrianna Younge are demanding a thorough probe b y i n t e r n a t i o n a l investigators, following her mysteriousdeath.
The family has called for an international probe into
t h e c i r c u m s t a n c e s surroundingthedeathoflittle Adrianna Younge and for an independentpathologisttobe hired. In a public interview, the child's aunt, Ameka Lewis, said, “We are demanding an international autopsy for my niece.We do not know the local pathologist that they have because all of them are affiliatedwiththePPP.”
Meanwhile, the family's Attorney, Darren Wade, during the interview argued that the Regional Security S y s t e m ( R S S ) i s “incompetent” given the recent investigation into the death of the Henry boys. He said, “I noticed some pathologist is coming from Barbados.Theyconsiderhim an international person (but) we want the FBI. We don't trust anybody from the Caribbean Community, anybody that comes from Barbadosanywhere;wewant international persons We want the FBI to be involved here, not anybody from the CaribbeanCommunity.”
Mourning family
members of the dead girl have called on the Guyana PoliceForce(GPF)torelease the video footage they claim topossess,allegedlyshowing the child leaving the hotel. It should be noted that the police subsequently indicated that the statement wasinaccurate.
Family members are also calling for the police to publiclydisclosethestandard operatingprocedures(SOPs) that were followed after the incident was reported. They have rejected the proposal made by President IrfaanAli tohavetheCommissionerof Police assemble a special teamtoleadtheinvestigation intothedeathofthe11-yearoldgirl.
Thebodyofthechildwas found floating in the pool of theDoubleDayInternational HotelandBar,Tuschen,East Bank Essequibo, on Thursday morning, after she was reported missing around 14:00hrs on Tuesday The lifeless body of Younge was pulledoutofthewaterbyher father,SubrianYounge,amid heatedprotestaction.
Attorney-at-law Darren Wade met with family members of the child, including her parents and aunt, Ameka Lewis, on Thursday Inastatement,the lawyerexplainedthathewas approached by the child's (Continuedonpage6)
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Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
The difference between ExxonMobil and Guyana is wide when oil prices are part of the conversation. ExxonMobil’s Chief Executive Officer, Darren Woods, couldspeakboldlyandjoyfully,“Thepastyearprovidedthe best look yet at the power of our transformed Company…our earnings were the third highest in the past decade, even as oil prices softened and chemical margins remained at bottom-of-cycle conditions.” He said that “even as oil prices softened”, the company still outperformeditscompetitors,andbyacomfortablemargin. Woodshaseveryreasontofeelgoodabouthowhiscompany isdoing,andwhereitisheading.
Mention that oil prices look like they are going to go down, Guyana braces itself for prolonged stress. It is another confirmation of the one-sided nature of the oil partnership that exists between ExxonMobil and Guyana. Inapartnershipthatisaboutequalsonpaper,onebenefitsto suchanextentthatpressuresonoilpricesareshruggedoffas ifnegligible,whiletheotherisfilledwithanxiousnessover the potential tightening that gathers around its economy ExxonMobilhasthedeepcushionsthatallowittonavigate wisely and comfortably oil price slumps. What it has delivered for its shareholders in 2024, it believes that it is well-positionedtodoagain,orclosetoit,inthefuture. High profit levels and rich dividend payouts, which many are of the view gain their strength from Guyana’s high-quality, cheap oil. There is also that monster that haunts Guyana, which is the 2016 Production Sharing Agreement (PSA). ThesharingelementinthatincrediblylopsidedExxonMobil PSA is largely captured by one side only, the offshore oil consortium.
The leading spokespeople of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods and Alistair Routledge, would have the world believe that the 2016 PSA was built on fairness and is executed on a platform of fairness. In the present environment of fairness marketed so smoothly by ExxonMobil’sprincipalspeakers,thereisthecontradiction ofonesidetothehalfandhalfpartnershipboastingof“the powerofourtransformedcompany”whileGuyana’sleaders arecautioningcitizensthatsomebelt-tighteningcouldbein store. ExxonMobilistalking,morelikeboasting,ofwhere it stands, despite shifts in oil prices. At the same time, Guyanaisalreadytensingfromwhatlooksallbutimminent. Falling oil prices change all the calculations, influence the contributions to Guyana’s coffers. The imposition of draconian tariffs in a seemingly haphazard manner has reintroducedmoreoftheseesawinoilpricesthattheworld knows all too well, and dreads. ExxonMobil has been throughsuchpricestormsbefore,soitknowshowtobatten downitshatches,andmanagetheheavingtides. Guyana,on theotherhand,isrelativelynewtotheoilbusiness,andhas benefited in its small way (PSA cheapness) from an oil market of mostly healthy prices. Oil price gyrations and extendeddeclinesarestilltobeexperiencedbythiscountry, whichhasleftitnotaspreparedasitshouldbe. Oilprices take a deep dive, and remain at lower levels for a lengthy period,couldsignifyintensifyingwoesforGuyana. Stock marketsaroundthewordaretakingabeating,companiesare losingvalueandprofitsaresuretobecrimped. Reciprocal tariffs could dampen demand for various products, which leadstolayoffs,whichreducesoverallspending. Allofthis influencesdemandforoil,itsprices,andwhereitgoesfrom there.
Right here, poor policies, profligate borrowing and spending, and the Government of Guyana refusal to move on the 2016 PSA for improvements to its terms and conditions leave this new arrival to the oil-producing club perched precariously Government leaders have changed their happy tunes, and urge Guyanese to brace themselves
DEAREDITOR,
Reference is made to a letter, “The possible jeopardies of association with anAzruddin Mohamed campaign” (SN Apr 24) by NikhilSankar.Themissiveis very biased. Mr Sankar has beenaknownPPPsupporter; he penned several positive piecesaboutthegovernment and scathing attacks on the opposition.Withhisinherent bias, everything he writes againstthosechallengingthe PPP in the 2025 elections
should not be taken seriously
Sankar says that as a citizen, Mohamed can run for office. But if Azruddin runs, Sankar states, those associated with him will be sanctioned. It is nonsense, hogwash America can’t sanction a citizen of another country for seeking elective
office, and USA never did. AndUSAwillneversanction a citizen for engaging in elective office;America is a democratic country that encourages people to becomepoliticallyinvolved.
The tone of the letter is clearly anti-Azruddin He engages in scare tactics, a playbookofthePPP Clearly, Sankar does not want the gentleman to run for office. Azruddin is very popular everywhere.
Were Azruddin to run, Sankar recognizes that the PPPwillnotwinthegeneral elections. And therefore, he pens an article discouraging the gentleman from running and worse from getting peopletosupporthim.
The assertion he made about possible fallouts of an Azruddin candidacy are far from reality He asserts that
anyone who supports or associates with Azruddin will face sanction. That is a foolish conclusion. Let us saythatMohamediselected as President, does that mean all his appointees and the entire country would be sanctioned for electing (associatingwith)him.Orif he were he to be elected to parliament, then will the Speaker and other MPs be sanctioned based on their association with him in parliament?
TheMohamedswerenot accorded due process rights. Irfaan/Jagdeo government onitsownhasdecidednotto engage the Mohameds in business. If Guyanese were doingfinancialbusinesswith the Mohameds, one can be sanctioned.
If one signs his candidacy form or his party form, or campaign for him, orrunwithhimforoffice,or vote for him, or engages in any other non-financial matters, one does not face anysanction.
If one were doing businessonbehalfof
Sanctionsdon’tworkthe way Sankar asserts The sanctionsontheMohamed’s are specific and apply to them only The sanction states that other Americans doing business with them will face consequences Sources in Washington told me that the sanctions don’t applytootherGuyanese.The governmentofGuyanaisnot precluded from doing businesswiththeMohamed. The American government never instructed Guyana government to punish the Mohameds.
Continued on page 5
DEAR
EDITOR,
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) has seen evidence of the existence of a fake link (https://tinyurl com/gecomgy-recruitment) purporting to be a GECOM online employment recruitment portal for the upcoming General and Regional Elections.Consequently,the Commission distances itself from this fake recruitment portal, and takes the opportunity to categorically state that it has not established any such recruitmentportal.
The general public is hereby notified to disregard this attempt by persons unknown keeping in mind thattheprovisionofpersonal information could have serious consequences for them.
The Commission is cognizant that this type of mischief including the p u b l i
d disinformation will emerge, especiallyduringanelection period The Commission therefore demands that persons desist from such acts, which can have
devastatingconsequenceson (i) participation in the democratic process, and (ii) causeconfusionandmistrust and (iii) undermine the credibility of the electoral processes.
Inviewoftheforegoing, citizens are urged to be extremely cautious and to verify the authenticity of informationbeingcirculated in relation to the operations and activities of the Guyana Elections Commission Specifically, the public is advised to always check the accuracy of the Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
before clicking on links. It must be noted that information being posted on the GECOM’s website will always include the authentic URL–www.gecom.org.gy Against this backdrop, persons are asked to contact GECOM on telephone numbers 225-0277-9, 2239650 or 223-9653 or via Facebook messenger atttps://wwwfacebookcom/ GuyanaElectionsCommissio ntoreportorclarifyanysuch concerns.
Regards, Guyana Elections Commission
DEAREDITOR,
There is no doubt that everyGuyaneseishappyand feel very grateful for the stance that the United States Government has recently taken in regard to Venezuela’s spurious claims onourborderanditsseveral actsofaggressionlately It is most welcome to have the US finally taking a firmposition.Itissignificant too when the history of this unjustclaimbyVenezuelais considered.
However, the US strong supportisnoreasonforusto criticise other countries that have not been as open with their support. More so a country like the People’s Republic of China (PRC) which has proven its friendship with Guyana for severaldecades.
Many of the landmark projects in our country were made possible by the understanding, friendship and favourable conditions that China has provided to Guyana. Therefore, the criticism recently on Mr Huang from the Chinese Embassy is really a great overreach When one considers the circumstance which his comments were made. Mr Huangwasgivingabriefon the results of the Third Plenary Session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) of China. That was the main purpose of his engagementwiththepress. The question to him had nothing to do with what Mr Huang was prepared for However, he attempted a neutralanswer,onewhichhe obviously thought was inoffensive to Guyana and Venezuela.
forchangingcircumstances. ExxonMobil’sleadersarestill bright with optimism, count every dollar, and fight for it. Here, there are the leaders in the PPP/C Government that refusetotakeastandandfightforGuyanese,socommitted they are to upholding what they themselves once vilified. Less money coming into the nation’s Oil Fund, debt servicing, and cost-of-living squeezing, all indicate that Guyaneseareinforroughertimes. ExxonMobilcouldboast, whileGuyanapreparestoroast.
T a k i n g i n t o consideration that his briefing had nothing to do
with the border issue, it was unfortunate that he was so harshly criticised. He was “ambushed”bythequestion. Historically China’s position to resolve similar issues is to use peaceful means. Therefore, our use of the InternationalCourtofJustice isinlinewiththeapproachof thePRC.
In conclusion, while we arereallythankfulfortheUS position, we must not make the US opponent ours. We shouldtrytobefriendlywith countries and to do our part in promoting peace in our world Specifically, we should pursue close friendship with both China andtheUS.
Regards, DonaldRamotar
FormerPresident
For every boy who feels powerful at home or in his neighbourhood,thereisanotherboywhofeelslost.Today,we come together in solidarity with a global movement led by FamilyforEveryChildthatseekstoprotectboysfromabuse and advocate for their safety, well-being, and rights. Blue UmbrellaDayismorethanacampaign—itisavitalreminder thatboystoo,arevulnerable,andthattheirexperiencesmust not be ignored or silenced. Abuse against boys remains underreportedandoftenmisunderstood.
Between2014and2024,ChildLinKprovidedservicesto an increasing number of boys under the age of 18 to all of whom experienced sexual abuse. Yet these cases represent onlyafractionofthereality,asmanyboysarestilltooafraidto speakout.
Toraiseawarenessandadvocateforchange,ChildLinKis proud to be member of the 2025 Blue Umbrella Day (BUD) Campaign. This global initiative which is led by the internationalalliance Family for Every Child,aimstoprotect boys from sexual violence. Over 25 members from the alliance have joined the campaign that recognizes the vulnerability of boys – we encourage you to join the movement. FamilyforEveryChildwithfifty-onemembers across all continents is aiming to send at least 100,000 signaturesto theUnitedNationsadvocatingforApril16to beanInternationalDayforthePreventionofSexualViolence AgainstBoys.
We are deeply honoured to share that the Honourable Prime Minister of Guyana has officially signed the BUD petition, sending a powerful message: protecting boys from sexual violence is a national priority His support reinforces thatsilencemustnolongerbeanoption.
SincejoiningtheBUDcampaignin2021,ChildLinKhas carriedoutaseriesofimpactfulactivitiesacrossGuyanafrom launching the Caring for Boys report to hosting school and community sessions, sports events, and creative arts workshops. All the activities were focused on challenging stigma, promoting healthy norms, and giving boys a voice. Recently,weco-hostedapowerfulseminar/webinarwiththe Civil Society National Reference Group (CSNRG) at UN Guyana, emphasizing the urgent need for attention to this issue. Over the next six months, we will partner with other localgroups,schoolsandcommunitiestogivemoreboysthe opportunitytojointhiscampaign.ThisyearBUD campaign marks a major step forward in advocating for this global concern mobilizing male allies to speak out and support this cause.
We call on parents, teachers, policymakers, and all citizenstohelpprotectourboys.Teachchildrenaboutconsent and boundaries. Recognise the signs of abuse. Create safe, judgment-free spaces for disclosure. And most importantly, listen.WeinviteallGuyanesetojoinusbysigningthepetition tosupportthisglobalcallforchange.Letusstandinsolidarity to say: our boys matter. Their safety and healing matter. Together, we can break the silence and ensure that every child—regardless of gender—is protected, supported, and empowered to thrive. Sign the petition: https://familyforeverychild.org/bud-signature-campaign.
