Guyana has been listed as one of four countries that willhelpdrivegrowthinthe oil industry this year, the InternationalEnergyAgency (IEA)hassaid.
Globalsuppliesaresetto riseby1.6millionbpdtoan averageof104.6millionbpd in 2025 and an additional 970,000 bpd next year, outstripping the expected increaseindemandoverthat period, according to IEA forecasts.TheIEAsaidmost of the supply growth is expected to be driven by non-OPEC+ producers such as the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Guyana and Canada.
A seventh development offshore Guyana in the StabroekBlockisscheduled tobesanctionedthisyearby ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL) pending regulatory approval IEA said this milestone is part of ExxonMobil's broader plan tosustainproductiongrowth inoneoftheworld'sfastestemerging oil provinces. The agency highlighted that the ExxonMobil-ledconsortium continues to make new discoveries in the prolific Stabroek Block, with estimated recoverable resources nearing 12 billion
barrelsofoilequivalent.
The IEA noted that following the anticipated sanctioning of the seventh development phase called Hammerhead in 2025, an eighth project, Longtail, is projected for approval by 2027. IEA forecasts that, with its current pipeline of
Stabroek Block will double from about 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 to 1.2 million bpd by 2029. The agency stated that Guyana's oil output is a key driver of the Americas' non-OPEC+ supply growth, which is projected to rise by 3 1 million barrels per day (mb/d)by2030. It was underscored that production from Guyana, alon
d Argentina, will continue to offset declining output from mature fields across Latin America.
Meanwhile, Reuters news agency reported on Wednesday that output increases from oil producer group OPEC+ are not leading to higher inventories, showing that markets are thirsty for more oil,ministersandexecutives from OPEC nations and
bossesofWesternoilmajors have said. OPEC+, which pumps about half of the world's oil, has been curtailing production for several years to support the market, Reuters reported. But it has reversed course this year to regain market share and as U.S. President Donald Trump demanded thegrouppumpmoretohelp keepalidongasolineprices. OPEC+, comprising the O
g Countries and allies such as Russia,begantounwindcuts of 2.17 million barrels per
production boost of 138,000 bpd. Hikes of 411,000 bpd followedeachmonthinMay, JuneandJuly
On Saturday, the group approved a 548,000-bpd jump for August and will likely approve a large hike forSeptemberwhenitmeets againinAugust,sourcestold Reuters.
"You can see that even withtheincreasesforseveral months we haven't seen a majorbuildupininventories, which means the market needed those barrels," United Arab Emirates' Energy Minister Suhail alMazroueitoldreporters.
Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Legal Affairs,AnilNandlallSChas announced that the Government is one step closer establishing new Deeds and Commercial Registry Offices in Mahdia, Region Eight and Linden, RegionTen.
He said that efforts are alsounderwaytoupgradethe Deeds and Commercial Registry sub office in New Amsterdam,BerbiceRegion Six. The Attorney General made this disclosure during his weekly commentary programme 'Issues in the News' Tuesday night as he spoke of plans to establish Deeds and Commercial Registry offices in all ten regions “Youwillrecallthat President Ali had made a promise that offices of the Deeds and Commercial Registry Authority will be establishedinalltheregions alltheoutlyingregionsofthe country.Well, this week, we will be establishing one in Mahdiaandthatwillbedone I believe Friday and before theendofthemonthanother one will be established in LindeninRegion10.
According to Nandlall the Linden Office will be establishedbytheendofthis month.
“We would have completed establishing
offices in all the outlying regions. We already have in Region One. We have a spanking new building in Region Two on the EssequibocoastatSuddie,a brand new building that the President opened. We established offices in RegionSeveninBartica.We established an office in RegionNineatLethem.And now we are concluding the outlying areas by opening one at Mahdia Friday and Linden Region 10,” the AG said He noted that the residents will now benefit from the ease and convenience of accessing a host of services offered by theregistry Significantly, the AttorneyGeneralannounced that the government is building a brand new office for the sub registry for the Deed and Commercial RegistryatNewAmsterdam.
“Currently the Deeds and Commercial Registry at [New Amsterdam] occupies very cramped conditions beneath the High Court building which they share withtheregistryofthecourt. Theconditionshavebecome almostintolerable. I visited recently and there is hardly any space for persons to walk and the documents that are being stored there are large volumes and you don't have space. So, a headquarters is badlyneededinBerbiceand wearebuildingabrandnew building at Esplanade Road.”
AccordingtotheAG,the contract sum would be somewhere between $ 767 million. He announced that bids will soon be out for a modern complex that will house the deeds and commercial registry, New Amsterdam,inBerbice.
China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) hascoppedanawardforover 7 billion barrels of oil equivalent discovery over the past decade offshore ChinaandGuyana.
This was disclosed by WoodMackenzie,oneofthe
l e a d i n g f i r m s o n comprehensive petroleum data, in a release dated June 12, 2025 The awards
ceremony was held
of the Year award. It was stated that CNOOC's 7 billionbarreldiscoveryover thepastdecademakesitrank second only toAmerican oil
giant, ExxonMobil Corporation. It was outlined thattheresourcesdiscovered are equally split between operated wells offshore China and CNOOC's deepwater success in G u y a n a N o t a b l y , ExxonMobil also received
a l o n g s i d e W o o d Mackenzie's Exploration Summit in Bordeaux to recognised industry leaders basedonpeeradmiration.
In a release, WoodMac disclosed that CNOOC received the National Oil Company (NOC) Explorer
anaward,forthemostasthe upstream industry's mostadmired explorer, particularly based on its decade-longexplorationand development success in Guyana's Stabroek Block. Exxon copped the Mostadmired Explorer award. It
was highlighted that the American oil major found over8billionbarrelsofnew field resources on a net equity basis since 2015,
whichismorethananyother companyoverthedecade. Notably, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited (EMGL), the operator of the Stabroek
Block and holds a 45% interest, while Hess Guyana holds 30% interest and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited with 25% interest.
The Stabroek Block located about 120 miles offshore Guyana, spans 6.6 million acres Oil production offshore Guyana's Stabroek Block, began in December 2019.Sincethen,production hasgrownto650,000barrels per day (bpd) from three sanctioned projects: Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, and Payara. This output is set to increase with the imminent start-up of Yellowtail, the fourth development, later thisyear Exxon already has two other sanctioned projects under its belt, the Uaru and Whiptail. The company has already submitted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for its s e v e n t h p r o j e c t ,
production targeted for 2029.Thecompanyhasalso filed an application for an eighth development named Longtail.
PrintedandPublishedbyNationalMedia& PublishingCompanyLtd. 24SaffonStreet, Charlestown,Georgetown,Guyana.
Publisher:GLENNLALL-Tel:624-6456
Editor-in-Chief:NigelWilliams Tel: 225-8465, 225-8491. Fax: 225-8473, 226-8210
On Wednesday we reported Crime Chief, Wendell Blanhum, saying that excessive consumption of alcohol is amongthemajorcausesofcriminalactivitiesinGuyana.He didnotelaborateonthispoint,althoughitisunderstoodthat most of the disorderly type of crimes are as a result of alcohol consumption Blanhum acknowledged that Guyanese still feel unsafe although statistics show that crimehasplummeted.“Inrealityevenoneviolentcrimeis onetoomany”thecrimechiefsaid,adding,“Weareworking and we will not stop working until every Guyanese feels safe,”heisquotedassaying.
His comments come on the heels of the World Health Organization (WHO) launching a major new initiative urgingcountriestoraiserealpricesontobacco,alcohol,and sugarydrinksbyatleast50%by2035throughhealthtaxes in a move designed to curb chronic diseases and generate criticalpublicrevenue.The“3by35”Initiativecomesata time, the WHO said when health systems are under enormous strain from rising noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), shrinking development aid and growing public debt.
Theconsumptionoftobacco,alcohol,andsugarydrinks are fueling the NCD epidemic. NCDs, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, account for over 75% of all deaths worldwide. A recent report shows that a one-time 50% price increase on these products could prevent 50 million premature deaths over the next 50 years. “Health taxes are one of the most efficient tools we have,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control, WHO. “They cut the consumption of harmful products and create revenuegovernmentscanreinvestinhealthcare,education, andsocialprotection.It'stimetoact.”
In Guyana, it has long been a rite of passage for a boy who desired to be seen as a “man” to not only to begin consumingalcohol,buttoshowhispeersthathecould“hold hisdrinks”.
Fromthemid-teens,then,drinkingbecameawayoflife for young men. In the last decade, this rite of passage has evidently spread to include young women. This development, (or degeneration) is ironic, but maybe it is a caseof“ifyoucan'tbeatthem,thenjointhem”.
The young men, after all, would have continued with theirheavydrinkingafterbecomingmarried;unleashingin theprocessawholesyndromeofdysfunctionalityintotheir familylife.
Since a substantial chunk of the family's budget went into the “rumshops”, the wives were forced into a hardscrabbleexistenceastheystruggledtofeedandclothe theirchildren.
Andtheoperativewordwas“forced”:violencebecame thenorminsuchfamiliessincethemenwerefrequentlyout ofcontrolbecauseoftheheavyalcoholconsumption.They had become alcoholics; but those around them kept on excusingthemandtheirbehaviouras“thewaythingswere”.
We believe the Ministry of Health and other agencies must launch a countrywide programme to educate our populace about alcoholism in simple terms. For example, thatalcoholismisadiseasethatincludesthefollowingfour symptoms:craving–astrongneed,orurge,todrink;lossof control–notbeingabletostopdrinkingoncedrinkinghas begun; physical dependence – withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety after stopping drinking;andtolerance–theneedtodrinkgreateramounts ofalcoholtoget“high”.
The stress has to be on the fact that alcoholism is a disease and like any other disease, it is treatable. Most Guyanese evaluate alcoholics and alcoholism on moral grounds – the individual is said to be “misbehaving” or “playing bad”. Whether this is true or not, this approach descends invariably solely into moral suasion and ignores the route of utilising the medical and psychological therapeutic treatments that have been proven to have a positiveimpactinthetreatmentofalcoholism.
DearEditor, Yesterday,NathanCraig, a frail 80-year-old Linden man,barelyabletostand,let alonewalk,wasbroughtinto ouroffice.Craig'sappealfor his pension was heard fourteen years after it was lodged in 2010. No sooner had he won, than the heartless NIS lodged an appeal to a non-existent Commissioner of National Insurance.
Here we have Mr Craig, penniless and fragile, deprived of his rights by an NISwhosestrategyistowait pensioners out. His story is notdissimilartoZainul's,the carpenter whose success in court angered the NIS, the AGandtheGovernment,all ofwhomhavelefthimoutto dry Zainul is paying the priceforhislessthanhonest employer, the NIS and the AG's chambers Craig is paying the price for the failure of the President to perform the simple task of a p p o i n t i n g t h e Commissioner of National Insurance and the refusal of theNIStofollowthelawlaid down in an earlier judgment oftheChiefJustice. Thewholepurposeofthe NISwastoprovidefinancial relieffortheelderlythrough
the contributions of the workersandtheiremployers. The duty of the NIS was to overseetheemployersandto maintainaccuraterecordsof contributions Partly because of political control, poor management and its failure to carry out its statutory functions, the NIS has caused grief and sufferingtoprobablytensof thousands of contributors, manyofwhomdepartedthis worldwithoutjustice.
For one thing: it is not currentlyforwantofmoney
The NIS' financial fortunes began to rise with the influx ofhighlypaidpersonsinthe expanding economy The injection of the $10 Bn was like a bonus and could have beenusedtoaddressmanyof the Scheme's more fundamental problems
Instead, the staff of the NIS a r e b u l l y i n g a n d blackmailing aggrieved persons into giving up their right to a pension in exchangeforaone-offgrant.
I wrote to President Ali months ago, pleading for an enlightenedapproachtohelp elderly NIS contributors True to form, he never responded His silence speaks volumes about his regard for suffering seniors,
or his willingness to listen and learn Mr Craig's torment exists solely because Ali lacks the competenceandcompassion tomakeabasicappointment – a simple signature on paper Mr Craig cannot walk.Hestrugglesdaily His nephew appeals for support and assistance. The tribunal ruled in his favour YetAli's failure to do this basic function condemns this man todestitution.
I have seen the letter tellingCraigthathewonhis caseandthattheNISunwon him.
