Kaieteur News

‘Norton bows out’

…TerrenceCampbelltoleadAPNUinParliament

…Saiku,DexterToddlikelynewcomers

With the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) securingonly12seatsinthe 13 Parliament, Kaieteur th News has confirmed that party leader Aubrey Norton will not be returning to the National Assembly. Instead, the parliamentary team will likely be led by a new face, businessman, Dr. Terrence Campbell.

Following the APNU's disappointingshowingatthe elections there have been calls for Norton to both skip returning to parliament and also resign as leader of the PNCR.

FollowingtheSeptember 1 general and regional elections,APNU recorded a disappointing number of votes,resultinginthelossof its status as the main opposition party, a position now held by Azruddin Mohamed's We Invest in Nationhood (WIN), which won 16 seats. The ruling People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), led by President Irfaan Ali, was declared winner with 36 seats, securing Ali a second terminoffice.

Sources within the APNU told Kaieteur News that roughly eight of the 12 APNU parliamentary seats have already been allocated, with several new faces expected to enter the National Assembly Those whoarelikelytomakeupthe APNU's team are: Juretha Fernandes, Ganesh Mahipaul, Linden Deputy Mayor, Dominique Blair, Coretta McDonald, Nima Flue-Bess, Vinceroy Jordan and newcomers: Saiku Andrews, and attorney DexterTodd.

Historically dominant in key regions such as District Four (Demerara–Mahaica)

and Region 10, APNU suffered historic defeats this election cycle. For the first time, PPP/C outperformed APNUinDistrictFour,long considered the Coalition's stronghold. Region 10, another traditional APNU stronghold, also showed significant vote losses. Overall, the PPP/C secured around 242,000 votes, WIN received over 109,000, and APNU ended with 77,988 votes.

Despite the loss, Norton remains defiant and has questionedthelegitimacyof the 2025 elections. Over the weekend,hemaintainedthat the elections were “far from freeorfair,”citingabloated voters' list, the absence of biometric voter verification, and various irregularities.In a public statement, Norton said,“Inspiteofthemanifest deficiencies in the electoral system, including a bloated voters' list and the lack of biometrics, our party decided to participate in the elections held on September 1,2025...Theseelectionsdid not reflect the will of the peopleofGuyana.”

Norton acknowledged thatAPNU,andbyextension thePNCR,themajorpartyin thecoalition,nowfindsitself in unfamiliar political territory, being neither the governing party nor the official opposition However, he expressed confidencethatthepartywill recover “APNU, of which thePNCisamajorparty,has a wealth of experience in weathering political storms. We will come through this stronger and better,” he affirmed.

Drawing historical parallels, Norton referenced the PNC's significant defeat in 1961 and the resilience

Burnham Quoting Burnham's rallying call, “Willyounotwatchwithme for one hour?” Norton appealed to APNU supporters to stand firm in these trying times. “We are liketheoaktree.Wewillreemerge better and stronger,” he declared. As the party prepares for a reshaped role in parliament under new leadership, APNU's direction now hinges on fresh faces like Campbell and others, while it seeks to rebuilditsbase.

Meanwhile, last week FormerMinisterofFinance, Winston Jordan had suggested that Norton shouldstepdown.Duringan appearance on KAMS TV's Guyana Morning Time on Friday, Jordan commended Norton's efforts but said he must take responsibility for theoutcome.

“Aubrey, you did the hard work… It was needed. The under pushing was needed…you did the hard work,youtookalotofflock for it and signs of rebirth were seen in the rallies and soon[but]peopledidn'tturn up for the elections, again I said this was a setback,” Jordansaid.

“However, we look at it, thepartyhasbeenbroughtto its lowest ebb and you were

at the helm when the party was brought to its lowest ebb,”Jordan.

He said that when the dust is settled and the swearing in is completed; Nortonshouldmakewayfor new talent to come forward andleadtheparty Hesaidin the interest of this pursuit, Nortonshoulddecideoffhis own not to return to parliament Jordan

suggested APNU's parliamentary leadership be entrustedtoNimaFlue-Bess

or Vinceroy Jordan

“Aubrey, you can remain leader of the list, until

Congress next year, where you must commit not to run for leadership. Let this be early in your introspection over the next few days, that you will not be running for leadership again, come next year.Sothatothertalentcan begin to formalize their running and so on into the Congress,”hesaid.

JordanaddedthatNorton should transition into an elder role, giving advice without overshadowing new leadership. “Don't go back into parliament and don't contest next year's leadership,letthisthingflow through and be part of the molding and so on ” Jordanstated.

shown by then-leader L.F.S.

Juretha Fernandes Ganesh Mahipaul

Attorney Dexter Todd

Terrence Campbell

Former MPNema Flu-Bess Coretta McDonald

Saiku Andrews

Former MPDominique Blair

APNU leader Aubrey Norton

Former MPVinceroy Jordan

KaieteurNews

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Publisher:GLENNLALL-TEL:624-6456

Editor:NIGELWILLIAMS

Tel:225-8465,225-8491. Fax:225-8473,226-8210

EDITORIAL

Crusadeagainstpoverty

On Sunday at his inauguration ceremony, President Irfaan Ali announced that his new administration will launch a crusade against poverty, underscoring that Guyana-anationblessedwithoil,gold,bauxite,andother resources,shouldnotbepoorinlivingstandards.

Hesaid:“Notjustthevisiblepovertyinourstreets,but thestructuralrootsandhiddenburdensthatkeepfamilies from rising. We will fight it, reduce it, and ultimately eradicateit,”PresidentAlisaid.AccordingtoAli,thekey to delivering on these commitments lies in building a highlyefficient,service-orientedpublicservice.Hespoke about refashioning a public service that delivers more onlineservicesandonethatplacesthecitizenatthecentre ofeveryaction.Healsoreiteratedhispromisetodismantle bottlenecks that frustrate citizens and modernise the systems. On the elections campaign trail, he spoke about cuttingelectricitybillsby50percentandthereductionin thepriceofcookinggasasaresultofthegovernment’sgasto-energy project. He said too that job creation remains a top priority, and the part-time job programme, designed primarilyforsinglemothersandlow-incomefamilies,will also be expanded, with upskilling opportunities added to help workers earn more. Despite Guyana’s newfound wealthfromoilandgas,toomanycitizenscontinuetolive in abject poverty The disconnect between national revenue and household prosperity is widening, and this mustnotbecomethedefiningparadoxoftheoilera.

The poor in Guyana often go unheard. In hinterland regions, Amerindian communities face chronic underdevelopment, with limited access to electricity, internet,cleanwater,andpavedroads.Inurbancenterslike Georgetown and Linden, underemployment and low wages continue to trap families in cycles of poverty, despiterisingcostsofliving.Inflation,driveninpartbythe oil boom, is making basic necessities increasingly unaffordable.

PresidentAliandthePPP/Chadmadesimilarpromises on the 2020 elections campaign trail. Back then, those promises struck a chord with thousands of struggling Guyanese who saw in the oil economy a chance for transformation.Fiveyearslater,manyarestillwaitingfor thebenefitstotrickledown.Therecanbenodenyingthat Guyana is now an oil-producing state, with revenues swellingthetreasuryatapaceunimaginablejustadecade ago. Yet, paradoxically, the number of citizens living below the poverty line remains disturbingly high Skyrocketing food prices, widening inequality, and persistent unemployment are daily realities in communities from Linden to Lethem, from Berbice to Bartica.

It is not enough to announce pledges or paint glossy pictures of “One Guyana.” The people want action, not slogans. Poverty eradication cannot be achieved by handouts or headline projects alone. It requires welltargetedpolicies,transparentmanagementofoilrevenues, investment in education and skills training, and the buildingofsustainableindustriesoutsideofoilandgas.

President Ali must also confront the elephant in the room:corruptionandwaste.Unlessgovernancestructures are strengthened and accountability becomes the watchword, the promise of lifting citizens out of poverty willremainjustthat—apromise.

Kaieteur News has long cautioned that oil wealth, if mismanaged, could deepen inequality rather than eliminateit.ThePresidentmustnowdemonstratethathis rhetoric is not just recycled campaign talk, but a firm commitment backed by measurable action. Guyanese are nolongerimpressedbyspeeches.Theywantresults.

The time for lofty pledges has passed. With billions flowing into the Natural Resource Fund, there are no excuses left. The Ali administration must prove that poverty eradication is more than a slogan—it is the lived realityofeveryGuyanese.

Superior organisational strength and media gave PPPthe advantage

DEAREDITOR

Ithasbeensuggestedthat PPP’s money advantage determinedorinfluencedthe outcome of the election WIN also spent a lot of money as suggested by ClementRohee(Sep10).No doubt, the PPP and WIN enjoyed an advantage in funding over the others. But financial resources was not the only factor in which the ruling party had an advantage. The ruling party had superior organization overtheotherparties.

This is largely attributed to the political acumen of party leader Bharrat Jagdeo. Those who dismissed the political skills of the allpowerful and feared PPP leader did so at their own peril.Heisamasterelection strategist,ashrewd,cunning, perennial election campaigner,withnoneofhis likeinGuyanaoreveninthe Caribbean. Jagdeo is known to start campaigning right after the first day of the swearing in of a new government. He is the most experienced campaigner havingbeencloselyinvolved in the planning and organizing of every election (6 general in all plus three

locals) since 1997, prior to 2025 He and Ali have scriptedthePPPvictory

Somealsosuggestedthat the PPP enjoyed the advantage of incumbency andaccesstostateresources as well as using government projects(openingofschools, hospitals,highways,bridges, handouts, etc.) during the campaign period to boost its election prospects Incumbency is a natural advantage; it comes with being in office in every country But incumbents, including the PPP and APNU,wereknowntosuffer defeats. The ruling PNC (in 2011renamedAPNU)lostin 1992. The incumbent PPP lost its majority in 2011 and was defeated in 2015. The ruling APNU led coalition was trounced in 2020. So incumbency, while giving advantage to a ruling party, doesnotguaranteevictory In addition to monetary resources and incumbency, organization as well as governance, particularly by the PPP, had significantly influenced election outcomes in Guyana for the localin2023andthegeneral in 2025. PPP had superior organizational strength than

the others and ran a slick campaign, guaranteeing a total victory, a decisive mandate The party ran effective campaign with a well-oiled machine, with its ability to conduct numerous ralliesatthecommunityand national levels as well as micro-manage polling booths,givingitasignificant edgeoverless-organizedand lessfundedopponents.

The PPP, throughout its history, has had a massive, dedicated volunteer base (as wellaspaidstaffoverthelast several elections) with great networking from the street leveltotheentirecommunity (NDC) to the regional level to the national level. These “foot soldiers” were critical for mobilization, street or ground-level outreach and door-to-door campaigning

During campaigns, grassroots members collected voter information and actively worked to persuadethemtovoteforthe party The party stayed in touch with every voter in its traditional base to consolidate support. Where issues or concerns with voters were found with voters, the party sent in seniorstospeakwiththemto

convince them to support it. Where a voter transferred district, he or she filed a change of address. Where not possible, the voter was transported free to the right pollingstationtocastballot. No effort was spared to consolidate support Scrutineers checked every list on every street and identifyandgotintouchwith every voter The party knew its projected vote count in everyNDCandregion.

Besides identifying supporters, the party’s strategy focused on meticulous polling booth management. There it also hadvolunteersandpaidstaff (polling agents) as well as observers (including from NorthAmerica, UK, and the Caribbean) to deter skullduggery

The party has a centralized and hierarchical structure from the national level down to regional, subregional, and local areas. It had dedicated functionaries with a clear chain of command and the efficient dissemination of party messages and instructions fromthegeneralsecretaryor leaderandthePresident (Continuedonpage05)

From Leonora with love

DEAREDITOR

, It is with exalted exuberance that the elated peopleofLeonoraexcitingly welcometheinaugurationof Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali as the ninth President of the Republic of Guyana, Head ofStateandtheCommander – in - Chief of the Armed Forces.