Sincerely, ChildLinKInc.
DEAREDITOR,
I write to express my deepest sorrow and sympathy to the Catholic community in Guyana for the passing of Pope Francis, HeadoftheCatholicChurch. In so doing, it may prove useful to share with readers, abriefcontemporaryhistory of Guyana’s relationship with the Holy See and the Vatican.
NotlongafterDr Cheddi Jagan assumed the office of President of Guyana, I suggested to him that we explore possibilities of establishing diplomatic relations with the Holy See and the Vatican in Rome, Italy
He agreed I further suggestedtoPresidentJagan
t h a t w h e n e v e r a representative of the Holy See arrives in Guyana and pays a courtesy call on him, he should take the opportunity to broach the subjectwithhim.Heagreed. So,theApostolicNuncio representing the Holy See based in Trinidad and Tobagoeventuallyarrivedin Guyana in 1996 and paid a courtesy call on President Jagan. I was present at that meeting in my capacity as ForeignMinister Within the time available, the two men sat and discussed a range of issues including problems associated poverty, human rights, the foreign debt and debtrelief,whichatthattime was a major international issue championed in by leadersfromtheglobalsouth but particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean by Fidel Castro and the then Peruvian President Alan
GarciaPerez.
When President Jagan explained to the visitor the difficulties he was encountering with the international financial institutions in respect to his demandsfordebtreliefsuch as debt write-offs or reschedulingtohelpGuyana as one of the most heavily indebted countries, the visitor remarked that the foreigndebtwasnotanactof God but an act by man and shouldberesolvedbyman.
The Holy See’s representative nevertheless, took note of President Jagan’sinterestinthematter and offered to transmit his concerns to his principals in Rome. And when President Jagan suggested the establishment of diplomatic relations between Guyana and the Holy See his suggestion was warmly welcomedbythevisitor Ias Foreign Minister was instructed to initiate the process About one year after, on June 9, 1997, Guyana established diplomaticrelationswiththe HolySee.
During the same meeting, President Jagan informed the visitor that he will be traveling to Rome in November of the same year to participate in the UN sponsored World Food Summit.
Thesuggestedwasmade thatalthoughGuyanaandthe Holy See did not have diplomatic relations, nevertheless, it would be usefulforPresidentJaganto pay a courtesy call on Pope John Paul while in Rome. It wasagreedthattheMinistry ofForeignAffairsofGuyana
Frompage4
GuyanawiththeMohameds,sanctionsdon’tapplytothem.
The sanctions apply to financial matters involving the Mohamed’s.Thereisnosanctionforbeingaparticipantina political arena Any funding a person receives as compensation for political work will not lead to sanctions. Guyanesewillnotbesanctionedforpoliticalties.Workingas pollingagentsisnotthesameasworkingfortheMohameds. They are working for a political party or the government (GECOM).Thereisnoguiltbyassociation.
Yourstruly, DannyRamnarain
would collaborate with the Holy See’s diplomatic mission, or Apostolic Nunciature, based in Trinidad, the equivalent of a full-fledged diplomatic mission to bring re this agreementtofruition.
While we were at the World Food Summit, I was advised that a date and time was set for the courtesy call onJohnPaultotakeplaceat theVatican.
Ontheappointeddayand timePresidentJagan,meand Fazal Ali of the Rice Producers’ Association visited with the Pope who warmlywelcomedus.
The Pope and the President discussed the outcome of the Summit and its likely impact on governments and NGOs around the world Challenges arising from global poverty, hunger and human suffering were also discussed. President Jagan raised his concerns with respect to the foreign debt and his appeals for debt relief.HebriefedthePopeon his call for a New Global HumanOrder
The Pope indicated his support. For his part, the Pope informed the President that, earlier, he made a call fordebtreliefdescribingitas “an investment not only in the development of poor countries but also in the security of rich nations.” addingthat;“debtreliefmust be heeded on moral and ethicalgrounds.”
Iwashappytoseethathis successor, Pope Francis continued in a similar philosoph
throughout his years at the Vatican so much so he became known as the’
People’s Pope’ because he reached out to the poor and d i s p o s s e s s e d , t h e marginalizedandoppressed.
Pope Francis was once quoted as saying; “What is builtonthebasisofforceand not on the truth about the equaldignityofeveryhuman being, begins badly and will end badly.” As the spiritual leader of an estimated 1.3 billion Catholics around the world including Guyana, Francis pushed back against world leaders who demonized migrants, the poor and the marginalized for political gain. Pope Francisrepeatedlywarnedof a return of authoritarianism, and nationalism’s tendency to reintroduce history’s horrorsinreferencetotheera offascism.
He looked out for, and spoke up, for the world’s long-suffering people, including the Palestinian people in Gaza and the OccupiedTerritories. His was the voice of thosewhohavenovoice.He cared for migrants, safeguardedthehealthofthe planet and protected human rights
He was the Pope of the poor, of the migrants, of the incarcerated ” Millions around the world mourn Francis’death,believingthat withhispassing,ahugevoid has been created. Let’s hope that his successor will continue to uphold and spreadhislegacy
Yoursfaithfully, ClementJ.Rohee
A47-year-oldvendorwasfined$20,000 on Thursday when she appeared at the Vigilance Magistrates’ Court to answer a carelessdrivingcharge.
PatriceFranklinofMahaica,EastCoast Demerara (ECD) appeared before Senior Magistrate Sunil Scarce, who read the charge,whichallegedthatonApril23,2025, atNonPariel,ECD,shedroveamotorcarin acarelessmanner
Franklin pleaded guilty and told the court that she had an emergency at the hospitalandwaslate,whichpromptedherto driveinacarelessmanner
Theprosecutiontoldthecourtthatonthe day in question, Franklin was driving a motorcar, bearing registration number PTT 2166,westalongtheNonParielpublicroad,
while a truck was proceeding in the said directioninfrontofthedefendant.
Franklin reportedly pulled north and overtook the truck on the solid double yellow lines, causing vehicles proceeding east in another driving lane to pull further northtoavoidacollision.
She was subsequently pulled over by Corporal Smith, who informed her of the offence committed. She was then arrested andlatercharged.Franklintoldthecourtthat she had been driving for 19 years and this washerfirstinfraction.
“Iamsorry,anditwon’thappenagain.I neverhadnodifficultieswithpolicebefore,” thewomansaid.
MagistrateScarceconsideredFranklin’s pleaandfinedher
- says promises by President Ali of thorough probe is weak and unconvincing
The Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA)hasblamedtheGuyanaPoliceForce for the escalation of violence in society, referencing the recent deaths in Linden and the uproar in West Coast Demerara on Thursday over the death of an 11-year-old girl, Adrianna Younge, at the Double Day Hotel.
The association said while the circumstances of the child’s death are as yet unknown,“herbodywasfoundwithmarksof violence and its discovery only occurred at around10.00amdespitethepoolhavingbeen searchedseveraltimessinceshedisappeared inmid-afternoonyesterday(Wednesday).”
TheGHRAsaiditisconcernedabouthow the Guyana Police Force (GPF) once again alienated an angry crowd of villagers by attemptingtoallayfearsbyspreading,asyet unsubstantiated, reports of having identified the child in CCTVfootagein a villagesome distance from the hotel. “No one has yet corroboratedthisstory,whichcontradictsthe version of the girl’s grandmother who had earliercheckedCCTVfootageassoonasshe
realisedthechildwasmissing.”
The association said that while burning downthehotelwouldnormallybeseenasthe work of extremists and provoke a negative response from the average citizen, the startlingcross-sectionofmoresobercitizens expressingagreementwiththisactionshould beacauseforalarmbothintheGPFitselfand among ruling politicians “The Guyana Police Force (GPF) is a civic, not a military body To this extent, it is accountable to the Government, not to the State At Independence time, this principle legally replaced accountability to the State, which hadcharacterizedtheGPF’spredecessor,the PoliceMilitia,whoseofficialpurposewasto quell disorder However, successive GovernmentshavetreatedthePoliceForceas ifitwereaMinistryofGovernment,through theMinisterofHomeAffairs’involvementin day-to-daymattersfarbeyondwhatoughtto beanoversightrole,”theGHRAsaid.
unconstitutionalappointmentofthecurrent
Continued on page 22
DEAREDITOR,
In this period of our history where digital governance should be the standard, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government has implemented (without a public official launch) a border management system so ill-conceived, it borders on a deliberate act of exclusion The newly i n t r o d u c e d N o v o System—implemented after the unceremonious scrapping of a Canadiandesigned border network adopted by the previous A P N U + A F C government—has not only demonstrated that it is technically deficient, but structurally discriminatory toward Guyanese citizens livingabroad.
WhenthePPP/Ccameto political power in 2020, for no intelligent reason, it scraped Canadian-designed border network used by the APNU+AFC administration and implemented the Novo system.,whichiscostingthe incumbent regime hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars. Now, as I write this column, the Novo system is neither available nor operable at Guyana’s overseas diplomatic missions. The consequences are both logistical and financial: Guyanese in the diaspora—many of whom remain deeply connected to their homeland are now forced to incur exorbitant travel costs just to renew a passport. For a government thatboastsaboutitsrecordin inclusionary democracy, the diaspora’s contributions in remittances,investment,and advocacy, this policy choice isnothingshortofbetrayal.It
is a dereliction of duty
shadowed by gross incompetence.
In practical terms, what should be a routine bureaucratic task—passport renewal has been transformedintoanodyssey
Citizens must navigate international travel, time off
work, and additional accommodation expenses,
all because of the government’s refusal or inability to design a system that respects the global distribution of its citizenry
The inaccessibility of the border system at embassies and consulates reflects a technocratic elitism and a disdain for participatory governance.
Again, the implications for electoral integrity are no less dire With passports playingacriticalroleinvoter verification, the systemic barriers to renewal can effectively disenfranchise large swaths of the diaspora electorate. In the context of Guyana’s fragile democratic norms and history of electoral disputes, this shouldalarmeverycitizen.A
border system that selectivelyrestrictsaccessto identification documents cannot be disentangled from broader concerns about democraticparticipationand fairness.
And then there is the matter of cost Despite
repeated calls for transparency, the PPP/C government has yet to disclose how many millions of Guyanese dollars were poured into this flawed system. The public deserves to know why a Canadianb a c k e d infrastructure reportedly stable and effective—was
scrapped in favour of a private-sector initiative shrouded in secrecy and riddled with dysfunction Wereduediligenceandcostbenefit analyses performed?
Or was the decision politically motivated, designedtoeraseanylegacy of theAPNU administration regardlessofitsmerits?
The cracks in the Novo s y s t e m a r e n o t hypothetical they are literal and recurring. At the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, where the system was supposed to be a flagship feature, technicians are routinely called upon to troubleshoot malfunctions That a high-tech border infrastructure requires constant human intervention at the nation’s primary port of entry is a glaring indictmentofitsfailure.Ina region increasingly co
transformation and seamless mobility,Guyanafindsitself stumblingbackward.
Itisclearthat,thePPP/C government’s management of the country’s border system reflects a broader pathology: a preference for political expediency over policy efficacy, opacity over t r a n s p a
c y, a n d centralisation over inclusivity Until the system is revamped to serve all Guyanese home and abroad it will remain a monument to administrative failure and an affront to nationalunity I have to say that, the diaspora is not an afterthought; it is an extension of the nation.Any systemthatexcludesitisnot merelyflawed—itisunjust.
Regards, RoysdaleFordeSC
GPAPresident, Nazima Raghubir
President of the
Guyana Press
Association (GPA), Nazima Raghubir, is part of the Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) for Trinidad and Tobago's parliamentary elections scheduledfornextMonday Raghubirisjoinedbysix other observers led by the Chairman of the COG and former Foreign Affairs Minister of Malta, Evarist Bartolo. Other members include Mr. Ian Michael Anthony, Former Chief
Elections Officer of Dominica, Mr Orrette Tyndale Fisher, Election Management Expert of Jamaica, Mr Aiman Rasheed, the Deputy Program Director, International Republican Institute of Maldives and Ms. Winnie Anna Kiap, the C h a i r f o r t h e Commonwealth Foundation ofPapuaNewGuinea.
TheCOG,inastatement on Thursday, said that the team will be deployed to locations across Trinidad and Tobago as the country p r e p a r e s f o r i t s parliamentary elections scheduledforApril28.
This election marks 100 years since the country cast itsfirstvotein1925.
Having prior knowledge in electoral management, law, human rights and media, the Commonwealth group will provide an assessment of the election's credibility, transparency, and inclusivity while assessing the electoral process as a whole, and the country's adherence to its own standards, international and Commonwealthvalues.
The COG has met numerous stakeholders, including political parties, independent candidates, the police, civil society groups,
the media, regional observersandthediplomatic corps,thestatementsaid.
The group has also set out the Commonwealth's Revised Guidelines for the election, which are to observeandevaluatethepreelection environment, pollingdayactivitiesandthe post-electionperiod.
“The group will be divided into small teams around different parts of the
country, where they will o
l preparations and meet with local stakeholders in their respective locations,” the COGsaid.
On Election Day, the COG will observe the opening, voting, closing, countin
management processes Following the election, the g
ue
preliminary statement on 29
April. Theywillthencompilea final report to be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Hon Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, which will then be shared with relevant stakeholders andthepublic.
“Through electoral support,theCommonwealth workstostrengthenelectoral democracy and election m
institutionsandprocesses.
The Commonwealth Secretariat helps member countries strengthen democratic institutions and processes and enables citizen participation and representation during elections.
This is achieved using the full electoral cycle approach in engagement withmembercountries,”the statementsaid.
Vice President and chief policy maker in the oil sector, Bharrat Jagdeo, said onThursdaythatthemodern menu of tools that his government came up with has been able to shift the benefits of the oil sector, from the oil and gas companiestothecitizens.