It was signed by a relatively minor manager Nothing about next steps or any substantive or consequential rights he may have. Can an NIS manager be more callous, inhumane and insensitive than Area Manager 111? Or the GM andthetradeunionistsonthe BoardoftheNIS?
I have interacted with almost every single NIS in the region. I once respected ourlocalNIS. Itsaddensme torateit,byfar,astheworst in the region. It either does not recognise or cares about the pain and suffering it causes.
Candidate Ali promised
to care for the elderly He is promisingthesameagain.In office, it's a different story altogether Not a single actuarialstudycompletedor discussed – a pattern from the late nineties to now –while recipients of grants and pensions struggle each and every day The National Assembly has voted the funds to solve the problems oftheZainuls,theCraigsand the Julia Clarkes. He has expert advice on how it can be done Sadly, to be compassionate is not given toallpeople.
An ailing octogenarian (Craig) must now wait for the appointment of a Commissioner of National InsurancefortheNISappeal to be heard! Zainul, a septuagenarian, has to wait for the opportunity to climb thosehighcourtstairsagain. And let us not forget Julia Clarkewhomayhavetowait another six months for the NIS to respond to her lawyer'sletter. That is the sad state of ourNIS.
Thank you, President Ali.
Regards
ChristopherRam
Former Chairman NIS Grenada
GCB's endorsement of PPPC is offensive, nationally divisive and breaches ICC's policy
DearEditor, The unprecedented endorsementofthePPPCby the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), more so, without consent of its members' organizations, not only highlights the latest symptomofGCB'sincessant authoritarian behavior and subservience to the PPPC, butalsosadlysowsthegrave divisiveness of a nation where cricket has been the foremost passion of unity across racial and political
lines.
In a recent speech, Mr Bissoondyal Singh, President of the GCB, imperiously declared “it is withabsoluteconvictionand unwavering confidence that I, as President of the GCB, and on behalf of its entire membership, hereby publiclyandwholeheartedly endorse the leadership and presidency of President Ali andthePPPC”.
Respondingtojustifiable scathingcriticismsforsucha
Maybe alcoholism cannot be cured, but it is definitely treatable and the moral suasion could possibly be used to convincethealcoholictoseektreatment.
Alltheapproachestodealingeffectivelywithalcoholism stress the importance of the environment in which the alcoholic–whetherrecovering,intreatmentorrecalcitrant–islocated.
It is important that alcohol is not freely available or alcoholicfriendsarenottheonlysocialnetworkavailable.
InGuyana,however,laxlicensingprocedureshaveseen rum shops percolate every nook and cranny of the villages and towns. When most of the villages were laid out there were (and are) strict laws that rum shops could only be locatedonthefrontstreet:thishasgonebythewayside.
Rumshopsareevenfoundcheekandjowlwithmandirs, churchesandmasjids–apresencethatexpresslycontravenes astandingstatuteonthebooks.TheMinistryofHealthmust coordinateitseffortswiththeMinistryofHousingtorecreate a healthy environment that does not almost compel the creationofanationofalcoholics.
dictatorial act of political biasness coming from the national cricket body
m a n d a t e d b y t h e International Cricket Council (ICC) to be nonaligned with all political interests, Mr Singh, though claiming that the GCB is “ a p o l i t i c a l a n d autonomous”,doubleddown pitching for the PPPC that “President Ali is a leader of exceptional charisma, vision, and integrity His commitmenttobuildingOne Guyana (PPPC political slogan) – a nation where all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or politicalpersuasion,havethe opportunity to thrive – is wellknown”. It's either Mr Singh didn't google the meanings of “apolitical” and “autonomous”; or, he is dutifully cowering to his bossman Jagdeo mantra that Guyanese are “stupid” enough to not find his endorsement to be nothing but a full-throated advertisement for the PPPC election campaign This disturbing bald-faced atrocityisonlythetipofthe
iceberg of the perpetual unseemlyinvolvementofthe highestranksofthePPPCin the GCB's decision-making including appointments, removals,andsidelinings.
As expected, our incompetent AG Nandlall who has mouth worries, had to chime in with his foolishness that “members of the GCB have chosen to exercise this fundamental right and freedom.” Since Nandlall continues to cowardlyduckandhidefrom a public debate with yours truly, let me school him herein, that GCB members do indeed have that “right and freedom” to endorse whosoevertheywantintheir capacity as individuals; but none of them has any “right andfreedom”whatsoever,to arrogate unto themselves, any such authority to speak forallofGCB'ssub-Boards, Associations and Clubs withouttheirconsentonsuch asensitiveandconsequential matter Forinstance,didMr Singh get permissions from the Demerara Cricket Club, and the Malteenoes and MckenzieSportsClubto (Continueonpage5)
DearEditor,
As the nation counts down to the 2025 General and Regional Elections (GRE), many of the recent pronouncementsandactions bythePPP/Cadministration strike me as both ironic and deeply troubling Before delving into the substantive issues, I wish to highlight several observations that demand the attention of the public and relevant authorities.
In recent weeks, a number of public facilities, including schools, police stations, and notably the
Ogle-to-Eccles Road link,
infrastructural development iswelcomeandnecessary,it is highly inappropriate and misleading for these events, funded by public resources, to be adorned with political partyparaphernalia. A particularly glaring e x a m p l e w a s t h e commissioning of the St. Ignatius Secondary School in Region 9, where PPP/C officials appeared wearing red party-branded T-shirts and waving red, black, and yellow flags—unmistakable
symbols of the party's identity Such politicised displays at state-funded events undermine the democratic principle of impartiality in governance and blur the necessary boundary between state and party
This practice is not only inappropriate,itisunethical. Taxpayer dollars finance publicinfrastructure,andthe ceremonial unveiling of these projects must remain neutral, inclusive, and representative of the entire population, not just the governingparty
Some may argue that similar conduct occurred under the previous
A P N U + A F C administration. I welcome such scrutiny and challenge any individual to present credible evidence of state events under the coalition government where partisan branding was used in this manner Ifanysuchcasesdo exist, they too should be condemned. However, what isunfoldingunderthePPP/C appears to be a systemic effort to normalise party dominance over public life, something no democracy
Frompage4 endorse the PPPC on their behalf? I bet not, and close mycase!
To add, I had the privilege of being a key member of a special ICC Advisory Committee which wrote the USA Cricket (USAC) constitution, and followed-up with becoming a member of USAC's Administration, thus, am well grounded in the ICC's i n t o l e r a n c e f o r Governments' interferences in ICC sanctioned cricket –offencesthathaveresultedin suspensions of several countries.
T
h e a b o v e notwithstanding, I call upon Mr Singhtocomecleanand tellthepeopleofGuyana:
(I) Whether or not the allegationsaretruethatthere was no mandate by a GCB Meeting or resolution of the Board authorizing his endorsementofthePPPC.
(ii) Whether or not PresidentAlioranyMinister h a s b e e n involved/interfering in GCB's decisions such as
removals and appointments to the GCB and its suborganizations.
(iii)Why,inonlyhisfirst term and unprecedented for 80+ years, he doubled his tenurefromtwotofouryears to hold on to power, despite serious questions about the legality of GCB to change theCricketActwhich,asan Act, could only be changed by legislation; and why did he so adamantly oppose the CWI's same proposal to increaseitsBoardtenures.
(iv) How could he describe as “apolitical and autonomous”, the entire GCB Executives donning the PPPC's emblematic red shirts when visiting President Ali after Singh's re-election; and how could he officiate as President of GCB at the PPPC's cricket eventlastSundayadornedin thePPPC'sredshirt.
(v) Why Mr Foster, arguably Berbice's most accomplished cricket Board President, was forced out of his position and removed as theGCB'sRepresentativeto the Cricket West Indies
(CWI) Board, replaced by a gentlemannamedSingh.
(vi)Whycricketiconand fellowBoardmemberRoger Harper was treacherously attacked by the GCB for his team selections as CWI's Head Selector, and later removedfromtheGCB.
Further, Guyana also needs to know that while getting rid of highly competent performing African Guyanese such as Harper and Foster, the GCB diligently obeys the PPPC's One Guyana model with having 9 out of its 10 members being of East Indian descent, and one being on the PPPC's list of Candidates for the Local Government's Elections Disgracefully, this in-yourface racial disparity and political expediency follow suit with the faces of the Government and the private sector
NumerousaffectedGCB cricket entiti
expressing their outrage in
disrespectful endorsement and other improprieties of
GCB, but fear doing so in public, cognitive of the reality of Guyanese being
retaliation under the PPPC. Let's not forget that Jagdeo unabashedly warned of his “vindictiveness” in one of hispressconferences.
I will forever revere the honor of wearing the national cricket cap and a
thousands of cricketers and administrators in and out of Guyana,allstrictlyadhering to the unspoken rule of nonpoliticalconductbothon andoffthefield,resultingin thesportproudlybearingthe mantle of being the strand manifesting unity across all racial and political lines. Dreadfully,Mr Singh'sopen and unambiguous selfserving politically biased interestincollusionwiththe PPPC, has turned this good sport epitomizing Guyana's vision of unity, on top of its head!
Respectfully, Dr.VincentAdams
shouldtolerate.
The growing conflation of government and party functions suggests a troubling disregard for governance norms and democraticaccountability It reflects a broader pattern by the PPP/C administration of exploiting state platforms to consolidatepoliticalcontrol; an approach that must be firmlyresisted.
Asweapproachthe2025
Guyanesetoremainvigilant, speak out, and demand the separationofpartyandstate. We cannot allow partisan promotiontoinfiltratepublic institutions and undermine our democratic processes. This is yet another reason whythePPP/Cmustbeheld accountable, and ultimately rejectedattheballotbox.
Yourssincerely,
AnnetteFerguson
DearEditor, The doyen of Caribbean journalists is no longer with us but the exceptional quality of his work, his bravery in speaking out against authoritarianism, andhismentorshipofyoung journalists, especially in Guyana and Barbados, will neverbeforgotten.
He was not only a consummate professional b
compassionate human being. When I was at the G
I first met Rickey at the GuyanaGraphicinthe1970's when I was a cub reporter learning the ropes of the profession. I admired and learnt much from him, not just about the basics of journalism but about the importanceofintegrity In Barbados, we both specialised in CARICOM issues, covered many Heads of Government conferences together and our articles appeared in the main newspapers across the region.
Rickey's work over decades and the respect he gained from regional leaders, the business community, civil society, andthemedia,was
ing Service(GBS),RickeyandI shared the same trauma of having to leave Guyana suddenly during the dark daysofJune1980,inorderto be safe and to continue practicing our profession We both ended up in Barbados, I unexpectedly, a n d w e r e m a i n e d professional colleagues and lifelongfriends.
(Continueonpage6)
DearEditor,
Inotewithgreatconcern recent claims by certain individuals, notably those with evident political ambitions, suggesting that the "One Guyana Worship Experience" held on Monday, July 7, was intendedasapoliticalployto enticeChristians,andfurther accusing the Church and Christians of compromising theirintegrity
First, I emphatically reject such unfounded accusations The "One G u y a n a W o r s h i p Experience" was a unifying occasionandsoughttofoster national harmony, spiritual upliftment, and collective thanksgiving.Theeventwas open to all Guyanese, including those who now sit behind their keyboards to spew hate The event transcendedpolitical,ethnic, and denominational b o u n d a r i e s T h e government's support for this event underscores its commitment to promoting peace, unity, and national
cohesion, principles deeply consistent with biblical teachings.
The bible itself urges believerstouniteinworship andfellowship:
Psalm 133:1 states, "Behold,howgoodandhow pleasant it is for brethren to dwelltogetherinunity!"
Hebrews 10:24-25 admonishes believers, "And letusconsideroneanotherto provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together."
Editor, such scriptures affirmthevalueofcollective worship and reinforce unity asadivineprinciple. Itisdeeplytroublingthat the sincerity and spiritual integrity of our Christian brothers and sisters have b e e n i m p u g n e d Participating in worship and accepting government support for a faith-based event does not compromise one's devotion but aligns with the scriptural principle of collaboration for the common good. The Bible
also acknowledges the legitimacy of governance structures and their supportive role in society Romans 13:1 clearly states, "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For thereisnopowerbutofGod: the powers that be are ordainedofGod."