The will of the people have mandated that this son of the soil of Leonora, serve another five-year term to continue to develop this nation once again, surpassing his performance from his first term lasting from2020to2025. Without exception, all the religious bodies in Leonora, be they Christians, Muslims, Hindus or otherwise, all the pastors, priests, maulvis, imams, pandits, purohits, members, attendees, devotees, pray with one voice for the benevolence of His Excellencyandhisfamily,to beguidedbythehandsofthe AlmightywithHisblessings so that, under his mantleship,thisnationwillpursuea path of righteousness to achieve the goals and aspirations for holistic

development.

W i t h o u t a n y expostulation, all the educational institutions located in Leonora, be they, nursery, kindergarten, primary, secondary, technical or vocational, all the lecturers, teachers, helpers, maintenance crews and students, do trust this former pupil of Leonora, PresidentDr Ali,totakethis country to academic excellence.

Without any doubt, all thesportsclubsrepresenting all indoor and outdoor games, be they cricket, football, martial arts, tennis, chess, the captains, coaches and players, do endorse this sports enthusiast, Dr Irfaan Ali, a member of the Leonora Sports Club, to uplift the standard of all sports to maximize the state’scompetitivelevel.

Without any reservation, the entire business, industrial and commercial sectors operating in Leonora, do support this business magnate, Dr Mohamed Ali, to catapult Guyana to realize its complete resourcefulness for the benefit of all

Guyanese.

Without any hesitation, all the social service organizations functioning in Leonora, pledge their commitments to help foster the aims of the by-laws, so that this duty son, Dr Ali, will ensure that the social infrastructure in this land will eradicate all human frailties which limit the humanpotentialsinthisland and upgrade all social amenities.

W i t h o u t a n y indecisiveness, all the vigilante groups, including the Leonora Police Station Management Committee, the Leonora Community Policing Group and the Leonora Community Developing Councils, do hereby ascribe to cooperate with this great leader, the PresidentofGuyana,sothat his Excellency will maintain,peaceandstability forthepeopleofGuyanaand makethiscountryasafeand secureplacetolive.

Withoutanyirresolution, the Leonora PPP/C group, including the Youth and Women’sarms,dochampion the cause to advance the pathwayofthePresident,so

thathewillserveall,equally, equitably, fairly and justifiably, in order to promoteaOneGuyana. Indeed,allthepeopleof Leonora, including Edinburg, Groenveld, Shanty Town, Pasture, New Housing Scheme, Para Field, Seafield and Sea Spray, collectively do e x t e n d w a r m e s t congratulations to their hometown hero, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali, on being convincingly elected to the highest position in thiscountryasPresidentof this land of many waters and people, to humbly serve another five years withdistinction Congratulations Sir, you dousagreathonorinliving up to the expectations of us and to carry on the work in the same vein as your parents, fore-parents and all the members of the popular Ali family did in the service of the PPP/C for peace, progress and prosperity Leonora is extremely proud of you and the First Lady, AryaAliandweallsendour heartfeltlove.

Yoursrespectfully, JaiLall.

Guyana Social Media Influencers

DEAREDITOR

Overthepastfewyears,I havebeenafrequentuserof socialmedia.

What I have noticed is thatGuyana,mycountry,has someofthemostdespicable, disgraceful, and vulgar socalled influencers on my daily feeds. Many of them lacedtheircommentarywith vulgar language, no respect fortheaudience,kidsandthe worldatlarge.

Is this the portrayal of Guyanawewant?

I will not single out any individual here, but they both reside in and out of Guyana. Some seem to be know-it-alls and have a solution for every problem.

GPAdefended Travis Chase’s plainly rude and aggressive approach in addressing the President

The cybersecurity law is more for political convenience than for the protection of individuals targetedinmanycases. Evenifonewantstotake on legal challenges, the cost may deter them from going to court or influence the individuals has with the powersthatbe.

Think of our kids, many of whom have access to various streaming devices, andthesefeedspopup.What are we instilling in them? I seenothingpositiveinthis.I know the internet is a free space, but we must encourage positive and respectfuldialogue.Weowe ittotheaudience.

What is even more distasteful is to see politicians cozying up to them and appearing on their programmes,becauseinone way or another, they either supporttheirpartyorfriends oftheindividual.

Yourstruly, T.Ram

Time to move on

DEAREDITOR

Election 2025 has concluded and the PPP/C haswon.

It was a clear and decisive vote by the electorate who voted that day Guyanese spoke to the world that they would like the PPP/C party to govern this country, hence we can safely say that the people of this great nation have won.

Election 2025 gave a resounding victory of and forthepeopleofGuyana.

Election 2025 will go down in history as the election that saw the PNC not being the main opposition in parliament, with a great shift in voter confidence.

The Azruddin “WIN Party”waspropelledintothe mainoppositionpost.

The PNC from a lofty positionof31seatsin2020, they have been catapulted intotheminoritypositionof onlygaining12seatsinThe 2025 Election; what a shocker!

T h i s h u m b l i n g experience should at least teach The PNC a serious lesson, that no more would

the people’s choice of government be stifled by a rigging PNC, it also teaches themthatthiscountrywould not be held captive by a racist party who peddles violenceandthepolarization of a country, Election 2025, free, fair and transparent; Guyana moves forward as a unifiedwhole.

Now, that the elections are behind us, it is time for the incumbent to continue moving forward in the upward trajectory of development and progress; in Agriculture, Healthcare

E d u c a t i o n a n d i n infrastructure all of these and more must be put together in the massive transformation of this country As we bask in the peaceful ambience of Election 2025, let us move forwardtogether

Respectfully

Submitted

NeilAdams

DEAREDITOR, Ireadwithutterdisbelief aFacebookpostmadebythe Guyana Press Association (GPA) relating to a now popular interaction between President Irfaan Ali and ‘journalist’ Travis Chase condemning what it labeled as the “President’s attack on Mr Chase”.

It is saddening that the GPA,whichclaimstobethe sole representative body of media workers in Guyana, doesnotseemtohaveaclue about how the media should addresstheHeadofStateofa country

The deputy director of the Protocol School of Washington, Robert

Hickey, in his book Honor & Respect: The Official Guide to Names, Titles, & Forms of Address, highlights that in conversations a president shouldbereferredtoas:Mr. President.

The AP Style, which is used by most media as their default when addressing a president, states that the first and family name should be used on the first r e f e r e n c e d u r i n g interactions, so it would be President IrfaanAli and the last name can be used for subsequentreferences

PerhapstheGPAshould spend a little less time on issuing statements with a

political bias and seek to spend more time on what should perhaps be one of its fundamental purposes developing the overall quality of the press in Guyana. Such development would include ensuring that its members understand the mostbasicofprotocolswhen addressingtheHeadofState, perhaps providing training on such and other media etiquette and rules and callingoutitsmemberswhen they have not observed the mostbasicofcourtesies.

Instead, the GPA defended Travis Chase’s plainly rude and aggressive approach in addressing the President, which shows the

organization’sapparentbias, lack of basic understanding ofprotocolinaddressingthe President and, by extension, agreement with the disrespect shown by Chase toHisExcellency.

TheGPA’sstanceonthis issue and subsequent agreement with the manner in which Chase addressed the President of Guyana highlights its continued bias towardstheGovernmentand undermines the legitimacy of the Association as an independent representative bodyformediaworkers.

WarmestRegards,

TerrenceJaskaran

CharteredAccountant

Superior organisational strength...

Frompage04 (albeit somewhat less involved in day to day organizing because he was p r e o c c u p i e d w i t h governance) to the grassroots. Jagdeo was key to organizational structure; he gave out instructions and kept a constant tab on every organizational action to make sure the party was battlereadyandmaximizing itsbasesupport.Jagdeoalso used strategically used technology and built an “Ali/Jagdeo/Phillips” brand thatwaspromotedwidely Thepartyusedextensive data to run a highly targeted

campaign.Thisalloweditto tailor messaging to specific voter segments and address local issues effectively Digital campaign was also used to reach out to voters. Modern technology was leveragedincludingcreating WhatsApp, Facebook, and othersocialmediagroupsto spread its message and counter opposition narratives Huge social mediacampaignreachedout to voters across the nation. The party received more thantentimesthetraditional andsocialmediacoverageof theopposition.

Theoppositioncouldnot

compete with the PPP on financial and human resources as well as using moderntechnology Also,the combination of voter mobilization,ahugevolunteer base, and an organized party structureensuredthatthePPP had a high voter turnout than theopposition

There was some dissatisfactionwith PPPand many thought the party would lose seats because of inflation and allegations against some Ministers. But Jagdeo was confident the PPP would win a majority

The dissatisfaction was overcome by great

organizational networking and visits by the President and Vice President to communities and national addressesassuringthemthat change was coming. The verdict defied predictions of those who thought PPP would win a minority led government. WIN did not make the breakthrough of a victory as its supporters had hoped for, but it has put in a very strong performance AFC and ALP were wiped out The FGM (Amanza Walton-Desir) deserve accoladesforwinningaseat.

Yourstruly VishnuBisram

Israelkillsover60inGazaasstrikesonQatarroiltheregion

(AL-JAZEERA) Israeli attacks across Gaza have killed more than 60 people onWednesdayastheassault to capture Gaza City and force one million Palestinians from their homescontinues.

Those killed include 44 in Gaza City, and nine aid seekers.

Widespread global condemnation has erupted afterIsraelattackedHamas’s senior leadership in the Qatari capital, Doha, Tuesday, as a US-proposed ceasefire was discussed for thewar-batteredGazaStrip.

Hamas political bureau member Hussam Badran condemned Israel’s strike in Qatar, calling it a “crime” that endangers the security andstabilityoftheregion.

Badran said the attack confirmed that Israel was “not a normal state but a group of gangs and killers operating with extreme, racist beliefs”. He warned that Israel’s actions

representagenuinethreatto the entire Middle East, not justthePalestinianpeople.

He stressed that Palestinians would continue to defend themselves and that the movement had received messages of solidarity from across Palestinian factions and national figures Qatar’s

In the wake of escalating hostilities and calls to evacuate Gaza City, the number of people leaving nearly doubled the daily average in recent weeks [Khames Alrefi/Anadolu Agency] Congratulations!

He described the recent shooting in occupied East Jerusalem as a “bold operation” proving that Palestinians remain determinedtofight.

He also condemned the recent Israeli strike on Qatar’s capital, Doha, calling it part of Israel’s broaderprojecttoexpandits regionaldominance.

Qassem said that resistance in Palestine, Lebanon and across the region is what continues to blockIsrael’sambitions.

prime m

r has

condemned the attack in Dohaas“stateterrorism”by Israel He’s called it a treacherous act that goes against all international norms That’s something that’s been echoed by leaders from all over the world.

There’s a long list of

leaders who have spoken to the Qatari Emir since the attack, and now some of themhavestartedvisiting. We’ve just seen a visit concluded by the president oftheUnitedArabEmirates. We’re expecting the crown prince of Jordan sometime latertoday,andit’sexpected the crown prince of Saudi

Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman,willalsobearriving sometimetomorrow

It seems all these states that were talking about normalisation with Israel only recently are now lookingatthisasanattackon one of their closest allies, neighboursandpartners.

The attack in the Gulf Cooperation Council has sent reverberations across theregion.AndQatarishave been quite insistent that the responsewillnotcomeonly fromQataritself–it’sgoing tobearegionalresponse.

Hezbollah SecretaryGeneral Naim Qassem gave a televised speech, saying that Iran continues to back the Palestinian people and theirresistance,describingit asa“unifyingcause”forthe Muslimworld.

Qassem accused Israel and the US of committing “heinous crimes” in Gaza andtheoccupiedWestBank, while praising Palestinian resilience and resistance despite mounting hardships.

DEAREDITOR

WiththecostoftheGasto-Energyprojectescalating from some US$1billion to some US$2billion is the predicted reduction in electricity bills by 50% still possible.

O r , w o u l d t h e Government be subsidising electricity Shouldthisbethe case then the GtE project w

The UN Human Rights Office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory says it has recorded many more Israeli attacks on northern Gaza since August 8, when theIsraeligovernmentstated thatitwouldseizecontrolof GazaCity

The office says the increase in attacks has resulted in “the destruction of significant numbers of residential buildings along with the systematic demolition of entire residential neighbourhoods in northern Gaza” and that further strikes risk the “complete destruction” of what little civilian infrastructureremains.