Speaking to reporters at hisweeklypressconference, hesaidthatoverthelastfour andahalfyears,thePeople's Progressive Party (PPP) administrationhasworkedto come up with modern ways to ensure that the necessary safetyfeaturesforthesector
areinplace.Jagdeosaidthat the benefits shifted because of “the new PSA…we did that with the new Petroleum ActivityAct, we did that by giving us more tools to manage, they have to pay more money too for those measures.”
He explained that the Local Content Law has further shifted things to benefitlocalsinthat,French, Trinidadian nor any other foreigncompaniescancome hereanddowhathetermsas “thebasicsuff.”
Services like “the supplying of cleaning services or food, or water or
security services, or renting buildings or transport services that's reserved entirely for people Guyanese… We tilted that balance in favour of our people,andthat'swhythisis a substantial sum of money, it's 700 odd million US dollars of spending on those things,”hefurtheradded.
Hehighlightedthatthere were some companies that were trying to dodge the system, especially the recruitment aspect of it, by not putting their expats on their payroll, but bringing
Recently, the government has closed that loophole, puttingforeigncompaniesin apositionwheretheydonot qualify to benefit under Local Content unless they truly have locals as staff, w i t h 7 5 % o f t h e managementpositionsbeing Guyanese.
“They have to be Guyanese in management positions,andthenIthinkit's 90 or 95% in the other positions in the company So,it'snotjustwe'refetching thewaterinthecompany We also can manage these companies, etcetera Too often that's what the foreign
VicePresident, Bharrat Jagdeo
companiestrytodo,getusto fetch water and stuff like that.We'renot,we'renotinto that business,” the oil chief said.
Companies now have to submit a plan to show exactly how they will hire locals. They have to advertise for persons to fill vacant positions in Guyana first. If no one local can do so, they canadvertiseelsewhere.
In the year 2000, Guyana reformed its electoralsysteminan attempt to strike a delicate balance: to uphold proportional representation whilealsoinjectingadoseof regionalrepresentation.
The goal, it was claimed, was to allow citizens across the country to feel a greater connectiontothepeoplethey electtorepresenttheminthe NationalAssembly
To achieve this, the system was redesigned to include both constituency listsandnationaltop-uplists. Partieswouldusuallysubmit two sets of lists. In theory, this was meant to deliver the best of both worlds
g e o g r a p h i c a l a n d proportional fairness. But in practice, proportional representation still dominatesandundergirdsthe entiresystem.
In the General Elections, parties compete for seats in the National Assembly The National Assembly has 65 seats. Of these, 25 seats are allocated across the 10 geographic constituencies (corresponding to the 10 administrative regions of Guyana). The remaining 40 seats are filled using a national top-up list based on the total number of votes
each party receives countrywide.
Now, suppose three political parties — Party A, Party B, and Party C —
contesttheelection.Afterthe votesarecounted,theresults looklikethis:
·PartyAwins50%ofthe nationalvote
·PartyBwins35%
·PartyCwins15%
Under the proportional representation system, the total number of seats in the 65-member National
Assembly should be distributed proportionally according to the national vote.Thatwouldmean:
· PartyAis entitled to 33 seats(50%of65)
·PartyBisentitledto23 seats
· Party C is entitled to 9 seats
Now let's say that at the constituency level, the resultsareasfollows:
Party A wins 15 constituencyseats
Party B wins 8 constituencyseats
Party C wins 2 constituencyseats
These constituency seats are then subtracted from the total number of seats each partyisentitledtobaseonthe nationalvote:
·PartyAgets33–15=18 top-upseats
·PartyBgets23–8=15 top-upseats
· Party C gets 9 – 2 = 7 top-upseats
This is how the national top-uplistcomesintoplay:it
makes up for any disproportionality that a r i s e s f r o m t h e
constituency allocations Now,here'sthecatch.
Eventhoughvotersinthe constituencies are casting ballots that are supposed to e n s u r e r e g i o n a l representation, they are not votingforindividuals—they arevotingforpartylists.And even after the elections are over, the parties — not the voters—gettodecidewhich individuals from their list willentertheAssembly
In the report of the European Union Observer Mission to Guyana's 2020 general and regional elections, it was suggested thatthispracticegoesagainst the spirit — and letter — of the Constitution. It was pointed for example that Article 160(3)(a)(ii) states that the method of preparing listsofcandidatesmustallow voters to be sure which individualstheyareelecting. It has been suggested elsewhere that under the current closed list system, this certainty does not exist. Voters are kept in the dark. They are voting blind, without knowing who will actuallyrepresenttheminthe NationalAssembly
This view however is debatable Although Guyana's electoral system uses a closed-list format, it wouldbeamistaketoassume that voters are completely detached from the individuals who ultimately becom
DemboyssehGuyanaisnotarealplace. Degovernmentholdingpublicmeetingsall overdecountry,butyuhcouldswearisPPP Congress dem hosting. Everywhere yuh turnisredshirt,redhat,redbanner,redeye! One man seh he show up in a green jersey andpeoplelookathelikehewasaPNCspy orworse—amanwidindependentthought!
Demboyssehdemeetingssupposedto begovernmentbusiness.
Taxpayers money paying fuh microphone, stage, tent and even de water But somehow, de thing turn into a party rally Is like yuh go fuh ventilate your problemsandendupatacampaignlaunch!
Whamekitworse,iswhengovernment peoplestarttalkinglikedemonasoapbox. One man forget is not Freedom House he deh, and start holler out how PPP doing wonders. Another one seh under PPP, rain fallingbetterandmangosweeter Anddon'ttalk'boutdesecurity Onebig
Parliament. In fact, when a voter casts a ballot for a political party, they are not only expressing support for that party, they are also indirectly voting for the individuals named on that party'sgeographiclist.
Thisisbecausetheparty's geographic list forms the p o o l f r o m w h i c h representatives for that area must be drawn if the party winsseatsinthatregion.
Take, for instance, Region3.IfavoterinRegion 3castsavoteforPartyA,and PartyAwinstwoofthethree seatsallocatedtothatregion,
those seats must be filled from the list of candidates PartyAsubmittedforRegion 3.
The voter may not know in advance which two persons the party will select from its geographic list, but the fact remains that only individualswhoarelistedfor thatregioncanbechosen.
Inthisway,theballotcast inRegion3isalsoavotefor one of the individuals on the Region3geographiclist.
While it is true that the party retains discretion over whoitselectsfromthelist,it cannotdrawcandidatesfrom outside th
ion's geographic list to fill those seats.
Thatrestrictioncreatesan importantlinkbetweenvoter andrepresentative.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the
necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
official show up wid he bodyguards all dressed in red. Dem boys seh is either fashionweekorisacaseofbuyonegetone free.IslikepeoplecomefromRedSquarein Russia.
Butdebestpartwasofficialwhositatde headtablebold-faceinapartycap.Noteven a lil subtlety! Is like he confused public servicewithpartyservice.Demboyssehhe probablythinkGMSRisshortfuh"Guyana MekSureyuhVoteRed".
Demboyssehifyuhwanttoknowhow to separate government from party, just don't wear red to dem meetings. And see how quick yuh get a funny look, no handshake,andaseatneardeback.
Till then, red is de new national colour
Forgetblack,goldandgreen—redtekover IsonlyinGuyanayuhcouldvoteonce, butfeellikeyuhlivinginacampaignseason fuhlife. Talkhalf.Leffhalf!
Excellency Ali is at it again. From the mind of Ali comes this first beauty: His One Guyana vision is not political. Also, from his grand presidential head floats this deformity: protesting for access to info is political. Is Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, president of Guyana, the smartest man in the room? Orishelivinginanupsidedown world, one of those strange characters, straight out of Alice in Wonderland?
In the fantasy world inhabited byIrfaanAli,hehasamonopolyon what is political, and what is not. Crazier things, I have heard, but what the president puts out, is quicklyrunningoutofcompetition. Iamtryingmybestnottoprescribe theloonybinforthepresident,but he has to give me some help to avoidthatfate.
Not because President Ali intones that One Guyana is not politicalthatitisso,andthatisthe end of the matter I would love to say I believe that One Guyana is genuine, but I cannot. Not when the PPP Government delivers the divisive and non-inclusive in Guyana. There was Mr Vincent Alexander at the UN, and now deliberatelydividedGuyanahangs from the rafters of the world. President Ali could have used his
leadership powers and, with good reason, reversed the malicious and venomousactionstakenagainstan African Guyanese organization (IDPADA-G), but was frozen into inaction.
Instead of One Guyana, the presidentpresidedoveronedivided by two. For convenience, the Indigenoushasbeenleftoutofthis contribution. Irecognizeawrong, butthatwillberighted. Mypointis thatitiswonderfulforPresidentAli to palaver about One Guyana, but hehastopracticeit,seetoitthathis power people live it. He can pontificate to his heart's desire about how One Guyana is not political, but the record boos him, thetrailofdisastrousactionsreeks of what mocks him. One Guyana chippedaway,sloughedoff,peeled away, ground down Mocha Linden. IDPADA-G. Public Service. Teachers. Lindenagain.
I have a few simple recommendations for Guyana's head of state. If he wants to keep hishead,heisbestadvisedtouseit sensibly Not too smartly or cleverly; just sensibly
Recommendation number two: since President Ali pretends, prefers to be seen, as saintly with his One Guyana, then he must be holywithit. Yes,that'showsacred
and precious it must become to him. Recommendation number three: if he continues in his usual tone challenged manner, then his One Guyana would be seen for whatitisdeepdown. Nothingbuta contraption that has become a contradiction. Apoliticalone. The president and his people should know by now that I will not swallow blindly, in the manner of his PPP faithful, anything that he says. Bothalsoknowthatwhenthe reflexive reaction of non-PPP Guyanese seeks to expose his masqueradesandsymphonies,Igo my own way, make up my own mind. COVID-19vaccinesandthe Frank Anthony-spearheaded processes (get them). The AliNorton meetings on Venezuela amidperilstothehomeland(Iback them) The Nigel Dharamlall alleged crimes, or Jagdeo's VICE news spotlight (due process entitlement, presumption of innocence). Consider those, then considerthis.
Idon'tfollowAli. Idon'tfollow any crowd, be it a PPP mob, or a PNCposse. So,Icanassertfrankly and publicly that his One Guyana stinks. Now,ifthegoalwastotear apart his One Guyana and expose itsprivatepartsfortheworldtosee, then what Vincent Alexander
delivered at the UN would fade into the mists. For in the One Guyana conception, the One Guyana incubation, and the One Guyanaoperation,thereisthatnotso-nuanced, that oh-just-sosuggestive fusion in the name chosen. Thatis,OneGuyanaisfor onekindofpeople. OneGuyanais for one kind of voter, one kind of colour, one kind of original believer, and one kind of blind follower Tobedonewiththisand dust my feet from it, I repeat that not because President Ali in his self-subscribed wisdom says that One Guyana is not political, that it is so.In the next breath, the same all-knowingPresidentAlirocketed tohisconclusionontheprotestsfor accesstoinformation,asmandated by law His one-panel judge and one-manjury(himself),denounced the protests as “political.” Using the president's perspicacity, if protesting for access to info is political, then what qualifies as nonpolitical,ifanythingatall? By the president's tortured logic, his Guardians of Democracy (2020, Lima Sands, Letter Kenny) were not political. But today's fighters for democracy (access to and for info)are. Itakethisfurther.
If I stand up and curseAubrey Norton,inthepresident'sbookthat
is responsible and outspoken citizenship. But if I got up and criticized the man in charge of Guyana, then that is unpatriotic, even possibly subversive Obviously,thepresidentdoeshave the weirdest idea of what political is, and a rather slippery and selfserving interpretation of what is nonpolitical. All that Guyanese wantfromthecommissioneristhe equivalent of two front teeth, as in one or two pieces of government paper PresidentAli insists that to walk the picket line for that is political. It is from vacuous postures and judgments like these thatcountriesgodownintherecord books for the wrong reasons, and nationalleadersarerememberedby history in the worst way imaginable. President Ali is fast becominglikeaconveniencestore: he sells everything. From raw sewagetosepsistosludge. (The views expressed in this articlearethoseoftheauthorand do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Yfather says, “He's a coward for killing three women in front of the children”
The front of the house where Ramzan Ramdial opened fire and killed his estranged wife Maline LaCruz and her family
ears of domestic violence endured by 26-year-old Maline LaCruz came to a tragic end on Wednesday night when her estranged husband, Parmanand Ramdial, also known as Ramzan Ramdial, a goldsmith, opened fire and killed Maline, her mother, her sister,injuringherbrotheranddied onThursdaybysuicide.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday night in Waiakabra, locatedalongtheSoesdyke-Linden Highway.
Maline's 50-year-old mother, Waveney LaCruz, and 17-year-old SueAnn LaCruz were killed at the scene.
Her 23-year-old brother, Ceon LaCruz, remains hospitalized with gunshotwounds.
The tragedy unfolded in the presenceofMaline'sthreechildren, ages3,4,and8,whowitnessedthe massacreandescapedunharmed.
Ramdial reportedly ingested a poisonous substance after committing the crime and was pronounced dead at the Diamond
LaCruz's father, Wayne
DiagnosticCentre. According to police, Ramdial entered the family's home shortly after an argument with Maline and opened fire on the occupants Investigators recovered a 9mm Beretta pistol at the scene along with spent shells and a bottle believed to have contained the
poisonheconsumed.
Maline received injuries to the right side back and breast, left and rightsidebackandonetothethroat, Waveney received suspected gunshotinjuriestotheleftsidehead and breast and right hand, SueAnn received injuries to left side breast and right side and centre of lower
back and Ceon received gunshot injuriestohisleftshoulderandjaw
“He Is a Coward” – SueAnn's father
On Thursday, Kaieteur News visitedthehousewherethewomen werekilled.
This publication spoke to
LaCruz.
Overwhelmed with sorrow and anger, he recounted the harrowing scene described by the children whoescaped.