Furthermore,inMatthew 5:16, it instructs believers, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven " The "One G u y a n a W o r s h i p Experience" provided such an opportunity, and it showcased unity, charity, and spiritual upliftment, glorifying God and serving as a powerful testament to Christian values in public life.
I encourage everyone in Guyana, especially those who are part of political discussions, to approach these conversations with care and kindness Let's avoiddivisivelanguagethat (Continueonpage17)
Frompage5 recognisedbytheUniversity of the West Indies which awarded him an honorary doctorate.
He also received the top media award from the Caribbean Publishing and Broadcasting Association (CPBA).
DearEditor,
AsGuyanamovesdeeper into its pre-election period, weareonceagainwitnessing the unchecked spread of political paraphernalia across our public spaces. Lantern posts, utility poles, bridges, and even public facilitieslikethebusshedat Number 19 Village, Corentyne (PPPC), are now draped in party colours and slogans. It's starting to feel like the “Wild West,” where anything goes and no rules apply While we respect the right of political parties to campaign,suchactionsmust take place within a frameworkoflaw,order,and respect for public property The current state of affairs reflects a glaring lack of regulation — and worse, a lack of will — to ensure order and fairness in the use ofpublicspacesforpolitical promotion.
Other countries have not leftthismattertochance: Trinidad and Tobago
prohibits campaign material on utility poles or public infrastructure without explicit permission from the authorities.
India enforces a Model Code of Conduct that bans political ads on public property without approval, andmandatestheremovalof such materials shortly after pollsclose.
Canadaallowscampaign signs only in designated areas, and municipal bylaws enforce timely removal and impose penalties for violations.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), whichshouldbetheguardian ofelectoralfairness,appears tobeasleepatthewheel.Or worse — selectively alert. It is increasingly evident that some commissioners at G E C O M a r e m o r e concerned about appeasing their political parties than aboutbringingtheinstitution to international standards. The silence on this issue
speaksvolumes.Howcanwe claim to be a modern democracy when we can't even regulate where a party flagcanbeplaced?
G E C O M , i n collaboration with the ministries of local government and public works,mustissueimmediate guidelineson:
1. Prohibited areas for campaign materials (e g , lightpoles,bussheds,health centers,schools)
2. Authorised zones for politicalmessaging;
3.Timelines for removal aftertheelectionperiod;and
4. Clear penalties for defiance.
Let this election season notjusttestthepopularityof parties, but also the strength of our democratic institutions. Respect for rules, public property, and national identity should not be sacrificed at the altar of partisanpolitics.
Sincerely,
H.Singh
I was touched and grateful to Rickey for sending a congratulatory messagethatwasreadatthe launch of my book
“Caribbean Perspectives” lastyear
Itwaswithgreatpleasure thatIandotherformermedia representatives contributed
As President of the Caribbean Media Workers Association (CAMWORK), Rickey spoke out against ill treatment of journalists by the Governments of the day, including me at a CARICOMSummit.
to a video tribute to him on hisbirthdayafewyearsago.
I was blessed to have Rickey in my life and value myenduringfriendshipwith hisdaughterWendy
My professional and personal life was enriched through my association and friendshipwithhim.
Thank you and farewell myfriend.
Regards SandraAnnBaptiste
DearEditor, Some time ago, two beautiful and intelligent young ladies lost their lives on the Linden Soesdyke Highway They were going tolistentotheirfathergivea public address to the residents of Linden Unfortunately,thedriverran into the back of an unlit containertrailer
Thereweremanyparked o n t h e h i g h w a y , Georgetown, on the east bankandelsewhere.
Following the death of those two little girls, the commissioner of police then took it personally and instructedthetrafficchiefto make sure all trailers are lighted or unlighted and removed from the road
Those two young ladies never lived to return our investment in dedication they received from taxpayers'money
The next day Mr Editor, allthetrailerswereremoved and making the driveway safe again, those girls were President Desmond Hoyte's daughters.Doweneed
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The People's Progressive Party, once victim of a more brutal era of suppression and state-sponsored menace, now seems eager to trade places with its former tormentors.
It is no longer content to rule; it wishes also to ridicule, to repress, and to reduce its challengers—especially those, like Azruddin Mohamed and his WIN party, who dare to plant banners in the PPP-dominated areas.
But again, it is not the physical act—the jeering, the taunting, the tearing down of flags, the disruption of meetings—that should concern us most. It is the language. The press conferences of the PPP have become festivals of contempt. The microphones are not instruments of communication.
From the head table, the assaults are launched—not with knives or bricks, but with words, spat and sharpened. Ad hominem becomes doctrine. Character assassination becomes strategy. And it is not just political foes who are the objects. It is also the media and anyone who dare to be critical.
Th e G u y a n a
E l e c t i o n s
Commission's
(GECOM) revised list of votersstoodat757,715asof June 15, 2015, the electoral bodyconfirmed.
This information was provided by GECOM officials following a training session for media personnel in Kingston on Wednesday The information comes even as the commission approved symbols for 19 political parties contesting the general and regional
elections ahead of nomination day slated for Monday
Kaieteur News understands that the list is yettoundergotheprocessby which GECOM shall make all the necessary removals from, and corrections to extract the official list of electors Just last week, opposition-nominated GECOM Commissioner,
Vincent Alexander expressed concerns about chairperson, retired Justice Claudette Singh, being missing in action as the commission is still to determine a number of criticalissuesincluding the methodology for the
removal of the names of unregistered dead persons from the Register of Registrants He said GECOM continued that discussion at a previous meeting. He said the Elections Commission is seeking advice from the Attorney General on the use of Form 12 for the deletion of names s u b m i t t e d b y t h e CommissionerofPoliceand theChiefMedicalOfficer Form12isamethodthat isprovidedforinlawforthe removal of the names of dead persons via a verification process. This
newspaper understands that GECOMhasconsensuswith the use of Form 12 for the removalofnames.
Additionally, Alexander explained that while the Returning Officers (ROs) and Sup
n
y Returning Officers (SROs) have been approved, the approval
D
puty Returning Officers (DROs) and Deputy Supernumerary Returning Officer (DSROs) and other staff will be consi
n the spreadsheets on those applicantsarepresented.
K
briefing of the potential contestants is scheduled for July 19 Last month, Deputy Chief Election Officer (CEO), Aneal Giddings, told members of the press that more than 1,000 names of deceased persons have been removed from Guyana's voters' list This is based on the list of registered deaths submitted by the General Register's Office (GRO) Giddings said the
removals were based on updated records received from the General Register Office, and the cleansing of the list remains an ongoing process
Giddings had claimed that GECOM has been stepping up preparations for the country's general and regional elections set for September1,2025.
“Wearemakingsurethat the list reflects only eligible voters,”Giddingssaid.
“This is part of our commitmenttoensureafree, transparent and credible election.”
Co-leader of the WorkingPeople's Alliance (WPA), Dr. David Hinds told
The sheets should detail the bases for the r e c o m m e n d e d appointments.
supporters of the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) on Sunday that every Guyanese family deserves $1M from the oil revenues.
In his address at the coalition's campaign launch at the Square of the Revolution, Hinds said the coalition will ensure that a percentage of the oil wealth goesdirectlytoallcitizens.
“Not a $100,000 freck. Wewillgotoparliamentand we will put it into law that a percentage of the oil money willgotoeveryGuyanese.
As you all know, the partytowhichIbelongfrom as early as 2018 said that by 2025,eachGuyanesefamily could be, and will be entitledtoGUY$1million,” hesaid.
According to him,
renowned economist Professor Clive Thomas has already conducted his research, and as part of the coalition, the WPA will sit
down with its partners and decide on the correct number.Hehoweverassured that every Guyanese family willreceiveacashtransfer.
“Not cash grant, cash transfers, and you will get it by law Sisters and brothers, fortoolong,ourpeoplehave had to suffer We live in a country in which almost 50 per cent of our people are living below the poverty line.
Accordingtothebigshot people outside, they say 50 per cent of our people are earning less than $5.50 [per day]Americanmoney,that's $1100Guyanesemoney We aregoingtochangethat,”he stressed.
Dr Hinds assured that the coalition will wipe poverty off the face of the earth,urgingtheelectorateto notwastetheirvotes.
“…donotsplityourvote. Donotsplit.Ourfirsttaskis to remove the PPP We have tomovethemoutoftheway
The PPP is bad for
Guyana The PPP is blackout The PPP is extrajudicial killing The
Co leader of the Working People's Alliance (WPA) Dr. David Hinds
PPPis kidnapping. The PPP is corruption. The PPP is racism,”hesaid.
Dr Hinds then accused thecurrentadministrationof taking advantage of all the ethnicgroupsinthecountry, including the one that supports them the most, vowing to put an end to the wrongdoing.
“This country Guyana belongstoallofus.Africans, Indians, Portuguese, indigenous people, Chinese, mixedpeople.
A 46-year-old labourer identified as Nadir Baksh died on Wednesday after losingcontrolofaFront-end loader at a construction site located at Vive La Force, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
Baksh was employed with Builders Hardware Construction and was at the time attempting to manoeuvretheloaderacross a bridge at the construction
sitewhentragedystruck.
The Ministry of Labour Occupational Health and Safety Department has launched an investigation into the workplace fatality and identified the construction site as a new housing development
“During the manoeuvre an unmarked sand truck reportedly approached the loader at close range, which causedhimtolosecontrolof the vehicle”, the Ministry of Labour said. The ministry continued in its statement that at the time of the incident, another labourer, identifiedas21-year-oldMr Parmesh,wasstandinginthe bucket of the loader When Baksh lost control, he jumped into the canal and sustained minor injuries but Baksh was pinned Investigations are still ongoing.
By any measure, the claim that Guyana’s visa requirement for Haitian nationals is based on racial considerations is both reckless and uninformed. It
reflects a shallow understanding of regional immigration trends and ignores the real and urgent policy challenges posed by human trafficking, illegal migration, and border management.
To accuse Guyana of
racial discrimination because it no longer permits Haitianstoenterthecountry withoutavisaistooverlook
keyfacts,includingthelegal background to this issue. In 2018, the Caribbean Communityacceptedalegal opinion affirming that Haitian nationals, as CARICOM citizens, were entitled to a six-month stay in other member states without requiring a visa. In keeping with this view, Guyana’s then-government under the APNU+AFC administration moved swiftly to give effect to this princip
h
ough an Immigration Order Guyana led by example. Barbados andDominicafollowedsuit.
Butthenrealityhithome. Both Barbados and Dominica have since reversed that policy due to internal pressures. Guyana’s shift, however, was shaped by pressures external to its borders—specifically, from Brazil and international agencies alarmed at the country’s role, unwitting or not,asaconduitinagrowing human trafficking chain Guyana could have been subjected to damaging internationalsanctionshadit not acted in response to the data concerning Haitians enteringthecountry
Long time ago, June used to be two things: wet and wedded. It was peak rainy season and peak wedding season. People used to say, “It raining wedding in June.” Nowitjustrainingrain—andcomplaints.
Back then, you couldn’t open a Sunday paper without seeing somebody’s daughter posing in a poofy white dress, halfsuffocatingunderveilandmakeup,withthe groombesideherlookinglikehejustrealise how much the wedding cost The newspapers had pages of smiling brides, nervous grooms, and proud mothers pretending not to notice that the father drinkingsince9am.
But nowadays?You hardly see wedding photos in the paper unless somebody accidentallymarryaMinister EventheJune bridetraditiongetwashawaybythefloodof “whatever month de relatives could travel.” People now marrying in March, October, evenatChristmas!AllbecausecousinSheila and Uncle Ralph from Toronto could only get cheap airline tickets for the week after LabourDay
And weddings these days? Big, big
productions. Destination weddings in the Caribbean.Pre-weddingphotoshoots.Drone footage. Chutney bands flown in from Trinidad.That is if your parents are loaded. But with all that modern splendor, one ancient tradition still holding strong—the Great Wedding Omission. No matter the budget, the guest list, or the seating arrangement,somebodyalwaysvexbecause demdidn’tgetinvite.Everyweddinggotthat one aunty who waiting patiently, dress bought,giftwrapped,bellyempty—andthen boom! She scrolling Facebook and see the wedding in full swing. The whole family smiling, clapping, throwing rice… and she homewatchingJudgeJudy,fuming. Dem boys seh June might not be the queen of weddings anymore, but weddings still remain the number one source of joy, gossip,andsilentgrudges.Rainstillfalling, brides still walking, and people still bawling—not from love, but because dem ain’tgetinvite.Ahweddingisacelebration of love. But it also a reminder: love is blind—butguestlistsain’t. Talkhalf.Leffhalf
A significant number of Haitian nationals who entered Guyana never legally exited. Many ended up crossing the porous southernborderintoBrazil,a country now home to thousands of undocumented Haitians Others moved onward to French Guiana and even as far as Chile, where the Haitian community numbers over 200,000. Still others were caught up in trafficking networks en route to the United States, often paying smugglers up to US$4,500 forachanceatabetterlife.