Since August 8, the UN says it has recorded 270 Israeli attacks on residential buildings in Gaza City and Northern Gaza, with at least 379 Palestinians killed. At least 92 Palestinians have been killed during the same periodin44Israelistrikeson tents set up by displaced Palestinians, although it notes the true number is likely far higher Most attacks occurred with no priorwarninggiven.

ELEPHANT

Had proper feasibility studies and public consultations been done these cost overruns may havebeenreduced. If the GtE is a white elephant there will need to beaccountability Guyanese citizens would expect answersandrightlyso.

Sincerely

SeanOri

Bestregards, Mr.JamilChanglee

GMIN announces new high-grade discovery at Oko West gold mine

Canadian gold miner, G Mining Ventures (GMIN), onTuesdayannouncedanew high-grade discovery at its Oko West gold project in Guyana.In an exploration update, the company reported that recent drilling guidedbyanewlydeveloped Splay Model along the main mineralised zone has delivered high-grade intercepts.

GMINsaidthisconfirms both near-mine growth and regionaldiscoverypotential.

The company also highlighted the discovery of a second high-grade plunge ofmineralisationbeyondthe currentpitlimitstothenorth at Oko West's Block 1. It explained that the Splay Model captures the structural complexity of the mainshearsystemandhelps identify new exploration targets beyond the existing reserve pit.“Exploration at Oko West continues to expandourunderstandingof thedepositandreinforcesthe r o b u s t e c o n o m i c s demonstrated in the Feasibility Study ” said Julie-Anaïs Debreil, Vice President Geology & Resources “High-grade intercepts confirm Oko West's exceptional potential

and support future mine life extensions…”

Since completing its Feasibility Study drilling, GMIN has carried out an additional 9,968 metres of core drilling focused on extensions outside the known reserve. The results, it said, have led to the discovery of a second highgradeplungethatbeginsnear

surface and lies outside of the existing pit. The grades identified could be easily integrated into the current open pit and underground mine plan, according to the company GMIN noted that this new ore shoot discovery demonstrates that the Oko West deposit continues to grow This announcement

followstherecentdisclosure by the company that it has received the Environmental Permit from Guyana's Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the 5.4 million ounces Oko West project.Thefive-yearpermit isvalidthroughJuly2030.It authorises the construction and operation of Oko West, which is expected to create

an average of 1,270 direct permanent jobs during its lifetime.GMIN is the 100% owner of the OkoWest gold project,whichfallsunderits main prospecting licence (PL) covering 44 square kilometers (10,890 acres), containing an estimated 5.4 million ounces of gold. The companyhadrevealedthatit expandeditslandholdingsin

Region Seven (CuyuniMazaruni) to 71 square kilometers. The Feasibility StudyforOkoWestoutlines a long-life, low cost, and high-margin operation. The company had said that the OkoWestprojectistargeting an average annual production of 350,000 ounces of gold over a 12.3yearminelife.

from the Royal Bank of Canada.

The man they made

There is a curious way in which politics often produces unintended results.

A man known as AZMO, once known chiefly for his generosity, now finds himself leading a party that hasdisruptedtheoldpolitical arrangement and left the People’s Progressive Party/Civic to wonder whether its own heavy hand did not, in fact, cultivate the veryforcethatnowconfronts it.

It is not as if AZMO arrived from nowhere. He and his family have for decades been known as givers,patrons,dispensersof charity to causes both great and small. Guyanese are not unacquainted with benevolence there are many who give quietly—but the scale and consistency of the AZMO family’s philanthropy has been unmatched.

The charity was not, as the PPPC has sought to represent, a calculated strategy to soften up the political ground It was, rather, a habit. Charity, for the Mohameds was less about ambition and more about human kindness. But good works rarely translate automatically into political capital.Amanwhoisknown for giving schoolchildren shoes or funding hospital wards is not thereby presumed fit to govern a country And AZMO, for all hiswealthofgiving,wasnot initially known for political pedigree If anything, he lacked the qualities that politicians traditionally flaunt.Hewasnotmagnetic. He did not speak with the charismaofarallyorator He was,inmanyways,ordinary The story changed not

because of what he did, but becauseofwhatwasdoneto him Governments, when seized by suspicion, have a wayofturningmolehillsinto mountains. The PPP/C saw menace where there was, at most, murmured possibility

A few persons whispered over market stalls and backyard fences, that perhaps this generous man ought to run for President.A whisperisnotashout.Butin the nervous ear of government, whispers can soundlikethunder

And so, one day, a circular went out from the Ministry of Education: schools were not to accept gifts without approval. This edict, written in the flat language of bureaucracy, carriedwithitthefullweight ofsuspicion.Ittoldthepublic whatthePPP/Cfeared—that charity might be cover for ambition. If ever a party wished to fan a faint ember intoflame,thiswasit. Whatfollowedwaslessa strategy than a siege

S a n c t i o n s w e r e misrepresented Overreach became the order of the day State agencies became instruments of harassment. The private sector was prodded into compliance

The banking and aviation industries suddenly found themselves caught up in the controversy Charges were filed.

brandished AZMO’s name became a fixture of weeklydenunciations.

The people of Guyana, accustomed to the feints and parries of political life, saw something else in this. They sawamanbeingsetupon,not by rivals in open debate, but by the machinery of state itself.And they recoiled, not out of love for AZMO’s

speeches—there were none to love—but out of distaste for the spectacle of a government bullying one of itscitizens.

Here, as so often in politics,theso-calledlumpen proletariat displayed a shrewder instinct than the intellectual class They recognizedpersecutionwhen theysawit.Theyrecognized that when a man is kicked while he is down, the decent response is to stand him up. Theirsolidaritywasnotborn of manifestos or grand ideology but of an ancient, humandislikeforunfairness.

Thus, AZMO became a championofthepoor,notby declaration, but by default. Each new measure taken against him confirmed the image: here was the man the rulers feared. Here was the man to rally behind. Had the PPP/Cignoredhim,hemight still be handing out gifts in obscurity Instead,theymade himahouseholdname,andin so doing, they built the scaffolding of his political ascent.

When the votes were counted, the evidence was there in black and white. Sixteen seats.Anew party, a new force, a new figure on thestage.

ThePPP/C,initszealto guard against imagined threats, had raised up a real one. It is not often that a rulingpartymidwifesitsown opposition, but in this case thechildwasdeliveredbythe very hand that sought to strangle it. Now the PPP/C mustreckonwithitscreation. WIN is no longer a whisper It is a presence, a rival, perhaps even a harbinger of change.

The government may regret the paranoia that turned philanthropy into

DEM BOYS SEH

Winedoesgetbetterwithage!

Demsehwinesdoesimprovewithage. But when dem boys drink wine, dem does improve.Demboysdoesseeuglythingstun nice.Beastdoestunintobeauty

We gat some Guyanese who does pretendthemareconnoisseursofwine.One of dem went into a fine dining restaurant andsaid,“Waiter,I’dlikeabottleofwine.”

Dewaiteraskhe,“Whatyear,sir?”

De Guyanese answer, “Well, I’d like it right now.” De other day a man was drinkingwinewithhewifewhenheshouted out,“Iloveyousomuch,youknow Idon’t knowhowIcouldeverlivewithoutyou.”

Dewifetuntoheandask,“Isthatyouor thewinetalking?”

De husband replied, ‘It’s me talking to the wine.” Dem boys love cooking with

wine.Sometimesdemdoesevenputitinde food.

Whenyuhnahgatplentymoneyinyuh pocket fuh buy a proper drink, yuh could alwayssettlefuhabottleofBanko.Itdoes giveyoua‘head.’

OnetimeamanbindrinkingBankoina disco. And he decide fuh walk across de dancefloor Hewindedancecompetition!

One-time dem boys went to party and seeamandrinkingdewinefromdebottle. Hewifewasembarrassedandsuhsheaskhe howhecoulddodat.

Heexplaindatwhenheopenabottleof wine de fuss thing he does do is to see if it breathing.And if it not breathing, he does administermouth-to-mouthresuscitation. Talkhalf.Leffhalf.

politics,whispersintorallies, and a private citizen into a publicchallenge.Foritisone of the oldest truths of political life that persecution ennobles, and that martyrs arenotbornbutmade.Andin thisinstance,themakingwas donebythePPP/Citself.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the a u t h o r a n d d o n o t necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

H@RD TRUTHS

BJ every-ready to make hay

Ibelieve that PPP

General Secretary, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo, is the wiliest of political animals.Hissenseofdistant danger is so keen, his antennae so attuned to his environment, that he is

already assuming a defensive posture. Some may see as magnanimity; I seeatrapbeingloaded. Take this startling business of the PPP being willing to work with APNU over WIN (KN September 6, 2025), and I discern a work of art unfolding. Another round fortheVP

Divide-and-rule has its merits, but shouldn't even feature Because the combined parliamentary power of APNU and WIN

cannot challenge the commandingleadofthePPP

Notwithstanding the potential of the raw street,

divide-and-rulematterslittle in the day-to-day governance of this country, as the numbers alone confirm. Those numbers won't see more than cosmetic change, if any Looked at differently, the numbers don't necessitate change in the PPP approach ofthelastfiveyears. Fromthenumbersalone, the APNU is on its knees, which makes it bewildering (not to me) that Jagdeo is signalingheisreadytogivea hand up. Why not go the otherwayandkickthelosing side out of existence, now that it is gasping for breath?

I recall during the Local GovernmentElectionsthatit was this same Christlike apparition, Bharrat Jagdeo, who had declared with a straightfacethatthePPPisa forgiving party, and that We are a forgiving people

When he said 'we' he really meant he, as in himself. When he says 'forgive' all is forgiven. Maybe APNU would have gathered some morevotes,differentones,if his forgiveness still had gas. So, what's new? So, why this overture of willingness toworkwithAPNU?

Dr Jagdeo said that the APNUmustdiluteitshatred forthePPP.

Thereissomesubstance there,buthatredisnotaoneway street locally.

Navigating delicately around this sensitive word and issue (hatred), I regret having to assert that Dr Jagdeo has a mask on his face. COVID-19isgone,sir Istakemypositiononsimple electoral and social arithmetic. Who has been more flexible, if that's the word, in their electoral choices in different election

seasons than Black Guyanese? Eventhisoneof 2025 that is winding down proves that Black Guyanese are more listening, more receptive,toanewapproach than any other demographic in this country I urge everyone to check the numbers. And who are Black Guyanese using the standing formula, if not APNUpeople? If,therefore, the APNU hatred was so rigid, so complete, then I assert the PPP would get a scantnumberofBlackvotes in its bag. It is a bag with many folds, I add for the record.

Instead of making any hard statement about PPP hatredforthePNC,andwhat that translates to at the individual level, I try a kinder, gentler manner. How many crossover votes didthePNCgarnerthistime

around? No one should need a dictionary-local, political, social-to obtain the meaning of 'crossover' votes in this particular context. That is, fromthePPPsupportbasein favor of the PNC. So, who can it be said is walking around from political organisation to individual biological construction with abellyfulofhatred?

TheAPNU/PNCmaynot have compared that well with the numbers (or its record), but voters are not walking think tanks, bastions of analytical reflection and voting decision-making.

So, what's the good doctor Jagdeo really up to with

h

willingnesstoworkwiththe PPP'seternalnemesis?

Five years ahead might look like a long time, especially with the 2025 e

m Guyanese are focused on 2025, but Mastermind Bharratisalreadyatthe2030 bus stop In WIN, he foresees a gathering, threatening storm. If after only a few months of politicalexistence,WINcan make such inroads into the hearts of Guyanese voters,

then what? There is no tellingwhatthiswell-named political group could go, given five years to get its machinery oiled, tuned, and rollinglikeaJaguar WINmadealoseroutof thePNC. Ifthatformidable achievementsoquickly,then who's next for this political giantkiller?