“AllwhatIheard,thechildren runoutandsaythemancomingto kill all the big people. He killed mommy, wife, sister-in-law and injuredbrother-in-law.
Everybody,that'swhatIheard,” Waynesaid.
He remembered his daughter SueAnn as a kind, driven young womanwithabrightfuture.
Hesaid,“Shenicetoeveryone here… she is a great person, she triedshebest,sheindependent,she so young and independent, I really appreciatewhatshedo.”
He said he wants nothing more than confirmation of Ramdial's death.“Iwantsomejustice.Iwanna see the people show that he died, because all I'm hearing is that he died. I ain't see no picture that he diedas
(Continued on page 22)
The disappearance and subsequent death of 11-year-old AdriannaYoungeinthepoolofthe Double Day International Hotel and Bar at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), is eerily similar toanincidentwhichoccurredatthe samepremisessome13yearsago.
Younge's body was discovered floating in the hotel's swimming pool about 20 hours after she disappeared.
The child's body was discovered around 10:00hrs on Thursday by family members and enraged protesters, who stormed thehotelpremises.
Younge's body bore visible signs of violence, including injuries to her hands, knees, and face;therewasalsowhatappeared to be cotton wool stuffed in her nose,raisingimmediatesuspicions offoulplay
Thediscoverywasmadehours after police released information stating that surveillance footage caught the child leaving the hotel premisesinamotorcar
The child's death triggered memories of a similar incident which occurred at the hotel on November 21, 2012 Sadeek Juman, 20, was found dead in a swimming pool at the popular Double Day Hotel days before his birthday
Hisbodywasdiscoveredinthe poolbyhotelworkersaround16:00 hrs, about 24 hours after he was seen entering the faci
y InvestigationsrevealedthatJuman was beaten into a state of unconsciousness and dumped in a hotel pool.It is alleged that Juman lefthisparents'Blankenburg,West Coast Demerara home on Sunday, November18,2012,andvisitedhis
grandmother at Ruby, East Bank Essequibo Accompanied by a female friend and others, he later headedtotheDoubleDayHotel.
Information gathered by detectives indicates that while he wasthere,Jumangotinto“aheated exchange” with a group of men. The men inflicted a severe beating onJuman.“Theyallegedlyputhim inaroomatthehotel,andwhenthe placewassilent,theyallegedlyput him in the hotel pool to give the appearancethathehaddrowned,”a policeofficialsaid.
Apathologist would later state that Juman died from drowning, compounded by blunt trauma Double Day Hotel's owner's son, whoisalsothemanager,Bhojnauth Bhola,andastaffmember,Leyland Johnson, were later indicted for Juman'smurder Thecasewaslater dischargedbyamagistrate.
A34-year-oldgoldminer was fined $60,000 on Thursdayafterhewascaught driving an uninsured and uncertified car He appeared at the Vigilance Magistrates' Court.
AkeemAugust of Lot 35 Middle Walk, Buxton, East Coast Demerara (ECD) appeared before Senior MagistrateSunilScarce,who readthechargewhichalleged thatonNovember1,2024,at Melanie Public Road, ECD, he drove a motorcar without itbeinginsuredandcertified.
August pleaded guilty to bothcharges.
The prosecution stated that on the day in question, the defendant was driving motorcar PWW 1805 west along the southern driving lane of the Melanie Public Roadwhenthefatalaccident occurred.
August was asked to present his driver's licence and other documents, which he initially refused to
produce He subsequently produced his insurance and vehicle fitness to the officer, which was renewed by the police on December 13 and 15. The defendant was then toldoftheoffencecommitted and was arrested and charged.
The miner agreed with the facts presented by the prosecution and told the courtthat,duetohisworking in the interior, he was not awarethathisdocumentshad expired. Magistrate Scarce fined August $20,000 for drivinganuncertifiedcarand $40,000 for driving an uninsuredcar.
He pleaded with the magistratefortimetopaythe fine since he did not have sufficient money to pay the fine Magistrate Scarce granted him seven days to pay the fine. Failure to pay the fine within the 7-day period will result in August being imprisoned for one week.
President of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), Mark Hastings,hasinformedthe24thSession of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) that despite having titles to lands, IndigenousPeopleshavenoownership oftheresourcesfromthem.
He also said that they consulted on when these resources are being exploited by companies or the government.
As reported previously, the 24th Session of the UNPFII is being held at the UN's headquarters in New York from April 21 to May 02, 2025 and is beingattendedbymembersoftheAPA and the government through the MinistryofAmerindianAffairs.
Addressing the UN forum on Wednesday, APA's President said that hisorganisationhasbeencallingforthe government to reform its laws and practices to enshrine the human rights standards of the UNDRIP that the country has already adopted “However, our people's right to free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) is still not respected, nor required in our
President of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), Mark Hastings alongside Policy Officer Ms. Dawn Stoll at the 24th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York.
laws,” he mentioned. Hastings further revealed that the government's actions directlyviolatetheIndigenousPeoples' collective rights to self-determination and their land. “Our sacred lands that have been handed down through generationswithcareandreverenceare being stripped, our rivers are being poisoned,andourenvironmentisbeing desecrated in the name of extractive industriesandprofit,”heexpressed.
The APA's President further explained to the UN forum that the
government speaks glowingly about Indigenous communities benefiting from funding from its Low Carbon DevelopmentStrategythroughthesale of carbon credits, and noted this is not thefullpicture.
“The processes arriving to this agreement were deeply flawed.Again, wewerenotproperlyconsultedonhow our forests and lands would be used in this scheme. We were not allowed to consent to this programme with the (Continuedonpage21)
Angry citizens burn hotel, buildings, cars, trucks
Family calls for independent probe
President orders special investigation team
Govt. hires Barbadian forensic pathologist
Police admit releasing false report about abduction
ByChristalYoung
The body of 11-year-old
Adrianna Younge, who was reported missing on Wednesday during a family outing at the Double Day International Hotel and Bar in Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), was discovered floating in the hotel's swimming pool about 20 hours after she disappeared.
The child's body was discovered around 10:00hrs on Thursday by family members and enraged protesters, who stormed the hotel premises Upon discovery, her father, Subrian Younge, jumped into the pool to retrievehischild,whowasalready dead. Younge's body bore visible signsofviolence,includinginjuries toherhands,knees,andface;there wasalsowhatappearedtobecotton wool stuffed in her nose, raising immediate suspicions of foul play The discovery was made hours after police released information stating that surveillance footage caught the child leaving the hotel premisesinamotorcar.
The aggrieved father told the media he had a gut feeling that his childwasbeingheldinthehotel,so heneverleftthescene. “Thepolice searched the building four to five times I tell the police me daughterstillindeh.Itellyousince Icomehereyesterdaymybellytell me my daughter in there,” the distraught father told reporters. He continued, "My suspicion is what have been happening in this place (Double Day Hotel) for years, the amountofpersonswhodiedinthis placehere andIknowtomeself right the same thing would have happen, they would have wait for we go away and say they find the girlbodybutthat'swhyIstickin."
Citizensprotest
As news of the child's death spread across social media, hundreds of concerned villagers and citizens converged on the scene Enraged protestors and villagers began destroying the building, throwing bottles and chairs at the glass structure of the high-risebuilding.Theylatersetit on fire as several police ranks showed up in riot gear, but they stood and watched as the crowd destroyed several vehicles, looted and burned the hotel and nearby
buildings The angry crowd continued to destroy the building and set fire to several vehicles and other objects, blocking the road with debris. Screams of murder echoedthroughthecrowdasthick, darksmokeengulfedthearea.Fire serviceofficersandranksstoodby asthecrowdlittheplaceonfire.
OUTING
Hours before the body was pulledoutofthepool,the11-yearold girl was at the Double Day Hotel pool with her grandmother and other relatives for a family outing.Shewasdiscoveredmissing between 13:00h and 14:00h. Her grandmotherreportedthatthechild was given money to purchase a swimbandtoenterthepool.Ashort while after, the family realised the child was missing and began searchingthepremises,butshewas nowhere to be seen. The worried family then notified the Tuschen PoliceStation,andranksreportedly arrivedat15:30h.
Initial reports from the police were that several searches were made in the rooms, roof, yard, storeroom and the pool of the DoubleDayhotel,butYoungewas not found In a subsequent statement, police stated that surveillance footage showed Younge leaving in a red and black ToyotaRaum,allegedlydrivenbya man named “Orlando” This statement resulted in a manhunt. However, family members and neighboursalsodisputedthepolice statement in relation to the surveillance footage as they
claimed that the footage from nearbyhomesprovedthatthechild neverleftthehotel.Asaresult,the family stayed on the hotel premises, and a large crowd, estimated to be in the hundreds, begantogatheroutsideinprotestof the strange circumstances surrounding the girl's disappearance.
KaieteurNewswasonthescene asYounge's body was pulled from the pool Protest erupted into violence as the news of the death triggered widespread public outrage. Protesters set fire to the hotel,blockedemergencyservices, and accused the police of negligence, spreading misinformation, and mishandling the investigation. The hotel was then set ablaze, while tyres and vehicles were also set on fire.
Severalprotestershurledobjectsat the hotel as it was engulfed in flames, looting the building, carrying off appliances, mattresses andotheritemsfromthepremises.
The girl's mother, Amecia Simon,stoodamongtheprotesters, expressing her frustration with the waypolicehandledthematter She said, "The CID (Criminal Investigation Department) closed down the building (Hotel) and when we go at the back for search thetwoofthemopeningtheback they(staffofthehotel)needtosay what (they) did to my child, becausemychildis11andshewill not walk out of here with her wet clothes with no foot wear, she will neverdoit."
Devastated and desperate for answers, the mother made an urgent plea for justice. In her distress, the woman recounted her initial interaction with the commander,whohadtoldhertogo homeandsleepthepreviousnight, implying that everything would be handled. She said angrily, "(The police) tell me go home and sleep last night, I must go home and sleep, I want he tell me who name Orlando Ican'ttakeitnomore,I can't take it no more, he tell me I must go home and sleep, because they(police)tracingthevehicleand that time me child never come out fromthere(thehotel).
Hours after the initial the statement was released by the Guyana Police Force, another statementfromthepolicecameout stating that the initial statement containedinaccuracies.
Meanwhile, in a statement posted on his Facebook page, President Irfaan Ali expressed his commitmenttouncoveringthefull truth. He stated, "I have asked the Commissioner of Police to assembleaspecialteamtoleadthe investigation into all the circumstances surrounding 11year-oldAdriannaYounge."
He emphasised that no resources or efforts would be spared to ensure a thorough investigation, adding, "Whatever specialised resources are required to determine every aspect of the events and circumstances will be provided "The President also directed the police to provide a detailed explanation of every action taken since the case was reported,saying,"Ihaveaskedthat the police explain, in detail, every action taken since the matter was reported. Like the rest of the country, I stand with this family at thistimeofextremegrief."
Inthesamevein,VicePresident Bharrat Jagdeo, during his weekly pressconferenceonThursday,also highlighted that the Police Force should release the footage they claimed they reviewed, which showed Younge entering a red vehicle in front of the Double Day Hotel, and the said car leaving. He said, "They (police) said that they haveavideothatshowedthischild entering a vehicle, they give the numberofthevehicleanditscolor, so if you viewed the video footage youmustreleaseittothepeopleof this country, we want to see it, I wouldliketoseeit."
(See photos on centre)
Aljazeera-Israel'slatest war on Gaza is killing civilians at four times the rate of previous conflicts there. Experts say it's likely not an accident, suggesting that Israeli forces are choosing to use the most powerful weapons available to deliberately maximise deathanddestruction.
At least 59 people, including children, have been killed in a barrage of Israeli attacks across the besiegedGazaStrip,medical sourcestoldAlJazeera.
Rescue teams and medicsintheenclavesaidat least 12 people belonging to thesamefamilywereamong those killed on Thursday whentheirhomeinnorthern Gaza'sJabaliawastargeted.
Six members of another family – a couple and their four children – were killed when an air strike levelled their home in Gaza City, the civil defence said in a statement.
Ahmed Arar, a first responder in Gaza City, said there were “large quantities of body parts and remains”, including those of many
children,aftertheattack.
“There are only hands, legs,andheads.Theyareall severed and torn,”Arar told AlJazeera.
Another 10 people were killed and several others wounded in a strike on a former police station in the Jabalia area of northern Gaza, according to a statemen
m the Indonesian Hospital, where thecasualtiesweretaken.
“Everyone started running and screaming, not knowingwhattodofromthe horror and severity of the bombing,” 23-year-old
Abdel Qader Sabah, from Jabalia,saidoftheattackthat hit the station that is located nearamarket.
Israel's military said it struck what it described as a Hamas “command and controlcentre”intheJabalia area, without clarifying if it was targeting the police station The army has previously used similar justifications in attacks that hit hospitals and numerous shelters housing displaced Palestinianfamilies.
At least 26 people were
killedinotherIsraeliattacks across the territory, according to medics and the civildefenceagency
Al Jazeera's Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, said there is “anongoingsurgeintherate ofIsraeliattacksontheentire GazaStrip”.
Hesaidthatcivildefence crewsarestillworkingtodig through the rubble at the scene of the latest attack in Jabalia.
He cited one rescue
visiting troops in Gaza on Thursday, threatened a “larger”offensiveifcaptives seized in the Hamas-led attackonIsraelonOctober7, 2023,arenotfreed.
“If we do not see progress in the return of the hostages in the near future, wewillexpandouractivities
to a larger and more significant operation,” Eyal Zamirsaid.
The Israeli military, meanwhile, ordered Palestinians living in the northern areas of Beit Hanoon and Sheikh Zeid to evacuate in advance of an attack.
workerassayingmanyofthe victims have sustained burn wounds.
'Larger'offensive?
Israel resumed its military assault on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-monthceasefirethathad brought a temporary halt to fighting in the blockaded territory
T h e m i l i t a r y i s continuing to seal vital border crossings for the eighth week in a row, denying the entry of muchneeded humanitarian aid, including medical supplies and fuel, worsening an already deep humanitarian crisis amid relentless bombardment.