Indeed,aUnitedNations report identified Guyana as part of a human trafficking route involving corridors through Brazil, Colombia, and Central America Mexican human trafficking cartels were believed to be part of this chain. These are not speculative allegations; theyarepartofthereasonthe Government of Guyana, in 2021,revokedtheautomatic entry order through Presidential Order 9, officially published in the Gazette.
Was this decision taken lightly?Certainlynot.Wasit racist? Absolutely not Rather, it was a measured response to an unfolding humanitarian and security crisis one that exposed Haitiannationalsthemselves to exploitation and abuse by unscrupuloustraffickers.
Today, only two
Caribbean countries permit Haitian nationals to enter without a visa. The vast majority of CARICOM states require visas. Should they all be accused of racial bias? Or shall we accept what Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda then Chair of CARICOM explained: that states must retain the right to safeguard their bo
framework of regional commitments?
Prime Minister Browne put it best: “It’s one thing to havetherighttomovebutif you do not follow the administrative arrangements and the legal arrangements and you are smuggled into the country, then evidently steps have to be taken to protect the integrity of the receiving State.” These are not the words of a man indifferent to CARICOM principles; they are the words of a rea
confronting a troubling reality Further, a senior CARICOM official has confirmed that evidence of traffickinginvolvingHaitian nationals—individuals who should have had free access—has been mounting. That Guyana would act decisivelyinthefaceofsuch athreatshouldbelauded,not condemned.
It is also worth noting that Haitians are not debarred from entering Guyana.Therequirementfor avisaisnotaban.Rather,it a l l o w s G u
s e immigration authorities to screen entrants before they arrive—helping to prevent exploitation and ensuring that those who come are doingsolawfullyandsafely
To single out Guyana,
adopted a similar policy, is not only misguided; it is unfair If the standard is solidaritywithHaiti,thenlet usacknowledgethatGuyana has demonstrated that solidarity—notjustinwords butinpolicy,untilthatpolicy became untenable due to external threats In international relations, pragmatism and principle often collide. But Guyana’s decision to revoke visa-free travel for Haitians is not a betrayalofCARICOMunity nor a denial of Haiti’s dignity It is a sober recalibration in the face of transnational crime and humanitarian abuse. Let us therefore reject the lazy narrative that racism lies at the heart of this policy The real story is far more complex and far more serious It is about sovereignty,security,andthe struggle to protect the very people some now claim are beingexcluded.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
The times call for one. Guyanesecoulddowithone.
I look northward, southward, and all in vain. Wanted: one political campaign orator It is at moments like these that I weigh that indefinable, intangible: what if ? What if my ambitions were different? Iwouldnominate myselftobethatlongedfor, much-needed, missing link: apoliticalcampaignspeaker so desperately in demand in thiscountry Let's
Neither Nigel Hughes nor Aubrey Norton nor Bharrat Jagdeo nor the other citizen has the resplendent and transcendent gifts that separateprimitiveprovincial politicians from oratorical and rhetorical masters Masters who make the language sizzle, the hair of theiraudiencesstandonend. It's not sufficient to have a tidy, nifty vocabulary Helps,butnotgoodenough. There is that WOW factor, the oomph surge, that gives acceleration and builds momentum to culmination in majestic crescendos Along with just that right featherytouchthatdrawsout the decent into a diminuendo Those who have it, know how to milk every bar and every note to getthelastechooutofit,and then some more. Make the echoesricochet,reverberate. Recall Churchill, Cicero, JohnF Jagdeo can't do it. Too bland,tooriddledwithholes, toomangledbysecrets. The other fella, his partner, is all volume and nothing but the blast of a barrel clanging downhill Too one dimensional, too limited in range and intellectual profoundness Verbal brawlingisnotthefineartof campaigning. It is cheap brawling,andnothingmore, possiblyless.
Norton doesn't have it, and though an old street warhorse, again he is, like Jagdeo, fighting a losing battlewithbeingtooflat,and not being able to seize the openings and launch into that rarest of rare c o m b i n a t i o n s A spellbinding orator who is also a majestic phrasemaker and incandescent inspirer
Nigel Hughes, given his lengthy courtroom playground,comesclosestto themark. Buthealsosuffers from the same deficit,
despitearichcommandof the lingua franca: when to crossover from being a technician to a political campaign magician. These guys work with a couple of handicaps. Theyareneither poets nor preachers nor writers. The visions of the night don't come easily to them, and when a few do, theyarestillhaltingandslow at hitting the gaps and runningtodaylight.
Itisthatability,thatkeen sensitivity, to discern the emotions of their listeners and then touch those as one would with a bowstring or a violin to tease them to pitch after pitch of rapture and ecstasy Thekeyisthatthose carried to such states of delirious and delicious frenzy know that they are there, but not how they got there. Undoubtedly, too many, maybe all of them, in the local political arena are too ashen faced, too wooden-minded, and too stiff lipped. There isn't too muchofasparkinthem,too little of that crackling streak of electricity that is a fusion of oratorical thunder and lightning.
Whereisthebestplaceto unleashthatkindofpower,if notonthepoliticalhustings, whereanythinggoes? What is the best issue-the most stomach churning, knee snapping, and mind bending-than cost-of-living, and how they took the oil money and made a killing, twokillingsinfact? Onefor themselves,andtheotherfor those in Guyana that they buried alive. Who wants to hear about the dynamics of economics? Why tell the people about surplus and
scarcity,whentheycouldbe told about who is starving them? Who is gorging themselves? And who's dissing them and treating themasiftheyaredogs?
If I am the PNC of Norton et al, there's one question that must soar with a trumpeter's refrain: who has starved and degraded andmockedGuyanesemore inthelastfiveyearsthanthe PPP? Whohaveharmedthe children? Who have woundedthespirit?
IfIamthePPPofJagdeo andposse,theonelinetobe repeated over and over is: who wants to take a chance and risk five years of the PNC? Who is so mad that they can be that bad? That self-destructive? Elections can be as easy as Sunday morning. Or as blisteringandunforgivingas theArtic tundra andAfrican Sahara blended Those liking it light and easy can comfort themselves with prayer Those who prefer the heat and passion of pitchedbattle,thevitalityof incendiary energy, then the campaign trail is the place for them to be. No holds barred, no prisoners taken, andnoquartergiven. Blood sportitis,butonlyforthose whorelishthetasteofit. The poster still hangs overhead: Wanted: One Orator, a campaign orator Not a prattler,butcampaignorator (The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinionsofthisnewspaper.)
Nineteen-year-old St Lucian, Condoleezza Henry who was arrested on Sunday after an unlicensed firearm was found in her home, was on Wednesday remanded to prison on threecharges.
Henry, who resides at Guyhoc Squatting Area with 29-year-old Kristoff Nicholson, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before acting Chief Magistrate Faith McGusty
According to a statement from the GuyanaPoliceForce(GPF),Henryand Nicholson were both wanted for a robbery under arms/attempted murder committed on Claudius Fraser, a 69year-oldoperationsmanageratCaliber SecurityService.
DuringWednesday'scourthearing, Henrypleadednotguiltytothecharges which alleged that on July 6, 2025 at Guyhoc squatting area, she had in her possessiona.32revolverandmatching ammunition and one spent shell without being the holder of a firearm license.
Itwasalsoallegedthatshe,whilein the company of another on June 20, 2025, on Princess Street Lodge, Georgetown, she robbed Fraser of .32 revolver valued $165,300 and
$495,000foratotalvalueof$660,300 whilebeingarmedwithaknife.
The accused was not required to
plead to the indictable charge which allegedthatonthesameday,atthesaid address, she unlawfully wounded Fraserwithintenttomurderhim.
Henry told the court that the firearmbelongedtoherchildfather
Theprosecutorobjectedtobaildue totheseriousnatureoftheoffenceand theneedtopreservepublicsafety The prosecution said the victim was hospitalised and is scheduled for surgery
MagistrateMcGustydeniedHenry bail and the matter was adjourned to July30,2025.
Minister of Public Works, Juan Edghill on Wednesday commissioned the newly rebuilt $73 7 million KwakwaniWaterfront Nursery School inRegion10.
Theschool,whichformspartofthe government's commitment to providing accessible, high-quality education for children across the country,wasbuiltthroughtheMinistry of Finance's Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF), in partnership with the CaribbeanDevelopmentBank(CDB).
Accordingtoinformationprovided on the minister's Facebook page, Minister Edghill underscored the government's unwavering dedication to investing in the nation's future, by ensuring that every child has access to safe and conducive learning environments.
“Aspartofbroadereffortstomake education more accessible and to ease the financial burden on parents,
Shaliza Smith, who was arrested on Monday for attempting to smuggle seven SIM cards to her imprisoned friendattheCampStreetjail, was on Wednesday released on $50,000 bail for the offence.
The 29-year-old, who hails from Lot 11 Hogg
Street, Albouystown, Georgetown, appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates' Court before acting Chief Magistrate,FaithMcGusty
Smith pleaded not guilty to the charge which alleged that on July 8, 2025, at the Camp Street Prison, without lawful authority, she introducedprohibitedarticles into the prison that is to say nineSIMcardstoRaySmith aprisoner
She told the court that on the day in question, she was onherwaytoworkwhenher father gave her a bag to drop totheprison.Smithnotedthat when she dropped-off the bag, was not aware the SIM wasinside.
The accused told the magistratethatshehasyoung children to take care of and she no longer knows if she stillhasherjobsinceshewas arrested and could not work onthedayoftheincident.
Magistrate McGusty releasedSmithonbail,taking into account her previous circumstancesandtheagesof her children, while highlighting that the offence isaseriousone.
Thematterwasadjourned
of Public Works,
and
Minister Edghill highlighted the government's reintroduction and increase of the Because We Care cash grant and the Uniform Voucher Programme.Inadditiontoconstructing
newschools,henotedtheexpansionof initiatives such as the hot meals programme, among others, aimed at supporting students and families,” the (Continuedonpage16)
forJuly23,2025. The Guyana Prison Service (GPS) said Tuesday that officers discovered the SIMcardsconcealedinsidea tube of Colgate toothpaste; a method intended to avoid detection during standard security checks. Following thediscovery,thewomanwas handedovertothepoliceand is expected to face court proceedingsshortly.”
Director of Prisons, NicklonElliot,issuedastern reminder to civilians about the severe risks associated with contraband smuggling within prison facilities, notingthatsuchactivitiesnot only endanger the safety of inmates and officers but also compromise the integrity of theprisonsystem.
He added that the consequences of smuggling contraband into correctional institutions are serious and can lead to significant legal repercussions.
Melisha Cylus who was charged for manslaughter over the death of her reputed husband Julian Anthony Reberio some seven years ago, was on Wednesday set freeofthechargefollowinga not-guiltyverdictbythejury
Cylus was accused of killing Reberio in the home they shared in Soesdyke, backinNovember,2018.She had told police that her husband had returned home intoxicatedandfellandhithis head. In another statement, sh
d investigators that she tried waking him up from the bed buthewasunresponsive.
An autopsy conducted by government pathologist, Dr Nehaul Singh, indicated that Reberio died of asphyxiation caused by compression injuries to the neck, in other wordsdeathbystrangulation. During Wednesday's trial before Justice Sherdel Marcus-Isaacs, Cylus' lawyersYubornAllicock and Travis Ferreira made a no case submission, noting that the prosecution could not provide evidence to tie the accusedtothecrime.
Justice Issacs then directedthejurytoreturnthe not-guiltyjudgement.