Not the PPP, if Mr Jagdeocouldhelpit. Hence, Dr.Jagdeoputsonhiswhite coat and his white gloves. He is willing to do business with the PNC. He knows thoseinthePNCwhodream ofbeingnearoilmoney Not everyone in theAPNU/PNC is a Dr Terrence Campbell. See how sharp Jagdeo is. Here is the final chapter: WIN is young, WIN will grow Ergo, WIN must be neutralised,startingtoday Jagdeo also knows that thePNCneedsalifeline. He hasalongone,whichcanbe convertedtoanoose.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)

Brazil’senvironmentalagency shouldbesatisfiedwith Petrobrastestinkey offshorearea,Lulasays

SAO PAULO, Sept 9

(Reuters) - Brazil’s

President Luiz Inacio Lula daSilvasaidonTuesdaythat environmental agency Ibama should be satisfied with the results of an emergency drill done by state-run oil firm Petrobras in the country’s Foz do Amazonasbasin.

“Petrobras has already carried out the test. Ibama should be satisfied with the results of the research, and Ibama will now grant us the license to carry out the first experiment,”Lulasaidinan interview with local news channelRedeAmazonica.

Petroleo Brasileiro SA, as the company is formally known, considers the drill, a pre-operational assessment, the final stage of an environmental licensing processithopeswillensureit obtains a permit to drill an

exploratory oil and gas well in the region. Lula has long pressured Ibama to grant Petrobrasalicensetodrillin the environmentally sensitive offshore region, which is considered the best prospect for it to expand its oilandgasreserves. The oil industry believes there is significant potential for discovering large oil and gas reserves in the Foz do Amazonas basin, based on major discoveries in geologically similar regions in Suriname and Guyana. However, there is resistance fromsegmentsofsocietyand withinthegovernmentitself, due to the socioenvironmental risks tied to exploration.The decision to grant the license rests solely with Ibama’s President Rodrigo Agostinho. Ibama didnotimmediatelyrespond toarequestforcomment.

‘Help us find this man’

...Police seeking public's help in identifying acid attack suspect

TheGuyanaPoliceForce (GPF)isseekingthepublic's help in identifying the suspect who doused two cashiers attached to the Balwant Singh's Hospital in acidlastweekWednesday

In a post via their Facebook page the police have made appeals to members of the public who canidentifythesuspect.“He reportedly threw a glass bottlewithacorrosiveliquid substance (acid) at the women who were out to get lunch.Thesuspect,whowas in a car, fled the scene,” police said. Anyone with information that can help in identifying the suspect is asked to contact the nearest policestation.

Leitch suffered more burns than her co-worker and the two women reportedly fled in different directions to seek help Leitch entered a Guinness Bar in the vicinity of her work place but was turned away with her injuries and thedoorsshutinherface.

“[Shetoldme]thepeople put her out and asked her to

The two women have been identified as 26-yearold Nirmala Sukraj and 25year-old Jilicia Leitch Reports are that the women were on their way to purchase lunch along East Street when a man approached and threw the liquid on them Leitch's closefriend(namewithheld) told Kaieteur News that she did not tell him exactly whereshewasheadedatthe time but he knows it was on East Street, as they had just exitedtheirplaceofwork.

130 guidance counselors in 97 secondary schools across country

– Education Ministry

Students and teachers of Friendship Secondary School in observance of World Suicide Prevention Day. (Photo courtesy, Ministry of Education)

Ensuring students have access to confidential guidance and psychosocial support, the Ministry of Education on Wednesday said there are currently 130 trainedcounselorsservingin 97 out of 117 secondary schoolscountrywide.

Therevelationwasmade in observance of World SuicidePreventionDayheld onSeptember10.

leave while she was hollering for pain, and she end up running to the supermarket, and she fell onto the ground, and the Chinese people come out with a bottle of water and soak her and take her to the hospital,”hesaid.

Sukrajmanagedtoreturn to Balwant Singh Hospital where she was treated Leitch, who reportedly suffered burns to her face stomach and left hand, is unable to identify their attackerasshedidnotseehis face. The young woman is still trying to wrap her head

around who would want to harmherorhercolleague.

K a i e t e u r N e w s understands that Leitch is in a stable condition in the Burns Care Unit of the GeorgetownPublicHospital Corporation(GPHC). Sheis conscious and talking but onlyallowedtwovisitorsper dayduetoherinjuries.

Meanwhile, police said thatSukraj,theothervictim, sustainedminorburnstoher body has since been dischargedfromGPHC.

Police are investigating the case and detectives have managed to speak with

Leitch while efforts are being made to contact Sukraj Leitch reportedly told investigators that they were attacked around 15:39 hrs. by someone in a white car while she was accompanying Sukraj to purchase lunch She recounted that they were about six feet away from theirworkplacewhenthecar drove behind them and someone inside the said car pelted a glass bottle with a liquid substance at them.

Leitchrecalledthatherbody wasburningasthecardrove away

The suspect that the police is seeking the public's help to identify.

According to the ministry, as part of its ongoing commitment to the well-beingofstudents,ithas placed a strong emphasis on school-based counseling support.

With 130 trained counselors serving the 97 schools, the education ministry noted that the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE), where trainee teachers attend, also benefit from permanent in-house counseling underscoring the ministry's recognition of the importance of mental health at both secondary and tertiarylevels.

The ministry said it continues to strengthen partnerships with parents, teachers, and community (Continuedonpage16)

“The ministry of education joins the global community in observing World Suicide Prevention Day, under the theme “Changing the Narrative on Suicide - Start the Conversation ” This day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of protecting mental health, building supportive environments, and fostering resilience among our nation's young people,” the ministry said in itsrelease.

The

Mark Asam, the 19 year old owner of the wash-bay

177.67 lbs. of ganja found during search of car …19 year old wash-bay owner in custody

Police on Wednesday seized a quantity of ganja whentheysearchedthecarof a wash bay owner following asearchonhisUitvlugt,West CoastDemeraraproperty

Inastatementpolicesaid ranks from Regional Division #3 conducted an intelligence-led operation Wednesday morning at Lot 569 Uitvlugt Housing Scheme. Police said in a statement that when they

arrivedatthelocationagrey Premio motor car (Reg.# PAG2273)wasparkedinthe vicinity of DC Auto Span (washbay).

According to police, contactwasmadewithMark Asam,the19-year-oldowner ofthewashbay,whoresides at the mentioned address.

Police searched Asam and nothingunlawfulwasfound.

Thesaidvehicle(PAG2273) was taken to the Leonora

Police Station, where a further search was done on the motor car, during which one orange bag, one multicoloured bag and two white bags, all containing parcels of marijuana, were found in thecartrunk.

The suspect was cautioned, arrested and placed in custody at the Leonora Police Station. The narcotics were weighed in hispresenceandamountedto 177.675lbs.Thesuspectisin police custody pending charges. The vehicle and narcoticswerelodged.

'Melly Mel' ordered to pay Balwant Singh Hospital $35M for defamation

Social media activist, Melissa Atwell known as “Melly Mel” has been orderedtopaythesumof$35 million to Dr Mahdu Singh and Dr Balwant Singh's Hospital Inc. for defamatory statements she published backinJune2019.

The judgment was handed down on September 3byhighcourtjudge,Justice Fidela Corbin-Lincoln. The judge ruled in favour of the claimantsawardingdamages of$15milliontothehospital and$20milliontoDr Singh.

Atwell was also ordered to pay the claimants' prescribed costs of $3,150,000andtoremoveall the defamatory statements she made on her Facebook account.

According to the court document seen by this publication, Atwell posted a 33-part story on her FacebookpagebetweenJune th th 9 to June 16 2019, which contained defamatory statements about Dr Singh andthehospital.

Dr Singh is a medical doctor specialising in obstetrics and gynecology andisadirector,shareholder, consultant and the chief executive officer of the medicalinstitution.

Dr Singh's evidence is that to date neither she nor thehospitalhasbeensubject to any findings of malpractice,negligenceorto anydisciplinaryactionbythe medical council The defamatory publications wereallegedlystatementsby third parties which Atwell published on her Facebook page.InrelationtoDr Singh, the defamatory statements

impute professional malpractice and improper andnegligentmedicaladvice andtreatmentwhichinsome cases endangered the lives and well-being of some patients and in other cases wasdesignedtoinflatecosts.

Inrelationtothehospital, the defamatory statements

impute improper health care practices, medical negligence and malpractice

including deliberate misdiagnosis for financial gain, engaging incompetent professionals and improper billingpractices.Itwasnoted thatthepostmadebyAtwell are a very serious form of libel, as it impacts the professional reputation of theclaimants.

Attheendofthetrial,the court was satisfied that the statements were published b a s e d o n a l l t h e circumstances, the evidence of Dr Singh, the content of several of the defamatory statements and the comments which followed the posts. However, it was noted that it was difficult to measurethesizeandreachof the defamatory Facebook publications.

Notably,SeniorCounsels Robin Stoby and Stephen Fraser, along with attorneyat-law Shantel Scott-Lall represented the claimants, while attorneys-at-law Sanjeev Datadin, Donovan Rangiah, Anessa Chow and Mohanie Anagnaoo representedAtwell.

Social media activist, Melissa Atwell known as “Melly Mel” Dr. Mahdu Singh

WIN leader commits to working tirelessly to hold govt. accountable

in Parliament

...names 10 of 16 persons to head to Parliament

Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed said he and his team are ready and will be working tirelessly to hold the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government accountable while in Parliament.The party leader madethecommitmentwhile speaking with Kaieteur News on Wednesday With his eyes on taking government at the next general elections, Mohamed told this newspaper that as they prepare to take up the role as the main opposition party, “We will be working tirelessly to ensure we hold the PPP accountable, whatever they promise in their manifesto they have to deliver,whateverwehavein ourmanifestowewillpitchit tothemtoo.”“Wewillbeon their necks every single day,”headded.

While President Irfaan Ali is yet to disclose and swear in his new Cabinet members, Mohamed related thatheisfinalisinghislistof

Doctorssay‘LolaDoll's’ conditionhasimproved-police

Socialmediaentertainer, Lolita 'Lola Doll' Callender is said to be on the road to recovery days after she was shotseveraltimesoutsideof her East Ruimveldt home, policehaveconfirmed.

Alone gunman attacked Callender while she was sitting in her car outside her homelateSaturdaynight.In a statement on Wednesday police aid her condition at the hospital has improved.

“The condition of hospitalised Guyanese socialmediapersonalityand breakout artiste Lolita Callendar,called'LolaDoll', is said to be improving,” policesaid.

According to the police, investigators were able to interview Callender in relation to what transpired onthenight.

Additionally, with regard to the first suspect who was arrested following Callendar'sshooting,the72hour detention timeline has elapsed. As such, he was

placed on $500,000 bail, as well as reporting conditions tothePolice,”thestatement read. On the other hand, PaulDabyJr.,alsoknownas 'Randell', who a wanted bulletin was issued for remainsinpolicecustody,as investigationsareongoing.

Back in June, Daby was among six persons sanctioned by United States Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged drugtrafficking.

Days prior to the shootingofLolaDollatEast Ruimveldt home, she had claimed in a Facebook live that there might be a hit out forher

parliamentarians Having gained 16 seats at the elections, Mohamed revealed the names of 10 persons on his list. These include: himself, former MPs: Dawn HastingsWilliams of Region Seven, Tabitha Sarabo- Halley and Natasha Singh-Lewis. Also on the list are: Vishnu Panday (former Director of Agriculture at GuySuCo), Gobin Harbajan of Region Six, Nandranie Singh, BeverlyCorneliusofRegion

Two, Dr Gordon Barker of Region Three, and Dr Ryan RichardsofRegion10.“Our MPs represent all the races, we have young people, we have women in the mix,” he said noting that they have persons to focus on all the various sectors. Mohamed's party emerged with the second highest number of votes following the elections They received over 109,000 votes beating off the PNCR-led APNU coalition.

President Ali holds talks with bankers

President Dr. Irfaan Ali on Wednesday met with stakeholders from the financial sector at the Office of the President on Shiv ChanderpaulDrive.

Discussionsfocusedonmodernisingthe banking sector to address ongoing concerns faced by citizens, and on plans to ensure commercial banks keep pace with the government in implementing digital transformation, the Office of the President

saidinabriefstatement.