Israel's army chief,
The United Nations has warned that Israel's expandingevacuationorders across Gaza are resulting in the “forcible transfer” of people into ever-shrinking areas.
Aid agencies estimate that the vast majority of Gaza's 2.4 million residents have been displaced at least oncesincethewarbegan.
Also on Thursday, the Gaza Health Ministry said the Durra Children's Hospital in Gaza City had become nonoperational, a day after an Israeli strike hit
the upper part of the building, damaging the intensive care unit and destroyingthefacility'ssolar powerpanelsystem.
Gaza'shealthsystemhas been devastated by Israel's 18-month-old military campaign, putting many of theterritory'shospitalsoutof action, killing medics, and reducingcrucialsupplies.
Efforts by key mediators Qatar and Egypt, backed by theUnitedStates,havesofar failed to produce a lasting ceasefire.
Since Israel resumed its assault,atleast1,978people have been killed in Gaza, raising the overall death toll to at least 51,355 since October 2023, according to theGazaHealthMinistry
The military said Thursday that Israeli tank firekilledaUNworkerinthe central Gaza city of Deir elBalah last month, according to an investigation's initial findings.
It had initially denied operatingintheareawherea Bulgarian employee of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) waskilledonMarch19.
The findings come after the military on Sunday reportedonaseparateprobe into the killing of 15 Palestinian emergency workersinGaza.
It finally admitted that operational failures led to their deaths, and said a field commander would be dismissed.
Amid a public backlash on its handling of the disappearance and the subsequent death of an eleven-year-old girl at a
Tu s c h e n h o t e l o n Wednesday, police have admitted releasing inaccurateinformationtothe publicandhavelaunchedan investigation as to how it happened.
Younge disappeared whileonaswimmingouting at the Double Day Hotel located at Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo Despite checks in the pools and the hotel, she was not found Wednesday, but her body surfaced in the pool Thursdaymorning.Policein an initial statement released Wednesday night said that they had reviewed footage showing the child leaving the hotel and was spirited awayinaRaum,motorcar
However, in a dramatic twist of events, the Guyana
Police Force said certain details in the first statement wereinaccurate.
“The Guyana Police Force wishes to clarify information previously disseminated regarding an alleged abduction involving 11-year-old Adrianna Younge,whichwasreported to have occurred on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, between 13:02hrs and 14:00hrs at the Double Day Hotel,TuschenPublicRoad, EastBankEssequibo.
Following preliminary investigations, it has been determined that certain details contained in the initial statement circulated wereinaccurate. As such, the Force is currently reviewing the internal communication processes that led to the releaseofthatstatement.”
The statement added:
“The Guyana Police Force assuresthatacomprehensive
investigation will be carried outtodetermineeveryaction takenbythepolice.
Thecircumstancesunder w
disseminated, including whatledtosuchinformation, will also be thoroughly examined. The Divisional Commander and all ranks involved in the preparation and dissemination of the initial report will be interviewed,andappropriate actions will be taken to prevent future occurrences ofthisnature,”thestatement read.
TheGuyanaPoliceForce saiditremainscommittedto maintaining transparency and accuracy in all public communications.
“Weurgemembersofthe public to remain calm as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding this incident. Further updates will be
providedassoonascredible and verified information becomes available The safety and well-being of our citizens, particularly our children, remain a top priority,” the statement concluded.
In their first statement, police had said that ranks in Regional Division #3 are investigating a report of an alleged abduction committed on Younge. According to the police, around 13:02hrs, Adrianna went to Double Day Hotel
pool to swim with her grandmother, Carol Xavier, who stated that at around 13:10hrs,shegaveAdrianna moneytobuyabandtoswim inthepool.
Shortly thereafter, Adrianna entered the pool with her siblings. Sometime after,thegrandmothercalled to get her family out of the poolwhenitwasdiscovered Adriannawasmissing.
The family launched a search in the pool and hotel but without success. The matter was then reported at
Tuschen Police Station
Uponarrivalatthescene,the police searched further in and around the hotel, including rooms, a store room,theyard,andtheroof, but they came up emptyhanded.
Several cameras were seenattachedtothebuilding. However, when asked to view them, the manager indicated that they were not inworkingorder
The police said that the Command Centre in
(Continuedonpage23)
ByShaniaWilliams
Years of abuse at the hands of her husband resultedinthedeathof 26-year-old Maline LaCruz, her mother, 50-year-old Waveney LaCruz and her 17-year-old sister Sueann LaCruz on Wednesday at Waiakabra Village, Soesdyke –LindenHighway.
Maline's 23-year-old brother, Ceon LaCruz, survived the attack but remains critical at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) Maline's three children, ages eight, five and three, witnessed the killing. They escapedunharmedandwereableto alert the villagers of what had transpired.
Thegruesomekillingofthetrio was done by Parmanand Ramdehol, a goldsmith of South Ruimveildt,Georgetown,wholater drank a poisonous substance and died.A family friend of 22 years, Dawn Sampson, who lives in the same village, told Kaieteur News on Thursday that Ramdehol has long threatened to kill the family and even her She recounted that due to Waveney's fear for her and herfamily'ssafety,shewould,from time to time, stay at the family's home to keep her company Luckily, she decided against visiting the LaCruz home Wednesdaynight.
Constantabuse
AvisiblytraumatisedSampson toldKaieteurNewsthatRamdehol is known in the community as a habitualabuser Hehadpreviously beenchargedwithassaultandusing threatening language against his wife.Despitebeingplacedonbail, he continued to visit the home, as they shared two of the three children.
“Two weeks he spend in the lock-ups from the same incident. He come out and was placed on $120,000to$150,000bailandthen he come out but she didn't tell we
what happen after when they went back to the next court [date]. The mothertellmesheain'tknowwhat Malineandhediscussbuttheyain't talkingbuthehadtostayawaybut shewantthechildrensosheendup talkingbacktohesohecouldbring up the children so she could get to seethem.
Afterthathesaidthathewanted to book a family room going up Timehri hotel and they end up going but she saying that the only wayshegoingupisifshedrivethe carbecausesheain'twanthedrive away with her,” Sampson recalled whileemphasizingthatMalinewas afraidandfearfulforherlifewhile in Ramdehol's presence She
described a video of Ramedhol violently assaulting Maline at the hotel in the presence of their childrenlastyear
“Theyhadintercourseandthen hebeatsheup,throwtherumdown shethroat,andforcehertodrinkit and she must admit if she get any other body and he want she to go backhomewithheandshesaidthat she not going back home.
Eventuallyshegetfuhcatchherself and run, but he grabble she back, slammed the car door on her foot. Whenshecome,Ihadtorushsheto thehospitalbecauseshefaceswell upbad.
They had court again but she didn'tattendonlyhe,andhesayhe
gon pay she and she didn't go back,”Sampsonexplained.
The distraught woman with tearsinhereyessaidthattheabuse wassofrequentthatMaline,feeling trapped,begansecretlymovingher clothesoutinportionsthroughher
“When I used to go by her, she used to give we clothes but we didn't know that the clothes wasn't togiveaway,isshemovingouther clothespiece,piece,”shesaid.
However, when Maline moved outofthehome,sheoptedtoreturn for the sake of her children. “She said she can't take it no more; she can'tgivehenomorechancesoshe didn'tgobackthistime,”Sampson stated.
KaieteurNewshaslearnedthat sinceJanuary,Malinemovedoutof Ramdehol's home in South Ruimveldt and began living with her mother, sister, and brother, along with her three children at Waiakabra Village. During that time, Ramdehol rarely visited to seethechildren.
“Hewouldcomehereonceina blue moon and would just come, spendsomeweekends.”
Sampson continued, “She (Maline) was going through a lot but she didn't used to talk everything; she didn't use to sleep with he. She used to go away and left him.”However, whenever he visitedandstayedover,itmadethe
family, especially Waveney, uneasy
“Themotherdidn'tusedtowant sleepwhenthenightcomebecause after he used to threaten she. So, I used to deh every night with her because them ain't got no family aroundhere,”Sampsonsaid.
Nightoftheincident
On the night of the incident, Sampson said that earlier that day, Malinehaddecidedtoattendcourt and later went to a creek with Sueann.“Shegonewithherfriends themandthenshecamehome. But whenshecomehome…sheandthe other sister came home and they wentcryingandtheywentjunction. When they come back from the junction, and a car bring them and putthemoff.
He (Ramedhol) went behind them. So, she and he had a lil argument outside. She gone inside and he gone in too and when he gone inside that's when he shoot, she(Marine).
He then shoot the mother, the rest of the children them get away byjumpingthroughthewindow.
She (Maline) friend get fuh jump through the window but the othersisterthatgetshootshedidn't get the chance to [escape] because theothergirl(thefriend),chuckup bythewindowbecauseshetoobig. So, she (Sueann) get shoot in she (Continuedonpage24)
Th
D
D
y Hotel, Bhojnauth Bhola, and some of his staff have been arrested as police deepen their investigation intothedeathofayounggirl at the Tuschen, East Bank Essequibobusinessplaceon Thursday
Kaieteur News was told that Bhola, who had faced a murderchargebackin2012, was taken into custody Thursday morning, and the staff were arrested later in thedaywhenthebodyof11year-old girl, Adrianna
that transpired, and no resource or effort will be sparedindoingso.Whatever specialised resources are required to determine every aspect of the events and circumstances will be provided Additionally, I have asked that the police explain, in detail, every actiontakensincethematter wasreported.Liketherestof thecountry,Istandwiththis familyatthistimeofextreme grief,"Alisaid.
Following his meeting withthefamily,PresidentAli wroteonhisFacebookpage:
Younge, was retrieved from the hotel's pool, a senior police officer told Kaieteur News.
PresidentIrfaanAli,who met with the family of the child last evening, said he hadaskedtheCommissioner ofPolice,CliftonHicken,to assemble a special team to leadtheinvestigationintoall the circumstances surrounding the death of Younge. “We must uncover the full truth of everything
"This evening, I had an emotional encounter with the parents, family, and friends ofAdriannaYounge. I reassured them of our unconditional support, love, and prayers as Guyanese. I reiteratedwhatIsaidearlier: everyaspectofthiscasewill b e i n v e s t i g a t e d comprehensively."
Thebodyofthechildwas found floating in the pool of t h e D o u b l e D a y International Hotel and Bar,
Frompage12 mandate of our people. And, we were not part of any negotiations to determine how our peoples could have benefitedfromthenationalinitiativeaccordingtoourneeds priortothecarbonsalesagreement,”heinformed.
Withthisbeingsaid,thePresidentdisclosedthatstronger incorporationoftheUNDRIPwouldincreasetheprotections of Indigenous Peoples' rights and ensure that they are respectedandupheld,ratherthanoverriddenbycorporateor stateinterests.
Turning his attention to the government, Hastings said “WecallontheGovernmentofGuyanatotaketangiblesteps towards the revision of the 2006 Amerindian Act, and incorporatethearticlesoftheUNDRIPintoournationallaws toensuretheprotectionofourpeoplesinthefaceofgrowing threatsfromtheoldandnewextractiveindustries.”
Healsoaskedthemtotakeontherecommendationsmade byGuyana'sVillagesandDistrictCouncilsforamendments totheActinthenationalrevisionprocess.“Wealsoaskthat the Permanent Forum monitor the government's process to ensure that Guyana's Indigenous Peoples are part of this nationalexercisethatwilldeterminethefutureofourrights, culture,andlives,”headded.
Tuschen, Eas
Bank Essequibo, on Thursday morning, after she was reported missing around 14:00hrsonTuesday.
The lifeless body of Youngewaspulledoutofthe water by her father, Subrian Younge,amidheatedprotest action.
M e a n w h i l e , t h e
government has contracted Dr. Shubhakar Karra Paul, a Barbadian forensic pathologist, to perform the postmortem examination on thebodyofYounge.Dr.Paul holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from Karnatak University (1996), a Doctor of Medicine from Manipal
University (2001), and is a Diplomate of the National Board in New Delhi (2002). He is also a member of the FacultyofForensic&Legal Medicine at the Royal College of Physicians in the UnitedKingdom.
Over the course of his career, Dr Paul has been professionally licensed by
several medical councils, including the Barbados Medical Council (Specialist Registration No 1886, 2021–present), the UK General Medical Council (2009–2021),andtheIndian M e d i c a l C o u n c i l (1998–2009).
Demerarawaves quoted the President as saying that the decision to use the services of the international pathologist is in keeping with his public commitment to conducting a widerangingprobe.
“We must uncover the full truth of everything that transpired, and no resource or effort will be spared in doing so Whatever specialized resources are required to determine every aspect of the events and circumstances will be provided,” Dr Ali said, a c c o r d i n g t o Demerarawaves.
Approximately $8 billion will be investedinreconstructing29concrete bridges from Monkey Mountain in Region Eight to Karasabai in Region Nine to make connectivity easier for commuters.
Minister of Public Works Juan Edghill made the announcement last Saturdayduringthecommissioningof 45 bridges totalling over $7.7 billion that will connect Lethem and Linden. Minister Edghill stated that the government will undertake the massive and strategic project to provide a seamless and smooth link betweenRegionsEightandNine.“We have gone out to bids for the 29 bridges that exist between KarasabaiandMonkeyMountain,” hedisclosed.
The public works minister explained that after the project is
completed,residentsnolongerhaveto worry about travelling for hours or takingadditionaldetourstoreachtheir destinations. Minister Edghill added, “You don't have to go all the way around to Mahdia and then return here. In some instances, when you travel to Mahdia you are unable to crossthemountains.But,rightfrom Karasabai, you will be able to move all the way down into Paramakatoi. It will be a smooth, seamless link betweenRegionsEightandNine.”