The International
Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Office of the Prime MinisterofGuyanahosteda one-day training for Guyanese journalists in PanamaonTuesday
The training sought to equip journalists with the necessary skills for accurate and transparent election
reporting as Guyana prepares for the upcoming general and regional elections.
Theworkshop,hostedin Panama City, brought together 16 journalists. The trainingfocusedonintegrity of information in media and digital platforms, the use of artificial intelligence in the analysis of political events, the generation of news, and the role of journalism and journalistic goods practices inelectoralcoverage.
In an interview with the press,JavinSingh,Pressand Information Officer for the Delegation of the EU to Guyana, explained the reasoning behind the workshop. “A few months ago, we decided that, given the fact that elections are going to be this year, we wanted to expose the journalists who will be specif
technologies and the newer things that are happening where election reporting is concerned,”Singhsaid.
Guyana's general and regionalelectionsareamong the most critical, sensitive, and intense periods for media coverage and public information dissemination.
As such, Singh emphasised the vital role of the media during this time, stating, 'At theendoftheday,youarethe buffers between politicians.
The integrity of the electorate looks to you for credible and transparent information.”
He also highlighted the EU's continued support for
democratic processes in Guyana, including the funding of past electionrelatedtrainingsessions.For this elections, the EU had implemented an Election Observation Mission ( EOM) to monitor the electoralprocess. Programme Manager of International IDEA in Guyana, Marcelo VarelaErasheva, also emphasised the importance of equipping journalists with the knowledge and tools to responsibly disseminate information, especially in addressing disinformation, misinformation, and ensuring the integrity of content during the election
Reporters and officers involved in the one day
period.“Informationisofthe essence. It's a business for the understanding of the process, the reach of the elections for democracy, it's key And journalists, t r a d i t i o n a l m e d i a influencers, have a key role in generating what we call here a climate of public opinionthatisfavourableor not for the consolidation, improvement, and developmentofdemocracy,” hesaid.
'At International IDEA, it's key that the public opinion makers, influential over the population, also play a role of, let's say, information and civic education for the citizenry,
for the electorate, to understand what's relevant for the democracy of this process. We all look for quality information. This information, which we learned during the sessions, whichisthemalicioususeof true or false information, or misinformation,whichisthe lack of appropriate information, is key in generating that climate of publicopinionthatmightbe favourable or not for a peacefuldevelopmentofthe electoral process,” VarelaErashevaadded. He also warned that the spreadoffalseormisleading information, w
r intentional or not poses a
serious threat to democracy, stating, “It erodes the foundations of a healthy democracy As we discussed, in terms of disseminating incorrect, inaccurate information, harmsthetrustworthinessof the people on the process. The problem of lying to the people is not to make them believe falsehoods, is that they're going to end up not believing anything And that's harmful for the country, that's harmful for theruleoflaw.”
Varela-Erasheva noted that International IDEA continues to support the G u y a n a E l e c t i o n s
(Continuedonpage16)
The Ministry ofAgriculture on WednesdaysignedaMemorandum of Understanding (MoU) with renowned U.S.-based agricultural company - Blumberg Grain collaboratingonthemarketingand branding of the regional food hub currently under construction at Yarrowkabra, along the SoesdykeLindenHighway
Theministrysaidthesigningis a landmark move to accelerate
mechanisms to expand Guyana's agricultural exports, reduce postharvest losses, and secure a
he CARICOM and South American markets,”theministryreported.
Delivering remarks at the ceremony,MinisterofAgriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha emphasised the transformational progress Guyana hasmadesince2020.
According to him, Guyana is
The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between CEO (ag) of NDIA, Timothy Innis and Philip Blumberg, Chairman of Blumberg Grain and Logistics, LLC.
Guyana's regional leadership in food security and agri-business development. It is seen also as a pivotalmilestoneinGuyana'sfood security agenda, championed by President Irfaan Ali “The agreement lays the foundation for integrating modern marketing s
the only country in the world that can feed its citizens. “That is a tremendous achievement for us because when we started in 2020, wesawasectorthatwasrundown; Guyana had lost its place in CARICOM Today, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Dr IrfaanAli, Guyana
Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, alongside Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and Public Service, Dr. Ashni Singh; U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Nicole Theriot; Blumberg Grain's, Chairman Philip Blumberg and other officials at the signing of the MoU on Wednesday morning. of
isleadingthefoodsecurityagenda intheregion,”herelated.
Blumberg Grain's, executive vice president, Mr Jeff Speaks noted that the partnership will focus on maximising export potential by reducing losses in the valuechain.
He said while Guyana is selfsufficient, the first step toward expandingexportsisreducingpostharvestloss—thelossfromfieldto market. “If we can minimise that, farmers will have more income, more marketable volume, and greater access to regional markets in CARICOM and northern South America,”hetoldthegathering.
Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Nicole Theriot, hailed the agreement as a transformativemomentinregional
development.
“I'm absolutely thrilled to be here today to witness this partnership — the first step in an incredibly important collaboration between Blumberg Grain and the visionary Government of Guyana. President Ali told me from the beginningthatfoodsecurityisatop priority This deal goes beyond CARICOM. It has the potential to change lives across the entire region, and I'm proud this partnership involves a U S company.”
Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance and the Public Service, Dr Ashni Singh who spoke on the broader economic implications of the agreement,reaffirmedagriculture's
developmentstrategy
The senior minister said that upon assuming office in 2020, President Ali said that the government had, as a principal economicobjective,therealisation of a globally competitive non-oil economy “One of the main pillars ofthateconomyisagriculture.Itis no accident that agriculture features so prominently in our national policy and economic priorities,”theministerstated.
Further, the agriculture ministry said the strategic
government and Blumberg Grain marksaboldsteptowardachieving sustainableagriculture-ledgrowth, not only for Guyana but for the widerregion.
Th e G u y a n a
E l e c t i o n
Commission
(GECOM) on Wednesday hosted a sensitisation training for members of the media in preparation for nomination day set for July 14,2025.
Leading the training, deputy chief elections officer,Aneal Giddings said on July 14, the CEO will receive the lists of candidates from parties and representatives of parties desirous of contesting the 2025polls.
Headdedthatthesystem in Guyana for the general and regional election is a propositional representation wherepartiesaregivenseats in proportion of number of votes gained at those elections.
“There are two elections that run, the general to elect members of the national assembly and one for regionaltoelectmembersof the regional democratic council,”Giddingssaid.
The elections are governedbytheconstitution o f G u y a n a , t h e representationofthepeoples act 1:03, the local democraticorgansactwhich governs the regional elections and the general electionsobserversact.
Giddings further stated that the nomination process with be held at the Umana Yana between the hours of 10amand2pm.
Henotedthatpartiesmay alsocontestjusttheregional democratic councils and not the general election component.
“Those persons will submit their list of candidates, now if a party is desirous of contesting elections in the national assemblythatistheregional componentofelections,they are required to submit
(AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting fiveWestAfricanleaderson
We d n e s d a y f o r a “multilateral lunch” at the White House as the region reels from the impact of sweepingU.S.aidcuts.
The surprise meeting with the leaders of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania andGuinea-Bissaucomesas the Trump administration hastakenradicalstepsitsaid aremeanttoreshapetheU.S. relationshipwithAfrica.
Theleadersareexpected to discuss key areas of cooperation including economic development, security, infrastructure and democracy, according to a statement from Liberia's presidency
The White House said “this discussion and lunch dialogue withAfrican heads
of state was arranged because President Trump believes that African countries offer incredible commercial opportunities which benefit both the American people and our Africanpartners.”
Earlier this month, U.S. authorities dissolved the U S A g e n c y f o r International Development and said it was no longer following what they called “a charity-based foreign aid model” and instead will focus on partnerships with nations that show “both the ability and willingness to helpthemselves.”
TheU.S.AfricanAffairs senior bureau official Troy Fitrell earlier this year said the Trump administration wants to focus on eliminating trade deficits withAfrica.
“Assistance involves a donor and a recipient, but commerce is an exchange betweenequals,”hesaid.
Critics say the abrupt shiftwillresultinmillionsof deaths.
Astudy published in the Lancet medical journal late last month projected that USAID's dismantling and deep funding cuts would leadtomorethan14million additionaldeathsgloballyby 2030, including 4.5 million children.
West African countries areamongthehardesthitby the dissolution of USAID. The U.S. support in Liberia amounted to 2.6% of the country's gross national income, the highest percentage anywhere in the world, according to the Center for Global Development.
geographical constituency listaswellasanationaltopup list. They may also contest the regional democratic councils as you are aware there are 10; they may but do not have to,” he said.
The
GECOM in a Facebook post, said that the commission has deemed it necessary to engage the media to prepare them for accurate coverage of the nomination day procedures.
training for
The commission said it recognises the media as a key stakeholder in the electoral process and an essential pillar to democracy, as it is through the media that public opinions regarding the electoralprocessareshaped.
A Mexican court sentences 10 men to 141 years each in a cartel-run recruitment ranch
(AP) AMexicancourt on Tuesday sentenced 10 men to 141-year prison terms each for their involvementinaranchinthe western Mexican state of Jalisco that was used by a feared cartel to recruit members,killanddisappear victims.
The discovery earlier this year of the Izaguirre ranch, used by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel for recruitment and training since 2021, had sparked alarm and fear across the region.
The 10 men were arrested in September 2024 during an initial raid on the property They were convicted on Monday in the disappearanceandmurderof three victims. On Tuesday, each was sentenced to 141 years and three months in prison, and ordered to pay
1 3 million pesos (about $65,000)inrestitutiontothe victims' families, the local prosecutor'sofficesaid.
Five other suspects detained in the case are still awaiting trial, including three municipal police officers, a CJNG operative whoallegedlyrecruitednew members, and José Murguía Santiago, the mayor of Teuchitlan, the municipality wheretheranchislocated.
Murguía Santiago was arrested just days after Mexico's Attorney General Alejandro Gertz Manero revealedthatsince2021,the Jalisco state Human Rights Commission had alerted Teuchitlan authorities about the ranch being operated by CJNG, but the warning was ignoredforyears.
The case had sparked a major controversy after Guerrero Buscadores de
Jalisco a group that searchesformissingpersons — reported in March 5 the discovery of numerous charred human bones and hundreds of clothing items andshoesatthesite. The shock brought back into the spotlight stark violence and rampant impunity in cartel-plagued parts of the Latin American nationandthetragedyofthe investigations into Mexico's 130,000missingpeople Following that report, it emerged that Jalisco's state prosecutors had not moved f o r w a r d w i t h t h e investigation for several months after the initial raid on the ranch, when the National Guard intervened and arrested the 10 men. During that operation, one body and two of the men laterdetainedwerefoundon theranch.
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With the development of Silica City located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway underway, the Guyana Water Inc.(GWI)ispreparingtodrill potablewaterwellthereforan estimatedcostof$40million.
This is according to a recent invitation for bids (IFB) issued by the agency which statesthatbidswillbeopened onJuly17attheNationalProcurementandTenderAdministration Board (NPTAB) office.
Also, in the same document, the Guyana Water Inc. stated that it plans to execute the installation of a new water supply system at Wailang VillageinRegionEightforan
estimatedcostof$40million.
It was reported in the media that GWI an agency under the Ministry of Housing and Water has been drilling a number of water wells across the country as part of itsmissionofproviding100% accesstocleanwaterincommunities.
AsitrelatestoSilicaCity, the brainchild of President Irfaan Ali, it is the government’sfirst‘smart’urban city that will be developed in the country.
In June 2024, it was reported by the Department of PublicInformation(DPI)that construction had started on some74ofthe110contracted
From page 14
Commission (GECOM) by providing technical assistance in producingvotereducationmaterials,includingbrochuresand banners to be displayed at polling stations nationwide.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed president of the Guyana PressAssociation(GPA),IvaWharton,welcomedthetraining as a valuable opportunity, especially for young journalists coveringthisyear’selections. Shesaid,“I’mgratefulforthis opportunity to benefit from this training. I know that with elections coming up in Guyana, disinformation is going to be high and with the knowledge that we gather here, we should seeimprovementinthewaystoriesaredone,howwegivethe public information. Some of the information is not new but a lot of it is new Too many of us, even though we have been in mediaforyears,alotoftheinformationisnew. Iknowforany young journalists who came here, this is a great opportunity for them to also improve on how they tell their stories.”