In six weeks, the stakeholder group is expected to present a report outlining what the financial sector requires to realise the President'svisionforadigitaleconomy The group included heads from various commercial banks, Governor of the Bank of Guyana Dr Gobind Ganga, Head of the Private Sector Commission Gerald Gouveia Jr andotherstakeholders.

She even suggested a motiveclaimingthatitmight be connected to a back and forth(buse-out)shehadwith someone's girlfriend. Police hadidentifiedtheshooteras a lone gunman on a motorcycleandreportedthat the

place

shooting took

around23:35hrs.

Wanted for attempted Murder, Paul Daby better Known as “Randell”

Leader of the We Invest in Nationhood (WIN) party, Azruddin Mohamed WINcandidate, Tabitha Sarbo-Haley

WINcandidate, Natasha Singh- Lewis

WINcandidate, \Dawn Hastings- Williams

WINcandidate, Dr. Gordon Barker

Gobin Harbajan

Lolita Callender better known as ‘Lola Doll’

Golden Grove woman walks free over 2022 killing of abusive husband

A 33-year-old woman who was charged with manslaughter in connection with the 2022 killing of her reputedhusbandhasbeenset free,afterthecourtruledshe actedinself-defence.

In 2023, Aquiella Abrams, then 30, of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara,waschargedwith manslaughter for the stabbingdeathofherpartner Michael Wilson, during a domesticdispute.

Recently, Justice

Priscilla Chandra-Haniff

directeda12-memberjuryto return a not-guilty verdict after upholding a no-case submissionmadebydefence attorneys Yuborn Allicock and Shauntel Wright

Accordingtothelegalteam, the court found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Abrams did not act in self-defence.

AttorneyAllicock stated that the judge considered multiple precedents in reaching the decision. In doingso,thecourtadopteda broader understanding of

self-defenceinthecontextof domestic violence. Citing legal reforms and international human rights

obligations, Allicock referredtoastatementbythe former Attorney-General of Victoria,Australia,whosaid thatsuchinterpretationsaim "to remove entrenched bias and misogynist assumptions from the law to make sure that women who kill while genuinely believing it is the only way to protect themselves or their children are not condemned as murderers " He added,

“Where the law of selfd

ir experiences, abused women arenotequalbeforethelaw."

Guyana,henoted,ispart to the Convention on the Elimination ofAll Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), which requires equal treatment of women under the law.

Article 15(1) of the convention mandates that “states parties accord to women equality with men beforethelaw.”

Dead, Michael Wilson

The defence attorneys emphasised that the case echoes that domestic violence against women should not be taken lightly “Women should be entitled to protect themselves in our society, given the growing epidemic of men killing women for wanting out of abusive relationships,” he said.

Initially, Abrams was charged with murder after the October 2022 incident,

which took place at the couple's home in Golden Grove,EastCoastDemerara (ECD).Sheappearedbefore Magistrate Fabayo Azore at the Cove and John Magistrate's Court However, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) later withdrew the murder charge and substituted it with manslaughter, a bailableoffense.

At that time, Abrams' attorney, Tuanna Hardy, applied for bail, explaining that Abrams had sustained three stab wounds to her stomach from a broken bottleduringthealtercation. Hardy also pointed out that although there were claims Wilson suffered multiple stab wounds, the postmortem confirmed only one fatal stab to the abdomen. Magistrate Azore granted Abrams $500,000 bail, and she was released pending trial.

According to police reports,Abrams and Wilson frequently had domestic disputes, often triggered by accusations of infidelity

made by Wilson These arguments often escalated into physical and verbal abuse.OnOctober10,2022, as Abrams was packing to move out and return to her parents' home, another confrontation erupted Wilson allegedly armed himself with a knife and attacked her, injuring her forearm. Abrams reportedly managed to disarm him and

Police destroys over $700M in cannabis in eradication exercise

The Guyana Police Force (GPF)reportedonTuesdaythatit destroyed over $700 million worthofcannabisduringseparate eradicationexercises.

Accordingtothepolice,fields were destroyed on three separate occasions.

In the Wiruni Savannahs, in the Upper Berbice River, a team from the narcotics branch destroyed cannabis worth $571 million The discovery and destruction occurred between 04:00hrs and 07:30hrs on Tuesday

“During the operation, the

team discovered an eight-acre plot of land that was now being prepped for cultivation A makeshift camp was also discovered a short distance away from the fields, along with a dryingarea.Thecampwasabout 30x20feetinsizeandconsistedof a living and kitchen area. The camp also contained about 1400 lbs. of dried cannabis,” police said.

Continued searches of the camp revealed a 12-gauge shotgun with no serial number, along with nine matching cartridges. This was taken into

possession by the team and transported back to the narcotics branch, to be submitted to the Guyana Police Force’s Ballistics section. The camp and dried cannabis were destroyed by fire. Theexercisewasincident-free. While a price could not be attached to the destroyed plants, the dried cannabis was valued at $571525920.

Another phase of the said exercise was conducted between 09:30hrs and 13:00hrs on TuesdayalongtheWiruniCreek, UpperBerbiceRiver,whereaplot (Continuedonpage16)

stabbed him twice in the abdomen. Emergency Medical Technicians were called to the scene and transported Wilson to the Georgetown Public Hospital, where he died while receiving treatment Abrams was arrested and remained in prison from October 14, 2022, until she was granted bailin2023.

Aquiella Abrams ( center ), standing with her attorneys, Yuborn Allicock and Shauntel Wright.

Scenes from the exercise.

Amanza to take up seat in parliament for FGM

Former parliamentarian under the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) and leader of the Forward Guyana Movement (FGM), Amanza Walton-Desir, has confirmed that she will take up the movement's lone seat inthenationalassembly

Speaking with Kaieteur News on Wednesday, Walton-Desir responded directly when asked who will represent FGM in parliament, “Amanza Walton-Desir,”shestated.

During a live broadcast oftheResetTalkShowwith host JR Giddings, earlier on Tuesday, Walton-Desir statedthatherfirstpriorityin thenationalassemblywillbe advocating for electoral reform. She emphasised the urgent need to address the current structure of the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s Commission (GECOM), declaring, “GECOM is no longer useful in its current configuration. It has to be reformed. As of right now, the configuration of GECOM cannot reflect the political reality There are three political parties in opposition who are our commissioners.So,there'sa lotthatwehavetounpackin thecomingweeks.”

A longstanding member of the People's National Congress Reform (PNCR) and Shadow Minister of th Foreign Affairs in the 12 Parliament, Walton-Desir officially resigned from the PNCRinJune2025.Shortly after, she launched her own political movement, Forward Guyana. She later formed a coalition with NigelLondon'sThePeople's Movement (TPM) and Dorwin Bess' Vigilant Political Action Committee (V-PAC),creatingtheunited politicalfrontnowknownas FGM.

Thecoalitionmanagedto secure a seat in parliament following the general and regional elections held on September 1. The Guyana Elections Commission declared that the People's Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C)emergedvictorious, withDr IrfaanAlire-elected for a second term. PPP/C won 36 seats, while the newly-formed We Invest in Nationhood(WIN)party,led by Azruddin Mohamed, secured 16 seats A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), under Aubrey Norton, gained 12 seats, and FGM earned one seat. The official vote count

APNUholdskingmaker roleinshowdownfor controlofRegion8

showed the PPP/C with approximately 242,000 votes, WIN with over 109,000, APNU with 77,988, and FGM with around4,300votes.

“Ourrolewillbetokeep electoral reform on the national agenda, to use our seattodemanddebate,andto ensure that this issue cannot be swept aside. Even from the minority, we will work

with citizens, civil society, andallstakeholderstomake sure electoral reform remains a priority for the country,” Walton-Desir had promised.

In a previous interview, Walton-Desir expressed gratitude to FGM's supporters, emphasising the party's commitment to transformative politics and high accountability “Our

agendaisclear:togivevoice to the people who entrusted uswiththeirvoteandindeed, forallGuyanese,”shestated.

“Wewilluseourpresencein parliament to hold the government accountable, to stand up for fairness and dignity, and to keep real change at the center of national decision-making

The issues that matter most toordinaryGuyanesewillbe theissuesthatwebringtothe floor.”

Walton-Desir said the F G M w i l l e n g a g e c o n s t r u c t i v e l y i n parliamentary affairs, guided by principles and public interest rather than partisanship.

“Wherethereiscommon ground that benefits the nation,wewillnothesitateto support it. Where there are concerns,wewillraisethem fearlessly and responsibly,” s h e s t a t e d “ O u r commitment is not to partisanship but to the peoplewhoputtheirtrustin us.”

Meanwhile, in a press statement the political movement which was formed two months before the elections said one seat may look small in number, but it is mighty in meaning. “Itrepresentsthecourageof every Guyanese who believedournationdeserves better, and who cast their vote for real change,” the partysaid.

FGMalsoreflectedonits rapid journey, having been officiallylaunchedonJuly1, 2025 “From the very beginning, our coalition of the willing, The People's Movement, VPAC, and F o r w a r d G u y a n a Movement, understood that if we wanted to see change, we had to be that change ourselves,” the statement read. “Together, over roads and rivers, from city streets to hinterland trails, we carried one message: Real Change can't wait. Enough ofyouagreed.”

Elections-bruised A Partnership for National Unity(APNU)mayholdthe kingmaker role in determining whether the ruling PPP/C or We Invest In Nationhood party takes control of the Regional Democratic Council of Region8.

At the just concluded

elections the PPP/C narrowly won the region beating WIN by less than 300 votes and as such will take up the geographical seat for the region in the National Assembly. However,atthelevelofthe RDC, both the PPP/C and WIN have seven seats with APNU one making up the 15-member council. This scenario provides an opportunity for the parties to work together for the betterment of the region, but sources in the APNU

told Kaieteur News that they will carefully decide which side they will support. “We can either support WIN or the PPP/C in exchange for the Vice Chairman…itwillbeleftto the leadership of the party ultimately to decide which way we go,” one senior party source told Kaieteur News. Inthe2020electionsthe PPP/C and APNU+AFC faced a similar dilemma, but at that time Lennox Shuman's Liberty and Justice Party held the deciding vote The LJP candidate at that time, Jimmy James had signaled hisintentiontovotewiththe thenAPNU+AFCcoalition, causing Shuman to cut ties with him and eventually removing him from the council to give the PPP/C controloftheRDC.

Leader of Forward Guyana Movement ; Amanza Walton Desir

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Aracari Hotel, WBD (Versailles, Vreed-en-Hoop)

- A/C, all amenities & breakfast included. From $78 US. Call: 264-2946.

SERVICES

VISA Application for USA, Canada, UK, ETA, ETC. Natrualisation guidance + application filling, ECT. Tel: 626-7040.

Elevate your brand with our professional Graphic design services. For more information Call: 619-0007, 629-5526.

Aracari Resort crystal clear pool, family fun, safe kids & adult sections, music & food. W.B.D. Call: 264-29469

FOR RENT

Big Spaces, 3 bedroom & Bath, bottom flat for rent in Eccles, Sarwan St. Contact via whatsapp : 661-3626 / +1 647-206-2818 / 648-6054.

Maid for East Bank area. Call: 615-9132.

One (1) Male cleaner for Eccles. Call: 615-9132.

One (1) Female cleaner for Eccles office. Call: 645-8443

General Domestic ,Apply at Keyfood Mc Doom village next to the post office. 4 day work

Vacancy at Rubis VreedEn-Vhoop Gas Station pump attendant and Cashier. Contact 645-0164

Vacancy for Hotel & Restaurant Manager and Accountant. Apply in person Lot 29 Sussex Street, Georgetown. Tele : 757-8231.

Vacancy for Elderly Caregiver @ Republic Park. Please Call or WhatsApp: 656-1875/ 233-5160/609-6952.

Security Guard wanted, 12 hrs shift, Call : 684-4178.

FOR SALE

Small Farmers mini Tractor. Contact: 624-0646 / 6870453.

T RUCK TIRES 295/ 75R22.5 $40K EACH. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL/WHATSAPP: +592688-3201.