The government is also constructing numerous roads in Region Nine to provide better interconnectivity as well as unlock various socio-economic opportunities for the business community and residents alike. These works will also spur economic growth for both regions.
One kilometre of concrete road was recently completed in various communities like Yurong Paru, Monkey Mountain and Rukumuta. Bids are currently out to construct 1.5 kilometres of asphaltic concrete road in Kwatamang linking it to theAnnai SecondarySchool.
At Massara, residents are set to benefit from the construction of 1.5 kilometres of asphaltic concrete road. One kilometre of asphaltic concrete roadwillbebuiltatRupertee.Several communities in the Deep South Rupununi will also benefit from the construction of new roads, including Shea, Maruranau and Achiwib Minister Edghill said all these infrastructural works will be undertakenverysoon,bringingmuchneeded relief to the communities.
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The National Data Management Authority (NDMA) hosted InternationalGirlsinICTDay on Thursday to encourage more women and girls to explorecareersintechnology
The event, which was held at the Arthur Chung ConferenceCentre(ACCC)in Liliendaal, also sought to bring awareness of various careersinthesector,fostering amoreinclusivedigitalfuture. The Department of Public Information (DPI) caughtup with Celine Lewis, a trainee teacher who participated in the activity
Shesaiditwasexcitingto partakeinoneoftheactivities that focused on artificial intelligence(AI).
Lewis encouraged young womentoconsidercareersin
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ICT, noting that the use ofAI would make her work much easier as an agriculture teacher. NDMA’s Cybersecurity Director, Muriana McPherson, said over 30 per cent of the workforce within the organisation are women who have been making a significant contribution
withintheICTsector
“Women are involved in cybersecurity Women are involved in building digital services for the Government of Guyana. Most of you would know the speeding ticket app and the cash grant app. Those were built by both males and females,” she stated. The
event featured panel discussions, along with breakout sessions and workshops, which offered participants valuable handson experience. Additional activitiesinvolvingproblemsolving and robotics challenges. Trivia questions were also on display to keep participants engaged and
exposed to the vast possibilities within the field. TheInternationalGirlsinICT programme targeted women in tertiary institutions and girls within secondary schools.Theprogrammewas held under the theme ‘BridgingallDividesforan Inclusive Digital Transformation.’
From page 6
PoliceCommissioner,Clifton Hicken, after he had reached the age of retirement, illustrates the extent to which the GPF is treated as an adjunct to the Government in power Moreover, this attitude has permeated the entire Force. “ThePoliceServiceCommissionismoribundandtherampant corruption in the Force isanothermanifestationofthe
lowmoraleanddisintegration of professional standards,” theGHRAsaid.
The association said democratic police forces in other jurisdictions are monitored by multiple mechanisms; Parliament, the Judiciary, the media and Complaints Boards. “Unfortunately, the concept of accountability to ‘multiple audiences’ could not be more
remotefromGuyaneselawor practice. Guyana urgently needs to operationalise accountabilitytothesemultiple audiences by the creation of aCivilianOversightBoardto replacemonolithicMinisterial control.Similarrecommendations have been made by innumerableCommissionsand Inquiries. Promises by President Ali of all necessary resourcesbeingmadeavailable
to the Police Force to get to the bottom of the death of Adrianne Younge are weak and unconvincing. A more realistic response to the growing public unrest over policing in Guyana is to appointaPoliceCommissioner inkeepingwiththeConstitutional provisions and restore the name to Guyana Police Service–quietlydiscardedin recent years.”
From page 11 yet…So,Ireallywanttoknow whatgoingonsotheresident could feel pleased. At least me,Iwillfeelpleasedandsee well he died—but after then, I want justice,” he told this publication.
Wayne did not mince words about who he holds partlyresponsible.“Yes,definitely [the police are responsible]. Because in Guyana, easy,you’regonnawalkfree. Money talk, bulls**t talks… The police supposed to lock him up a long time ago. And that’sthething—hegoneand do, kill three women, come on,” he stated.
Criesforhelpthat wentunanswered
Maline had long suffered abuseatthehandsofherhusband. In January 2025, she posted a chilling message on Facebook describing her livingnightmare:
“Six years, seven months livingwiththisindividualand this is what I have to face… He keeps abusing me mentally,emotionally, physically and verbally At this point this is my last option to get help and to get out of this abusive relationship and to get my children away from him.”
Despite being arrested
and charged for wounding and threats in January, Ramdialwaslaterreleasedon bail. The court matter was scheduled and adjourned on the very day of the murdersApril23.
Childrenleftorphaned
With the women of the household gone and Ceon stillfighting for his life, the children have been left without immediate caregivers. Wayne is pleading for support to ensure the boys are not forgotten in theaftermath.
He said, “The kids don’t have anybody now. I want to ask, I need somebody to take
care of these kids and give these kids a proper life because they don’t have their mom, they don’t have their mother,sister,grandmother.” He is urging the government or any relevant authority to step in and help secure the future of the children. Wayne suggested, “I wish if the government or whoever in charge could come in and help and take care of the kids…givethemaproperlife and a proper education.”
As the community mourns, there is rising outrageoverthesystem’sfailure toprotectMalineandherfamily
The People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) said it is deeply concerned by the unsettling incident involving the disappearance of 11-year-old Adrianna Younge from the Double DayHotelatTuschenPublic Road, East Bank Essequibo, onWednesday
Inastatement,thePNCR said that it stands in solidarity with Younge's family during this
distressing time On Thursday,GeneralSecretary of the PNCR, Shervin Benjamin, visited the site and met with the child's parentsandrelativestooffer support and to gather information regarding the circumstances surrounding herdisappearanceanddeath.
“Thefamilyhasvoicedtheir apprehension over the situation, reiterating police claims that Adrianna was seen being taken away from the hotel in a black Raum motorcar.
Disturbingly, family members reported that they
viewed footage from a neighbouring building that shows Adrianna along with othersenteringthehotel,but does not show her exiting, raising serious concerns abouthersafety.”Duringthe visit, the General Secretary engaged with the Regional Commander of Police via telephone, even as family members expressed frustration over being prohibited from searching certain areas of the hotel, particularly the back entrance and yard The PNCR said the parents further alleged that during their attempts to investigate thesituation,thegrandfather of the child was threatened with a firearm by the hotel owner “This alarming behaviour raises broader questions regarding the safety protocols and responsi
accommodate families and vulnerable individuals. The P N C R / A P N U unequivocally condemns all
acts of intimidation or obstructionthatcompromise the safety and well-being of our children. We call upon the authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances ofAdrianna's disappearance and the allegations against the hotel owner Our party urges the p u b l i c t o r e m a i n vigilant We implore the communitytocometogether to support the family during this trying time and hold t h o s e r e s p o n s i b l e accountable.”
For its part, theAlliance ForChange(AFC)iscalling fortheimmediateremovalof theCommissionerofPolice, theCommanderofRegion3, Khalid Mandall and an independent investigation into the disturbing events
s u r r o u n d i
t h e disappearance and tragic d
According to the AFC, the sequence of events and the evolving police narrative
raise serious red flags. AFC PresidentialCandidateNigel Hughesstated:
“Ifthepolicestatementis confirmed, then it would seem that, at the highest level, they were part of a conspiracy–oratthelowest, grossly incompetent. This wasacrimesceneyesterday, which means they had control of the location through the night. The body could not magically appear inbroaddaylight.ThePolice Force has now established a patternofissuingmisleading information to the public. We must begin with the r e m o v a l o f t h e CommissionerofPoliceand escalate our call to include theMinisterofHomeAffairs if accountability is not forthcoming.”
Hughes said this situation reflects a growing crisis in public safety and institutional trust. “It is not the first time that families, particularly those from marginalized communities, have been left without
answersorjustice.TheAFC is demanding a live national a d d r e s s f r o m t h e government and calling for civil society to join in d e m a n d i n g f u l l transparency Silence and spin are no longer acceptable Lives are at stake “We grieve with Andrianna'sparents,friends, and community,” Hughes continued. “This is not just about one case. It's about restoringtheruleoflawand ensuring our daughters, sisters, and children are protected – no matter where theycomefrom.”
TheAFC said it remains committed to its campaign pillarsofCleanGovernance, JusticeforAllCommunities, and National Unity “Justice delayed is justice denied. Andrianna deserves more than our mourning — she deservesaction.”
President Mohamed Irfaan Ali, who has called for the immediate establishment of a specialised investigative t e a m u n d e r t h e CommissionerofPolice,the Ministry of HomeAffairs is actively supporting this national effort “The President has mandated that no resource or effort be sparedinuncoveringthefull truth surrounding the circumstances ofAdrianna's disappearance and death. In this regard, the ministry is ensuring all necessary operational and technical resourcesaremadeavailable to facilitate a thorough and impartialinvestigation.”
The University of Guyana (UG) said it has been receiving some 1,200 applicationseachweeksince the process was opened on April1.
In a release on Tuesday, thecountry'spremiertertiary
institution said the application process was opened for degree, diploma, and certificate programmes
f o r t h e u p c o m i n g 2025–2026 academic year, which begins in September Application will be closed onMay6.
The university said all information for courses and programmes, application processes,andotherrelevant detailscanbeobtainedfrom its official channels, including its website (https://uog edu gy), F a c e b o o k p a g e (https://wwwfacebook com /uniofguyana), and Student
Records Management System (SRMS) In addition, the university will also issue official notices, press statements, and advertisementsviaitsmedia partners.
Kaieteur News spoke with a prospective student who wished to remain anonymous. She expressed gratitudefortheopportunity to pursue studies at the university She said that due to the
Students at the University of Guyana
cost of her desired programme, she was unable to attend the institute last year
“If I attended UG last year, I would have been under a financial strain to paythefee,andifIhadtaken a loan, my salary would not have been enough to pay it off, and I did not want that burden,”shesaid.
President Irfaan Ali announced last year that, beginningJanuary2025,the government would remove all tuition fees from the university for all Guyanese, in keeping with his administration's 2020
manifesto pledge
Government has already begun to write off debts owed by Guyanese who had studied at the university
through the Ministry of Finance-issuedloans.
“This measure will benefit more than 11,000 current students at UG immediately, and of course, all the new entrants in the future.
Thefuturebelongstoall of these young people,” the presidentsaid.
“This will continue the advancement of our human capitalforamoreprosperous futureforourcountryandfor all of the young people who will benefit from this initiativeandtheirfamilies.”
Some $13.1 billion was allocated in this year's budget to finance the university's operations- a 160 per cent increase from the $5.2 billion which was allocatedin2024.
Meanwhile, UG is encouraging students who willsitthisyear'sCaribbean
Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) to apply early while they await their results It said students should indicate to the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) that they wish to have their results shared with the university directly from CXC. Doing so will reduce the risk of prospective students being disappointed due to the programme quota being filled.
Formoreinformationon the application process, admissionrequirements,and all other details relating to studyingattheUniversityof Guyana, please visit: https://uog.edu.gy/.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs expressed profound regret and grave concern following the tragic discovery of the body of Younge “The ministry extends its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family,friends,andallthose affectedbythisunspeakable loss. We stand in solidarity with the community during this time of mourning and grief.”
According to the ministry, pursuant to the directive of His Excellency,
The ministry said that it supports the President's call for full transparency and accountability, including a comprehensive explanation fromthepoliceofallactions taken from the time the matter was reported. “We echo his commitment to clarity, justice, and public trust in the processes of law enforcement. The Ministry of Home Affairs urges the public to remain calm, to cooperate fully with the authorities, and to refrain from any acts that may disrupt the investigative process or disturb public order Theministryreiterates itsunwaveringdedicationto nationalsecurityandassures that every measure will be taken to ensure justice is served.”
Frompage19
Regional Division #3 was contacted, and footage showed that Adrianna entered a Red and Black Raum motorcar bearing registration number PSS 4684, which drove off in an easterly direction heading towards Vreed-en-Hoop
“Information was received about the registered owner, who, when contacted, claimed he rented the car to one Orlando (no last name provided) since last week.
Checks were made for the said Orlando at an address provided by the car owner, but Orlando was not contacted Trace of the vehicle from Georgetown Command Centre around 20:58hrsshowedthevehicle is in Onderneeming, West Bank Demerara at 'White Shopshortcut'. Policearein pursuit as the investigation continues,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, during an interview with Kaieteur News Wednesday night, Amecia Simon, the mother of the missing child, shared how she learned about her daughter's disappearance
She explained that she received a phone call from thechild'sgrandmother,who said she was unable to find Younge. According to the grandmother, Younge had been in the pool and had reportedly come out. The grandmother then went to getsomefood,butwhenshe returnedtocheckonYounge, the child was nowhere to be found A search was immediately launched, but Youngecouldnotbelocated.
The mother stated that police informed her that surveillancefootageshowed her daughter being taken away by someone in a vehiclealongthepublicroad infrontofthehotel.Shesaid that the police had launched asearchtoidentifytheowner ofthevehicle.
The police later confirmed that they have obtained a photograph and other details of the suspect believed to have taken the child and assured that they are following every lead to locate the individual. “Right now, my pressure high, I cried so much like I don't have words to say,” Simon said.
Frompage20 footfirstthenhemussygone over she and finish she off,” Sampson said Sampson, who was closely monitored by villagers who had gathered at the home of the deceased and nearby shops, said before Wednesday's shooting, Ramdehol had threatened to kill himself, but the family pleaded with him not to do so.“He din threatened to kill himself first but after Maline scrambling with he for don't drink [ the poison] that's when he start shooting. The other boy (Ceon) come in whenthemsendtocallhim,”
shesaid. That same night, Dawn said she might also have been killed had she visited the family as she usually does. The woman, who was holding a bottle of Limacol and constantly bending her head, told this publication
that Ramdehol had previously threatened her l i f e “ L a s t n i g h t
(Wednesday), I was supposed to come to see the motherbutItoldherthatI'm at the school in Timehri and when I finish, I will come and talk with she. When I standupbythedoortogoby them…butmymoodchange
and I end up stop and same timemyphoneringandIdey comingbutifIwentinsideI could've get shoot and dead or I could've help somehow and tried to fight too,” she stated.