She also thanked the European Union and International IDEAon behalf of the media community. “I hope that we can have more collaborations in this regard,” she said.
youngprofessionalhousesin SilicaCity Whilevisitingthe work site at that time, Minister Collin Croal noted that otherinfrastructuralworkwas
New$73.7M
From page 12
done there which include the establishment of roads and drains to accommodate properirrigation. It was reported too that electricity poles have started to be installed in the area to facilitate current flow The ministernotedduringhisvisit that plans are underway to drill an independent water wellinthearea.KaieteurNews understands that these projects form part of the $10 billion which was budgeted this year to improve water quality across the country
post stated. It was reported that the modern school offers a fresh, welcoming environment for 31 students from Kwakwani. The facility includes two spacious classrooms designed to accommodate up to 48 students, along with a staff room, storage area, headmistress’office, sick bay, and sanitary block.
Additionally,itisfullyequippedwithbasicfurniture,fire detection and suppression systems, and importantly, features designed to accommodate children with disabilities, including ramps and accessible washrooms.
Relatingtothisproject,KaieteurNewshadreportedthat earlier last year, the BNTF had signed a contract with SeeSolutions to rebuild the school.
According to the BNTF the current nursery school at Kwakwani’sriverfrontexperiencesseasonalfloodingwhich adversely affects teachers, parents and children. Flooding has caused many cancelled classes as well as damage to the school’sphysicalstructure,furnitureandteachingresources.
Kaieteur News reported also that the Basic Needs Trust FundisacyclicalgrantfundedprogrammebytheCaribbean DevelopmentBankthataimstoreducetheincidenceofpoverty by targeting the cause of inequitable access to quality education.
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(Jamaica Gleaner)
Barbados Prime Minister
MiaAmor Mottley is urging allCaribbeannationstofully embrace the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) by making it their final appellatecourt,sayingitisa matter of sovereignty, security, and generational transformation.
Mottley, who was speakingattheongoing49th Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government in Montego Bay, St James, wants regionalleadersandcitizens toactwithresolve.
“Itwouldberemissofme
not to salute Winston Anderson,thenewpresident of the Caribbean Court of Justice. And may I say, the president of my own final Court of Appeal in Barbados,” said Mottley, in referencing her country's adoption of the CCJ in both its original and appellate jurisdictions.
Justice Anderson, a Jamaican,whohailsfromSt Ann,holdsdegreesfromThe UniversityoftheWestIndies andCambridgeUniversityin England.Hewassworninas the fourth president of the Caribbean Court of Justice by Governor General Sir
Patrick Allen at the Jewel Grande Resort in Montego Bay,StJames,onSunday
Mottley, who once chaired the Preparatory Committee for the establishment of the CCJ, said the time for hesitation hadlongpassed.
“You will forgive me, having been the chair of the Preparatory Committee for the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice, if I take this opportunity to once again appeal to the citizens of this region: let yourgovernmentsknowthat there ought to be a singular purpose for the CCJ to truly
PASTOR and social advocate Clive Dottin has strongly endorsed the proposal by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar to raise the legal age for marijuana use and gambling to 25 and alcohol to 21. He called the initiative “bold andcourageous”butstressed enforcementwillbecritical.
“I say, praise God, HALLELUJAH! This is a bold, courageous move Imagine these drug-dealing vampires invading our schools and communities, recruitingyoungpeopleinto gambling and prostitution dens,” Dottin said in a WhatsAppexchangeonJuly 9.Persad-Bissessarmadethe announcement during a United National Congress (UNC) public meeting in Penal on July 7, where she said her government is committed to tackling the growing crisis of substance and behavioural addiction amongyouth.
Dottinsaidthereislongstanding evidence of marijuana's harmful effects, particularly its role in the d e v e l o p m e n t o f amotivationalsyndrome.He cited findings from Dr Jodi Gilman, Associate Prof at Harvard University's Centre for Addiction Studies, who found marijuana damages the nucleus accumbens, a region of the brain essential for dreaming, motivation, and learning. According to SimplePsychologyorg, the nucleus accumbens plays a central role in how we process reward, motivation, and pleasure – it influences whatwepursueandhowwe make decisions about behaviour Dottinfurtherreferenced
research by renowned scientists Dr Hisayo Morishima of Japan and Dr Mark Sulkowski of Johns Hopkins University, who have studied marijuana's impact on human immunity
He noted their findings that marijuana can damage the DNA of white blood cells, weakening the immune system.
Morishima, a decorated academic with a long career atColumbiaUniversity,was recognised by the Japanese government for her contributions to medical research and academic collaboration. Sulkowski, a professor of medicine and clinicaltrialsleaderatJohns Hopkins, is known for his work in infectious diseases andviralhepatitis.
“Ma
carcinogens such as benzopyreneandislinkedto cancer,”Dottinadded.
Dottinsaidyearsago,he visitedaneight-year-oldboy at San Fernando General Hospital who was hydrocephalic and unable to
Frompage6 can hurt our national unity andreligiousharmony
Our country truly flourishes when all of us, whether in religious, government, or community roles, come together and work collaboratively for the
become the final Court of Appeal for all CARICOM states.”
Currently, only Barbados, Guyana, Belize, StLuciaandDominicahave fully adopted the CCJ as their final court, while the majority of CARICOM nations still rely on the United Kingdom-based Judicial Committee of the PrivyCouncil.
Mottley acknowledged thatforsomememberstates, constitutional barriers remain a hurdle, but argues that if they really want to, they should be taking meaningful steps in getting there.
the broader realities facing small island developing states should compel deeper regional integration, not just in trade and diplomacy, but in justice and legal independence.
walkduetotheboy'smother having been a heavy marijuana smoker before andduringpregnancy
"That child died in the hospital Our youth are becoming poly-drug users, destroying their brains, hearts, and lungs with marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, andenergydrinks.”
According to the Nati
Neurological Disorders and Stroke, hydrocephalus is an a
normal bu
up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain This excess fluid causes the ventricles (cavities) in the brain to enlarge, putting harmful pressure on the surrounding brain tissue. Hydrocephalus may be present at birth, develop shortly after, or result over time from injury ordamagetothebrain.
Dottin closed with a strong appeal to authorities: “My one advice to the government: ensure vigorous enforcement Legislation is good, but without action, it means nothing.”
greatergood.
“Weareawarethatsome countrieshaveconstitutional requirements, such as holding a referendum. But this, like everything else, ought to be the subject of public education. And if we can do so, I believe we can finally start to move the needlegenerationallyforus, recognisingthatthisoughtto beourfinalappellatecourt,” shesaid.
Mottley also argued that
“Our reality as small statesisnotonlytobetaken into account when theWTO (World Trade Organisation) and the need for special and differential treatment, or international financial architecture that requires us to move away from the reality of assumption with historic per capita GDP, and not understanding the vulnerability of our countriesassmallstates-but our small vulnerable states must be taken into account with respect to our Caribbean jurisprudence,” shenoted.
Mottley was particularly forcefulwhenaddressingthe implications of delayed justiceandlackoffinalityin the court system, especially concerning issues of crime andcommunitysafety
“We must address matters of citizenship
security, especially those involving individuals charged with serious offences who continue to walk freely in our communities and, in some cases, reoffend with impunity,” she declared
“Our legal system must respond to these challenges with a strong, trusted, regionalfinalcourt.”
Mottley's remarks received wide applause in t h e p l e n a r y h a l l , underscoring the growing support among CARICOM leadership for regional solutions to regional problems.
While not naming specific countries, Mottley's appealstruckachordamong leaders and legal professionals attending the three-day summit. Several sourcesclosetotheJamaican delegation noted that Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holnesshadtakennoteofthe address and signalled a willingness to “reopen the public conversation” around Jamaica's final appellate court.
Frompage6 another important person or theirchildrentodieontheroad before the commissioner of police and traffic chief take action? All the unlit trailers
Myprayeristhatweallstrive to build bridges rather than barriers, to embrace unity rather than division, and to liveoutthetrueprinciplesof ourfaith.
Sincerely,
SuelleFindlay-Williams
Unity Wholeheartedly... Remove all unlit trailers...
parked all over Georgetown, dayandnight,mustberemoved and I'm certain they're on the EastCoastandelsewhere
Sincerely, FrankDeAbreu
(AL-JAZEERA) Israel intensified air attacks across the Gaza Strip on
Wednesday, hitting residential houses and other civilianareas.
Atleast105Palestinians, including seven aid seekers, have been killed and 530 injured in Israeli attacks
across Gaza in the past 24hour reporting period, according to the territory’s HealthMinistry
The Palestinian group Hamas said Israel is “continuing its dangerous policies and comprehensive war against the Palestinian presence in the West Bank”
withthedemolitionof“more than a thousand homes” this yearalone.
“These ongoing crimes against our people and their land, which contravene all international laws, require effectiveinternationalaction to halt them, work with all our might to end the
occupation, and hold its war criminalleadersaccountable fortheirongoingviolations,” Hamas said in a statement publishedonTelegram.
According to the Wafa news agency, Israeli forces carried out a wide-ranging demolition campaign earlier today and destroyed eight Palestinian homes and two agricultural structures in the occupiedWestBankcitiesof Ramallah, Jerusalem, and Nablus.
Despite ongoing truce talks, Israel’s military continues to hammer Gaza including an overnight air strike on southern Gaza’s KhanYounis.
Umm Mohammed Shaaban, a Palestinian grandmother mourning the deaths of three of her
Smoke rises following Israeli strikes on buildings at Gaza’s Old City market on Wednesday [Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters]
grandchildren in the attack, questioned the timing of a proposedceasefire.
“After they finished us, they say they’ll make a truce?”shesaid.
In northern Gaza City, people removed debris after another overnight air strike, searching through a threestoryhouseforsurvivors–to noavail.
One resident,Ahmed alNahhal, said there was no fuel for trucks to help in rescue efforts “From midnight till now, we have been looking for the children,”hesaid.
Nearby men carried bodies in shrouds while women wept. Some kissed bodiesplacedinthebackofa vehicle.
US President Donald
Trump and his Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff have said there could be a ceasefire deal announced by theendoftheweek. There’sbeennosignofit yet,butit’sonlyWednesday, whichgivesthemafewmore daystogetthere.Netanyahu is not scheduled to leave until Thursday and often extends his trips. If there is progress, there’s a real possibility of seeing him stay
Asforwhethertherewill be a third meeting between Trump and Netanyahu –well, we didn’t expect there would be a second one on Tuesday
Scheduling seems to be atthewhimofthepresident, so we’ll have to watch and see.
The government remains optimistic that the long-standing ban on catfish exports to the United States ofAmerica (USA) will be liftedsoon.
Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar MustaphagavethisassuranceonWednesday during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU)betweenGuyanaand BlumbergGrainattheministry’sheadoffice inGeorgetown.
Minister Mustapha shared that he has been in regular contact with the US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, on the issue. “I hope very shortly we can have the ban lifted so that Guyana could once again export the catfish to the US,” he explained.
SinceAugust 2020, the government has been working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to lift theban.
TheUnitedStatesimposedabanonwildcaught catfish imports in September 2017 since Guyana’s inspection system did not
mirror the USDA’s standards at the time. Before the government-imposed restriction, Guyana’s catfish exports to the US were valued at approximately $1 8 billion annually
Ambassador Theriot acknowledged Guyana’scommitmenttoresolvingtheissue, noting that the country has been highly receptive and has taken all the necessary steps to resolve the matter The ambassador explained that Guyana, like the rest of the world,wasrequiredtorequalifyandsubmit additionaldocuments.“Iknowthishasbeen a long-term negotiation…Guyana has taken everystepwehaveaskedofthis.Itisalong process,”Sheexplained.“Icantellyouthatit isgoingverywell.Iamveryhopeful,asisthe minister,thatwewillhavethisresolvedsoon and that it will be a positive response. I am certainly pushing on my end to make that happen.” The requirements for importing catfish and most seafood into the United Statesbecamesignificantlystricterinrecent years. (DPI)
SportsMax - Though the West Indies meekly surrendered their three-match Test series to Australia with a 133-run defeat in Grenada, a few players managed to earn individual gains in the latest ICC Test RankingsupdatereleasedonWednesday
The Caribbean side, which struggled for consistency, especially with the bat, across the series, found some consolation in personalachievements—particularlyforfast bowlers Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph, who both moved up six spots to now sit at 29th and 31st, respectively, in the ICC Test BowlingRankings.