VEHICLES FOR SALE

1 Honda CRV, includes TV, music system, alarm, reverse camera, spoiler, low mileage PTT Series (first owner). Call: 649-0956.

FOR SALE 2014 Toyota Noah - PXX series 2012 Mercedes Benz- PSS series. Contact: 613-1893.

100 Acres of Maiden Agricultural Land, well know for its Lavish Pumpkin, Watermelon & Grown provision. Call 227-1813

PAHO to launch initiative to curb rising suicide rates in the Americas

As the Americas grapple with a 17% rise in suicide deaths since 2000, the only region in the world to experience an increase, today the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will launch a new initiative to reverse this trend.

Announced on the eve of World Suicide Prevention Day, the effort aims to save lives by equipping countries with practical, evidence-based interventions to save lives.

According to a PAHO press release, in 2021 over 100,000 people in the Americas died by suicide. While rising rates in North America are a major driver of this upward trend, countries in the Southern Cone are also seeing significant growth, and Caribbean nations continue to report the Region’s highest suicide mortality rates.

“Each suicide is a profound tragedy that impacts

individuals, families, and communities,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, PAHO Director.

“This initiative seeks to transform leadership, governance, and suicide prevention actions to reduce these losses.”

Breaking down barriers to suicide prevention

The new initiative will address key challenges that hinder progress in suicide prevention, including limited access to community-based mental health services, stigma, and weak coordination across sectors. Its approach is aligned with the World Health Organizations core interventions, which include: restricting access to the means of suicide; promoting responsible media reporting; fostering socio-emotional skills in adolescents and ensuring early identification, treatment, and follow-up for people at risk. PAHO will focus on three priority areas:

Strengthening national plans – Supporting countries to design or update national suicide prevention strategies and action plans tailored to the needs of at-risk populations. Expanding access to quality mental health care –Training health workers and communities to identify and support at-risk individuals, and respond effectively, while providing resources for families affected by suicide or selfharm and raising awareness and reducing stigma – Collaborating with media professionals on responsible reporting and implementing campaigns to break the silence around mental health.

Suicide in the Americas: key findings

Suicide disproportionately affects older adults, with 71% of male and 65% of female suicides occurring among those over 50. While men face higher rates (14.7 per 100,000 population, compared

to 4 per 100,000), the rate among women has increased more sharply (23% since 2000, compared to 14.4% among men).

Suicide attempts were also nearly five times more frequent among women.

Several underlying factors appear to be driving these increases. Among men, suicide is closely linked to alcohol and drug use, as well as unemployment and living in areas with high homicide rates. For women, educational inequality and unemployment are the strongest associated factors. “This crisis demands action beyond health systems,” said Renato Oliveira e Souza, Chief of the Mental Health and Substance Use Unit at PAHO. “It requires collaboration across society to elaborate and implement national suicide prevention strategies that can be effective in reducing suicide mortality.”

130 guidance counselors in 97 secondary...

From page 11 stakeholders to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and promote help-seeking behaviors.

Additionally, ongoing training and capacity building for teachers and counselors also ensure that early signs of distress can be identified and addressed in a timely manner.

“The ministry of education reaffirms its dedication to

nurturing not only academic excellence but also the holistic well-being of every learner.

On this World Suicide Prevention Day, we encourage all Guyanese to remember that every conversation, every act of kindness, and every gesture of support can save a life,” the ministry expressed.

The ministry continued, “To every student, parent, and teacher, you are not

alone. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.

Please reach out: -InterAgency Suicide Prevention Help Line: 623-4444 or 6007896, Guyana 24 Hour Crisis Help Line: 603-3666, Mental Health Unit: 2261416, MoE’s Guidance and Counselling Department: 225-9537.”

In observance of World Suicide Prevention Day, the

ministry disclosed that counselors from the student support unit in addition to the 130 counselors in the school system through their school support services will be leading awareness sessions in secondary schools nationwide. These sessions, the ministry noted will focus on breaking stigma, building resilience, and letting students know that help is always within reach.

Police destroys over $700M in cannabis...

From page 14 of land measuring about five acres was discovered.

“The plot of land contained about 2,000 cannabis plants ranging from two to five feet in height. A makeshift camp was also discovered a short distance away from the fields, along with a drying

area,” police said.

This camp measured around 30x20 feet in size and consisted of a living and kitchen area.

The camp and drying areas contained about 580 lbs. of dried cannabis combined. Police destroyed the camp, along with the dried cannabis

and plants, were all destroyed by fire.

The narcotic plants were valued at $677 600 while the dried cannabis was valued at $236 775 024, bringing the total value to $237 452 624.

The third discovery was made between 16:00hrs and 18:00hrs, also along the

Wiruni Creek where a plot of land measuring about three acres was discovered, “containing about 2000 cannabis plants ranging from two to five feet in height. The plants were all destroyed by fire,” police said.

The destroyed plants were valued at $ 3 388 000.

Bidsopenforconstructionof duplexlivingquartersatTapakuma

T h e R e g i

Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Two has received sixbidstoconstructaduplex livingquarteratTapakuma.

The bids which were opened at the National Procurement and Tender Administration Board (NPTAB) office revealed

Belowarethecompaniesandtheirbids:

SupplyandInstallationofCarpetintheDome oftheArthurChungConferenceCentre.

MinistryofEducation RehabilitationofElectricalInfrastructure atKwakwaniSecondarySchool.

that bids range between $25 millionand$27million.

Meanwhile, Region Five’s RDC recently tendered for the supply and

delivery of two new commuter buses.According to NPTAB, three companies have submitted bids to providethebuses.

RegionalDemocraticCouncilofRegionTwo ConstructionofDuplexLivingQuarteratTapakuma.

RegionalDemocraticCouncilofRegionFive SupplyandDeliveryofTwo(2)NewCommuterBuses.

Multilateral development banks hit record

US$137 B in climate financing last year

Globalclimatefinancing bymultilateraldevelopment banks (MDBs) increased 10% last year, reaching a record US$137 billion, with themajoritydirectedtolowand middle-income economies.

MDBs, including the I n t e r - A m e r i c a n Development Bank Group (IDB Group), announced theyear-on-yearincreasein a report published on Tuesday

In addition, private financing mobilised by MDBs to fight global warming reached US$134 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from the previous year, according to the new report.

The latest climate finance data from MDBs will inform preparations for the Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém,Brazil,inNovember 2025, where expanding climate financing will be a centraltheme.

Climate financing is central to the efforts of MDBs to advance sustainable development worldwide.

B y s u p p o r t i n g investments in renewable energy, green cities, clean transport, water and food

security, MDBs help

countries move closer to achieving their sustainable developmentgoals.

This year, MDBs are advancing a digitalisation

initiative aimed at improving transparency and making their joint climatefinancedatamoreaccessible anduser-friendly

They plan to present progress on this project at COP30.

A s p a r t o f t h e transition, the 2024 Joint MDB Climate Finance Report is being released as a summary infographic, highlightingkeyresultsfor the year Starting in the fourth quarter of 2025, detailed data will be available through an interactive web platform, giving stakeholders realtime access to climate finance information and enabling them to track MDBs’collective progress towards their climate financegoals

Last year, US$85 1 billion of MDBs’ climate financing were for lowand middle-income economies.

Climate financing in these countries has more than doubled over the past five years and increased 14% on the year Of this sum, 69% – or US$58 8

billion – went to climatechange mitigation and US$26 3 billion, or 31%,

for climate-change adaptation The amount of mobilised private financing for climate investments in these countries stood at US$33 billion

In 2024, MDBs’ climate financing for high-income countries totaled US$51 5 billion, of which US$46 5 billion (90%) supported climate change mitigation and US$5 billion (10%) supported adaptation In addi

,

obilised private financing for climate investments in high-income countries reached $101 billion In a clear shift toward strengthening climate resilience and adaptation in Latin America and the Caribbean, theIDB Group

has ramped up its adaptation financing to US$2 2 billion – boosting adaptation’s share of total climatelendingto33%.

MDBClimateFinance

At COP29 in Baku, MDBs set out financial commitments to help

countries achieve ambitiousclimateresults. By 2030, they pledged to provide US$120 billion

BUENOS AIRES

During the Regional Security and Justice Summit, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) announced a historic commitment of an estimatedUS$2.5billionin loans for the next three years to strengthen citizen security in Latin America andtheCaribbean,focusing on actions to promote community protection, strengthen institutions, and curbillicitfinancing.

The Summit, organised bytheIDBandArgentina’s Ministry of National Security, brought together security and justice authorities from across the region, international strategic partners, civil societyrepresentatives,and experts in a space for regional dialogue and cooperation. This is the second regional meeting since last year’s launch of the Alliance for Security, JusticeandDevelopmentin Guayaquil,Ecuador

BalanceandGrowth

annually in collective climate financing for lowand middle-income

c

mobilising an additional US$65 billion a year from theprivatesector

For high-income countries, MDBs project US$50 billion a year in climate financing by 2030, including US$7 billion for adaptation, alongside a further US$65 billion in mobilis

privatefinancing

The 2024 multilateral developmentbankclimate f

coordinated and prepared for publishing by the EIB, with assistance from the E

Development (EBRD), and combines data from the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Asian D

Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB), the EBRD, the EIB, the IDB Group, the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the New D

(NDB), and the World BankGroup(WBG)

During the event, IDB Group President Ilan Goldfajn announced the new funding commitment andthelaunchoftheRapid Response Task Force against Violence and OrganisedCrime,aflexible technical assistance mechanism that will allow Alliance member countries to receive immediate support for security crises. This initiative seeks to complement medium- and long-term efforts with timely and coordinated responses.

“With the launch of the Task Force and the historic commitment of US$2 5 billion over the next three years, the Alliance is movingtowardanewstage: a faster and more effective response to security crises and large-scale investment in the reforms our region needs for sustainable development, ” said PresidentGoldfajn.

During the summit, Argentina assumed the pro tempore presidency of the Alliance, succeeding Ecuador, which led the initiative during its foundingyear TheAlliance hasmadeconcreteprogress in

s three pillars: protecting vulnerable populations, strengthening institutions, and disrupting illicit financial flows. In its firstyear,theAlliancegrew and took action. It helped launch guidelines for combating human trafficking, supported the creation of an app for the digitalexchangeofcriminal records, and developed operationaltoolstoaddress env

s Additionally, the IDB has approved $550 million in loans for Ecuador since the Alliance’s inception to s t r e n g t h e n c r i m e prevention and regulate illegalmining.

InArgentina,theIDBis collaborating with national authorities on two priority fronts: strengthening federal security institutions and modernising the criminal justice system throughtheimplementation ofthenewFederalCriminal ProcedureCode.TheIDB’s Citizen Security Division, the first at a multilateral development bank, leads these efforts with a comprehensive approach that combines technical assistance, financing, innovation, and regional cooperation With the launch of the Task Force and the significant increase in resources, the Alliance entersanewphase:capable ofrespondingtoimmediate crisesandmobilisinglargescale financing for structuralreforms.TheIDB reaffirmsitscommitmentto working alongside countries in the region to build safer and more just communitiesandcreatethe conditions for sustainable development.

ThenewTaskForceisa permanent mechanism that can be activated when countriesfacesuddencrises – whether an increase in violence, a surge in human trafficking, or institutional vulnerabilities – to provide advisory teams and shortterm action plans to help governments coordinate police, prosecutors, prison systems, and other institutionswhentheyneed itmost.Inaddition,theIDB is streamlining the preparation and approval processes for technical cooperation projects to support countries more quickly Thenewprocesses will allow technical cooperation for security emergenciestobeprepared and approved within 15 days.

Commonwealth countries back new strategic plan for shared prosperity

High commissioners, representing the 56 Commonwealth countries, have approved a five-year strategic plan for the Commonwealth Secretariat to deliver focused support for the 2.7 billion people it serves.

Tosetthestageforanew era of effective results, the Secretariat developed its strategic plan covering the period 2025 to 2030, after extensive consultations with membercountries,sisterand accredited organisations, development partners, staff members and other stakeholders.