Heartbreakingly, Sampson revealed that the children,includingthethreeyear-old, witnessed the murder of their family right beforetheireyes.
“The baby know everything, he talk everything. When they had the incident at the hotel, he used to tell he mommy 'daddy want kill you chokeyou',”Sampsonsaid.
She disclosed that the childrenarestayingwithher cousin and a village pastor “The younger children are living with one of my cousins further up the road, and the older boy is staying with a pastor,” Sampson said.
Atraumatisedcommunity
Though Ramdehol was known as abusive, his impulsive actions shocked the community. Sampson disclosed that Ramdehol believed that Maline's teen sister was too influential in her life.“We didn't expect this but I know one time he threatenedtokillallofthem
out especially the small sister…becausehesaidthat the girl was a upholder for hiswifetobegoingoutevery night and suh,” Sampson recalled.
Howthecouplemet Sampson shared that the couple met when Maline's eldestsonwastwoyearsold andweremarriedlastyearin August.“Ifollowshetogoto himandthenItakeshehand and put she hand in he hand andItellhe'hopeyouprotect myfriendandtreathergood and as you want a son she will give you a son'. From then they were together,” Sampson told Kaieteur
News Meanwhile, when KaieteurNewsarrivedatthe victims' home just after noon, scores of residents were observed sitting under trees talking about the horrific killing Many questioned the goldsmith's actions and decried what they perceived to be police inaction.
Inside the flat concrete structure, blood stains were visible all over. Pools of blood were seen near the entrance, another near a room in the vicinity of the windows,wherethechildren escaped, and yet another in thekitchen.
Frompage33
‘West Side’derby, with Den Amstel hailing from West Demerara and Slingerz FC representing the East Bank of Essequibo village of Vergenoegen.
It will be the second game of a double-header, following the 6:30 pm encounter between Fruta
C o n q u e r o r s a n d MonedderlustFC.
Under the guidance of coach Jamaal Shabazz, SlingerzFCremainstheonly
unbeaten team in the GFF EliteLeaguethisseason.The teamboastsfourconsecutive wins,thehighestgoaltallyin the league (25), and the fewestgoalsconceded(2).
Currently topping the tablewith12points,Slingerz FC face a Den Amstel side comingoffanarrow2-1loss to Santos FC in their last outing.
DenAmstel sit fourth in the standings, trailing Santos, the Guyana Police Force, and league leaders
SlingerzFC.
The Lions have played four games, recording two wins,onedraw,andoneloss. They have netted 16 goals while conceding seven, the fourthmostintheleague.
In the evening’s opening fixture, Monedderlust and FrutaConquerors,twoteams struggling for consistency, willlooktoturntheirseason around in what will be their sixthmatchofthecampaign.
Monedderlust have two wins and three losses from
their five outings, while Fruta Conquerors have managed one win, two draws,andtwodefeats.
The team from #5 Village,WestCoastBerbice, has conceded 15 goals, secondonlytoleaguecellardwellers Mainstay Goldstar, who have let in 44 Monedderlust has found the net just seven times in their fivematches.
Fruta Conquerors, meanwhile, are hoping for a stronger offensive showing from their youthful squad, who have only managed six goals so far, only slightly better than Western Tigers (4) and Mainstay Goldstar (3).
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
Youmaybeabitunclearabout your professional direction today Your motivation has disappeared without warning. What happened? It may be that you need to become involved in projects that have moreuniversalresonance.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
It could be that you see mirages,Taurus,mostnotably in the environment around you You may have the impression that people are lying to you or hiding somethingfromyou.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Hold tight to your money, because you may have some strange {though noble) impulses to give it away or spend a large amount on something completely useless.
CANCER(June21–July22)
Today isn't a gooddaytosign contracts or make any substantialpurchases Gotothe grocerystore,byallmeans,but buy hamburger not tenderloin Keep your money in a safe placeandsaveyourreserves.
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
Areyoucertainthatyoucan't modifyyourcurrentsituation, Leo? Are you a prisoner of a lifestylethatisn'tofyourown making or that may be a throwbackfromthepast?
VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)
The forecast for you is excellent. You can rely on today'saspectstorestoreyour confidence, which has been sorely tried in the past few days.Thewarriorofseduction withinyoucanswaggerforth, certainofconquest.
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
You may have some trouble communicating today, Libra. Don't be surprised if, once evening comes, you feel like forgetting about all of your responsibilities and traveling totheotherendoftheworld.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23–Nov 21)
You're radiant and glowing withhappinesstoday Thisisa refreshing change after the gloom and doom of the past few weeks. Apparently the decisions you made worked outforthebest.Or,evenbetter, perhapsyou'reinlove?
SAGITTARIUS(Nov22–Dec21)
Yourgoalforthedayseemsto be to enchant your mate There's no reason not to try Indeed, today is excellent for love.Butdon'texaggerateyour romanticwiles,Sagittarius.
CAPRICORN(Dec22–Jan19)
You'reinsplendidshapetoday Did a fairy godmother conjure awayallthelittledifficultiesof thepastfewweeks?Enjoythis moment of relief from your worries.
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
It's certainly clear that you havefaithinyouractions.You feel no fear or doubt as you progress toward your goals, cruising along on calm seas under clear skies This new atmosphereislikelytheproduct ofyourrenewedcommitment.
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Thisisamomenttostartbeing creative in your life and stop being afraid of not having any talent.Who'stosaywhattalent is? And in the romance department, the love of your life might be right in front of you.
Frompage32
ensurefairness.Ontheotherhand,Mr BasilPersaud,oneof the coordinators of the tournament thanked Mr Maheepa Dharie and his entity for supporting this inaugural “Essequibo Is We Own Softball Cricket Cup,” which is integral in developing young cricketers towards a brighter future in the sport and, most importantly, brings the people togetherthroughsports.
Accordingtotheorganisers,theeventisbeingorganized toshowsupport,bysendingamessageofsolidaritythrough sportsthatEssequiboBelongstoGuyana,andweallstandby itinensuringeveryoneplaystheirpartinstandingup.
Thetwo-daylimited-overstournamentwillbeplayedin three categories: open male, female, and over 40, with round-arm and risk bowling, in a one-game knock format. Theteamswillbebattlingforbraggingrights,whileover1 millionincashincentivesandtrophieswillbeupforgrabsby thewinner,runner-up,MVP,playerofthefinal,bestbowler, bestbatsman,andplayerofthematchinallthegamesinthe variouscategories.
Frompage29
Whyte, Jodean Williams, Stacey-AnnWilliams
4x400m and 4x400m
MixedRelays(Men): Zandrion Barnes, Javier Brown, Demar Francis, Malik James-King, Delano
Kennedy, Rusheen McDonald,TareesRhoden Officials:
T e a m
Manager/Safeguarding Officer:Mrs.HeleenFrancis
Technical Leader: Mr MarkElliott
Coach:Mr PaulFrancis
Coach: Mr. Michael Frater
Coach: Mr Sean-
MichaelSamuels
Doctor: Dr Marsha
James
Physiotherapist: Mr OffnielLamont
Massage Therapist: Mr EvanAllen
Massage Therapist: Mr TroyEvans
Massage Therapist: Mr DamionRowe
Massage Therapist: Mr OralThompson
DBL Group Inc , U Balgobin Electrical and Construction Services, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Shi-Oil, International Imports and Supplies, and RoraimaDevelopersarealsosupportingthetournament.
Interested teams are asked to contact the competition coordinators on the following numbers: Das 604-3212, Wakeel(ESCL)628-8030,Basil610-0842,Brian651-0358, orRSSportson657-2022. Registrationcloseson1stMay 2025.
Accordingtotheorganisers,plansarebeingputinplace for a grand party-like atmosphere during the playoffs, and spectators can expect many side attractions as we show solidarityas“ONEGUYANA”.
Extra time decided fate between
Afterabriefpausedueto heavy rainfall, the Petra Organisation concluded the semi-final stage of the 11th
Annual Milo/Massy Secondary Schools Under18 Football Championship, withDolphinSecondaryand Chase’s Academic Foundation securing victories to earn their places in the highly anticipated final The championship decider is set for Sunday at the Ministry of Education Ground.
On the grandest stage of secondary school football, Dolphin Secondary earned their spot in the final with a commanding 3-1 win over West Ruimveldt Secondary
The match kicked off with high intensity, and Dolphin thought they had taken an early lead, only for the goal
tobeoverturnedduetoalate handballcall.
West Ruimveldt quickly shifted into a defensive stanceasDolphindominated possession. Thanks to some outstanding goalkeeping, WestRuimveldtmanagedto keepthescoreslevelthrough to halftime, which ended 00.
The breakthrough came in the 60th minute when Collin David-Frank clinically finished to give Dolphinadeservedlead.His brother, Ezekiel DavidFrank, doubled the advantage just four minutes later, slicing through the defence with a brilliant run down the left wing before calmly slotting the ball into thenet.
Ezekiel struck again 17 minutes later, further
extending Dolphin’s lead andallbutsealingtheresult.
Although Jeremiah Griffith managed to score a consolation goal for West Ruimveldt in the 82nd minute, it was too little, too late Dolphin Secondary heldonforaconvincing3-1 win.
Inthesecondsemi-final, a resilient 10-man Chase’s AcademicFoundationedged Waramuri Secondary 7-6 in a nail-biting p
nalty shootout after a 3-3 draw in regulationtime.
T h e d e f e n d i n g champions raced to a 2-0 lead with early goals from Bryan Wharton and Isaiah Ifill However, Waramuri launched a spirited comeback, starting in the 51st minute with a thunderous strike from
RondellPeters.EdlonLewis equalizedinthe77thminute, andPetersaddedasecondin the 86th to give Waramuri a 3-2lead.
But Ifill stepped up again, netting an equalizer just three minutes later to force extra time. With no goals scored in the added period, the match was decided on penalties Chase’s Academic Foundation ultimately prevailed 7-6, booking their tickettothefinal.
The tournament is sponsored by Nestlé Milo and Massy Distribution, withadditionalsupportfrom MVP Sports, Fireside Grill, the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, and the Ministry of Culture,YouthandSports.It issanctionedbytheMinistry ofEducation.
Frompage30 forGuyana,especiallywiththetournamenthavingonly17 games, thus minimizing the amount of matches each team willplay Gametwointhedouble-headeratTarouba,bowls off from 19:00h and will see the Legions battling the Barbados Pelicans in what is expected to be a fire-cracker underlights.
Windward Islands Infernos: Darel Cyrus, Shadrack Descarte, Shamar Springer, Alick Athanaze, Dillon Douglas, Teddy Bishop, Ackeem Auguste, Ryshon Williams,AvinashMahabirsingh,JohannJeremiah,Kyron Phillips,KeonGaston,NoelleLeo,LeeJohn
GuyanaRainforestRangers:NialSmith,KemolSavory, Ronaldo Alimohamed, Kevin Sinclair, Ashmead Nedd, Kevlon Anderson, Riyad Latif, Rivaldo Clarke, Jediah Blades,IsaiThorne,RichieLooknauth,ZynulRamsammy, AdrianSukhwa,QuentinSampson.
away just one in the penultimate over.
ESPNcricinfo -At some point, you’d think the toss gods would show Royal Challengers Bengaluru a little mercy at home. But once again, the coin turned its back on Rajat Patidar This time, though, the bad luck ended right there as theyposted205for5,theirhighestscoreathomesofar Forall that, another heartbreak loomed, but RCB turned it around sensationallytoclinchtheirfirsthomewin-andperhapstheir mostdramaticwinatanyvenue-ofIPL2025.
ThelosingsidewereRajasthanRoyals,whocameintothis contesthavingletback-to-backgamesslipoutoftheircontrol inthefinalover Theirtensionseemedtohavedefusedwhen DhruvJurel,havingscratchedhiswayto18off23,foundhis hittingrange,andwhenheandShubhamDubeyransacked22 offBhuvneshwarKumarinthe18thover,theequationcame downto18off12.
Then came Josh Hazlewood. He was ice-cold in the moment,producingamasterful19thoverofunhittablysteep bounce - conceding just one run and taking two wickets, of JurelandJofraArcherinsuccessiveballs.
ItwaslefttoYashDayal,thesamemanwhohadheldhis nerve in a now-legendary last over to deliver their previous home win, against Chennai Super Kings last season.And he deliveredasRRlostby11runshavinghadthechaseintheir graspforsolong.
The M Chinnaswamy Stadium erupted. RCB had finally foundtheirvoiceathomeand,withit,along-overduewinthat puttheminthetopthree.ForRR,thiswasafifthstraightloss thatleftthemonthebrink.
Scores: Royal Challengers Bengaluru 205 for 5 (Kohli 70, Padikkal 50, Sandeep 2-45) beat Rajasthan Royals 194 for 9 (Jaiswal 49, Jurel 47, Hazlewood 4-33, Krunal 2-31) by 11runs.
Part of the drills done during the course.
The Guyana Football Federation(GFF)concludedBlock 2 of its C Licence coaching course at the National Training Centre in Providence, marking another step in its mission to enhance coaching standardsnationwide.
Administered by the Federation’s Coaching Education Departmentundertheleadershipof Technical Director Bryan Joseph, today’ssessionzeroedinonsession planninganddeliveryalignedwith Concacaf’s foundational coaching principles leadership, management, planning and preparing, and teaching and coaching.
A notable feature of this latest training block was the integration ofacompulsorychildsafeguarding module. This was designed to ensurethatallparticipantsarewellequipped to provide a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for young footballers acrossthecountry
Participants in this round included youth national team coaches and club-level coaches drawn from various parts of Guyana,reflectingtheFederation’s ongoing push to strengthen the grassroots and developmental tiers of the sport. By completing the course, these coaches now fulfil
club licensing requirements and meet the minimum coaching criteria outlined in the Concacaf regulations.