Among the batters, Roston Chase advancedfourplacesto81st,whileBrandon King, who has been working to establish
himself in the longest format, surged 60 places to 83rd, following improved contributions with the bat in the secondTest attheNationalCricketStadium.
From the Australian camp, Cameron Green jumped four spots to 45th and Beau Webstermoveduptwoto50thinthebatting standings, as both delivered solid performancestohelptheirsidesealtheseries win.
Elsewhere in the rankings, England’s Harry Brook reclaimed the number one spot intheTestBattingRankings,ashedisplaced JoeRootafterscoringamasterful158inthe second Test against India in Birmingham. Brook now leads with 886 rating points, overtakingRootby18.TheEdgbastonmatch
also saw India captain Shubman Gill rocket 15spotstoacareer-bestsixthpositionafterhe became just the second player in history to post 150+ scores in both innings of a Test match.
India’s pace duo Mohammad Siraj and Akash Deep also reaped rewards, as Siraj movedupto22ndandDeepjumped39places toacareer-best45thfollowingamaiden10wicketmatchhaul.
Meanwhile,SouthAfrica’sWiaanMulder stole the show in Bulawayo with a recordbreaking 367 not out, the highest Test score byaSouthAfrican. Thatknockliftedhim34spotsto22ndin thebattingrankings.Withthreewicketsinthe match, he also climbed to 48th among bowlersand,moreimpressively,thirdamong all-rounders, trailing only Ravindra Jadeja andMehidyHasanMiraz.
Frompage23 alsoscoredawinoverWFM Ysvett Hermoso Rodriguez. The Bajan forced the Trinidadian to concede as Reifer-Belle’s advanced pawns posed a dangerous threattoRodriguez’sKing.
ARIES(Mar.21–Apr.19)
A close friend or romantic partner may seem in a rather quiet mood, Aries, and disinclined to communicate withyou.Youmightwonderif this person is angry with you or if you've said or done somethingthatwasn'tOK.
TAURUS(Apr.20–May20)
The possibility of your pursuing new career opportunities, perhaps with morepay,mightcausedoubts andinsecuritiesamongfamily members,Taurus.They could be afraid that you will have lesstimeforthem.
GEMINI(May21–June20)
Worries about a relative who lives far away might plague you today, Gemini. The situation isn't helped by the factthatyoumaynotbeableto reachthembyphoneoremail.
CANCER(June21–July22)
A check you may have been expecting in the mail may be delayed, Cancer, and you might not be able to contact whoever is sending it. You couldworryoverwhether
LEO(July23–Aug.22)
You could suddenly experience an overwhelming waveofaffectionforsomeone you'vejustmet,Leo,perhapsa potential romantic partner Fantasies of the future could waftinandoutofyourmind.
VIRGO(Aug 23–Sept 22)
Newideasforincreasingyour income, particularly if they involve extra work, could suddenly seem vague and uncertain today Doubts and insecurities could sabotage the plans you were so ready foryesterday
LIBRA(Sept.23–Oct.22)
Romancemaybeverymuchon your mind today, though not necessarily in a positive way. Doubts and insecurities could takeoveryourthoughts.Doesa current or potential romantic partnershareyourfeelings?
SCORPIO(Oct.23–Nov 21)
Brusque words or a lack of cordiality from a friend or colleague might have you wondering if this person is angry with you. Don't let your insecuritymakeyoucrazy
SAGIT(Nov 22–Dec.21)
Someone could call and want to share some troubles with you Your sensitivity and compassion may attract more than one unhappy person in needofsympathyandadvice.
CAPRI(Dec.22–Jan.19)
Uncertaintyaboutmoneycould plague you today, Capricorn You might have doubts about income now, particularly if you're self-employed Be careful not to make yourself crazy Your insecurity might causethesituationtoseemeven moreseriousthanitreallyis
AQUARIUS(Jan.20–Feb.18)
A love partner may seem too quiet, Aquarius. Perhaps you haven'theardfromyourfriend foradayorso.Ifyouletit,this could start your doubts and insecurities, causing you to wonderifthispersonstillcares orifthey'regoneforever
PISCES(Feb.19–Mar.20)
Possible ideas for artistic projects could come to you, Pisces, though some of them maybevagueandnotyetready to manifest. You may seek to express your spiritual side throughartisticactivity
IntheJuniorCARICOM individual segment, four Guyanese players received prizesafterplacinginthetop ten in the FIDE-rated nineroundSwisstournament.
Barbados Mileke Sinckler emerged victorious with 7.5 points over the forty-six competing participants. Noah Clarke, alsofromBarbados,finished with 7.5 points to earn the second-place position Suriname’s Ravish Ramesar placed third with 6.5 points and Guyana’s Alexander Zhang placed fourth also with6.5 points. Aaron Jaikaran from Barbados, Guyana’s Nicholas Zhang and Alek Ubaldo-Singh, Suriname’s Ky-mani Wijnhard, and Guyana’s Micaiah Enoe, all gained 6 points, placing them in fifth and ninth, respectively Thie Yen Fung from Suriname placed tenth with5.5points.
Despite Guyana Team A end in fifth-place, the tournament was deemed a success. Bringing together chessplayersfromacrossthe Caribbean, the event providesavaluableplatform for them to compete, build lasting friendships, and engage in high-level play as acohesiveregion.
Dr Armstrong Alexis, DeputySecretary-Generalof CARICOM, had earlier pledged the support of the CARICOM Secretariat and notedtheimpactofsportsin general on the social life of citizens “The Caribbean Community places a strong emphasisonsportasavector of change in the region...We allknowthatparticipationin sports serves as a vehicle to mitigate against crime and other anti-social behaviour,” he emphasized at the Opening Ceremony of the games.
TheChiefArbiterforthe t o u r n a m e n t w a s International Arbiter Kelvin Daniel, supported by GuyaneseFIDEArbiterJohn Lee.
Thetournamentreceived s u p p o r t f r o m t h e Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA) and FIDE, the International Chess Federation. The GCF is th
r
e overwhelming support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, DDL throughitsbrandsTopcoand
Savannah Milk, Industrial Safety Supplies Inc., Apan Energy,NTSAmegaGlobal, CB Group of Companies, Neurospine Services Inc , Movements Restaurant and Bar and all other sponsors who have made this tournament possible The GCF expresses gratitude to the Pegasus Suites for their supportandforprovidingan exquisite venue for the tournament.
The next instalment of the CARICOM Classic is scheduledfor2027.
Popular Georgetownbased team Everest Masters beat St. Cuthbert’s Mission Pakuri Jaguars by a comfortable, 62-run margin lastSundayinafriendlyT20 match in St Cuthbert’s Mission,Demerara-Mahaica Region.
Everest Masters compiledaformidable229-3 at the expiration of the 20overswhilethehostsreplied with 162-9 when the 20oversranout.
Pakuri Jaguars were in forthechaseledbyasuperb, unbeaten 114 from opening b a t s m a n Av a n a s h Poonsammy
Theright-handercracked
eight sixes and nine fours from58ballsbutthesupport was lacking at the other end with wickets falling quite frequently
Former Guyana youth player Vick Mahabeer grabbed four wickets for 25 runsfromhismaximumfour overs to lead the way for Everest on a responsive pitch.
Mahabeer, who also featured for West Indies Over-40 team last year, was well supported by guest player and seamer Ariel Tilku with 3-8 from three brilliantovers.
Earlier, Everest Masters won the toss and opted to
take first strike. Vishan Lall top-scored with 53 which containedfivesixesandtwo boundarieswhileex-Guyana and West Indies opening batter Rajendra Chandrika added an impressive 52 (6x6).
Hemraj Garbarran, another former Guyana youthplayerwasalsoamong therunswith37andveteran all-rounder Sahadeo Hardaiowcontributed21.
Poonsammy,whopicked up a wicket for Pakuri Jaguars, was selected as the player-of-the-match for his sensational batting performance.
He received a trophy
Frompage25
Promotions, overseeing windball cricket activitiesinschoolsnationwide.
Mr David has played an integral role in curriculum development, school sports coordination, and technical officiating. He previously served as Acting Administrator fortheNGOGenerationNextandcontinues to work actively in shaping youth development initiatives His leadership philosophy is summed up in his life motto: “Wherethereisawill,thereisaway.”
LemarWilliams
Mr LemarWilliamsisanAttorneyatLaw and the current Corporate Legal Officer I at BanksDIHLimited,oneofGuyana’sleading corporateinstitutions.HeholdsaBachelorof Laws (LL.B.) degree from the University of the West Indies, where he also undertook specialized studies in Sports and EntertainmentLaw.
An advocate for youth development and civic engagement, Mr. Williams previously served as Chairperson of the Sports CommitteeatUWI,wherehefosteredgreater student participation through inclusive athletic initiatives. He is also a former Opposition Youth Parliamentarian and Maritime Debate Champion, known for his eloquence, critical thinking, and leadership capabilities.
Inadditiontohislegalqualifications,Mr Williams holds certifications in Legal Research, Information Technology, and Electrical Wiring and Installation, underscoring his interdisciplinary expertise. Outsidethecourtroom,heispassionateabout football,athletics,chess,andtravel.
Mr Williams’ approach to leadership is grounded in integrity, service, and institutional development, values that will guidehiscontributionstotheFIB.
The GFF, through its President Wayne FordeandtheGFFCouncil,hasextendedits sincere appreciation to the members of the First Instance Body for stepping forward to serve football in this pivotal capacity The Federation reaffirmed its full support to the FIB, including access to all necessary training, documentation, and technical resourcestofacilitatetheeffectiveexecution oftheirmandate.
Theestablishmentofthisbodyisacritical componentoftheGFF’scommitmenttogood governance and the long-term development ofclubfootballinGuyana.Asthelocalgame continues to evolve, the First Instance Body willplayakeyroleinensuringthatonlyclubs that meet the established standards are permittedtocompete,therebypreservingthe integrityofthesportandpromotingaculture ofcontinuousimprovement.
while both the winning and runners-upteamscollecteda trophy each. All trophies were sponsored by Pakuri Jaguars.
Meanwhile, during the
presentation ceremony, Everest Masters in collaboration with Everest Cricket Club donated a quantity of cricket gear to PakuriJaguars.
A clinical allround game by the Jamaicanshelpedthemnotchupatense 5-runwinoveraspiritedGuyanateam, as part of yesterday’s round played at theConareeSportsClubGround.
Jamaica skipper Brian Barnes pummeled a 47-ball 68 with a pair of foursandsixmaximums,whilelowerordercontributionsfromPajayNelson (40) and Vitel Lawes (42*), pushed their side to a solid 260 all out in the 47thover
The Guyanese bowling toiled despite taking all the opposition wickets,asleft-armspinnerGolcharan Chulai (2-43) and part-timer ParmeshwarRam(2-59)finishedasthe pickofthelot.
Despite courageous knocks from opener Romeo Deonarine (55), RampersaudRamnauth(39),32apiece from Sachin Balgobin and skipper JohnnyVanLangealongwith31from Salim Khan down the order, failed to takeGuyanahomeastheyfellshortin thefinaloverfor255.
Itwasastiffbowlingoutingforthe Jamaicans but Kev’Aundre Virgo’s 437 coupled with Barnes returning to capture 2-35, helped pull off a daring heist.
Guyana’s next assignment will be tomorrow,ThursdayJuly10versusthe Windward Islands from 10:00h. (C. Ross)
Promin
a
player and former Berbice Inter-County cricketer Anil Beharry donated a box of balls to the home-team as well.
SportsMax - Emotions ran high,andpridebeamedfromevery word as legendary squash mentor Carl Ince reflected on what he described as one of the most rewardingmomentsofhisjourney, ashewitnessedGuyanacapturenot one, but three titles at the 2025 Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships.
The outstanding Guyana team wrote a golden chapter in the region’s sporting history as they clinched the boys’ team title, the girls’teamtitle,and,ultimately,the overall team title, which asserted their dominance on Caribbean courts in a fashion that left little doubtaboutthefutureofthesportin thenation
Ince,whohasdedicateddecades tobuildingthefoundationofsquash in Guyana, could not hide the emotion as he praised the players, coaches, and supportive families behindthescenes.