Early in her tenure in A p r i l 2 0 2 5 , t h e Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Shirley Botchwey, outlined a bold and ambitious vision for the Secretariat, the executive arm of the 56-member association The new strategic plan will make the Commonwealth more focused, strategic and impactful in its delivery for

thebenefitofthepeopleand planet it is mandated to serve.

New strategic direction unveiled

Under the new plan, the Secretariat, with strategic partners, will focus on three keyinterrelatedpillarswitha cross-cuttingfocusonyoung people, women and small states, that will create the conditions for fast-tracking development across the Commonwealth A key component includes a focus on expanding youth digital skills through distance e d u c a t i o n , y o u t h entrepreneurship and STEM educationforgirls.

Thethreepillarsinclude: 1.democraticresilience: supportinghumanrights,the rule of law, good governance, and strong elections;

2. economic resilience: pushing for fair access to finance, inclusive trade, and sustainabledebt;and

3 environmental resilience: taking action on

climate change, protecting the ocean, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.

Across these pillars, performance enablers and accelerators, such as a r

technologyandpartnerships, are being prioritised to strengthen programme delivery In particular, the Secretariat will leverage its partnerships to tackle complexchallenges,suchas health, education and addressing the needs of people with disabilities. In her remarks to the High Commissioners at an extraordinarymeetingofthe Board of Governors on 10 S

Commonwealth SecretaryGeneralsaid: “

Commonwealth is needed more than ever, but we can onlymeetthatneedifweare willing to evolve From climate to trade, democracy to youth empowerment, the

challenges facing our members are complex and interconnected.Theworldis moving fast, so we must keep pace. That’s why this strategicplanisgroundedin the enduring values of our Charter, but shaped by the real,presentdemandsofour time.” She also thanked Commonwealth Heads of Government, members of the Board of Governors and stakeholders, including the Deputy Secretary-General, DrArjoon Suddhoo, and his team, for coordinating its development After the meeting, the Chair of the Board of Governors, HE Titilupe Fanetupouvava’u

High commissioners, representing the 56 Commonwealth countries, have approved a five-year strategic plan for the Commonwealth Secretariat

Tu’ivakano, the High Commissioner of Tonga to theUK,shared:

“The strategic plan is a big step forward in terms of collaboration between member countries and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Thenewplanhasafocuson small island states, which we,inthePacificregion,are especially grateful for We h a v e a g r e e d t o a comprehensive plan that benefitspeoplewithinour56 membercountries.”

Thewayahead

To realise the strategic plan’s ambitious goals, programme teams have developed detailed projects

to translate these plans into concrete and coordinated actions for building a more resilient Commonwealth Overthenextfewweeks,the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral will embark on a series of engagements to share the Secretariat’s new directionwithotherstrategic partners and stakeholders. She is scheduled to travel to NewYorklaterthismonthto lead the Secretariat’s delegation to the 25th Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) and related ministerialgatheringsonthe margins of the UN General Assembly

Forensic lab launches training on atomic absorption spectroscopy

Th e G u y a n a Forensic Science

L a b o r a t o r y (GFSL), in collaboration with the Government Analyst–Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) and the Institute of Applied Science and Technology (IAST) on Wednesday officiallyopenedathree-day Inter-Laboratory Training on Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) at the I A S T B o a r d r o o m , University of Guyana, TurkeyenCampus.

The training is designed to strengthen technical capacity across laboratories in Guyana that currently utilise, or are preparing to adopt, Atomic Absorption (AA) systems in their operations. A Ministry of Home Affairs press release stated that participating institutions include the GFSL, GA-FDD, IAST, Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), University of Guyana (UG), Hydrometeorological

Service (Hydromet), Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals Control Board

(PTCCB), Na

Agricultural Research and E

(NAREI), Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo),

IMEX, Rice Development Board, Guyana Power and Light (GPL), and Demerara DistillersLimited(DDL). Theinitiativeissaidtobe the first of its kind in Guyana, reaching across bothgovernmentandprivate laboratories It is being offered at no cost to participating laboratories, ensuring broad access to specialised training and reinforcing national efforts

f i c a d v a n c e m

n t a n d sustainabledevelopment. Accordingtotherelease, overthecourseofthreedays, participants will engage in a mix of theoretical and practical sessions covering t h e p r i n c i p l e s , instrumentation, and applications of Atomic

A section of the gathering at the training exercise

Absorption Spectroscopy

Demonstrations include Flame AAS, Graphite Furnace AAS, and Hydride Generation techniques, alongwithhands-ontraining on the Agilent SpectrAA software for real-time data acquisition, calibration, and analysis.

Participants will also be exposed to training on digestion and sample preparation, with emphasis on microwave-assisted digestion, and the importance of maintaining rigorous Quality Control (QC) procedures will be stronglyreinforced.

The training is being facilitated by Mr Kumar Latchman, a seasoned professional with extensive expertise in Atomic

Absorption Spectroscopy through both academic and applied practice His instruction is expected to enhance participants’ technical skills and deepen their understanding of AA applications in analytical science.

The event featured a keynoteaddressbyMinister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn, who emphasised the critical role of science and technology in national development.MinisterBenn highlighted the momentous p e r i o d G u y a n a i s experiencing,asserting,“We are at a particularly momentous point in the history of our Country That’s the political development, but social, economic and scientific

development.” He stressed theimportanceofoptimising the country’s skilled but smallscientificworkforceto meet growing opportunities, stating, “You as scientists and engineers have the greatest opportunity going forward, and now the greatestplatformintermsof excellinginyourprofession, intheopportunitieswehave now, this moment will not comeagainsoon.”

Theministeralsourgeda cultureofrigorousscientific practice and collaboration, advising, “Don’t just focus ondoingit.Youhavetohave some knowledge of what is upstream, how the samples collected, what integrity it has,whatarethechecksyou could make for sample integrity in the suite of

samplesthatwehave?”

He encouraged thinking beyond inherited standards: “Wecanmakeourstandards and replicate them Can we do research to see what elsewecouldmaketomake ourprocessesmoreefficient, more scientifically reliable and more appropriate for circumstances.”

Minister Benn also spoketothebroaderneedfor unity and shared purpose in driving national progress, poignantlystating,“Wehave to fly this plane together, irrespectiveofrace,religion, class or culture… You have to learn to respect and love each other Love each other more.”

Also in attendance were Mr Delon France, Head of the GFSL; Mr Deonarine Jagdeo, Director of the IAST; Ms. Ayodele Singh, PASO, GA-FDD; and Mr Patrick Ketwaru, lecturer UG.

This collaborative training initiative highlights the commitment of the GFSL, GA-FDD, and IAST to building scientific capacity and ensuring that laboratories across Guyana are equipped to conduct accurate, reliable, and internationally recognised analyses.

BLUNT BLUNT

The Bamia Primary school debacle

\Nearly four years after the PPPC government handed a group of novices a multi-million-dollar contract to build the Bamia Primary School, the project remains incomplete. What should have been a straightforward exercise in delivering education infrastructure has instead become a glaring symbol of nepotism, corruption, waste, and incompetence.

This failure is shared. On the one hand, the amateur contractors who were clearly out of their depth and ill-equipped for such a task. On the other hand, the government, which turned a blind eye to incompetence when awarding the contract. In the end, it is the children of Region Ten and their parents who are left to suffer the consequences.

If President Irfaan Ali is serious about eradicating poverty and transforming Guyana, then these are the very practices he must confront and stamp out.

The oil wealth now flowing into our economy presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to uplift every Guyanese. But that promise will remain empty if public funds are siphoned off into botched projects and sweetheart deals.

The Bamia debacle is not just a local embarrassment, it is a test case for whether his administration is committed to transparency and accountability

Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League…

Gritty Jangoo 51*, Seales 4-fer ensure Falcons

ByCliftonRoss

Arguablyoneofthemore excitingmatchesthisseason was played on egg shells as AmirJangooscoredagritty, while pacer Jayden Seales’ 4-wicket haul helped scythe throughtheGuyanaAmazon Warriors last night by 4wickets at the Guyana

National Stadium, Providence.

Ahushofsilenceturneda usually ruckus Warrior Nation fan base into a deep sea of shock, as one of the more entertaining lowscoringgamesthisseason. It was a clinical bowling example from a team who

lacked a bit of batting depth but threw their full support behind a world-class string of bowlers, which kept the Warriors to a season-low 99 alloutinside20overs.

Windies fast-bowling sensation, and Man-of-thematch Seales was sublime, demonstrating his class and

awareness of the conditions to finish with 4-15 from 3.1 overs.

Pakistan leg-spinner Usama Mir played the star supportingroleequallywell, as he snared 3-17 with a wicket each from senior spinners Imad Wasim and Shakib Al-Hasan, capping off a phenomenal bowling effortfromthevisitors.

Thursday September 11, 2025

ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)

You'll find that things are slipping nicely into place for you today, Aries Your persuasivemannerandgentle nudges are just enough to get peoplewhereyouwantthem.

TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)

When faced with ten entrees onthemenu,itmightbehard for you to choose just one. Feelfreetoordertwoormore, Ta u r u s D o n ' t l e t indecisiveness slow you down.Atthesametime.

GEMINI(May21–June20)

Your dreams won't come true unless you believe in and act onthem,Gemini.Nooneelse is going to do it for you. Unless you have a fairy godmother, you need to take mattersintoyourownhands.

CANCER(June21–July22)

If people hassle you or give you a hard time about your appearance today, pay them nomind,Cancer Youhavethe righttoliveyourlifeanyway youwantto.

LEO(July23–Aug.22)

Reachforthepotofgoldatthe end of the rainbow, Leo. It's closerthanyouthink.Indeed, your dreams are completely within your reach, and there are huge forces at work helping you achieve your goals.

VIRGO(Aug.23–Sept.22)

Today is your day to dream and dream big, Virgo. Think aboutwhatitisthatyouwant most out of life. Aim your arrow to the stars and pull back your bow as far as possible. There's no limit to howfaryoucango.

LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)

Expand your mind to its furthest reaches today, Libra.

e opportunity opening up for you in which you can make great strides in a creative realm.Followthemusic.

SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)

Your mind may seem rather cloudy today, Scorpio, but don't let this hinder you. In fact, you'll find that you can use this feeling of fantasy to your advantage. Try to bring moremagicintoyourlife.

SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)

Today is an excellent day for you,oneinwhichyou'llfinda great deal of strength in your emotions, Sagittarius Trust that your instincts are serving youwell.

CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)

Things might get a bit confusing for you today, Capricorn. Don't feel like you needtomakesenseofitall.In fact, this task may be impossible. Just be yourself. Let your creative nature shine through.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20–Feb. 18)Mixyourrealitywithabit of fantasy today, Aquarius. Allowyourfeettocomeoffthe ground for a little while. Give yourselfarest.Takesometime to meditate and clear your mindofyourdailyworries.

PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)

Let yourself go into high creative mode and drift into a whole other world, Pisces. Escape your present reality and explore your fantasies through any sort of artistic endeavor Dreamasbigasyour mindallows.

In a game where the Warriors team in total could only muster 9 fours along withapairofsixes,fanswere subjected to seeing their team for the second successive game at home, havingtheirbattingexposed bysomequalitybowling.

Falcons, replying to arguably one of the easier chases this season, had a nightmare start before grinding their way to 103-6 with5ballsleft.

Left-hander Jangoo was the crisis-man, carrying his batfromstarttoendwithhis workmanknockof51notout off57withthreefoursand2 timely sixes at the backend of chase. Jangoo and the hard-hitting Fabian Allen (15*) helped motor the Falcons home, as he too foundtheraremaxboundary to go along with his solitary four

Warriors spin-twins

Imran Tahir (2-27) and Ali (2-10) were exceptional during their combined total of 8 over-spell but failed to getover

Thankstoabrilliantfirst over from Tahir, which produced two wickets with thepossibilityofahattrickor even a third scalp, coupled with Ali’s opening spell which yielded a few more wickets,Warriors seemed to be back into a position of winnability; with the Falcons 50-5 at the halfway stage. Jangoo dug in as he remainedthekeyanddespite losing almost his entire core thanks to Tahir and Ali, his cool temperament prevailed as it complimented the nononsense approach of Allen to which he celebrated his milestone with the game already in the bag for his team.