Structured in two intensive blocks, the C Licence course combines theoretical instruction with on-field practical training. Block 1 was held from October 28 toNovember1,2024,duringwhich coaches engaged in face-to-face sessions aimed at building technical and tactical competencies. This was followed by a developmental period, giving participants the opportunity to implement their learnings in live matchscenarios.
WithBlock2now successfully concluded, the GFF is positioning itself to administer the C Licence course on a continuous basis throughouttheyear Thisapproach is part of the Federation’s broader commitment to raising coaching standards, expanding access to formal education for coaches, and supporting the long-term developmentoffootballinGuyana.
Technical Director, Bryan Joseph, noted, “The coaching educationpathwayisacornerstone of our football development strategy Byinvestinginthegrowth and qualification of our coaches, we are directly impacting the
quality of players being developed and, ultimately, the future of Guyanesefootball.”
AstheGFFcontinuestoexpand its coaching education programmes,itremainsfocusedon fostering a culture of continuous learningandprofessionalgrowthat alllevelsofthegame. By equipping coaches with the tools, knowledge, and ethical grounding needed to lead effectively,theFederationislaying thefoundationforastronger,more inclusive football ecosystem—one that can nurture talent, inspire communities,andelevateGuyana’s presenceontheinternationalstage.
SportsMax - The Jamaica
Athletics Administrative Association(JAAA)hasunveileda formidable 39-member squad for theupcoming2025WorldAthletics Relays, with global sprint icon Shericka Jackson and Kishane Thompson set to headline a team brimmingwithOlympicandWorld Championshippedigree.
The announcement, made on Thursday,signalsJamaica’sserious intent to dominate in both the traditional and mixed relay events in Guangzhou, China, from May 10–11, as the island nation aims to secure automatic qualification spots for the 2025 WorldAthletics Championships.
Jackson, the reigning World 200m champion and one of the fastest women in history over the half-lap sprint, brings experience, speed, and leadership to the women’s 4x100m and mixed 4x100mrelaypools.
She is joined by a formidable sprint corps that includes the Claytontwins—TinaandTia,both
World U20 champions — Serena Cole, Alana Reid, and Niesha Burgher,allofwhomrepresentthe next generation of Jamaican sprinting.
Also returning to the fold is sprintlegendandmultipleOlympic champion Shelly-Ann FraserPryce, whose inclusion adds to a blend of youthful energy and veteranpoise.
Onthemen’sside,alleyeswill beonKishaneThompson,whohas emerged as one of the fastest men ontheplanetinrecentseasons.His explosive performances last year signaled a resurgence in Jamaica’s malesprintingranks.
Hewillbeflankedbyseasoned campaigners like Yohan Blake, AckeemBlake,andJulianForte,as wellaspromisingsprinterssuchas BryanLevellandJavariThomas.
The 4x400m and 4x400m mixed relays will feature a strong lineup as well World Championship finalists StaceyAnn Williams and Roneisha McGregor will lead the charge for
the women, alongside Shiann Salmon, Shana-Kaye Anderson, and Kelly-Ann Beckford. On the men’s side, Rusheen McDonald, Delano Kennedy, and Zandrion Barnesbringqualityanddepthtoa squad that has shown glimpses of world-classpotential.
With the Guangzhou meet serving as a critical qualifying event,thestakeswillbehigh—but
so too is the calibre of Jamaica’s contingent.
Fullsquad: 4x100m and 4x100m Mixed
Relays(Women): Niesha Burgher, Tia Clayton, Tina Clayton, Serena Cole, Shericka Jackson, Natasha Morrison, Shelly-Ann FraserPryce,AlanaReid,KrystalSloley 4x100m and 4x100m Mixed
McGregor,
Salmon,Ronda Continued on page 27
The Caribbean’s most anticipated T20 tournament, the Inaugural Breakout T20 Leaguebowlsofftodaywith twohugegamesattheBrian Lara Cricket Academy Ground, with intense action set to showcase some of the West Indies’ future generationofstars.
TheInfernoswillbekeen onseeingwhattheirtalented core of mixed weapons can do against a decent Guyana,
with a string of stars the caliber of West Indies Test batsman and skipper Alick
Athanaze, Shadrack Descarte, Shamar Springer, Teddy Bishop, Avinash Mahabirsingh, Ackeem
Auguste to name a few, it will be interesting to see the XI which the Windwards looktofield.
AfewoftheGuyanastars including captain Kemol Savory,NialSmith,Ronaldo
AlimohamedKevinSinclair, Ashmead Nedd, Kevlon Anderson and Richie
Looknauth are fresh off a championshipwinfollowing a successful regional 4-Day tournament.
Their current form should be a huge factor for Guya
e
r leadership and commitment to the development of their younger mates, such as Riyad Latiff, Zynul Ramsammy and Isai Thorne who will be called upon to showtheirtalentsinthisnew
format.
Today’s encounter is set to bowl off from 14:00h on neutral ground when they play at the Brian Lara Cr
franchises will have to rely ontheirteamtacticswiththe playingfieldonlyinfavorof thehometeam,theLegions.
Drawing first blood will beahugemomentumboost
Continued on page 28
Th e G u y a n a
B o x i n g
Association
(GBA) will send a four-man team to compete in Curaçao on May 3, as part of its ongoing efforts to expose some of Guyana’s emerging talent to regional and internationalcompetition.
“This proves just how important our Pepsisponsored Michael Parris U16 Championship is to the GBA It’s through this tournament that we identify the top young talent from across Guyana, representing our affiliated gyms,” said GBA President Steve Ninvalleinapressrelease.
Joshua Tambaran, who won gold in the 54kg category at this year’s Caribbean Championship in St. Lucia, will be joined by his Rose Hall Jammers gymmateRoopeshBalgobin (38kg), along with Madray Junior (36kg) and Aluko Bess.
National Coach Lennox Daniels will accompany the young boxers, who, according to Ninvalle, are eager to test themselves on theinternationalstage.
“We will continue to provideopportunitiesforour young, up-and-coming boxers to showcase their skills against some of the
Sprinter Noelex Holder
Olympian Emanuel Archibald and triple jump standout NatricaHooperwillleadTeamGuyanaattheSouthAmerican AthleticsChampionships,setforApril25–27inArgentina.
The Athletics Association of Guyana (AAG) made the announcement yesterday, unveiling a strong lineup that also includes Noelex Holder (200m), Akeem Stewart (100m), Shemar Horatio (200m), Analisa Redmond (Long Jump), KerionDeSouza(100m)andLeslainBaird(Javelin).
The team will be under the guidance of coach Quinse Clarke.DespiteholdingGuyana’snationalrecordinthe100m (10.09s),Archibald will focus on the Long Jump, where he alsoholdsthenationalrecordwithaleapof8.12m,setin2019 in Jamaica. He heads to Argentina with a season-best of 7.95m,recordedinMarch.
Hooper,meanwhile,iscomingoffawind-assisted14.10m winning jump (+2.5 m/s) at the Pepsi Florida Relays earlier this month, and will be aiming for the podium in the Triple Jump.TheAAGexpresseditssinceregratitudetotheGuyana OlympicAssociationandtheGovernmentofGuyanafortheir continuedfinancialsupport.
At the last Championships held in 2021 in Ecuador, Guyanaearnedabronzemedalinthe4x100mrelay
The team of Archibald, Holder, Stewart, and Jeremey Bascom clocked 40 02s, finishing behind Brazil and Colombia.Archibald also claimed silver in the 100m with a timeof10.23s,whileAndreaFoster(800m),JasmineAbrams (100m),andJeneaMcCammon(100mhurdles)eachsecured bronzemedals.
In2023,however,Guyanadidnotmakethepodiumatthe ChampionshipsinSãoPaulo,Brazil.(RawleToney)
best in the region. I believe this also motivates others to stay committed, knowing they too will be rewarded,” Ninvalleadded.
He noted that the GBA has much more in store for young amateur boxers in Guyana, as the association works to further develop its grassrootstalent.
Meanwhile, the GBA’s U 1 6 D e v e l o p m e n t Tournamentwillcontinueon
SaturdayattheAndrew‘Six Head’LewisGym.
This will mark the fifth edition of the Pepsisponsored event, which features participation from allGBA-affiliatedgyms.
Ninvalle also expressed his pleasure at the return of the Pocket Rocket Gym in Linden, stating, “Region 10 hasalwaysproducedquality boxers, and we’re happy to seethembackontrack.”
BySamuelWhyte
In a dominant performance, top
cyclist Andrea
‘Padlock’ Green on Sunday rode away with the Flying Ace Cycle Club (FACC) Easter Cycle Road race around the town of New Amsterdam.
The10lapseventaround thetownofNewAmsterdam which was for cyclists in Regions 5 and 6 was sponsored by a number of business entities in East Berbice.
The event, which saw some 14 riders taking part, sawthecyclistsbeingsenton their way by New Amsterdam Mayor Mr WainwrightMcIntosh.
The race began at 13:00hrs at the junction of
Charles Place and Republic Road.
The riders then proceeded along Republic Road, turned left into Vryheid Street, left onto M a i n R o a d i n t o Stanleytown, left into Tacama Turn unto Republic Roadfor10laps.
Astheridersweresenton
their way by Mayor McIntosh, Green showed that he meant business as he dominated proceeding to winalleightsprintprizesup forgrabs.
Riding in second was veteran Junior Niles with two other veterans in Jaikarran Sookhai and Deon “Snow Cone” David occupying the other two spots.
Theveterancategorysaw Niles, Sookhai, David and
ClementDoristakingthetop fourspots.
Sidwell Sandy was the topJunioronshow
In the beginner’s category, riding home first was Dinesh Sookhai with DookwanEdwardssecond. Among the sponsors were Kurthland Thomas
Construction Services, Franco Crawford Trucking Services, Sukhpaul Gas Station, Rafeek Kassim of KasconEngineering,Aubrey David, J’s Supermarket, A. Ally and Sons, Jerome Bagot, Ajay Sohan, Anwar Shaffie, Impressive Signs, Junior Samuel, Diana General Enterprise, Dude Trucking Service, 4s Trucking Service and BuildingEnterprise.
Andrea Green, at centre, and other top cyclists display their silverware along with organisers and some sponsors after the presentation ceremony.
coordinated by cycling coach Randolph Roberts
overseas based Former
Crawford.
The FACC would also like to thank the Guyana Police Force for all their assistance and help in makingtheeventthesuccess itwas.
Mr. Basil Persaud (left) receiving sponsorship from Mr. Maheepa Dharie, Director of MD Auto Imports.
ThemanagementofMDAutoImportsofAnnaRegina, EssequiboCoasthasgivenitssupporttowardstheinaugural “Essequibo Is We Own Softball Cricket Cup”, which is slated for 3rd and 4th May, 2025 at various venues to be namedinRegion2. Thetournamentisbeingorganizedby the newly formed RS Sports in association with Roraima CommunityDevelopersandtheEssequiboSoftballCricket League(ESCL).
Mr MaheepaDharie,DirectorofMDAutoImports,said thatheisverypleasedtosupportthetwo-dayeventthatwill involvesoftballteamsintheregionandafar Hewentonto say that the game of softball cricket is what helps to encourage youths to be part of the game and be active in positivethingsthatwillshapetheirfuture.
Mr MaheepaDhariefurthersaid,that,softballcricketis known to be competitive and brings out positive vibes amongsttheplayersthatputtheirallintowinning,andnot thevibesintheplayersalone,butalsointhespectatorsthatis supportingtheirvillageteam.
HesaidthemanagementofMDAutoImportswishesall the teams the very best and looks forward to the players playingthegameundertherulesthatgovernthegamesto
Continued on page 27
Chief Executive Officer of Cricket West Indies (CWI), Chris Dehring, has extended heartfelt congratulations to Barbadosfollowingtheirimpressiveunbeatenruntoretainthe CWIRisingStarsUnder-15titleinAntiguaonWednesday
The CEO via statement said, “I offer sincere congratulationstotheBarbadosteamforclaimingconsecutive titles.Thisisatestamenttothehardworkandcollectiveeffort of the players and the coaching staff. Barbados played with great skill, enthusiasm and passion throughout the tournament.Their consistency showcased the rising talent in the Caribbean, and it was inspiring to see so many young playerscompetingatthislevel.”Dehringsaid.
Barbados secured back-to-back titles with a 49-run win over Guyana in the top-of-the-table clash at the Coolidge Cricket Ground. After posting 209 for 8 in their allotted 50 overs,BarbadosbowledoutGuyanafor160.
There were also standout individual performances. Barbados captain Justin Parris was named BestAll-Rounder after scoring 121 runs and claiming 13 wickets with his legspin.Histeammate,top-orderbatterKelaniClarke,finishedas thetournament’sleadingrun-scorerwith216runs.
ReyazLatifofGuyanatook15wicketstoearntheaward for Most Wickets. Richard Ramdeholl, also of Guyana, and J’QuanAthanazeoftheLeewardIslandssharedtheawardfor Most Catches, with five each. Jamaica’s Luwain Pryce was namedBestWicketkeeperafterrecording11dismissals.
Dehring praised the overall standard of play during the competition. “This is the development phase for our players, and the pride and skill on display throughout the tournament bodes well for the future. The individual winners will have momentstocherishastheycontinuetheirgrowthandprogress through the age-group levels, with the ultimate goal of representingtheWestIndies.”
Barbados finished with 27.4 points, ahead of Trinidad & Tobagoon19.4points.
Slingerz Football Club will play their first home match at the National Track and Field Centre tomorrow, sincereturningtotheGuyana Football Federation (GFF) Elite League last season, when they take on their ‘West Side’ rivals, Den AmstelFCat9:00pm.
The highly anticipated clashisbeingdubbedthe Continued on page 27
Slingerz FC will look to maintain their winning record against Den Amstel FC on April 26.