“Ican’tbegintotellyouallhow happy I am to congratulate you on this well-deserved and truly inspiring victory Watching this teamrisetothechallengesandtake back victory has been one of the most rewarding moments of my journey I’msothankfulIgottobea smallpartofit,”Incesaid.
While the spotlight was rightly on the athletes’talent and tenacity, Ince was quick to highlight the broader picture—a growing and unified support structure behind Guyana’s sustained success. He credited the diversity and strength of the coaching and management staff, whose blend of experience and fresh energy, he said, has become a catalyst for national
excellence.
“Beyondtheskillandgritofthe players,whatstandsouttomeisthe diversity and strength of the management and coaching team. The solid foundations, new ideas, andcommitmentofparentshaveall contributed to creating something truly powerful. I know we all felt it,”hesaid.Guyanahaslongbeena powerhouse in junior squash but
had recently been challenged by rising talent from Barbados, Jamaica, and host nation Cayman Islands.
With this 2025 clean sweep, Guyana signalled that its developmentpipelineisrobustand forward-facing.
“This win is a beautiful example of what joint effort, shared vision, and a deep love for
the game and Guyana can accomplish I see the full team of coaches we now have as an amazing resource for so much more growth and see the committed leadership that will carry Guyana’s sporting legacy forward with pride, purpose, and excellence. There’s nothing more an old coach could wish to see in retirement,”Incedeclared.
Team Jamaica emerged as the winner of the CARICOM Classic Team Chess Tournament 2025, with Trinidad and Tobago coming in a close second and Suriname in third. The week-long FIDE-rated classic round-robin format saw eight CARICOM nations and ten teams, comprising four team memberseach,
c
championshiptrophy
From July 1st to 6th, 2025, the Pegasus Suites in Kingston, Georgetown, was the venue for highly competitive games hosted by the Guyana Chess Federation (GCF) in collaboration with the CARICOMSecretariat.
Team Barbados placed fourth, while Guyana’s Team A secured fifth place. WCM Aditi Joshi was
Guyana’s top performer with 6 points, while CM Taffin Khan and Kyle Couchman ended with 5.5 points each. TeamAamassed 21.5 points, in comparison with Jamaica’s 29.5, Trinidad and Tobago’s 29, Suriname’s 25.5, and Barbados’ 22.5 points. Jamaica’s Shreyas Smith, the top performer forthe tournament,playedunbeatenin
the nine-round tournament, with 8.5 points having drawn his game against Trinidad and Tobago’s FM KevinCupid.
In a significant setback, Barbadosdentedthefortunesofthe Trinidadian team and ended their winning streak in Round Eight.
Emar Edwards of Barbados scored an upset over FM Joshua Johnson in a match that lasted 28 moves.A
clever manoeuvre by Edwards (known as an ‘in-between move’) wonhim
Johnson’s Rook and a winning checkmate threat (28. Re8) that trumped the capture of Edwards’s exposed Queen by a black Bishop. Johnsonresignedsoonafter.
For the female players, BarbadianChanonReifer-Belle Continued on page 21
2025 CARICOM Classic Team top finishers after the tournament.
The 17th Running of the Guyana Cup & Super Concert returns to the ‘historic battle grounds’ Rising Sun Turf Club on Sunday 17th August, 2025 withworldclasshorseracing and an international display
of culture and stage performancesfromthekings
of Chutney, Soca & Dancehall.
West Coast Berbice is expected to be buzzing with excitement as preparations havealreadybeenstartedon the grounds to ensure patrons,vendorsandconcert goershavetheexperienceof a lifetime.This year, special attention was placed on the car parks to eliminate roadside parking and vending to guarantee no traffic congestion to and fromtheevent.
The Guyana Cup & Super Concert 2025 will not
only feature fierce competition among the region’s best racehorses, but will also be headlined by Chutney’s finest Ravi B & Karma The Band The internationally acclaimed chutney-soca superstar Ravi Bknownforhishigh-energy performances and chart-
toppinghitslikeRumisMeh Lover and Dularie Nanny, Ravi B & Karma will take the stage live with an electrifying performance with all their fanfare and pyrotechnics.
RaviBissambhar,known as Ravi B is a prominent Chutney Soca artist from Trinidad and Tobago. He is the lead vocalist, music director, producer and arrangerforthebandKarma.
Ravi B is known for his versatility in performing various genres, including Chutney Soca, Bollywood, Soca, Reggae, Bhajans and Classical Indian singing. He also works as a radio personality on Trinidad and Tobago’s90.5fm.
Born into a musical family of Bhojpuri Indian descent, Ravi B began his singing career at the age of 13.
He founded the band Karmawithhissiblings,Anil andNishaBissambharatthe age of 25. Ravi B’s musical journey includes studies at Sangre Grande Hindu School, North Eastern
College and the University oftheWestIndies.Heisalso pursuingadegreeinbusiness management and sound engineering.
RaviB’sdedicationtohis crafthastakenhimtovarious countries, showcasing his talentandpassionformusic. He is recognized for his ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles and for his charismatic stage presence.
Hisdedicationtohiscraft and cultural heritage has solidified his position as a leadingfigureintheChutney Socamusicscene.
When contacted concert coordinator Navendra
Ramnauth indicated,
“Jumbo Jet Events has delivered on every artiste advertisedthusfar Thisyear Guyana Cup is special to us because it’s the golden year The 17th Running of the Guyana Cup on the 17th of August, 2025. Our planning team carefully selected this star-studded cast to ensure we have entertainment to reach every demographic at our event. We will continue toreleasemoredetailsonthe hugecastchosenforthemost anticipatedconcertfor2025. Log on to the Jumbo Jet Events fan page for further details or call 650-6431 or 655-6636.”
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The quarterfinal line-up of the 2025 Petra-ExxonMobil Under-14 Football Championship has been finalized following anaction-packedround-of-16onWednesday attheMinistryofEducationground.
Amixofexpectedresultsandsurprising upsetskeptfansontheirfeetastheknockout phase got underway in the popular schools’ football tournament, featuring both boys’ andgirls’divisions.
IntheGirls’category,BarticaSecondary wasthefirsttobooktheirquarterfinalspotin emphatic fashion, crushing Good Hope Secondary11-0.StarstrikerKeilysWilliams led the charge with a sensational four-goal haul. She received support from Nerismar Williams, Ronelly Williams, and Verlerkys Simon each scoring a brace while Ganesha Spencer and Keys Austin added one goal apiece. Marian Academy continued their dominantrun,comfortablydispatchingasixplayer West Ruimveldt Secondary side 6-0. HaleyHaberkornnettedtwicewithstrikesin the2ndand8thminutes,whileKaleighTodd also bagged a brace performance. Skylar DeNobrigaandCrystalPattersonaddedone goal each as Marian remained firm title contenders.
Chase’sAcademicFoundationkepttheir hopesalivewithahard-fought2-1winover Annandale Secondary Leandra Henrito opened the scoring in the 14th minute, and DianaEdwardssealedtheresultinthe27th.
Meanwhile, Abram Zuil Secondary denied St Joseph High a quarterfinal berth with a commanding 4-0 victory Akeela Williams registered a brilliant hat-trick (20th,25th,38thminutes),andFaithAdams added another in the 36th to cap the win for theRegionTwoside.
East Ruimveldt Secondary edged past Westminster Secondary 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Rodelisa Collins, while Bust Lot Secondary secured a 2-1 win over New Central High. Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary
and Waramuri Secondary also advanced followingwalkovervictories.
Over in the Boys’ division, defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation showed their class in a 3-1 win over a resilient Charlestown Secondary Jadan Christian,NyronBarrow,andJashanHaynes eachfoundthenetonce,withtheircombined attacking prowess proving too much for Charlestown.
StJohn’sCollegecruisedtoa3-0victory over Belladrum Secondary, powered by a brace from Shangi Welch and a goal from JasiahNedd,provingtobeanotherdominant contenderintheBoy’sdivision.
East Ruimveldt Secondary also made it through, with MosesAllen’s brace inspiring a 3-1 triumph over West Demerara Secondary OmariChaseaddedthethirdgoal inthe24thminutetosealtheresult.
Three Mile Secondary’s Joshua James producedaone-manshow,nettingahat-trick (8th, 28th, 32nd minutes) in a dominant 3-0 winoverNewAmsterdamSecondary Three Mile now joins the list of teams advancing furtherinthe2025tournament.
Later on, penalty shootouts determined thefateofseveralteams.CharitySecondary edged Bygeval Secondary 3-2 on penalties, Waramuri Secondary defeated St Joseph High 4-2, West Ruimveldt outlasted Annandale Secondary 5-4, and Dolphin Secondary overcame Cotton Field Secondary7-6inthrillingshootouts.
The 2025 tournament is sponsored by ExxonMobil with support from SkyTec, MVP Sports, Stena Drilling, I-Cee Soft Drink, and Demerara Mutual. It is also endorsed by the Ministry of Education and theMinistryofCulture,YouthandSport
With the quarterfinals now set, anticipation is building as the remaining teams prepare to battle for a place in the semifinals of the prestigious U14 tournament.
The Guyana Football Federation (GFF) has officially announced the formation of its First Instance Body (FIB), an independent decisionmaking committee mandated to evaluate club licensing applications in accordance with Article 11 of the Concacaf Club LicensingRegulations.
This development marks asignificantmilestoneinthe G F F ’s e f f o r t s t o professionalise domestic footballandensurethatclubs adhere to internationally recognised standards for operational, financial, and sportingexcellence.
The establishment of the FIB aligns with the broader objectives of the Concacaf Club Licensing System, a regulatory framework launchedin2013toraisethe standards of football clubs across the region The systemevaluatesclubsbased onsixcorecriteria:sporting, infrastructure,personneland administrative, legal, financial, and social responsibility Onlylicensed clubs are eligible to participate in Concacafsanctioned regional and international competitions, including the prestigious ConcacafChampionsCup.
The FIB is tasked with evaluating applications submittedbylocalclubsand determining whether they meet the minimum criteria for licensing. This includes validating documents, assessing compliance, and rendering reasoned, impartial decisions The committee also plays a critical role in promoting
t r a n s p a r e n c y a n d accountability across the footballinglandscape.
Members of the newly appointedbodywillservefor atermoftwoyears.Theyare expected to maintain detailed records of all deliberations and decisions and submit reports to the GFF Club Licensing Manager for onward transmissiontoConcacaf.
The FIB is not just a regulatorytoolbutacatalyst forgrowthanddevelopment within club football in Guyana The Federation believes the licensing process should be viewed as an opportunity for clubs to improve their internal structures, governance
practices, and long-term sustainability
The GFF has appointed three distinguished professionals to serve as members of the First InstanceBody: ShellonBess
Ms Shellon Bess currently serves as the DeputyPermanentSecretary at the Ministry of Health. She brings a wealth of experience in governance, human resources, and administrative oversight, having led divisions responsible for personnel m a n a g e m e n t a n d scholarship administration. A meticulous and resultsdriven professional, Ms. Bess has also held roles in the education and private sectors, demonstrating adaptability and leadership acrossdiverseenvironments.
H e r a c a d e m i c qualifications include a Master’sDegreeinBusiness
Administration – University
of Bedfordshire; a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration – University of Guyana; an Associate Degree in Education – Cyril PotterCollegeofEducation; a Certificate in Industrial RelationsandSocialStudies – Critchlow Labour College and a Certificate in Small Business Management –
Ms. Bess is known for her interpersonal acumen, effective communication, and ability to manage complex operations in both public and private institutions.
JuliusNathanielDavid Mr Julius David is a respected educator and spor
currently serving as a Lecturer II and Coordinator of the Agricultural Science Department at the Cyril PotterCollegeofEducation. A native of Kuru Kuru, Mr David has over two decades of experience in education, sports development, and youthengagement.
After beginning his careerasateacher,heearned
his Trained Teacher Certificate, followed by a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. His commitment tosportledhimtocompletea programme in Sports Administration through the G u y a n a O l y m p i c Association. He has also served as a Programme DirectoratAlSportandTour
Continued on page 22
Carl Ince hails Guyana’s triple crown at CASA Championships
braces Marian Academy into quarters, as St. John’s College advance with 3-0
into quarterfinals.