The pair added 38 runs, including sealing the game with a four to seal what was their match-win

partnership under tense circumstances, eventually

cuttingloosewithaflurryof boundaries; just as the Warriors looked to their bowlers for answers with oversalmostover

Earlier, leading runscorerShaiHope(26),along with arguably the most trying batters in the team as of recent, Quentin Sampson (19) and Dwaine Pretorius (12) did their best given the situation which the team found itself in during the innings.

Onemajorsetbackisthat of the struggling opening pair in Ben McDermott (14) andAli(10)whocontinueto pressuretheWarriorsduring thepower-play

This time, their duo’s failure resulted in the Warriorsgaspingforairat326headingintothe6thover; thanks mainly to Seales’ accuracy mixed with the cunning of Mir, who rattled the misfiring Warriors in a lopsidedfirstinnings.

Moeen Ali and Romario Shepherd of Guyana Amazon Warriors celebrate the wicket of Shamar Springer of Antigua & Barbuda Falcons (Getty Images)

Van Lange, Racha ninth wicket stand helps

WI

Jonathan van Lange and Aadian Racha shared an unbroken partnership of 28 for the ninth wicket as the West Indies Under-19s held on to earn a crucial two-wicket win over Sri Lanka Under19s in the fifth Youth OneDay International, on

U19 to crucial win over Sri Lanka

Tuesday Chasing the visitors’ total of 172 in 48 overs at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium,WestIndiesslidto 145 for eight before Van Lange, who scored an unbeaten 24, and Racha, who made 17 not out, steadiedtheshipandcarried

themto173foreightin47.4 overs.

ItgavetheWestIndiesa crucial 3-2 lead over Sri Lankaintheirbest-of-seven series and needing just one more win to clinch the series

The home side seemed to be coasting to victory

Greenidge and Earshino Fontaine were at the crease

partnership that propelled them to 104 for one in the 25th over

partnership by bowling

Fontaine for 48 and having Greenidge caught and bowled for 40, in the space of three overs, the West Indies lost seven wickets for 41 runs, with Akash responsible for four ofthewicketstofall.

However, with Sri Lanka in the ascendancy, van Lange and Racha came together to take the Windies to their second successivewin.

rlier, medium pacers Racha and Shaquan Belle claimed three wickets apiece to help restrict Sri Lanka to a below par total

Opener Dimantha Mahavithana top scored with 38 and Chamika Heenatigala hit 36, but Sri Lanka also needed a herculeaneffortfromtheir lower order to get up to their total after slipping to 136foreight Racha finished with

figures of 3-37, Belle took 3-43 and Jakeem Pollard 2-12

The sixth Youth ODI willtakeplaceonFriday Summarised Scores: SRI LANKA U-19s 172 in 48 overs (Dimantha M a h a v i t h a n a 3 8 , Chamika Heenatigala 36, Kavija Gamage 22, Sanuja Ninduwara 19, Rasith Nimsara 14 not out, Viran Chamuditha 11; Aadian Racha 337, Shaquan Belle 343, Jakeem Pollard 212) vs WEST INDIES U-19s 173-8 in 47 4 o

0 , Jonathan van Lange 22 not out, Aadian Racha 17

(Trinidad Express

Jonathan van Lange

GSAtohostInclusive“OneGuyana” SquashTournamentatNationalRacquetCentre

The

The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) is set to serve up an exciting and inclusive edition of the One GuyanaSquashTournament, slated to take place from September24toOctober4at theNationalRacquetCentre.

With a strong emphasis on unity and inclusivity Only in its second year, the tournament is open to athletesacrossalllevelsand age groups Players will compete in a wide range of categories including Men’s

BCB/Republic Bank Inter Secondary School Region 6 Tournament resumes on Friday

The Berbice Cricket Board/ Republic Bank Region Six Inter-Secondary School cricket competition will resume on Friday The 30 overs a side competition whichbeganawhileagohas been held up due to various circumstances.

Two matches remain to be played with one of the finalistsalreadydecided.

The zone final of the N e w Amsterdam/Canje/East Bank Berbice zone will be played on Friday 12th September,atTheRoseHall CommunityCentreGround, East Canje, beginning at 10:00hrs.

The schools are Canje Secondary School (CSS) and New Amsterdam SecondarySchool(NAMS)

The winner will meet PortMourantSecondarythe winner of the (Lower and upper Corentyne zone) in the final week at the Rose Hall Community Centre Ground.

The tournament was solelysponsoredbytheNew Amsterdam Branch of Republic Bank Limited. A total of 17 schools were listed to participate in the tournament which was played on a knockout basis in the various zones

(SamuelWhyte)

Singles, Women’s Singles, Boys’ and Girls’ Under-15, Boys’ and Girls’ Under-19, as well as a variety of doubles competitions such as Girls’ Doubles, Boys’ Doubles, Junior Mixed Doubles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and MixedDoubles.

The action gets underway on Wednesday, September 24, with the Doubles competition taking center stage. Quarterfinal spots will be determined on theopeningday,followedby the semifinals on Thursday, September 25, and the doubles finals on Saturday, September27.

The spotlight will then shift to the individual categories, beginning with theRoundof32onTuesday, September 30 The tournament will progress with the Round of 16 on Wednesday, October 1, followedbythequarterfinals onThursday,October2,and semifinals on Friday, O c t o b e r 3 . T h e championship culminates with the highly anticipated finals on Saturday, October 4.

Attractive cash prizes will also be up for grabs for winners across all categories, recognizing the efforts of our young,

seasoned and national athletes.

Competitions Director, DejeDiashavedescribedthe event as a celebration of talent and diversity within thesquashcommunity “The One Guyana Tournament is morethanjustacompetition, it’s about bringing together a t h l e t e s f r o m a l l backgrounds and giving them a platform to shine,” a GSAofficialstated.

Spectators can expect eightdaysofthrillingrallies, strategic play, and emerging young talent as the GSA continues its mission to promote squash across the nation.

2nd Annual ‘One Guyana’Squash Tournament is set for Sept 24 to Oct 4 at NRC

Toney, Slater to represent Guyana at FIBA Americas Mid-Term Assembly

Guyana Basketball Federation (GBF) Vice PresidentsRawleToneyand Jermaine Slater will representthelocalbasketball governingbodyatthisyear’s FIBA Americas Mid-Term Assembly, scheduled for October1–5inMexicoCity, Mexico.

While this will be their first time attending the Assembly together, both ToneyandSlateraremaking their second individual appearance Toney previously attended in 2023 in Miami, while Slater participated last year in Aruba.

According to a GBF release, the two will join delegates from across FIBA’sAmericasZoneatthe Assembly, which will addressseveralcriticalareas

of basketball development and governance within the AmericasandtheCaribbean.

GBF President Michael Singh said the Federation remains committed to exposing its executive memberstothehighestlevel of basketball governance, ensuringthatGuyana’svoice is included in shaping the sport’sdirection.

SinghnotedthattheGBF is pleased to have both Vice Presidents at the Assembly, which will also be attended by the Federation’s General Secretary,PatrickHaynes.

However, Haynes will participateinhiscapacityas

Confederation) and Vice PresidentofFIBAAmericas.

Haynes is the first Guyanese to head CONCENCABA, one of threesub-zoneswithinFIBA Americas’ governance structure.

“So in reality, Guyana will have three members of the GBF present at the Assembly,andwe’rehoping to contribute meaningfully to some of the key areas of discussion,”Singhsaid.

Meanwhile, Toney, a veteran sports journalist and former President of the Linden Amateur Basketball Association (LABA), and Slater, the current President of the GeorgetownAmateur Basketball Association (GABA), both expressed their enthusiasm for attendingtheAssembly

Sincetheirelectiontothe GBF executive in January

2023, bothToney and Slater have played instrumental roles in advancing local basketball.

They spearheaded transformative initiatives, organised national tournaments,coordinatedall national team programmes for both men and women, and successfully staged the historic FIBA 3x3 Quest

earlier this year, which was the first of its kind in the E n g l i s h - s p e a k i n g Caribbean.

Singh added that their participation in Mexico will furtherstrengthentheGBF’s capacity to deliver on its mandate, adding, “Their attendance is not only about being present but about representing Guyana

basketball on the international stage and ensuring that our impact is felt.”

The GBF continues to standoutamonglocalsports federations for its commitment to building structures, creating opportunities, and working tirelessly to elevate basketballinGuyana.

GBF Vice Presidents Jermaine Slater (left) and Rawle Toney

Patil

The third game of the Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) saw Barbados Royals cement their position at the top of the table with a commanding 59-run win over Trinbago Knight Riders.

Chinelle Henry won the tossandelectedtobatfirstat the Providence Stadium, her side eventually reaching 137/6 on a fresh track Lefthanded power hitter, QianaJosephimpressedand top scored for the Royals withananchoringinningsof

India dismiss UAE for 57 in winning start to Asia Cup

The match was completed in 106 deliveriesthe fourth fewest in T20 history (Getty Images)

(BBC Sport) - India

bowled United Arab

Emiratesoutfor57tobegin the defence of their Asia Cup title with a rapid ninewicketvictoryinDubai.

On the ground where India won the Champions Trophy earlier this year, UAE reached 47-2 but lost their last eight wickets for 10runsacrossfiveovers.

India wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav took 4-7 in 2.1overs,includingthreein hissecondover OpenerAlishanSharafu, who made 22 before being bowled by Jasprit Bumrah, and captain Muhammad Waseem, who reached 19 only to be pinned lbw by Kuldeep, were the only UAEbatterstomakedouble figures. The total was the lowestmadeagainstIndiain T20s Opener Abhishek Sharmathenhitthefirstball of the chase for six and the

Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League… Athapaththutakes4,RoyalsWinAgain

63 off 52 balls at the top of theorder

Her opening partner Chamari Athapaththu made 14 off 12 balls but would playadecisivehandwiththe ball later in the match Joseph and Athapaththu put on 59 for the first wicket in seven overs that laid a foundationforthedefending champions.

DeandraDottincurtailed the Royals from posting a biggertotalbycleanbowling CourtneyWebb and Captain

Henry whilst also running out Georgia Redmayne cheaply Kycia Knight then struck four boundaries to give the Royals’ innings some impetus from the lower-middleorder

Set a target of 138, the Knight Riders imploded with the bat. Bowled out for 78 in little more than 15 overs with only Lizelle Lee playing an innings of note with39off44balls.Itwasa processionofwicketsforthe Royals, with Athapaththu

pickinguparemarkablefour wickets for just seven runs off three overs to claim the PlayeroftheMatchgong.

Her right arm off-spin waswellsupportedbythatof Sheneta Grimmond who pickedupShawnishaHector and Jahzara Claxton with consecutive balls in the second over The Knight Riders never recovered, the heavy loss seeing them rooted to the bottom of the CPLtablewithtwodefeatsin two.

second for four as the defending champions took just 4.3 overs to complete victory

Abhishek hit two more sixes and a further four in crashing 30 from 16 balls before skying a catch off seamer Junaid Siddique with10runsneeded.

Shubman Gill, playing for the first time since the dramatic fifth Test against England at The Oval, finished unbeaten on 20 from nine balls and made captain Suryakumar Yadav sevennotoutfromtwo.

India play rivals Pakistan on Sunday in their second match of the tournament.Theirfour-team groupalsoincludesOman. Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, BangladeshandHongKong areinGroupB.Thetoptwo from each group will progress to the Super Four stage.

Shreyanka

of Barbados Royals celebrates after getting the wicket of Deandra Dottin of Trinbago Knight Riders (Getty Images)

Massy Women’s Caribbean Premier League…

Athapaththu takes 4, Royals Win Again

Gritty Jangoo 51*,

Falcons

ChamariAthapaththu of Barbados Royals celebrates with teammates after getting the wicket of Jannillea Glasgow of Trinbago Knight Riders (Getty Images)

MoeenAli of GuyanaAmazon Warriors celebrates with teammates after getting the wicket of ShakibAl Hasan ofAntigua & Barbuda Falcons (Getty Images)